by Ricky Sides
“Reager Industries uses DVD format, but I’ll convert it for you,” Patricia said and Jim handed her the tape.
“Can you be spared for the trip, Pol? If I fail, you may be able to persuade him. Bob Reager has a very high regard for you,” Jim explained.
“My assistants are capable men and can handle most emergencies in my absence. But in three days, we have to mate the numerous power couplings. That is critical to the performance of the ship. Even a small error would have drastic effects on the efficiency of the ship, so for that job I must be here to supervise.”
“One way or the other, we will be back in three days, Pol,” Jim assured the scientist.
***
“I see you’ve been putting the materials we furnish to good use gentlemen,” Bob Reager said smoothly as he stepped inside the Peacekeeper. They had arrived with the ship in battleship mode.
“That’s what we came to discuss with you, Bob,” Jim said without preamble. “Thank you for agreeing to meet us onboard the ship to save time. An emergency has come up and we need your help.”
“What sort of emergency?” Bob asked curiously.
“We have a video for you to watch, Bob. The video runs just a few minutes in length but the information it contains is critical to your understanding of this emergency. Our communications specialist has arranged a viewing in the mess hall. We’ll watch it there, and then discuss this matter,” Jim said and led the way back to the mess hall.
Bob followed Jim to the mess hall where he had visited the ship and enjoyed the trip to Detroit over a year ago.
In the mess hall, he saw a large screen monitor had been set up. Patricia nodded at Bob and smiled a greeting. “Ready when you are, Captain,” the communications officer said.
“Please have a seat, Bob, and we’ll get to the video in just a moment,” Jim said as the other council members, and then Pol, Maggie, and Lieutenant Wilcox entered the mess hall and took seats to watch the presentation. When everyone was seated, Jim gave the order to proceed and Bob Reager watched the video in stunned silence.
Ramon Marino spoke in detail about the mystery disease that had devastated Cuba and the invasion that followed. He then detailed the plans that the cartel had for America. When the presentation was over Bob Reager asked, “I understand the emergency gentlemen. What can Reager Industries do to help?”
Taking a deep breath, Jim handed Bob the list of alloy that they had to have delivered to Base 1 in a week. Bob looked the list over and whistled appreciatively. “Why do you need so much so soon?” asked Bob.
“Please permit me to explain, Bob,” Pol interjected.
“All right, Pol, but please explain in laymen’s terms,” Bob said with a smile. He had remembered Pol’s penchant for lapsing into sophisticated tech terminology.
“You understand of course the need for secrecy. As you heard on the video, an informant was communicating details to the cartel. That informant has been dealt with, but there may be others. Therefore what I’m about to reveal to you must remain a secret,” Pol stated honestly.
“I understand of course. During World War 2, they had a slogan. ‘Loose Lips Sink Ships,”’ Bob stated the old slogan from memory but he noted that Pol smiled broadly.
“That is precisely what we intend to do, Bob,” Pol said and then he explained the plan.
“But your current air force can’t take the heavy fire produced by the guns on the ships so you need to develop a ship that can take the pounding?” Bob asked when he had heard the plan.
“Such a ship is already partially complete. To complete it early enough so that it can be tested prior to the conflict, we need the materials listed in seven days at the latest,” Pol explained.
“You cannot fight them off without this ship?” asked Bob.
“Yes, we probably can defeat them without the new battleship,” Pete said quietly. He added, “But we estimate that we’d lose dozens of fighters and several patrol ships in the process, and that’s if they only have the heavy machineguns. If they have any missiles, then those estimates are going to be low, very low.”
“So getting these materials will save dozens, possibly hundreds of peacekeeper lives as you defend the country?” asked Bob.
“Yes, Bob, that is the case,” Pol answered.
“That’s all I needed to know, Pol. Why didn’t you say that in the first place?” Bob asked. Bob looked thoughtful for a moment and then he said, “This is going to mean some serious overtime for the employees. Would you mind coming to the factory to explain the need for the alloy to the workers? Of course, you needn’t reference the secret portions. Just the need of the material to save peacekeeper lives as you battle the coming invasion.”
“When do you want us there?” asked the captain.
“Give me an hour to get there and get the people assembled in the parking lot. We’ll see that you get the material listed as the battleship shipment loaded after the meeting,” Bob said and excused himself so that he could go set everything in motion.
***
An hour later, the battleship settled down in the parking lot of Brentworth Steel, the factory where the alloy was manufactured. Bob Reager greeted them along with the board of directors. He indicated the podium and a microphone, which had been set up and asked who they had selected to speak on their behalf. Jim spoke up saying that he would address the assembled workers and Bob strode over to the podium. He cleared his throat and spoke into the microphone saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, we have special visitors with us today with a special appeal to us. As good Americans, I am sure that you will all give Captain Jim Wilison of the peacekeepers your undivided attention.”
