Yuen-Mong's Revenge (35 page)

 
     
He glanced at her sharply and raised his eyebrows. "All the more
reason why you need my wise counsel. What kind of projects?"

 
     
"Some have to do with returning to Aros, others are still vague and
need considerable further investigation, but nevertheless may involve
quite sizable investments at short notice. I would rather wait until those
have been firmed up a bit more before I approach you for advice… I
understand that most of my mother’s wealth is in UniCom shares. I
would like to ask you to sell them for me." She felt Atun’s surprised
reaction.

     
"You want to sell your most valuable asset? This is unheard of and
clearly shows that you do not appreciate the unique position of the Young
family and of UniCom. Anyway, it is impossible, since a change of
ownership in Young shares has to be sanctioned by the Dengs."

 
     
"I understand that as long as the sale is within the family, the Dengs
do not have to be consulted. I offer these shares to you."

 
     
She felt the quick rise in interest, followed by cunning.

     
"Your block of UniCom shares is huge, and I do not have the funds
to buy them."

 
     
"Even if I offer them to you at a price below the market rate?" She
sensed she was playing right into his greed.

     
He thought about that for several seconds. "It would have to be quite
a substantial discount."

 
     
"Please make an offer, uncle."

 
     
"At least ten percent below market."

 
     
"And you would make the funds available within a month?"

 
     
Again he cogitated on that. "To raise an amount of that size I would
need two months at the least."

 
     
"OK, 90 percent of today’s market value, payable in full two months
from now." She felt him waver and then greed seemed to win out.

     
"Are you serious? I must strongly advise you against such a foolish
act."

 
     
"Yes, I am serious, a few credits up or down hardly matter. What I
need is assurance to have access to the funds at short notice."

 
     
"I have warned you against, but if you insist, I do not want to stand in
your way. It is though a shame that you sever all ties with UniCom by
this. UniCom is what has made the Young family great."

 
     
"I am sure you will appreciate that I never developed the strong bond
of loyalty to my family of origin as did you and my cousins. So it is
rather different for me.’ She paused. "With shares no longer part of my
property, I also think that it would be unfair to ask you to continue
administering the remaining funds."

 
     
"You need not worry about that. I have competent people to look after
such things."

 
     
"All the more reason for not burdening you with it, since that will take
them away from their other work. I have asked Syd Twan, and he is
willing to do it, obviously at a cost, provided you give your consent. I
presume that you trust him fully." She was banking on complete
openness to force his hand, that he would not like it to be known that he
was trying to control her.

     
He frowned and then shrugged his shoulders. "Again, if you insist, I
do not want to stand in your way. It is considerable work to manage huge
funds like yours properly."

 
     
"And you think that Syd Twan’s firm will be capable of doing this?"

 
     
"Oh yes, his is the most prestigious law and financial trust management firm on Andromatis. The funds will be in good hands. I will get in
touch with Syd and make all arrangements for the transfer and the change
of hands of the shares."

 
     
"Thank you, uncle. I knew you would understand."

 
     
"Frankly, I don’t understand you, but then you did not grow up in the
privileged environment of the Sanctum. Is there anything else?"

 
     
"No, not really."

 
     
"By the way, as I assumed, the research file of your father did not contain anything that we did not know yet. I am surprised, there was nothing
more than that. I vaguely remember he was working on a project that he
once hinted to me would revolutionize communications."

 
     
Here he comes again. Could it really have been one of my family?
"Yes, I once overheard my parents talk about something he referred to as
the project of his life. I think that is how he put it. Yes, the greatest
project of his life." She felt Atun’s sudden surge of anxiety. "And he
deplored that he could not continue with this research, but I was only ten
at that time and did not really understand what they were talking about."

 
     
"Were there no printed documents on Vishnu relating to it? I know
your father always preferred print to electronic files."

 
     
She looked questioningly at Atun. "Did you see anything?" she asked,
while sending him at the same time calming vibes.

     
"Not that I remember, but I can have another look. When we cleaned
out the ship yesterday, I saw no printed documents referring to research.
There were only your parent’s books and some pencil drawings."

 
     
"Pencil drawings?"

 
     
"Yes, drawings that my mother made of my father," she interjected.
"Uncle, we don’t want to take more of your precious time. Again thank
you for receiving us and for your willingness to help me out." She got up
and Atun followed. "Mai has graciously invited us for afternoon tea."

 
     
"Her quarters are on the second floor down the corridor. Just follow
the loud music, and you will find her." Saying that he activated the
comunit on his desk.

