

The Impossible Ambition

or

Near Earth Orbit

by Stephen Brandon

Portions of cover photos, courtesy of NASA

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Copyright 2013 Stephen Brandon

Smashwords Edition

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Author's Note

This book is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, incidents, and dialogue are from the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

As much as I hate paying taxes, the original NASA missions were scientifically justified. However, in the past decade I think the they've lost their way, yet I still appreciate their publishing free pictures on their internet site.

I originally started this for the fun of it in 2009. It was originally written as a "journal of sorts" with a separate file per day as I let my imagination stretch. After about a several hundred files I began to organize it and correct facts and in 2012 started to putting it in story format. This is written from the viewpoint of an individual that has the knack of surrounding himself with knowledgeable proficient people. He has spent more time surviving than getting his rough edges honed. Enjoy!

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Table of Contents (ToC)

Characters

Chapter 1 I'm Hired?

Chapter 2 The Cave

Chapter 3 The Sheriff

Chapter 4 On the hit list

Chapter 5 Design what?

Chapter 6 THE BOARD

Chapter 7 Principles

Chapter 8 Self defense

Chapter 9 Legal fun and games

Chapter 10 Launch

Chapter 11 On the Way

Notes and Messages

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Characters

All characters in this book are fictional. I had fun grabbing one name at a time from the pages of the telephone book and then combining them for a proper name for my characters.

Albert – communications guru for the cave

Alice Doctor – became full member of THE BOARD after death of her father

Alice Merryweather – expert pilot – James M's daughter

Angela Zulawski - security guard in the cave

Artemis Baptiste – security guard in the cave – married Lee M.

Bob Quincy - cave security team leader

Chester Lashel - security guard in the cave

Doug Reynolds – Sissy's husband & head of the cave security department

Frederick P Cole – head of the space station

James Merryweather – cave security team leader – {Lee fullback}

Janet and Stewart Swift – outside design experts

Jill Spears – gourmet cook and married to Mike S.

John Ironstone – supply wizard & head of Montserrat launch site

June Allison – medically retired marine DI & head of the Cave cafeteria

Karen Alice Fryer – teenage computer hacker

Lee Merryweather – pilot – {the kid} James M's son

Lee Redhead - cave security team leader

Madeline Ramirez - hydroponics expert and biologist

Mike Spears – head of the cave supply & logistics department

Snowfeather – John Ironstone's wife

Sissy Reynolds – {Lee} – the bosses daughter

Steve Nugget – in charge of outside manufacturing

Steve – Stephen - Mr. B – an individual that has the knack of surrounding himself with knowledgeable proficient people. He has spent more time surviving than getting his rough edges honed.

Sugar Plum – wife of Stephen.

Suzzie – nurse in the cave and doctor in asteroid belt

Mr. Tim R. - advertising company owner – owner of the cave

Dr. Venu – brilliant doctor and inventor

Wanda Hyang – head of the cave transportation department

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Chapter 1 I'm Hired?

Just another Wednesday. After cereal for breakfast I turned on the TV. Darn phone, it always rings when I get interested in a program and it's probably another telemarketer, and at 8:15 in the morning. As I watched the phone number block in the upper left corner of the TV I realized the name on the top of it wasn't one that looked like a telemarketer. It just said Lee and no numbers. Usually they hung up after five or six rings and this one looked like he wasn't going to. The battery was dead in the phone by the chair so I had to get the kitchen phone. The guy just wouldn't hang up. So I answered it and heard.

"Mr. Brandon, a friend recommended you to me as a person that might be interested in a project our company has in mind. It does not pay much, but the side benefits are great. Would you be interested in meeting with my representative in San Antonio on the fifteenth? I will send a van to pick you and your wife up, all expenses paid whether you accept or not. Think it over and I will call you back tomorrow at the same time. Thank you, and by the way my name is Lee."

When I asked my wife if she'd like to go to San Antonio for a couple of days all expenses paid on the 15th. That telemarketer didn't even say what he was selling. She said OK.

Thursday morning I made sure that the phone was right beside where I put my feet up after turning on the TV. Exactly at 8:15 the phone rang and Lee was the only thing that showed up on my caller ID. I thought hell's bells as I picked up the phone and asked if I was talking to Lee.

Lee answered and asked if I was interested? After saying yes, he said, There had been a slight scheduling problem on his end. We can meet at the Hallmark at noon today if you're free. We will pay you $350 as a consulting fee for your time today. Your wife will still need to attend. Dress is casual. Lunch will be provided.

OK, I answered and all I heard on the other end of the phone was a click. Well several hours is enough time to empty a house, so I called my neighbor across the street and asked him to watch my house today and call the cops if anybody pulled up and looked suspicious. I calculated that $350 was a shade more than my electric bill from last month. It would come in handy.

As we walked in through the front doors of the Hallmark I realized that I hadn't been told how to contact Lee. A young man got up off the chair to the left of the desk and headed our way. He introduced himself as Lee and asked us to accompany him to the restaurant.

There was a young lady at the table he led us to and as we were seated he introduced her as Lee. My first comment was, "Is your whole team named Lee?"

He chuckled as he laid a $100 bill on the table. He asked what we would like to have. Since he was paying I ordered a New York strip medium well with fries and sweet tea. Of course Sugar Plum couldn't make up her mind so I ordered her the catfish platter. He told the waitress to bring him the same as mine and Lee ordered a spinach salad.

I asked Lee how she spelled her name and if she had another because we could get mixed up if everyone answered to Lee.

Her answer was really unexpected. "I passed mind reading 101 so I'll know if you are addressing me!"

Sugar Plum slapped me on the arm and then started laughing. "Our middle names are also Lee and he didn't pass mind reading 101."

As the waitress approached with our drinks we quieted down. Lee then said, "After eating we will go to the conference room and see the presentation."

Lee started the presentation by saying, "The first part will be boring to you since I'm sure you know most of it, but I want your wife to hear the basics.

"The race for space was improperly done. The first step after the Apollo flights should have been building a low earth orbit station. Then a high earth orbit station capable of manufacturing space craft. Then a permanent station at L1. The first target in space to explore should have been a scientific base on the moon. The next target should have been Mars, then the Asteroid Belt.

"Do you remember hearing on the news recently where they cut funding to NASA for the moon base. Their last goal was a moon base in 20 years. Well that's out now.

"However, since everything has been so poorly managed our first target must now be a high orbit Space Station and then the Asteroid Belt. Logistically it is a large step, but possible with off the shelf equipment. To many resources have already been wasted and misdirected. Our target date is two years. We plan for a crew of nine. Three couples on each ship launched on the same day.

"I understand that you are a Science Fiction fan and well read. Also you were an NCO in the Army and worked for a cable company for over 17 years with several years as a trouble tech. We need someone with no astronaut training or experience that can be a trouble shooter and leader. He must be inventive enough to look for all the problems that could happen and intelligent enough to also help point toward a possible solution. Many of the ideas from all the Science Fiction writers in the past have been looked at, but weeding out the impractical ones is an immense problem in itself. We can also use someone that is familiar with KISS and MAPTO.

"Are you interested, and how soon can you start? We will be back in 15 minutes for your initial decision."

They left us sitting alone in the room to make our decision. I turned to Sugar Plum and looked deep into her blue eyes. I then told her that this would be a chance to earn some extra money toward our retirement.

Her eyes misted up as she said, "You want to go don't you!"

I could not deny my thoughts, but I said, "They probably wouldn't take me because I did break my back, have osteoporosis, and I'm over sixty. If they would let me go would you go with me?"

All I got was silence.

As they came back into the room I noticed she had a laptop and he carried a portable printer.

Sugar Plum said, "He wants to go! We could use the money even it the job is only for two years."

Lee's answered, "We'll put that option in the contract with the provision that you go as a couple if your health is good enough to survive in space for five years." She then opened her laptop, typed a few lines, and then turned it around and asked us to read the contract.

Surprisingly I could easily read every paragraph except one. It was in legalese. I asked her what it meant. She just deleted it saying it was for the lawyers. They can suck swamp water.

I asked Sugar Plum if she could understand and go with the contract as it was or did she want to change anything.

Her hesitant answer was "It's OK."

Lee printed the two copies of the contract. We were to sign both and keep the one.

As we signed she placed a cell phone, and $350 cash on the table.

He then said I had three days to reconsider. If we changed our minds we were to call the programmed number, if not a moving van would pull up Sunday with a crew to pack our things. He also cautioned us not to discuss the contract with anyone. We could say that we were going to move. With that they packed up and left.

We looked at each other, picked up our copy of the contract, the phone, and the money. Outside we got into our van and drove home in silence.

After making arrangements Friday morning for our daughter to move into the house and maintain it for us we started deciding what to pack and carry.

While at the bank I set up a trust account for her to draw expenses from.

Sugar Plum went and told our few close friends I was taking a job out of state. Kathy tried to interrogate her like the lawyer she never was. Then she then invited us over for dinner on Saturday.

Upon hearing of the invite I knew that she hadn't given up trying to find out where we were going. I then knew we could not even tell our daughter or grandchildren anything about the job.

I then decided that the only thing we could say about the job was that because of copyright considerations I could not talk about it. I would comment that they were giving me a new laptop to write and do research on. We would promise to drop her postcards from some of the more interesting locations. Let her chew on that.

Saturday morning we started packing. Just as I expected, Kathy was over early. I decided to pack some summer and winter clothing. My old field jacket would make a good diversion. I threw it on the couch. Kathy had more questions than Carter had little liver pills. At noon we went over to Kathy's for dinner and lounging around the pool.

Just to add a tickler I mentioned to Sugar Plum to remind me to get an eye exam and new glasses along with more camping gear Monday.

After returning home that night I called the number on the phone. The voice wasn't one that I recognized. I asked who it was and she said her name was Lee. So I informed her that Sunday morning all we would need is a van because we had only three suitcases to bring with us.

No problem, she said. "Don't you want to load any of your camping gear?"

After a few seconds my reply was, "Where is the bug?"

Her reply was, "Our system is quieter than a Predator drone. The van will have a small enclosed trailer. I'll pick you up at 0819 Sunday morning. Have a good evening."

Sugar Plum and I were sitting on the couch in the living room at 0815 Sunday after finishing breakfast. The sun was shining in the front window and it already look hot. I was working on my 3rd cup of coffee. I said, "What do you want to bet that she's late."

Not a minute later a new looking blue Suburban with a U-haul trailer pulled up blocking the mail box and driveway. A small redhead got out on the drivers side. The guy that got out on the passengers side could have played fullback. I knew there would be little leg room behind the passenger seat. She headed for the door while he opened the trailer. After looking at it for a minute he picked up the back of the trailer and shifted it over to the curb. I was wondering if he was going to shift the rear of the Suburban too since it was about two feet from the curb.

Sugar Plum answered the door and invited her in.

She asked for the cell phone. She took the battery out and then asked where the trash can was.

I was thinking someone is paranoid about security.

She then asked if we had any computers or other cell phones. As I answer yes, she told me we would have to leave them here.

I guess you want me to trash my USB 500 gig. Seagate too.

"No" she said, "Our computer guy will have to completely check it out before you can use it. Shall we load up. Are these all the bags you are taking? We have quite a drive ahead."

As I carried out the bags I could feel the heat beginning to radiate off the sidewalk. I then went back and got Sugar Plum's walker and helped her down the steps. The fullback asked if I needed any help. I declined, but did say we would need some legroom in the back seat.

He leaned into the back passenger side and removed the seat. He carried it around and opened the rear hatch and tried to shove it in. Shaking his head he set the seat on top of the trailer, turned and pulled two bags from the back of the Suburban and set them on top of the trailer. Then the seat fit. Closing the rear hatch he turned, grabbing the bags and put them in the trailer. After all the fun he turned to the redhead and asked her if she needed anything out of her bag.

"Lee" she replied, "You know I never carry anything that is heat sensitive or breakable. But when I open my bag tonight I better not find any wrinkles in my clothes. If I do, your ass is mine and I'll kick it all the way to the Gulf. Load up, we're behind schedule!"

I helped Sugar Plum into the left back seat.

Lee told me to grab the front passenger seat and he would sit on the floor in the back.

I started to object, but he was pulling the door closed. I started around the Suburban but the little redhead said "You drive" and tossed me the keys.

As I started the Suburban I asked "Where to?"

"West," was her reply as she leaned back and closed her eyes.

I was going to ask her, northwest or southwest but she was already snoring. I turned and looked at the fullback. Asking him would do no good because he had his eyes closed too. I then commented out loud to Sugar Plum. "Lets head for Palo Duro canyon"

All she said was, "Roll the window down if you're going to smoke."

With no map I figured I'd headed east on 439 knowing I could turn left at Temple and head for Gatesville. Beyond there I planned to drive away from the sun till noon, eat, and then keep the sun over the left fender till I got to tired to drive.

As I was turning right on Rancier the redhead asked why we were going the wrong direction. I informed her that unless everyone produced an ID we could not go west through Fort Hood.

She mumbled, "Go around and head northwest on 36. We'll stop for the night in Abilene."

Hwy 439 wasn't too crowded and I made good time. Turning left to cross the dam I notice a blue sedan turn also. Crossing the dam he tried to hang back as traffic built up behind him. I went straight at the first stop sign and drove straight to the next intersection and turned right and then left into the liquor store parking lot. As he turned in he angled over towards the BBQ stand. I nudged the redhead and told her I was stopping to get a drink. As she started to sit up I said "STOP!"

Her eyes popped open.

"There's a blue sedan over at the BBQ stand that has been behind us for at least 20 minutes. Give me some cash." I palmed the $50, got out and meandered into the liquor store. I got a small cooler, 2 Dr. Peppers, 2 cokes, 1 Zero and a Mountain Dew. As I stepped up to the clerk I asked where the ice was.

He took the cooler, rang everything up putting the bottles in the cooler and then carried it over to the right. He brought it back full of ice. He asked if I had anything smaller than the $50, then frowned as he counted out the change.

I headed for the Suburban and opened the right rear passengers door. There wasn't to much room on the floor, but I managed to get the cooler settled in the middle. There were three cars now at the BBQ stand. All three had men in them and it didn't look like anyone was eating. I walked around, got into the drivers seat and pulled out. The blue sedan stayed put, but one of the other two followed me onto the road. The redhead was still slouched in the seat, but asked me to describe the car behind us. I describe the late model pale tan Ford with 2 guys it it.

"Don't worry," she said "We'll shake them in Amarillo." She opened her purse, pulled out her cell phone, and dialed. I listened as she said, "Our ass will be in Amarillo tonight, can we have some fun?" Snapping the phone shut she grinned at me then said, "Millie, can you pass me a coke and something for your husband. We may get pulled over as soon as they determine the next good size town. They still don't know what we are doing with the personnel we've hired. They haven't figured out what we're building. If they knew for sure, we'd be ham-strung with enough red tape to tie a bow on Jupiter."

Lee the fullback mumbled from the floor, I hope you got a Sprite.

I replied, "A Dr. Pepper, a Coke, a Zero and a Mountain Dew are all that's left and Sugar Plum has dibs on the Zero. Let me know when you start getting hungry. If we stop at a road side BBQ stand, that ought to cause them to scramble someway to hide the fact that they are following us. Maybe we can weird them out and keep them hungry till we get to Amarillo."

The fullback just started laughing and said he liked my style, but if I didn't feed him, he would eat the luggage.

The redhead and I were laughing so hard I almost ran off the side of the road. Sugar Plum just yelled "Watch the road!"

I asked, What are we going to do when we get to Abilene? Hole up somewhere, misdirect the tail, or just get lost so they can't find us.

The redhead answered me by saying, "I've got a story to tell you-all. Once upon a time there was a man with a great business. He had some very loyal friends that could keep a secret. He had a secret mine that furnished some of the metal he needed and used in his business. He also had a farm and a ranch that also furnished some supplies he used in his business. He and his friends formed a group and combined some of their resources into sections of a larger business. Each counted their section of the larger business as their own and part of their smaller business when it came to paying the king his taxes.

"Some of the Kings men began to think that these businesses were to small to make the profits they claimed and paid taxes on. Being not quite so honest, they were sure that the businessmen in this group were cheating. They started investigations that the Kings court eventually proved false. This frustration just made them more determined to find out how this group of businessmen could be so profitable.

"The businessmen knew that the Kings men knew where their warehouses were and knew where the old mans farm was, but that was all. Then one of the businessmen suggested to the others that they should turn this harassment and conspiracy against them into a game. They hired a few independent honest men to play tricks upon the Kings men.

"They hired a few more men to investigate the Kings men and the men they hired. What they found out was put into very carefully crafted stories using only the provable truth to put the Kings men in very embarrassing positions.

"This game continues to this day, the businessmen have their secrets and run their business as they wish."

"Very interesting" I commented, "Do we get a chance to play? The only part I would know how to play would be as a trickster. How are we to travel after Abilene? Land or air, and which direction?"

Lee the redhead said, "We are going to San Angelo, but our car is going to Oklahoma. What do you think about that?"

If we make them think we are going to fly somewhere like Chicago, they would make arrangements to follow us, Right! Then we slip out of the hotel into a different car and head downtown. Meanwhile your trickster crew could drive the Suburban to the airport and drop off the girls to fly out. They could get off half way and disappear in another airport. Meanwhile guys would then drive to Oklahoma and get themselves lost. Would that be to complicated and expensive to do?"

The fullback laughed from the back floorboard. "Have you been taking lessons from Lee, or have you played this game before?"

The next stop was at a little roadside BBQ place in the middle of nowhere. Our tail pulled over onto the shoulder of the two lane road just insight of the stand. The old gentleman running the BBQ stand took only a few minutes to make our sandwiches, and of course I splashed hot sauce all over mine after adding fresh sliced jalapeno peppers. Lee was chatting with him when she pulled a hundred dollar bill out of her pocket and handed it to him. I saw him wink and then laugh. You know them old country boys, they know every back road and rabbit trail within miles of their home. Then he drew her a map on the back of a napkin and she tucked it in her blouse.

As we got back into the car she confided in us that our host was going to fix them city slickers. He had some of Grandpa's Hot Sauce that was about ten years old. He told her that it was now so hot that he couldn't even use it except for his hell fire chili. One drop on their sandwiches should fix them up good and he'd take at least ten minutes to make their meal.

She explained as I fastened my seat-belt that we need to hit the gas hard as soon as we made the next curve and three miles down the road we'd see a old barn with a tree growing out of it. I needed to turn right on the dirt road and follow it until the second curve, then turn left through the hole in the fence and follow the ruts north to the next blacktop road. Well the ruts did lead to a blacktop after dipping through several dry creek-beds and country that would give a mule fits. Several times I thought I was going to loose the little trailer we were hauling. After turning right on the blacktop Lee told me to make the first left onto the first dirt road that had a new No Trespassing sign on the left side of the gate. An hour later we passed under some high-line power lines and she said turn left. It was getting dark and I told her that this was as far as we could go this evening. Three miles is what he said we needed to follow these power line to another blacktop.

Then I cut the engine and explained to her a trip the wife and I'd taken Lake Havasu years before. The highways shown on the map took a big loop around and I decided to take a short cut that showed on the map as a secondary or dirt road. Well I turned north and then west on a nice paved road that turned to gravel after a mile or so. Another mile or two it turned to dirt. Well I knew my old Astro van can handle dirt roads and I cruised on a few more miles until my wife noticed that we were getting into some foothills and a pipeline was running beside the dirt road. I'd already slowed way down because of the ruts. I remember assuring her that this old van could handle anything short of a river and there weren't any rivers through these hills. The ruts turned into ditches that turned into dry washes that got wider and deeper. I reminded Lee that when it rains out west the water heads downhill and takes anything in it's way. Rocks, dirt, cacti, and it makes instant creeks with steep banks. One spot I had to navigate I only had three wheels on the ground and had to get my dear wife to crawl to the rear of the van to make the rear wheels drop to make get traction. Well we make it without tilting over or getting stuck. Before we hit flat land again we could see a large green area and then we came to the barbed wire fence. It had a homemade gate made out of sticks and wire fastened to the next fence post with two loops of wire. I opened the gate and drove through. It took us about a fifteen minutes drive onto the farm before we found some workers and got directions to the next town. After that experience I told Lee that driving this access road at night could be suicide. They agreed.

In the morning we were less than a mile down it when we found the first gully. When we got to town, really an old motel, gas station and general store, we decided to spend the day and continue that night.

When we came out that evening another driver was waiting for us with a new car. We transferred our luggage and Lee drove. The old car was a rental and with its GPS tracker they decided that it would be to easy to track.

Before we got out of town we'd spotted our new tail. The other driver jammed on his brakes and they rammed the trailer. We drove awhile and then Lee stopped and pulled the temporary tags off, then we continued to the interstate.

Well it worked. However when we arrived in San Angelo the plane was late. While we waited in the small airport we watched the blue sedan pull up. The two guys walked into the waiting room, pulled out a camera and started taking pictures. I couldn't resist saying, "Did you guys ever get a decent meal day before yesterday?" I thought the shorter guy on was going to run across the room and attach us because he launched himself at me.

His partner dropped his camera as he grabbed him.

The kid behind the ticket counter was fast. Two steps and he had the camera, pulled the memory stick, turned it off, and set it back on the floor. Then he started yelling at the guys that they could not just come into the airport office and attack customers. If they didn't leave immediately he would call the sheriff.

The guys grabbed their camera and ran for the door.

The plane arrived. I was expecting a four to six passenger prop-job because the airport was small. Instead it was a jet with a weird wing configuration. I looked at the redhead and asked who was smoking what when they designed that, pointing at the jet.

A kid that got off and walked toward us. He looked about eighteen. Since Lee was still chuckling he introduced himself to me as Lee and said, "It falls real fast!"

We loaded up.

The carpet on the floor must have been 6 inches thick and the deepest blue I'd ever seen. It was like walking on a water bed. I ought to know, I used to have to stand on ours to change the light bulbs in the ceiling fan. The paneling on the inside of the plane looked like real mahogany or a really good imitation. We dropped into the seats. It felt like I was sitting on an air mattress. Talk about comfortable. The plush pale blue seat covering was soft like an old cotton blanket.

The jet engines weren't loud a they ran up at the end of the short runway. To my ear it sounded like the air conditioning in the plane was louder than the engines. I figured we would be shoved deep into the luxurious seats as it took off. Then I heard the clunk of the landing gear coming up an jerked my head to the right. Looking out the window I saw the ground dropping away. Impossible I thought, the end of the runway was still visible.

Both Lee's started laughing and Sugar Plum looked at me with a question in her eye.

I looked at her and said, "We're airborne. This is a great little jet."

Turning to the Lees I asked how high and fast can this fly? The answer surprised me because she said, not to fast, we will be picked up by the transport in about 15 minutes.

What do you mean?, I asked.

This is a pickup plane. The main transport can carry 2 of these.

Jokingly I said "Does it hook us like a fish or do we land in the cargo bay."

"Wait and see," Lee replied.

After listening to our conversation Sugar Plum reached across the aisle and grabbed my arm. "What does she mean?"

I looked at her and replied, "Because the airport was so small they picked us up in a small plane. We will go to a bigger plane and fly in it to where ever they are taking us. Don't worry Sugar Plum, they know what they are doing and have probably done this hundreds of times."

I heard a snort and suppressed laugh from the rear of the cabin. Great I thought, the kid pilot probably hasn't done this unsupervised. You only get one chance at your wildest dream and you only live once.

I looked back at both of the Lees and asked, "Is prayer in order or has the kid done this more than once in a simulator?"

The big guy said, "I know they had to spot paint the last shuttle he flew." He then pulled out a string of beads and started playing with them.

The redhead jumped up and headed for the rear of the plane. I guessed that was where the toilet was. I wondered if she was sick or laughing so hard she had to go relieve herself.

Looking at him as seriously as I could I then said, "You should go check on Lee. She might have peed her pants laughing so hard."

He looked at me and put up his beads. "You're no fun. Would you or your wife like a drink? We have about 15 minutes before pick up."

"Just ice water for me and a Zero for her."

Just as Lee put our drinks in front of us the pilot came out of the cockpit. He looked at Lee and commented. "Mom, did you bring my game-boy?"

The redhead looked at him and said, "He ain't falling for the kid routine." Pointing over her shoulder, he already tried the scrapped paint and the prayer beads routine. Don't even ask if I have any cream back in the galley for your cat. "Go back up front and play with your toys."

He looked at us and asked, "Mrs. B., would you like to come forward and see how this plane flies. If you like I can even let you sit in the copilots seat during the pickup. There isn't anything to worry about. It is almost automatic. The basic principles of aerodynamics make it as simple as pulling a car into a garage."

I felt her finger nails digging into my arm again. Looking across the isle I said, "Sugar Plum, he knows what he's doing. This crew is like an army squad, always picking on each other. If you're worried just say no."

She gasped out, "NO, I'll stay here."

Looking as calm as I could I disengaged her finger nails from my arm and kissed her hand. I realized that there were fourteen dozen things that could go wrong during an in flight rendezvous. I waved at him to go back forward.

Suddenly there was a double chime. A sultry voice said, "Kid, are you in the cockpit or back harassing the passengers? Between you and Sis, a comedy club team wouldn't stand a chance. If you embarrass them I'll keelhaul your butt and dump you on the ground. Now get back forward and reconfigure for pickup or do I have to do everything remote."

He turned and hurried forward.

The redhead commented to his back, "She has your number! Time to fasten your seat belts. The pickup is smooth, but the rules say strap in."

I could hear a change in pitch of the engines. They got a little louder. Looking out the window I saw another plane flying over us. As it disappeared I felt a pull upward. Then I saw a metal wall sliding toward us. Knowing this would scare the hell out of Sugar Plum I reached across the aisle and picked up her hand from the armrest. Just then there was a metallic clunk and we were turning to the left. I felt more acceleration. Looking out her window I saw lights come on and a guy in an air-mask walking down our wing.

I turned to the redhead and asked, "Do we get service here or to we go outside?"

Her reply was that we stayed put, we would land in about an hour. If you're hungry we have some TV dinners in back.

I said, "We could use some good coffee, if you have a decent blend."

She looked at Sugar Plum and asked, "Would you help me back in the galley."

I smiled and let go of her hand. She tried to get up without unfastening her seat-belt.

I hit her belt release, she got up and turned toward the back of the plane. I then unfastened my seat-belt and moved across from Lee.

Lee was still unbuckling his belt as I punched him in the arm and said, "Give me those worry beads. I don't want to find them in my coffee."

His grin was infectious and we both burst into laughter.

We both heard the comment from the galley, "If you guys are having to much fun, we will just have to drink all the coffee ourselves."

He commented, "We is in trouble now!"

Looking out the window all I could see was the inside of the other plane.

Soon we heard the pilot announce, "Please fasten your seat-belts, we will be deplaning in a minute and landing in 10 minutes.

"We jokingly call our area 'Area 51P'. Area 51 is good cover. We have 87 square miles of desert and it's all ours. Everything is camouflaged, even the launch facility. Google hasn't found us yet."

As I was reaching across for Sugar Plums hand I felt a lurch and a drop like a roller coaster. Then I heard the engines come up as we veered off to the right. We all heard a crash from the galley.

Lee exclaimed, "Crap I forgot to secure the cabinet! Now I'll have to buy another set of cups and glasses."

An eerie voice exclaimed, "Mom did you forget to close the door again?" We all knew the kid heard that crash in cockpit.

I could tell the second we quit dropping and leveled out. Looking out the window all I could see was cactus below and a mountain straight ahead. I commented that I hoped this shuttle was VTOL. After a double bump we rolled a hundred feet turned and went under some kind of cover.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 2 The Cave

Lee said, "We'll wait for the dust to settle before we get out."

Three electric golf carts pulled up as we stepped off the landing stairs. I put our bags in the back of the first one and helped Sugar Plum get in. I thought we were in a hanger, however I soon found out that we were in a large cave because we never came out on the surface. The tunnel we were in must have been a mile long. Finally we saw more light ahead and entered a cavern. This was the first city I ever saw underground. The tallest visible building was three floors high. We stopped just inside the entrance and were ushered into a small building. It looked like a class room with small individual tables and roll type office chairs. We were directed to the front to take a seat. Another couple came in and they were told to sit on the front row also.

