A Rarity

The crew of the Chancer V enjoys a luxurious meal at the behest of a Syndicate crime lord.
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Min Ai smiled at Gavin from across the table. The man really was uncanny. Gavin knew the Syndicate operative by reputation. His hands were dirtier than even the most ruthless ONI operative. And yet even with the knowledge of the graveyards he’d filled and the twin Sangheili bodyguards looming behind his chair Min Ai’s graceful charm still managed to set the room at ease. This man would have made a good politician. Unfortunately, he made an even better criminal.
“I hope I haven’t offended you, Captain Dunn,” Min said. “Please, relax. My security measures are an unfortunate necessity for a man in my position.”
Gavin forced a smile. “Not at all, Mr. Ai,” he assured the killer across the table. “I could say the same about my own, ah, security.” For once he appreciated Simon’s tough-guy act. An armored Spartan playing bodyguard with a shotgun evened the odds a bit.
Zoey sat beside Gavin. She kept eying the Sangheili with interest, absently drumming her boot against the dining table legs. Gavin blocked her leg with his own before she could chip the priceless mahogany. He didn’t need the Syndicate billing him for that, too. His tab was high enough already.
“I apologize for the messy business outside,” Min Ai continued. “Another unfortunate necessity. I hope I didn’t disturb the young lady.”
“I’ve seen worse,” Zoey said quickly. Gavin winced. He really needed to teach her manners, especially where Syndicate dignitaries were involved—a Syndicate dignitary who’d just had a man beheaded.
Unfortunately, Zoey had Min’s attention now. “You’re awfully brave, Ms…?”
“Zoey.” She didn’t catch the sidelong glare Gavin shot her way. An elbow to the ribs wouldn’t go over well. They’d have to have a serious talk back on the Chancer.
“Zoey…” Min Ai’s flashed. His smile widened. “Oh yes, Zoey Hunsinger. How forgetful of me. I’m glad you’re doing well. I see that Stray’s taken good care of you.”
Gavin felt Simon stiffen behind him.
“It’s a shame you won’t join your friends at the table, Stray.” Min patted the tablecloth. “Stop treating this like a meeting. I brought you all here to thank you for all your hard work.”
“I’ll pass.” Simon didn’t move. “My armor would just wreck your chairs.”
“You could always take the armor off.” Min laughed at his own suggestion. “Oh well. It’s your loss. You’ll miss out on an excellent meal. My chefs are the best on Venezia. I make sure of that. Speaking of which…”
Gavin smelled the food before it appeared. The aroma of cooked meat wafted into the dining room. Gavin felt his mouth water and remembered that he hadn’t eaten anything not freeze-dried and pre-packaged for weeks. He tried his best to look unimpressed.
A man and a woman in stylish serving jackets entered bearing silver trays laden with food. Gavin forced himself not to look at the waiters as they laid the food across the table. They both wore the dull  non-expressions he often saw on Syndicate staff. These two probably had it better than most, but to think of what they must have been through…
Gavin looked guiltily at the plate the woman set before him. It really was something else: a freshly-seared steak neatly arranged atop a bed of boiled greens. Zoey gasped audibly at the sight of her own meal and snatched a fork off the table. Gavin caught her wrist before she could dig in, earning himself a reproachful glare.
“Hey, what gives?” she muttered.
“It’s not polite,” he said, just loud enough for Min Ai to hear. “Don’t be rude.”
Min AI laughed pleasantly. “Not to worry, Captain Dunn. I’m always happy to see someone who appreciates filet mignon. I’ve always been partial to beef. Did you have much meat growing up, young lady?”
“No.” Zoey shot Gavin a rebellious look. “No, sir.”
“I’m not surprised. Meat—real meat, not that plant-based nonsense they grow out on the farms—is hard to come by outside the Inner Colonies. It was like that even before the war. The UEG passed strict sanctions on growing and slaughtering livestock. They said the old, large-scale farming methods were inhumane, that people were eating more meat than was good for them.” Min Ai paused to smile at the woman as she refilled his wine glass. “They were right, of course. And so the price of good meat skyrocketed. The politicians on Earth and their wealthy friends could afford it, of course. Colonists like ourselves, well, not so much. But at least they saved a few cows.”
Min Ai cut into his own meal. “Neo-feudalism. Look it up after you’ve enjoyed your meal, Ms. Hunsinger. That’s the system the UEG prefers, though they’d never admit it. And that’s what your captain is helping me fight out here. If the Syndicate’s business continues apace, you’ll be seeing plenty more meals just like this one.”
Gavin grimly untucked his own knife. If only any of that were true. The woman holding the wine bottle stepped beside him to fill his glass. “Thank you,” Gavin said quietly. He couldn’t bring himself to look her in the eye.
Category:The Weekly