"As I said it's rough. He already took out one of our people, so don't any of you do anything stupid and be next. I guess it's entirely too late to say don't call any attention to yourselves. But do call me anytime you have any doubts or concerns, like you did today. I don't think that thing in the cafeteria was anything but a jackass acting up, but you were right to call me. If you see somebody checking you out you don't know, or get an unexpected package, please call me right away. Before you open it up. At least until I can say I know where this is all going."
"Jon," Heather spoke up. "We can get a lot rougher, I promise you. We just didn't really understand what was happened until today. Tell us anything you think we need to do and we'll be as ruthless as it takes. We're not stupid, just inexperienced and we don't have much time to learn. Jeff's dad and April's family are investors, but what happens is going to affect us as much or more than the adults. What are the other Rock investors doing? You must have talked to them about it."
"I'll tell you what I think." Jon offered. "But I've said these same things to several of the Rock investors and they don't agree with me. The spy who was here was not after anything for the legal case, because they already know they have a win. There is just no way the courts are going rule against the government when billions of dollars are involved."
"The investors are a small enough group of people they don't have to worry about public outrage. Most of the people down there don't like the people who live in orbit anyway. The TV shows and news paint us as selfish and overpaid. The preachers see us as way too secular and tolerant. The only people who will cut us some slack are the space nuts, who would like to come up here themselves and can't for some reason." He stopped and sipped tea in his introspective mode again for a moment.
"I'm sorry, but the investors are either naive about how honest the courts are, or are just in denial. If they were looking for any information about the Rock it would probably be about plans to physically defend it. And I can't see any way to stand up to the will of the USNA if they decide to send up shuttles full of troops and weapons. I don't even want to know about anyone planning to tunnel into the Rock and try to stand off the Earthies." Jon offered his cup for more tea.
"I might see something I would be in the embarrassing position of having to stop as Security Chief and I'd much rather have the Earth people do the dirty work, than be forced to arrest my friends and neighbors."
Heather gave April one small nod, acknowledging her prior analysis of Jon.
"But the Rock is going to generate lots of business and money for the USNA." Jeff protested, as he poured. "Almost all the investors are USNA citizens and even my dad is a permanent resident with a work permit and pays USNA taxes," Jeff protested.
Jon shook his head. "It may all be USNA technically. But where is the money going to go? Where is the Rock itself going to go physically? Most of the value of the Rock is because it's already in orbit. A kilogram of Chinese steel on the ground is about $30US right now. But the same steel in orbit is worth about $280US."
"Nobody is going to make steel out of the Rock and send it Dirtside to sell. The economics aren't there. Never will be. But the $250US added value to boost the steel to us, is no longer going to flow downhill to the Dirtside companies. What do you think will happen with the profits, as the Rock is mined? April, what do you think your family will do with the money?"
"The biggest thing my granddad and dad have been talking about is to do another capture mission, to bring materials back here from deep space. But this time they would like to do a comet core, or even an ice moonlet from the Jupiter system, to bring a huge amount of volatile resources here. No point in doing another rock, when it will take years to refine this one."
She paused to digest it. "I see what you mean," she said "All the money and new business is here and the ground side is basically out of the loop. It may technically be USNA business, but it's not the established NA business community, who are accustomed to having the wealth flow through them and who have all the political connections. If they do bring a big mass of water in, it will just cut the money flowing to Earth even more. And with life extension therapy, they're not going to retire and go home to spend their money. I don't think my folks would voluntarily move back even if they did retire."
"Do you think your dad is ever going back to India?" Jon asked Jeff.
"No way. Unless like we were saying, they strip everyone out of M3 as undependable and he has no choice," he admitted.
"Earth courts, Earth judges. Billions of dollars in cheap materials in one lump just above their heads, they can steal without any real resistance. And the economy has been struggling for decades. None of the shifts in weather or politics have been favorable for a long time. So they need any boost they can snatch. I don't see any other outcome than they will at least try to steal it," Jon concluded.