All of us were handed folders, mine was dark blue and Sugar Plums was red. The woman that came in behind us was given a blue folder and the man with her a red one. An older man came in clumping his cane on the floor. I sounded like a hammer on stone.

He said, "Open your notebooks and you should first see your picture on the inside cover. If it isn't you let me know now. Those of you with the red notebooks are the spouses of the workers. There are other jobs here that you can perform so you won't get bored, unless you want to. If you don't want to stay, say so now! Otherwise you are committing yourself for a two year stay. Security is tight here and no one will be allowed to leave before the two year time frame.

"You two with the blue notebooks have already indicated that you wish to be part of the program that we are working on. If you have any doubts or questions, speak up. We are going up and out. You can be part of the program, or we can drop you back at your home with a small consulting fee for your time." He then sat down and pulled out a pipe. From the corner of my eye I saw the man to my right flinch, but he didn't say anything.

I cleared my throat and asked, "What kind of time frame are we working on?"

"No questions on the project will be answered until I have your answer on the two year commitment. If you agree to stay; read and sign the page 2. Lee will be by to notarize it and return a copy to you. Then and only then will the in-processing briefing start."

I signed my paper and looked at Sugar Plum.

She asked me to ask him if they had good medical facilities here.

I looked up again and stated, "My wife wants to know if you have good medical facilities here because she had a stroke two years ago."

He replied, "Our medical facilities are first rate, we can handle anything from brain surgery to hang nails."

Sugar Plum smiled and signed her paper. I took both notebooks, removed and held up the papers. I then turned to the woman on my right and asked, "What do you do?"

She looked shocked at the audacity of my remark and he just cowered in his chair looking miserable.

Then I added, "Lead, follow, or get the hell out of my way. If you can't make a simple decision what use will you be to any program."

Her mouth dropped open, and in an educated cultured voice she snapped, "Well I never ..."

I laughed and interrupting her start, "No one is indispensable, if you've had had all your decision making capability educated out, he'll probably throw us both out since I'm an uneducated oaf and you think you are the Queen of Sheba."

For the first time I saw some life in her husband. He was signing his paper and smiling. He then looked at me and said, "If we survive the briefing I owe you a beer. No one has had stones enough to tell her the truth since she got her masters."

She scowled at him. "You are on your own for the next two years." Then she ripped the page from her notebook, signed it and laid it on the desk.

The old gentleman put his pipe on the table, looked us over, and said, "Just like one happy family. This will be an interesting two years, I only wish I was young enough to go with you.

"Now down to business. You were told the basic plan. Are you ready for some of the details? I've got some really stupid engineers. They can't follow simple instructions. They want redesign everything. They want everything to be super high tech.

"Madeline you are supposed to be the best at hydroponics. I need a foolproof system that a 10 year old can maintain. Also a simple farm setup for fresh vegetables in space with no gravity.

"Stephen, I was told you were an uneducated oaf, but I need an old NCO to ramrod my cretins into building a system that a 10 year old can work with. The crews will be in space for at least 10 years. Between boredom, accidents, and stupidity, I want the simplest system that will work. I also understand that you understand KISS. My original idea twenty-five years ago was to use off the shelf components. Unfortunately I can't be everywhere and in control of everything. I have to maintain my financial empire to pay for my dream.

"My designers and engineers have run amuck. They have taken my plans, shot more holes in them than a shotgun target! Are you two up to the challenge?"

Madeline puffed herself up and said she could do it.

Me, I just looked at him and said, "How many NCOs are here and am I in charge of them. All I need for you to do is give me the initial authority and back up my decisions. If you don't like the way I do the job, I can always go home. By the way, I want to be on one of those ships. We can talk about that later."

His reply was, "Good! My secretary did some research on you and said you could be tyrannical. I'm glad she was right. I do need the help.

"Now for the introductions to the top staff. Sissy, the redhead is my secretary and also a pilot. Doug is her husband and the head of security here. Mike handles supply and his wife is a gourmet cook.

"Mike will assign you housing. Doug will give you your IDs and also arrange for a tour of the compound including the off limits areas.

"Madeline, you will be contacted by Sissy in the morning and introduced to your staff. Please get them in line. I had to demote the last section manager.

"Stephen, Doug will see you in the morning about your staff. I hope that you can give me your set up before I have to leave day after tomorrow. Sissy will be the point of contact when I'm not here.

"Get settled in tonight because tomorrow I plan to work your butts into the ground. I've been a hard taskmaster to get where I am today. I plan to go a lot further. Good evening." He then got up and clumped out.

Sissy looked at us and then said, "The boss is not that bad, but I'm the bitch from hell! You disappoint him and I'll rip your head off and stuff your arms down your throat."

Smiling I looked at Sissy and said, "Lee, oops I mean Sissy, to bad you already have a job, I could use you on my staff."

Her grin could have melted steel as she said to Doug, "Get this asshole out of my sight."

Doug took us next door to get our IDs.

Mike said to me as we were leaving, "Would you and your wife like to come over to my place for dinner. I'll pick you up at 1930. That will give my wife time to throw some roadkill on the grill."

Tuesday morning Mike and Jill arrived at my door at 7AM. I was finishing my first cup of coffee. Jill walked over to Sugar Plum and announced that she had a full day planned for them. I kissed Sugar Plum bye and told Mike to lead on.

When we arrived at the in-processing building the desk had been rearranged. Two at the front and two half arcs in the rest of the room. There were 6 notebooks on the desk up front. Mike said he'd get the coffee and I only had three hours before everyone else would be here.

I opened the first notebook.

  1. Spacecraft Structure, Frederick Frail. Married to Sonya and 1 child. MIT grad. Worked for Boeing, worked for NASA. Discharged from NASA in 2006. Reason given was that he would not stay within budget. Another rumored reason was that he told his department head that he 'could go suck vacuum because he was wasting money on crap that would never fly.' A hand written note at the bottom of the page said, He likes high tech toys to much.

The personnel crew must have their own budget and empire, I was thinking as Mike walked back in with two steaming cups of coffee and a cup of ice.

  2. Security, Doug Reynolds. Married to Susan R. MP in Army, city policeman, hired in 2002. Education 2 years college, no degree.

  3. Supply & Logistics, Mike Spears. Married to Jill, gourmet cook. Supply Sergeant in Army, assistant manager lumber company. Education: HS plus some college courses.

  4. Launch Sites, John Ironstone. Married to Snowfeather. Education: Technical School.

  5. Transportation, Wanda Hyang. Single. Dispatcher for trucking company. Education: Liberal Arts degree.

  6. Outside Manufacturing, Steve Nugget. Married to Matilda Jones. Mechanical Engineer with international contacts. Education: Technical School.

After reading the last notebook I asked Mike if he would get me another pad of paper with holes in it for the notebooks. Also it would be nice if there were name tags on the desk out front. Also I could use a half dozen steno note pads and pens here on my desk. His puzzled look was enough for me to announce to him, "These people are going to take a few handwritten notes. Their other surprise is that they will be submitting handwritten reports to me."

His only words as he left the room were, "They are going to love you. Want me to get you a bullet proof vest?"

Right at 1000 hours I was outside the building with Mike. We watched as 2 department heads wandered up and entered the building. Madeline also came up and followed one in. We had instructed one of the secretaries to tell them to sit where their name tags were and offer them coffee. The last one arrived at 1012 and we followed him in. We waited just inside the door as the secretary seated him and got him coffee. Mike commented loud enough for all of them to hear, "I thought that this was supposed to start at 10? Then he grabbed his seat.

I walked to the front desk an sat down and looked at them. My first comment was, "If you can't make it to a meeting on time, how do you expect to meet time critical deadlines." I got up and handed each of them one page from my pad, and a steno note pad. After resuming my seat I told them to write their name and position at the top of the single page I handed them. I had to toss pens out to two of them that didn't have anything to write with. Now I want you to write below your name your main assistant, and then list everyone on your section and their job. This must have really come as a surprise because I heard several growls. I looked at Madeline seated on the second arc and saw her scowl. I smiled as I said to them all, "Do the best you can. This test won't be scored. If you have personnel in your department that you don't know, and don't know what they do, then what good are they. I'll be back in ten minutes to collect your reports."

Sissy popped in the side door and informed me that Tim wanted to see me now. I followed her down the hall, through the admin section and into the office in the back. Mr. R was sitting behind a steel desk with his feet up watching TV. "Come around here and grab a seat" he said, "This ought to be interesting. Mike, Doug, and Madeline are the only three in the room that have a clue. By the way Sissy is supposed to be my personal secretary. Only a few know that she is also my daughter, keep it that way."

We watched two heated discussions in the room. Madeline had walked over to Mikes desk and was whispering in his ear. His grin was unsettling. He whispered back to her, she laughed and went back and sat down. The discussion group wheeled and pounced on her. Damn I wish I could hear what they were saying. What ever she said took them by surprise and they rushed back to their tables and started writing furiously.

At 9 ½ minutes I told Tim, "I better get back in there. Someone is surely watching the clock, after all I did jump on them about being late."

As I was taking my seat I said, "Madeline, would you please collect the pages from everyone and bring them to me."

As she dropped them on my desk I whispered, "What did you tell them?"

Her scowl would have frozen nitrogen as she said, "You'll never know unless someone squeals."

I picked up the papers and started looking through them. I could feel their eyes boring holes in me wondering who I was and what I was going to do. After a few minutes I looked up and told them to open the steno note pads.

"First I want you all to make a complete organizational chart of your section. This chart should have everyone working for you and the chain of command within your section. This chart will be handwritten by you. I'll be by your sections in the next few days to collect them. I also want at that time a handwritten progress report on your sections progress toward the final goal of this project. I know that all of you are highly educated so all these reports should be concise and legible. Oh and by the way if there are any complaints, you may give them to me or Sissy, Mr. R's personal secretary. I report directly to him. If there are no questions, I'll start seeing you tomorrow morning."

I then got up and left through the side door taking the notebooks and papers with me. I walked directly back to the office and asked Mr. R, "If I'm not fired for overstepping my authority, where will my office be. I have a lot of homework to do before I start tomorrow."

His reply was, "Doug will brief you and accompany you starting tomorrow. Mike and Sissy are available for questions today. This will be your office and here is the key. Those three girls out front work for Sissy, and now you. Sissy will brief them. They are really good at research. Lock up and we'll go to the cafeteria."

On the way out I asked Sissy if she could make me a quick organizational chart with contact numbers and section locations sometime today.

It will be ready when you get back.

Mr. R commented as we were walking out, "Sissy has another job now. She is now also on your crew. Her comment this morning when you and Mike stepped outside to watch them arrive was to the effect that you shouldn't give up your day job just to be a royal asshole."

As we entered the cafeteria I saw Jill and Sugar Plum sitting at a table on the far side. With them was Jim and an attractive brunette. Jim started to get up as we approached so I waved him back into his seat. He got up anyway and introduced me to Sonya, Frederick Frail's wife. Her voice was a little horse as she said, "Glad to meet you, I already welcomed your wife to the cave."

Mr. R and I sat and a cafeteria worker came over. Mr. R ordered an omelet with OJ and I ordered the same. She then informed me that the serving line was open and I could get my own. I got up and introduced myself. Asking her name I discovered that she ran the cafeteria. I apologized and asked her to lead the way. On the way over I found out that she had nine volunteers and all of them were the wives of the project workers. As she started fill to a plate for Mr. R, I complemented her on the neat breakfast bar. She blushed slightly and smiled.

As we approached the table I noticed that Sugar Plum and Jim were in a heated discussion. Mr. R was leaning back in his chair watching with amusement. I sat by my wife and listened as the discussion ground to a halt. Looking at Jim and Sugar Plum I told them that I wanted them to put their topic in writing and give me a copy. Then pulling out my steno pad I made some quick notes about June and the cafeteria. June was still holding the plate and looking at me. She set it down in front of Mr. R and walked away without saying a word. As I stuck my fork into the eggs I commented to Mr. R, "You've got a herd of cats here. It's been a while since I herded cats."

We finished our omelets and Sugar Plum headed across to get us more coffee. I noticed that as soon as she started pouring June was at her side. It looked like June was trying to interrogate her. I asked Mr. R if the cafeteria was listed as part of the project with its own manager. As he looked at me he raised his hand and waived for June to come over.

As Sugar Plum and June sat, I looked at June and asked her how she got started here.

For a wife in an enclosed cave with limited resources she got bored. She started cooking and got a few other wives to join her and finally got Sissy to give them a building and equipment. I asked her if she liked her job.

When she said yes I tore the notes from my steno pad and told her I wanted her to list the cafeteria setup. Put her name and contact number at the top of the page. Under that I wanted the names of the volunteers and what they were best at. She could give the list to Sissy later today.

As we got up I asked Mr. R if he had any other lost empires that we could visit before going back to the office.

I kissed Sugar Plum and told her I'd see her here for supper.

I then asked June, "What time do you serve supper?" She informed me that they were only open for breakfast and lunch. "Oh," I said, "Then can I get you to do me a favor.

"My wife and I just got here yesterday. Can you show her around and especially where the store is. We both like good food and our cupboards are bare." She agreed so I thanked her.

Tim excused us and told me to follow him. "Our next stop will be Mike's office." He pulled a small phone from his pocket and informed Mike that we were on our way. He also called Sissy and told her to meet us there with what ever she had completed on the organizational chart.

Mike's office was paneled in light pine. There was what looked like two big picture windows in the left hand corner. Those pictures were beautiful mountain scenes. His wood desk looked as old and used as the one my Grandfather gave to my Dad. The only thing that looked out of place was a faded blue couch sitting on the right wall. However, the two chairs in front of the desk looked brand new.

He was leaning back in an old wood executive chair sipping tea when we entered. He offered us a seat and ordered his secretary to get us some drinks. I accepted tea and Mr. R declined. He then informed me that just like family I only got personal service only on the first visit. I chuckled and ask him how big his empire was.

His reply was, "Seven people here in the cave and four outside plus subcontractors that have only met those outside four. Doug along with Tim's approval consider that a secure setup."

Mr. R informed him that he should get ready to add another section to his chart. He might find the cafeteria working for him soon.

Mike exclaimed, "Jill will really love that. She and June have been going around and around about the food over there for over a year."

I looked at Mr. R and said, "Unless you overrule me June will remain in charge over there if she wants the job. Will you authorize a small pittance for her and her volunteers?"

He was still rubbing his chin as Sissy arrived with a laptop and notebook. Looked at her Dad she said, "It looks like I missed something interesting."

Looking at me Mr R said yes and then told Sissy I would explain to her later. He also said, "Stephen has a soft spot that you didn't spot. I'll leave you to find about it. You might have Mike order him some cat collars and leashes."

She looked at me and said, "What the hell have you been up to this morning! It looks like Dad has had more fun than he's has in a long time. I haven't heard a comment like that from him since I was a kid. It's a good thing that he told me I was working for you, otherwise I'd enjoy prying your head open to see what you're up to." Here is a new laptop with the organizational chart on it. Also a paper copy. I took the liberty of combining your notes from the meeting this morning under a tab for each section of the project.

I looked her straight in the eye, thanked her, and said, "I'll carry the notebook with me and let you decide how to keep the laptop updated. Also I want you to stop by the cafeteria today and pick up a list from June. Please don't tell her anything except I will be calling on her later. Her situation may be ticklish and will need a woman's delicate touch, yours. Now your Dad, Mike and I have some problems to discuss. I hope to be back in my office in an hour."

Mike was smiling. "Stephen, did someone make you king or just a senior prince?"

Laughingly I replied, "I like your office and I also will need some help from you. Who is in charge of the cafeteria? What is their chain of command? How are the food supplies ordered? What is their budget? I asked June to give me a list of her volunteers. I intend to turn the cafeteria into a working section. I think it might come under your work section, however I haven't made a final decision yet.

"Now on another subject, I would like brief overview of your section. I don't plan on stepping on your toes to much, but I could use the information for leverage when I talk to the other managers. I haven't herded cats in a long time."

The sour look on Mike's face turned into a grin with my last comment. "We'll see," he replied. "I'll be over in about 2 hours."

I then looked back at Mike and said, "I've never had a corner office. Does it go to your head being able to look out over the mountains? Sometime in the next month or two could you set my office up like that corner. I'll have Sissy let you know what pictures I would prefer. Also can you tell me how the offices of the other managers are set up. From your perspective it will give me an independent view. I don't think it can prejudice me any more than their timely arrival at the meeting this morning."

Back in my little cave I sat in the executive chair behind the steel desk. It was adjusted to low for me so I got up and flipped the chair upside down. The mechanism was rusted solid. I then went around and checked the other two chairs in the office. Only one of them was in halfway decent shape. I pulled it around behind the desk and adjusted it for comfort. The seat in it didn't have much padding left. Pulling out a new note pad I made a note to order three chairs.

Then I started on the desk. The top left drawer was broken. The top right was warped. The bottom right squealed like a cat being tortured as I tugged it open. There were three files inside so I set them on the desktop. The middle left drawer pulled open easily. I could tell it had been used recently because there was no dust inside. It was as empty as the bottom left drawer. Well a desk will have to be added to the list. I looked through the folders. The most recent entry was over a year old and I didn't recognize any of the names. I slid them into the back of my notebook.

My two filing cabinets were both locked. I opened the door and looked out to see if Sissy was back. One of the girls close to the door jumped up introduced herself as Nancy and asked what I needed.

I asked who had the keys for the filing cabinets. She said she didn't know.

I thanked her and asked her if she knew where Sissy was.

That also drew a blank and I noticed that both of the other girls were looking at me.

Well to make the best of a no win situation I introduced myself and let them know I would be occupying the office. I asked each their names and how long they had worked here.

Nancy said she started over two years ago.

Brenda had only been here two months.

Paulette started almost a year ago and had a degree in Economics. When I asked why she was working as a secretary she replied, "A dollar and a degree will only buy a cup of coffee if you don't pay the tax."

Listening to that comment I must have smiled because they all relaxed and tried to talk all at once. I remained silent to see what the pecking order was. I knew that the dominant girl would be the one to take charge and the order in which the other 2 became silent would either indicate their courtesy or their position. Paulette quit talking first and sat down pouting slightly. Then Brenda quit talking. Nancy looked at them and told them to go take a break at the cafeteria. My raise eyebrow must have troubled her because the immediately asked me it that was OK.

I looked back at her and said, "No, you and Paulette go take a 15 minute break, I want to talk to Brenda."

I could see the questions in their eyes as they left. I turned to her as they closed the door and asked her how she liked working here?

She said, "Fine."

"What do you mainly work on?"

"Oh just typing and running errands."

"What kind of errands and who mainly sends you?"

"I've carried some reports to other sections and Nancy was usually the one that sends me."

"Oh, so Nancy runs the office here?"

"Well, only when Sissy not around."

"What do you think about Nancy?"

"She's OK, she knows everything going on around here."

"What do you think about Paulette?"

"She has a chip on her shoulder. She can do the typing but doesn't seem to want to learn anything new."

"What are you working on now?"

"I was just typing a report."

"May I see it?"

"No Sir, it's Sissy's."

"OK, no problem, I strongly suggest that you keep our conversation confidential. Sometimes talking about your coworkers can cause bad feelings within an office. I need some notes typed up. No carbons, and they aren't to be shown to anyone. You will personally hand them back to me when finished. OK!"

Her "Yes Sir" indicated to me that she at least had some self discipline."

I went and got several pages of this mornings notes and asked her if she could read my southpaw scribbling.

She was saying you write like my daddy as Sissy came through the door.

I saw Sissy's mouth start to open so I shook my head and motioned her to go into my office.

I closed the door as I entered my office and said please have a seat.

In a normal tone I asked who had the office before me. She told me the story how the last administrator had had a nervous breakdown. I held up the three files and handed them to her. Who has the keys to the filing cabinets.

She didn't know.

We'll have to get someone in here to cut the locks off so we can go through them before I have them replaced. I will also need a new desk and chairs because these are a wreck.

There was a tap on the door so I called come in. Brenda entered with my papers and handed them to me. As I thanked her I glanced over her shoulder and saw the other two girls back at their desk. I said, "You can take your 15 minute break as soon as you secure your work. Let me know when you get back." She closed the door on her way out.

Come to think about it Sissy, I'll need a new lock on this office door. You and I will have the only keys. I picked up my notebook and papers and said, "Lets go get some coffee at the cafeteria." As soon as we were outside the building I said, "Please call Doug to meet us there."

We had no sooner sat down with our coffee when Doug entered. He grabbed a coffee and some pastries and headed for our table. Before he was half way across the room he was button-holed by a man that I didn't recognize. I asked Sissy, "Who is that?"

"I think you'll find out in a few minutes, I'll go get us some pastries since Doug will eat all those before he gets here."

A minute later I headed for the coffee bar for a refill and some ice. I also kept an eye on my notebook on the table. I didn't see anyone overly concerned or curious about it. Maybe I was just being paranoid.

Sissy got back to the table before me and was looking around when Doug slipped up behind and goosed her. She split half her coffee as she whirled around with a karate chop. Luckily she didn't connect. I picked up an extra cup of coffee and headed back to the table. As I set the extra coffee down in front of Sissy, Doug looked hard at me.

I sat down and said in a low voice, "Doug I need a complete security sweep of my office and the offices around it. Please set up an irregular schedule to keep it electronically secure including the communications net. I need someone to remove the padlocks from the two filing cabinets in my office today. I also want a new lock on the office door. Sissy and I will get the only two keys. Any problem with getting all that done today?"

He raised one eyebrow and said, "I can get started on it first thing in the morning." and left.

Then I discussed what I surmised from talking to Brenda in the office. I also let her know she needed to get Doug to re-brief her on office security and then train the girls. I let her know I was paranoid about security. I also added that just because I was paranoid didn't mean someone didn't want the information we had. By then we had wiped out the plate of pastries and finished our coffee. I told her I would see her in the morning at 0800.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 3 The Sheriff

I saw Sissy as I approached the Cafeteria from the back side Wednesday morning. She waited for me to catch up and we started walking together toward the office. Then we heard a muffled boom. She pulled her phone and tried to call Doug, however she could not get a dial-tone. We started at a run for the Security office by the tunnel. As we turned the corner we saw a gathering crowd at the admin center. Several men were helping the girls out the door as we ran up. One looked at Sissy and said, "Doug's OK and will be out in a minute."

I asked him if he was part of Doug's security force?

He showed his ID.

I then told him that we needed to lock down all communications and exits to the cave.

He pulled his walkie-talkie, keyed it and said, "Class 3 lock-down, scramble reserve crew." He turned to head back into the building as Doug came out. He pointed over his shoulder at me and informed Doug that I demanded a complete communications and exit lock-down.

Doug told him to make it a class 5 lock-down. He handed him a set of keys and told him to go arm the tunnel guards and then put an armed relief on the backup tunnel. Then send someone back here with two pistols, two radios, and an accident kit. Doug then looked at me and said, "I'm not paranoid enough."

I told Sissy to get the girls and find out what they were working on, and what they were doing before the explosion. Take them back to the cafeteria and put them at separate tables. Have them write everything they remember. Then give them an hour to clean up and meet you someplace. When Doug has time I'm sure he will want to interview each of them separately.

I turned to Doug and asked, "Any idea on what caused it." pointing over my shoulder at the building.

I sent two rookies over with a dolly to move the filing cabinets to the shop. All I could get out of the one that was still conscious was that when they lifted the cabinet he saw a wire going from it to the wall. The medics say they will both be OK in a few days. Mainly concussion injuries and one broke leg. From the looks of the top drawer, if you had opened it, it would have taken off your head.

Sissy came back then and said she had sent the girls home. She handed me three sheets of paper. I handed them back telling her to make one copy for Doug and then hold on to the originals. I'll get them later. Then I told her to get some runners. I wanted to see the managers and assistant managers of all sections in the cafeteria in one hour.

Looking at Doug I said, "You'll want a rep there too. How soon can I go in and see the damage?"

Doug looked at Sissy and said, "How long has this hard-case been retired? Never mind that question, go over to Mike and get him to give you a body guard and some runners."

"Steve we can go in as soon as I get the kit."

A heavy set man walked up and handed Doug two pistols. Doug handed me one and said, "Bob this is Stephen, you are his body guard until relieved. Any questions?"

I checked the chamber and safety and stuck the 45 into the back of my belt.

As we headed into the building a Doug opened the pack and pulled out a note pad and camera. After about 10 minutes and twenty pictures we stumbled back out coughing.

I looked at Doug and said, "If there is anyway possible I would like to have a copy of the picture of the filing cabinets for my meeting. I'll be with you for now, so if its all right can Bob go get a copy made and then be my body guard."

"No!" Doug said, "We're through here for now, lets go the Mike's office."

Mike met us at the door wearing a Kevlar vest and sporting the biggest revolver I'd seen in quite a while. He said, "I sent one of my guys for your vest Doug. Steve I have several inside. I'm sure one will fit you. Bob, where is your vest? Go get it now and get back here on the double."

Doug looked at Bob and simply said, "Tell the office staff to get the vest and mask out to all the guard positions. Bring Mike a radio and get one yourself."

Mike pulled open a locker and handed me a vest. I put it on.

Doug finally got through on his radio to his communications guys and asked, "First did you get all signals stopped? Second did you find any unidentified signals on the lines?" One of his guys said I found an unidentified signal and was tracing it. The wireless network is also down. The internal land line is still up, but not isolated yet. I think we have a, uh unidentified line going out. I am still looking for it. You'll know as soon as I find it and where it's coming from.

I asked, "Is the feed into the external network copper or fiber.?

Mike replied, "Its copper out to the shack. Then its our fiber to the Vegas office."

I turned to Doug and said, "Mikes top commo guy needs an armed escort out to the fiber junction. Fiber often has copper or steel conductors built into the shielding. It can be rigged to carry a signal."

Mike looked strangely at me and asked, "How do you know all that, our briefing on you indicated you were transportation and a cable installer."

My reply was, "I worked a little commo in the Army and then for a Cable company. You can pick up a lot more in those fields than outsiders would think. Also if you have a broad band scanner, I'd check for modulated or pulse signals from 34 Hz and up at all openings into the cave system. Don't forget the water, power, and air shafts. Don't forget Faraday ground waves if you have the equipment to check for them."

Mike turned to Doug and said, "I'm going to need more help. Got any ideas."

"We could use some of the project communications specialist once we've briefed them."

I looked at my watch and said, "I've got to get to the cafeteria. Send Bob over as soon as he gets back." I pulled the 45 and dropped the clip and removed 2 rounds. After checking the spring action I replaced them, cleared the chamber, and reinserted the magazine. I could use 2 extra magazines if you have them laying around.

Mike reached into another locker and handed me a black web belt. You might want to check those mags also. Its been three months since I checked them. I haven't see mags checked that way since I was in the Marines.

After checking all four mags in the belt I put the pistol in the holster and headed for the door.

As I stopped in the hall to readjust the belt, I heard Mike comment to Doug. Where did Sissy find this guy. He knows way to much in to many fields and he's only been here one full day and we already have a big can of worms kicked over.

As I walked into the cafeteria I could hear the necks snap as they turned to look at me. After all, what manager walks around in a Kevlar vest with a 45 on his hip. I spotted June up front. I walked up to her and quietly said, "I hope you have some water stored for emergencies. I would not trust the water supply after the explosion until its been tested."

Her face squinted slightly. She turned around and walked over to the coffee urn on the end and opened the drain valve. Then she headed for the kitchen.

I turned around, my first comment was, "Anyone that got coffee out of the end coffee urn, dump it now. Few of you know what water rationing is and less of you have ever been in a dry camp. Strict water rationing is in effect as of now. That means no water for drinking or cooking until it has been tested.

