Last Chance Planet
There was only one option left for Eden
Haloren reluctantly took the call. An image of a reptilian figure appeared on the other side of his desk.
“Prefect Daigio! How are you, sir?”
“Miserable. We are going home.”
“But you have only just arrived. What is the problem?”
“You rented us a dump — that is the problem!” hissed the Vestan.
“Planet Eden a dump? How can that be?” said Holoren, feigning amazement.
“The planet’s heating does not work. Eden’s sun is more like a red dwarf than a red giant. My rear waste ejector puts out more heat. We are freezing.”
“I’m sure we can rustle up some subterranean heat for you.”
Daigio ignored the offer and continued listing his complaints. “The plumbing is unstable — we’ve already suffered multiple quakes — and the location sucks; Eden’s nearest neighbor is a penal planet. The place is dirty too. We keep finding artifacts from previous tenant civilizations.”
“I will send my clean-up crew immediately,” said Holoren.
“Just give us our money back and we will be gone.”
“But that is not possible, Prefect. Planetbnb’s policy is quite clear: no refunds.”
“Don’t give me that gargatuanshit, Haloren!” raged the leader of the Vestans. “My people took your rental planet for 100 years as a getaway, to give us a break from Vesta and an opportunity to see this part of the galaxy. You have ruined our plan!”
“I hardly think that’s fair,” said Haloren, crossing paws on his marsupial chest defiantly.
“Vestans are not without influence in this galaxy,” said Daigio darkly. “We will give you an abominable rating!”
“Wait,” said Haloren, quickly regrouping. “What if I offer you one of our most expensive properties for the same price and throw in a free decade? Planet Xavia has just come vacant.”
“Xavia? Is that the planet with a heated ocean?”
“And much more!” chuckled Holoren.
An image of a beautiful world floated between them. Daigio eyed the luxurious planet. He suddenly became stiff and glassy-eyed; the Vestan was communing telepathically with his three billion fellow Vestans.
“Very well,” he said at last. “But there had better be no strings attached to this deal.”
“Splendid! The access codes to Xavia and a new rental contract are winging their way to your command ship. May I be of further assistance?”
There was no reply. The Vestan’s image evaporated.
Haloren slumped and stroked his whiskers thoughtfully. He made another call. An image of a thick-set being dressed in heavy work clothes appeared.
“Melteema? When you have finished on that planet shoot over to Planet Eden and give it a clean as soon as the Vestans have left.”
“Again? We’re always cleaning that place. I’ve never seen so many tenants come and go.”
“I’m afraid we have reached the end of the line with Eden. There is only one course of action left — rent the planet to students.”
