THE BRINK - OPERATION DEEP FLIGHT

by Marshall Huffman

  “Hey, you didn’t have to do that,” he told her.

  “No problem. I don’t mind.”

  “Did you get a receipt? I’ll pay for that stuff,” he said, reaching for his billfold.

  “It’s on me. Accounting called yesterday to verify my deductions. Thank you for the generous raise.”

  “You’re the best and I am going to miss you. You deserve the raise.”

  He went to the staff conference room and made final preparations. At 7:15 the department people started drifting in. By 7:30 they were all there except for one. He started exactly on time.

  “Well, you all know by now that a new position has been created and I have been asked to fill that position. This doesn’t mean that you are rid of me by any means,” he said and they chuckled.

  “It does mean that we have some new and exciting opportunities facing us. DigiLabs will be expanding its research departments and a whole new adventure awaits us. This doesn’t mean that we won’t be continuing our present operations, just adding to them. There will be new promotions, new departments, and new adventures. This is a tremendously exciting time,” he told them. One of the men held up his hand.

  “Please. I’ll get to all of your questions as soon as I’m finished........”

  The door opened and Jerry Wind entered. He looked around and started to speak. Peter held up his hands.

  “You can catch up later,” he said and continued.

  “I will be creating new departments within the next couple of weeks. This means I will be hiring some new talent and reassigning others. I will talk to each of you individually about your role. I will tell you now that I have selected the person to replace me in this department. You will all be notified as soon as I have had a chance to talk to that person about it,” he said and smiled. The staff glanced around at each other trying to figure out who it was going to be. It was interesting to watch from his perspective.

  “The transition will be almost immediate. I have already assumed the responsibility of the new position and the changes will need to be implemented as quickly as possible without disruption. No one will be slotted into a position that they do not want to be in. I would like your cooperation, but no one is going to force you. Is that clear?” he said, looking around the room. Most nodded, ‘yes’.

  “I have some other news for you. We will be building on a new cryogenic lab for this department’s exclusive use. I received the authorization yesterday. I have a meeting scheduled for later today to start the procedure.”

  Several people cheered openly while others just smiled. It had long been a bone of contention.

  “Now I will answer your questions as best I can.”

  “When will we find out more about the new challenges, as you put it?” Doctor Pearson asked first.

  “Hopefully by tomorrow. I will be talking to Mr. Anderson today to confirm that everything is in place.”

  “You said a couple of new departments. Does that mean two?”

  “I believe I said departments, not a couple. Anyway, I don’t really know for sure at this point how many it will necessitate. We will have one new one almost immediately. The rest will develop over time. Yes, Linda?”

  “Peter, I want to know more about the cryogenics lab. I know that you will get it online as quickly as you can, but what about our current dilemma?”

  “No problem. You will have access to the existing lab by the end of the day.”

  “You’re sure,” she said skeptically.

  “I guarantee it.”

  “You said you would be hiring some new people. When will this start?”

  “Immediately. What’s your concern?”

  “Well, I have a friend that is top notch. I would like to have him apply, if that’s not a conflict.”

  “Not a problem. Have him give me a call. What’s his field?”

  “Metallurgy.”

  “Excellent.”

  “Will any of us be let go?” one of the staff wanted to know.

  “I can’t honestly say no. It depends on how well you respond to the changes. Look, don’t cross any bridges before you have to, okay?”

  He continued to answer questions until everyone was satisfied that they had gotten all of the information they were going to get at present.

  “Doctor Matters, I would like to see you at 10:00 a.m. in my new office on the fifth floor. Dr. Arnold at 10:45, Doctor Kingman 11:30.” Peter went through the list until each one was scheduled. The last was Dr. Wind.

  “Now if no one has anything else, let’s get back to work and get the efficiency up on our conductor shall we?”

  After the meeting ended, he headed to his new office. Fresh flowers had been placed on the conference table. He opened the built-in refrigerator in the bar and found it fully stocked with Diet Cokes. Promptly at 8:30 a.m., Carol arrived with the first interviewee.

  “Doctor Farris, This is Marsha Falls. She is your first interview this morning. Here is her resume,” she said handing him a folder.

  “Please, have a seat,” he said to Marsha.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking a seat. Carol tuned and left without further comment.

  “Would you like something to drink?”

  “No thank you,” she said. She appeared to be around thirty, rather tall and nice looking but not a knockout. She was dressed appropriately for the position.

  “So, Ms. Falls, I see here that you graduated from Florida State University. You are currently working at the McFarling Laboratories. You are the personal secretary for John Day. Mr. Day is the Executive Vice President?”

  “Yes. He is the son of the founder.”

  “How nice for him. Why don’t you tell me a little about that and why you’re applying here,” he said after scanning her resume for a few seconds more.

  She went into a detailed explanation and gave a logical accounting for wanting to leave. Her current boss was starting to view her position as being more personal than she thought appropriate. She was considering a sexual harassment suit. Peter listened and asked her several more questions. He then went into an explanation of what he was looking for and what he thought the duties might entail. She asked several questions. The process took around thirty minutes. He thanked her for her time and told her he would make his decision before the day was out.