     
The music actually served as guide, as did the state of excitement of
the young woman. When she responded to Yuen-mong’s knock on the
door, her face was flushed, and she exclaimed: "Have you heard the
news? There was a riot in the Mall and security was unable to quell it.
Did you see anything when you came up? … Oh, I’m sorry, I haven’t
even given you an opportunity to introduce me to Mr. Caruna." She
smiled at Atun, who responded. "Come in. You like tea or coffee."

 
     
"Tea for me, Mai, thank you," replied Yuen-mong, and Atun said:
"The same, thanks."

     
Mai entered a command into the comunit on an ornate small desk
built into a wall, saying at the same time: "Tea will be served soon."

 
     
Her lounge looked over the garden, the lake a shimmering light blue
below. Yuen-mong went to the window. "What a fabulous view."

 
     
"You could have the same if you lived here, but did you see or hear
anything when you passed by the Mall? Or did you come by taxi?"

 
     
"No, we walked and, yes, we saw quite a commotion at one point —"

 
     
"I think near what’s called the Foundation Plaza?" interjected Atun.

     
"Yes, that’s just behind the Mall. You know this is the first riot during
my lifetime and I missed it. Since they installed that new security system,
nothing serious has ever happened, except for some minor scuffles with
thieving domestics."

 
     
"But why would you want to witness a riot?" questioned Atun. "Isn’t
that rather dangerous? You could get hurt."

 
     
"Oh no, not with the new security system."

 
     
"But didn’t you just say that it couldn’t quell the riot?"

 
     
Blushing, she continued: "It was apparently because the shoppers
panicked and rather than freeze, as they should have, they began fleeing.
There will be a new security education drive soon, I guess."

 
     
Yuen-mong’s attention was drawn to a clay sculpture of a young girl
that was partially completed. "Is this your work, Mai?"

 
     
Embarrassed, she quickly wanted to cover it with a sheet.

     
"No, let me admire it. It is beautiful; don’t you agree, Atun?"

 
     
"Yes, the face looks alive. Remarkable."

 
     
"You like it? You really do?" Both her tone of voice and face
expressed a mixture of disbelief and hope.

 
     
"Yes. You are very talented," Yuen-mong said with an encouraging
smile. "Do you do commissions for people?"

 
     
The excitement left Mai’s face. "No, it’s only a hobby. In fact, you’re
one of a few who has ever seen any of my sculptures."

 
     
"Are you willing to show us others you’ve made?"

 
     
"You really want to see them?" Again that hope.

     
"Yes, we would," replied Atun and Yuen-mong gave him a grateful
smile.

     
Mai took them to an adjacent room that had about a dozen sculptures,
two more of the same little girl in different poses, several miniatures of
adult couples, and a few animals. They studied them, praising some,
commenting on others. Finally, they came to a covered life-size statue.

     
"May we see that one too?" Yuen-mong begged.

     
Mai blushed, quickly glancing at Atun. "I would rather not. It’s a
nude."

 
     
"I would like to see it, please, Mai," said Yuen-mong.

     
Mai hesitated, briefly looked again at Atun, and then slowly removed
the sheet. The female statue had a shawl draped over her shoulder,
hanging well into her thighs and modestly hiding one breast. Although
the face was left partially unfinished, there was no doubt that Mai had
modeled herself.

     
"This is gorgeous, Mai. Will you do one of me one of these days, full-size, please?"

 
     
"You would be willing to pose in the nude for me?"

 
     
"Certainly, but only if you let me pay you for it. And
I will
have it cast
in bronze and will display it in my garden. You’ll become famous."

 
     
"Foundation women don’t do art for pay, only as a hobby for themselves."

 
     
"Then it is high time that this is changed. I will see to it. I intend to
shake up that Foundation a bit and bring it into the 25
^th
century."

 
     
Mai laughed and exclaimed: "Yes, I heard that you’re already flouting
the covenant by living with a man." The words were hardly out when she
turned crimson, casting a quick look at Atun.

     
"It’s all right, Mai. I chose Atun as my mate when we were still on
Aros, although he only discovered it later on," Yuen-mong answered
with a smile, "and I don’t care whether the Foundation agrees with that
or not."

* * *

Syd Twan was willing to see them after hours. Yuen-mong first reported
that Ko Young would contact him about the management transfer of her
fortune.

     
"He agreed like that?" Syd questioned, clearly puzzled.

     
"Yes, after I offered to sell him my shares in UniCom at 90 percent of
today’s market value."

 
     
"You what?"

 
     
"You heard right. I sold him my shares. After that there was little
point for him continuing to manage my funds."

 
     
Syd burst out laughing. "You just lost half a billion credits and you
shrug it off as if you had only lost a hairpin."