Conor felt that business was going well this winter. The new year had dawned in Jinstain with Cara and Peter surprising him at his new place. They had burst through the door, with Parker following slowly behind. Cara had rushed at him and jumped into his arms, wrapping him in a huge hug.
"Conor! Happy New Year! We missed you!"
"I can tell!" he said, giving Cara a spin before setting her down. "How were your travels?"
Cara put on a fake pout before saying, "Why we had to come back in the middle of winter I still don't understand. I was enjoying the beach. Did you know that the island of Armos is still warm! I was on the beach every day. Ok, it wasn't summer warm but still! The sand was so nice! But this one-" she jabbed a finger at Peter, "Insisted he had to get back to the office to upload new photos if we were to keep making money."
"We? I mean I have been wondering if you all ever planned to come back. I would have thought something bad had happened if I wasn't getting regular texts."
Cara beamed and held out her left hand, her eyes sparkling as she glanced back at Peter who stood sheepishly in the kitchen.
Conor examined the large stone and grinned, "You did well with that one, Peter! Congrats you two!"
Cara smiled broadly, "Thanks! Sorry we were away so long this trip, but after he finally proposed, we decided to extend for another week."
"Well, it's good to have you back. You will both have to go visit the kids at the community center! Everyone misses you. As for Peter, I may be in need of your services in the coming months. Vokrizin is going to start putting on a Gala for the community center capital campaign. Do you know Miss. Amber Morrison? She is going to be heading up the project."
Peter nodded, "Ah, yes! She is perfect! Do you want me to get with her?"
"If you would, that would be great. She has the details we are looking for and what is to be expected."
"Sure thing."
"Conor..." Cara asked from the living room, "What in the world is this?"
Conor turned to see her staring open mouthed at the wall sized flatscreen. Parker chimed in, "Ah that? Hahaha, our friend Conor is quite the gamer if you didn't know. Yeah, this little genius he knows hooked him up with a sweet gaming system. I am not even sure its out on market yet. But I can tell you that TV is something else!"
Cara turned to Parker with a crooked grin, "Oh, is that so? Sounds like he is not the only one getting used out of it then."
Parker chuckled, "You are right, miss. Mr. Brantley has been quite hospitable and it has been rather entertaining coming over here after work. Of course, I believe if you all were interested, all three of us have been talking about how the new games are best as four player."
Conor laughed, "Yeah, my place is the party house. Come one, come all. Parker has already set the invite. But seriously, Peter, Cara, you are both always welcome here."
"Thanks, Conor. We do have to get some work done, but let's plan on hanging out later this week! And we should make a point to all go visit the kids at the community center together," Cara suggested.
"I think that is a great idea... Parker? How does our Friday look?" Conor asked.
Parker shrugged, "You're the boss, I go where you go. But as far as I know, Friday was your most clear day, unless Nuri comes up with something new."
"Sounds good. I do think though, Cara, you should visit the kids and tell them your good news before that. but I look forward to us all going over there!" Conor hugged Cara again as they prepared to head out and gave Peter a firm hand shake, "Congrats again, mate."
"Thanks, Conor," Peter said, placing an arm around Cara's shoulders as they left.
Later that week, Mr. Nuri called Conor, "Sir are you in the office?"
"Yes, what's up?"
"If you don't mind, I will be over shortly."
"Sure, door is open."
A few minutes later, Mr. Nuri walked in with a packet of papers. "Sir, I have the new reports."
"Ah good, anything of interest?"
"Actually there are a few things. Miss Lokir reached out to me directly in my role as a big name locally and a well known business lawyer. She was asking about Bayan Rail."
Conor sat up, giving Nuri his full attention, "Really? What is her interest in it?"
Mr. Nuri flipped through his notes, "It seems that Bayan Rail has been increasing their rates on Dragon Corporation and also limiting the available cargo capacity available to them. This is hurting several of Miss Lokir's companies."
"I would say so. Has Bayan Rail done anything to our deals? We only really have the NewAge contract with them correct?"
"That is correct. As of now, it doesn't seem like things in Jinstain have been affected but if my understanding is correct, it may be due to us piggying off Benedict Corporation unintentionally. They are already shipping to this area on a regular basis, so a few extra cars for our needs are not hard to add to those trains. However, for Dragon Corporation, Miss Lokir has competing mines in the north as well as several manufacturing plants farther west, which would each need their own train."
"I see. So what was her intention?"
"She was wondering if I represented any businesses that might want to help her acquire the rail line. Of course, I didn't disclose anything but promised to inform any that matched her needs and let them reach out to her." Mr. Nuri explained.
"Very good. And you were curious about why I wanted to invest in Bayan Rail... tsk tsk." Conor teased. "How is our own investment in the line going?"
"I have managed to increase the Dreadnaught investing allotment, and am seeking other sources of funding. Right now, we control 5% indirectly," Mr. Nuri said hesitantly.
Conor felt a stir from Celia, 'Gar Fa'ran' Conor's eyes glossed over as he heard the words bounce in his head, and when he opened them again, the blue of his eyes glowed. "Liam, do you understand Gar Fa'ran?"
Mr. Nuri's eyes went wide and he bowed deeply, "I obey the Dovajun, it will be done."
Before Conor could ask more, Mr. Nuri turned and left, closing the door with a soft 'snick'.
"What was that all about?" he wondered aloud.
'In due time, my child, in due time.'
Conor slumped back in his chair, pondering what Kerrigan might be planning. What might she be doing on these winter days? From what he knew of Targu, at least the northern part where Dragon Corporation kept its headquarters, it would be cold and snowy this time of year. Far more so than the few inches that Jinstain saw every few days. Velyki was know for having meters of snow that never really left during winter.