But now the AGM had happened, and he was even managing to keep his promise to Stew, that the whole CEO and Chair thing would only be temporary. Or rather, the board and the shareholders were keeping it for him.
Grum was confirmed as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors for USSMC, until such time as the present extraordinary circumstance were resolved. At which time, or in the AGM immediately following the resolution, they would seek a replacement for one or both of the roles and Grum would be asked to step down from one of them. Then they asked if he agreed.
Of course he agreed. That was exactly the point of it all. He had a year, maybe two at the outside to get the framework in place so that USSMC was not so haphazardly lethal, then he could jack it in.
Because the one promise he was not keeping was the one to himself. The one he had told Ben to make sure he did at all costs, no matter what role he was in. He had even reminded Ben of it when Grum had gone to Nevada for the meeting about how the spin-off and IPO would pan out. The promise to himself that regardless of whatever else he was doing, he would always keep some science in his work day. But that was not happening and it probably was not going to happen until he was clear of this bloody job he had landed himself in. Until then?
No science for you, m'laddo. Just politics and subterfuge.
Chapter 24
GRUM did not like the hesitancy with which the board were currently backing the care and after-care packages for the disaster survivors. It was to whimsical. Constant reviews and keeping the best interests of USSMC at heart.
Screw that! USSMC had killed people. Children! And damaged several more severely. There was no way he was going to skimp on their care, nor allow others to do so. That would be breaking a promise.
As far as he knew, though, he only had one tool with which to ensure that outcome, and he had to be damned careful using it.
The archive had contained the information for getting hold of Mr Grey.
Now Grum and Mr Grey were sat in a bar which Grum did not particularly like, drinking sub-standard coffee.
'There is a job I wish for you to do, Mr Grey.'
'Yes, sir. Who is the obstacle to your happiness, sir?'
The whole of goddamned USSMC, thought Grum, but he said: 'There is no obstacle, Mr Grey. I wish you to be a preventer of obstacles for another.'
'Sir?'
'One of the victims of the explosion at the tech centre was particularly badly injured. I understand that due to major intervention, which I am happy we provided, she has survived and yet remains in a coma.'
'Does this young person present an obstacle, sir?'
'Damnit, no!' Grum hissed through gritted teeth. 'I want you to ensure her survival, safety, and continued health to the best of your ability.'
'Are you sure, sir? She seems to be causing you some distress.'
'She is not causing me distress, Mr Grey!' You are, though. Which presents an intriguing situation. What if you are an obstacle to my happiness, Mr Grey? What would you do then? 'You are to keep Fey Sikes from any and all harm. Do you understand?'
'Just as you say, sir. What means should I employ, sir?'
'To the best of your ability, I said. And, yes, I am aware of what I am saying, as well as to whom I am saying it, Mr Grey. By any means necessary.'
'Certainly, sir. It may be necessary…'
Grum cut him off, knowing it to be cowardice as he did so. Or at the very least squeamishness. 'I don't need to know how, Mr Grey. Only that it is being done, and continues to be done, no matter what.'
'As you say, sir. I shall attend to it, directly. Good day, sir.'
He had crossed a line, there, he knew. A big, fat line marked "danger, do not cross". But he would be damned if he would let some beancounters skimp on Fey's health and well-being, just because their laurels looked so comfy right about now.
Grum headed back to the office, the job, and the complete lack of either science or moral certitude in his life.
Books by Kaal Alexander Rosser
Leaving Earth
1. Directed Energy
2. Power Base
3. Critical Error
4. Take Over (coming soon)
5. Side Effect (coming soon)
6. Off Planet (coming soon)
Cyborg
1. Survivor
2. Control (Dec. 2017)
3. Arms Race (Dec. 2017)
4. Lockdown (coming soon)
5. Traitor (coming soon)
Non-fiction (as Kaal Rosser)
1. Avoiding Advertising... Like a Ninja
2. How 2 Fact Check
Author's Note
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Take care, and I hope you enjoy the rest of the books.
Leaving Earth Vol. 1 (Leaving Earth Omnibus) Page 32