Hannah's Chance (Chapter 12) (fm:sex at work, 5995 words) [12/12] show all parts

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"The first thing we have to be clear on," he said, tapping the document, "is that this initiative requires state participation. In Bolivia we favor foreign ventures into our natural resources only if the state retains majority control. Fifty-one percent ownership."

Hannah kept her expression neutral. "Minister Rivera, the technology partners have to find enormous investment to make this proposal viable and need full ownership in return. And it's not just the investment, it's the expertise they supply, without which there's no guarantee of performance metrics." She leaned forward slightly. "Imagine being able to announce Bolivia's first water-positive lithium mine. A solution born here, solving our crisis."

Rivera's eyes narrowed. "Ownership is non-negotiable. The resources belong to Bolivia."

"Then let's structure it as a licensing agreement," Hannah countered smoothly. "The state retains majority control but pays in full to lease DLE technology from an international consortium. You demonstrate both sovereignty and innovation." She paused, letting the image settle. "Picture the headlines. Bolivia Pioneers Ethical Lithium Extraction. Global investors lining up, protests silenced by results."

Rivera drummed his fingers on the desk, the rhythmic tap echoing in the austere office. "And Quispe? His lawsuits could derail everything."

"The lawsuits target water diversion," Hannah replied, her voice steady. "DLE eliminates ninety percent of that diversion." She paused for a moment. "Let's start at the beginning. Reyes' mine becomes your showcase site - fully monitored by your ministry. Show Quispe the pilot data. Even offer him a seat on the oversight committee. Turn his opposition into endorsement." She saw the interest grow in Rivera's eyes - the allure of neutralizing his most potent critic through progress, not force.

Rivera leaned back, looking thoughtful. "The consortium. Who leads it?"

"A Swiss sustainable tech fund," Hannah lied smoothly, naming Rossi's preferred shell entity. "They specialize in high-impact environmental solutions." She saw the calculation behind his eyes - foreign capital without foreign control. "Their condition is exclusive first-mover rights for scaling DLE nationally post-pilot."

Rivera's gaze sharpened. "Exclusivity? That invites monopoly."

"Temporary," Hannah assured him. "Just long enough to recoup their investment. Once proven, Bolivia owns the blueprint - license it to anyone." She leaned forward, lowering her voice. "You unveil this, water saved, communities united, the world sees Bolivia leading."

Rivera studied a chunk of lithium ore on his desk, its crystalline surface catching the light. "I'm prepared to agree to lease DLE technology, but on one important condition. The leasing fee must be payable not by the day or the month, but by each ton of lithium produced."

Hannah froze. Pay-as-you-produce - a cunning move on his part and a poison pill. Investors wanted predictable costs, not royalties bleeding profits dry. "Minister, that arrangement transfers all risk to the consortium. They front capital for equipment, installation, training—"

"And Bolivia pays only for successful extraction," Rivera interrupted, palms flat on his desk. "Fair compensation for our resources."

"On the surface, yes. But pay-as-you-produce always sounds fairer than it is. Investors want predictable costs and if they haven't got predictable costs they'll have to price in the uncertainty - at your expense."

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Hook writes Sun 7 Dec 2025 19:10:

To a financial neophyte, this is fairly transparent. You seem to know what you are doing in this fictional yarn. Looking forward to next installment!

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