The Centauri Conspiracy
Page 26
Chapter Twenty-four
Cover U.N. shortfall
On Harry’s floor the elevator door opened. When Mary sees it is Bakman she smiles and walks toward him.
"How's Harry today," Bakman asks Mary stepping through the open elevator door.
"Sonny . . . Harry is not very good today. Harry felt better and then had another bad spell. How's Dee? Is her pregnancy still making her sick in the mornings?" Mary asks with concern on her face now that her altered program tells her that Dee is her only daughter. Since the new addition to her program, Mary had taken to calling him “Sonny.” Mary believes that she and Harry are Dee's parents.
"Yes. She still has morning sickness. Later in the day Dee laughs that she's going to be so sick this time that all the rest of our babies will be easy."
Mary smiles a warm motherly smile, pats his arm, and replies, "I hope so."
“Can Harry talk this morning?"
“Felt better again after a late breakfast. Let's go ask!" Mary answers as she takes Bakman's hand, leads her son-in-law down the hallway, and into Harry's room.
Harry is in bed with the back cranked up, almost sitting, and his old wrinkled face turns on the pillow to see who it is. The screen he had been watching had pictures of the five partly finished spaceship sections. All have more than half of the exterior plating of the new spaceship completed and on the moon the five sections look less like beached and decayed whales. The workers had fashioned long tubes to each completed part of the hull to check for leaks of atmosphere and because it was cheaper and faster other workers started on the inner construction. Each section now has some atmosphere inside and work is weeks ahead of schedule. For a few minutes, they talk about construction and look at each section.
Harry offers his original thought on the spaceship again. "It'll look like a big black worm in space after it's all hooked together."
"I think you’re right. And Dee says hello."
"Tell her hello back. Is she doing all right?"
"Dee still has normal morning sickness; her Mom's worried about her."
"Good. That gives Mary something to worry about besides me. How's the construction costs?"
"Bad. They are over again 5.3 Billion. Our twenty billion for food and housing is short too. As they buy large quantities that drives up the cost of things. Harry can you cover any more of this."
"I've got about twenty-six billion left in savings they know about with a few things left to sell. Could you get me Omenosova at the U.N. on the Com?"
"I'll give Wray a call," Bakman steps over to the wall Com, pushes on the panel, and says, "Wray. Harry wants Omenosova at the U.N. Harry wants to speak to him on the screen in his bedroom." As Bakman sits again he tells Harry, "It'll be a couple minutes." While they wait Bakman explains to Harry again in more detail what he already knows about the U.N.'s money problems.
Surprisingly soon Omenosova's face appears on screen. By now, Harry's face is recognized and Omenosova smiles, "Good morning, Mister OpDyke."
“Good Morning," Harry replies in a softer than usual voice. "I've got another ten-billion dollar donation to help you out with that overrun. I hope this is the last, and I have the same condition as before. My condition is that I'm allowed to donate ten more billion for their housing and food."
"Mister OpDyke, I'm sure your condition will be approved. I want to thank you for your generosity."
"Mr. Bakman will make sure it is done."
"Mister Omenosova the money will be transferred before the day is out," Bakman tells him.
"Gentleman, the U.N. thanks you. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
"Nothing more today OpDyke and Bakman out," Bakman says for he can see that Harry was tiring.
"Omenosova out."
The view-screen turns blank. "According to the inflation rate caused by this project our people think our double ten more will cover both ends," Bakman adds.
Harry just nods and leans his head back to rest and save his strength.
"Maag has worked out new containers, stronger cases. We bought housing units and food. After the inspection, the cases will be sealed. Woll and Traud bribed someone with two books to let us have real wax seals and a genuine official crimper. We made copies of both. After they're sealed, we empty out most of the housing units, dispose of them in a landfill someplace or as fuel for a generator, fill all the boxes with food, and our other cargo. Also, we’ve gone through the colonist supplies and made a list of things to add. Don’t think these will create a space problem in the front and rear cargo areas."
Harry thought about that for a moment before asking in his frail thin voice, "How's the programming for Dee, Vee, and Zee."
"They've constructed three spare mechanicals to try them out on and are getting closer. Next, they will try each program on models in all situations including sorting, building, operating a cloning unit, and child rearing. It looks like it will take the rest of this year."
"Remember what I said about the government always being late and over. Well, I've paid their bills on time and so have they. Something will come along, and they will be late and over. Mark my words."
"I trust you, Harry. I won't get impatient. You rest now. By your own words, we have enough time for a nice nap this morning. Don't we?"
"Okay," Harry smiles as Bakman lightly pats his hand and walks out of the room. Mary meets him in the hallway and asks again about Dee's health. Bakman tells her about Dee’s latest doctor visit all the way back to the elevator. As he waits for the elevator, they warmly hug. When the door opens Bakman steps inside and as the doors close, they wave at each other.