"What's the second possibility you mentioned?" Jon asked. April was surprised he still remembered Jeff said there was another possibility. He'd really listened.
Jeff pointed at the box. "I have some power supply components, which are way better than anything being produced today, they are a completely new design, but unfortunately, when I was testing them, they emitted a signal a new USNA military system could detect. It alarmed them and an Earthie colleague of my dad found a way to tell us confidentially. They could pin point exactly where the signal was from, which is the bench my dad had allowed me to use in Lucent, to work on my stuff. Because I tested them there, they may think my dad or Lucent is involved. They weren't - they're mine," he said with some emphasis to make it clear.
"We wouldn't have even known it was detected, except this friend sent us an actual postal letter and told us the about the discovery. He mailed it from Singapore, when he was out of the country at a conference so maybe the USNA doesn't know about it, if they weren't watching him real tightly. The guy's no dummy so we could see him getting away from his handlers to mail it. And when we tried to call he wasn't available. That may be just to protect himself, not because he is compromised. For all I know my dad's lab may be trashed just like his room."
"You realize, Lucent may try to make claims on these, if you used anything at all of theirs, even just some bench space?" Jon asked.
"I'm not too worried. There's no documentation I worked there. The only evidence would be from a secret government detector seeing something there, they wouldn't testify in a court and they can't have any idea what was generating the signal they saw. I have all the receipts for the materials to make them also. My dad's two assistants saw me working on little projects, but as far as they are concerned I am just a ham radio buff, who likes to play at making things. Everything I had there is removed now. So the four of us are the only ones who have any idea what was really going on."
"But Jon..." Jeff got a really concerned look and made sure he had eye contact. "These are mine not my dad's. And I'll ask his help and seek his advice, like I am yours. But don't make the mistake of thinking he'll decide what happens with them, or that I need somebody to act in loco parentis and take control of them."
"Easy buddy. I'm not going to steal control of your stuff. I'm a little hurt you'd think that of me. As far as I'm concerned, if you are smart enough to make them, you are smart enough to decide what happens to them. As far as other people getting a legal hold on them - you sound pretty safe this time, but five people are already too many to know about any secret. Would I know what one of these things is, to just look at it?" Jon asked.
"Respectfully, no"
"Would you mind showing me one of them then? I'm just curious."
Jeff slid the generator type unit out of its tube and handed it to Jon. It surprised him a little with its weight, they could tell, because his hand dipped for a moment when he first took it.
"I know you're not telling me everything, which is OK. It's smart even. It just looks like a big old fuse to me. So, why isn't it back on earth being x-rayed and cut apart by our spy?"
"Because my dad is
the nanoelectronics expert and as far as anyone knows on Earth. I'm just a teenage kid. And while the guy was ripping my dad's room apart, they were sitting on the floor beside my desk, in plain sight, except for a pile of dirty socks on top of them."
Jon just shook his head in wonder. "So, if I'm to believe you, the whole spy thing might not be directed at the Rock and your parents, but at a crazy project that nobody knew about but you and your dad? If that's the case, then you lucked out even more than you can appreciate. What I have to consider now, is how to protect you and this property from something as powerful as the USNA. It's my obligation as long as their desire for them remains unofficial. I really don't need another pain in the butt problem, as big as the Rock." He looked at Jeff funny..."Your dad does know about these doesn't he?"
"Oh, yes. When we got that letter I had to reveal them. But we didn't have time to discuss much before he left for the conference. And I don't want to call him and get him all upset about the break in, when anybody could be listening in."
"No, I wouldn't call him about that either. They may have an agent assigned to watch him there. If you communicate it could precipitate them taking some action."
Heather and April looked at each other. They had both expected Jon urge Jeff to contact his dad right away.
"I'll have to figure out how to contact him securely, or even send somebody to make sure he gets back Okay. I have more resources. Leave it to me," Jon insisted.