"OK, now I want all the section managers and their assistants up front here at these tables. All the rest of you may remain, however I need you to be silent and remember everything I say. The gossips and rumor mongers are going to have a holiday. I'll depend on you to straighten out any wrong facts that you may hear. Also if you hear anyone deliberately spreading false facts, would you please contact Sissy, Nancy, Brenda, or Paulette from Administration. Ours was the office the bomb went off in today."

Now for the facts:

  1. The bomb was in a filing cabinet that no one used and hadn't been opened for over a year.

  2. It was wired to the wall.

  3. Our best guess is that it relayed a signal that shutdown our local wireless transmitter.

  4. We don't know if there are other booby traps. We are going to setup teams now.

  5. I think we may have preempted some planned take over by moving that filing cabinet.

  6. We are now in a lock down. That means no one can come or go from the cave.

Now you supervisors and your assistants. I want your work sections checked from top to bottom. You will only open cabinets and containers that someone in your work station has previously opened. Any unknown container, box, or door will be tagged. Any thing in or around your work area that cannot be identified by you or your workers will be tagged. After checking your work areas, check your storage areas. Then any completed projects. I know this is going to be a real pain, but I want you to make a 100% inventory of everything. I repeat, if your workers don't know what is in something, don't open to inventory it! Also get all flash lights checked and in central locations in case we loose power temporally.

Now those of you in the back that are dependents, please go to your streets and make sure everyone knows about the water rationing. If you spot something suspicious have a friend report back here and inform the security personnel that will be here. Whatever corporation is trying to steal our secrets won't try to kill us. That raises to much publicity and will draw to much attention to them. However there are plenty of things that will incapacitate unprepared people. Any one you find sick, you should isolate. Then call the medical personnel. We have first rate medical personnel here. Any workers here report back to your work station. If you know of someone off shift, swing by their house, brief them, and tell them to report to their work station. OK lets go now and be prepared.

As the groups in the back filed out I sat down on the front table facing the managers and their assistants. In a lower voice I told them, "Consider this project under siege. Unless you find something that is imminently life threatening use normal reporting channels. All the security personnel have hand held radios. They can relay emergency situations. The security crews are already stretched checking everything. I'll be here and around the cave. I can also be contacted by the security personnel if needed. Be smart and safe. Lets go!

I leaned back as they filed out.

Suddenly June was at my side. She had a can of juice unopened. As she held it out she asked if I could come in the kitchen and talk to her girls.

I opened the pineapple juice and stood up. When I got back to the kitchen there were nine worried women facing me. I started by reminding them to conserve water. Cook as dry as possible and use water-less cookware whenever possible. The food supply should be safe because we messed up somebody's schedule when we moved that filing cabinet. Water however comes in a pipe on demand. Do any of you young ladies know how to build a still. I got several laughs and smiles. If you know some one that has that knowledge let June know and she will relay the persons name to me. In the past I had some pretty good moonshine. But those same stills can be used to purify water. Now I will need a 24 hour operation here. June will set up the shifts. Small meals and limited drinks. And don't you lovely young ladies be flirting with the guys on shift. They have enough problems without their wives getting mad at them. A smile or simple thank you will be enough to keep their morale up. Any questions June can't answer she can get an answer from Sissy or me. I'll see you later.

I stopped just outside the kitchen doors by the trash can to finish my juice. I heard someone in there telling June, that SOB was patronizing us.

June's answer made me thankful she was on our side. You could have cooked a meal on that answer.

I quietly beat feet for the door. As I flew out the door Doug grabbed my arm. We both ended up on the ground. "Whats the hurry, who you trying to get away from, June?"

My nod was all that was needed to break him into laughter. Then he said, "Not many people know, but she was a Marine DI before a training accident cost her a foot. There was one moron here that accepted a dare to pinch her butt. She put him in the hospital with a broken arm and several cracked ribs."

I got on the radio and called for Bob. When he answered I told him to get hold of Sissy's guard and have them meet us at the cafeteria.

Then I said to Doug, "Can you get hold of my wife and have her brought over here."

Doug got on is radio and was finished in a few seconds.

I then called Mike and asked him if he could get a bulletin board, several pads of paper and pens over to the cafeteria. Also we need a potable water unit set up.

He said he'd handle it.

Then heard Sissy on the radio canceling my request. She then called me and asked me to open the side door.

We turned and went back in. As I opened the side door Doug quipped at her, "You're late, what'd you do, stop for coffee?"

She came trundling in with three laptops and her guard carrying two bulletin boards with fold down legs. Her answer was pure poetry, "No, but you better have some good coffee for me before I pull your tongue out."

"I want those boards set up over by the main doors. Then you can go back and get the printer and paper. After that you can round up my secretaries." Her body guard just nodded to her and as he turned away he winked at Doug and said, "Slave Driver Deluxe."

I asked Sissy if she needed anything. Her reply was, "I'll let you know, and watch Doug since he's kinda clumsy."

I headed back toward the kitchen to find June. As soon as she finished with one of the younger cooks I said, "June, I sent for my wife and I need another favor from you. Can you keep an eye on her for me and maybe find some light work she can do. Her health isn't the best. Sissy is out front and can brief you on her medical condition if you need to know."

She looked at a small blond and said, "Get me four cups of coffee on a tray."

That poor girl jumped like she'd been stuck with a cattle prod. When she brought the coffee over I reached for the tray.

June reached out like a cobra and whacked my hand, "This is my area, if I order coffee it comes to me and I carry it."

"Yes ma'am," I replied "Is it permitted to hold the door for you."

Her smile was answer enough and I had to scramble to get ahead of her as she marched toward the swinging kitchen doors.

June set the tray down on the table and put a cup in front of Sissy, then she took one and looked at us and said, "You want some good coffee before it gets cold."

Doug and I each grabbed a cup.

Then she said, I've got my volunteers divided into three shifts, but I need more bodies. I also need 1000 gallons of potable water and one of the water recycling machines. I'll let you know when I think of anything else."

Sissy just nodded. She turned to us and said, "You boys better get to work and solve our problems. I'm not going to sit here all day."

Doug and I turned and headed out.

Just outside the door I saw Bob and my wife. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open when she saw me. She hadn't seen me in armed before.

I gave her a hug and told her to see Sissy inside. Everything was going to be OK and I'd be back by the cafeteria every few hours. I then said, "June the cafeteria manager could use some help if you have time. Luv ya. See you later."

Turning to Doug, I said, "Lets go see it Mike or your men have come up with anything yet."

Mike's office was a madhouse. As we entered he pointed to the right and said read the board before you ask any questions. To the left of the door were two desk shoved side by side and two girls were busy taking notes on their computers from incoming calls. On the right beside the door cork boards ran about 6 feet to the corner and then about 10 feet down the wall. I could tell everything was going in to the computers and coming out of the printers across the room. Three teenage girls were grabbing the pages as they came off the printer and posting them in marked columns on the long board. In the upper left corner by the door was a map of the cave system with all utilities color coded. Beside that I saw a column for each section within the project. I then realized that there was no column for the cafeteria. Doug and I sidestepped our way all the way down the board perusing the information posted. I noticed that each column had a directory name and each page had a directory and file name in the upper left corner. As we turned toward Mike I noticed some of the cables on the floor that needed taping to keep them down. Looking around I spotted duct tape in the corner. After fixing the loose wires I stepped over to Mike's desk.

"We need to add the cafeteria to the section list. Also June wants 1000 gallons of water and a water recycling machine."

Mike looked up grinning as he typed and said, "Already working on it."

Turning around I looked over by the door and notice that there was now a section labeled Cafe directly under the map. No paper though.

I called Sissy on the radio and told her to give June the contact numbers in Mikes office for request and information.

I then turned to Doug and said. "You know this place better than I, we need to check the progress on everything."

We walked back over to the board where the Security Section label was. We glanced at the 6 latest reports on the board and then I went down to the Cafeteria board and read the latest report posted.

I asked Doug which section managers had reported their progress to before I arrived. Since he didn't know, we went over to Mike. He said, "I sent a FAX to all 7 section managers and told them to send all their reports to his section."

I asked him for the list. After getting it I told Doug I was headed back to the cafeteria.

Sissy and Paulette were at the table answering questions and taking notes as I entered. I told Sissy to come over to my table as soon as she could and headed toward the back. I knocked on the kitchen door. A small brunet with flour on her hands and smudge on her face came over. I asked her if I could get some food and if June was around.

All she said was for me to grab a seat.

About 5 minutes later Sugar Plum came wheeling out cart with a plate of food and a glass of tea on it. She turned in my direction and took about 3 steps and then looked up. Her surprise at seeing me caused her to stop so fast some of the tea sloshed out of the glass and into the plate. I said, "Hey good looking is that my food."

She wheeled my food on over to the table. "You asshole, you gave me to a slave driver," as she set my food on the table. "Be careful."

I could immediately tell that this wasn't fresh food. I was considering the fact that I might be eating an old MRE. I had a fork of beans in my mouth when Sissy sat down. She took one look at my plate and hollered "June" loud enough to rattle the windows.

June came out, looked at my plate, and started laughing. "Men will eat anything. That stuff has been reheated twice." She grabbed my plate and waived her right hand.

I looked up and saw the whole kitchen staff at the door. Two were even laughing. Sugar Plum was walking back over with a thick sandwich on a plate. I winked at June and said loud enough for the staff to hear, "Well can I at least have the string beans, they do taste like canned asparagus."

"Your wife is right, you are tasteless." With that she sat down, turned slightly and said over her shoulder, "Show's over, back to work." She then looked me straight in the eye and said, "Thanks, I had 2 water recycling units within an hour and the second one came with a setup crew. After they were done one of the guys said his boss got a call directly from Mike and your name was mentioned. He said this was one of the backup units and would purify 80 gallons an hour. If I had any problems with it just call. They also set up a 200 gallon tank."

I looked a Sissy and asked her, "Who ever got called for that other purifying unit needs his head examined. I want his name and section noted for action later. Any other problems you want me to look into?"

She looked chastised and said, "None you need to bother with, once I got hooked into the CIC Mike has set up I was getting answers faster than I could handle alone."

I handed her the list Mike gave me and said, "Who's missing from this list and where is he. I need to personally contact him. I have yet to see the normal chain for reports. That needs to be monitored also."

"I'll get right on it," she said as she got up and headed across the room.

June looked at me and in a low voice said, "The only two people I ever saw that Sissy almost obeyed without question and protect were her father and Doug. Your wife won't talk much about you. Just who are you and what do you hold over her?" pointing at Sissy's back.

"I'm just an old NCO hired to get this project back schedule and I don't have anything on Tim or Sissy. I met her for the first time less than 2 weeks ago."

June let out a low whistle and then stuck out her hand. "I was medically retired from the marines after a training accident. If you need anything just whistle."

Sugar Plum looked at me and said, "There are bunks in the back, I'll be here when you get off." With that she headed back to the kitchen.

"June please watch out for Millie, she has no training. In fact if you need anything call Mike, if he balks, call me directly, OK."

With that she got up and headed back to the kitchen.

I took a bite of the roast beef sandwich. Someone had not just put yellow mustard on the bread but a fine layer of horseradish. My taste buds were moaning with pleasure, when Mike sat down.

His first words were "We got a problem. The sheriff is at the front tunnel."

I asked, "How many men did he bring with him and do you or Doug know him."

His answer was, "I first met him about 4 years ago, Doug and I have had a few dealing with him since. He's alone and the high lookout Doug posted didn't spot any other dust trails."

"What was the cover story used for this cave community?"

"Originally Tim set this up as a research station, then we let it leak out that we were a UFO group waiting for the mother-ship. Occasional we send a group out to take pictures around area 51 and other UFO nut haunts. We have a couple camping out near one now."

I walked over and told Sissy to move everything back to the kitchen and post someone to intercept and brief the curious. I called June and told her I need some tin foil. I handed her my Kevlar and pistol belt as I told her the sheriff was outside and would be visiting.

"Mike I need you to get baseball bats for the tunnel guards. Have them put all other weapons out of sight. I also need a hat and stapler. Notify the medical personnel that we have company and to expect a visit. I'll meet you at the main tunnel in 10 minutes." He was on his radio before he got three feet.

I was taking the last sip of tea as June brought me a Stetson lined with gold foil. She said, "I think this hat will fit. It belonged to my late husband."

As I approached the tunnel the guard was loading a black powder rifle. He looked up and said, "I always loved to shoot black powder. Think Doug will let me take it out next week?"

I looked at him and said, "Are you brainwashed?"

"Wrong phrase boss, "They will brainwash you if you aren't protected." he said as he pulled out a foil lined beaver top hat. "I'm safe now!"

Mike rushed up, took a look at the Stetson I was wearing and simply said, "Shit, I haven't seen that hat in 2 or 3 years."

You won't need this as he handed the baseball cap to the guard and said "Put this on the shelf in the corner and roll your sleeves up."

We headed up the tunnel. I had no idea what time it was, but I was definitely getting tired. As we entered the hanger I couldn't tell whether it was day or night because every light inside and out was on.

The sheriff facing Doug looked like he'd just come off the range. I guessed his age about 50 give or take 10 years. His face had seen decades of direct sun. I could tell by the light band across his forehead and top of his ears. I immediately knew I had worn the wrong hat. This old boy was nobody's fool. I'd have stood a better chance dressed like Rambo.

Doug turned and said, "Sheriff Jones, this is our new leader Stephen."

I stuck out my left hand and said, "Hi Sheriff Jones. Welcome to our sanctuary. Come on in, what can we do for you."

The Sheriff looked at Doug and said, "I thought you said he wouldn't let me in."

I looked at Doug and said, "You better upgrade your protection, they may be beginning to get through to you."

Then I said to the sheriff, "Most everyone here is behind the times. They are getting better at getting through our defenses now" as I pointed up. I quickly took off my hat and showed the sheriff the gold foil and then slapped it back on my head. "Gold foil is much better at blocking the brain control waves than aluminum. The only sure fire way to block their attacks is with a Faraday cage." I took the sheriff's elbow with my right hand and started to guide him into the tunnel. "It was nice of you to come by, you never did say why though"

The sheriff jerked to a halt and said, "I got a report someone got hurt out here. I thought I'd just stop by and check it out."

"Yes, two men got hurt moving a cabinet. Some idiot stored black powder and primers in it. Come on we'll go talk to them and then sit and have some coffee. I haven't had a chance to learn my way around here and I'm sure no one knows the outside local area like you do. I've got lots of questions."

I started down the tunnel and the sheriff hurried to catch up.

As we stepped out of the tunnel the guard snapped to attention and yelled HALT.

I stepped forward, snatched the rifle out of his hands and removed the primer from the pan. I then said, "This is the sheriff come to visit."

I handed Doug the rifle and said, "Take him out tomorrow and let him fire up all his powder. This won't stop them any more, I'll call and get the drawings so we can start making some of those new electric guns. That's the only way they stopped the invasion out in California last month."

"Mike would you lead the way to the hospital." Then looking at the sheriff I said, "Mike has been showing me around, but I haven't been everywhere yet."

The hospital was a gaily painted building outside and really wild inside. The hall was something out of a Halloween movie. The floor was black and the ceiling orange. The walls had fall pictures everywhere over a swirling purple and blue pattern painted all the way to the reception desk. It's a good thing I wasn't on drugs because the patterns and colors would really blow out an acid freak.

The petite redhead behind the desk came around the desk and bowed in front of me. She then said, "Oh knowledgeable one how can I serve you today."

I acknowledged her bow and stated, "The Sheriff here needs to talk to the two men that were injured in my office."

"Come right this way sir," she replied.

The Sheriff, Mike, and I followed her around the desk and down the corridor to a room with a mint green door.

"Shh," she said, "He may still be asleep and the other one is behind the pale blue door over there."

As I opened the door I don't know what I was expecting to be painted on the walls. However, they were two tones of light green with a seashore scene painting across from the bed. The patient in the bed had half his head wrapped in gauze, and his left arm in a cast. Any noise we might make would have been drowned out by the buzz-saw snore that assaulted our ears. She stepped around me and over to the bed. She reached out and pinched closed his nostrils and gave a slight tug. As his eyes popped open she said, "Our illustrious leader and the sheriff want to talk to you." She then said, "Bill, this is Sheriff Jones."

I held back and let the sheriff approach the bed. His first question was, "Boy you OK? Looks like a mule kicked you. What's your name?"

"My name is Fred, and I ain't OK. Some dumb ass had a bomb in the filing cabinet."

The sheriff then asked, "What else do you remember?"

"Yea, Mike told us to move it out because it was locked and no one knew who had the key." He then looked around and yelled, "Suzzie, where's Tim!"

She quickly shoved the sheriff aside and grabbed his free hand. "Tim is across the hall, He's OK except for a broke leg. He'll get more time off than you will."

That ain't fair! We both go blown up and I'm hungry.

The sheriff shook his head and headed for the door. As soon as he hit the hall he quickly strode down an quietly opened a pink door and peeked in. In an instant I knew he must be married because he jerked his head back apologizing as a woman screamed, "Get out!" He looked at me as said, "Oops, wrong door."

I looked at him thinking, that ain't no mistake. Then I said, "Suzzie said he was behind the blue door."

The sheriff ignored the dark blue door and strode to the pale blue door and walked into the room. Before Mike or I could get into the room we heard, "I'm Sheriff Jones, you know me boy."

As we entered we heard I wasn't driving that fast."

Tim's leg was hanging from one of those traction ropes fastened to a pulley at the end of the bed. His face was scrunched up.

The sheriff had his hand on the cast and was gently moving it back and forth. The Sheriff jerked his hand off just as Suzzie entered the room. The Sheriff looked at Tim and then at us and then said, "Lets go get some coffee."

Mike led the way and the sheriff followed, I leaned over and whispered in Suzzie's ear, "Have the doctor recheck his leg and I'll call later." I then hurried to catch up.

When we walked in to the Cafeteria there was crowd that would have done any UFO convention justice. There were more tie-died shirts in that crowd than I'd seen since the 60's. A hippie would have been jealous. Mike headed toward the back because there were several empty tables. The sheriff tossed his hat on a chair and we all followed Mike over to the coffee machine. While they were getting coffee I grabbed two plates and loaded them with donuts and bear claws. As I set them on the table Mike came back with two coffees. He whispered, "You'll piss off the sheriff with those bear claws. He got mauled when he was a kid."

"Good," I said, "did you see the shit he pulled on Tim?"

Mike replied, "Tim has a record with the sheriff for speeding around town. Also the sheriff has a daughter and she has the hots for him. Tim plays her like a drum. One of these days the sheriff is going to arrive with a preacher and a shotgun looking for him."

I suppressed my smile as the sheriff walked up with his coffee and three sandwiches. "The girl behind the counter said these were for us."

I took the top one and sat down. I peeked under the top layer and saw pale cheese and sliced meat with what looked like hot sauce liberally splashed all over it. Now the hottest hot sauce I ever got hold of was down in south Texas. It made me feel like I'd spent an hour in the south Texas summer sun. Closing it back up, I took a bite and chewed. It tasted like smoked beef and very sharp Swiss cheese. I quickly realized that the hot sauce must be a special mixture. It was hot! Even my toes started sweating.

June came over and handed me a glass of mystery liquid. She said, "Steve here is your favorite, fresh coconut milk."

I took a sip, wondering how I was going to explain the sweat running off my nose. I excused myself and headed for the restroom. There I could at least blow my nose without an audience. How wrong I was. Doug and another supervisor were waiting to ambush me.

"Doug took one look at me and started laughing. Then he said, "You got the sheriff's sandwich. June is still pissed at him from the time he busted her for beating up a punk in town. The only antidote her husband ever found for that hot mixture she makes was fresh coconut. Everything is secure in the cave and the project is on hold until we get more security in place."

When I got back to the table my coffee and sandwich were gone. I took another drink of the coconut milk and grabbed a bear claw.

When the sheriff saw what I was eating he scowled and said, "I hate those things, I don't know how you can stand them."

My reply was, "They're more filling than donuts. I also like grilled elk and bear steaks, do you know any good hunting areas?"

He jumped up and told me, "Tell Doug that I want a complete report including pictures of that cabinet tomorrow. I got more important things to do than babysit you all." He then turned and headed for the door.

I started to get up, then saw Doug headed to intercept him, and decided to let him escort him out.

June stepped over to the table, sat down with two coffees, and gave me a look that would have curdled milk. "Damn it!, why did you take the top sandwich. That damn Sheriff should have had it. He's a prick and needs something to ream him out."

I replied, "That sandwich would have been to overt," holding up a bear claw I smiled. "He has an aversion to bear claws. Ask Mike the reason."

Mike piped up and said, "The sheriff was mauled by a brown bear as a kid. He never forgot it. I went on a hunting trip with him about 2 years ago up in the mountains. We were surprised by a small brown and he peed his pants as he took off back to camp. Later when I dragged the carcass back into camp he jumped in his truck and took off leaving all his gear. I didn't know until later about his brown bear paranoia."

* * ToC * *

Chapter 4 On the hit list

June started laughing and I saw an evil gleam in her eye.

TGIF, does everyone think that I never read the web? Another e-mail telling me about the Google Lunar X Prize. Old news from 2008. It might be a simple diversion to launch a Tonka toy to the moon from our station after it is operational, but what about the side cost. Hmm, it could have several side applications. Instead of solar cells for power, a small fuel cell might work, and add set of attitude jets would allow it to work in a micro-gravity environment.

" Paulette, please come here and bring your note pad."

She sat down, looked at me.

I started by saying, "We need a project to entice the teenagers we have here to really get interested in space. Are you getting that Paulette?" By then I was leaning back in my chair with my eyes closed and my feet on the desk. "I need to see the principal and science teachers from the school. What I am proposing is a school entry to the Google Lunar X Prize. However there will be two categories. The first will be to meet the Google Lunar X Prize criteria and the second will be for a micro-gravity application. Got all that? OK now get me the full Google Lunar X Prize criteria. Then set up a meeting for everyone from the school at the cafeteria one day after school. Also coordinate with June for dinner at a table in the back were the kids can't listen in. Now get Sissy on the phone for me please."

Five minutes later Sissy walked into the office and picked up my phone. She then said, "Ring ring I need to talk to Stephen."

I said, "Were you told anything about the reason I wanted to talk to you?"

She said, "NO!, just that you wanted to talk to me soonest."

I replied, "Sorry, I just asked Paulette to get you on the phone. I hope I didn't interrupt anything important. By the way how come on the local net I keep getting e-mails that don't have a sender/return address?"

She chucked and said, "You must have done something the get Albert's attention. He is our local hacker and likes to play computer games. He also is in charge of our net security. His office is over in the Communications center.

"Bring up one of those e-mails, now hit <ctrl><F3>. See there is his return address."

I copied it down, then closed the e-mail program. I opened Open Office and created a file called 'Shhhhh.com' with several lines of nine character gibberish blocks and saved it. Then I opened my browser to Yahoo and created a new e-mail account. I carefully copied his address into to TO: block, attached the Shhhhh.com file as an attachment and hit send. I immediately closed the browser and leaned back. "Who does he report to and can you get me into see them immediately?"

"Lets go over to see Doug," she replied.

I told Nancy that I could be reached by phone and to close the office promptly at 4:30PM. I went back into my office and turned off my computer by pulling the power plug and then locked the office.

Sissy looked strangely at me and followed me out the office before she spoke. "Why did you pull the power plug on your computer?"

"In case you didn't know there are settings on the mother board of a computer that allow it to be turned on remotely through a network. I don't want to make it easy for him to backtrack my Yahoo e-mail address to my computer and then really look into the "Shhhhh" file even thought it is gibberish. If his net security program monitors outgoing packets he may be able to backtrack it to my modem, If not then he should be reporting a security breach to his supervisor as soon as he can't de-crypt the file. Also he should isolate the internal network and run every anti-virus program he has to make sure it's not infected."

"You were a hacker too," she said.

"No, I just read a lot," I said reaching for the outer office door. The time displayed was 1618.

Nancy was frantic as she ran up and said. "We just lost all outside contact on the computers. Everything is gone!"

I said, "You have local backups of all your work don't you."

"No." she replied.

"OK," I said, "have everyone make a hard copy of what they were working on and put them in the safe for tonight. In the morning we'll straighten this out." Good first step I thought.

Doug looked up as we walked into his office five minutes later and said, "And what do I owe this visit to. Right now everyone is calling about outside access being cut off."

I sat down and said, "Has our internet security section called yet?"

Doug looked at Sissy, then me, toggled his office intercom and called his secretary to come in. When she entered he said, "Tell all callers that network has been temporarily interrupted, then send someone to wander into Albert's office to see what he is up to and have them report directly back to me."

I looked at my phone noting the time. 1635 hours. I then asked Doug if he had a copy of the communications security SOP.

"Wait one." he said and got up.

I moved from the chair in front of his desk to the couch over on the far wall. Just then we heard someone in the outer office demanding to see Doug. I hissed at Sissy and pointed out into the outer office.

Sissy went out and in less than 2 minutes was ushering in a pale blond guy about five foot tall.

His hands were waiving in all over and he stuttered, "Someone attacked our network. Someone attacked our network!"

Sissy guided him to the chair I'd just vacated and as seriously as possible said, "Doug, Albert is here. I think he has a problem."

Doug pulled a notebook from the bottom shelf of the bookcase and turned saying, "What now Albert. Did you get beat again?"

"NO NO NO someone hacked into our network and sent an executable file to me. I traced it back to Yahoo and then back to our firewall and lost it. That means we've been penetrated and they are bragging about pulling our encrypted files. I've got all my programs looking inside for traces and another set tracing the e-mail."

I calmly asked, "How many computers access the outside and work using outside programs daily? Are they using the outside programs or just transferring data files? Are you keeping a record of all data transferred or just the web addresses? Once the firewall allows 2 way traffic do you have any program monitoring to insure Trojans and worms don't piggyback in on the connection?"

Albert started waiving his hands again and said, "I cut everything off." He looked around and finally spotted me when Sissy stepped over and sat down in the other chair. "Who are you?"

I calmly looked at him and said, "I'm the teacher and trouble shooter. Did I find a problem? Some portions of security here must not be up to snuff, otherwise you would not be so upset about a small file. I want to see your office, and the network connection room. I'll also see you in my office tomorrow morning at 8:06AM. You may not turn on the outside network connection until after the meeting. You will put on the internal net a notice that an upgrade is in progress and the outside connection should be back up in 48 hours.

His mouth had opened and continued to open wider and wider as I spoke. When I said 48 hours he screeched and turning to Sissy said, "We can't do that."

Doug looked and me and then at Albert. "Evidently there is a security problem with the network. I'll have to review everything and maybe call in outside help. I hope we can find the problem and fix it in less than 48 hours."

I then said to Doug, "Get hold of who ever is in charge of the phone system. Have them monitor all incoming and outgoing phone lines for data transmissions. As soon as they find any locate the internal phones and numbers and pull the plug on them. Hopefully they can also trace the external phone number."

"Albert lets go see your office and computers."

"Sissy you come along, you know more about this place than I do."

"Doug would you please join us soonest. I want to read that tonight."

Doug stepped into the outer office and I heard him tell his secretary to have the communications chief meet us in Albert's office.

We got up and Sissy said to Albert, "Lead the way."

Albert's office looked more like the switch room at the cable company I worked at. There must have been 20 racks. LED's, fiber, and copper were everywhere. I could feel the cold air coming through bottom of the racks that didn't have face plates. There were parts everywhere stacked along the walls. Albert led us to the left and then between two rows of racks that were dead. He said, "These two rows are the interface between the local net and outside. Everything to the right is the local net and processors. That one rack over to the left that is still on is the direct fiber to our Las Vegas office."

I asked, "Albert, if I go into any office and go online to the Las Vegas office, can I then get out through that office to the internet outside?"

Albert looked at me then turned and walked over to the rack on the left wall and flipped four switches. All the LED's went out.

I said, "Albert call your double in the Vegas office and tell them we will be down for 48 hours.

Sissy, call Tim and let him know what's going on and we'll be back online ASAP."

We then heard someone at the door. He hollered "Albert you in here."

Albert ducked around the end of the racks and headed for the door.

