The One Thing Zarathustra Didn't Own

Garred Van Ribey saw Rooka-Tharis leave the escalator, step aside, and stand looking around the cocktail lounge. Xerxes was the one thing about Zarathustra that the company didn't own. The Terran Federation had retained that as a naval base. It was the one reminder that there was something bigger and more powerful than the company. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, dodged when he reached for her and took his arm. He guided her toward one of the bartending machines, inserted his credit key and put a four-portion jug under the spout,. dialing the cocktail they always had when they drank together.