Polity Citizens


    The majority of systems have complex laws about citizenship, residency, taxes and other related issues. This means that citizens of each polity have their own responsibilities and rights as per that local polity and their government framework. Care should be taken when interacting with local citizens who are not subject to Guild law.


    Excerpted With Permission


    Data Trader’s Handbook


    Copyright 3250, Interstellar Data Trader Guild


    By the time they made it back to UI, Leo was more than happy to offload the entire enterprise to Craig. The details of running such a large company were already starting to wear Leo out. He had no idea how simple data trading was compared to most businesses when they started their scheme to make QFeed a reality.


    Since they had no plans to leave UI anytime soon, they brought the Theo into close orbit alongside Bohemia station. Craig informed them that the gas giant Bohemia orbited was actually called Fluffy, of all things. Apparently, the system’s founders had a sense of humor.


    Approaching Bohemia in the old shuttle they had originally bought from the Reggie, Leo noticed that the station looked different than he remembered it. There seemed to be some new external ports on the side facing Fluffy.


    He altered course a bit to get a better look. It seemed like there were massive windows all along the surface of the hab that faced the gas giant. Like most Habs, Bohemia was basically a giant cylinder. Usually that meant the external surfaces were pretty uniform since that was the most efficient shape for a pressure vessel which is essentially what a hab is. This one now bulged out on the side towards the planet.


    He pointed out the windows to Ramona who was piloting the shuttle alongside him. “What the heck is that?”


    Ramona examined the side of the station. “Looks like windows?”


    Apparently, Craig was listening from the back. “Oh, did they finish my office?”


    “Office?”


    “Well, office, bar, entertainment spaces. You know, to host corporate events?”


    Leo just shook his head. “Corporate events?”


    He couldn’t see Craig from where he was sitting but he could almost hear the shrug. “I think that’s what they call them. You didn’t expect me to live in a boring beige cylinder, did you?”


    “Um, ya, I did, but now that I think about it, I’m not terribly surprised.”


    Leo switched over to his radio to call the hab. Based on prior experience, he wasn’t expecting much. “Bohemia control, this is shuttle Quebec Foxtrot One with you at one million klicks. Requesting docking instructions.”


    Shockingly, ten seconds later, he got his answer. “Quebec Foxtrot, you are cleared to bay nine. Confirm handshake.”


    After locking in the nav system, he eased his flight harness so he could lean over and look back at the passenger cabin where Craig was sitting. “Craig, what the fuck?”


    Craig didn’t do the innocent look well. “What? Sounded like the proper response to me.”


    “Ya, that’s the problem. The last time we were here the guy on duty was asleep and seemed stoned out of his mind when we talked to him.”


    “Oh, well. I may have modified the bylaws of the hab a bit.”


    “A bit?”


    “Well, I made it so any military veterans who want to live there get their rent at half off if they agree to work on station.”


    “Why?”


    “Good work ethic. I am going to need to hire a ton of people and veterans make a good hiring pool.”


    “And the folks who lived here before don’t mind?”


    “No, they’re pretty laid back as a rule. Most of them were concerned that the Hab would go into bankruptcy and they’d have to move. Besides, I cancelled the debt of all residents who have been on station for five years or more. They were still paying the debt from initial construction. All and all I think people are happy.”


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    After safing and securing the shuttle, they moved out of the docking bay and into the hab proper. Leo wasn’t sure, but the station seemed cleaner than before. “Station seems really clean.”


    Craig rubbed his hands together and spread his arms in a gesture that encompassed the entire station around them. “Can’t have the Galactic Headquarters of QFeed Inc. looking drab or dirty, can we?”


    Ramona just stared at him, “Galactic Headquarters?”


    Craig smiled and nodded enthusiastically. “Yah kid. You gotta think big.” As they walked down the hallway, a janitorial bot passed them almost silently. Craig pointed to it. “Remember that IP buy from Lackers? Turns out those things work great!”


    Leo laughed. Apparently, owning the IP for a janitorial bot was useful after all. He had completely forgotten the trade.


    Moving into the lift, Craig selected the top floor. “Hopefully, the offices are ready.”


    “Offices?”


    “Ya, you know ‘QFeed Galactic Headquarters’?”


    “Is that what we’re really going to call it?”


    As the doors of the lift opened, Craig gestured for them to exit with a grand sweeping gesture. As soon as they entered the corridor, they realized why. Across the large corridor was a massive sign reading “QFeed Incorporated” in ten-foot glowing purple letters and “Galactic Headquarters” in only slightly smaller letters underneath.


    “Holy crap.”


