May/June 2011 Lite Challenge entry - Planet Mining Company

[tilt]

Having now read JT's story I see we have the same background story ... so I'll try my hand at a little story writing to set the mood *lol*

Dieter Warthburg was walking back to his quarters, the communiqe from HQ foremost on his mind. He had to find a good planet to mine and soon if he was to keep his job, not to mention his life. Interworld had just scored a major succes in sector 124 B and the Hannover-Rossik share was still way behind after the corruption scandal last fall. He sighed as he put his hand on the scanner. As the door opened he saw the screen flicking on - a message blinking - a private message. He knew who it was before he even reached the screen and he had no interest in talking to him now, listening to the threats, to how high his debts were by now. He sighed, sat down and poured himself a drink. Slowly sipping it letting it roll around his tongue... savoring the taste he leaned back... that Carol had given him some expensive tastes, but damn this was good whiskey. He wondered were she were now - probably gotten out while she was ahead. She hated the job, she told him on more than one occasion - in confidence of course - and drunk. Well they both were drunk, who wouldn't be with jobs like theirs. The glass was empty - already. He put it down on the desk and was just about to open the message getting ready to beg for his life when his com sounded.
"Captain - we got a promising planet only 2 jumps away." the ensign said.
Dieter smiled.