  Within minutes Carol had ushered in a second prospect and thirty minutes later a third. He didn’t feel much closer to a decision.

  “This is the last one I have for you today, Doctor. We’ll talk after you’re finished,” she said, by way of parting.

  “Ms. Sanders,” Peter started.

  “Sonders, Jane Sonders,” she corrected.

  “Sorry. Ms. Sonders, I see here you’re currently working as an executive secretary. What brings you to DigiLabs?”

  “Well, to be perfectly honest, it’s a bore. I don’t mean to be rude, but it is exactly the same routine every single day. It offers no real challenge. He arrives at the same time every day. Eats lunch at the same place, and goes home at the same time. Even the people who call are mostly the same. It’s like reliving your life over day after day. He is a pleasant enough man but truthfully, it’s a drag.”

  Peter laughed out loud, “Well, that’s not the problem here. Nothing is ever the same, from day to day or even from minute to minute.”

  “Great. That’s what I’m suited for. I’ve had about all the serenity I can handle for now.”

  Peter liked her frank answers with no militant overtones. She seemed simple and straightforward. She was pleasant to look at and her clothes were impeccable for a personal assistant. He spent several minutes going over the job description, most of which he made up as he went along. She was excited and enthusiastic. He decided, after the other interviews, that she would do nicely. He made her an offer.

  “Look this is a little unusual I know but if you are interested in the job, it’s yours.”

  “Really? That’s great. When would you want me to start?”

 
“When can you?”

  “I don’t want to leave on bad terms. I don’t believe in burning bridges. I would have to give them a week's notice as stated in the employee manual,” she said.

  “I would like to have you start sooner, but I respect your wanting to do the right thing. I’ll get a temp until you can start,” he assured her.

  “That’s wonderful.”

  “Don’t you want to know the vacation policy and starting pay?”

  “Mr.....Sorry, Doctor Ferris, I never worry about that. Good people get good pay.”

  “You’re going to do just fine here Ms. Sonders,” he said.

  He called Carol to tell her that Ms. Sonders was his choice. Carol told him that she approved as well. She took over from there and handled all of the legal and administrative requirements. By that time Peter was ready for his first meeting. At exactly 10:00 Carol showed Doctor Linda Matters into his office.

  “I’ll have a temporary person in your outer office by noon. I should have thought of that,” Carol said, in a concerned voice.

  “You have worked miracles already Carol. Thanks for all you have done so far. I really appreciate it. I’m sure I’ll be coming to you for guidance a lot during this next few weeks.”

  “Anytime,” she said, and departed.

  “Well, Congratulations Vice President Ferris,” Dr. Matters offered.

  “Thank you Linda. Look, I’m still the same guy, okay?”

  “Yeah. I was just pimping you.”

  “Carol, this is going to be somewhat touchy but I want you to head up the department now that I’m leaving. You would report directly to me.”

  Carol just looked at him with her mouth slightly open.

  “Me? I thought you would promote Jim Arnold or Jerry,” she stammered.

  “Why? Because they are senior to you?”

  “Well....partially.”

  “Linda, you should know by now, I don’t care one bit about who has been here the longest. I just want the best people doing the job. You’re the best in that department. Sure, they all have their pluses and minuses but overall you are the best choice.”

  “I’m honored. I didn’t think you were really paying too much attention to who was doing what, last year. I don’t mean that like it sounds,” she quickly added.

  “Sure you do. That’s Okay. I don’t look over shoulders very much. You are all professionals. You knew what had to be done. I just let you go to it. It paid off. That doesn’t mean I don’t care or want to know what’s going on. I just know how to get the best out of people.”

  “Apparently you do. Now I’m sorry for some of the things I said."

  "Isn't it the truth? It always comes home to haunt you doesn’t it?”

  “You knew?”

  “Some of it. And no, I wasn’t in my office sniffing glue as reported,” he said laughing.

  Carol blushed. She was the one who had offered that particular flippant remark.

  “It’s Okay. Honestly. So, do you want the position?”

  “You bet I do,” she said, still slightly flushed.

  “Then it’s yours. I’ll break it to the rest of them. You’re in charge. You handle them however you want after I make the announcement. You decide who does what. I’ll back you all the way. Linda, it’s your baby. You run the department however you feel works best for you. Don’t feel like you have to follow my methods. I doubt if they would work for you.”

  “I can handle it. One question though. If I can’t control an individual, do I need your permission to reassign them?”

  “You can fire them as long as you’re clear with the legal aspects. Anyone that can’t follow your directions, you can reassign or let go. Just don’t involve the company in any legal entanglements.”

  “I've got it. Thanks Peter, for giving me this chance. I won’t let you down.”

  “I’m not giving you a chance. You deserve it. Now go kick some bootie if you have to.”

