After my eyes leave the last line of the numerous messages I received on my terminal, I close my eyes and cross my legs. My head leans back into the chair the captain has graciously purchased for me due to the nature of my duties.



Speaking of the devil, the head of our organization waltz through my door with a portable terminal in his hand, waving it as if a flag while sheltering his stomach as if this is the last time he will ever laugh again in his life.



Without a word, my superior tosses me the terminal before leaning against a nearby wall for support as he evens his breathing.



Snatching the afloat device, I scroll through the content:



“From the office of TLC Dispute Arbitration.



The TLC has a proud history of fostering positive interactions among Pilots. We encourage all our clients to conduct business in open play even though some have been reluctant to do so. Customer satisfaction is our top priority.



We offer our services without fear or favour, to any pilot who we can agree terms with, and have a demonstrable record of doing so. To this end; our terms are our bond - the contract that every customer enters into to facilitate the trade. We take this extremely seriously; and during the trade, it is the primary framework under which we conduct business.



This case clearly involves a dissatisfied customer, and raises some troubling issues. It has required careful consideration and review of all evidence; ranging from video material provided by the customer, through to interviews with the trade pilots in question.



The key facts are these:



The customer clearly enters into contract with TCL for the purpose of trade under TLC terms.



The customer breaches those terms by inviting non-affiliated pilots. The trade pilots cancel the sale, per the terms of business.



We understand that the customer is aggrieved on the basis that they failed to receive satisfaction, however; since the customer demonstrated a fraudulent breach of contract; TLC bears no responsibility for said satisfaction.



This bears repetition:



The Teamsters Logistics Corporation has no interest in satisfying the needs of those who choose to ignore the terms of contract they enter into.



There are additional issues arising:



There is a dispute over whether demands issued in local comms were in fact visible to the winged trade pilots.



There is a dispute over the methods the trade pilots used to terminate the sale. TLC has no public comment on either issue as they are consequent to gross breach of TLC terms.



However, our internal protocols will be reviewed in light of this incident, to avoid re-occurrence.”



My lips tighten into a pout before a storm of laughter bursts from within. I casually place the device in my hand aside before leaning my forehead into my index finger.



“Do they take us for fools?” I sneer.



“It seems like they do, what do you say?” The bearded man scratches his chin before perching in front of me, with his shadow cast beneath him by the light of the dual glass panels behind me, separated by a shelf.



“The men will want blood once they catch wind of that.” I erect my thumb and point at the flickering hologram on the portable terminal.



With his arms folded in front of his chest, a sly smile streaks by. “When was the last time we had a formal blockade?”



Rolling my eyes, a bitter grin crawls onto my visage. “You mean Hutton Orbital?”



“Shall we then?” Exercising his shoulder by rotating his right arm, the captain beams at me with excitement.



My brows furrow into a helpless knot as I hold up my hands. “Whatever the captain wills.”



“Such a pity that at least one of them had the conscience to apologize.” Raising an eyebrow, the captain crosses his hands at the small of his back before strolling toward the door.



“Sometimes a person can’t speak for their group.” I shrug, turning my chair to face one of the glass panels. A weary sigh leaves my lips as I contemplate of what is to come.