“I was wondering if you had mined any more Tyrenium?” He asked Seb politely. “I was looking to purchase some more if you have any for sale?” He enquired,ying the foundations for another trade.


    “Well we tapped out that vein in the end, but I’ve got nearly 20 tons stored that I’m looking to sell.” Seb exined.


    *Come round for a second bite? You little fuck, payback’s going to be a bitch.* the savage voice ranted.


    “Oh that’s good to hear!” John grinned happily. “I’d be interested in buying all of it. Same price per ton asst time?” he asked hopefully.


    “Sounds like you have a deal mister!” Seb grinned back.


    *Yeah, and I’m gonna take your ship and your whore too…* The voice growled dangerously.


    “Let me go tell the foreman to get the Tyrenium ready for transport. You own that big fancy cruiser down at the dock right?” Seb asked pleasantly.


    John confirmed that he owned the Invictus, as Seb beamed a big smile and stood up to leave the office.


    *My own warship… I’m going to fucking end you, then I think I’ll make myself Lord of Karron…* the voice gloated.


    Alyssa watched Seb leave, her eyes wide with panic.


    She grabbed Johns arms with both hands, surprising him with the strength of her grip. “He’s going to betray you!!” She gasped.


    John stared at Alyssa, mouth agape. “What’s gotten into you?” he asked.


    “He’s pissed about thest deal, he thinks you ripped him off! He’s going to kill you and take me and the ship!” She pleaded for him to understand the danger they were in.


    “Why would you think that?!” John gasped, shocked at this sudden outburst.


    He watched Alyssa’s eyes dart from side to side as though she was rapidly turning things over in her head. She suddenly locked eyes with him, havinge to her decision.


    “I can read minds. I heard his thoughts.” She blurted out.


    “You can what?!….” John stammered, stunned.


    “It’s only been you up until now…” Alyssa tried to exin.


    “You’ve been reading my mind?” John said astonished, as he tried to desperately wrap his head around thistest revtion.


    Alyssa broke eye contact with him and lowered her gaze, looking guilty. “I’m sorry, I should have said earlier…”


    Their conversation came to an abrupt end as they heard Seb’s heavy boots outside the office door.


    “Hey, wee back.” John said to Seb, managing to hide his earlier shock. “Everything good to go?”N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    “Sure John, let me just sort out the paperwork.” The faux- friendly mine owner replied as he sat behind his desk and began to prepare the auth device, which would transfer ownership of the Tyrenium to John.


    John threw a nce Alyssa’s way. *Are you reading my mind now?* he asked experimentally, narrowing his eyes.


    Alyssa met his gaze and gave a slight nod of her head, looking a bit contrite.


    *Well I’ll be damned.* John thought, his eyes widening in wonder.


    Unfortunately further experimentation was cut short, as Seb held the prepped Auth device at the ready. John handed him the logging manifest for the Invictus and Seb plugged in the device and pressed a couple of buttons authorising the transaction.


    “There we go.” he said, smiling. He seemed to take in their ceramic ted body armour for the first time “You two in some kind of trouble?”


    “Oh just a bit of gang trouble.” John replied “better safe than sorry.” he smiled amiably.


    Seb nodded agreeably. *I’ll give you trouble alright you fucker. I’m going to make you sorry you were born!* Seb thought to himself smugly.


    “Ok we’re all set. You two head back to the ship with the cargo and I’lle and meet you there with some extra boys to help speed up the loading.” The mine owner said in a helpful manner.


    *Just wait until you load the ship, then it’s time to pay the piper.* Seb thought to himself, crowing over his impending victory. *This idiot won’t even see iting!*


    John and Alyssa stood and shook Seb’s hand, before leaving his office to meet with the truck driver who would be taking them back to the Loading dock. The whole experience was bing increasingly surreal for Alyssa, especially when she had to smile and shake hands with Seb who was nning to kill John and do horrible things to her.


    They climbed up into the cab of the massive truck and John greeted the pale skinned driver with a friendly nod. He moved to sit in the middle with Alyssa by the door. The engine rumbled loudly and the cab begin to vibrate as the chunky six wheeled vehicle began to move, leading the other 3 trucks in the convoy to the space port.


    *So what’s he going to do? do you know his n?* John thought at Alyssa and then waited expectedly for her voice to appear in his head.


    When nothing happened, he nced at her out of the corner of his eye. The beautiful blonde frowned at him cutely and then nodded her head.


    *Oh right, you can read my mind but I can’t hear your thoughts?* John reasoned, figuring out the silence.