"As always, Merchant, your record of transactions from this rotation is in perfect order!"
The League of Planets customs inspector was absolutely glowing. These days it was hard to tell if it was from the dutiful organization of the Merchant's back office or if the inspector was of a low-grade radioactive species.
"As it was on Venus, so it shall be in Tomorrowland. I am pleased to have served the League of Planets once again." the Merchant said with an air of elegance.
"Are there any remaining queries you have for me, Inspector?"
The inspector's eyes traveled among the many shelves of the shop and settled on a small bronze orb hanging over the main counter. The center of the orb held a slowly pulsing purple light.
"I do wonder, Merchant. Just how you come across some of your items."
The Merchant let out a polite laugh which caused the light on the orb to glow brighter momentarily.
"You don't become the universe's most distinguished curator by giving away your secrets, Inspector."
She actually wasn't sure where that orb was from. The customs inspector held a moment and then gave a swift bow to the Merchant. With an about-face they made their way out of the shop.
The Merchant of Venus approached her dusty old ledger book and began to flip through the pages. She really had done quite well keeping track over the rotations.
Antique Moonliner Seats 11A-11C : Trade (Multi-planet Astro Chronometer)
Cryo-Preserved Star Sap : Trade (Decommissioned TTA Magnets)
Tomorrowland Towers Hover-Hotel Shampoo & Conditioner 100 stock : Trade (Petrified Solar Ferns)
"I will never understand people's obsession with the hygiene products from that hotel." the Merchant muttered to herself as she turned to another page.
Sonny Eclipse-signed 10th Rotation Show at Cosmic Ray's Poster : Trade (Galactic Grill from Saturn)
Box of goods from Venus : Donation (value 670 credits)
Box of goods from Venus : Donation (value 1200 credits)
Crate of goods from Venus : Donation (value 5000 credits)
She pushed a box of goods marked 'Venus' slightly further under her desk. 'Star Traders' was still lightly visible under the fresh label. The Merchant of Venus uncomfortably cleared her throat and closed the book.
She really wished it didn't have to be like this. When the shop started, all of the merchandise from Venus truly was from Venus. They were never donations though and they were quite expensive. The rate at which she was having the neighborhood 'helpers' bring in new goods had significantly dropped from a few rotations ago but there was still a need to make sure keeping the building was never at risk. It wasn't like the ledger was a lie. Galactic Grills are hard to come by and Cosmic Ray & crew owed her a few favors.
The Merchant had made a lot of friends through time. Friends were helpful when you had a plan. She always had a plan.
Minutes later the Merchant found herself at Aunty Gravity's, which had one of the few fully encrypted lines to the Galactinet outside of the League of Planet Headquarters and the Tomorrowland Premier's Complex. What Aunty was up to that required an encrypted line to the Galactinet was a mystery to those who knew her. And no one was going to ask.
--connected--
MOV : is he there?
W : no he's out
MOV : did he say if it works?
W : didn't mention it
MOV : did he say when he'd back?
W : he said "in time"
MOV : tell him I need to see him
--Disconnected--
"The Metropolis Science Center is a cornerstone of this community! And consider the Institute of Time Travel! Where would they go?"
"I think the question is more when would they go, Navin."
That comment clearly aggravated Navin Litened, the administrator of the Tomorrowland Light & Power Company. Aunty Gravity sat trying to hold back laughter.
"I wish you would cease attempting to derail this meeting, Merchant." Litened responded.
"It's starting to feel like you are in favor of allowing new tenants at the Science Center?" asked Elias Mercer, Dockmaster at Star Port 75.
"I am in favor of this Chamber of Commerce doing what it was created to do." The Merchant of Venus declared calmly. "The Timekeeper got on his shuttle four rotations ago and hasn't returned. Why would we not take action?"
"We have lost several cadets through, mm, incidents with the technology in that building. It would not be negative to our operations to accept a new tenant."
Commander Nebula of Star Command had two groups of four cadets recently get a little over-zealous in a game of hide & seek.
"Do we not all remember the tragedy that was our invitation to X-S Tech? That corner of Metropolis still hasn't recovered!" Litened offered to the room. Many solemnly nodded their heads.
Director of Transit Operations at the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, Morris Sotto broke the silence.
"I find it difficult to move forward after that."
"The TTA always seems to be difficult to move forward!" Jested Aunty Gravity.
"I'm afraid we are at a deadlock" concluded Elias.
"I've said everything I need to say. I just hope you all can come to the right conclusion for Tomorrowland."
The Merchant of Venus stormed out of the conference room.
Minutes later the Merchant found herself again at Aunty Gravity's booting up an encrypted chat on the Galactinet. She hoped her dramatic exit had nudged some minds in her direction.
--Establishing connection--
...
...
...
--Not Available--
She slammed her fists on the console.
Whatever the outcome, she felt she had made Venus proud. This truly was a shop full of an exquisite collection of goods. No where else in the Solar System could you acquire merchandise the likes of which ordained her shelves. Star Traders was popular but oh so cheap. The customers knew it was the Robo-Newz of Intergalactic goods.
Her holo-comm buzzed.
"Hello?"
"Yes."
"I see."
"Thank you."
There was a small crash as several items scattered across the floor out in the main shop.
"Sorry! Bad timing! Weird for me. Remain calm. Everything's perfectly fine now. We're fine. We're all fine here now. How are you?"
"Well.. did it work?" The Merchant asked picking up a 626-model blaster and placing it back on its stand.
"Check for yourself." The Timekeeper said in an oddly calm tone, handing her a brand new looking ledger book.
She sat it down on her desk and opened to the first page.
Bronze Monstropolis Laugh-Regenerating Power Sphere (Valued at 3,000,000 Credits) : Trade (1x Earth Bedroom Door)
For the first time in a long time the Merchant of Venus sat back, relaxed, and smiled.