Deep Space Epoch

Colossal machines and factories dug apart the planet, separating timber, biomatter, various ores and resources before packing them up and selling them to various locations across the galaxy. This is just the legal proceeds on the planet, what isn't stated is that this is actually a life planet with humans, a primitive tribe of blue skinned humans still fighting with spears and bows.

The presence of humans would have made mining on this planet illegal, but Northern Star Mining Co. hid this information to take advantage of the resource rich planet. They also have many hidden transactions where they capture and sell the natives as slaves. Originally the nearby pirates treat this planet as a hub for collecting manpower when needed, but now it was a central transaction hub for all slaves, purchasing and selling.

This time Ivan rose the Kraken from subspace into the surface universe some distance away from the planet and allowed the ship to slowly descend toward it, because of a certain individual kneeling before him while trembling.

Lanise was terrified as Ivan looked down at her kneeling before him.

"P-President-" Lanise began to desperately say.

"Lanise, tell me why you did it."

"P-President, that unevolved trash dared touch me all over with his disgusting hands. I… How can I let something like that go? I did what you said, President, I took them somewhere others wouldn't see…"

"But they did see, Lanise. Either someone saw, there was a hidden camera somewhere, or something else. You were careless, and even left a mess of a body behind."

"I…I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry, President."

Lanise was crying and trembling with her head downcast as Ivan coldly looked down upon her. Seeing her like this, Ivan was lost in his own thoughts.

'I knew the Celestials held some prejudice toward three-dimensional beings. Although this is especially true for the Vulpes, who came from a limited monarchy society where their social positions determined their status. I didn't expect it to become this severe though. At least they are patriotic toward Celestials, and as long as I grasp the propaganda, I can easily lead them in the direction I want.'

"Lanise," Ivan called out calmly, pinching Lanise's chin and raising her head up as he knelt on one knee to look down into her violet eyes. "How old are you this year?"

"Tw-twenty-one," Lanise choked on her voice through the tears.

"Are you proud to be a Celestial?"

"Y-yes… It, and you, mean everything to me, P-President… You have done so much for us."

"And do you think that being a Celestial makes you superior?"

"Th-that…"

Lanise's eyes grew wide in surprise while being slightly confused. She looked back into Ivan's eyes which were blue like the ocean, becoming lost in his gaze.

"It makes you superior, Lanise, never forget that. So do not lower yourself to that level again, they are unworthy of your attention."

Lanise blankly nodded and Ivan grabbed his sleeve and dried her tears.

"Next time simply throw them into subspace and be done with it, no evidence will remain that way. Although make it somewhere it won't cause us any problems, okay?"

Lanise nodded repetitively and wanted to say yes, but got choked up on her own words.

"It's enough, go back and rest for now."

At Ivan's words, Lanise blushed as she got up and bowed awkwardly before fleeing the bridge back to her chambers.

"Ivan… Is that okay?" Valeria asked from behind him, confused about why he would not only forgive her so easily, but even encourage her prejudice.

"Valeria, you also feel that three-dimensional beings are 'unevolved' now too, right? Indeed, her prejudice is an extreme case, but all I care about is her loyalty to me, and being in control of herself enough that she won't cause unnecessary problems. I can tell just by looking, you know. There is no way to remove her disdain for a lower life form."

"All I could do would be make her bury it in her heart, but it would only become a ticking timebomb when it is that severe. I would rather help her direct it in a way which it isn't detrimental to me or the other Celestials. From our perspective, she has a pure heart. Although it would probably be a very different case from the viewpoint of a three-dimensional being."

*****

"So this is Kav'sall," Ivan commented with interest, looking around at the small city constructed on the edge of the planetary scale mining pit.

On one side of Ivan, a lifeless pit lined with roads and machinery extended beyond the horizon, while to the other side a massive forest of densely packed trees, vines and shrubbery full of the sounds of life. The stark contrast caught an interest in Ivan's business development side.

He could see the two extremes displayed at once – the protection of the environment and the natural balance it represents, and the complete harvesting of all resources without care for the after effects, reaping a large profit in a shorter period of time instead of a long-term steady investment.

Two different saleswomen joined Ivan this time, and without the cramped space inside a space station to be annoyed by, so did Flintlock. The massive beast caused many people to be wary, but for outlaws who constantly spent all their lives on edge, it wasn't the cause for terror like amongst innocent civilians.

Northern Star Mining Co. was an extremely wealthy company due to both their legal and illegal transactions. They kept this city, along with several others, both clean and well maintained. Ivan travelled to one of their branch offices, where everyone needed to go if they wanted to rent or set up a business on this planet, as the company owned everything.

Ivan had considered simply setting up a stall here forcefully, but that would impact his future plans he made for this planet and a collaboration with Northern Star Mining Co. and other slave traders.

Inside the branch office, pirates and other criminals were waiting to be called into a private office where they hold private conversations for transactions and other arrangements. There were also desks for casual legal transactions, but they weren't used as much as the private offices.

"It reminds me of the DMV," Ivan commented absently upon looking at the room.

"The DMV?" Valeria asked in confusion beside him.

Ivan waved his hand and patiently took a number before taking a seat, ignoring all the strange stares of people toward him due to the large number of guards standing around him

The waiting line progressed relatively, but the rate of new people coming in was just as fast. Ivan's turn finally arrived after about half an hour. He was led to a private room where a middle-aged gentleman in a pristine suit was working behind a desk. His desk was also a computer as he used his fingers to move windows around and fill out reports. As soon as Ivan entered though he swiped across and cleared all the screens on the table.

"How can I help you today, Sir?" The genltleman looked at Ivan and Valeria who entered while the rest of the Celestials waited outside the door respectively.

"I'm here to rent a business shopfront."

"Sir, I believe the service personnel at the counters normally arrange those matters."

"Indeed, but I also have a product I believe Northern Star Mining Co. would hold an interest in, the current sole product my store will be selling," Ivan said while simultaneously pulling out a SubNet Table and holding it up in his hand.

"Sir, many people come in with products they wish us to by. For a company of our size, I can assure you we do not hold a great deal of interest. That tablet device of yours has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, but it is bulky and needs to be carried around everywhere, unlike modern holographic tablets stored in a mere pen."

Ivan suddenly released his hand and left the tablet to float in the air. The gentleman saw this and thought it to be some kind of magic trick, but thought otherwise as soon as Ivan pushed it and it floated through the air to him. The man tested the tablet himself and felt it was inconceivable that there appeared to be no tricks involves – it was truly floating by itself.

Ivan patiently explained many of the features of the device, attracting the attention of the gentleman more and more.

"As you can understand, the private network is without a doubt one of the most valuable assets of this device. It allows for those unofficial transactions to become official, something nobody has been able to do before. You can also register a separate name to represent you during these transactions for privacy purposes."

"Sir, allow me to pass on this information to my higher ups, I believe they will be interested in further discussing it with you."

"Of course, we will be busy travelling around this sector of the galaxy over the next month, but you can contact me through these two representatives of mine who will be working in the store."