Free Bandwidth by Angus Morrison Page B

ended.”
    “What are you proposing?”
    “Cheyenne would soon like to launch a satellite – its first. Doing so will allow us to maintain our timelines. Our client base will initially be pan-Europe, but as you know, we must secure satellite rights from administrators such as yourself in each country where we wish to broadcast signals. I might add that Cheyenne’s plans are also consistent with your prime minister’s push, as well as the European Commission’s efforts, to promote an innovation agenda.”
    “Our prime minister’s push is meant to promote innovation between European Union members, Mr. Pettigrew. You’re from Louisiana, are you not?”
    “I am. How is that relevant?”
    “I just have to think that if someone in the city of New Orleans had discovered Cheyenne’s technology, and a wealthy man from the Netherlands showed up to take it over ... excuse me, to buy a controlling stake, how would the fair citizens of New Orleans feel about that?”
    “The people of New Orleans may be southern, sir, but that does not preclude them from being good capitalists. They would understand.”
    “Would they?”
    “Mr. Kuipers. Can we stick to the point of our meeting?”
    “Of course.”
    “It’s my understanding that your Prime Minister’s push for an innovation agenda is primarily, but not exclusively, focused on activities within the EU, or has that changed?”
    “Mr. Pettigrew, what is it that Mr. Cannondale and Cheyenne want exactly?”
    “What any good business wants — to profit. Can Cheyenne count on your approval to let it use satellite technology to fill out its network?”
    “Regrettably, although I have not yet come to a final decision, you cannot count on my approval at this moment in time,” Kuipers said.
    The statement didn’t surprise Pettigrew considering Kuipers’ cold reception, but the bluntness did. He expected some equivocation, some room for discussion.
    “May I ask why not?”
    “Because although Mr. Cannondale now owns a portion of Cheyenne, any future increase in that shareholding would have the potential to dominate Internet communications in the Netherlands. Capitalism isn’t a particularly American endeavor, Mr. Pettigrew. We understand the concept of competition quite well.”
    “I see. I was under the impression that given the good work that Cheyenne had already undertaken in this country the ministry would be partial to helping see the project through to completion.”
    “That’s presumptuous.”
    “Is that a formal ‘no’?”
    “For the time being.”
    “In that case, sir, I thank you for your time and I look forward to re-visiting this in the near future.”
    “By all means,” Kuipers said.
    With that, the two men shook hands. Pettigrew smiled and left.
    Round One.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

    Hayden had just finished putting the final touches on a speech for Aaron, who was sitting across from him in the cabin of the Gulfstream doing a crossword puzzle. Hayden’s head ached from staring at the laptop. He closed his
    eyes to take a nap. Just as he was about to drift off to sleep, the phone rang. Aaron put it on speaker phone:
    “Aaron, it’s Elliot.”
    Elliot Pettigrew, Hayden thought. Aaron’s Washington guy.
    “Elliot. Good to hear from you. How did it go with the water miser?” Aaron said, laying down the crossword.
    “Not well, Aaron. This whole Iraq thing has got the Euros spooked. It’s the backdrop to every conversation they have about the United States. They’re so pissed off they can’t think straight. Beyond that though, I think something else is going on.”
    “Like what?”
    “I think somebody has gotten to Kuipers. He’s stiff-arming us.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “My guess, he’s stalling until the Dutch telecom company, N-tel, can catch up on this type of technology.”
    “N-tel? They’re a joke. Do they really think they have a chance?”
    “They have the Dutch government on their side. I’ve got a guy inside over there, Aaron. He