“It’s going into the station account,” Holly said. “Everynit. We pay off the loan first, then we start repairs, and you andSam get paid a good salary for once.” She paused, and a decision settled in her chest. “And there are going to be some changes around here.”
Alyce’s brows rose. “What kind of changes?”
Holly looked at her. At this woman who had carried Moone’s Landing on her back for years, who had run the hotel before Holly showed up, who had been at Holly’s door every single day she’d been in bed, who had found Charles’ d-pad and figured out how to open it. She thought of the others who weren’t here, Sam, Harry, Mish, Tyer, Orba and Sula, and she looked at the man standing by the window who had given up his commission to save her home.
“I have an idea that will make this station stronger,” Holly said with a wave of her hand. “But I need to work out some details before I share it.”
She didn’t elaborate. She wasn’t ready to, not yet. The idea was still taking shape, but it was solid and clear, and felt right. It was a plan she imagined would have made Oliver Moone proud.
“Mom, do you think we can get Mr. Binn to come out here?”
Forty-Nine
It was one month later.
Holly stood on the landing pad, knowing her smile was too wide and her expression too eager. She didn’t care. The days of worrying about whether she was too enthusiastic or too creative or tooanythingwere over. The transport that had just landed was remarkably sleek and, based on a quick glance at the model, it was also remarkably fast. As in, hyper-speed fast. She’d bet the guest who had just arrived had gotten here faster than her parents had a month ago.
She fidgeted as docking clamps locked to the floor and the ship went through depressurization. It felt like an eternity. By Holly’s side, Rasker’s hand touched the small of her back. It was a simple acknowledgment of something that had been a long time coming.
“Easy,” he said in a low, gentle voice. “It’s going to be fine.”
Rasker knew of her plans. Knew why she had invited Mr. Binn here. Aside from her parents, he was still the only one. Well, and Mr. Binn himself.
The door slid open and a familiar, neatly put-together figure stepped out.
The lawyer took off his hat and greeted her warmly. His dark eyes flicked around the landing pad, which had a fully stable force field and had received a few upgrades. A third pad was being constructed off to the side, with plans for a fourth. Out on the surface of the moon, beyond the dome, flat areas had been graded and marked for additional landing zones to accommodate the increased traffic they were anticipating. Eventually, the force field could be expanded to enclose part of the surface, creating a proper docking area for larger vessels. It was a lot. Sam had announced that he would not only need his repair bots once the third landing pad was complete, but a small staff to run the spaceport. Holly had told him to start looking for new employees now.
“It is wonderful to see you again, Ms. Greene-Moone,” Mr. Binn said with more enthusiasm than she had expected. He had been very proper and professional at her parents’ house four months ago.
“Thank you, sir,” she said, matching his greeting. She shook his hand and he clasped his other over hers and held it for just a moment more. “I wish I could have come here sooner, but I made the trip as soon as my schedule allowed it. I must admit I was very curious to see what you have accomplished here. Your parents had so much to say.” He raised his brows and looked around again. “And you’ve made quite a splash. Many systems in the quadrant are talking about this station.”
Holly laughed. “Who knew that an out-of-date antique of a place like this could become popular?” She swept a hand toward the elevator. “But first, I think you remember Rasker Vipp from your dealings with Rest ’N Recharge, back when we thought Moone’s Landing would have to be sold. He’s staying here.”
Mr. Binn gave Rasker a firm handshake with a critical eye. “Oh, yes. Mr. Vipp. I recall our dealings very well. How are you enjoying retirement from the consulting business?”
Rasker gave him an easy smile. “The best thing I ever did was come to Moone’s Landing.” He shrugged and slid an arm around Holly’s waist. “This place keeps me busy and happy. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“I hear Rest ’N Recharge gave you their blessing to step away from their dealings and focus on this place.” Mr. Binn winked. “You made them quite a bit of money, although not in the way anyone had planned.”
Rasker chuckled. “They are receiving quite the sum from their settlement with Complete Respite for the illegal acquisition of several other properties. And they have less competition now that Complete Respite’s business has been, shall we say, diminished.”
Mr. Binn turned back to Holly. “And your cousin? I trust you have managed to repair the damage he did to your lovely station?”
“We have,” she said. “Although it nearly cost us everything. Cody is in one of Galactic Enforcement’s penal colonies, from what I hear.” Holly shook her head. Feeling sorry for Cody was not an option, but she wished he had chosen a different path. “He won’t be troubling us, or anyone else, anytime soon.”
“Orever,” said Rasker. “They’ll be monitoring him for the rest of his days. They found he had a long criminal history. He was behind a lot of harm to a lot of people.”
“Well,” Holly said, sweeping a hand toward the elevator again. “I can’t wait to show you Moone’s Landing. I think you’ll be surprised.”
Mr. Binn looked eager. “Ms. Greene-Moone, very little can surprise me these days.” He carried a small case while an articulated humanoid bot exited the shuttle behind him with a luggage container. “However, what I have heard about what you’ve done here has made me very excited. Very excited indeed.”
They traveled down in the elevator with Mr. Binn’s silent assistant bot and stepped into the square.
Holly opened her arms to encompass the place she now called home to the very heart of her being. “Welcome to Moone’s Landing, Mr. Binn. I’m so glad you could make it.”
The fountain bubbled in the center of the square, clear water cascading over its three tiers. The dome gleamed overhead, its outer surface having been buffed and resealed to a crystal-clear transparency that brought the stars and the gas giant they orbited into stunning focus. The lighting, which reflected the time of day at nearly noon, flooded the square with warmth. People wandered the paths. The Emporium had expanded into one of the formerly empty storefronts next door, as The Emporium Annex. Harry had added a neon mushroom light to his shop front. And someone had inquired about opening a cafe in one of the other vacant units.
Holly filled Mr. Binn in on the repairs that had been completed,. The lawyer had somehow managed to arrange an expedited reinspection two weeks ago. The inspectors had made a point in saying how unprecedented it was to be sent back to the same location so soon, but Moone’s Landing passed. The biggest challenge had been the water system. It had needed to be completely rebuilt, and in the process, Holly had designed a modernized replacement. Drawing on her engineering skills, she drew up a more efficient system using superior materials and a streamlined layout that would last hundreds of years without concern. The redesign had also opened up more space in the caverns, and the pools were now used regularly by residents and guests alike. The lighting had been improved, the walkways widened, and there was now a proper bathhouse with towels, robes, and a mini nutrient processor for snacks and drinks. Rasker enjoyed the cavern pools daily. If Holly couldn’tfind him, she knew where he was: swimming in those clean, mineralized pools, enjoying what made him a Nakrian.
