12
"I hate him. I fucking hate him!"
"I'm sure he'd be happy to hear that," Deera said wryly.
"That bullshit stunt cost us twenty-two million!" Director Lane shouted. "Matripharm is sponsoring Division One. Vertasche is sponsoring two and five! We'll be lucky if we get a single event all season!"
Deera and Duo exchanged glances, then the former said, "While losing the money is a blow, not being able to control the events isn't as bad a setback as you seem to think."
Director Lane's eyes narrowed as she looked at her wrangler, then leaned back and steepled her fingers as she said, "Talk."
"Our specimen manipulated the sponsors deliberately. He wanted to work with Palashai."
"Palashai hasn't trained a winner since season fifty-six and she's been in retirement so long she's practically a legend. The game's changed completely since she was in," Duo said, joining the conversation.
Deera shrugged, her tail weaving lazily as she said, "Our project's advantages minimize training time. He asked about his trainer's sponsor and clearly has his eye on earning out. Mauren explained all this to him. He's going to do his best to win and — despite his display — we all know he's far more intelligent than he looks. When he heard Liminal had limited resources he deliberately lowered his value to put himself in their range. If he kills his trainer he's practically guaranteed to fail in the early rounds, costing the sponsor prestige and capital. Given the limited timeframe he had to come up with this, it was actually rather brilliant. I wouldn't be surprised if the sponsors think we colluded with Liminal to plan the whole thing."
"How does that help us? Corruption charges will draw attention we don't need and can't afford," Director Lane snapped.
Duo waggled a hand as she said, "We'll turn over the records. We can prove there was no collusion; that isn't a real concern. Losing the money we'd have gotten from a prime sponsor is a much bigger deal. Given how high the bidding was before our project forced the withdrawals, the total prize pool will be significantly smaller this year. He didn't just cost us, he cost all the directorates. Our problem is that the other trainers will focus on getting him out of the way early."
Deera laughed softly as she said, "Oh I can't wait for that. Our boy will do just what he said he will. He'll destroy them. It'll be delicious. We have a juggernaut in hand, just you wait and watch. Palashai may be old, but she is good — one of the very best. When Taz takes the championship, the other directorates will splay tails and drain their accounts to cut a deal with us for gene seeds from his species."
Lane frowned, then sighed and said, "I don't like the risks, but there are still rewards on offer. This situation remains far from ideal."
Deera shrugged and showed her hands as she said, "We just have to be careful what we reveal to Taz in future."
Duo winced and Lane caught the expression, then turned her full attention to Deera as she said in a cold tone, "And what does that mean?"
"You told Taz that killing a trainer would destroy his chance at a powerful sponsor. He used that information to control the bidding," Deera said, blithely ignoring the warning she had to have heard in Lane's voice. "Any accusations of collusion will focus on that. Sometimes, less is more, particularly when it comes to information. Certain animals work best with blinders. I would suggest you run any future information you're tempted to pass on to Taz through us first so we can review it for possible abuse."
"You are flying in very thin air, Deera," Lane said quietly.
"So are we all. I suggest we work together to ensure a safe landing," Deera said.
"What would you suggest?" Duo asked, obviously trying to defray the tension.
"Honestly? A hands-off approach is best," Deera said as she glanced from Lane to Duo, then back. "Now that he's sponsored he'll be spending his free time at Liminal and they will kiss his ass. All to the good: let him forget that his success benefits us. Once the games start he'll focus on himself and his own progress. We can only profit. Palashai and her daughter will have a week to train him across a broad range of events and I'm confident he'll survive the opening ceremony. I'm willing to bet his little stunt will net us all a tidy profit in wagers."
"Odds will be down," Duo protested. "That ... trick he pulled will have everyone over-estimating his strength."
Deera shook her head and waggled a finger as she said, "Never underestimate a bookie. They'll know just like we do he'll get focus-fired right out of the gate and everyone will also know his regen is practically zero. Odds will be up, and I will make a mint."
"You seem unreasonably confident he'll survive those conditions," Lane noted.
Deera licked her lips and smiled broadly as she said, "Oh yes. Trust me. Bet the building on Taz. He will deliver."
"That just leaves Mauren," Duo said. "What do we do about her?"
Lane raised an eyebrow and glanced at Deera, who said, "Up to you."
"Yes it is, so good of you to remember," Lane said dryly. "That said, what would you recommend?"
"Honestly? As long as the paperwork on her is airtight, I'd send her with him. I've been monitoring Mauren's vitals and her tail is soaking for our boy. His essence is clearly top tier and she'll be useful to him. Not to mention if we keep her we're giving up on the possibility that he kills her for us."
"Is that still likely?" Duo asked. "I figure he'd have done it by now if he planned to."
"He hates her just as much as he hates us. He's just waiting for an opportunity," Deera said, her voice dripping with confidence. "That said, she's just far enough out of pocket that we can drip-feed her information we want passed if necessary. Taz seems to consider her a credible source."
Lane closed her eyes and took a deep breath, thinking it through. The paperwork on Mauren was airtight. Even if she came out with her story there was no way for her to best the directorate without any resources, and Liminal wouldn't back her even if they believed her. If she got them to let her go she would be easy pickings.
"Ship her," Lane said.
"I'll arrange it," Duo said, and both succubi stood and walked away, leaving Lane to her thoughts.