Free He Without Sin by Ed Hyde Page A

when contemplating many modern devices or systems. Just think of this ship as an end product. How in the world did people, regular people like us, create such a device? It’s just mind-boggling all of the steps, the trial and error, the sacrifices, the insights and creativity that had to occur and be brought together to make it happen. Not to mention the incredible complexity of the myriad support systems.
     

     

Conflict
    “I don’t have to take this shit anymore…” Master Brachus says to no one in particular as he gets up and walks out of his own quarters.
    Stunned, I look at Dylan and Tracy, then at Lester, and they in turn look at me. “What the hell just happened? Is he coming back?” I ask, although I know he’s not. Dylan has a sober look on his face but Lester has a smarmy smile. So far I’ve had little interaction with him, meaning Lester, and I’m beginning to think I won’t enjoy having any in the future. “Do we wait?”
    Tracy doesn’t show any reaction, but that in itself is a reaction, to my mind, when your boss acts immaturely. She and Aileen remain silent. I saw them share a quick glance, however. I don’t know why Aileen was asked to this meeting. Alain’s not. Both she and he complied with my request and neither needs to be here. I look at Lester.
    “I don’t think it’ll be productive,” says Lester, still smiling. “Waiting, I mean. He doesn’t like the way ground communication is set up.” He uses his right hand fingers like a comb to slowly and deliberately rake his longish stringy hair straight back on his head. And again, raking front to back.

    “Doesn’t like it? Doesn’t like what? It’s not set up yet. Is he not capable of explaining the problem? Or is this his solution—to stomp out?”
    “No, I’m sure he’s got something in mind,” explains Lester.
    “You’ve got to be kidding. Would you care to share it?” I say, at this point not caring to hear the explanation at all.
    After waiting for but receiving no answer other than the permanent smirk, I stand. Dylan glances at me, and then looks away and down, apparently unable or unwilling to comment as I leave the meeting to find a place to cool down.
    ______
    I pass by Carol on my way back to my station. “You won’t believe what just happened.”
    “Try me,” she says.
    I remind her of the issue I brought up in David’s earlier meeting and begin to describe the Brachus meltdown, but, before I can get through that, I see David waving me over into the meeting room. As I approach I see Brachus is sitting in the room. “Yes?”
    “About ground communication for the Resources team…” he begins, motioning me to take a seat.
    “Yes. It will take only a few seconds to set up, as you yourself know, once I get the required responses. Is there a problem?”

    “There is. It’s a division of responsibilities problem,” David suggests.
    “A division of… Ok, I’m lost. What is needed? The instructions are dead simple and apparently clear enough for everyone…” I respond, confused and reaching for an idea.
    “It’s an IT function,” says Brachus.
    “It’s what? All you do is push a couple buttons.” I say to him, and then look at David for support that I expect, but find none.
    “He’s right, Jason. Please find the time to setup and test their systems for both comms and data, including their GNI units. You call them genies,” he needlessly adds, pointing casually to his device lying on the meeting room table.
    Stung by David’s siding with Wes, I say, “Impossible without their passwords,” and look back to Brachus. He remains close-mouthed and expressionless.
    David answers for both of them, “No, you can use an admin or master sequence to set up and test. Individual private codes can be entered later.” David pauses and looks away. “And one more thing…”
    What now? This is getting ridiculous. I don’t respond, but instead wait to be informed.

    “Please enable a secondary channel