They had been a CEO, they fled their planet and smuggled themselves aboard the ship of a galactic before it took off. Why? They'd been forced to be a CEO by their very arrogant family. They wanted a real life. Despite being insanely wealthy in their world, they wanted real wealth, not... that. And a shoulder to cry on. -- Anon Guest
The first clue was that they were in better condition than any of the others who had found a way into Trader Qell's walls. The other sign was that they had chosen a place that was both uncomfortable and well away from the other escapees.
Well. Ze had thought that it was a little easy to get away from the Deregger security forces.
"So what sort are you?" challenged Qell. "Little lord sad-sack or rebellious heir trying to prove a point to daddy tight-strings?"
"Uhm," said the Deregger. "I don't understand those terms, but..." they took a folio out of their jacket. "This is proof that I own a controlling share of the polity you just left. I can give it to anyone you deem fit. I'm ceding my managerial rights."
"Oh... kay? You're doing this why?"
"I was spoon-fed every kind of power and every kind of prize. Just... handed stuff for existing while everyone was complaining about people getting handouts. Handouts they wanted me to give to the other rich assholes who were scrambling to be my best friend for nothing else but the breaks I was going to give them." They sighed. "It was empty. Nothing was real. And like I kept hearing what everyone said about everyone else. They had to earn it. So... I want to earn it."
"That's the opposite of what every Deregger CEO has ever said," announced Qell.
"I understand I've got an uphill struggle ahead of me. I want one. I want the universe to hit me with its best shot. I. Want. To earn it."
Qell folded hir arms. "Buddy, you are going to get exactly what you wish for."
[Photo by Katerina Gladkikh on Unsplash]
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