The last bit of work was done, the pair’s reports were saved in the appropriate memories of the Volunteers Corps computer archives. Never to be seen again, except if some potential employer or parent-in-law of a bride enquiring as to the status of a volunteer.

Standing and stretching, Senior Instructor, Trem De Markus muttered, “Glad to get that finished.”

“Indeed,” Instructor Rentap Dressiler replied, then added, “Would you like a cup of tea[1]?”

“Let me, you have given enough of your excellent blend.” Trem got to work. A fraction later, Trems tea was steeping in its pot. After a suitable period, tea was poured. This was the last night together for the pair. They were graduates from the school, known as the Volunteer Corps and had been invited to stay on as instructors, an honour they could not refuse. This was their last class of volunteers and they would now return to their normal life.

“Hmmm, excellent tea, whoever threw this together knew what he was doing!” Rentap sat back and sighed, while observing Trem under hooded eyes.

“Threw together?” Trem sat straight up in outrage. “Why this was carefully selected and blended. All the ingredients were thoroughly checked and properly prepared!” He stopped when he saw that Rentap was smiling.

“I withdraw my remarks.” Rentap gave a rare laugh. “The tea is excellent, the best that I have had in a long time.”

Trem eyed the man that he now regarded as a friend, and slowly relaxed. A smile trembled on his lips, expanding into a laugh. “I admit it, you played me very well! Few could have done better.” He took another sip. “If you want the blend, you can’t have it.” He gave Rentap a sly look.

Rentap nodded, “And neither should you part with it. I can’t give my blend to you as I don’t know it, my eldest brother has the formula and he is responsible for guarding it.” Trem nodded and Rentap continued with a wry look. “He is zealous in his duty!”

“As is my mother, she won’t even tell my father!” The two exchanged looks of astonishment of the head of the family being defied. In unconscious unison, they lifted their cups to their lips and drank.

“Does she have reason?” Rentap wondered.

“Guilty as charged.” Trem held his hands up in surrender. “My father is shrewd in business but has little time for things he considers of minor importance. Tea brewing has never been of importance to him, while storing up credits and Konna for the future is.” Trem shook his head. “But he is a good man otherwise.”

Keeping his silence at such a rare private revelation, Rentap just nodded. Deciding to change the subject, he asked what Trems future held. “What will you be doing on your return?”

“Oh, the family business has a slot for me. I will be employed in the division of the families’ interests that deals with the employees of the various companies.” While there were several companies, mainly in manufacture and property development, Trem did not list the companies his family owned. That would be considered boasting.

“Now that will be a full plate,” Rentap was surprised, “what did you do wrong to get such a job dropped on you?”

“I asked for it. I have always been interested in people and this seemed to me a good way of meeting people and learning about them.”

Impressed, Rentap agreed, “You certainly should!”

Trem took a last sip of his tea then put his empty cup to the side. “What are your plans, Rentap?” he asked. Such directness was a facet of the Ti Lepus makeup that always disconcerted the few visitors to the planet. Rentap was not put out.

“I have accepted a position with a small company that imports items from off planet.” Rentap waited for the reaction. He was not disappointed.

Trem stared, momentarily unbalanced, and considered what he should say. “I am surprised, I thought that you would go high in any industry of your choice.”

“The position is that of junior partner and I have an agreement that I will take over the company when the current owner wishes to retire. Part of the agreement is that any new business I bring in will go to my account and not to the company generally. It is a great learning opportunity for me to understand the business. In time I will be my own employer.”

“But you will be dealing with off-worlders?” Trem was clearly shocked. The inbred distaste for anyone not of their planet, showing.

Rentap nodded soberly. He finished his tea and, standing, took both cups to the sideboard. A cleaner, one of the underclass would take care of the dirty dishes in the morning.

“That is a difficulty I will have to deal with,” the sober look morphed into a smile, “especially if I wish to get the best prices!”

Trem looked unconvinced, but it was not his place to raise objections. “When do you leave?” he asked.

“Early, the seventh period. I catch the first flyer of the day to Lepus Mal,” Rentap replied, “And you?”

“The second flyer, at ten point five.” Trem did not mention that he was travelling first class, this too would be boasting and could cost him status. Rentap understood.

The flyers were fast trains, using a frictionless, elevated track. Operating only between major cities, they were the preferred mode of transit for those who were able to obtain permission to travel. There were other, slower, trains which operated as branch lines. Flying was reserved for government and authorised business.

“They are nice trains, better that the slow one. I will be in my seat at Star Business before the middle period. The ground trains, well they will take all day!” Rentap exaggerated only slightly, on both counts.

“Indeed, the speed is welcome!” Privately, Trem wondered at his friend’s declaration that he would be working from his first day back. Such action was worthy of a true man of Ti Lepus, even if he was going to be meeting with outsiders!

“It will be good to get back, I admit that I have missed the city and my family.” Rentap looked out the window onto the rapidly darkening parade ground. After a fraction, Trem joined him.

“We must stay in touch, my friend,” Trem spoke softly.

“Indeed, I would like that,” came the equally soft reply. The two did not shake hands, the people of Ti Lepus rarely did, and only between close friends, which the two were not yet. With goodnights, they parted.

[1] Teas were a cultural obsession on the planet, the high status had specially selected blends while lower status citizens made do with prepackaged blends.