When Conor dropped them off at Vokrizin, Kerrigan felt a small pang of loneliness at his departure. She knew it was silly, he would be back Monday at the latest. But still, he had been genuinely warm to be around. She hugged her new violin to her chest as she walked into the building and waited for the elevator, Evelynn and Reilynn flanking her.
"So, what do you think is the best way to a man's heart?" she asked suddenly.
"Thinking about our new friend, the philanthropist CEO, Mr. Brantley?" Evelynn asked coyly. "He would be a decent catch from what I can see."
Kerrigan did her best to suppress a blush. "He is rather good with the kids, and it is amazing what he is doing here. So how about it, what is the best way to a man's heart?"
"Between the fourth and fifth rib normally works best for me." Said Reilynn.
"I am not trying to kill him, I am trying to date him, you loveless gargoyle." Kerrigan retorted.
Evelynn smirked, "I always found a bit lower down tends to work best with men."
Kerrigan eyed Evelynn suspiciously, "It might be kinder to go with Reilynn's method in that case... I can't cook to save my life, let alone his."
Both guard's chuckled.
"What?" Kerrigan demanded, hands on her hips, violin case banging into her side. "Look, he is doing good work around here, I want to make sure that Dragon Corporation is in a position to assist his goals. I think that is noble and here you two are trying to come up with the most efficient way to knock him off."
"My dear, Kerrigan. You can be a bit, naive sometimes." Evelynn said. "I don't mean his stomach, silly. Try a bit farther south."
"Ah," Kerrigan said, cheeks flushing. "Well... from what Celia and Abraxas hinted at... that may not be an option."
"What?" both guards asked, incredulous. "You already discussed such things openly?"
"Not in so many words, but Abraxas relayed to me that, well, relations between the two bearers of the soul stones is, well, dangerous to put it mildly. To the point that Abrasax and Celia have worked rather hard to ensure that doesn't happen in over three millennia."
"Sounds like a bunch of old lizards afraid of some good human connection." Reilynn said.
"And what would you know of human connection? You seem eager to kill more than fuck." Kerrigan snapped.
"I am perfectly happy having a good romp, but yes, they do tend to get a blade after. No point is keeping loose ends around."
Evelynn and Kerrigan both stared at her hard, "Cold, pure cold. It's a wonder you still have a beating heart under all that ice in your veins."
"She is a black widow, you know? They kill their mates after. Yep, that's it." Evelynn said, eyeing her comrade.
"Fine, what's your suggestion, Evelynn." Reilynn huffed as they exited the elevator.
"Well, if the bedroom is off the table, at least for now... I still think dinner out is a good start. But helping him with this community center project is going to get you the most time with him so focus there and see how you can be more of a part of it. The kids certainly seem to like you. They even gave you a nickname!"
"That they did..." Kerrigan sighed, thinking as they entered the executive suite. "I think I will practice for a while. You are both free to do what ever it is you do. I should be find in here."
Reilynn and Evelynn gave her a quick glance, before leaving her to her violin.
Kerrigan set the case on the bed and drew out the beautiful instrument. She slowly began to draw the bow across the strings as she poured out her feelings into the music.
**
Monday morning the whole team assembled bright and early at the Vokrizen conference room.
"Thank you all for coming in early today. I want to spend some time going over some things with you and finalize the announcement for Tuesday morning."
Kerrigan stood, "Conor and I chatted some, and agreed that I will make the announcement. This will officially end my time in hiding, which I think is fitting and also give a clear sign to my whole company that I am alive and well."
Mr. Nuri breathed deeply. "If that is what you two feel is best."
"We do, but we need to make sure some things are in place. Anna, how goes the land agreements?" Conor asked.
"Harden group has agreed to our initial proposal of 1.5 million dragons, though they are reluctant. The Gala and the press they get from it was helpful though." Anna stated, looking at her notes.
"Did we have to give up any of our buildings to make it happen?" Conor asked.
"Right now, Dragon Corporation will give up a single building and we will also give up one. Value on those was only 100,000 dragons each, but with renovation they could be worth a lot more. Honestly, we still made a small profit on ours compared to when we bought it." Anna explained.
"Ok, as the next few days progress, look for chances to buy them back for less. I am not sure what shape Harden group will be in after our announcement." Conor said.
Kerrigan then looked to Mr. Nuri. "It was made clear that Cochan family wants nothing to do with Dragon Corporation or Vokrizin. Please help us follow their wishes. Also, you were working on Bayan Rail line for both Conor and I, any progress?"
Mr. Nuri looked at them both then to the team, "This doesn't leave the room. But yes. Bayan Rail will be dealt with later this morning."
"How?" Kerrigan asked, incredulous. "It would take way more funds that my company has and I know Vokrizin is not that big yet!"
Mr. Nuri looked at them both again before speaking slowly. "When Conor first asked me about this, I was using Abby Weiss and the Dreadnaught Investing accounts. They are sizable and a wise move would easily be accepted. However, I am not sure if Mr. Brantley remembers our conversation but in discussion, Celia passed a message. You two seemed to have worked out that I am a third party in this. I do control a rather large coffer for Celia and Abraxas as custodians have for generations before me. Always separate from the Deinmaar. Celia's command was Gar Fa'ran. Loosely, this means, Unleash Wealth. It was a rather blatant command to access the treasury for Bayan Rail. All available shares outside those personally owned by the board members have been purchased."
Conor looked at Kerrigan and their eyes locked in sheer awe. They looked back to Mr. Nuri.
"On top of that, I now have the ability to make these funds more readily available to you. While they are NEVER intended to be directly handed to you, you will have the ability to more directly use some of them. Understand, the treasury of the Queen and Warlord is a hoard collected over eight millennia and is not ment to be wielded in any one generation. The custodians have a long set of traditions and rules we must follow, unless directly commanded by Celia and Abraxas in agreed use of the funds."
"So, what is your intention then, within the bounds of your oaths?" Kerrigan asked.
"To establish a Golan National Bank. An institution completely separate from Vokrizin, Dreadnaught, or Dragon Cooperation. It will be independent in every way but will be exclusively at your disposal."
"A new bank. Wow. What kind of assets are we talking to start?" Asked Kerrigan.
"I am not willing to compromise the intention of the treasury, which is to be preserved for future use at all costs. Thus, I am authorizing 10% be moved to the bank for use now. This is an investment in this generation, and hopefully a smart way in increase the over all hoard for Celia's honor."
"Ok great, but what is 10%?" she snarked.
"I am authorizing 10 trillion dragons for this project."
Conor and Kerrigan both sat back hard, speechless.
"Again, that is just the underlying assets for the new bank. You two are not authorized to simply spend that. However, so long as the new board of loyal Dovari approve, and hopefully, we also get direct approval from Celia herself, you will be able to borrow against it for any project. You will not be dependent on other investors if there is a project worth doing."
"Very well." Said Conor with a huge grin. "Let's make this happen!"