239 No Touching

When Li Yang and Jake entered His Excellency's room a few minutes later, it was immediately clear that His Excellency was deeply displeased with their visit.

"Before you say a word," John Hardin announced from what looked to be a very comfortable armchair behind his desk, "Before you say a single word, let me say those two words to you: no refunds."

"No refunds?" said Li Yang.

"We haven't come to ask about any refunds," said Jake.

Jake's response seemed to hit the right note. Hardin stopped frowning and said:

"You're the two guys from the hotel, right? I remember seeing you in Terry's office. I also remember you set up in Parson's Creek, and a nice setup it is too. Cheap land lease, a cabin—maybe it isn't much, but it is a roof over your head—and a chance to launch your colony in the New World from a prime spot. I mean okay, maybe the people who launched from there before you didn't do too well, but they were a bunch of morons."