Gabriel considered the question for a couple of seconds before answering. It was something he didn't like to think about. "The Echusian Desert Rangers audited over 45,000 Arreola plants last season. I can't see how there could be over 10,000 less this year."

Ferderand wasn't quick to respond either, he hadn't thought about the blowback on the Echusian Desert Rangers. "I hadn't considered that," he finally stated. The meaning was clear enough to both of them. Gabriel had been an Echusian Desert Ranger last season, and now he was responsible for a purchase that ended up falling short by 15,000 plants. To someone that didn't know him, it could look like a scam. He could be charged with capitalism, one of the few crimes in the Confederacy that warranted the death penalty.