Tunnel Rat Chapter 369 (Patreon)

While the representatives prepared the application and loan papers to facilitate Milo and Belinda's plans, they went back to the smaller room to finish their talk with John Sabbatino. Myra was allowed to stay, and in addition to Milo and Belinda, Eric Kresthammer took a seat along with Steven and Samantha Duran. Marisa took a seat as well, staying silent but watching all of the players in the room. She wasn't sure of the exact details but guessed that there were more connections to Rhebus than she was aware of.

John looked worn out, but hopeful as Belinda came in. She made no move toward him, and when he went to get up, Eric pushed him gently back into his seat.

Steven began, "Mr. Sabbatino, I know we have met before, under happier circumstances, but let me remind you that my wife and I work with Wally, who runs the worldwide computing system, as well as the Genesis game, which your daughter has taken part in."

John smiled, "She sure has! Did you see how she led that raid? That's my girl!"

Steven smiled, "Yes, that was enjoyable. One of the first big raids in the game. It put Belinda on our radar. We didn't want to next the next big thing she did. Unfortunately, we became aware of inconsistencies with her data over time, and that her gaming pod had been tampered with."

John looked at Belinda, then down at the table. "I wouldn't know anything about that. It was probably done by her doctors."

Samantha angrily tossed a stack of depositions over to John, "Not according to those doctors. They are all in captivity currently with charges ranging from attempted kidnapping to war crimes. As you may not be aware, the testimony of war criminals can be taken under the effects of truth serums and lie detectors. They have a lot of years ahead of them in prison and are competing to see who sings loudest. Most of it is classified but involves Victor Seimovich. However, some of it was about their dealings with you, including your agreement to falsify her medical data to hide the drug and nanite treatments being administered to her. Because she was a minor at the time, those records have been sealed by Wally, for her protection."

"In other words, Daddy, you're still mixing in a lot of lies and trying to make yourself look good. I'll never be able to trust you."

"Belinda, please, I tried! I was in a hard situation and doing my best!"

"Don't worry, I'm going to take away all of that stress. It's over, John. I'm taking over Manpower and you are retiring."

John stood up, angry. "No, I built that company. It's mine!"

"You built it with money borrowed against my trust funds, and those loans are now due. Past due in some cases. I don't think even Eric was aware of how much you borrowed. If I don't pay off your debts, Manpower is bankrupt and a lot of people get hurt. I don't want to see that happen."

John looked hopeful until she continued. "But if I'm the one paying them off, I'm taking the company and you're out. Listen carefully, this is the best deal you're going to get. You're going to sell me all of your shares in the company and retire from your position as president. You'll still be listed as a PR consultant to the company, along with Myra, but I don't expect much from you. You'll be tossed just enough information that you can answer a few questions and pretend like you're still in the loop. But you'll cut no deals or make any promises. Go play at tradeshows, tell stories about how proud you are of me, and how you couldn't wait to turn over the reins to me. You and Myra will draw modest salaries from the company for as long as you behave. You don't get a company car, corporate jet, or company credit card. That all comes out of your salary. And you will say nothing about me, or my parents, or any little secrets you may know. Don't disappoint me, John."

He looked at her, "And if I refuse?"

Milo tossed him a business card. "That's the name of the Interpol Agent I'll call, and you'll be sharing a cell with Victor. You're guilty of collaborating with others in the genetic manipulation of a minor and drugging her against her will for financial control of her assets, along with a lot of other crimes."

The Milo's voice became angry, "You're also guilty of eight-thousand, seven hundred and six building code violations for construction in Section H of this habitat which I am going to have to fix. Some of which affected the health of people in Section E.  I'll sue you for each and every one of them, and I'll make sure charges are being pressed."

Eric put his hand on John's shoulder to get his attention and help him focus "John, even though you hurt and betrayed her, she's giving you a way out. You can just walk away, and drop all the anxiety and stress. Go enjoy some quiet time and give her a few years. It really is the best deal you're going to get."

John nodded slowly. "Ok, just tell me what to do."

Milo pushed across four copies of a contract for John to sign, Eric explained it to him and showed him where to sign on each page. An hour later John and Myra were packed and heading to the airport for a twenty-hour flight to Australia to attend The Kanga-Con Gaming Convention in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Johns's mood had changed to upbeat, "It really is a great chance to travel and get away from it all. How bad can it be sitting in the bargain section at the back of the plane?" 

After John and Myra were gone, Eric leaned back in his chair. "Now what? You've got the Ruby Slippers, the witch is dead and the scarecrow is by your side. I'll be the tin man and let Marisa be the lion. She's braver than I am." Belinda laughed, and Milo was trying to replay the movie with the Ruby Slippers in his head to figure out the references. He'd been mostly asleep when they'd watched it, and he mostly remembered the flying monkeys.

"Now we get to work. I'm going to be spending the rest of the week talking to people from state, local, and federal governments about our plans for the habitat and Manpower buying the rest of it. And I would be happy if you, Eric, were working right beside me. How does the title of President, ten times your current salary, and stock options sound?"

He shook his head, "Too much to run Manpower, not even your father was paid that much."

"Manpower is getting bigger. I'll loan it the money, and Manpower buys the habitat. We're also going to go ahead with all the expansion plans. Genesis needs a lot more room."

Steven pushed a large binder to Eric. "Indeed we do. With the links between Rhebus, Genesis, and Claw Master, Wally has suggested that we could start moving all of the Contract Workers in the game to this habitat. Of course, that means it has to be completely safe, with enough people working here to handle that many pods."

Milo said, "Schools. We need to set up schools in each section and advanced schools in each quadrant. We need to train electricians, welders, engineers, plumbers, and every type of technician needed for the reconstruction of the habitat. All the corporations who failed to do their contracts had labor shortages. It's dumb to be short workers when so many people in the habitats need work and schooling. We can get started with the trained people we can hire and use craftsmen from the habitat as soon as they're trained."

"And all the technicians to monitor the pods." Samantha was tapping away furiously on her pad. "I'd already run the projections and didn't think we could get enough people to move to the habitat to take the jobs or keep them. But using the local populace is much better. And it will make Wally happy."

Eric looked at all the projects being tossed his way. "Yeah, I'm thinking you're right. Ten times my current salary sounds about right. Do I get that big suite of rooms John had with the jacuzzi and swimming pool?"

Belinda rolled her eyes at that. "He had a swimming pool? Of course, he did. It's all yours. Charge the redecorating to the company and put all his stuff in storage. If he ever settles down somewhere, we'll ship it to him."

Marisa was thinking. "I'm going to hit my boss up for a jacuzzi. I don't want to fall behind. If I can get ahold of him. Mr. Borkavich has been getting ready for some big event that's happening tomorrow and hasn't been available for anything else."

Milo stood up suddenly and said to Belinda, "I have to go, this tie is too tight." He stole more cheese from the charcuterie board and grabbed a cup of coffee, which made Steven curious.

"Milo is drinking coffee now? I'm not sure if I'm happy to see him doing something normal, or scared of what he's like with a cup in him."

Belinda looked after him. "Scary. Very scary."