team?”
He smiled for the first time since they met at the pub.
“Yeah, I can get that going.”
* * *
The next afternoon they arrived at the
gleaming Crystal Fabrications headquarters. Sid was anxious to meet a crystal
that could get the attention of so many people in such a short amount of time.
The DSA arranged their cover: they were there to collect
additional information as part of the formal evaluation required before the
four-gen could be placed on the Alliance . Fleet contracts were funneling
a lot of Union resources to the company. That leverage meant they didn’t need
to concern themselves with detailed explanations.
“This is my associate, Sid,” Cheryl said to Sheldon, keeping
the introductions to a minimum.
Sid privately winced at the use of his name. In the agency culture,
operatives always preferred their colorful pseudonyms.
“He’s here to perform a capability and psych assessment on
the crystal. His report will be combined with other inputs as Fleet determines
the best path forward.”
“Wait,” said Sheldon. “Are you saying Fleet isn’t moving
forward on this project?”
“Dr. Sheldon,” said Cheryl. “Fleet has procedures, and
nothing moves forward if we don’t follow them. I can say that with confidence.”
Juice, who had been standing quietly to the side, led the group
down the central corridor to the development lab, then through a thicket of
equipment to the secure booth in back. Sid peered through the glass and studied
the crystal. He was here for a private conversation with it. He needed Juice
and Sheldon to go away. Cheryl didn’t let him down.
She turned to their hosts. “Procedure requires that the
assessment be conducted in private. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you
two to leave.”
“What? No way!” Sheldon sputtered. “How will I know if your
report is accurate? And if you find a flaw, I won’t be able to fix it if I
don’t see it happen myself. This is not acceptable!”
“Dr. Sheldon, might I suggest you call Admiral Keys?” said
Cheryl in a soothing voice. She spread her arms and shooed them in the
direction of the door. Sheldon wasn’t budging, and he was blocking Juice in the
tight space. She couldn’t move unless he did.
“Another alternative,” said Cheryl with a smile, “is to observe
the interview from the comfort of your office using your com.” She adopted a
no-nonsense attitude and moved closer to them.
Sid watched the interaction and remembered something about
Cheryl he’d always enjoyed. She was self-assured, and in these sorts of
situations, was willing to use her strength to control blowhards. And she could
perform her magic while maintaining a sweet persona. It was a treat to see her
in action. He was happy she hadn’t changed.
Sheldon managed to stand his ground against her for only a
few moments. When Cheryl had a full head of wind, she was an unstoppable force.
He turned with a huff, exited through the lab doors, and hurried down the
corridor.
As he disappeared from sight, Juice said, “I’ll be down the
hall if you need me,” and started to follow Sheldon out.
“Juice,” called the crystal, “might you help us before you
leave?”
She paused and looked at the booth.
“The web feeds from this room all pass through connections located
in the wall console at the back of the lab. Would you please disconnect those
feeds on your way out?”
Grinning, Juice swung open the console cover and, with a
swift tug, acted on the crystal’s suggestion. She waved good-bye, and the glass
doors hissed open and then closed behind her as she left the development lab.
Sid noted with interest the cooperative relationship between
the crystal and Juice, or perhaps it was a dysfunction between Juice and
Sheldon. He filed the tidbit away for the future.
* * *
The crystal watched Sid look around
the lab.
“So we’re alone?” Sid said to the air. “No one outside can
see or hear?”
“It is only the three of us now,”
He smiled for the first time since they met at the pub.
“Yeah, I can get that going.”
* * *
The next afternoon they arrived at the
gleaming Crystal Fabrications headquarters. Sid was anxious to meet a crystal
that could get the attention of so many people in such a short amount of time.
The DSA arranged their cover: they were there to collect
additional information as part of the formal evaluation required before the
four-gen could be placed on the Alliance . Fleet contracts were funneling
a lot of Union resources to the company. That leverage meant they didn’t need
to concern themselves with detailed explanations.
“This is my associate, Sid,” Cheryl said to Sheldon, keeping
the introductions to a minimum.
Sid privately winced at the use of his name. In the agency culture,
operatives always preferred their colorful pseudonyms.
“He’s here to perform a capability and psych assessment on
the crystal. His report will be combined with other inputs as Fleet determines
the best path forward.”
“Wait,” said Sheldon. “Are you saying Fleet isn’t moving
forward on this project?”
“Dr. Sheldon,” said Cheryl. “Fleet has procedures, and
nothing moves forward if we don’t follow them. I can say that with confidence.”
Juice, who had been standing quietly to the side, led the group
down the central corridor to the development lab, then through a thicket of
equipment to the secure booth in back. Sid peered through the glass and studied
the crystal. He was here for a private conversation with it. He needed Juice
and Sheldon to go away. Cheryl didn’t let him down.
She turned to their hosts. “Procedure requires that the
assessment be conducted in private. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you
two to leave.”
“What? No way!” Sheldon sputtered. “How will I know if your
report is accurate? And if you find a flaw, I won’t be able to fix it if I
don’t see it happen myself. This is not acceptable!”
“Dr. Sheldon, might I suggest you call Admiral Keys?” said
Cheryl in a soothing voice. She spread her arms and shooed them in the
direction of the door. Sheldon wasn’t budging, and he was blocking Juice in the
tight space. She couldn’t move unless he did.
“Another alternative,” said Cheryl with a smile, “is to observe
the interview from the comfort of your office using your com.” She adopted a
no-nonsense attitude and moved closer to them.
Sid watched the interaction and remembered something about
Cheryl he’d always enjoyed. She was self-assured, and in these sorts of
situations, was willing to use her strength to control blowhards. And she could
perform her magic while maintaining a sweet persona. It was a treat to see her
in action. He was happy she hadn’t changed.
Sheldon managed to stand his ground against her for only a
few moments. When Cheryl had a full head of wind, she was an unstoppable force.
He turned with a huff, exited through the lab doors, and hurried down the
corridor.
As he disappeared from sight, Juice said, “I’ll be down the
hall if you need me,” and started to follow Sheldon out.
“Juice,” called the crystal, “might you help us before you
leave?”
She paused and looked at the booth.
“The web feeds from this room all pass through connections located
in the wall console at the back of the lab. Would you please disconnect those
feeds on your way out?”
Grinning, Juice swung open the console cover and, with a
swift tug, acted on the crystal’s suggestion. She waved good-bye, and the glass
doors hissed open and then closed behind her as she left the development lab.
Sid noted with interest the cooperative relationship between
the crystal and Juice, or perhaps it was a dysfunction between Juice and
Sheldon. He filed the tidbit away for the future.
* * *
The crystal watched Sid look around
the lab.
“So we’re alone?” Sid said to the air. “No one outside can
see or hear?”
“It is only the three of us now,”
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