A fat guy about 40-ish stood in front of Doug. All he needed to look like a typical phone company employee was a tool belt. Albert brought him over and introduced the fat guy as Bill, the telephone section chief.

I looked at Bill and asked, "How long have you worked here."

He pulled in his gut a little and answered, "Five years sir."

Doug gave me a small nod.

I stuck out my hand and said, "Bill, I'm Stephen. I need you to monitor all phone lines in and out for data transmissions. If you find any locate the internal phones and numbers and pull the plug on them. Hopefully you can also trace the external phone number. Voice calls can go through without monitoring. How long will it take to set up."

Bill said, "This will have to be done manually because we don't have the equipment. I can get started on it as soon as I get back to my office. I won't be able to get the outside phone numbers. Who do I report to?"

"Send a written report to Mike's office. By the way, do you have enough personnel. If you need extra personnel let Doug know. OK."

Bill edged his way around Doug and headed out the door.

As I turned around I saw Albert whispering to Sissy.

Sissy saw me looking at them and whispered back to Albert just loud enough for me to hear, "You'll have to ask him that."

Albert led the way into a back room with filing cabinets, a small frig, a neat work bench, one old wood desk with a web lawn chair behind it, and two straight back chairs in front. There were two panel monitors on the desk and one on the work bench. Beside the panel on the bench was a stack of fiberglass squares separated by wooden dowels. There was a PC motherboard attached to the top and bottom of each fiberglass square. One bundle of wires ran down to 8 power supplies. CAT5 cables ran down the other side to a hub. I knew I'd seen or read about that type of set-up, but I couldn't think of the name. I knew it was a multi-processor computer that acted just like a supercomputer. So I sat down and said, "Well what flavor of Linux are you running on your toy and is it still connected to the outside.

I could tell by his downcast look that he thought he was going to get fired. He looked at me and said, "It runs off the first port on the firewall. Once I cut off the rack 3 and 4 it was offline. I use it to sample all incoming data feeds from outside and run my anti-virus programs. I wired it to control the input streams and it can stop or redirect any stream if it detects anything. Also any attempts at penetration of the firewall are stopped here. See the top two boards. They act like a high powered computer and are filled with general files from the web. You'll notice I have an external hard drive attached. This week it has agricultural sites and files loaded."

Ah, now I remember, Microwulf.

"I built it originally as a gaming computer," Albert continued, "It can process data almost as fast as the NASA supercomputer. I used to play against their webmaster until he retired."

As he paused I gave him a stern look and said, "Is this the only Microwulf you have here? You never gave me the flavor and what kernel are you using?" Doug and Sissy were looking like lost puppy's. I knew they had no idea what we were talking about.

I could tell that Doug was burning his brain trying to remember something. He then interrupted and asked Albert, "You built a supercomputer here using budgeted funds without authorization."

Albert looked at him and said, "It's not exactly a supercomputer. This one I paid for all the components. The two in the frames outside I built to do my job here and they are company property."

"OK Albert" I said, "In the morning I want you to bring your schematics of the two Microwulfs outside. The kernel upgrades you've done. A flow chart of the data streams through the firewall rack outside with a list of programs running. Bring the list of usage in and out for the last 24 hours through the firewall. Put that on CD to save paper. By the way you may not be terminated, however you will be chastised. Do you have an assistant? Bring him too."

Albert reached over to the wall and tapped it twice, then said "Karen come in here."

She looked about 18. I could tell that she was nervous. I had the feeling that anyone that worked for Albert had to know a lot more about computers than I did. She'd probably tried to hack into his system and got caught. No telling what games he played with her before he tagged her. I looked at Sissy and said, "I need the personnel folders on these two. Lets go."

Doug asked her name. Then he said, "I don't remember hiring you. So you aren't authorized here so I'll have to detain you for now."

Albert jumped up saying, "She isn't an employee, remember last year I asked for an intern. You OK's my request."

Doug hesitated and then said, "OK, I hope your followed through with the paperwork. She will come with us while I check it out. Let see your ID Karen."

She replied, "It's in the other room."

"Sissy, go with her and then escort her to my office. She isn't to talk to anyone until I check out the paperwork."

As they left Doug turned to Albert and said, "Lets see your copy of her paperwork."

Albert sat down at his computer and started typing. Almost immediately the printer in the corner started kicking out pages. Albert sadly looked at Doug and said, "Here is all the notes I have on her. She tried to hack into the system last year. She was an amateur, but I recognized the raw talent. It took me almost a week to isolate her network location. After I identified her I hacked her passwords. I rewrote her operating system interface to get her to give up. She has more raw talent than I do." By then the printer started beeping. Albert turned and added more paper. After two more pages it stopped. Albert put the papers in a file folder and handed it to Doug. It looked like a thin book.

"OK, lets go Steve."

As we entered the Doug's outer office he turned to the left to a work table. Pulling the papers from the folder he shoved them into a hole punch. After punching them he pulled a blue notebook from the lower shelf and put them in it. Turning he said, "Betty get me the education file on Karen Fryer and anything else you have on her."

As we entered I saw that Sissy was interrogating Karen over on the couch. Doug waved me around behind the desk and we started leafing through the notebook. He started highlighting with a yellow highlighter. On the 2nd page he grabbed a pink highlighter and marked one paragraph and then went back to the yellow one.

I liked the way Albert kept his notes. Every note began with a date time group, then a paragraphs listing information and a summary.

Doug stopped and dug in his desk. Finally he found a blue and a green highlighter. He backed up one page and highlighted a summary with the green, flipped back and marked two information lines with the green and the summary with the blue. The last 4 pages he perused, but didn't mark. He then asked me if I got it all.

I replied, "Enough to know the basics."

Doug called, "Betty I'm ready for that information."

She brought in two folders, one pale green and the other tan.

Doug handed me one and opened the other. As soon as I finished reading the contents I laid it on the desk. He finished his within a minute and handed it to me, He slid the other folder over to the middle of the desk and opened it. His highlighter was at work again. As soon as he finished he picked up both and went to the outer office. I heard the copy machine and then the hole punch. He came back in with a larger 3 ring notebook and several dividers. Sitting at his desk he opened the notebook, transferred Albert's notes, put in a divider, then the other two smaller stacks from the folders. Flipping back to the front of the notebook, he then wrote on the first divider Albert's notes. On the second divider he wrote Education File. On the third he wrote General information. Then he added a 4th divider and labeled it Intern application with no papers under it. Then he added a 5th divider and labeled it Work history. About then Betty brought in Karen's ID and a page with her picture and what looked like personal data. Doug put that page in front. Then in a low voice he said, "Betty I need you to make up employee notebook tag for this notebook." Slightly louder, "I need you to take Karen's ID and change it to House Arrest status and post it to the security net."

We both heard a small gasp from across the room.

Doug handed me the notebook and said, "Sissy, do you have enough information for a report.

She answered, "Yes, I'll go outside and write it up."

Then Doug said, "Karen, come over here and sit in this chair. I have some questions I need answered."

She moved over to the left chair in front of the desk. I walked around and sat in the right chair. As I sat down I noticed movement in the back left corner of the room. Squinting slightly I realized it was a camera and it was tracking movement. It appeared to be aimed at the left chair.

The next thing Doug said was, "This is a formal interrogation. You have the right to remain silent and have a lawyer present if you think you need one. You can stop answering questions at any time and request a lawyer be brought in if you think you need one. Do you know your rights under the fifth amendment to the constitution? What do you want to do now?" He stopped and looked at her.

She put her hands up to her face for a few seconds. Then she said, "I'll answer your questions, but please don't tell my mother."

Doug opened the notebook to the first page, read it and then flipped over to the first divider. After flipping several pages I realized that he was looking at the highlighted lines. Leaning back in his chair he said, "We may have to tell your mother, but I hope it won't reflect on her job with the project. Some of the things you have done border on crimes and you could be charged."

She dropped her head into her hands and started crying.

Doug was playing her like a violin. I figured she would either break and give all the answers we wanted or stiffen up and demand a lawyer which would be worse. After about a minute he said, "Karen, crying won't help either way, give me the reason you tried to hack into the Cave network."

The tear tracks down her cheeks showed that she didn't wear makeup or mascara. She snorted and said, "The first time is was a dare from one of the computer geeks in my class."

Doug interrupted her and asked what his name was.

She said it was, "John Abernathy" and then continued, "after that it was the challenge. I knew that the old fogy that ran the system couldn't be that smart after I watched John change the wording on the main net sign in page. I didn't know why but my computer at home started acting up after I tried hacking in a few of times. After a couple of days I couldn't even get my keyboard to work. Every letter I pushed something else came up. I took it in for repair and that's when I met Albert. He brought it back from the repair shop and hooked it up."

Doug asked, "Did he tell you he was the webmaster of the local net?"

No, but I noticed that it ran faster. I broke the seal on the back and opened it up. When I saw the 2nd processor I knew something was fishy. I went back to the repair center and asked George who Albert was. Then he took me over to the Cafeteria and Albert met us. He asked me a bunch of questions and then said he would contact me soon.

Doug flipped back several pages, made a note on the margin and then asked, "When did he call you?"

It was about a week later he met me in the Cafeteria and offered me a position as an intern to the network web site if I would quit hacking the system until I graduated. By then I only had a couple of months left.

Doug flipped several more pages and made notes. Then he closed the notebook and said, "I'll give you back your ID, however it is marked that you are under house arrest. That means you can not leave the complex. You can only go to your home, the cafeteria, and the store. If you go anywhere else we will get a signal and you will be picked up. You are not to discuss what you have done with anyone, not even your mother. If you break any of these rules we can charge you under several of the provisions that your mother signed when she accepted employment here, and they apply you also because you are a minor. Do you understand and agree to comply with these conditions?"

She paled and said, "Yes sir."

OK, now the ladies room is just down the hall to the left. "Wash your face and then go home. You will get a call tomorrow from this office. I'll see you then. On your way."

She got up and almost bumped into Sissy. Sissy put her hand on Karen's shoulder and told her sternly, "It's always terrible before it gets better. Don't worry everything should work out in the end." Sissy walked her to the door and closed it after watching her exit the outer office. She returned to the chair, reached across the desk and pushed two buttons. The monitor on the far wall started replaying the interrogation. About half way through she started chuckling and told Doug he was as mean as ever. Burn two copies. I've got to go see her mother and I want a copy just in case she has to many questions. Also we'll have to tell Albert to monitor her brother. He's just as computer savvy according to the science teacher. Here is my report ready to add to her notebook.

Doug turned to what looked like an extra computer on the back wall and put in a bright red CD. A few seconds later he placed a second silver CD in it and handed Sissy the first. When the second popped out he opened a drawer pulled out a notebook size page with places for CD's and a CD case. He handed Sissy the case and then put the CD page in the notebook. "Remember Sissy, that is a single play CD. Anything you want to add?"

She shook her head and left.

Doug then keyed the intercom and told whoever was on the other end to put on the security net that there was to be a 100% ID check at all level 1 checkpoints.

I asked Doug, "How many level 1 checkpoints are there?"

He walked over to the wall and slid aside a large picture. Under it were several maps. The level 1 checkpoints are at both entrances, the communications center, and the power station. Of course your ID is checked when you pay for any store purchase and at the cafeteria.

I looked at him and stated, "I've never had my ID checked at the cafeteria, of course I haven't been to the store yet."

"Man, you are going to be surprised." he replied, "Lets stop by the store and get you a new pen and then we'll go get an early snack at the cafe."

When we got to the bookstore I picked out a nice medium point pen set. At the counter the clerk asked me for my card. I pulled out my wallet and pulled out my cave ID. She had me swipe it in the credit card unit and then the receipt printed.

As we approached the cafeteria Doug said give me your ID. He then slipped my ID into a foil envelope and handed it back.

I stuck it in my shirt pocket.

He waved me ahead and I entered the door first. It gave a double beep that I had never noticed before. We went to a back table. I sat down and he moved on to the next table.

Then he said, "Pick up the menu and order."

I picked up the menu pad and punched in a couple of items and then the pad flashed. At the bottom a line of red print informed me that it could not process my order because my ID couldn't be read. I was to sit quietly until the cashier arrived. I also noticed that there were two burly guys headed my way from across the room. I looked the other way and June was in the doorway to the kitchen with a pistol. I leaned back chuckling and looked over at Doug and said, "Nice setup."

He then stepped over to my table pulled my ID out of the envelope and dropped it on the table. He said to the two guys approaching the table "Get a drink and come back here.".

They nodded and headed for the refreshment bar.

Doug and I ordered a light meal.

Both came back with coffee and doughnuts.

Doug started explaining the system while he ate. The door beeping alerted the guards, on and off duty. If there's no acknowledgment within 30 seconds another signal goes out to the nearest guard post and my office. The pads read the persons ID through low level conduction once it is picked up. He pressed two buttons I never noticed on the side of the menu and his picture and ID popped up. When he handed it to me it remained blank until I put my hand near my ID on the table. He dropped his ID on the table an motioned me to put my hand over it. It then started buzzing. I quickly moved my hand back over my ID and laid the pad down. Doug started explaining that the ID's were coded to several of the body's identifiers. If you have an ID belonging to someone else it will send a signal to security. If you had more than one ID on your person it will also detect and relay a signal to security. We had a real nut design the ID system. He claimed the human body had a unique electrical field that didn't change except under extreme circumstances. We've even tested it against several sets of identical twins of different ages. The only ones that could fool the system were less than 13 years of age. Occasionally when someone is out in the desert too long their ID's alert. We've found that by taking them to the clinic and treating their symptoms overnight their ID reads them OK. So the system works better than we expected. We even caught one fed with a phony ID. It was a perfect copy showing his visible data.

I asked, "How many alarms went off when the sheriff was here."

Doug looked at the ceiling and replied, "More than you would want to try to count. That's why we had him escorted everywhere."

"Well I'll make sure not to leave my ID somewhere," I stated, "unless I am in need of help." We finished our snack and headed back to our offices.

I had some heavy duty reading to do and some decisions to make. I picked up my notebook and laptop. I stopped by Doug's office and picked up the SOP and then headed home.

I ate a good dinner. I really wanted to go to bed and get a good sleep, but I had some reading to do. After the third page of the SOP I decided to check something on the local net. The search engine gave me no local references and three internet references. Without thinking I clicked on one. I started reading and then stopped. I called Doug and said, "I'm on the internet looking at a webmaster reference page. I doubt that it in in cache on our local net."

While we were talking he walked down to Albert's office and checked the servers that Albert said were the outside connection. He even went into Albert's personal office tried an outside address on Albert's computer. He couldn't get outside on it. When he got back to his office he got his laptop and went over to the cafeteria and tried to get out on the internet on it. And succeeded. After turning off his laptop he walked over to one of the tables that had a laptop on it. After getting the owner to sign on he tried again and failed. Thanking the boy he then headed over to my house after calling Albert and telling him to meet us there.

When Albert arrived Doug was on my PC roaming the net. He logged off and told Albert to log on and go the internet. Albert could not get past the local net. Doug hooked up his laptop and called Sugar Plum. Of course she knew how to get to the internet, tried and failed.

Albert looking quiet puzzled. He suggested we call Mike and ask him to try and then log off and have his wife try.

In the mean time Sissy called and said she had been watching the servers. There had been three LED's on the end server that had lit up for a few minutes and then went out. No other lights were on and the power switches were still off.

When Mike called back and stated that he could sign on but his wife couldn't get out he questioned me and I told him I didn't know.

We looked at Albert and asked him how come we could sign on and get out but others couldn't. I also asked him another question, "How are the access user names recorded and where.

He sat down at my PC and logged on the local net. Then after a few keystrokes he had a game screen. After a few control characters he had another log in screen. He drew up a calculator in another window and entered his log-in, multiplied it by the Julian date, and then divided it by the time.

Sissy called Mike and told him that an alarm had gone off and the server in the corner had more lights flashing on it than any other one in the room.

Albert copied the first 14 characters and then closed that screen. After entering that number in the log-in as the screen name he typed 'fizzlefart' into the password section. After about thirty second the screen flashed red then blue with no cursor. He then typed in a file name so fast that I missed most it. However a menu appeared and third item down was 'flow chart'. After clicking on it a chart appeared. Tim was at the top, Sissy was second, I was third. Then Mike, Doug, and three other names were on the next line. They were the section chiefs. However only three of the names on that line had a code beside them. I looked down one more line of boxes and saw June below Mike on the list. Her name also had a code beside it. I asked Albert if he could bring up a list of the dependents in the cave. A few seconds later the the screen was full of boxes with all the names of all the people in the cave. After going down two screens I saw one with a code beside it.

I wrote the name, Frederick Cole, down and gave it to Mike. Find out who he is and let me know. I then scrolled down six more pages and asked Albert, "How secure is this file."

His reply was, "The log-in is used to access the encryption file for non-local transmission. It changes every time the file is sent anywhere or accessed from any computer not directly hooked up to server seven. That is what the second sign in screen was for. The first one was to access server seven. The first layer is a simple game that anyone over six can beat ten out of ten times and it only has four levels. The access password to get in is figured by an algorithm so it changes every minute. I once read in a SiFi book about a system similar to this and used it as a starting point to design this one. The number I calculated is only good for 60 seconds and has to be typed in, not pasted or machine entered. Also it has a three count lock out for ninety seven minutes. At one time I put a screen up that stated "Incorrect password, System purge in progress." and then it ran a random character generator for ten minutes and put the numbers up on the screen. No one except Sissy has ever been given the calculation method. She screwed up her calculation three times and when that screen came up she panicked. I thought she was going to kill me when I started laughing and told her that nothing was purged, so I took it down and put up another screen requesting a password. It will run for up to one hundred times and keeps denying access. A reverse trace is run while the password screen is up. On the one hundred and first try the memory is dumped to a DVD drives in the vault and a notification is emailed to Sissy & Tim. Mr. R is the only one that I know of that has the combination to the vault and I've only been in there once.

I then asked Albert, "Who wrote this SOP?"

It was written before I took the job and Mr. R told me it was a bunch of crap. The real SOP is on one CD in my office.

I looked at Albert and said, "Since you just dropped dead, who can pick up your position and run with it?"

He looked shocked for about 30 seconds, nodded and said, "I see what you mean!"

"I'll see all of you in the morning with all appropriate paperwork and programs." I said as I shooed them out of my living room.

Karen was sitting in my outer office as I arrived at 0803 Saturday. I nodded to Sissy as I walked through the office and she handed me two folders. I added them to the folder that Albert gave me last night and entered my office and shut the door. Sissy's interrogation was brief, only 6 pages. Her education transcript showed that she was smart enough that she was bored in school even with some of the special projects the teachers gave her. Her math teacher's notes hinted that she was a border line genus when it got to calculus and above. She also excelled in computer programming classes until her senior year and the note said she became bored.

Doug walked in with a notebook on Albert. I sat and read the tagged pages. I then looked him in the eye and said, "How bad can we screw with Albert without doing any damage?"

When he finished laughing, he stood up and said, "If the commander will allow, the First Sergeant has plenty of rocks that need painting!"

Oh, I said, Then I shall tell him that I am thinking about putting him in our jail for a year. Then you can talk me out of it and I'll state that he is your problem to punish and supervise. "Did you get the real SOP from him?"

He handed me a disk and I put it in my laptop and looked over the menu. Checking two of the sections I realized that he had a very organized mind and didn't waste any words in spelling out how procedures operated on the servers. What I noticed missing, were the programs. Bring Albert in I paged out to Paulette and bring in a note pad and her chair.

Albert looked nervous.

I looked at him and complemented him on the direct way the SOP was written on the CD even though it was incomplete. Then I asked him where the copies of the programs that ran the servers. As he started to open his mouth I jumped back in and asked where the OS backups were.

Albert managed to get out that he thought no one he was seeing this morning would understand the code, so he didn't make a copy to bring.

I leaned back in my chair, folded my fingers, and looked at him. "Do you think that you are the only one here that can read or write code? Who do you thing prompted you shut down the outside access? Are you positive that your OS and Kernel weren't penetrated? I ought to put you in our jail for a year. That will give me time to inventory everything you have, proof your OS and get someone in here that can't be panicked by a simple little binary code blocks."

Doug waited long enough for him to take two breaths and then said to me, "I think that I can punish Albert sufficiently and still get some work out of him if you will let me handle it. If he screws up I can have him in the jail pretty quickly."

I raised one eyebrow, then said, "I want him locked out of server 7, all passwords transferred to Sissy and me only, his webmaster access limited for now, all his accounts audited, including his finances. Oh, and by the way I will have a few lines of code to insert into the system that will monitor certain things relating to his section." Take and hold him outside until I get through with Karen. Then, I want to see both of them together, then they are yours, for now.

Doug took Albert by the arm and walked him out.

Sissy brought Karen in and I started making notes in her folder. Sissy sat in the only empty chair and said to Paulette, "I'll need a transcript of both sessions for the lawyers as soon as you can type them up."

As fast as a machine gun I asked Karen, "Do you know the legal penalties for industrial espionage? What shall we do with you since you hacked into computer systems you didn't belong in? We can either jail you or hire you. If we hire you can we trust you? Will you be loyal? Can you keep secrets and do as you are told?"

She looked on the edge of tears. After all how many 19 year old girls from sheltered homes get caught and hung out to dry like this.

Looking at Sissy I said, "What do we need to insure her loyalty, an Oath of Fealty!

Sissy winked and said, "I'm going to take her home to talk with her mother, tomorrow we will finish up."

I made a few notes and then told the girls that I was going to the cafeteria.

I walked in and got a glass of tea. I no sooner sat down than June plopped in the seat beside me. I looked at her scowl and offered to buy her lunch.

She looked at me and said, "A single mother has a hard time raising a daughter and son. She came and talked to me last night after Sissy left. After all I'm their aunt."

"Aunt June," I said, "Do I need a food tester? Sissy and I have her pretty shook up now. We've threatened both of them with jail and I think we can do with an Oath of Fealty and put them back to work. Doug is going to pull the First Sergeant routine on Albert and Sissy is going to rake Karen over the coals and work her butt off learning advanced computer systems and doing college on the side. We don't plan on giving either of them enough time to even think about getting in trouble. Do we have your support? Tomorrow morning Karen and her mother will be in my office." One of the girls from the back brought out a thick steak with fries and set the plate in front of me.

I looked at her and said, "This isn't what I ordered."

She looked at June and then said to me, "Every condemned man here at least gets a good last meal, right June."

June looked at her and said only one word, "Right" She then looked at me and said, "I'll be there in the morning with my stomping boots on, OK."

I didn't reply, I just sliced that steak and stuck a fork full in my mouth.

Both the women slapped the table and left.

Even over the sound of my chewing I could tell that the cafeteria was suddenly silent. As I looked around all I saw was everyone staring at me. Every small community has an information system that travels faster than the speed of light. I realized that I was now the point of interest. Slowly conversations picked up around the room.

Mike and Doug came in and sat down at my table. I looked up and said, "You may not want to associate with me for a while. June slapped my table as she left."

Doug ordered and Mike just started laughing and asked, "Did she have her boots on?"

"Not yet," I replied. "She'll have them on in the morning."

"Don't worry, Sissy will protect you." said Mike.

I replied, "and who will protect Sissy because she's on the list also."

Mike then said, "I'll send Jill over to protect both of you?"

We both looked at Doug because he was muttering under his breath and trying not to choke on his tea.

Suddenly there were two plates of steak and fries on the table and they weren't set down flat. I've never seen a full plate wobble on its base and not spill food all over. Who ever delivered them was already back through the kitchen door and the cafeteria was deadly silent again. I quietly commented, "We may need an armed escort to get out of here alive."

Mike looked at Doug and me and commented, "At least the condemned men get a good last meal."

Madeline walked up to the table and sat down and said, "I've been looking for you Stephen. I need to get a reorganization approved and everyone is passing the buck. Half the supervisors warned me to steer clear of you, and the other half said you were looking to give someone else the ax."

Doug just muttered, "Business as usual." and Mike choked on his coffee.

She turned on Doug and flatly stated, "If you think that SOB is bad you don't want to get on my bad side. I'll turn you into fertilizer and they won't even find your teeth."

I said, "Madeline, remember, this is Doug, he is the head of Security and Mike here is head of Supply."

She said, "Mike you're next on my list, and Doug I may need a few of your goons later to keep me from killing some people."

Suddenly there was another plate wobbling on its rim. Madeline grabbed the delivery girl's wrist and said loudly, "I didn't order anything."

By then June was at the table with a meat cleaver and stated, "Unhand my girl or you'll loose your the hand."

Madeline looked up, smiled, and said, "Sarge you may get the hand, but I'll jam the stump up your ass right beside my foot."

June got an evil smile on her face and said, "Lieutenant, you never could get you foot out of your mouth fast enough to put it anywhere else."

By then the girl had escaped and the cafeteria was silent as a tomb. Both women started circling in unarmed combat poses.

Doug called security.

I noticed June's cleaver was on the table and both women were smiling as they jabbed at each other.

I looked at Mike and said loudly enough to be heard at the next table, "Mike, $5 says that Madeline makes first contact."

He jerked his head around to look at me like I was crazy and then said, "Make it $10. Doug do you want a piece of the action."

Doug just looked at us like we were idiots and picked up his phone and canceled the riot squad.

Not thirty seconds later June made contact with Madeline's hip as Madeline's left hand bounced off June's head. Then they both were laughing and hugging each other.

I looked at Doug and asked, "Who made first contact?"

He looked at us and said, "To close to call unless you can get them to tell. I'm going to go hide in my office."

I looked at the kitchen door and saw all the kitchen staff armed with knives and cleavers. As they started slowly backing through the doors I could hear tables being dragged back into position.

June glanced at the kitchen and told one of the girls, "Bring me two from my pot." She and Madeline pulled up chairs and sat down across from me and Mike. June said, "You both lost so pay us."

Mike opened his mouth for a smart reply as I said, "Don't count on it. Unless one of you claim first contact it was a draw and all bets are off."

Madeline looked at June and asked, "Where does the line start to get a piece of him," as she jabbed her thumb in my direction.

June replied, "Sugar Plum is first in line and you have to go through me to get to her. She's married to this SOB."

Madeline leaned back in her chair and replied, "I met her and she don't look so tough. Of course then you don't look so tough yourself. I guess I'm top bitch around here."

June laid her hand on the meat cleaver on the table. Looking calmly at Madeline she stated, "You don't know Sissy. This and a 45 might give you enough of an edge to slow her down; just long enough for you to say your prayer."

I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard Sissy calmly say, "Steve would you please get me a cup of good coffee while I check for new scars." I got up and held the chair while Sissy sat down. Mike just looked pale and unsure what to do as I headed for the kitchen.

I met one of the girls just inside the kitchen door with two cups and informed her that I needed another. She glanced out and handed me the cups. I took them out and set them in the middle of the table. I turned and headed back to the kitchen and a cup of coffee was shoved through the swinging doors at me. Taking it I walked back to the table and placed it in front of Sissy. Then I moved one of the cups from the middle of the table over to June and then the other over to Madeline. It had been a long time since I played that game. I looked at Mike and said, "Mike we need coffee too."

I reached over to the nearest table and grabbed a chair. Mike started getting up as I sat down. Two of the kitchen girls appeared at our sides with coffee for us. As one of them picked up the cleaver on the table we noticed they both still had carving knives tucked into their aprons. Just as silently they turned and left.

After taking a sip of my coffee I turned to Madeline and asked, "You had a reorganization you needed approved. May I see it and you can explain."

She looked at Sissy, then June, and then pulled a mini-disk from her blouse pocket. Sissy reached out and took it while June started pressing buttons on the menu. One of the girls popped out of the kitchen with a laptop. She placed it in front of June and Sissy inserted the disk. June hit a few keys and handed it to me. I had two organizational charts on the screen. The one on the left had two blocks in red and the right one was identical except for one name that was two levels higher than its location on the left chart. Also there was one more sub-listing with names taken from the other columns. I looked at Madeline and asked, "Where do you want to put the red names and why."

Madeline just said, "They're incompetent, give them the boot."

I raised my left eyebrow and said, "The new section, is that for efficiency or to break up a click?"

