* "No, You're Right Berylia, It's Not Worth It." *

^No, you're right Berylia, the deal's not worth it.^ You say with a sigh. You want too hire Sparky, god's above yes, but you don't dare. You will need every credit to buy improvements and hire other, more useful, captains and governors.

^Good. Well, we'll let him hang around awhile, his ship is wrecked after all...^ She says, and you think about it for a bit.

^Berylia? Would you be nearly as **** if, for the sake of argument, we had about three times his hire fee in the treasury?^ you ask.

^Probably not, why?^ She queries cautiously.

^Well, if he's muttering about having to 'build the tools, to build the tools, to build the tools,' he probably can't get that ship fixed for interstellar travel in the next few years: so I say we let him stew, keep him from brewing up an interplanetary tourist company or some such thing in the meantime, then when we're more secure in our position offer him the same terms he just offered us...^ You suggest.

^That's not a bad suggestion love,^ Fireblade says, looking thoughtful. You're not sure if she's speaking to you or Berylia, but you both look at each other and nod, so it's settled.

^Was there anything else?^ You ask.