    Craig looked immensely pleased with himself. “Like it?”


    “Uh, it’s a bit much, don’t you think?”


    “Nonsense!” He walked up to a door in the corridor that looked like it was made from real wood and attempted to open it. When the door refused to open, he started banging on it with his fist. “Hey! Hello!! Anyone home in there?”


    After a few seconds, a woman opened the door with a quizzical look on her face. “I’m sorry, but we’re not open for business yet. Can you come back another time?”


    Craig pushed forward, almost knocking the poor woman down. “Nonsense!! I’m Craig Linton! These two are board members! We’ve come here to inspect the new offices.”


    A look of horror came over the woman’s face. “Oh! Sir! I’m terribly sorry! Your instructions just said to get the construction done. We had no idea you were coming today!”


    “Well, we’re here now. How is the construction going?”


    “Oh, just fine. Everything in your office is done according to your design and the outer offices are complete. All the furniture arrived yesterday.”


    “Lovely. And your name is?”


    “Oh, I’m Carol. Carol Jennings.”


    Craig reached out a hand and gave her an enthusiastic handshake. “So nice to meet you Carol! Welcome to QFeed Inc. You’re going to enjoy working here.”


    Carol looked confused again. “I’m sorry? I’m just here from the temp agency, they asked me to keep an eye on things and make sure the construction was going as per the specifications.”


    “Yes, yes. But you work for QFeed now. Welcome!”


    “Oh, wait, I’m sorry, I don’t think I can do that.”


    “Nonsense!”


    “Well, I have a contract, you see.”


    “Ah, and you’d rather keep doing temp work?”


    “Oh no, I was a senior director of operations for a mining company until they went out of business a few years ago. Temp work is all I could get on station.”


    “OK, right. So, you’re now director of operations for QFeed.”


    “I’m sorry, Mr. Linton…”


    “Craig.”


    “I’m sorry Craig but I don’t think I can do that, you see I had to sign a contract that prevents me from working for agency clients. Standard sort of thing for a temp agency so you don’t just bypass them and hire workers directly.”


    “Oh, that’s not a problem.”


    “It’s not?”


    “No.”


    “Can I ask why that is?”


    “It’s because I own the temp agency.”


    “You do?”


    “Yep. Bought it when I bought the hab. Actually, I bought most of the businesses here on Bohemia. Seemed simpler that way.”


    “Oh, my.”


    “So, you want to be my Director of Ops?”


    “Um, yes, certainly. Standard contract?”


    “Yes, I’ll double your temp agency rate and give you a one year contract with an opt out for you after 30 days.”


    “Um, that’s very generous.”


    “You’ll earn it.”


    “Well, then thanks.”


    He shook her hand again. “Welcome aboard. This is Leo and Ramona, they’re on the board of directors. Our other board member is Ollu and she may show up at some point. I’ll send you photos so you can recognize her.” He started to wander around the room. There were several leather chairs spread about the large room and a large counter where presumably a receptionist would sit. At the far end of the room was another large wooden door. “Where is my office?”


    Carol pointed at the second door. “Just through there, end of the hall.”


    Craig walked over, opened the door and walked down the hallway. The hallway was lined with other, smaller doors, each one a natural wood door matching the two they had already seen. Leo walked behind Craig and was surprised to see his name on one of the doors. “Wait, is that my office?”


    Craig smiled. “Ya kid, you’re a board member. Can’t be working out of a coffee shop, now, can you?” He kept moving to the end of the hallway and a third large door. It said, “Craig Linton, CEO” on it in gold letters. Craig threw open the double doors and entered the rather large office. In one corner was a large desk that looked like an antique, in another corner was a conference table that could hold eight people and in the middle were four plush leather chairs. Walking over behind the desk, he pulled open a panel inset into the desktop. “How do I work this thing, Carol?”


    She walked over and pointed. “Instructions are here. Green button opens and red button closes.”


    Leo was curious. “Opens what?”


    Craig laughed and pressed a button on the console. Suddenly, the entire ceiling started to move, revealing windows underneath the wood paneling of the ceiling. Within a few seconds, the paneling had moved back and they could see out the windows. Windows that faced out, showing the magnificent face of Fluffy, the gas giant. The room glowed with the reflected light from the massive planet.


    “Holy shit!”


    Leo didn’t realize he had spoken aloud until Ramona laughed. She was looking up, transfixed with the view. “Holy shit, indeed. Craig, you certainly know how to impress a girl, don’t you?”


    Craig sighed and leaned back in the leather chair behind his desk. “Now, this is something I could get used to.”