Free Their Lordships Request: A Harry Heron Adventure by Patrick G. Cox Page B

insufficient to reach transit velocity or decelerate running them at full power for one hundred percent of the time – a guarantee they will fail since they aren ' t designed to do that repeatedly. "
     
                  " I don ' t see what the problem is. " Mister Ribble didn ' t like the tone of this conversation or the Commander ' s attitude. He was Chief Executive of the Construction Dock. This was his office and she dared to speak to him as if he was some ignorant clerk. " Your power units or whatever they are function. I ' m assured you can achieve transit or drop out with them. These ships are massively expensive and components from WeapTech now have to be paid for at market prices and not at simple cost as before. Savings have to be made and I have made them where they will have least impact on the efficiency of the ship. "
     
                  " Least impact? " Mary ' s temper snapped. " Mister, I will tell you now. These units will fail – in fact, the one we are currently testing is already showing signs of failure. Who the hell did you buy this junk from? Sure these things cost less than the specified units – because they damned well don ' t do what is required! If one of these fails during entry into transit do you know what will happen? Do you know what will happen if they fail during drop out? No I didn ' t think you did and don ' t give me that outraged look! You will be hearing from the Admiral and believe me you ' d better have a damned side better excuse. I intend to report this as attempted sabotage. You have deviated from specification on equipment that is vital to the safe operation of this ship. Did you really think we wouldn ' t notice? " She stood up and grabbed her tablet. " This isn ' t finished, not by a long way. "
     
                  Damned bureaucrats. Typical, she thought as she stormed across the station heading for the Captain ' s office, well, she knew just how to stir things up for them.
     
    ***
     
                  " Good day Minister, please take a seat. I ' m delighted you could accept my invitation. " Ari Khamenei knew just how to put his visitors at their ease.
     
                  " Very good of you to offer to assist my Department, Chairman. " The Minister relaxed into a comfortable chair. The room exuded wealth and though slightly too opulent for his tastes conveyed exactly the message its occupant wanted to send. One of wealth, power and continuity.
     
                  " But of course we must assist, Minister, " Ari Khamenei smiled reassuringly. " My organisation cannot fulfil its obligations unless your Department is able to provide the necessary support to our operations. We have identified an area in which we may act as your agents and provide the resources and services you cannot at present – this permits us to meet our obligations and you to provide the services at minimal cost, so important in these days of tightening budgets. "
     
                  " Well, we will have to examine the proposals very carefully, Chairman, after all, the Consortium is hardly a government agency. You exist for profit, not charity. " The Minister sipped his beverage. " My staff have studied the agreement in full and we think we have the basis of a way in which we may take this forward. You must understand there are several members of the cabinet who have serious objections and reservations, they will need to be persuaded and assured of the adequacy of the safeguards for the people this will affect and the oversight we will need to exercise. "
     
                  " Of course. " The Chairman smiled. So his agents were right. The cabinet was divided on this, but the waverers could be persuaded and it would be sufficient for the majority to agree this venture. It promised to give his organisation effective control of three new colony planets – in effect ratifying a status quo. The appropriate