"I used an alias for reasons of my own. Now I'm telling you my real name. Monk."
The man shrugged and wrote something on the manifest.
"I don't expect you to cheer," said Monk sarcastically. "But you could show some reaction."
"What does that mean?"
Monk flushed. "Don't tell me you've never heard of me. I'm Fletcher Monk. I own half of this place."
"So?"
"What do you mean 'so?' My firm controls thirty percent of the mineral rights of the Colony. We ship you practically all of your Earth supplies. We can buy or sell this place at the drop of a quotation!"
"Listen, bud." The young man seemed annoyed. "If you're trying to impress me, forget it. And if you're threatening my job, you can take it!"
"Insolence!" Monk raged. "Who's your commanding officer? I want to see him right away!"
"My pleasure," the official grinned. "Hey, Gregorio!" he called to the man at the desk behind him. "Call Captain Moore. Gentleman here wants a word with him."