Free Outsystem (Aeon 14) by M. D. Cooper Page A
Authors: M. D. Cooper
sounds like this will be fun.> Evans sighed and leaned back against the bar.
Tanis stifled a laugh as the Reddings arrived at the bar.
Sanderson did the introductions. “Earnest, Abby. I’d like you to meet Major Richards, our new head of security.”
Earnest merely nodded while Abby cast Tanis an appraising look.
“So you’re the one causing all the trouble. I’ve got shipments backed up all over the place with your new security measures.” Abby wasted no time in bending Tanis’s ear.
“You’ve also got a dock to have them sit on, thanks to her.” Earnest commented as he retrieved a drink. His wife shot him a dark look.
“I’m sorry to hear that, ma’am.” Tanis did her best to be deferential. “I’ve spoken with Lieutenant Collins and provided reports on where I think additional staff will alleviate his problems. I’ve also assigned additional security personnel from the local TSF garrison to ensure that your shipments are not held up.”
Earnest chuckled. “Looks like she’s got all the angles covered, dear.”
“So it would seem.” Abby pursed her lips and darted her eyes away from her husband—back to Tanis. “Tell me, Major, other than backing up people and products, how do you intend to keep this ship safe from saboteurs?”
Admiral Sanderson’s mouth may have twitched in a smile. Tanis imagined he was quite happy to have someone else be at the receiving end of Abby’s ire.
“Most of what I’m doing cannot be discussed without showing you the time-mapping displays, but one thing I’ve proposed is the completion of the starboard docking hatch ahead of schedule to allow direct delivery of product from inbound ships.”
“That would throw our schedule out of whack considerably,” Abby responded.
“In the near term, yes, but if you look at the proposal I’ve suggested on the engineering boards under posting 472.9022.2 you’ll see that after three months it will increase productivity 2% over what we were at before the heightened security measures took effect. This also requires that we only allow ships that were cleared by TSF forces at the port of origin to dock there. All other ships will still have to go through the triple check at MOS and on our docks.”
“Numbers on that proposal look solid,” Earnest spoke between sips of his drink, having reviewed the proposal over the Link.
“So it would appear,” Abby grudgingly agreed. “How well it all works out remains to be seen.”
Earnest winked at Tanis. “We’ll discuss it at our morning engineering meeting tomorrow.” His wife merely grunted.
“I just hope all this security is worth it.”
“How can security not be worth it?” Admiral Sanderson asked.
Evans said.
“There’s security, and then there’s just getting in the way,” Abby replied.
“Without security nothing would ever be made. Security provides stability and that provides an environment for growth.” Sanderson’s tone was matter-of-fact.
“Just what you’d expect a military man to say.” Abby rolled her eyes at the admiral.
“Now, now, folks.” A voice boomed out from behind the Reddings. “No need to debate the rise and fall of civilizations. We’re here to celebrate our successes.”
Everyone turned to see Captain Andrews and Terrance Enfield walking toward them. Tanis had been expecting them ever since she was notified over the Link that the Marines at the maglev station had passed them through security.
“I’d rather be down in engineering.” Abby didn’t hide her distaste for the gathering.
“Now, Abby.” Terrance flashed a slick smile. “You know as well as the rest of us that all this shoulder clapping and back patting is an important part of the process. People like to see their investment up close.”
“They can see it all they want, just
Sanderson did the introductions. “Earnest, Abby. I’d like you to meet Major Richards, our new head of security.”
Earnest merely nodded while Abby cast Tanis an appraising look.
“So you’re the one causing all the trouble. I’ve got shipments backed up all over the place with your new security measures.” Abby wasted no time in bending Tanis’s ear.
“You’ve also got a dock to have them sit on, thanks to her.” Earnest commented as he retrieved a drink. His wife shot him a dark look.
“I’m sorry to hear that, ma’am.” Tanis did her best to be deferential. “I’ve spoken with Lieutenant Collins and provided reports on where I think additional staff will alleviate his problems. I’ve also assigned additional security personnel from the local TSF garrison to ensure that your shipments are not held up.”
Earnest chuckled. “Looks like she’s got all the angles covered, dear.”
“So it would seem.” Abby pursed her lips and darted her eyes away from her husband—back to Tanis. “Tell me, Major, other than backing up people and products, how do you intend to keep this ship safe from saboteurs?”
Admiral Sanderson’s mouth may have twitched in a smile. Tanis imagined he was quite happy to have someone else be at the receiving end of Abby’s ire.
“Most of what I’m doing cannot be discussed without showing you the time-mapping displays, but one thing I’ve proposed is the completion of the starboard docking hatch ahead of schedule to allow direct delivery of product from inbound ships.”
“That would throw our schedule out of whack considerably,” Abby responded.
“In the near term, yes, but if you look at the proposal I’ve suggested on the engineering boards under posting 472.9022.2 you’ll see that after three months it will increase productivity 2% over what we were at before the heightened security measures took effect. This also requires that we only allow ships that were cleared by TSF forces at the port of origin to dock there. All other ships will still have to go through the triple check at MOS and on our docks.”
“Numbers on that proposal look solid,” Earnest spoke between sips of his drink, having reviewed the proposal over the Link.
“So it would appear,” Abby grudgingly agreed. “How well it all works out remains to be seen.”
Earnest winked at Tanis. “We’ll discuss it at our morning engineering meeting tomorrow.” His wife merely grunted.
“I just hope all this security is worth it.”
“How can security not be worth it?” Admiral Sanderson asked.
“There’s security, and then there’s just getting in the way,” Abby replied.
“Without security nothing would ever be made. Security provides stability and that provides an environment for growth.” Sanderson’s tone was matter-of-fact.
“Just what you’d expect a military man to say.” Abby rolled her eyes at the admiral.
“Now, now, folks.” A voice boomed out from behind the Reddings. “No need to debate the rise and fall of civilizations. We’re here to celebrate our successes.”
Everyone turned to see Captain Andrews and Terrance Enfield walking toward them. Tanis had been expecting them ever since she was notified over the Link that the Marines at the maglev station had passed them through security.
“I’d rather be down in engineering.” Abby didn’t hide her distaste for the gathering.
“Now, Abby.” Terrance flashed a slick smile. “You know as well as the rest of us that all this shoulder clapping and back patting is an important part of the process. People like to see their investment up close.”
“They can see it all they want, just
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