Bob motioned for Jim to come to the podium and then he stepped back out of the way. Jim approached the microphone nervously and prepared to make his planned statement. However, looking into the expectant faces of the employees gathered before him he decided to throw out his prepared material and speak straight from his soul. “I want to thank Bob Reager for understanding the serious nature of our request. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m not going to lie to you. An invasion force has gathered and is preparing to attack America. We have a plan to deal with this threat, but we need your help. The plan will not work unless we can deliver a huge shipment of alloy to our base in seven days. Bob has told me that this is going to mean some serious overtime for all of you. I know that is a sacrifice on your part, but know that the work you are accomplishing will contribute to saving dozens, possibly even hundreds of peacekeeper lives. Therefore, I am asking you for your help. Without this overtime there is no way that, Reager Industries will be able to get the material ready on schedule and fulfill their contractual obligations to your other customers. Will you help us?” Jim asked in closing.
“What we are doing will make it possible to win the war?” asked one woman.
“Yes, and save dozens if not hundreds of peacekeeper lives in the process. Otherwise we can accomplish the mission but stand to suffer very heavy losses,” Jim replied candidly.
“Then I’m in for the duration,” the same woman replied.
“Me too,” another woman joined in.
“Count on me, peacekeeper,” a man in the front row said. “What’s a few extra hours of my time compared to a man’s life?” he added introspectively.
That comment generated a chorus of agreement.
“Know that you won’t be the only people working long hours to accomplish this goal,” Jim said somberly. “Our team of ship builders will work nonstop night and day in shifts to get the new ship ready on schedule. Our security forces will be receiving special training, and extended security duties. Our pilots have been flying protracted patrols for weeks, and must continue to do so for months. But your contribution will ensure that our people will have the material to complete the new ship on schedule. Then our electricians and other experts will have the time required to complete their portion of the work. Ladies and gentlemen, we peacekeepers thank you,” Jim said in conclusion and stepped away from t
he microphone.
Bob Reager stepped back to the microphone and dismissed the employees to return to their workstations. As the workers returned to their duties, Bob requested that the Peacekeeper battleship module move to the loading area to facilitate the loading of the requested material. While Tim was doing that, Bob broached the subject of the price for all of this rushed material. He said, “I hope you understand that these materials will be considered your shipments for the next three months. I’m sorry, gentlemen. I wish that we were in a position to do it free, but we are still struggling to stay afloat. Reager Industries will absorb the overtime, but I’m afraid that’s the best that we can do while continuing to operate.”
“That’s more than fair, Bob,” Jim said with feeling.
“I’m an American, Captain, and as I said, I wish we were in a position to outright give you peacekeepers the materials.” His board of directors voiced their agreement. Jim saw the sincerity in their faces, and was touched. Then Bob said, “But to make it up to you, I have spoken to the auto plant in Detroit, and they wanted to contribute to the war effort. When your ship is loaded and you begin the journey back to the base, stop at the auto facility. They will be waiting for you. I took the liberty of arranging the meeting personally, so be sure to stop by that facility. I promise you that you won’t regret the detour,” Bob said, taking apparent pleasure at the assistance he had played a role in arranging for the peacekeepers.
***
The Peacekeeper set down in the huge parking lot of the Detroit auto manufacturing facility that was currently building the flying vehicles. A group of company executives met them as Jim and the control room crew disembarked. Pol stopped and stared in fascination at the lines of new automobiles arranged in neat rows awaiting shipment. Then he noted the large trucks and caught his breath. He thought he now knew what surprise was awaiting the peacekeepers, but he held his tongue.
The president of the company, a man named Mick Ryan, greeted the peacekeepers and said, “Bob Reager tells me that the country is about to go to war to stop an invasion.”
“Unfortunately that is true, Mr. Ryan. Bob was very helpful in making this defense possible, or more precisely in saving the lives of many peacekeepers that would have died without the help of his Saginaw facility,” Jim responded. He was admittedly curious as to what all of this was leading up to.
“Captain, this facility also wishes to participate in the war effort. We can’t do a lot. We’re just getting our company in good shape now. But we can do something. To that end, we would like to donate eight trucks which are the equivalent of a tractor trailer rig,” Mick Ryan said.
“We thank you for your contribution, Mr. Ryan,” Jim said in shock. He had never dreamed that the company would be so generous.
“If you’ll come this way I’ll show you the new trucks,” Mick said and proceeded to lead the peacekeepers to the trucks. “Each is the size of the traditional rig but without the traditional hitch of course. There is no need for turning the trailer in the traditional manner so we can utilize the extra space for cargo. Oh, and you’ll notice that they all have sleepers. That’s because the extra material improves the solar collection.”
“You placed the battery compartments on each side of the trailer and not under the bed of the trailer?” Pol asked as he walked around examining the truck.
“Yes we did. Our engineers were afraid that the trucks, if overloaded, might damage the battery compartments. Therefore, for liability reasons, we felt it best to go with this design,” Mick explained.
“It’s a sound design. My compliments to your engineers. And the lift engines? I’m guessing that you went with two engines synchronized,” Pol said smiling.
“That is a very astute guess, Mr. Bleakman. I see that you deserve your reputation,” Mick said.
“Thank you, sir,” Pol responded. “Please tell us more about the vehicles if you would,” Pol said.
