Citrine Earth

Chapter Three

Stella and Renee are waiting for Jasper at the base of the northwestern hill. They see him coming down alone.

"So," Stella began. "Where to begin? First, did you meet Galen?"

"Yeah, I did," Jasper said. "He said he made a deal with Orphea."

As the name Orphea was mentioned, Stella and Renee were both surprised.

"That narrows it down to Orphea being the benefactor." Stella said. "Did you learn anything about this Orphea? Are they a guy or a girl?"

Jasper shakes his head. "He didn't say. The only thing he said was he made a deal with Orphea."

"Alright, we'll worry about that later. Anything he learned about him?"

"Well, he wants to be the only one who can supply the town with protein. He owns a goat ranch."

"How does he intend to do that?"

"By taking out the competition. That's how."

Stella is confused. "What does that mean exactly? There's only one goat ranch here, right? What other protein source is there?"

"Yeah, that's what I thought. Apparently, the other source is fish. Galen was talking about Jason the fisherman."

Stella is surprised. "So, he wants you to take out the fisherman?"

Jasper nods slowly. "Yeah, not sure how we're going to do that. It's to prove myself."

Before continuing the conversation, they head back to the inn.

As soon as Stella sat down on the edge of the bed, there was a knock on the door. Jasper opens the door and it is Florian who walks in. Stella explained what she just heard from Jasper. Florian, in turn, explained what happened between himself and Jason the fisherman. During the explanation, Renee shook her head in disbelief.

Stella thinks to herself for a bit. "I don't see a need to fight this Jason guy again. But we do want to get closer to Galen to find out more about him." She turns to Florian. "Do you know where he lives?"

"Jason?" Florian asked. "No, I didn't follow him afterwards."

"I was thinking. We could talk Jason into pretending to retire from fishing. Then Jasper can tell Galen that there's no more competition. Galen will see Jasper as a competent person and let him join his operation."

"Hmmm… That could work, but I need to find out where Jason lives. He'll be at the river again tomorrow morning."

"Alright, we'll talk to Jason tomorrow." Stella said and turned to Jasper. "Anything else?"

Jasper shakes his head. "No, that's it!"

"Hmph!" Renee scoffed. "Another ranch owner wanting to become rich."

"Oh!" Jasper exclaimed. "That Chloe girl said that Andrew comes here once in a while to visit Galen."

"Why didn't you say this earlier?" Renee snapped.

"Yeah, I forgot." Jasper said. "But she said he hasn't come over in a few days."

Stella crosses her arms beneath her breasts and thinks to herself. "Andrew won't be a problem. We already dealt with him."

The following morning, everyone went back to the river to look for Jason. Before they even reach the eastern edge of town, Jason, still shirtless, comes walking along with two fish in his right hand. Florian calls out to him.

Jason looks around and notices Florian. "Oh, you're that guy who peed on me."

Florian laughs nervously. "It wasn't like that. Anyways, can we talk privately? It's important."

"Really? What's so important? I just met you, kid." Jason looked at Stella and Renee. "And who are these girls? Oh, and there's this guy, too!"

Florian introduces the two parties. "It's about Galen and it concerns you as well."

Jason sighs. "Fine, what's this about?"

"Well, it's best if no one sees you with us together. It'll make sense once I tell you everything."

"Just say what you have to say!"

Renee steps in. "Galen wants to take you out, so we need to go somewhere more private. Got it?"

Jason smiles. "Why didn't you girls step in earlier?"

Jason agrees and everyone goes back into the girls' room at the inn. Once inside, he looks around. "You know, despite living here all my life, I have never been inside the inn. There was no need for it."

Once the door is closed by Florian, Stella begins the conversation. "So, Galen wants to be the number one distributor of protein in this hill town."

Jason doesn't seem interested. "And? What does that have to do with me?"

"It has everything to do with you. Being number one means being the only one in his mind. The other protein source is from your fish."

Jason nods slowly. "I see. I'm the competition? Well, tell him he can have it. I'm not trying to become rich or anything. Just trying to make a decent living and enjoy life."

Stella shakes her head. "I don't think he's going to care or believe that."

"Are you guys working for him or something?"

Stella hesitates for a moment before speaking. "No, we're just trying to gather information on him. Once we're done, we'll leave and be gone from here."

"Alright, what are you going to do now? Beat me up and get rid of me?"

"No, we don't want that. If you would cooperate with us, that would be best. We just need you to pretend to be done with fishing for a while?"

Jason gives a smile of disbelief and a long sigh. "I need you guys to feed me in the meantime."

Stella nods towards Florian. "He can do the fishing for you."

Florian is caught by surprise. "What?! What do you mean?"

"Exactly that," Stella answered. "You'll catch some fish for Jason while he pretends to be out."

Stella turns to Florian. "You live at the beach. I'm sure you know how to fish."

Jason smiles. "This is how you pay me back for peeing on me." He looks at Stella and Renee. "What's your name? I forgot to ask."

"I'm Stella and she's Renee. I'm assuming you already met Florian since he did pee on you. And the other guy is Jasper."

"Alright, guess I'll hang out and relax." Jason said. "Oh, and I don't care about the other guy. He might pee on me, too."

Jasper frowns and leaves the inn for the ranch to let Galen know that Jason has been dealt with.