Her reply was, "I'm using the clicks to increase efficiency by internal competition."

I pushed the laptop over to Sissy and said, "Her reorganization is approved, get it posted and find some harmless brooms for the incompetents or the door."

Sissy pulled out a thumb drive and downloaded the screen. She then asked Madeline, "Do you need anything else?"

The air was almost electric around the table.

Madeline looked at Mike and asked, "May I come to your office in the morning with a requisition that my workers say can't be filled?"

Mike looked at her and replied, "0900 and bring cost figures with justification. Also bring any revision for your sub-section budget."

June picked up the menu again and asked, "Anyone want a refill and desert."

Everyone except Sissy said yes. She then informed June that they had an appointment in 30 minutes.

June nodded and said, "I'll be there."

More coffee and cherry pie arrived. As I started eating I commented to June, "You know we may have to inventory the number of knives your pirates have. If anyone ever did get the best of you, your second would be exporting ground meat for a week."

She looked back to me and said, "When are you going to pick up the gear you left here the other day? I don't have room for extra's."

"I get them now," I said as I got up. I stepped behind her chair and pulled it out as she got up. We headed for the kitchen and her office. In her office I put the vest on, checked the pistol and ammo.

"I'll follow you out because I want to see the look on Madeline's face," she said as she tucked the radio and earphone into my vest pocket.

As we passed the table she said to Mike, "Get your gear and cover his back. You know where he's headed. I've got another job to do."

As I approached the door I glanced back and saw Madeline sitting alone at the table probably wondering how thin the veneer of civilization was here. Mike had dodged out the side door but caught up to me less than a dozen steps down the roadway. He looked at me and asked, Is June pulling my chain again?"

I replied, "I'm just going to return this gear to Doug, but June just pulled Madeline's chain good."

After dropping my gear off at Doug's office I went to mine. I then called Sissy and got the organizational charts that I'd ask for.

I called Brenda in and told her to call the the project section heads and have them come to the conference room at 10AM the Tuesday.

I asked Sissy, "Do you know of anyone that can attend?"

Her answer was, "Frederick Cole since he was out of country and possible John Ironstone the Launch Site manager. Two days should be enough notice for Steve Nugget to get back. He should be back from Montserrat by Tuesday."

Brenda came back in and informed us that Mr. Cole would be unavailable until late Thursday. I told her to confirm that Friday morning would be fine. Also call June and ask her to have lunch for about 10 on Friday about 1230 hours.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 5 Design what?

Sundays meeting with Karen and her mother went fairly well.

June was holding up the wall when we finished.

I told Paulette to take the day off, after all it was Sunday.

Glad no else one called me til Monday. I told the girls in the office if anyone wanted me, just call.

I reviewed all cave security procedures. Special note on lock down levels in other journal.

Tuesday at 9:45AM I headed to the conference room. Brenda had a steno machine set up just off the main table, coffee and other refreshments were set up on a side table. Some one had put name place cards around the table. There was also another row of tables set up with phones and computer outlets. I asked her what is was for and she answered that it was for any support staff that was accompanying the managers.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down at my marked seat. I had everything I thought I needed in two notebooks. Brenda brought over a yellow legal pad and four ball point pens. I thanked her and told her to get herself a drink and grab a seat.

Mike, and Doug were the only ones that I really knew as they started arriving. Brenda showed each where their seats were and also ushered their staff to the second table. By time the table was almost full Sissy slipped in and set my laptop up just to my right. She then sat down at the other end of the table where the Transportation card was.

Exactly at 10:03AM I introduced myself and asked each starting on my left hand to introduce themselves and what section they managed.

Security – - - - Doug

Supply & Logistics \- - Mike

Spacecraft Structure \- Frederick Frail

Launch Sites \- - - John Ironstone

Transportation \- - - Sissy

Outside Manufacturing \- Steve Nugget

Space Station \- - - the seat was empty

I acknowledge each and started with Frederick Frail the Spacecraft Structure manager. My first question was, "What is the overall status and have the plans for each module been finalized?"

To me he appeared to be lying as he answered that the overall plans were ready.

I'm sure that he thought he could get away with that, but then I asked to see a copy of the module plans that were complete.

He signaled someone at the back table to come to him.

However, I didn't think that was right so I told him to go get what he had brought and I would get back to him in a few minutes. He got up and headed back to the second table and started conferring with a young man. It didn't take long before the young man pulled out a laptop and plugged it into the computer and power outlets. He then picked up a phone and made a phone call.

I smiled at the next victim, John Ironstone the Launch Site manager. As I asked him for the progress report on the launch site he grinned and said, "I have two launch sites up. I've gone through political federal and state channels to use part of the Cape Kennedy launch facilities. NASA was very helpful considering the fees they will be getting. Also in the contract are sections where we can use their launch management control facilities in Florida, Houston, and other sites as needed with only 48 hours lead. I called Tim R. when I needed to get some punch behind the contract and when the lawyers that he sent arrived NASA started doing back flips. The second site is located on Montserrat Island in the forbidden zone. The British governor wasn't to happy to talk to me until he started getting calls from England. I don't know who Tim R. knows there but they have power behind them. The site is on high ground and a team of Brit Sappers arrived for a training mission with equipment and they started the erection of berms that would channel a ten foot lava flow and give anyone there time to evacuate. The survey has been completed and local contractors have been hired under supervision of my construction company. We will end up sinking about 9 million into the local economy not counting a new dual rail system to the port and airport. Our lease is for 50 years and only we can cancel it. I've been talking to several researchers to find me the best companies to build the launch site itself on the beach. My plans include a deep water docking port adjacent to the launch site for retrieval of returning craft and ease of moving new craft in and out. Facilities estimated cost will be about 19 million and maintenance less than a million a year. This site will give us the flexibility to work around any crap that NASA or the US government throws at us. I'll have my secretary give your secretary a disk of all the plans and schedules."

I gave John an amused look and stated that my team would look over the plans and schedules and if I had any questions he could address them after lunch. I then turned to Mike and asked him, "Have you any problems with supply and have you gotten what you need from the other sections? Also are you anywhere near budget?

Mike looked like he'd just bitten into a lemon as he replied, "The budget is blown all to hell, and I've sent your office manager the preliminary shortcomings. Outside Manufacturing hasn't submitted any request, budget, or schedule to me. Spacecraft Structure section is below budget but I think that is because they are way behind schedule. Transportation is slightly below budget and on schedule for now. Security is within budget. If what John just said about Launch Site section they are about ten times over the original budget that I received at the beginning of the year. I don't expect to get anything on the Space Station until next year when they should have their budget approved.

"OK" I said, "Give my office manager your summary with documents. Now Doug, what is your status on Security?"

No new problems since I talked to you Tuesday, however I'll have to expand my personnel and budget to cover Montserrat and the Cape as soon as I get requirements from John. The original plans called for a local launch site."

I then looked to Steve Nugget the Outside Manufacturing section manager. "Why hasn't your section submitted any schedule or budget?"

Steve leaned back and said, "I was working directly for the board that Tim R. set up. Different manufacturing groups have been set up under board members and we are waiting for the plans for each module. Just between us I hope everything is finalized soon because half the board members are harried. They have their own schedules and other contracts to meet. Not all of them are US companies. I don't know how everything is being financed, but I was told my personal expenses and those for my staff were to be put on the card that I received from Tim R. this year. Any request for transportation were to be submitted to your office and I'd either get a call from the Transportation Section or approval to purchase commercial tickets. Only once have I been surprised, a Russian cargo plane picked me up. I need to talk to you privately after the meeting."

I said, "That sound very interesting, I hope you can spend the weekend. Now for Mr. Frail, "I hope you have you information together."

He looked up from his secretary's computer and answered, "Almost got it, if you can give me a little more time."

I looked at my watch and then said, "It's almost noon. We will break for lunch and be back at 1:30PM. That should give you enough time. I'll have some sandwiches sent over for you and your secretary. If you need anything printed Brenda here will bring in a printer and disk to copy the information to. I'm sure you can get everything together in an hour."

I then said to Brenda, "Would you lead everyone over to the Cafeteria and bring back a few sandwiches for Mr. Frail and his assistant. Then wait until we return, call for afternoon relief from the office staff and then you can go eat. Thanks."

I looked at the managers sitting around the table and said, "I'll see you all after lunch." I then got up and signaled Sissy to follow me and we left through the back door.

In the hall I looked at Sissy and said, "I hate to have to ask you this, but can you arrange for someone to do a complete data copy from the Structure section including anything Mr. Frail might have on his personal and work computers. I don't think we can trust him to just turn everything over if we have to replace him. Also we may need to lock him completely out of the system and move any project files he has access to on his personal computer. Get the ball rolling and I'll see you in the Cafeteria ASAP."
Sissy pulled her phone as I walked down the hall headed for the front door and cafeteria.

As I walked in I saw that the managers were all clustered at two back tables. June was talking to them. As I approached she looked at me an I said, "Mrs. Reynolds will be here shortly, she had a uh, personal problem to see about."

Doug looked up and asked, "Is it just Transportation or will she need help from Security?"

I lifted one eyebrow and said, "Just a Transportation scheduling foul up, probably won't take her more than 15 or 20 minutes to set straight." With that I sat down and asked June what was for lunch.

Conversation started among the other managers as the food was delivered. Between bites I asked, "John, who's the best designer you know of? I have some critical components that may need to be redesigned."

He continued to chew and suddenly looked at the empty seats. "Well, I know of several, but the two best are already working for me. Let me digest this steak and I'll talk to you after the meeting."

No one else appeared to notice our exchange.

Sissy came in and sat down beside Doug and said to me, "Everything will be straightened out in about an hour. I gave the problem to Albert and Karen."

June brought her a plate with a small steak on it and a large salad.

Sissy smiled at June and started eating immediately.

When I finished I looked around and said, "Since I'm sure everyone can find their way back I'll see you there." I got up and stepped over to the kitchen door. I didn't see June, but several of the cooks looked my way and I thanked them for the quality of the lunch. Then I turned and headed back to the office and conference room.

I still had over 30 minutes before the meeting was to resume, so I glanced into the conference room. Frail was yelling at his secretary about not being able to bring up the schematics for any of the modules.

His secretary looked flustered as he replied, "You never gave me approval to put them in the data base. Everything you approved is here. The raw drafts may be somewhere, but they aren't here. Shall I call back to the office and ask each of the module section leaders to bring over copies of what they gave you?"

Frail was as red as a beet as he browbeat his secretary and told him to get on the phone.

I eased the door closed and stepped down the hall to my office. I sat behind my desk and called Sissy on her phone. When she answered I simply said, "When you finish, think about where we can put Frail." and hung up. I then saw Nancy returning from lunch. I called her into my office and told her to go relieve Brenda in the conference room and tell her to report to me now before going to lunch.

Nancy gave me a hound dog look, turned and left on her errand.

When Brenda entered my office I said, "Sorry but I need you to make up a quick report on everything that happened and what was said in the conference room while we were at lunch.

She laughed and replied, "I can transcribe it directly from the tape. I didn't turn it off when everyone broke for lunch. Plus I think Mr. Frail is an ass. Just don't let Nancy erase it before I get back."

I headed for the conference room and Brenda headed for lunch. As I walked in Nancy was getting up and walking toward the steno machine, it was beeping. I walked over to it also and asked Nancy what was wrong with it.

She said it was out of tape.

I told her to give me the tape and go get another. I could tell she wasn't happy to have to do the work herself. I stuck the tape cartridge in my shirt pocket and went to my seat at the head of the table. I listened to Frail's assistant pleading with someone over the phone to bring something over the conference room.

Frail grabbed the phone and started yelling and threatening whoever was on the other end.

I got up and stepped into the hall. I put a call into Doug. When he answered I told him to get a crew and to lock down the Spacecraft Structure section ASAP and don't let anyone erase any of the files. I also wanted Frail locked out immediately.

I then called Albert. When he answered I asked him if he had copied all the files that Sissy had asked him to.

He replied yes.

Then I asked, "How long will it take you to lock everyone in that section out of their computers and the system?

I heard some clicking over the phone and he replied, "They're locked out of the system, but it will take a while to lock down each computer."

Continue with Sissy's instructions, then mine, and call me as soon as both are accomplished. I stepped back into the conference room and sat down. Frail was still yelling at the phone and I don't even think he noticed me.

Mike and John walked back into the conference room talking. They stopped, looked at Frail, then me.

I motioned them to come on over to the table and have a seat and leaned back in my nice comfortable chair. It was 1325 by the clock on the wall. Sissy walked in with Steve talking about something and both did a double take. Three of us were calmly sitting at the table and Frail was still yelling at the phone. Suddenly he turned pale and slammed the phone down in its cradle.

He looked around at all of us. He then stomped over to me and demanded why security had suddenly invaded his office.

I looked at him and said, "Do you have the answers to the questions I asked you this morning."

He replied, "I have some of it, but the rest is on my desk. I'll need to go get it."

I leaned back in my chair again and just as I was about to open my mouth my phone rang. As I picked it up I heard Doug say, "Section secured and guard posted. I gave everyone there the afternoon off with instructions to report to work in the morning. By the way as I was herding the last of the workers out the computers started turning themselves off."

"I think I will need you and one of your guys here shortly," I replied and hung up.

My phone was ringing again before I could set it on the table. Albert said, "I think I got them all."

I said, "Thanks, good work" and hung up again.

I then looked at Mr. Frail and said, "Your conduct and treatment of subordinates in unbecoming of any supervisor. You are a bully and a disgrace to manhood. Go over there, get a drink and have a seat in the back of the room. I'll talk to you later."

I then said, "Sissy, Albert got that problem locked down. Did you have time to think about the other question I gave you?"

"I'll have to double check the contract but I think we can find him a broom." she replied.

"Good" I replied. "Now lets get back to the meeting. John, I am going to have to borrow one of your designers until you can find me a replacement. Steve, would you get with John and tell him basically what his designer must look for as far as module design and specifications. I'm sorry to have to keep you both here working through this weekend, but I have a failed section that has to be brought up to speed by Monday."

John looked at Sissy sitting in front of the Transportation place card and said, "I need transportation for two from Louisville, Kentucky to here today."

As soon as Sissy picked up her phone he pulled his phone and made a call.

Sissy said, "The plane will be in Louisville in three hours. Tell them to look for a kid named Lee in the restaurant because he'll be eating, his favorite pastime."

He repeated what she said and apologized for ruining their vacation. Then he hung up and turned to Steve and said, "I hope the cafeteria serves good dinners and late night snacks."

I started to open my mouth when Sissy interrupted me by saying, "I'll see to it that everyone gets fed through Monday."

I then looked around the table and declared, "Sorry about this screw up. If you need someplace to sleep and computer access see Mike and Doug. The Space Station chief should be here by 10AM Friday. We'll resume the meeting then. I'll leave you to figure out all the bottle necks and put together a rough schedule and plan on how to make up for this delay." With that out of the way I stood up and called Mr. Frail to follow me.

The first thing he said when he got to me was, "You can't fire me, I have a contract."

I just looked at him and said, "Who said you were fired, I'm just going to reassign you where you can't bully anyone except the cockroaches." With that said I motioned for Doug's man to accompany us to my office. I also noticed that Nancy was sitting very still over by the refreshments table.

As we entered my outer office I told Mr. Frail to have a seat on the couch. I also informed him that he wasn't to talk to anyone and he could not use the phone or computers until I was done with him.

He blustered, "I've got rights."

I simply stated, "Sure you do, you can either do as I say or you can sit in a cell until I'm ready to deal with you. Make your choice now."

He seemed to shrink as he said, "I'll sit here."

The guard walked over to the nearest desk and sat on the corner and watched Mr. Frail.

I called Doug and asked him to come to my office.

He said he'd be there in a minute.

When he arrived I asked, "Do we need any legal paperwork to go the Frail's quarters and remove the computers and search for any project paperwork."

He said, "No, but might I suggest you have Sissy call her Dad and get his opinion."

Sissy walked in and said, "What?" when we looked at her.

I said, "Doug suggested that we inform your Dad and get his opinion before we go to far."

She looked at us, pulled her phone, and dialed. She gave a brief report of what was going on and then handed me the phone.

Tim R. was laughing when I put the phone up to my ear. He said, "You found one of my problems. Unfortunately his contract prevents him from being fired. He can quit. You can't reassign him to other duty's. However I think you can find him a nice little office where he can't do any damage. If he decides to quit have him transported under escort to my office and I'll pay him off. Until then he should be restricted to the Cave. I'll be down early next week, but don't tell Sissy because I want to surprise her." With that he broke the connection.

I handed Sissy back her phone and said, "Sissy do you know who would know the most about what to look for. We need to go through his quarters to make sure he doesn't have any project paperwork or information before we let him go home. Also we need to pull all his computers and limit his access. Does he have a wife and children? They will have to be limited also."

She grabbed Doug and they walked out of my office.

Not knowing what she had planned I called Albert. When he answered I told him I needed him to write a program that would listen for certain terms and technical words and trap the outgoing feed.

He laughed and said he had one that he'd stolen from the Chinese. All he needed to do was change the dictionary.

I told him it better not have any hidden bugs, redirects, or back doors because it was going to be used for project security. Give me a call back before you install it.

He replied that it had been in use for over six months and he pulled it when I locked everything down. Originally he had de-compiled it and gone through it with a fine tooth comb. He said he found eight errors in some subroutines and two back doors. After rewriting the program he farmed it out to a few of his web buddies to break. They found one loose routine and after he fixed it no one should be able to break it. Albert said he then recompiled it in binary and re-installed it using an agricultural dictionary. It was working fine as of today.

I told him to get with his boss to get a dictionary for it and then call me.

He said OK and we hung up.

I then called June, but she wasn't available for phone calls. I told the guard and Frail on my way out that they were to wait for me, I would be back.

As I entered the Cafeteria I saw June sitting with my wife at a table in the back. I kissed Sugar Plum on the cheek and sat down facing June.

"I found another can of worms," I stated. "I'll need meals for the non-residents for the next few days and evenings. There will be two arriving in about 5 or 6 hours that will need dinner and probably the transportation crew also. Depending on the hours they work they may need late night snacks also. June, do you want to let your crew beat on me now or later?"

June started chuckling and said, "I heard about a section being locked down this afternoon. Seems like they were all pissed about having to catch up tomorrow until one of them got a call saying their boss had a run in with you and got ripped.

"Well you might as well plan on this weekend also." I said. "They aren't going to be happy because that section has to be back on schedule Monday morning. Until the two design guys get here tonight and do a preliminary check I don't know how far behind schedule they are."

June turned toward the kitchen and hollered, "Alice come here."

A petite redhead came out and sat down.

June looked at her and said, "You're going to be working this weekend so you won't have time for your boyfriend. I want you to have him here around 8PM tonight. I think he'll be working his ass off for several days. Tell the other girls back there to divide themselves up into shifts. Starting now we will be running 3 meals and a late night snack through Monday."

She got up and headed back into the kitchen.

"Alice is a good kid," she said, "to bad her boyfriend can't make up his mind to marry her."

I returned to my office and turned Frail over to Doug.

At 2050 hours I got a call that they had arrived and were headed straight for the Cafeteria. Sugar Plum and I walked over. I got a glass of tea and a ice coffee for her. We were sitting at the table by the side door when Mike brought a strange couple in. John Ironstone walked in behind them with Karen.

The menu on our table started flashing. As I picked it up a note appeared. 'Please send Sugar Plum to report to work.' I showed it to her and she said, "The slave driver summons." With that she got up and left me alone at the table.

I sat and watched people drift in and out of the cafeteria while the strangers ate.

A young man walked over with a plate of food and asked if he could sit at my table. He looked familiar so I pushed a chair out with my foot. He introduced himself as Lee Merryweather. We shook hands and then because he realized I couldn't place him he said, "the kid pilot."

Suddenly I placed him. With a smile I asked him, "Anymore dishes broken on this trip.

He replied, "No, but I heard that my Dad is mad at me."

No sooner than I asked, "Why." a pair of arms encircled him, picked up him along with his chair and moved him away from the table. Then a guy I remembered as the fullback from my trip here dragged a chair over and sat down in front of the plate and started to eat.

I looked at him and said, "And what is your real name."

With a mouth half full of food he stuck out his hand and said, "James. The kid can go get another plate."

Lee and a young lady came to the table, each with a plate of food and coffee. As Lee was pulling out a chair for her she said, "Dad as soon as we are over the ocean we're flying upside down all the way to Europe."

James grunted and said, "You prefer that position." Turning to me he said, "Alice likes to watch the ground go by, even 5 miles up. As soon as she could climb the side of her crib she started hanging upside down. Her nickname at school was monkey. My wife, bless her soul, taught her to fly. And now I'm stuck with a monkey and a crazy boy that can't keep the paint on a plane."

Alice poked her Dad in the arm with a fork and said, "We aren't done with you yet." She, Lee and James all started laughing.

James looked at me with a twinkle in his eye and said, "I'm getting Lee a paint brush for Christmas, and Alice a portable horizon gauge."

With that comment we all started laughing so loud that June came over and stated, "You all are making so much racket you'll scare the coyotes outside, I need to trap a few more for lunch tomorrow. Either shut up or you'll will be eating salad.

I saw Bob and Albert enter and head toward the back. With that I excused myself and headed over the the strangers. June stopped me halfway and said, "I see you met the Merryweathers. James was a very angry man for almost 3 years after he lost his wife in an mid-air collision. His daughter flying right side up terrifies him because his wife was hit from below by a jet jockey. The kids are our two best pilots and he won't be happy until they're in space. If anyone ever confirms to him that Frail is delaying the project, he'll rip his arms and legs off and laugh as he dies! After all Allison died going to pick up Frail in Hawaii. Just thought that I'd let you know why Sissy is sending one of Doug's team leaders out."

I got over to the table just in time to hear Albert tell the two strangers that the password on the card would unlock any computer in the Structure Section and they were to reset it to what they wanted after it booted. Mike introduced me to the Janet and Stewart Swift.

Janet immediately said, "This isn't our field, but we'll analyze what we can and give you our preliminary evaluation in 8 hours. We need someone from that section that knows his way around."

June answered, "I have just the boy for you, he is smart enough to be the assistant manager although he was never allowed any authority, but very dumb when it comes to women. Maybe you can teach him in more than one area and get him started toward being a man."

"We don't have time to teach babies," said Stewart with a wink.

June called James over and introduced him to the Swifts with the comment, "James was the assistant manager of the section so he can help you find everything. However I don't know how much he knows about the technical stuff." With that she walked off.

I looked at James and said, "Temporarily you are in charge of the section answerable to me, and of course the Swifts. I want a brief handwritten progress report from you tomorrow morning. The section has to be up to speed by Monday morning and you will give the status report at the meeting 10AM Friday in the conference room. I'll decide your future then. If you need any extra guidance call Mike or Steve. Any questions?"

James looked like he had just been dumped on by the world.

I smiled and walked to the kitchen doors and entered June's realm.

She invited me into her office and burst out laughing. "You didn't give him to much wiggle room did you. Maybe we can turn him into a man yet." She handed me a cup of coffee and we sat down.

I then asked how many bugs she had planted around the Cafeteria.

All she did was laugh.

Reviewed all cave security procedures. Special note on lock-down levels in other journal. Didn't see any gaping holes that needed to be fixed.

James' handwritten report Wednesday morning was a little erratic, but the status from the Swifts was concise and had a lot more questions than answers. The last line stated that I'd get one every 24 hours.

The Swift's Thursday report looked like a copy of yesterdays report except there was a lot more detail where some of the questions had been. I could tell they were making some progress, I only hoped it would be fast enough. James' handwriting was still bad, but it looked better and one thing I noticed was he reported he had found a lot of the missing paperwork.

The Friday meeting began at 10:30AM and everyone was there. Frederick P. Cole is almost my age. He looked hot before we even started. After the Swifts gave their report I had to ask him to wait for Jame's report.

All he asked was if Outside Manufacturing was going to have the modules ready on time for his schedule.

I knew that Steve spent most of yesterday with the Swifts so I asked him.

He hemmed and hawed for a few seconds and then said they would start with module 5's within a month. Module 2's could be started within 3 months and built using module 5 frames. Module 4's were a bit of a problem because some moron had tried to design the ultimate engine. He would check with the board about buying heavy lift rockets motors and then design mounts to make them fit. The same with the fuel tanks in module 4, 6, and 7. Module 1 and 8 were a complete washout. Module 1 needed a complete design from the mating ring up. If Module 8 couldn't be designed soon enough to meet the schedule, but he knew where he could get 3 Soyuz capsules, but the problem would then be to get them up to the station.

Then Cole dropped his bomb. His approved schedule was set for the first launch in 298 days and he pulled out appendix Z. No one had seen it and he passed copies all around the table. As he explained, Solar orbits determined the launch dates. We could be a early on everything else, but the Primary Mission launch times were set in stone, or we would have to sit on our thumbs for another 12 months. He gave me a direct number and asked for weekly progress reports. When I asked him who he reported to his answer was to the effect that THE BOARD he was on answered to no one. They were the ones that started the whole plan back when Kennedy screwed up everything by resetting the original exploration and scientific schedule of the space program.

I could tell that all he was concerned about was results. 17 + 298 = 315 less than a year!

I asked John when the Cape would be ready for use. He said the schedule he was given was to be active in 280 days and Montserrat Island construction would be complete and ready for move in in 7 months. I asked him if Montserrat could be used without NASA assist 30 days earlier for launches. When I asked him when he had to have his designers back he said he would need to borrow then from time to time, but I could use them.

I told James and the Swifts that I had to have their final plans on modules 5 & 2 in 7 days. I also wanted the mating ring plans finalized for all modules then. Today is day 17 on my calendar. Your deadline is day 24.

Module 3 will be designed just like module 2, except there will be a large cargo hatch in it's side and internal framing inside to fasten cargo that needs to be pressurized. Your deadline for it will be day 29.

I then told Steve to start checking on rocket motors. As soon as he located a reliable supply to get back with the Swifts with the specs and I wanted a final design for module 4 on day 38.

I then told Mike to get the information he needed from James and Cole on the electronics and computers needed for module 1. Put your best outside supply guy to making inquires for off the shelf purchases. The space shuttle flew with 70's computers for about 30 years so some good laptops and a few Microwulfs should do the trick. The Swifts will need dimensions and other technical information because they will then have to design racks for everything. You might want to include Albert. Your deadline to me will be day 41.

If any of you run into a brick wall at any time, you have 1 hour to get help, find a solution, or let me know. And I closed the meeting.

Cole is the only one that came to my office after lunch and wanted to know why I had waited to long to get things moving. I opened the Journal I had started on my computer and gave it to him to read. He told me it was a fair start, but don't bother recording the conversations. Just put down facts, impressions of people, notes to remember, and ideas.

Dropped in on Spacecraft Structure section Saturday morning. James said the Swifts had left less than ½ hour before to get some sleep.

Appendix H, N, & T were pinned to the walls. 2 designs for mating ring were also pinned up and below them were specifications and notes highlighted in green, yellow, and red. A hand-drawn sketch of mod 5 was beside the designs.

When I found out that he'd been at it for over 24 hours I ordered him to go home and get some sleep.

Arrived Spacecraft Structure section Sunday at 0800 & found James, Swifts, and 2 others using CAD programs designing mod 5. They said they already had 4 failures when they transferred the designs to a stress program.

I suggested they add triangular reinforcing beams to points 1/3 from the bottom and top.

They called me 3 hours later and said a modification of my idea finally passed the stress program and would withstand 128% of estimated max stress loads before failure. They also asked me if I had any ideas on airlock and the air tube through module 5?

Well I've dropped my tape recorder one to many times and now it's really broke. No more recording everything until I get another one.

James brought me a final design for module 5 at 10:00AM Monday. They wanted to know if I could get Steve Nugget to look at it since none of them were manufacturing engineers. They needed to know if it was complete enough to build from.

I called Steve and caught him on his way to the exit tunnel.