“The trucks have comfortable cabs with excellent heating and cooling. They have the same operating systems as an automatic car, for customer adaptability. This way the operational learning curve is greatly reduced,” Mick explained, and Pol nodded his approval. “Units have made the North Dakota run in the dead of winter with no problems or power shortages. They have a ceiling cap of fifty feet. That’s well above the automotive traffic so congestion is eased. They can cruise at one hundred miles per hour. Well the standard units do, but I’m sure your engineers can upgrade yours to one hundred-fifty. That’s as fast as I would dare tweak them. They are equipped with very good but standard CB radios and linear amplifiers, though I suspect you’ll want to upgrade systems to something more compatible with your systems. There are slide up panels that the driver can activate by hitting a panic button on the dash. The panels cover the side windows and most of the windshield. Test drivers report that when it comes to handling they take off much better than the average traditional rig, and under heavy loads, they stop a bit better. They are rated at eighty thousand pounds,” Mick said in summation. Then he added, “Take your pick. You can have eight flatbeds or eight with the trailer or any mix of the two.”
Jim briefly consulted with the rest of the peacekeepers present, and then he said, “We think it best if we take five flatbeds and three of the trailer units Mr. Ryan.”
“Excellent gentlemen. If you’ll please select your vehicles, my associate will note the models selected and get you the keys. I presume you have the drivers needed to take possession immediately,” Mick said with a smile.
“We do, sir. Again, let me express our heartfelt appreciation. Hopefully in the future we will be able to come to trade agreements with you for additional units and possibly armored personnel carrier units as well,” Jim said.
“Now that sounds quite interesting, Captain,” Mick said smiling. He had hoped that this contribution might lead to a future contract with the peacekeepers. Though his desire to aid in the war effort was genuine, he was a businessman and appreciated a good business opportunity when he saw one.
Jim proceeded to select the desired units and soon the aide delivered the keys. The keys to the trucks were not standard keys. Instead, they were plastic cards the size of credit cards and almost as indestructible. These cards were filled with electronic circuitry that when inserted completed a circuit and were absolutely required to start the vehicles. Each card had an encrypted numerical sequence that was an added security feature and unique to each vehicle. The right sequence was required for the vehicle to operate. The vehicles could not be started without the proper keys. Period. The company supplied two keys to each vehicle, warning that should the drivers lose both keys, then someone would have to return to the company with the vehicle identification number for a new key before they could operate the vehicle.
Lieutenant Wilcox and seven of his men each boarded one of the trucks and took off with Namid flying escort. Jim had Patricia radio the peacekeeper fighter squadron based in Detroit and request an escort to accompany the fleet of trucks through Indiana to the Kentucky state line. He also had her order the truckers en route to Saginaw to turn back for the base. The Peacekeeper would be flying on ahead of the new trucks to Base 1 to deliver the much-needed material but the peacekeepers assigned to the trucking fleet would soon be traveling back to Saginaw in their brand new trucks. With those trucks, they would still be able to make their deadlines quite easily, and do so much more safely.
Chapter 11
Base 1 was a beehive of activity. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, the work proceeded on the new battleship.
The eight lucky truckers who had been selected to receive the new trucks were thrilled with the vehicles. Their fellow truckers envied them and badgered the council to no end about acquiring additional units.
The council worked out a trade deal with their oil suppliers to trade them two dozen tankers of heating oil for the rights to reopen some of the oil wells rightly belonging to the state of Alabama. Once the oil wells were up and running the peacekeepers would
receive two additional tanker loads once a month as part of their payment for the rights. This caused a debate within the council concerning their right to do this, as they did not represent the state government. Pete countered that as far as the people of the state were concerned the peacekeepers were the only people establishing order therefore they should act in the interests of the state. In the end, that argument won out and the deal was made, with the codicil that the arrangement would terminate in the event that the people of the state formed a regular state government.
The two dozen tankers of heating oil were traded to the Detroit auto manufacturing facility for an additional twelve trucks.
Next was the matter of a crew for the battleship. Lieutenant Wilcox had the offer of the captaincy, but turned it down; stating that being a strike team leader is what he preferred. Pete threatened to leave the peacekeepers when Jim looked at him, and Tim had a laughing fit when his brother’s attention shifted in his direction. Then slowly the council members began to smile at each other and as one, they turned to face the obvious choice. Slowly they turned their faces toward Bill Young who was sitting at the table scribbling names of possible candidates and then drawing a line through the names as being unqualified for the role for one reason or another.
Jim cleared his throat but Bill obliviously continued writing names. “Bill,” Pete said getting his friend’s attention.
“Yes, Pete.” Bill said looking up. “I’m sorry did I miss something?” Bill asked when he noted that the attention of the council was riveted on him.
“We need a captain for the new battleship, Bill. Someone with command experience, who is seasoned enough for the role,” Pete stated evenly.
“I know, Pete. I’m trying to help. I keep writing names, but crossing them out as lacking in some regard,” Bill explained.
“We have the captain selected already. The question has now shifted to the crew, Bill,” Pete said with a straight face.