Chapter 3: Lunar Diplomacy

The next morning found Vikram in his private shuttle, ascending through Earth's atmosphere. As the blue of the sky faded to the blackness of space, he reviewed his notes for the upcoming meeting on Lunar Base Alpha.

"Mr. Malhotra," his AI assistant chimed, "we'll be docking in 20 minutes. Would you like me to go over the dossiers of the attendees again?"

"No need," Vikram replied, his eyes never leaving his tablet. "But remind me of the latest Epstein drive production figures."

As the AI rattled off statistics, Vikram's mind wandered to the implications. The Epstein drive had revolutionized space travel, making the journey to Mars a matter of weeks rather than months. It had accelerated colonization efforts beyond anyone's wildest dreams. And now, with the third major Martian city nearing completion, the race for resources was heating up.

The shuttle docked smoothly with Lunar Base Alpha. As Vikram made his way through the airlock, he was greeted by a stern-faced woman in a UN uniform.

"Mr. Malhotra, welcome to Lunar Base Alpha. I'm Colonel Samantha Rodriguez, head of security. If you'll follow me, the others are waiting."

Vikram fell into step beside her. "I trust the accommodations are secure, Colonel? Some of the matters we'll be discussing are rather... sensitive."

Rodriguez's expression didn't change. "I assure you, Mr. Malhotra, this facility is the most secure location off-Earth. Now, if you'll step this way..."

The conference room was a stark, utilitarian space with a large oval table. Around it sat representatives from the world's leading space agencies and corporations. Vikram noted the presence of his old rival, Jack Harper from Red Planet Industries, and suppressed a smirk.

As Vikram took his seat, UN Undersecretary for Space Development, Dr. Elena Volkov, called the meeting to order.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. As you know, we're here to discuss the allocation of lunar mining rights. The UN Security Council has made it clear that we must prevent any single entity from gaining a monopoly on these resources."

Jack Harper leaned forward. "With all due respect, Dr. Volkov, my company has invested billions in lunar exploration. We've earned the right to a significant share of these resources."

Vikram saw his opening. "And yet, Mr. Harper, your company lacks the infrastructure to fully exploit these resources. Perhaps a collaborative approach would be more beneficial for all parties involved."

Harper's eyes narrowed. "What are you suggesting, Malhotra?"

Vikram smiled diplomatically. "A consortium. Pooling our resources, sharing the risks and rewards. It's the only way to ensure efficient extraction while adhering to the UN's anti-monopoly guidelines."

Dr. Volkov looked intrigued. "An interesting proposal, Mr. Malhotra. But how would you ensure fair distribution among consortium members?"

For the next hour, Vikram laid out his plan, deftly addressing concerns and objections. He could see the other representatives warming to the idea, even Harper begrudgingly admitted it had merit.

As the meeting adjourned for a recess, Vikram felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Chen Mei, the Chinese representative he'd spoken with earlier.

"A word in private, Mr. Malhotra?"

They found a quiet corner away from prying ears. Chen's voice was low and urgent. "My superiors are interested in your proposal, but they want assurances. How can you guarantee us a controlling interest?"

Vikram's voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't discuss details here, but let's just say I have certain... arrangements with key voting members. With China's backing, we can ensure Asian dominance in lunar operations."

Chen nodded slowly. "Very well. We'll support your consortium proposal."

As Chen walked away, Vikram allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction. One more piece had fallen into place.

The rest of the day was a blur of negotiations and politicking. By the time Vikram boarded his shuttle for the return journey, he was exhausted but exhilarated. The consortium idea had gained traction, and with China's support, he was confident of success.

As Earth grew larger in the shuttle's viewscreen, Vikram's tablet chimed with a message. It was from Priya:

"Bhaiya, don't forget dinner next week. The kids are excited to see their Mama. Love you."

Vikram's face softened as he read the message. For a moment, the hard-edged businessman faded away, replaced by a doting brother and uncle. He quickly typed a reply:

"Wouldn't miss it for the world, little sister. Give the little ones a hug from me."

As he sent the message, a strange feeling washed over him. For a split second, he saw flashes of... something. A woman's scream, a child's cry, the smell of blood. But as quickly as it came, it was gone, leaving Vikram shaken and confused.

He shook his head, trying to clear it. Must be the fatigue, he thought. Nothing a good night's sleep won't fix.

Little did he know, it would be his last night alive.