Free Spinneret by Timothy Zahn Page B

magma—and if that layer should turn out to be metal-rich, it would give us an indication of where the weak points are for drilling.”
    He paused for breath, enabling Carmen to get a word in. “Yes, I remember all this from the last time. You haven’t said yet why you specifically need a flyer.”
    â€œA car doesn’t have the room I’d need to carry a coring tube and driver—the tube breaks down into sections, but they’re almost five meters long. I don’t know if a Cessna can carry them, but even if it can I wouldn’t be able to land as far up the volcano cone as I’d need to. I need VTOL, and that means a flyer.”
    They’d reached the lounge now, little more really than a widening of the hall with a few chairs and low tables. Three junior officers sat around one of the tables, deep in conversation; Carmen steered Hafner to the table farthest from them and sat down. The geologist took a seat opposite her, an expectant look on his face. “First of all,” she told him, “I’m not really in a position to do much about this. I’m technically a civilian, and don’t fit anywhere into the chain of command.”
    He waved the disclaimer away. “You clearly have the colonel’s ear, though. That’s more important to me now than any silly ranking scheme.”
    First Perez, Carmen thought, and now him. What on Earth am I doing that makes me look so authoritative?
    â€œBesides,” Hafner continued, “civilians like you I can talk to. I sometimes think military procedure was set up specifically to confuse and intimidate those of us outside the secret club.”
    Somewhere in the back of Carmen’s mind a light flashed on. “You’re having trouble adjusting to Army rules?” she asked casually.
    Hafner let his breath out in a whuff. “I’ve had less trouble with the L.A. city government. That’s why I’ve been haunting Colonel Meredith’s office, in fact—I can’t seem to find the right way to go through channels.”
    â€œI know how you feel,” she nodded. “It took me the better part of six months to figure my own way around.” She paused. “As a matter of fact, that whole problem’s been on my mind lately. What would you think of us organizing a sort of citizen’s advisory council to act as—oh, complaint clearinghouse and general go-between with the military?”
    â€œSounds great,” Hafner said. He cocked his head slightly. “Though … that ‘us’ wasn’t specifically you and me, was it?”
    She laughed. “No, I’m not roping you in as cochair or anything. Actually, I’m afraid the colonel hasn’t gone for the idea yet; he thinks it would take up valuable man-hours.”
    Hafner grunted. “If it simplified communication, it would pay for itself in the long run.” He leaned back slightly, a knowing smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “So. I gather you want me to make the same suggestion to him, using my scientific authority or whatever?”
    â€œMore or less.” She found herself mildly impressed that he’d caught on so fast. “You don’t need to fake an independent brainstorm, though. All I want is for you to get as many of the other scientists and technical people as you can to support the idea. You’re the real VIPs here, and the colonel knows it.”
    â€œAnd once you’ve got his permission to go ahead?”
    She hesitated only a second. “When the colonel authorizes the council, I’ll get you one of the flyers.”
    â€œIt’s a deal,” Hafner said promptly, getting to his feet. “If you’ll excuse me, then, I’ll go find myself a soapbox and get busy.” Whistling something nineties-sounding, he disappeared down the hall.
    Carmen stayed where she was another minute before starting back toward her office. What Meredith would