Chapter 85

"Cedric, start the loading of the HAC line through a force field. I'll go down into the hold and act as loading officer and meet Avers there. Where do you want the 'tainers?"

"Across the centre line from the four fifty forward."

"Suits."

Charles made a rude noise

"You don't know anything about locking 'tainers, TJ. I'll come with you and act Bosun to your First Officer while you talk. Quarter gravity, Cedric?"

"Wilco. Colin, get to it please."

"Coming up, Cedric ... Done." Colin Bolem advised as he made the adjustments to the enviro controls.

TJ and Charles went through the deck airlock into the cargo hold climbing down the rungs — carefully; even in quarter gravity a fall would probably ruin a day. They went to the forward control box and Charles activated the force field across the hatch, tested it with a controlled leak through the ramp and then lowered the ramp into the force field from the cargo shed.

The first of the 'tainers came through on its antigrav, manoeuvred by the loaders. A big man, wearing grey work dungarees followed the 'tainer in and made his way over to TJ and Charles; Charles moved away to supervise the placing and securing of the 'tainers. TJ experienced a new sensation — standing, he had to look slightly up to make eye contact with the man.

"Commander Hobson? I'm Hugh Avers" came a subterranean rumble.

"Mr Avers. What can I do for you" as they shook hands — no fancy tests of strength, a firm handshake between men who had no need of gestures.

"My principal, Commodore McCock, is not too pleased about your taking a production line"

TJ gave a short laugh,

"I could play dumb about this but I won't. You just found out that GmBH only owns a quarter of the company? Thought so. MFH should have been more careful when they got such an apparent bargain. Gabrielle Comminantes is very good at what she does.

First, the line remains the property of the company and that means that GmBH is still a quarter owner;

Second, we are not going to manufacture the later Marks of the HAC;

Third, we are certainly not putting our com gear, yah the FTL is our work, into them; and

Fourth, we will engine them with Adama pods not the Renmark packs.

You might be interested in knowing that Sundowner Inc, that's us if you didn't know, is a significant shareholder in Adama and we are aware that GmBH is the majority shareholder. If you look very closely, you'll find Sundowner holds a stake in Chagas and GEC. We decided not to take Chagas but went for the London orbitals in which we are now the majority shareholder; I mention that because Bethune has been buying more shares in the London Orbitals. Also, we are going to make an offer for the Ramsgate orbital...

You might mention to the Commodore that Sir Joshua Galbraith, and his brother, Abraham, are part of our merchant bank on Old Earth so he might want to get another principal agent if he doesn't want conflicts of interest. Of course, the Commodore can always appoint the Bank as his agent on Sol. For him, we'll do a good deal...

We are re-locating to Sol with only minimal interests kept here and LUST will keep their eye on them for us ... If GmBH desires then Sundowner can act for you on Old Earth? Let us know your ideas on this and no, we are not interested in disposing of our Gorgipest assets; we intend to remain a presence here...

I heard a buzz that McCock intends to send his children to Enklan's Naval College at Greenwich. Perhaps his will meet up with ours; or perhaps even yours? Congratulations on your marriage, belated but still well meant."

Hugh gazed at the smaller man who tranquilly returned the gaze

"Thank you, Commander; I'll pass them onto my wife (TJ nodded acknowledgement). You have answered Aggy's objections. The control unit is in 'tainer WSS 549 351; the downloads of the basic design are still in it. The back-ups are in a carton in WSS 550 127."

He handed TJ a manifest sheet, nodded and departed back the way he came. TJ pocketed the sheet, informed Charles he was returning to A and did so.

TJ clambered through the airlock hatch and found Admiral Higgins enjoying a brew.

"Sorry, Admiral, I had to check on some cargo."

"I've only had time to get comfortable. Now, what's the drama?"

TJ collected a bulb of stimulant and then sat opposite the Admiral,

"Bit of a story (Higgins waved the objection away). You remember when Morg and I gave you the Lone Ranger. (Higgins nodded.) We all thought it would be built here on Gorgipest. I later heard the Arsenal geared up for the production and tendered for and set up three productions lines. Then Parliament or somebody decided the production should be at the Scapa yards and as a sop to the Arsenal here "allowed" it to produce scouts for the warships built locally. That meant the second line had to be shut down and the third line never got used. About ten months ago, after near two decades of just sitting there under care and maintenance, the third line was advertised for sale by tender as scrap on the basis of buyer removes it. LUST on behalf of SHOW tenders and wins. LUST transfers the funds to Treasury and gets three months to remove the line. A month or so ago, LUST puts in a sub-contractor to disassemble the line and pack it for storage into 'tainers to be picked up by cargo ship. Your Mr Campbell apparently learns that the end purchaser is Sundowner Inc or SHOW, whichever you please, and we intend to put the line into production elsewhere and he panics because the secret might get out."