April spoke up about the units. "I have an interest in these also now Jon. Jeff and Heather asked me to take these two units in my custody and keep them where we will all be able to recover them, but they will be safe from theft. What would you suggest we do with them?"
"I could put them in my armory for you. It would be within my authority. But frankly, I've been worried about the armory being a big target itself, so I'm not sure what to do. I would not put them in a safe deposit box." he decided. "I do have one idea I can check," he said and pulled out his pad and folded it open.
April couldn't see the address he punched in, but the fellow who answered was standing behind a large gilded and green logo sign for Holiday Inns. He was dressed Earth style for business, with white shirt, tie and a conservative blue suit.
"Good Evening, Holiday Inn, Mitsubishi 3. May I help you?" he offered. Then he recognized Jon and said "Mr. Davis! I hope there is nothing unresolved about the room from last evening?"
"Not at all Mr. Harris. I thank you again for your cooperation with my people. This is another matter. We have people we need to relocate, while we are doing an investigation and we have some security concerns about them and their possessions. Didn't I see a safe in your rooms?"
"Yes sir, we have individual fireproof vaults in each room, which operate from a single key card the guest may remove."
"Does the Hotel guarantee the safety of items left in the room vault?" Jon asked.
"No, I'm sorry," he said and actually looked sad, "but they are just a convenience for the guests. For the Hotel to assume risk for the items and insure them, the items must be checked in and stored in our main safe in the manager's office. It's a basic limitation imposed by our parent company."
Jon looked a question at April and got an affirmative nod.
"Is there a limit on value of what you will accept?" Jon asked.
"Not at all sir. We have had entertainers and Royalty as guests. People deposit jewelry and cash. If there is room for it we have even stored musical instruments. We just have to see what it is. We can't accept any sealed up mysterious packages, which could be illegal or dangerous.
"Mr. Harris, I would like you to have your concierge courier four key cards for a room, to the address I am keying in for you. I expect to have at least one guest in the room tonight and we will be using your main safe. When you pick the room be aware I may be using it for some time and there may be days it is empty, or there may be four guests. Your discretion in maintaining our privacy is part of what we are purchasing for station security. I am transmitting a credit line also and would appreciate it if you would bill me weekly in advance. I will let you know when it is no longer needed."
"Thank you Mr. Davis. It is always a pleasure to serve you. Since you voiced some concerns about your guests and their property I'll have our security fellow deliver the key cards and if you wish, he will escort any guests who wish his company back to the hotel."
"Thank you, I'll speak with him about it," he said noncommittal, "and a good evening to you," and closed the pad. He sat back in his chair a bit and relaxed. "I didn't even know he had any security people for the hotel. It will be interesting to see if I remember this fellow."
"I've been thinking Jon. I have a suggestion for you, if I may?" asked April.
"Why not? I could use a good idea. Fire away," he invited.
"Offer your best people to take the weapons in your armory home. They will be dispersed all over and your people will already have them at hand if you need to call them up. It's the same as what the Swiss have done for a long time."
"I've thought about the possibility," admitted Jon, "but I hate to ask. Some of them have kids at home and may not want guns there and it feels like I am saying there might be trouble soon and it has a way of making itself come true."
"You can always offer the opportunity, with the right to refuse without prejudice. But they have seen what's happened with the spy and this other problem you touched on lightly and now the mess with this room. I would say your best people are already figured out trouble may be coming."
"I may. I'll think on it."
"What do you think the chances are of something like this happening again?" April asked, waving her hand in the general direction of the trashed room.
"The fellow who did this had to be brought up special on a shuttle. I'm pretty sure they didn't already have somebody on station who could be trusted with this sort of job. The other fellow we still don't know what he was after, but I'd put him in the same class too because of how he operated. Why one man couldn't do both jobs I still don't know. It's so strange one of my people suggested they are from different agencies, that don't know what each other are doing. Since they didn't have someone here to do this job, now that he is gone, we may be safe from this kind of problem until the next shuttle comes up three days from now. Some agency could have some personnel here, but no point in losing any sleep over far out hypotheticals."
