THE BRINK - OPERATION DEEP FLIGHT

by Marshall Huffman

  “Pete, you’re always welcome to stay with us. You know that. As long as you don’t drag Luke along every time you go out, it’s fine with me.”

  “See,” Luke added.

  “No, but really, thanks for the offer. I want to find a small house that I can lease for a while. This will work out better for both of us in the long run.”

  “Well, okay, but the option is always open,” Luke said.

  “I appreciate that. Look, I had better go. I’ll be out next Tuesday and we can get acclimated.”

  “You take care, and even I think you deserved the award,” Liz said with a grin.

  “I know,” Peter said, and scurried off into the crowd.

  “Ah, now I know it really is modest Pete after all,” Liz said to Luke.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  - MELBOURNE, FLORIDA -

  Melbourne, Florida had been a sleepy little out of the way burg from its early settlement in the 1860s until a great new form of travel was thrust upon the scene. Space travel. Melbourne is located just a stone’s throw from what was once known as Cape Canaveral and is now referred to as the John F. Kennedy Space Center. With the advent of the space age, the town flourished and many of America’s finest high tech facilities were located there.

  Luke had been working with a medium sized lab called NorStar. They had produced several successful smaller satellites and were able to hold their own with most of the major competitors. Luke liked the fact that they offered a fairly relaxed atmosphere to work in but that they had enough structure to be well organized. What they really lacked was someone to go out and sell their plans and to get people to invest in the programs they were trying to initiate. This would be the perfect avenue for Peter. If any anyone could sell an idea, it was Peter. Once Luke got him hooked there would be no stopping him.

  Luke had been doing his own version of a sell job to the officers of NorStar. They were leery of an outsider, but Luke had presented a compelling argument for his friend and eventually they saw the need for his particular brand of talent. If he could bring in the needed capital, what could they lose? If he failed, they would be no worse off.

  It was agreed that it would be worth a shot and they approved his coming on board for an unspecified length of time. Luke was ecstatic. With Peter’s help and NorStar’s facility, he was confident he would realize his dream.

  * * *

  - WASHINGTON D.C. -

  “Why Titan? Why not Saturn itself?”

  “That’s a valid question Senator, and a darn good one,” Peter said soothingly.

  “Saturn is surely romantic, with its great rings and all, but the real key to that area is its largest moon. Titan is larger than Mercury. It’s so large that it is able to sustain its own atmosphere. We know that its atmosphere contains many of the same elements as our own and there is a great deal of speculation that the surface will have most, if not all, of the same minerals as our own earth. Think of it Senator, carbon, silica, the very basic substances needed to form life here on earth. Not to mention the other rare elements that could be under that atmospheric shroud.”

  “Uranium, gold, diamonds?”

  “Who knows? The possibilities are unlimited. Think of what that would mean to the earth, a possible new source to replace our depleting supplies. Maybe even new resources that don’t even exist on earth. You might be responsible for discovering a new material or compound that will power the world well into the next century,” Peter said with a flourish.

  “And this probe of yours, it would be able to tell us what’s down there?”

  “Yes sir. It would tell us the exact composition of not only the atmosphere, but the very ground that lies beneath it.”

  “And who would build this probe of yours?”

  “A company called NorStar. They have developed a whole string of successful probes and satellites. They recently jointly developed the SEASAT satellite. You were instrumental in getting that pushed through, if I remember correctly.”

  “Cut the crap. You know damn well I was behind it. It meant jobs for my state. This NorStar, where is it located?”

  “Florida.”

  “That won’t do my constituents much good now will it?”

  “Well sir, who’s to say? What I do know is that they would be willing to make very similar arrangements to the ones you made with the ComSat Company last year.”

  “I don’t think I know what you mean,” the Senator fumed.

  “Time for you to cut the crap Senator. I have a copy of the complete transaction. Company name, account number, everything.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about Doctor Ferris. I hope you’re not suggesting that anything illegal transpired.”

  “Heavens no. However, I do believe you are up for re-election next year. A few bucks in the bank would be better than a smear campaign, don’t you think?”

  “Listen here, you can’t pull that kind of shit with me. Bigger and better have tried and they never win,” the Senator said, standing up with his hands bunched.

  “Sit down Senator,” Peter said evenly.

  The Senator stood there glaring down at him. Peter reached into his briefcase and pulled out a red file folder. In bold letters it said, ComSat Ltd. CONFIDENTIAL. He laid the folder on the table and closed the briefcase.

  “You might want to take a gander at this for a second, Senator.”

  The Senator snatched it up and glanced through it quickly. It was a transcript of the meetings that had taken place between him and the ComSat Company. Photocopies of the agreements and the bank account numbers, along with the sums of money. It was all there in the folder as well. The Senator placed the file under his arm.

  “Very interesting. Thank you so much for providing me with this,” he said.

  “No problem. I have another one just like it with me in my briefcase and another with my attorney. Please, feel free to keep that copy for your own reading pleasure,” Peter said, matter-of-factly and stood up. He gathered his briefcase.