Joe Higgins frowned

"I can recollect something across my desk from that section about getting rid of some surplus. We've been doing a lot of that since the raid, but I can't recall the exact details. I can't stop you taking the machinery and I'll get Campbell sorted out; and I can't prevent you producing the Ghosts elsewhere; RMN legally only has a licence. I don't suppose I can appeal to your loyalty? Thought not; (in response to TJ's look of incredulity) and you wouldn't be interested in returning to the Navy?..."

(That one was accompanied by a cacophony of rude noises from the crew who were lazing about — not precisely eavesdropping you understand.)

" ... How is Shirley Wood these days?"

"Very good indeed. Our surgeon fixed the scars and you really have to look to see the last of them. You know she is our Training Officer? (Acknowledged) There are a couple of our people who have suggested giving her back to the Navy but they are the lazy ones and of late, to think on it, they've stopped moaning."

"We seem to be making a habit of letting the good ones go. Sometimes TJ, I often wonder why the Peeps haven't rolled right over the top of us."

"Well at one stage, they were shooting their admirals by the shipload."

"True; but that seems to have left the good ones — got rid of a lot of dead wood. Thanks for the coffee, I've got to get back to the rest of the problems. Good meeting you again and give my compliments to Captain Wood."

"I'll do that. Good seeing you again, Sir."

They shook hands and Sandra Pendle saw the Admiral off.

"Still opening doors, Major?"

Major Rupert Logan had met "Bulb" at Pad 3 on the Palace landing ground; Lady Alexandrina Burgess had used her Herald codes and clearance had been no problem.

"And you are still driving flivvers. Being made a noble hasn't stopped your being a smartass, Morg. Where's your friend?"

"TJ? He's doing some business on Gorgipest. I'll give him your regards."

"Do that. Hello Alex, you are looking as good as ever."

"Hello, Uncle Rupert; it's the good life style I lead."

Logan strangled the thought of questioning her choice of partner,

"She wants to see you."

"Yes, but I need to see Jonathon first."

Logan nodded and looked at Morg

"You coming?"

"Thank you, no, Major. There's nothing for me here."

Major Logan flinched slightly at that statement — he was a soldier not a diplomat — and led Pat into the Palace.

Morg stretched and walked around the flivver to loosen up and then settled back into the flivver and began working on a 'broidery pattern he had been running around in his brain since he had seen the codes in the Chencon bolts. Every so often he got out of the flivver to stretch. He had the forethought to pack rations and the makings so he was able to maintain his serum caffeine level.

Some four hours passed before Pat returned, looking slightly strained, still accompanied by Major Logan. Pat gave Logan a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek before entering the flivver and strapping in. Logan came round the other side of the flivver and stretched out his hand to Morg,

"You look after that girl, Morg."

Morg shook the hand recognising the request

"Always been my intention, Sir."

Logan moved off and just before moving into the hover, the men exchanged informal salutes — between men who would never be friends but who had a common interest.

"She is looking strained, Morg."

"I'd be surprised if she wasn't, Pat, considering the state of her Navy. At least she has a Cabinet of her choice to make things a bit easier"

"Brown Hollow is still active in the Lords."

"Pat, why hasn't she got rid of that piece of ... whatever?"

"Morg, he was the lawful government at the time and taking action against him would set a dangerous precedent."

"It was a damned sight more dangerous him being the government ... Yeh, yeh, I know, I know. Another triumph of theory over pragmatism. I wonder if TJ and I should visit him one night; we do have some personal matters unresolved..."

The look Morg received should have frozen his innards solid.

" ... Just an idea. As you say, we can't be involved now that we are Enklan's men" Morg rather feebly defended his back down.

They continued in companionable silence and rejoined "Sundowner" just as a taxi flivver was departing. Morg piloted "Bulb" to her bay and clamped her down before giving Pat a hand out as the ramp was sealing.

"Morg, Pat," Dusty called them over, "this is Sir Edward Nolan; Sir Edward, Pat Sweeney and Morg Windsor our XO..."

Greetings were exchanged.

" ... The Boss wants him handed to Threep. She'll catch up later."

Morg noted Dusty carefully didn't say "after we reach 'Pest"

"The lifts are up here, Sir Edward" and walked the ObGyn over.

"Unless it's very formal here" Nolan began "it's "Teddy"; that is of course unless you want me milord and miladying everybody."

Pat managed to stifle a gurgle at the startled expression on Morg's face which he controlled before answering

"Ah, no. We tend to be a bit informal. How is it know — they are Enklan titles."

"Baron Westlake's press agent, spokesman or whatever she is called sent word in her dispatch — since the "Titan" rescue everything that happens to TJ Hobson or George Windsor is good for a column inch or two..."

The lift opened onto C and Pat led the way to the Sickbay.

" ... besides it would be a bit snobbish seeing I delivered your sister as a charity case. How is she by the way?"

"That's one of the reasons Mam wants you ... Dell, and the rest of me sissies are pregnant..."

Nolan blinked rapidly several times as he digested that information and turned a puzzled face to Morg seeking more information. Morg piked,

" ... Pat, would you introduce Teddy to Threep and his staff and perhaps you would explain our set up here; you are the diplomat."