"You can bet we'll be looking very closely at everyone who gets off every shuttle from now on. We're not going to trust their ID when the government itself might be spoofing the data base for them. I don't care if it is someone's old grandma in a babushka. I want them scanned so hard I know what they had for breakfast. I would very much appreciate if you could give me some idea of when you were running these things Jeff. I want to develop an idea what the time line was for them to respond and send someone up for a look see."
"OK, I have a log of when I tested them in all the documentation. There is a memory chip with these two and there will be others which will allow Heather or April to show a nanoelectronics technician how they are made, in case I'm, uh. In case I can't."
"Dead is the word you are looking for," Jon said. "Something we'll try to avoid. Are you able to run these now and not be detected? Did you figure out what signal you were giving off and stop it or shield it?"
Jeff looked stricken. He looked at April for help.
"You don't want to go there Jon. Trust me," April assured him.
Jon picked the unit back up. "Heavy little sucker," he commented. "If it gave off any ionizing radiation Margaret would have found it when she scanned the room. Being a cop nowadays can be pretty complicated. I have to read a lot, know a little bit of everything. I'm not stupid you know. Only one kind of particle I can think of, for which there is basically no way to shield, but I thought it was just as hard to detect. Guess I'm wrong." He didn't press any further than that, to Jeff's relief.
The lady tech came over to Jon with a printout. "It's definitely our
same boy," she assured him. "We found a whole hair and a scrape of skin on the corner of the computer case. Whatever was on the computer memory he doesn't have," she said, giving Jeff an accusing look. "The protection was crude, but effective. I am pretty sure the memory is just trace elements in the blob of steel melted into the deck. I don't think anyone would be nuts enough to remove the memory and then set off the incendiary off anyway to fool us. It looks like he was in a mad scramble to keep it from burning through into the next level, so it was not planned."
"Thanks Margaret. I really appreciate you coming in off shift. April here," he nodded at her, "is the civilian who put us on to this fellow."
Margaret looked at her looked at her with renewed interest and offered her hand over the table. She prolonged the touch in an awkward manner.
"Jon still hasn't told us how you made the fellow," she told April. "Sometime I would love to sit and hear you relate the story."
"Excuse Margaret," said Jon. "She's a detective and she just can't stop detecting. If I were to disperse the weapons in our armory Margaret, so they are not in one central location and easy to seize, would you consider taking something home?"
Margaret got this predatory grin. "Sure. Save the heavy machine gun for me and not just frangible slugs. You have several cans of those belts with alternating armor piercing and depleted uranium slugs. I want them."
Jon was visibly taken aback by her reaction. "Keep it under your hat tonight, but in the morning I am talking with the shift leaders and may just do it. I'll admit I was running it past you, because I thought you were the least likely to take me up on it."
"Are you kidding? If I miss jumping right in, by lunch time your crew will have it stripped out and all the good stuff will be gone," she assured him.
"Exactly what use do you foresee for the heavy machine gun?" Jon inquired.
"Jon, I don't have a cent tied up in the Rock. I wish I did. But I am following the news and everybody I know with an I.Q. bigger than their shoe size, thinks there is going to be trouble over it. I know something of tactics from the Marine Corps. There is no way a commander is going to commit a force to the Rock, without securing this big can nearby. It's the tactical equivalent of a city, from which opposing forces could sally." "However, the can is my home. I feel really possessive about it and my neighbors. I live right next to the life support plant on our corridor. If a squad comes to take that plant, even in combat armor, I can drop the emergency pressure partition at the plant, put my back to it with the heavy MG and riddle their cherry little asses before they can stand a chance of retreating around the curve. They'd never expect it."
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