He agreed to come to my office and I called transportation to delay his flight out and told them they would get a call from him later to reschedule his other scheduled flights. The only thing Steve wanted to know after looking over the design was it's dead weight.

Jack Jamroz called back with the weight for the three steel combination's that they had used. He also had the alloy combination's specification for every piece used.

I had Brenda make copies of all and then told her to copy everything to computer memory sticks. Steve was only delayed 1 ½ hours.

Tuesday Steve called and said his guys approved the design as is. They wanted to know how many we wanted. I did a quick count off appendix Z and told him 27 to start with. He came back and said the first 3 could be ready in less than 30 days and I would have to let him know where they were to delivered.

I went over to the structure section and told them the design was approved and asked where my report was.

Janet Swift told me to grab a broom and gather the report off the floor.

Madeline Ramirez came over and handed me a post-it note. It said, M 5 design submitted, approved, & transmitted to manufacturing. Fin!

I told all of them that if that was the kind of work they were going to do that they deserved Mr. James Melbourne as their manager and I hope that he was good at herding cats. When I asked where he was they said he was eating.

I called June and asked if he was in the Cafe. I told her to prepare a quick impromptu promotion party but don't let him know. Everyone would be there in 15 minutes.

She said she'd get Alice to make sure he didn't leave.

I told everyone in the shop they had 1 hour to celebrate and the party would start in the Cafeteria in 15 minutes.

I informed Sissy.

Heard gossip that Artimus and the Kid were getting close. Need to find out who this Artimus is??????

Janet Swift asked me Wednesday to come over. Then they jokingly tried to get me to design the hulls for modules 2 & 3. Told them why not slide a thin metal tube inside a module 5, spray the outside with insulating-foam and then wrap it in light aluminum, voila insulated hull. She looked at me like I was crazy for about 2 minutes, then chased me off. I heard her yelling for Madeline and Susan as I left. I caught Harold in the hall and told him that the tube through module 5 didn't have to be round. The simplest airlock door I could think of was 2 triangles that closed with an overlap on the inside and a submarine type dogged hatch on the outside.

Idea: Find out from Mike if duct tape will work under space conditions?

Suzzie told me that she heard from Alice that her father was threatening to arrange a marriage for her. I remember once told me that he wanted both kids off the planet.

Artemis is a Greek girl that works in Security. Her name means something like perpetual virgin. At least Lee thinks he's found someone. We'll see?

Sissy's father knocked on my office door Thursday at 0900 and wanted me to get her over to the Cafeteria in 30 minutes.

She raised hell when I called her and told her to meet me.

I then called Doug and told him to meet me at the Cafeteria in 30 minutes and bring that Greek girl or another female guard.

Just for the irritation factor I called James Merryweather and asked if the Kid was in the cave. When he told me he was I told him to drag him over to the Cafeteria about 0945 and I'd buy them both breakfast because I needed some pilot information.

Needless to say when Sissy came in and saw me talking to James and Lee she headed right over.

Her father and June slipped up behind her and yelled Happy Birthday. After hugging her Dad and June she gave me the Methuselah look.

When Doug and Artemis arrived in riot gear I watched her as she scanned the room. The only reaction I noticed was when she saw Lee.

Sissy gave Doug an earful when they came over to the table.

I also noticed that Lee and Artemis both looked like they were hiding something. I found out later that both had been off-duty.

A nice quiet Friday morning at home except for a call from James Melbourne. He asked me why I had driven Harold crazy with the weird idea that the airlocks could be cubes and the connecting tube through modules could be square.

I asked him if it was easier to secure something to a round tube or a square hallway type tube? Then I reminded him his report was due today, but I would give him til 9PM.

After lunch I walked into their office and found a zoo. The Swifts said James was just sitting at his desk drawing squares and rectangles all over their designs for module 5 and the mating rings. They turned in their report.

Then I asked them if it would be easier to build a square connecting tube into the module 5 cargo frame work or a round tube.

They looked at me, snatched their report off the desk and ran out.

I called Cole and asked him if he could handle "out of the circle thinking."

He corrected me saying, "It should be out of the box."

Then I told him what I had instigated and I would call him about noon my time tomorrow.

He said he would think about it and maybe send an assassin my way.

I then called Steve Nugget and gave him the complete story.

He told me that he could hold the mating ring start til next Friday with no repercussions. A square airlock was a novel idea.

Next was Mike. His guy had a preliminary report, but he also had supplier information that there was somebody else buying in large quantities with delivery date about 4 to 8 months out.

I shut myself in my office to think, then called Tim R. I told him that I didn't have enough information to properly ramrod the program.

He indicated I had his full support and all the authority I needed.

Then I told him I needed to consult with THE BOARD.

He denied the existence of any such board.

I then told him I knew of the existence of the group that started back in the 60's.

He told me to stop talking and come to his office day after tomorrow.

I called Sissy and told her to arrange for my transportation.

I called Doug and asked him if he was busy. I hurried over to his office and caught him just outside the door and asked him where there was really secure area that couldn't and wasn't monitored.

He led me to a storage closet in the back of the cafeteria.

I told him I stuck my stick into a hornets nest and stirred vigorously. Who could I trust to protect me if say all the project managers, outside interest, and Tim R. decided I should be terminated with prejudice. Also I needed the best body armor he could get me by noon tomorrow.

Then June walked in on us and informed Doug that he was lucky. She then handed me a VCR tape and said she knew it was the only copy and next time let her know when I needed a secure discussion area.

Doug claimed he had a rotating crew that swept the whole cave complex weekly and they never detected anything here or in two other places.

I handed the tape back to June and asked her to handle it. Then we went out front and had coffee and Alice brought out fresh apple fritters. Just before I finished my first cup of coffee I told Doug that my paranoia had gone from the normal 50% this morning to 200%.

That evening James and Lee came over with a very large cooler. As soon as he was inside he started talking about picnic that he was taking June on Sunday. As Lee opened the cooler he pulled out what looked like two radios and asked if I liked C&W music. He plugged one in by the door and took the other in the kitchen. After the radio's were turned on he told me they not only created white noise in the music but threw a random signal on the electrical lines they where plugged in to. He handed me a light weight armor vest that looked like a Levi jacket. Unbutton it if you are going to be searched. Then and he pulled what looked like a 45 pistol, only it was only half as thick and very light. It's a 10 shot and if you are still alive after that you had better get a weapon off a dead body. This good old stetson is made out of Kevlar. Lee is our pilot. I'll find him a girlfriend to bring. We will meet at 0900 hours Sunday at the main tunnel. Alice will be flying in at 0900 to refuel a VTOL. Then Lee pulled out three cold beers. He then told me that after we drank these we needed to go over to the Cafeteria and breath on a few people and then let one of June's girls throw us out.

When I arrived at my office James and the Swifts were waiting. They handed me their Saturday reports and James handed me a roll of designs.

I unrolled them and had them point out the airlocks and other high priority spots. After 10 minutes I told them to stop. I sat down and started reading the reports. After reading James' report I asked the Swifts if their report had anything in it not covered by James. They said no, because he wrote his report from theirs and memo's from some of his other workers.

Janet handed me several disk and memory sticks and said everything is on here for transportation.

I locked it all up in my safe and told them to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 6 THE BOARD

Got everything including the disk and memory sticks and was talking to the tunnel guard when everyone else meandered up.

June's western outfit had enough fringe on it to make a fishing net. I noticed she looked stiff when she set down the picnic basket.

Artemis was hanging on Lee's arm like a school girl.

When Lee's phone rang he said lets go, Alice needs some time off. When we got outside there was an armed military type chopper on the landing pad and another without armament beside it, but neither was painted green.

Alice informed us that we would ride in the second and she was copilot in the first.

Lee was handed a flight vest and helmet when he approached the second. As we lifted off to follow the first, Lee commented that he hated choppers.

We flew east for about 10 minutes and then north. We landed on a nice looking ranch and Alice lifted back off and re-landed so the choppers were tail to tail. She then shut down.

A jeep pulled up and we were told that I was the only one allowed up to the house. I unbuttoned my jacket. They took my phone and tossed it into the chopper. The disk and memory chips, my knife, and belt pistol they put in a steel ammo box and handed it to me. They didn't detect the flat pistols in the hidden jacket pockets.

Frederick Cole and Tim R were the only two I knew although I thought I thought I recognized several other faces. There was a large covered patio and a calf on the BBQ pit.

Nine of us sat down at the center table and everyone else spread out around the perimeter of the patio, and turned on entertainment equipment. I noticed one young man wandering from table to table acting like a teenager with a hand-held game. He had a bulge in his back pocket that sure looked like a pistol. As I looked closer at the others I could see bulges here and there.

One young lady when she noticed me looking at her turned her boom box around and opened the back and inside was a machine pistol. Then the first refreshments were served. Tim took off his jacket so I hung mine over the back of my chair also.

I told them that I had plans on disk and memory sticks in the box under my chair. One of the others said he would get them to Steve in the morning. I found out that I did have Mike bidding against the purchasing agents from THE BOARD. After about 2 hours of business I suggested that they have their men contact our counterparts in the Cave for streamlining the project.

Mr. Black objected. Then I was informed that Tim was only junior member because he was the head of another space project.

I informed them right there that I didn't care what their project was, but I didn't like bidding wars because it just drove prices up and quality down. Where the projects overlapped, was the only point where I wanted cooperation. Either that or they could buy me a mountain with a big cavern in Tennessee and let me retire until the world fell apart.

Mr. Wong sitting directly across from me asked me if I expected to live very long.

I looked back at him and then to the others around the table and stated "I already died, Tim's offer gave me a new life so promises like that will only piss me off." I started to leave the table then came back grabbed my jacket and the steel box and went over and sat down by the girl with the boom-box. I could see a lively discussion at the big table. Tim didn't get many words in.

I was served another drink and a plate of BBQ. I was only half way through when a server just picked up my plate and carried it to the main table.

He came back and picked up my jacket and the box and carried them over. I thanked the girl for the pleasant conversation and found out her name was Alice Doctor and she was the daughter of one of THE BOARD members.

As I sat down at the main table I was informed that there would be a few visitors to the cave in the next week.

Tim handed me a blue satellite phone and informed me that #8 was a direct link to the commo section and it had a built in scrambler.

When I picked up my box, I noticed I was the center of attention from more that the main table. I pulled out the disk and memory sticks and handed them across the table. Then I reached into my jacket and pulled one of the two flat pistols out and placed it in the box and closed it. Then I asked the guy behind me to carry my jacket and the box over to Alice and ask her to watch over them until I got ready to leave. The guy to Tim's left leaned back in his chair and I noticed his eyes squint behind his poker face.

The rest of the afternoon was very pleasant and I was stuffed when Alice drove me back to the choppers. Both Alice's knew each other. The flight back was fast and low.

Monday at 0745 hrs. Doug called and said security alerted him that a plane approaching from the northeast.

I told him that we would be getting unannounced visitors this week. Go ahead and follow the SOP for this type situation but don't fire on the plane. I'll be at your office by the tunnel in 5 minutes.

When I got there he told me it veered off and went behind a mountain to the north as soon as we put a radar lock on.

I went and got my blue phone from my office and checked for missed calls. There weren't any. Do we have a chopper available? Send it and find out if they want to land here under escort. We'll meet them at the commo shack and have a crew with a camouflaged net to set up.

The VTOL was painted flat black. Someone called me as soon as it landed and said it was a new model and he couldn't identify manufacture or county of origin. It turned out to be a stranger with a letter from Tim R. to me.

After finding out his specialty was acquisitions I asked Doug to give him a temporary pass and escort to Mike.

I'd be there soon but first I wanted to talk to the pilot. That was a waste of time because the only language he would speak was Spanish.

Doug gave him to one of his guys and they set up a tent and brought out prospecting gear.

I didn't know we had all that gear available, but they put it up like they'd done it a hundred times.

The pilot peeled out of his flight suit and put on the outfit given him. The passengers name was Miguel Leos and he was to take over Project Supply reporting to Mike.

I guess he thought I was in charge of security because when I walked in he started raising hell about being targeted. I informed him that unexpected visitors sometimes never left or even arrived in one piece.

He pulled a blue phone out and started to dial and I stopped him.

At 10 I told the secretary to get me a secure line to Tim R. After telling him about the incident he said Miguel was a day early and Doug would be getting an equipment upgrade to identify any of the transports belonging to THE BOARD.

I told Miguel he as a day early and lucky my people didn't shoot him down before calling me.

I asked Mike for an update when he got done with Miguel.

At 1030 my blue phone rang and I answered it with a calm Hello. I watched as Miguel jerked to a position similar to attention.

The young female on the other end was very upset because their plane reported being targeted and now their transponder signal was gone. She didn't calm down until I informed her that the plane was under cover and I had Miguel standing in front of me.

I also informed her to pass the word that we had not received our upgrade yet and if anyone else was coming today, they better call first.

Then a guy came on the phone and told me that one other plane would be arriving at about 1500 hours local and they would be staying overnight. He said Alice Doctor would be escorting a VIP.

On the way out I saw Doug and gave him the news.

He wasn't to happy about having to move the plane and camp.

I told him that I hoped the one arriving at 1500 hours would fit in the hanger.

When I got to my office at 11:15. I called Sissy and asked her who the hell was really in charge of the Transportation section. I wanted both of them in my office in 15 minutes.

Sissy evidently had gotten some information from Doug before she arrived. Wanda Hyang looked like she'd been dropped out of a plane without a parachute. Sissy explained that she was still recovering from appendicitis and she had been covering for her.

I told them that we were having an overnight guest that would arrive at 3PM. They were to get VIP treatment. I wanted inside ground transportation and a driver for the group. I'm sure Doug would help furnish drivers since they would double as escorts. Also let June know.

'Extra' transcribed from security system monitor

Alice led in the VIP to the ID room in the office by the main entry tunnel.

I had a little problem convincing the VIP that he would have to be processed and so he could be given a temporary ID.

Finally Alice walked behind the screen and stripped to and put on a paper robe. After she stepped in into the machine and the readings were recorded the computer on the other side of the room made her ID.

He went behind the screen and then into the machine. The machines reading set off an alarm on the computer. Doug checked the computer and then called the Hospital and told Suzzie to get a medical team here immediately. Doug asked the VIP to come out and have a seat.

He then processed the two security guards that accompanied the VIP.

Both of them set off a different alarm and he had them also grab a seat.

When Suzzie arrived she checked the VIP's readout and then was told by Doug to check the guards. She then checked Alice's readout.

She then demanded the room be cleared except for Doug, me, Alice and the VIP. Suzzie said to Alice, "You are his biological descendant, but those other two read like clones." She then said to the VIP, "Sir, you recently had a minor stroke within the last 8 hours. Your readout indicates an extremely high risk of another stroke, probably a major one and soon. You should be hospitalized. Another anomaly detected is your age. The readout calibration shouldn't be that far off. It indicated your age between 100 and 120 years. It usually is plus or minus 2 years. Would you please explain?

He leaned back and said, "Your ID machine is more that anything I've ever seen. Alice is the daughter of my second wife. The first died of natural causes at the age of 79 with no children. My second wife was 25 when I married her and Alice was born 2 years later. She is exceptional and turned 22 last week. Since I was 8 months younger than my first wife and remarried within a year your machine is off by nine years, I'm actually 129. As for my two body guards, yes they are clones. My specialty was medicine and I've known many great doctors and outlived most of them."

He then turned to me and said, "My guards know they are clones and are totally loyal. They both know that they will live less than 40 years. I would love to have this machine, but I think it would compromise your security. We found indications of Tim's project 10 years ago. It took about 2 years to penetrate Tim's computers enough to find indications of the Cave. THE BOARDs best still haven't penetrated your internal computer system. That's why we invited Tim to become a junior member of THE BOARD 5 years ago. Alice here was taught by the best computer wizards THE BOARD has and is quite a wizard herself. Tim has finally approved her apprenticeship here. It was your demands to THE BOARD that finally turned them and him around. I'll be meeting him here with you tomorrow. I have authorization for the exchange of massive amounts of information to Tim's project. Now I'd like to get some rest."

Suzzie insisted that he be given transportation as long as he was in the Cave, then went to the computer and made some entries on it, and made his ID. She informed him that it also acted as a simple medical monitor. Any time he was near one of the cave's security monitors it was read and compared to the owner. However if he felt any change in his health he should have someone call emergency immediately. She then released him back to us.

End of edited transcript.

'Edited' - Tuesday transcribed from conference room monitor:

The meeting started at 0930. Present were Tim R., Sissy, Doug, Albert 12408, Alice Doctor and Wilhelm Doctor, Mike, and myself.

Alice passed around a list of information topics to each of us and then a list of information data bases that would be furnished and sent with the ships to the asteroid belt.

Verbally, Mr. Doctor said, "One of THE BOARDs request is that you voluntarily furnish the design and schematics of the space craft because one of our projects is to set up a permanent moon base. Our designers and engineers have been going a different route as far spacecraft design. Mr. Cole gave us the cost of the units you have so far submitted and upon analysis and estimates for module 1 and 8 your complete spacecraft will cost less and be more adaptable.

Since our computer systems have been compromised by several governments we will only build 3 of our design. You needn't worry about Modules 1 and 8. THE BOARD will be sending 3 of our best to work for your Spacecraft Structure section. They will be answerable to Stephen, and you will control all data transmissions from them.

Your communications security personnel are requested by THE BOARD to design us a computer system that we can set up beside, but not connected to our existing system. That will be one of Alice's jobs. One thing about it, it must be so secure that not even the people we presently have working on our system can break into it. THE BOARD strongly believes that we have industrial and government spy's working among us. We can't be positive who, because some of our people have been with us since the 60's. Each member of THE BOARD has his own personal computer team, hopefully loyal to only him. They have found some of our plans and other information that could only have come from THE BOARDs main computers on the internet.

Next, I am personally requesting that your ID machine be kept off limits and hidden to everyone outside Tim's group. I've studied medicine for over 70 years and also have somewhat smaller expertise in engineering. Your machine is revolutionary and ahead of it's time. It would be to easy for a power group to corrupt its use. That includes THE BOARD and the boards under it. Before anyone else comes in I suggest that it be called a medical scanner and you add something like a picture, retinal scan, and thumbprint to your in-processing routine. I am going to inform THE BOARD that your electronic personnel security is barely adequate and it's strength is in the personnel you have working here.

Now lets look at the list that I brought."

Exchange Information that will be furnished by THE BOARD.

  * Maps of the Asteroid belt, last updated 2009.

  * Maps of the Moon, last updated 2009.

  * Space debris orbits, last updated 2008.

  * All known satellite orbits, last updated 2009.

  * Orbit of both space stations (low orbit) (last updated 2009)

  * Information on planned space station (low orbit) (Chinese, Indian, Iran conglomerate)(last updated 2009)

  * Resource list approved by board with contact points.

  * Space medicine information from all known sources, last updated 2009.

  * American space agency plans (last updated 2009).

  * Russian space agency plans (last updated 2006).

  * Chinese space agency plans (last updated 2009).

  * French space agency plans (last updated 2009).

  * Indian space agency plans (last updated 2009).

  * Japanese space agency plans (last updated 2005).

  * Israeli space agency plans (last updated 2009).

  * Radiation shielding (last updated 2009).

  * Solar projections (last updated 2010, updates weekly).

  * Any agency detected trying to infiltrate THE BOARD (updated weekly).

  * Any agency detected trying to infiltrate Tim's board (updated weekly)*.

  * UFO sightings data base (last updated 2009).

  * UFO data base of contacts (last updated 2008).

Request for any information not listed above will be considered at the next BOARD meeting.

INFORMATION DATA BASES AND EQUIPMENT THAT WILL BE FURNISHED AT LAUNCH.

  * Data base consolidated from all known medical sources.

  * Complete holistic medical data base consolidated from all sources.

  * Literary works from 200 library's (English) world wide (presently on 289 DVD's in jpeg format)

  * DVD readers suitable to be installed in computers or used with USB interfaces.

  * Estimated weight 303.8 kilograms as of 20091209.

Four 1 cubic meter titanium cases with rounded corners and edges equal 1 package. There are 5 DVD readers in each case and the 3 data bases are subdivided alphabetically among the cases. One complete index listing per case. Suggested packing location Module 3.

One package will be furnished for every spacecraft headed out.

One long range radio transmitter with directional antenna will be furnished for each Module 5. Total weight 17.3 kilograms including mounting hardware to frame J1. Will operate off .8 watt solar cell. Transmitter .6 cubic meters in its aluminum case. Antenna is fan folded to case size .3x.6666x1.9 meters. Antenna case contains 30 meters connecting cable, 10 antenna cable connector ends, 1 connector tool, 50 meters insulated 12 gauge electrical wire for connecting to power source with 2 packages of mixed electrical connectors and tools.

THE BOARD will launch 3 spacecraft containing solar powered distillation units and cracking units. This will be in addition to your planned payload and used for backup for expansion.

THE BOARD will launch 3 more spacecraft containing mining and processing equipment for metallic ores. This will be in addition to your planned payload and used as backup for expansion.

THE BOARD plans to launch 9 spacecraft containing extra food and water each with 2 married couples as crew at 6 month intervals. This will be used to augment your operation and resupply. Shortages and new needs may also be carried by these launches. Personnel will be screened for qualification by a board set up by Tim.

THE BOARD will launch 2 craft with as much computer equipment as possible and tools for a permanent settlement as soon as funds become available from profits.

The meeting was only 6 hours long. One thing we decided was that the Space Station would be joint use, but run by Frederick P. Cole. It would be expanded to include a full time crew of 20 plus scientist as room became available. A new position was added to the Station and that was Payload Master.

Planning for a micro-gravity manufacturing station to be built 100 kilometers behind main station in orbit, size and facilities to be determined by THE BOARD. This would be financed by 50% 1st return shipment.

Each additional return shipment would be used to finance expansion. 10% to station, 10% to moon, 40% to asteroid belt, 10% to Tim's group, 20% to THE BOARD, 2% to scientific research, 5% to world wide humanitarian efforts, and 3% to slush fund.

End edited transcript.

Yesterday just before quitting for the day Madeline came by and asked if anyone had thought of or was working on reducing radiation exposure using magnetic fields generated around the spacecraft or space station? Called Cole and relayed Madeline's question this morning. Had Brenda set up a managers meeting for tomorrow.

The Thursdays managers meeting didn't got smoothly after informing them about the new changes coming. Also asked them to pose Madeline's question to their staffs for consideration. All ideas were to be relayed back up-line and we would put together a panel to work on a solution.

Friday was the SOS all day long. However I did take the day off and took Sugar Plum out for a picnic lunch.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 7 Principles

Watching the Sunday Cowboys was a waste of time because they didn't play worth a damn and lost 22 to 9.

Albert stopped by this afternoon and gave me a disk with several spreadsheets on it. He said that he used a similar setup to run his journal. Every day I should just write up my entries and save them as a file. I could encrypt these day files. Then open the spreadsheet and create a hyperlink to that file.

When I asked him how he knew that I was keeping a journal he just laughed and said my computer security was lousy. I then told him that I could ask him to write me a security program, but then he would be reading my mind also.

Another week started and more sightseers from THE BOARD. A pain in the butt and disruptive. Nine ideas submitted. I task Paulette to do initial web researcher on ideas to eliminate ones already worked on or eliminated and prepare a briefing.

Paulette eliminated all but 2 ideas by Wednesday. I told her to pick a panel of 4 from different sections. Then I told her to put Karen Fryer on the panel also.

When she asked why I told her that Karen was a computer nerd and needed to get out and interact with others. Also I wanted her to broaden the her fields of knowledge. Also unless you find somebody that is really an expert in the field make the other three males under 30.

You will the head of the panel and monitor the meetings and maybe some of the work. Also keep an eye on Karen, I doubt she has much experience with men. Don't let them intimidate her and prod her to get her actively involved.

Thursdays report Cole sent to me indicated that with no overtime at the foundry's, the steel for the modules was ahead of schedule. One foundry was even rolling and shaping some of beams on site. Another had requested their main customer, that made small hardware (nuts and bolts), to move some of their equipment into a warehouse next to their foundry. They claim they can reduce the cost by 8% due to transportation cost and reuse the milled shavings directly back into the smelter. I told them that that would be great, but my quality control team would still approve all samples before acceptance.

Sissy and Alice Doctor disappeared Friday morning. No one from the transportation section knows where they went because Sissy was the pilot.

Teleconference rescheduled, no date.

Saturday started out calm until I had to call maintenance because the downstairs toilet started overflowing.

Sissy returned about 1800 and told me that I would have to make a trip Monday morning early. No reason given.

A three day meeting with THE BOARD almost drove me nuts and gave me some new problems to think about. Dr. Wilhelm Doctor died Tuesday. Wilhelm's ex-wife inherited a goodly sum. He left me a million dollars along with a request for THE BOARD to act upon. Alice inherited everything else.

I was surprised to be nominated as a junior member of THE BOARD. Who would have thought it. Now I will also have problems with the tax people.

Another BOARD meeting this weekend. Tim met me on the plane. He congratulated be then told me I had better not buck him on any of his suggestions this weekend in New York.

Finally saw a Broadway play Saturday. What a disappointment. However the actors were delightful and were very friendly. Spent almost an hour backstage after the play and then Tim, Fred, and I went to their party.

Sunday afternoon we had a brief meeting to vote on Tim's proposals. I supported Tim on 3 of his 4. He didn't seem to unhappy. After all junior members only have a ½ vote.

Arrived back about noon Monday. I think I am coming down with a cold from NY, or it could be jet lag.

Paulette's team eliminated idea 2 because no sufficient power source existed short of a large nuclear reactor. Idea 5 was determined to impractical at this time because of EMP. The EMP would destroy all electronics and most all electrical systems if the system had an abrupt failure.

I asked her to return an idea to the panel. Could idea 5 be adopted to a space suit or small work suit and how much power would me needed. The small work suit under preliminary design was going to be a hard-shell suit with articulating arms something like the ones they put on recovery submarines.

Suzzie dropped in Tuesday and informed me that Artemis finally accepted and said yes to Lee. They didn't want his father to know until they announced it at the Friday night party in the Cafeteria.

Mike called me and told me he needed to slap down June, because she was getting to independent. She set up a party Friday night without authorization from anyone.

I told him to come over and bring Doug. I swore them both to secrecy and then told them about the engagement. Doug claimed that Artemis had requested Friday and Saturday off, but he was going to fix that. I'll fix it so when she gets to the party 30 minutes late she'll be in full riot gear and armed to the teeth.

Mike commented that that should help fix June's wagon.

I've definitely got a cold. Saw Suzzie for medication Wednesday and had Sugar Plum get me extra OJ and Echinacea.

Report to Cole, nothing new. He said he had a cold also Thursday. I asked him to call all the other Board members and find out if any of them were sick.

I then called Suzzie and told her I was coming over and needed a 100% physical, especially with the speed my cold developed. I told her I wanted to insure it was just a run of the mill cold and not something more serious. I remembered the H1N1 flu scare.

A young man I didn't recognized met me outside wearing a mask and gloves. He gave me a mask and gloves to put on before he opened the door and escorted me it. The exam room was a level 3 isolation room. Suzzie said that if I was worried about a simple cold she was going to treat me like a plague carrier and I couldn't leave until cleared. After looking at the 1st blood sample under the electron microscope she called Doug and told him the cave was under quarantine. Anyone having contact with me outside was to be immediately recalled.

I called Nancy and told her to inform the girls and Sissy that they were to quarantine themselves until further notice. Then called Sugar Plum and told her to come over.

I informed Mike that Suzzie considered me patient zero and confirmed her medical quarantine actions.

Suzzie came in and told me that a very nasty strain of flu was circulating in New York brought in from Thailand by a group of performers. By Friday the CDC was working on protocols.

When I called Cole and informed him I was in isolation and what Suzzie had told me.

He informed me that almost all THE BOARD members were sick. He would call each and inform their doctors.

Party canceled! However Lee did tell his father. Their wedding is still planned for next month.

Released from isolation Saturday, over ½ the Cave is sick. NYC 59 deaths from flu in the news. Cole arrived on a stretcher and was immediately checked into our Hospital. He looked like he was 3 days dead. His nurse and pilot were also sick.