  “Wait. Look, Doctor Ferris, I can’t just get funding for every project that comes along, especially now. Budgets are tighter than ever. It isn’t as easy as it used to be.”

  “I understand. Simply put Senator, that’s your problem. I just want to see that it gets the necessary funding. How, is up to you.”

  “The arrangements would be exactly the same?”

  “More or less. The shares would only come to two percent of the total, not five as with ComSat.”

  “Two? That’s a mere pittance.”

  “They are a small company. It’s what they are willing to go. Considering your options, I think I would accept the two and just go on with it,” Peter said, looking hard at the Senator.

  “I don’t like this one bit. How did you get this information?” the Senator asked, indicating the folder.

  “One of life’s little mysteries. Rather like Titan. If you probe long enough, you never know what you will discover. See what I found? Pioneer 10, the probe to Titan. I am assuming we are in agreement?”

  “You are a crook, Doctor Ferris. That’s not very becoming for someone in your field.”

  “Oh? And it’s more fitting for a public servant such as you? Get it done Senator, and save yourself a lot of trouble down the road. Don’t fight a battle you can’t win. I thought they taught you that on the Hill,” Peter said, as he turned and walked off.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  - NorStar -

  “What’s it going to cost us?” Lanny Pearson, President of NorStar wanted to know.

  “Fifty thousand in cash, in an account to be specified and two percent of the company’s stock.”

  “No way. You’re out of your mind. You’re telling me we have to bribe this Senator to get the approval. That’s out of the question.”

  “We’re not bribing him. We are endowing him.”

  “It’s the same damn thing.”

  “Not really. One you go to jail for, the other you get funding for. Look Lanny, the fund
ing amounts to eighty-five million from that source alone. NASA will kick in another ten million. The project will cost no more than seventy million. Even if it goes to seventy-five, that’s a cool twenty million dollars left over. I think for twenty million in profit, he deserves a two percent stake. Besides, once this deal is done, he will be ready to see more business come your way. He has already started lobbying for ComSat to help with the new Voyager satellite series coming up. You know he is going to do the same for you. It’s just good business.”

  “I don’t like it. Not one little bit. It shouldn’t have to be done like this. We’re a good company and we produce one of the best products around. That should stand on its own,” Pearson said.

  “Should doesn’t count for beans, and you know it. Twenty million, now that’s a lot of beans. You guys talk it over and let me know. If you don’t want this deal, I’ll call it off and head back home. You won’t need me anymore. My best guess is that if you do call it off, you will see a dramatic drop in your business. Call it a hunch, but I don’t think the good Senator will think too highly of NorStar.”

  “We’ll talk it over. If you wouldn’t mind waiting in the outer office, we’ll let you know what we decide.”

  “Alright gentlemen,” he said, as he stood to leave.

  He went to the outer office and had a seat. Everyone was gone for the day so he went to find a Coke machine. When he came back he could hear them talking. Shouting was more like it, through the door. Just as he was finishing his Diet Coke the door opened. Fred Robbles, the CFO asked him to join them.

  “Doctor Ferris I want you to know that I have been essentially out voted. I am not in favor of this transaction and I intend to go on record as such. However, the board has accepted this proposal. They are hereby authorizing you to make the deal,” Lanny Pearson said.

  “Well, there is no use harboring ill will. That’s done. Now I will get on with it. The sooner I get the funding, the sooner you can get started. I’ll let the Senator know first thing tomorrow.”

  “It’s the right thing to do for the company,” the CFO added.

  “I’m sure you’re right. Gentlemen, if you will excuse me, I have a lot to do and a short time to accomplish it in. Mr. Robbles, I will get in touch with you about the details as soon as I have them worked out.”

  Peter gathered his things and started to leave.

  “Just one thing Doctor,” Pearson said, “how did you get hold of that file from ComSat?”

  “Believe me, you don’t really want to know. I have it and it’s for real. The Senator made sure of that. The details are best not discussed.”

  “I see,” he said, with a frown.

  Peter left to call Luke and let him know the project was going to happen.

  * * *

  “I knew you could do it. How in the world did you ever pull it off? I’ve tried for years,” Luke said excitedly.

  “It’s not who you ask, but how you ask. You know me. I have that gift of gab.”

  “Boy that’s for sure,” Liz chimed in.

  “Hey, get up off your fat butt and get us a beer,” Peter said mockingly to Liz.

  “Fat butt? You rat. You just march yourself in there and get your own beer. Fat butt? I’m telling you Luther Hall, it’s a darn good thing he is your best friend or else we would be serving him up for barbecue.”

  “And rightfully so, my dear,” Luke agreed.

  Peter and Luke sat at the kitchen table making plans while Liz hovered near. She was trying to appear disinterested, but they both knew it was an act. She was almost as excited for Luke as he was. Love him or hate him, she thought to herself, two things could always be said for Peter Ferris. He got the job done no matter what it took, and he was a loyal friend to Luke. In her book that made him just fine.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  - DigiLabs -

  “Welcome back Dr. Ferris,” his secretary said, as he entered his office.