  He spent the next several minutes going over the plans for the division and time frames he was working under. Doctor Linda Matters was ready to take on the world by the time she left his office. The rest of the meetings went well until it came to Dr. Wind.

  “You’re telling me that Linda Matters is more qualified than me? I have a good ten years more experience than her, I’ll have you know,” he fumed.

  “I appreciate that you have been around ten years longer, but the bottom line here is that, in my opinion, she is the person best suited for the job. She has administrative skills that you clearly lack,” Peter said matter of factly.

  “Like what?” Jerry challenged.

  “Promptness for starters. You were late to the meeting this morning and you were seven minutes late for this meeting. I don’t like lateness. It’s rude and unprofessional. It demonstrates a disdain for others.”

  “I’m busy you know.”

  “We’re all busy Jerry. Anyway there are many others. I’ve made my decision, Doctor Matters is in charge.”

  “I’ll have to think about this. I have other opportunities you know?” he said.

  “I’m sure a man of your experience and abilities does. I would be surprised if you didn’t. Think it over and let me know. I’ll be hiring all week, so now is an opportune time. I would be glad to give you a letter of reference,” he said looking directly into Jerry’s eyes.

  “Well, I’ll think it over,” Jerry said again and left.

  Peter spent the rest of the day getting ready for the call to Admiral Marcus.

  * * *

  The phone call had gone exactly as planned. The Admiral had been informed that DigiLabs was officially onboard except for some minor administrative details. Some paperwork was lacking. It was typical military. He was to fly to Washington DC early next week for the first formal meeting of the newly assembled team members. The conversation had gone quite well and the Admiral was much more pleasant this time.

  Peter sensed that they would hit it off well and he was looking forward to meeting the man in person. All in all it had gone very well for his first day as Vice President of New Research & Development

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  - DigiLabs –

  The remainder of the week was filled with endless meetings and details for Peter. Until now he had lived a relatively free spirited life but with the new position came a plethora of additional responsibilities. Hand in hand, along with responsibility, comes accountability. Having a temporary secretary did not make the transition as smooth as it could have been. However, it was a good educational experience.

  The following Monday Jane Sonders assumed her new position as his secretary and things immediately started to fall into place. She had excellent organizational skills and took a great burden off of Peter. In just two days he could see light at the end of the tunnel. The unfortunate part was that he had to catch the redeye flight to Washington D.C. for his meeting with Admiral Marcus. At 6:30 p.m. with his desk in order and his briefcase full of, what he hoped would be all of the essential documents necessary for the meeting; he turned off the light to his office.

  As he stepped into Jane’s outer office the phone rang. He waved and started out but she held up her hand.

  “Yes Dr. Matters. He was just leaving. Is it urgent? Yes. I see. Well, I’m not sure. He is on his way to catch a plane. Let me ask him,” she said and put her hand over the mouth piece.

  “Dr. Matters. She is very upset. It’s something about an incident with one of the other workers.”

  “I’ve been expecting this all day. I’ll take it,” he said. He went back in his office and picked up the phone. “Hi Linda. I have rather been expecting this call.”

  “I am so sorry. I can handle this but I just wanted you to know that you will need to hire someone. I fired Jerry.”

  “Any legal problems?”

  “No. I don’t see how.”

  “Then I don’t need to know.”

  “I want to tell you what happened in case he has some big story. You know how Jerry
can be?”

  “Yes. I certainly do. That’s why you didn’t need to call,” Peter said.

  “Please just let me get this off my chest,” Linda said and then laughed and cried at the same time. Peter knew she was really upset. Linda was a pretty tough woman and it took a lot to get her to this state.

  “What did Jerry do?” he asked.

  “Jerry was talking to some of the men in the lab, loud enough to make sure I could hear what he was saying. He was talking about how I got my position. By position he went into gyrations like he was humping something. Just being rude. I let it go. I figured he was just blowing off steam. Later he came up behind me and ran his hand over my butt. I told him to knock it off and he acted like he didn’t have any idea what I was talking about. I still let it go. As I was getting ready to leave he came in the office and started talking about how I had ‘f....d’ my way into the job. He said that I was a whore and put out for everyone. He started using the ‘F’ word every other word. I tried to get him to calm down but he grabbed me and tried to grope me. I slapped him and tried to get away but he wouldn’t stop. Finally I managed to get one of the beakers and hit him in the head hard enough to get him to let go. I ran out and yelled. Bobby and Amy were still there, thank God. I told Jerry he was fired. He just laughed and walked off.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “I don’t know. I guess he finally left.”

  “Where are you?”

  “In the B Lab,” she said.

  “I’ll send security to walk you to your car. Do you have someone you can stay with tonight?”

  “My mom. Why? Do you think he will try something?”

  “He has probably cooled down by now and realizes how stupid he was but it is better to be safe than sorry. Don’t go home tonight. Go straight to your parents. I would file a police report if I were you.”

  “No. I just want this over with.”

  “Linda, my advice is to get the police involved. Even if you drop the charges later, you should let him know that he can’t get away with that kind of behavior,” Peter said.