"You can certainly say that again." quipped Max. "I'd say he's about three months away from completely running PAS into the ground. He's decimated the hired hands and axed many of the engineers. I think he's more interested in having everyone agree with him rather than doing a decent job."

Max could see Hubert out of the corner of his eye, hobnobbing with a few of his favorite cronies. The young engineer attempted to take Octavia's hand and lead her to the dancefloor. "If we wish for a bit more privacy, then maybe I could offer you a dance." Maximillian wasn't a great dancer, but he was sure that he could fake it for long enough to finish his conversation with Octavia.