  “Thanks. It’s nice to be back. From the appearance of my desk, I have a lot of catching up to do.”

  “It’s not as bad as it looks. Most of it is junk anyway. The stack on your left is the only really important stuff.”

  “Thanks Katie, you’re the best.”

  “I know,” she said as she turned to leave the room.

  “No calls for a while?”

  “That would be a blessing,” he said.

  Peter went through the interoffice memos and messages first. The sales of the new conductor were well above projection. Several new projects were underway and the most interesting note was from Arthur Anderson. He was requesting a call as soon as he could arrange it upon his return.

  His dealings with Anderson had been rather limited before the success of the new conductor and of course, he had then immediately left to work with NASA and his friend Dr. Hall on the Titan probe. He wondered what it could be about. He read it again:

  Dr. Ferris,

  I would appreciate the opportunity to talk with you about several matters upon your return from NASA. DigiLabs has a unique opportunity and I would like to have your input. Give me a call as soon as you can after you get settled.

  Anderson

  It could be about anything he decided. It obviously meant he was still in favor at DigiLabs. He finished the important pile and tossed the rest in the trash. He picked up the phone and dialed Anderson’s office.

  “Mr. Anderson’s office, how may I help you?”

  “This is Dr. Ferris. Mr. Anderson left a message that he would like to speak with me upon my return.”

  “Just one moment Dr. Ferris, I’ll tell him you’re calling. Are you here in the building?”

  “Yes, at my office.”

  “He is on the other line at the moment. If you’re going to be there, I’ll have him call you back.”

  “That would be just fine. I’ll be right here,” he said and hung up.

  He had no sooner hung up than Katie appeared in his doorway.

  “Sorry to bother you, but Dr. Pearson has been calling every fifteen minutes. He says he needs to talk to you as soon as possible.”

  “Okay. Get him on the line. I’ll talk to him now.”

  A few seconds later his phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “Peter, its Mike. Listen I need to see you down at the thermodynamics lab just as soon as you can get there.”

  “Nice to be back. Thanks for asking. Now Mike, what’s so important?”

  “Sorry. I’m glad your back. Look, the people over at the diode department have disassembled some of our equipment. They said they needed the space for their project and our equipment was in the way. I was doing some testing and had just about figured a way to increase the speed in our new conductor by almost eleven percent. Now it’s all gone.”

  “Hold it a second. They removed our equipment without asking you or anyone else first?”

  “They said they had sent you a memo but you never got

  back to them, so they just took over.”

  “I just saw the memo but it was sent over to my office weeks ago. I was still at NASA. That’s Prose isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. Dr. James Prose. He is a real jerk, pardon my disdain.”

  “I’ll take care of it. I’ll get back to you this

  afternoon. Let me handle it.”

  “You bet. Man, am I glad your back.”

  “Thank you. I’ll call you later.”

  He hung up and was looking up the number for Dr. Prose when his phone rang.

  “Yes?”

  “Mr. Anderson calling for Dr. Ferris,” the voice said.

  “That’s me.”

  “Just one moment please, I’ll put him on.”

  “Peter. Welcome back. How was your stint at NASA?”

  “Very interesting. I learned a great deal about why our government is so screwed up and why everything costs so much.”

  “I’m sure you did. Listen, I won’t take much of your time. I was wondering if you could come up to my office. I have a couple
of matters that I would like to discuss.”

  “I can come right now. I have a small matter I need to mention as well.”

  “Excellent. I’ll have Carol get us some sandwiches and we can make a working lunch out of it. Why don’t you come up in, say, twenty minutes?”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Great. And Peter, it’s nice to have you back,” he said and hung up.

  Peter thought that this was a little strange. He must to be on the golden boy side of Anderson. Everyone knew that Arthur Anderson was an equal opportunity hater. He would cut your heart out if he thought he could make a buck off it.

  Pete finished up most of the work on his desk and had Katie send a couple of letters. He washed his hands and headed up to Anderson’s office.

  “Dr. Ferris, to see Arthur Anderson,” he said.

  “Hi Doctor Ferris. I saw you at the Man of the Year Awards. Congratulations.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll let Mr. Anderson know you are here,” she said.

  Peter looked around the reception area. It was lavish to say the least. Very expensive.

  “You can go in now,” she said opening the door for him.

  “Peter. Welcome back. I have been looking forward to seeing you again.”

  “Thank you Mr. Anderson. It’s nice to be back.”

  “Yes, well I’m sure you have a lot to catch up on so I’ll make this as brief as I can.”

  “Really, things have gone fairly smoothly in my absence.”

  “The mark of a good administrator.”

  “Well, I do have one little problem that I have to deal with. Unfortunately it will cost DigiLabs some potential lost revenue, but I’m sure you don’t want to hear about my problems.”

  “Lost revenue?”

  “Yes sir. We were working on a way to increase the response and capacity of the new conductor my department developed. We were making good progress but a little problem arose and we lost the research.”

  “What kind of problem?” he said frowning.