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“Because they perceived me as having an unearned status.We went back a little.Instead of moving for the benefit of all, it turned into the survival of one.That will take a while to lose, but he should not have aimed at my head.That shows an awareness of a vulnerability and a willingness to exploit it.So I hope he will get what is coming to him.”

The other male smiled.“You are to have judgment over your people for the first six months, so this will be interesting.”

She snorted.“Oh, this will be weird.”

Her quarters were lovely and in the large tower in the centre of the city.The Hmrain who owned the world, the system, and the several systems nearby was rarely seen.He did not care for living beings, aside from needing them for food.

Wenvari lived in the tower at the top, and then it was politicians and high civil servants.She would not see him in the course of her daily activities.He liked to leave the colonies alone to run themselves.

Her clothing generator had suggestions for a business wardrobe, so she got it started.

By the time she had eaten and was ready to sleep for the night, everything was lined up, and she had set timers for her first shift in the offices below.It was time to start earning her keep.

Chapter Two

Reem followed the directionsin her head to her office.There was a group of people waiting, and she headed for the door markedComptroller.

“Get in line.”There was a growl from her left.

She calmly pressed her palm to the bio-lock, and it snicked open.“I could, but we would all be out here for a very long time.”

She walked inside, found the beverage dispenser, and summoned a cup of tea and a glass of water.

Reem moved around the desk and got settled as the visitors filled the room.She looked at the first one, brought up the docket of what needed to be decided, and looked to the shy-looking person in the centre of the crowd.“Name?”

“Aldiat Reno.”

“What do you wish to discuss, Aldiat?”

Reem brought up all of the files and saw that it was a business expansion request.She looked into the buildings, the files, the environment, and the required plumbing for the expansion.

“I wish to expand my bakery and kio shop.I have a business plan and an estimated planning diagram.”

“What will you do about foot traffic?”

“It will bring more clients into the local businesses.”