Sunday morning news says 102 new deaths from flu in NY alone. Received call informing me that 1 Board member died. Teleconference scheduled for Monday morning 11 AM pacific time.

By Monday the news claimed this flu is the new pandemic. 307 deaths in NYC and all traffic in or out has been stopped except for food and medical supplies going in. FEMA & CDC are having fits because cases are now popping up from Boston to SF. Also confirmed cases in Europe.

Only one member of BOARD and I are not now hospitalized. And he's not in the best shape. Plan B is to be implemented.

When I asked I was told I didn't need to worry about it because it was for succession of senior board members.

I told them all that if they wanted to they could come here. Tim blew his top. He didn't want his project jeopardized by bring disease into the cave.

Then I informed his that ¾ of the cave personnel were already sick and we had lost 1 baby and 1 very young child.

I was recovering and if he wanted to, we would arrange for his transfer from that hospital to our hospital. His only question was how is Sissy.

She stuck her head in front of the camera and told him she was just fine, she'd be down in the morning because she had to pick up supplies for Dr. Venu. He then told her where he was in Houston.

Flu seems to have run its course in the cave.

No one worked yesterday except emergency personnel.

Some people recovering faster than me.

Thursday almost ½ the workforce reported back to work.

Dr. Venus mixture seems more effective than antibiotics.

Formula relayed to all Board members doctors if they want to try it on the members.

Cole was up and walking around Friday, but still very weak. He called all Board members from conference room and told them about Dr. Venu's mixture. Told them he arrived by stretcher Tuesday and was still weak but mending today.

Alice Doctor arrived by jeep today. She said she was over her grief and ready to get back to work. She had been out in the desert since the funeral and didn't know about the flu. I sent her to see Suzzie at the hospital.

Saturday I decided to get some sunlight by taking Sugar Plum outside for another picnic.

Almost everyone in cave was back on their feet by Sunday, however we did have four fatalities.

Suzzie reported Alice down with flue Monday.

Dr. Venu suggested that we introduce diseases like the common cold back into the Cave every 6 months the keep our immune systems active.

Told Suzzie to have Dr. Venu write up a report and submit it. Also should this be considered for the project to the asteroids, moon, & station?

Alice brought Karen by office Tuesday to show off her engagement ring. Karen also wanted to know what paperwork had to be submitted for her and her fiance to be considered for project crew. She said they were planning an engagement party at the Cafeteria for Friday night.

Went by hospital and told Dr. Venu and Suzzie about the engagement party planned for Friday night. Then I reminded them about the engagement party 2 weeks ago.

We all had a good laugh and they said they were stocked up on medications.

Got Dr. Venu's report Wednesday and asked Alice who would be the best expert to submit this to.

She then told me that she replaced her father as a full board member. I should bring the report to THE BOARD meeting this weekend at the ranch.

First thing Thursday morning I got a request from Karen and Arnold J. Stone. After running his name through computer I called James Melbourne over in structure and asked him to come over.

His evaluation of Arnold was that he was sharp as a tack and a very quick learner.

I called Frederick the Station chief and asked him if he would release Arnold if he was approved for crew to the asteroids.

He said he didn't want to and I would owe him if he lost the boy. Then I called Tim and asked about the crew and if there was a board. He said the crew board consisted of Sissy, Doug, Frederick, Suzzie, and now me since I was in charge of the cave. However Sissy would still be the chairman. There hadn't been a crew board since the last manager went nuts last year.

Sent message to Sissy that we needed a crew board meeting. Time was getting short and they would need additional training. Got my reply back 10 minutes later and she approved meeting on day 73.

I had Nancy call all members and inform them of date and time of Crew board.

Called Lee and asked him to come to office. Told him if he and his intended wanted to be considered for Crew he needed to submit a request today.

I asked Nancy if there were any files on the Crew board. I needed them.

All Day spent in Crew and Station personnel boards Friday. Personnel considered for the belt were briefed to final Decision Points. Final approval of eight couples.

Listened to a TV preacher this morning. He has a powerful sermon. I would say that it was "The Prayer" for all needs. Collations 1: 9-14.

Made me think about whether we are doing the right thing or not with setting up a new society. What our core principles should be? How our government should be set up? How we should treat religion?

Monday morning I sat in my office for over an hour thinking about the questions that yesterdays the Sermon raised. I made a decision to have a board to address those 3 main questions. I called Brenda into my office and directed her to set a random name selection program to select 4 members of the project and give me the names in 15 minutes. I then prayed that God would affect the computer and cause the right people to be selected. She came in with 4 names. One really surprised me. They were; June Allison, Bill Hernandez, Ann Munoz, and Katherine Amuso. I then had Brenda notify them that I wanted them in the conference room at 0830 Tuesday morning & I isolated myself in my office to set up guidelines for them to consider.

Principles board

  1. The project personnel going to the Asteroid Belt need the following guidelines: A written document outlining the form of government that they should have.

a. Guidelines on how to treat religion.

b. How the family should be set up.

c. How the community should be set up.

  2. How these documents should affect affect their organization.

a. If they would abide by these documents and teach their children these principles?

b. What their priorities should be!

Tuesday in my office I called the small meeting to order and sent Brenda out of the room.

I gave each of the members selected a handwritten sheet with Principles board written on top and my 4 guidelines written out.

After letting them read the page I asked each of them to hand them back in.

I then told them to think about the importance of what the Principles board would decide. Then I told them to consult with no one and tell no one what the Principles board would do. I dismissed them and told them that anytime tomorrow I wanted them to come to my office to accept or decline the privilege of serving on the Principles board.

All 4 came by the office by 3PM Wednesday and asked when they were to make their report. I told them to work on it separately on their own time for a week. Research on the net was OK. The deadline was two weeks. Also nothing was to be put on any computers in making their list.

Then call me and I would arrange for them to have a work room where they could get together and iron out any differences and consolidate any new ideas. The report was under the tightest security & I would furnish a laptop for their final report. None of them had any other questions and left.

Got a call Tuesday informing me of a Board meeting at the ranch at the end of the month which is day 95.

I attended the first Principles board meeting Wednesday for about an hour.

I've been so busy this last week that I've decided to only make entries in the future when something I think is important happens or when I need to remember something.

Another week shot. Got the report from Principles board at 1530 hours. It was only 2 pages long and had a list of references and attachments that took up another page. I thanked them all and told them that they would see the results of their report after I looked it over.

Sent copy with my suggestions back for them to consider the next day. The wedding was late in the afternoon. Artemis looked like a star struck school girl, not the tough security guard she was. Mr and Mrs. Lee Merryweather left for their honeymoon.

They all agreed my suggestions were good Friday, but only incorporated one of them in the final report. As I listened to their reasoning I noticed that they were observing me intently. I surmised that they wanted to see how I reacted and exactly and if they were actually autonomous. I pondered my thoughts for a minute and then asked them to follow me to the office. I there made 5 copies and sealed each in an envelope. I handed Ann Munoz two envelopes and the others one. I then instructed Ann to call Transportation and arrange for the report to be hand carried to Tim R. for his eyes only. If she wanted to I would authorize hand delivery by her.

They walked to the corner of my office and whispered there for a few minutes. When they returned Ann handed me both her envelopes and said that she trusted me to see that it was handled correctly.

I thanked them for their trust and handed her back one envelope.

She refused it saying that she had nowhere really secure to keep it. She believed that if it got into the wrong hands it would do great harm to the project. She had already removed the hard drive from the computer I gave then to use and Katherine had beat it with a hammer until it was in many pieces. She then reached into her pocket and gave me several parts to dispose of.

After they left I had 4 envelops plus my original. One of them kept a copy. I only hoped that it was kept secure.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 8 Self defense

THE BOARD meeting started at 8 AM Saturday. Mr. Vanwinkle died of the flu did not leave any heirs, however he left a law firm to run his personal fortune. The government already sucked 2 billion of his fortune up in inheritance taxes. The law firm has requested that the heir they were given be admitted to the foundation that he was a member of.

The problem was that Mrs. June Allison was that person and this would put Tim's employees in a position to just about control THE BOARD when votes came up especially with Miss. Doctor working under our influence. The remaining original members of THE BOARD felt to much influence was going away from the original moon project. After the full members of THE BOARD got done I asked and received permission to speak.

I told them that I supported the moon project as well as the asteroid belt project because they were both needed. The reason was that we had to get genetically diverse groups off the planet and make them self-supporting before more pollution and politics wrecked the human race. Also the moon project would divert some attention from the asteroid community and allow them more time to build themselves a self-sustaining community. In my opinion the moon community had to give the appearance of being dependent on the earth for survival. By some it would be considered a military threat to earth unless it gave the appearance that it could not sustain itself without support. The asteroid belt community can build enough redundancy into its structure, so that should the need arise the moon people can evacuate to the belt or we could supply them in case of an embargo. We will need them also. I was asked to take a break while this was considered and voted upon.

When I returned I was informed that I now was a ¾ vote member because I had no fortune to contribute but supported THE BOARD aims.

June was to be brought in as a ½ member for three months until she was familiar with all THE BOARD's ideals and then would be promoted to a full member.

I then pulled out the one copy of Briefing for project A crews, the Briefing for Men and Women, and the final Principles board report. I told them that I only brought 1 copy of each because I wanted them to know about them, but I didn't want anyone outside THE BOARD or the crew to know the contents.

Tim asked my why I hadn't consulted with him? I informed him that the report was finished Friday and turned in to me.

The discussion after they were read the Briefings was very heated. Mr Wong was the only one that did not accept the fact that we were going to use the US Constitution as a pattern for our government.

I asked him what other form of government could we use that would give a good framework for the spread out community we would have? The government would have to rule by consent.

He finally agreed, but stated that the moon colony would not have that type of government.

I agreed with him which surprised Tim and Alice. I then explained that no matter what kind of government was established for any community we set up, sooner or later the members of that community would have to decide if they wanted to live by it.

Finally I brought up Dr. Venu's concern and report for medical consideration.

Sunday morning we started at 9 AM and June was brought in. After being introduced around she came over an sat by me.

I turned to her and said, "June you now have more problems and decisions than just money!"

Her answer was, "Mr Johnston the main lawyer just said I was now a member of a beneficial foundation that had world wide projects. And he would have two questions for me after the first meeting to see if I had really been informed of the foundations goals and given my full voting powers before any of the money was released."

I then turned to Mr. Wong and asked him to start informing Mrs. Allison of THE BOARDs goals.

After 2 hours of listening she got up and grabbed Alice by the arm and told her to lead her to the lady's room. When they got back she sat down, put both elbows on the table and said, Where do I sign, however I want to be on one of the ships to the moon within three months and then I will want to visit the asteroid belt occasionally.

Mr. Jamison then informed her that the whole board would be moving to the moon with all their immediate family one year after the colony was set up and they would be bringing any of the workers family's that wanted to move.

She looked at him and stated, "After a year working their butts off, the people you send to the moon may not allow you to come in and take over because you didn't share in any of the hardships in building the colony as you call it. Look at the history of colonies established on earth. Accidents happen to rulers that try to take over, and it wouldn't be just an injury, there is a vacuum out there. Leadership and control needs to be established early and kept in place. Your choice."

June returned walked Tuesday in and sat down in front of my desk without any invitation. When I looked up and asked her if she still worked in the cave she answered yes. Then I told her that her position on THE BOARD didn't cut any ice here and she should still knock before entering anyone's office.

After calling me a SOB and a few other choice terms she got up, walked over to the door and knocked.

I laughed and told her to have a seat on the couch. I then got up and went over and sat beside her.

She just wanted to talk and find out what I thought of THE BOARD and its goals.

After telling her my opinion I also told her that she should have the same goals as THE BOARD, but not let them shortchange Tim's asteroid project. She and I would not always be in complete agreement at board meetings, but that wouldn't upset me to much because I knew she had to think for herself, and on top of that she would know more than the old farts that didn't get involved except to say where their money was spent.

She then informed me that there was to be a private dinner in the Cafeteria that evening, to bring my wife.

Tim, his daughter and her husband, Alice Doctor, and my wife and I attended. The food was good and conversation after lively.

June sent me a memo Tuesday stating that Jill was now in charge of the Cafeteria. June would be her adviser when needed. I looked at the header and realized that it's origin was San Francisco. I called the Cafeteria and asked the girl that answered the phone to inform the supervisor that I needed to see her in my office within the hour.

Jill knocked on the door 15 minutes later and I invited her to have a seat.

I told her I got June's memo and congratulated her. I then told her if she had any problems that her chain of command couldn't or wouldn't solve to come to me and I'd find some kind of solution.

Arnold J Stone and our little hacker Karen Fryer got married this morning. Frederick Cole sent a message that they would have a honeymoon suite and three days free time as soon as the station was up and operational.

Every thing seems to be coming together, and Mondays memo from John at the Launch site at Montserrat that the first 2 ships were assembled and just waiting fuel helped with the feeling. A desalination plant had been set up for fresh water and fuel.

Also the crew at the Cape had finished assembling the third ship. As soon as station crews were trained and supplies loaded the station construction could start.

Memo from Frederick P. Cole, Station Chief, Training station assembly crews was to start in less than two months, station specialist would receive orders to report for training in 2 weeks.

I sent a memo to Sissy with the question, How come I haven's seen anything on training for the projects crews. Also we needed another Crew board and volunteers.

Sissy referred me to June about volunteers and training. I gave a memo to Nancy to send to June. I hadn't seen her in a week and had no idea where she was.

I got a Memo from June the next day informing me that I was invited to a meeting in Atlanta next Monday.

Thursday they had a grease fire in Cafeteria kitchen, minor damage. The cafeteria should be back in full operation next week.

June had me picked up at Atlanta airport and taken to hotel. That afternoon a tux was delivered and the note said to be ready at 7PM. I was delivered to the opera and given a box seat ticket. June was there and as the opera gave us background noise so she told me she had 3 couples that she thought would be suitable for crew.

They were married and three of them were children of marines she had known.

When I told her I would consider them I asked her how many couples she had. She told me 12. I told her I would like 3 more couples because some of them were bound to not be accepted.

She told me that I could have 1 more, the rest were going to the moon with her. After the opera she took me to a party.

During the party I found myself cornered by one couple after another until I had talked to 4 couples.

Then June told me my ride was ready to take me back to the airport. The driver drove straight up to a corporate jet and the chauffeur handed my luggage to the crew. He then handed me a briefcase and said that Mrs. June would pick it up next week when she and some friends would visit me.

The 3 hour flight was long enough to read the files inside and match up the pictures with the couples I had talked to at the party.

When I got to the office at noon Tuesday I found 2 memo's waiting me. Still felt washed out due to long day yesterday. June would be in Friday night with all 4 couples and Sissy could be in by Friday for the weekend.

I then scheduled physicals for the 4 couples Saturday morning and the Crew board for Saturday afternoon.

All passed their physicals. All reported to conference room at 1300 hours and board started. Board approved of all 4 couples for the phase 1 in less than 3 hours.

I then read the Principles report to them and asked them for a decision. After they all promised to go by the principles Miguel asked if he could make a statement.

He said that June had told them there were only 3 slots open, and they all agreed that 3 would go, but the 4th couple wanted to be on the next ship out even if they had to wait 6 months. They all agreed and said so firmly.

I had already talked to all the board members and then I looked at Jack and said, "A traditional selection board would wash you out due to your injury." What do you think?

Everyone bristled and looked like they wanted to rip me from limb to limb.

Jack said "Yup, and if I plant my artificial leg up somebody's ass at least I can still hop around and kick in their teeth."

Sissy and I looked at each other and said in unison, He passes!

I then told Doug to take the guys to the other room and read them phase 2. Suzzie would read the gals phase 2 here.

Frederick, Sissy, & I headed to the Cafeteria. We'd be back in 30 minutes. As we sat down after getting some coffee and apple fritters June walked over with her coffee and said as she sat down, "Who did you eliminate?"

Frederick answered her by saying, "It's up to them who takes the later flight."

She then informed us that we owed her one moon crew.

We laughed and told her as soon as the public found out what we were doing there would be no shortage of volunteers.

Frederick then informed me that he needed to enlarge the Station crew. I moaned and June asked why.

He simply said that any approved crew would have their ass worked off so they would be very docile and sleep a lot on their trip out so he needed to add 4 additional slots. He also thought that the moon board might want also want additional slots to train their personnel.

When we got back to the board room there was a deck of cards on the table.

Doug told us that Suzzie would shuffle the cards and with our approval low card couple had to wait 6 months.

Sissy and I agreed that that would be a fair way to choose.

Frederick just told them whoever took the later cruise was his for 6 months to abuse up in the Space station. Could they handle the fact that he was a slave driver and if they didn't have the guts to pass his training he'd dump them on the moon. The losers should have it easy on the moon.

They agreed and Suzzie spread the cards on the table.

Each wife stepped up and drew a card and handed it to her husband. After they compared cards Allen and Wanda bowed to Frederick and he said you only have us for 6 months before we go to the Asteroid belt.

Frederick laughed and told us, "I like those kids, I think they'll make it. No one is to be informed of your new status, put your effects in order, and be prepared to leave the earth forever in about 6 months. Training and cross training will start next month. You can report sooner if you have everything wrapped up.

Monday morning I was notified of BOARD meeting in Houston on Friday.

Friday we met at a private club. There was a young couple there that was not part of THE BOARD. THE BOARD members informed me that this couple would be on one of the ships to the belt.

Tim didn't look happy about the ultimatum from the other members of THE BOARD.

When I asked them to come over to another table to talk to me they looked at Mr. Jamison and he told them to go. I sat down and asked them their qualifications and why I should allow them to bump another qualified and approved couple.

She was related to Mr. Jamison and had some training as a biologist. Her husband had some training in astronomy. They both had some training in heavy equipment and nuclear theory. Mr. Jamison's brother had originally made plans for them to be on the moon colony, but then the death threats had started again. The moon was no longer safe for them.

June brought over a file and it was on them. She said she had a friend compile it after Mr. Jamison had told her she had to get me to send them to the belt. I quickly looked over the summary and then said, "You didn't mention that several governments want you for security reasons."

She looked at me and asked, "How did she find out, everyone else that tried to trace my past 3 years got killed including a friend in the FBI that helped me escape through Japan."

I waved Mr. Jamison over and told him we didn't need any nuclear missiles following our ships to the belt.

He said he'd even throw a couple of extra ships in if it would help. Anything for his niece.

I looked at them and told them that it was a one way trip. They would be expected to work for the rest of their natural lives with no vacation ever. She would be expected to have at least 10 children. They would have to accept the rules of the community because breaking the rules of a survival community usually means death and it would be their choice.

They said they understood they would have to work to live and they wanted to live.

I also told them that they would have to qualify as crew. I then turned to Mr. Jamison and told him that their deaths had to be arranged so convincingly that no government will continue looking for them. I will not bump any of the crews from the first 3 ships, but if they were convincingly dead, trained, and qualified then they could go on the first resupply ship as stowaways. That means you have less than a year.

I then called June over and informed her that I needed a second couple for the first resupply ship. The Ransome couple and the other couple would be given a little publicity prior to their launch. I explained to them that the resupply ships only had a crew of 2 couples and would be supplied for 2 couples.

Extra air, food, water, and other supplies for the belt community will to be launched every 6 months. That means that their air, food, and water would be in cargo, not loaded in the habitat module.

Turning back to them, that means that you will have to sneak aboard the cargo module and ride there until past the orbit of the moon. You will have to survive in a space suit for at least a week. If you cause a failure of the voyage you'll die. You will be responsible completely for your own survival. Do you understand and agree to the terms. After all you will already be dead to the world.

They agreed that this way they at least had a chance to survive.

Mr. Jamison, you'll arrange for a secure place to train 2 corpses. THE BOARD will arrange for your supplies and transportation to the station. From there you are on your own until past the moons orbit. Good luck!

Arrived back at the Cave Saturday and was happy to be home.

Called Suzzie to meet me Monday. Outlined my idea of teaching Jujitsu to everyone as a form of self exercise and self defense.

She gave me an odd look and said she'd check into it.

Also we needed to see if anyone knew much about ballet. A zero gravity ballet would also be entertainment for the crews.

Suzzie's Wednesday memo back stated Jujitsu would be a suitable form of exercise, but not the best for 0 G. We even had a Jujitsu trained worker in the Cave.

I sent back that I wanted to see her and the trainer in the morning.

The worker trained in Jujitsu was Doug Reynolds, my Security chief.

I looked at them and then started asking him about Jujitsu. Then I told him to start setting up classes for the approved crew and all would be required to attend. Then I popped the bombshell. I told them that I had the feeling that our 3 ships wouldn't be to only ones out there and I wanted our people trained in self defense. Hand weapons like guns presented to much danger to everyone. I wanted the women all trained in Kaiken, Tanto, or Hanbo. The men should also be trained with the Kodachi. All should be fairly proficient with the unarmed moves. Set up the program as a 0 G exercise program.

Friday June stopped by en-route to CA. Since she now had more resources than I had, so I asked her if she thought Tim's project would proceed without interference and attempts to control it by THE BOARD.

She told me that the original BOARD was still hiding a few things from her. After lunch she said she'd keep in touch and left.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 9 Legal fun and games

The next week passed without major problems, it's hard to believe.

Montserrat operational with 4 rockets loaded. Fuel is being manufactured on site and put in storage tanks. Everything is ahead of Station launch schedule.

By Friday if it weren't for minor easily solved glitches I'd think I was on vacation.

Sugar Plum has lost 9 pounds since she started Jujitsu.

The mining lasers were delivered to Montserrat Tuesday and loaded. John also informed me that 3 each extra module 1's, 2's and 4's were also delivered.

I sent a request to commo section for a BOARD meeting.

John called me Thursday and informed me that an unscheduled delivery of module 3's and 6's arrived. He didn't have the storage facilities or the launch pads to assemble them. Also he hadn't received any instructions on how to assemble them.

John called me the next Wednesday and was really upset. THE BOARD had sent him instructions to assemble two spacecraft of modules 1, 2, 2a, 6, and 4. Two more units of 1, 3, 2a, 7, & 4. He didn't have any 2a's or 7's.

The called a BOARD meeting at the ranch on Tuesday, my day 210. They informed me that THE BOARD had a 6 member crew that was going to launch with our 3 ships.

I insisted that their crews be checked for any medical problems and anyone with genetic diseases in their family be eliminated. The reason is that we need the belt community to be as healthy and genetically diverse as possible. I also insisted that their ship captain meet with ours because the expedition commander was ours. We would modify the entry survey plan and their crews needed to get with ours for uniform training.

They then added that their crew consisted of 5 men and 1 woman and the 1st resupply ship of theirs would be 5 women and 1 man.

I pointed out the fact that we didn't have enough modules to build mining ships in the belt for that personnel configuration and insisted that they reconsider and send them as couples. My main argument was that men will be more motivated to work harder if they are securing a safe living space for their wives.

After some discussion they agreed.

The schedule for launching the station would be moved up to day 280. Their moon colony ships would also launch same day our belt ships would launch.

I gave a strong objection that launching that many ships at one time could cause control problems. They should launch several hours earlier or later. Any evasive maneuvers that any ship had to make used fuel that they would need later and reduced their safety margin.

June called me later and informed me that they were some of her boys and girls.

John called me and informed me Thursday that NASA demanded a 100% physical inspection of all cargo loaded on the ships at the cape.

When he assured me that no contraband or weapons was loaded so I told him to give them a copy of all cargo inventories, but also inform them that if we had to unload and reload the cargo modules we would charge the labor and any damages to them since this was a new requirement. We had no objections to cargo inspections and supervision prior to loading. A contract amendment would be sent to the cape.

I also relayed this info to THE BOARD.

I then called Tim and informed him and asked him to get his lawyers to get on the amendment and forward it to the cape with serious delay penalties if they delayed any scheduled launch due to inspections.

First thing Monday morning I received a call from someone that claimed to be the NASA chief administrator. He immediately started raising hell about the wording in the contract amendments.

When he stopped I informed him that we were a private firm and didn't have unlimited funds like the government. We had a launch schedule that enabled us to save cost in fuel, air, and other supplies. As with any private firm contract there were penalty clauses when the initial contract conditions were modified.

He threatened to stop all our launches.

I then informed him that we could get another launch site if he did that.

He then threatened to revoke all the support contracts.

I got blunt then and told him that no more funds would be headed his way and our lawyers would sue. We would then have to use other support facilities and might even save some money. Then I hung up and called Tim.

I played the recording of the conversation to him and suggested that his lawyers file a suit in the courts in the morning.

I then called THE BOARDs commo center, played the recording and suggested they do the same and we set up a meeting within 2 days.

I got a call Tuesday that there would be a Board teleconference in 20 minutes. I got to the office and called for Sissy to meet me in my office. We were set up in 15 minutes in the conference room. Tim and I were talking as the rest of THE BOARD members came online.

Cole interjected that we would loose ships 1, 3 and 4 if they confiscated them. We would also loose parts of 3 other ships that were on-site waiting to be built and loaded.

I then asked if anyone had an itemized list of the cost of equipment and ships at the Cape. I suggested that this should also be added to the suit against NASA before they confiscated anything. That might give them the idea that we could abandon that equipment if paid for it and then continue with our launch schedule.

That raised a firestorm of discussion so Sissy and I leaned back and I called for refreshments from the cafeteria.

When a consensus was reached that the senior board members would apply political pressure in addition to several new lawsuits against NASA.

I then asked if anyone had researched international law about space stations and spacecraft and what it said and what safeguards it gave to private companies. We might need to petition for those safeguards and more.

Again discussion erupted and I added we need not only to safeguard the belt project but the moon project. Also our paranoia for security needed to go from 100% to 200%.

By Friday we heard back from THE BOARD that sixteen separate companies suing NASA for damages because their contracts were being terminated, modified, or delayed.

Tim said he'd have 7 more separate companies preparing suits. All the companies were advised to have their management call their government representatives and complain.

Then June stated that she had arranged for a leak out of NASA to let the media know that private companies were getting screwed by NASA leadership.

Several of the larger companies also announced news conferences within the next week.

Got a call Wednesday from another guy claiming he was the new administrator of NASA requesting a face to face meeting.

I told him I would be free Friday afternoon and I would be in Houston.

He agreed.

I then called Tim and THE BOARD and informed them that I needed a couple of smart lawyers with all the information they needed about the restrictions NASA had put on us and what we had done. Then a few of the lawyers from the larger companies that brought suits when their contracts were canceled.

Could they rent a nice large conference room in Houston for Friday afternoon and then let the new NASA administrator know the location and people attending? Also let this meeting leak to 2 of the larger media companies and the fact that they needed to be very discreet so as not to scare off NASA.

When I arrived in Houston Friday there was a large rectangular table with my name tag at one end and NASA at the other. There were about 15 tables behind each end. I told the hotel staff that I wanted a 3 foot round or square table and the two chairs. Arrange the seats so the lawyers and support staff tables are behind us when we sit down.

When Mr. Smith arrived from NASA I asked him if he was the new administrator.

He said that Mr. Albertson would be in in about 45 minutes, he was just the lead guy and he didn't like the way everything was set up.

I explained to him that Mr. Albertson would sit at the main table across from me. Any support staff he desired to bring would sit behind him at the other tables so they would be at his beck and call to answer questions or legal points that Mr. Albertson wasn't up to speed on. I admitted that I knew he probably wasn't up to speed on everything because he just took over and he could bring up to 15 support experts.

Mr. Smith asked why I had only 10 tables behind me. I explained that I had a couple of data guys and lawyers attending as my support staff. I then told him that I was going to eat lunch and the NASA administrator could join me if he wanted to. The meeting was scheduled to start in 1 hour and I intended to relax before starting.

I was half way through my steak when a gray haired man approached and introduced himself as Mr. Albertson. I invited him to sit and order something if he wanted to.

He ordered a salad. We chatted about the weather and other unrelated subjects between mouthfuls and he finished before I did.

I ordered 2 coffees and we sipped them until the waiter approached and told me the conference room was waiting for me. I thanked him and told him to put both our lunches on the conference room bill.

When we got into the conference room there were 2 chairs on the NASA side of the table.

I sat down and leaned back in the executive chair behind my name tag and looked at the 2 men across the table from me. I then informed them that the main conversation was between Mr. Albertson and myself. All supporting staff was to sit at the tables behind each of us and be at our beck and call for any questions or papers we needed.

After about 2 minutes of hushed discussion between them the guy that had introduced himself as Mr. Albertson got up and apologized to me for the deception and introduced the real Mr. Albertson.

I smiled and then indicated that since this was a high level management meeting everything was being recorded and they would have a copy of the recording as soon as the meeting was over. I turned and said to my 1st lawyer to hand me a copy of the original contract with amendments. As soon as he handed it to me I said we made this contract with NASA in good faith. Why are you blocking us and trying to make our project fail?

He started to explain that he didn't make the contract and so it didn't apply to him.

I opened it to the notarized signature page and pointed out that neither I nor the previous NASA administrator had personally signed the contract. It was signed by the appointed representatives of the agency and corporation so that argument didn't hold water. I could tell that he was used to getting his way because he looked at me like I just stole all his Christmas presents. So I leaned back and said I've got time, ask your lawyer, if you don't have one here the phones are in that corner of the room for privacy. I'll wait.

He had 3 lawyers he was arguing with. Finally he turned back around and said that he admitted the legality of the contract and that it applied to him also.

I then waived another lawyer up from behind me and asked him if he had copies of all the contracts that had to be changed or canceled due to the fact that NASA wasn't fulfilling their end of the contract.

He waived to a young man to bring up a large box of papers.

I asked him if the loss to our company was included.

He indicated that it was on top and the losses to the companies we had contracted with was on the second and third page. In fact several of their lawyers were here and wanted to talk to the NASA administrator and his lawyers.

I pulled the top page and placed it in front of Mr. Albertson. The highlighted figure at the bottom was 7 figures before the period. I then pulled pages 2 and 3 and looked them over. I then turned them around and placed them in front of him and said, I'm going to the rest room while you look these over. When I returned he still had a group around him so I walked over to the refreshments and got a glass of sweet tea. As I sat down he looked across the table and stated that these figures were padded. I calmly assured him that they weren't padded and if he needed I could furnish him with supporting documentation for every part of that billion and a half dollars we had invested in the project in the US. The figures on page 2 and 3 were furnished by the companies we had smaller contracts with and I was fairly certain that they were accurate.

He pointed down to one line labeled AZ Transport.

I looked through the box of contracts and found theirs. I started reading it and Ship schematic specific by section (appendix V.-__) and found that we were paying 25% for their purchase of new equipment to haul our modules. I pulled sheet 1 back over and looked to see if there was a reference to them. There was on the back. I then turned around and asked if there was a representative from AZ Transport here.

An elderly guy with a cane started toward our table. As he got nearer I got up and told him to have my seat for a minute.

I then asked him to explain to Mr. Albertson and his lawyers on the other side of the table every line of the expenses listed.

He stated that he was not here for that. He was the owner of AZ.

I then told him that if he couldn't justify his expenses we would have to mark them off the list and it would probably hurt is chances at recovering any damages.

Using words that a trucker blush use he indicated that he sure didn't like that so he grabbed the contract and pointed out that we had put 25% down to purchase specialized equipment and they had financed the rest through several banks. He also pointed out that even though his company was interstate and had over 200 employees he had to hire and train another 50 to meet the contract not to mention retraining old employees to meet tougher OSHA and DOT requirements. Then he pulled out a copy of the suit that his company filed against NASA and us and started going down it paragraph by paragraph.

After 3 pages Mr. Albertson interrupted him and told him that he believed his figures.

He glared at me and got up and headed back to his table leaving his copy of his lawsuit in front of my chair.

Mr. Albertson then stood up and said he accepted the figures on the 3 pages. He would like a follow up meeting next Wednesday.

I heard several chairs scraping the floor behind me and several voices objecting that they hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him. I turned around and said, "Guys, at the next meeting only lawyers and myself will meet with Mr. Anderson and NASA lawyers. I know you owners want a chance to talk to him, so get your lawyers prepped. Monday morning I am going to have my lawyer in district court to put in an injunction to stop NASA from preventing the launches and if any of you want to join this see my lawyer this weekend. I gently pulled my 3 pages from Mr. Albertson hand and placed them back on my box of contracts.

I then called the meeting to a close and told Mr. Anderson to remain seated while the recordings were finalized so he would have his copy. Anyone else that wanted a copy could see my lawyer after the meeting.

After a few minutes a young man from the corner of the room came to the table and handed each of us nine DVDs in a notebook holder page.

I thanked him and told him to give his business card to my lawyer for payment and orders of the meeting disk.

He handed Mr. Albertson a card, me a card and laid a stack of business cards on my lawyers table and the table behind Mr. Albertson. He then announced that the nine DVD sets would be $100 and could be had here or ordered, and then he went back over to his corner. I saw several people crowding around his setup that weren't from behind me.

I had no sooner arrived back at the Cave when I got a call from a Mr. Smith demanding a reason why I leaked the meeting.

I denied it an told him to call my lawyer to get a copy of the contract for recording the meeting. Also he would find that all the business cards were numbered and only those persons in the room at the end of the meeting were allowed to order or purchase a copy of the meeting. He could also check with the hotel security and verify that no one was allowed to enter after the meeting started and I'm sure that they had a security camera in the hall that showed everyone entering.

After all I wasn't told to restrict anyone from the meeting. The contract has already been let for Wednesdays meeting and they could arrange for their own recording of Wednesdays meeting if they desired to.

Monday morning Tim's lawyer sat in court for 3 hours to start the injunction. Finally the judge had time and reviewed the paperwork. Since NASA didn't have a lawyer present he rescheduled it for next Tuesday. Tim's lawyer requested and received a subpoena on NASA.

Received memo's from 3 of THE BOARD members saying well done, but did I have to leak the whole meeting including faces and names to the media.

I explained in my reply's that no one was allowed into the meeting after it started and only people with a numbered business card passed out by the recorder could purchase or order copies.

The lawyer they furnished arranged their copies and as I left there was still a few cards on the table behind the NASA representative and I received my follow up disk this morning.

Each copy had a card number embedded in the disk and I was sure that I could prove where the authorization cards came from, and they weren't from my lawyers table.

My office got a call Tuesday afternoon stating that Wednesday meeting was canceled.

I called THE BOARD commo center and informed them. I also asked them to have the lawyer verify this and let me know and the others that wanted to attend.

At 0900 Wednesday I got a call informing me that the conference room had been rented by NASA as soon as we canceled. Meeting times were listed on the rental were 1:30 PM to 10 PM.

I told them to let everyone know that and be there no later than 12:20 PM including our recording specialist. I was then informed that he was already setup under a security contract with the hotel.

I bought lunch for all and we watched from the dining room as the NASA group file in. Then 1 guy was escorted out touting the fact that the press had a right to attend.

Then my group walked from the restaurant to the door at exactly 1325 hours.

The guard refused us admittance.

I then informed him that we would wait here under the security camera while he informed Mr. Albertson that Mr. Brandon and lawyers were being denied entrance to a meeting we had been invited to. As he walked through the door my phone rang.

I put it on speaker and stepped over by the reporter and his camera man.

From the speaker all of us could hear Mr. Albertson saying, "You set up this meeting for today, where are you? If you can't even make it to a meeting you arranged NASA has a perfectly legal right to cancel your contracts." Finally we heard the security guard in the background saying over the phone, he's outside and I didn't let him or anyone except your group in, just like you said.

The phone went dead and I said in a loud voice, "What network do you work for?"

The reporter hesitated for an instant and then said, "I was contracted by 3 networks and a local TV station to pool all broadcast live from here for the news sections."

Just as I was about to comment, Mr. Albertson flew out the door trying to apologize for the guard not allowing us into the meeting.

The cameraman caught it all.

We were checked before being admitted to the meeting.

The cameraman was grinning like a cat with a parakeet as he recorded the whole procedure we were subjected to.

I commented loud enough to be heard inside the room, "If you need the name of anyone in the meeting it is all public record. I don't know why Mr. Albertson kicked out the other reporter because no secret or classified information will be discussed here. My group consist of lawyers belonging to firms that have filed lawsuits against my company and NASA because NASA is trying to brake their contract with my company. As far as I know any lawsuits filed at any courthouse are public record, but I'm sure your news media companies can find out for sure. My group has no secret and I believe in freedom of the press." With that I turned and entered the door.

The guard gave me a slight nod as he held the door for me.

The meeting went as I expected. Mr. Albertson's lawyers tried to bamboozle us but my group of lawyers countered every point they raised. Finally Mr. Anderson said we would adjourn until next Wednesday.

I loudly objected and said there would be not more arbitration meetings. The court date is next Tuesday. Have your lawyers there. Your delaying techniques will not be tolerated. Then I pulled the flag pin off my suit lapel and slowly panned around the room. I then thanked all the gentlemen present and said I need 20 copies of this meeting.

Give one to the news crew outside and then bring the rest in for distribution among the lawyers.

Then the security guard opened the door and announced Mr. Brandon, the reporter outside just took off and told me that he didn't need a copy. His scanner picked up your signal and when he fed it into his camera he got all but the first 5 minutes.

A few minutes later a uniformed policeman walked in with a stack of disk packs and started handing them out. After passing them out he asked for me.

I identified myself and he wrote me a ticket for not having a license to broadcast on the frequency that I was using, because it belonged to the city emergency band.

I apologized and asked him when I had to appear in court.

He then told me that since it was a low powered broadcast it was just a fine that I would have to pay. If it hadn't been picked up by the city repeater system they wouldn't even have know about it. Now it is all recorded on the city computer systems and about the first 15 minutes of it went out on the public emergency broadcast channel until they figured out what it was and cut it off.

Mr. Albertson was almost purple in the face as he yelled at me and said I would be sorry for setting him up.

Calmly I replied, You are the one that set yourself up by canceling the meeting and then renting the room as soon as we canceled. Then you waited until 5 minutes before the meeting to call me and tell me it was back on. If I hadn't bought lunch for all the lawyers that showed up none of us would have been here. Don't worry I won't add the cost of the lunch to the lawsuit, I'll just see you in court Tuesday. With that I led the way out with all the lawyers I brought.

All day Sunday all the talking head shows debated not only the fact that NASA was trying to squelch private space exploration but the fact that what they were doing was chopping the feet out from under a lot of privately owned companies.

No one seemed to think about the economic impact. It was all government agency screwing the little guy again.

I was sitting in court with only 6 lawyers Tuesday when the judge banged the gavel at 9 AM. One young lawyer was sitting at the opposite table to try to block our request for an injunction against actions by NASA. The judge asked him if he was ready to defend the actions of NASA. He requested a 90 day delay. The judge turned to me and asked if I was ready and why he shouldn't give them a continuance.

I asked the judge if he would watch a presentation. When the bailiff wheeled in a TV I got up and brought over my two DVD packs and inserted the first. After a few minutes I pulled the second and inserted it and told the judge how we had tried to be reasonable. That one started with Mr. Albertson admitting that NASA representatives did sign a legal contract. I then put in the third and went to the middle where he claimed the figures were inflated and picked AZ Transportation to dissect.

I pulled that one and put in the next one and where the owner of the company claimed that wasn't why he was there but went ahead and started explaining the contract paragraph by paragraph.

I then skipped to the next to the last DVD and forwarded it to the end of the meeting where Mr. Albertson wanted to delay and meet again the next Wednesday. I then informed the judge that I didn't trust Mr. Albertson to negotiate in good faith so I wore a lapel pin camera.

The disk started with all of us in the restaurant eating. I fast forwarded to where I caught the end of the NASA group entering the conference room and let it play until he popped out the door and tried to apologize for the guard not letting us in. At that point I got the disk from the TV station and said it would verify what I just showed and I would submit all the disk as evidence if the judge wanted them.

He sat with his chin on his hand and said continue.

I informed him that I had 6 hours of negotiations, but the last 10 minutes of the last disk was the kicker as far as I was concerned. I then put in the last disk and fast forwarded to when Mr. Albertson tried to reschedule the meeting again and I objected. I let it play through my objection and telling him we would meet him in court Tuesday. I even let it play through where the uniformed cop came in and wrote me a ticket for the frequency I was broadcasting on. The DVD ended and after I ejected it, I replaced it in the pack.

I then held both packs and the media's DVD out to the bailiff and asked the judge it he wanted them as evidence. I told him I had several other copies, so he admitted them into evidence.

I then informed the judge that my first lawyer had more evidence and documentation.

All the judge wanted was the contract. He then looked at us and the young NASA lawyer and said, "The launches of private space vehicles is not unique from the Cape. The companies represented here have invested millions if not billions of dollars. Just the negotiations on these DVDs gives plenty of evidence that NASA was not negotiated with the companies in good faith. Because NASA has exhibited arrogance and disregard for a contract signed in good faith my ruling is that NASA will launch all vehicles listed in this contract that the company wants to launch from the Cape and provide all supporting services listed in the contract. This ruling will remain in effect for 1 year at which time it will be reviewed. NASA will pay all court cost and legal fees resulting from this case." After banging the gavel again he told the clerk to go to her office and type it up.

After she left he told the NASA lawyer to approach the bench. After a few questions he told the young lawyer he was being screwed by his client and boss. If he wanted to leave his present employer the judge would give a reference telling about the case and how his boss was trying to use him as the fall guy.

It took till Tuesday the next week before THE BOARD finally decided that the two loaded spacecraft would be launched as early as possible. The modules for the other six would be reconfigured and used for Station support and supply. They would have to ship only 1 additional spacecraft to the Cape to fulfill the minimum launches in the contract. A decision would be made later depending on how the Cape fulfilled its end of the contracts.

First launch from Montserrat was at 0900 local and the first launch from the cape was supposed to be at 0630 local.

Houston called a 40 minute aircraft delay and then a 3 hour delay due to unidentified spacecraft heading into orbital target area. By the time Fredrick got Houston to OK the launch John had his second ship launched. Houston control acted like they were going to have puppies because there were multiple spacecraft headed for the same spot in orbit.

They then put a 23 minutes delay on the launch. The second Cape craft we scheduled launching exactly 4 hours and 13 minutes later.

Houston control had more puppies and claimed we could not rendezvous 4 craft without having the first in a stable orbit.

Frederick then reminded them that we were civilians and not NASA. Frederick then told them that they could watch and if they wanted to leak the launches they could. The next launches would be in 5 days.

He said that he heard several groans when he announced the launches in 5 days.

Then he reminded them that we were building a Space Station in high orbit and half measures wouldn't do.

Sunday I was in Houston control and briefed the floor crew that the 2 craft would be launched 7 minutes apart from the secondary launch side because of earlier delays at the Cape.

I heard a lot of groans and a few curses. Then they got right down to work monitoring the launches. When the second launch went off at 5 minutes and 39 seconds after the first I got on my phone and called John.

The Houston crew heard me raising hell with him about not following the launch schedule to the second.

His only excuse was the wind was coming up. I OK'd his decision and told him to batten down everything and prepare for next weeks launches.

The Houston pit chief came up to me and said something must be wrong with both rockets because the Azores monitoring station reported the radar tracking configurations were vastly different from the first 4 last week.

I then briefly gave him thumbnail sketch of our rockets and told him that these 2 only carried 1 pilot each, space suits, other cargo and 12000 gallons of water each.

He requested permission to tell his pit crew after the hand-off to the station.

I said fine and took a comfortable seat and watched the rest of the flight.

One hour and 6 minutes later at the hand-off he put the station monitoring crew on and called the pit crew together in the middle. After he finished most of the crew just stared at me. I waved and left.

In the limo on the way back to the airport I called John and told him the effect my chewing him out had on the Houston launch monitoring crew.

He informed me that the wind was now gusting over 50 mph.

I reminded him that he was in charge of the launch site and he had to made the call, but I had a the dog and pony show to put on. I also told him that I didn't think that Houston would do more than cringe if we informed them that we were launching 3, thirty seconds apart.

We had a good laugh and I hung up and caught my plane to the Cave.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 10 Launch

John called me and informed me that 4 Soyuz capsules were delivered and Thursday put in the warehouse.

I called the station and told them to get Frederick on the radio. I told him that the Soyuz were delivered, but John still didn't have the plans to mount one on the launch vehicle.

He told me to call Jamison on THE BOARD, he was responsible for the plans.

Jamison said he had forgotten, could I handle it?

I then called James and asked him who is best man was to put in charge of a rush project.

Harold Clarkson is the best and between him and Susan Surban they should be able to handle almost anything. He said to have them call him after I gave them the job.

I called and had both of them come to my office.

When I explained the problem Harold said it was impossible, then he asked where all the specifications were and when I needed the solution.

I told him when they had the solution to run it past James Melbourne for review and then to me. We only had one chance because another section fell down on the job and now the Soyuz were sitting in a warehouses waiting to be sent to the Space Station and they had no emergency evacuation vehicles.

At 5 AM Friday, Rose's assistant called to informed me an engineer named Pete called for me to informed me that 2 oversize modules arrived. They were module 8's, but they were as long as a module 2 and 4 put together. In fact according to the manuals that was what they had with a built in module 1.

I asked him how long it would take to put them in a gantry for launch.

He laughed and then told me that if need be it could be launched right off the truck or the truck could place it on the launch gantry.

I then told him as soon as today's launches were complete, start setting up for launching both of them tomorrow. Also I needed to speak to the pilots and needed the POC for the Module 8's.

The pilots both got on the phone and told me that POC was Miss. Doctor. They were supposed to work on the station as soon as they arrived. They were already 1 day behind the schedule they were given and hoped that the surprise June sent to Frederick survived the launch.

When I asked they sworn me to secrecy. June had baked a birthday cake for him. Also with THE BOARDs permission they were transporting a kitten because almost everyone up there had reported how he went on about missing his cat.

I told them that they had better send me some pictures or I'd come up there and space them personally.

They both laughed and said Yes Sir and hung up.

I then called June directly on the blue phone an told her what I had told her two pilots.

She told me I'd have to get in line if the pictures weren't down by the Tuesday.

The launches from the cape and Montserrat went off without a hitch.

Saturday's predawn launch went off perfectly.

The party on the station last night was a complete surprise to Frederick and I received 80 pictures.

The kitten took him to tears and when he stopped crying over the kitten he wanted to know who sent an animal up to mess up his station. He said he was going to drag them to the airlock personally and pull the lever. They only got one camera full of photos off before he found out about the cameras and confiscated them.

When I called up later the commo guy told me that the boss had become his usual tyrannical self, and everything was AOK because he hadn't set the kitten down in six hours.

Launches still on schedule as of my day 305. Primary mission ships will go up 2 days apart instead of regular schedule starting day 307.

THE BOARDs decision is that the moon ships will launch 2 days apart after ours.

I leave for the island tomorrow.

Sunday, my day 306, Wanda personally escorted us out to the plane and cried when Sugar Plum and I boarded.

Flight to Montserrat was uneventful Wednesday. The 4 hour tour of the island was jarring. The tourist industry was recovering nicely. The local economy was still a stark contrast of opposites. It was easy to see our effect on the economy.

There were still displaced persons in shanty towns from the last eruption. However a construction program was in full swing building housing on the island using composite materials.

A small pilot plant would soon be completed to build solar cells and panels. It was modular in design for ease in expansion. The panel design would allow each new home to be independent of the power grid during the day. At least there wouldn't be a rush on cutting trees like there was on Haiti.

The north end of the island was beautiful. There were several hydrogen pipelines from our plant to the city and smaller towns. The excess oxygen was being bottled and sold and John calculated that by next year that sideline would turn a profit. Every new home had a cooking center separate from the main living areas. Every housing unit was also wired for electricity.

We launched Thursday. Friday I was still miserable adjusting to 0G.

After 2 days I can at least move my head without throwing up.

Sugar Plum is adjusting faster than I am. She's having real fun for the first time in her life because her back and feet don't hurt.

THE BOARD sent up a memo Wednesday stating that upon much consideration they decided to allow cats and birds to be shipped to the moon base for moral reasons. There would be 3 pairs of cats and 20 mated pairs of birds shipped as soon as the construction crews had sufficient room for them.

Tuesday I received a message, encryption code S3572. It would have been a dull day except for the first major accident on the station. One of the outside workers managed to break his arm without puncturing his spacesuit. That gave Frederick the excuse to send him and the three ground pilots back early in one of the Soyuz capsules.

* * ToC * *

Chapter 11 On The Way

Our 3 months of training and work are complete. When our spacecraft were launched from earth the exterior airlocks were all recessed into the hull. That was the first item we had to reconfigure so they then stuck out from the side of each module 2 and 4. In case I didn't mention it earlier, all the modules bolted together and module 5 was designed to be disassembled into I beams. All pressurized modules had two airlocks, one external and one internal with a place on the opposite mating ring to fasten the airlock from any other module. The mating rings where the modules bolted together isn't pressurized. On average it took three spacecraft launched from the surface to make one of the spacecraft we would travel to the asteroid belt in. We combined our cargo drones the same way using disassembled module 5's to bolt them together. Then their electronics were slaved to the crew ships for control.

Tuesday rolled or should I say it floated around after a 24 hour break. The ships launched for the moon this evening and we moved over to our ships for launch in the morning.

Our original three spacecraft plus the one furnished by THE BOARD launched without incident. Even our slave cargo ships started without a hitch. After 8 hours and only two minor formation adjustments we unsuited and started shift rotation.

One hundred and twenty-two days out we caught up with the supply rocket that had been launched early. It was originally supposed to go to the station with supplies, but we convincingly lost it because we needed these supplies in the asteroid belt, but didn't want this cargo on record. After a few main rocket burns and minor thrustor adjustments it joined our formation as planned.

Two hundred and nine days from launch we achieved our designated position and parked the slave cargo spacecraft. Tomorrow each manned spacecraft will head into the belt for out initial survey to locate a main base site. My impossible ambition is almost complete.

Thirty days later crew ship 1 located a suitable asteroid to hollow out for our main base. They got the honor of naming it, Wonderland. Its tumble took two days to stop after mounting thrustors, and now we can unload the laser drills and start hollowing it out.

Crew ship 2 finally made it to the rendezvous. They'd run into a patch of magnetic dust. Their field fix was to blow out all the thrustors and main rockets and cover them with plastic sheets from their cargo. I had them take up a parking orbit several hundred meters from Wonderland because we could visibly see inches of dust still outlining the steel structure of the ship.

Crew ship 1 dispatched to retrieve two slave cargo ships. They found one slightly damaged by a micro asteroid impact. It took them 23 hours to replace the damaged module one equipment and start movement back to our location.

Crew ship 4's alarms went off. It seems that Wonderland is accelerating toward them. The automatic collision and formation alarms indicated that Wonderland was moving toward their location at .15 m/s. We immediately stopped the drilling lasers and finally determined that the asteroid gasses created by the lasers was acting as a jet exiting from the open end of the initial tunnel. The velocity was so low that only the computers detected it. After a day deciding on what to do a unique solution was proposed. Jill Calhoon stated that on survey she spotted a relatively clear void about 200 Km further into the belt. James said we should try using the thrustors still on the surface to aim Wonderland and then resume work. We could then use the rock vapor expelled as a rocket to re-position Wonderland to a more ideal location with more space to expand. After multiple readings Tim Johnston determined that the vaporized rock expelled from the open tunnel end was acting like a jet and accelerating Wonderland at .015 Km/s/s.

James & Jake completed cleaning exterior of crew ship 2. Left 1 solar panel hooked up to electromagnet to keep magnetic dust in one place.

I assigned each couple 1 room each for quarters. They all had what they wanted moved in in less than 8 hours.

Airlock protective cover removed from corridor end of large work room.

Work is proceeding slightly ahead of our estimated schedule. Started installing 2 corridor airlocks and discovered they were 3.1 meters in diameter. Crew came up with idea of cutting an indentation in the wall, sliding the airlock into it and then back to grove all the way around tunnel wall. They would then fill the indentation with molten rock heated with mining laser and then sealed all the way around with sealant that was furnished with the airlocks. Both done in 14 hours. Eight families were assigned the first 8 small rooms completed and after the pressure test we started unloading the cargo drones.

Several of the crew ships and 2 of the cargo drones have been reconfigured as mining ships. Just for you information we designed the spacecraft in modules that bolted together. The bolt together areas are not pressurized, but the airlocks between them are.

Our second miner configured spacecraft are crewed by James & Alice Melbourne. The returned bragging they had the 1st most valuable cargo. Alice had a hunch after they had been out 10 days and changed their course. Two days later their radar started giving readouts that they considered impossible. Small extremely dense reflections. That evening they found one of the targets. It was solid metal.

It took 18 days to fabricate a basket from their module 5 to hold the asteroid. They claimed they had to stop several times before they got back to trim their load for balance.

On Sunday, day 831 by my count, Miner 2 was launched to carry the 1st load to Space Station. Crew ship 3 followed them out of belt to clear space and then refueled them. That put us ahead of schedule for returning cargo to the space station to pay for our expenses.

By my calculations, if I haven't lost a day, the first resupply ship arrived from the earth space station a mere 49 days later.

Its Cargo consisted of Solar panels, 2 gas recovery distillation units, 22000 gallons water, 1000 pounds topsoil, 1000 heritage packets plant seeds, 3 hydroponic equipment sets, 6 pounds mixed fertilized fish eggs, 1 small honeybee hive. Over 2 tons of frozen food including vegetables and meat! Beats the heck out of the freeze dried stuff we've been eating once we finished the fresh food after leaving the space station.

Wonderland arrived at its new location on day 1083. After matching orbital speed with the rest of the belt, setting up automated collision alarms and all the radar we are finally in an area were we have room to expand.

We received a communication from the space station that miner 2 arrived in poor shape, but with its cargo intact. James and Alice had to survive in their spacesuits for the last 16 days of their trip because a meteoroid shower holed their ship and just about demolished the engine module.

A few days later we were informed that the cost to repair Miner 2 was prohibitive. It was decided that Miner 2 would be used as a trainer by all future crews before heading out.

It's been almost four years since we launched from the earth orbit space station, three years since we arrived. We've got reason to celebrate. Tomorrow we will christen our first spacecraft, not just built from parts shipped from earth, but using parts and materials we've mined, refined, and fabricated from ores here in the asteroid belt. It will be able to go to a location and produce fuel from ice asteroids, and carry cargo to resupply mining spacecraft at their work sites. It will be called Free Enterprise. Our farms and imported technology should make us self-supporting sometime in the next few years.

* * ToC * *

Notes and Messages

Day 350 Tuesday

This page was encrypted because the computers are open access.

Received a private communication from Frederick and Tim.

There is a group that has infiltrated THE BOARD support

personnel.

Its purpose is to set up a shadow government on the moon.

It was detected by the email monitoring program.

Full recheck of all personnel backgrounds and affiliations are

underway.

Attached were the shell addresses and instructed to monitor all

incoming and outgoing communications.

* back to story *

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Spacecraft Structure

Manager: Frederick Frail (note 1)

SECTION CAVE Module Specialist OUTSIDE

Manufacturing

Assistant

Manager: James Melbourne

Secretary: Tiffany Ballard

Module 1: Edwin Caldwell Don Finch

Module 2: Madeline Ramirez Jake Matthews Don Finch

Module 2a: Madeline Ramirez Arnold J Stone

Module 2-farm: Madeline Ramirez Sonya Frail

Module 2-hab.: Madeline Ramirez Joshua Green

Module 3: Susan Surban Don Finch

Module 3-farm: Susan Surban Sonya Frail

Module 4: Jack Jamroz Annette Chipps Don Finch

Module 5: Harold Clarkson Virginia Weehunt Don Finch

Module 6: Harold Clarkson Arnold J Stone Don Finch

Module 7: Harold Clarkson Stewart Swift Don Finch

Module 8: Edwin Caldwell

Note 1: Replaced Day 21

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* * ToC * *

