by Bob Blanton
“How did you manage to acquire these asteroids?” Admiral Michaels asked.
“Not ready to share that yet,” Marc said, “and the existence of the asteroids is to be kept secret.”
“Of course,” Admiral Michaels said, shaking his head.
Samantha leaned over and patted his hand. “Just be glad they’re spreading the shock out,” she whispered.
“Way to bury the lead,” Blake told Catie. “Where are they?”
“They have entered orbit about one hundred degrees ahead of Earth. We’ll start slowing them down now until we can get them to about two degrees ahead of Earth. That puts them at a little over seven hours away for an Oryx at one-G acceleration,” Catie explained.
“Can an Oryx accelerate that long?” Blake asked.
“We’ll have to add a particle accelerator to the engine,” Catie said. “We planned on doing that when we designed them. Now that we have microgravity manufacturing, we can make them and retrofit the engines. By the way, that means we need to invent a particle accelerator.” Catie gave her father a bright smile.
“Oh my,” groaned Admiral Michaels.
Samantha reached over and patted the admiral’s hand again. “It does get better,” she said. “Until then, you’ll need to rely on Blake to pour you a glass of scotch.”
Blake immediately got up and grabbed his bottle of 15-year-old Glenlivet and a few glasses. He poured one for the admiral and himself, then looked around for any other takers. Samantha asked for a splash, the rest declined.
Marc shook his head at Blake’s antics. “Anything else?”
“Yes, we need to move a few of the fabricators up to the station. Then we’ll be able to make the special parts we need like the small power plants and particle accelerators. We’ll need to make them that way until we come up with a way to manufacture them on a larger scale.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Fred said.
“Okay, Liz, you’re up. I’m glad you’re waiting until after your update for a glass,” Marc said. Liz was the second ex-Marine who Blake had recruited to provide security and help out at MacKenzie Discoveries. She was a chopper pilot and a Krav Maga master. Besides all her other duties, she doubled as Catie’s personal bodyguard.
Liz smiled at Marc and indicated to Blake how much she wanted. “We will finish up the hub for Delphi Station next week,” Liz said. “We’re already manufacturing the superconductor matrices at the station. We’re also manufacturing the polysteel panels that we’re using to finish out the interior. We need to paint them; we’ll use the same compound that ADI gave us for coloring the walls here in the city.”
“Are we going to let people change the color in their personal space?” Samantha asked.
“I don’t know,” Liz said. “It’s tough on the air-purifiers.”
“Cer Liz,” ADI said. “We can use local circulation filters when people paint. It will capture the fumes, and we can recycle the material.”
“Thank you, ADI, that will help,” Liz said. “The big news is, our fusion team is actually ready to build a reactor. They believe they have solved all their problems.”
“How did they take care of the heat issue?” Catie asked.
“My understanding is, they are using liquid gallium to move the heat from the containment vessel to a set of coils. Those coils will then heat the water, turning it into steam to run the turbines. You’ll need to talk to Dr. Tanaka if you want a better answer than that.”
“Isn’t gallium a metal?” Blake asked.
“Yes it is,” Liz answered. “Apparently it melts at thirty degrees C. And, it can handle the extreme heat without turning into a gas. Everything is kept at ten atmospheres of pressure. Very complex, so if you want more, talk to them.”
“No, that’s good enough for me,” Blake said.
“Okay, and last but not least, we’re getting ready to extrude the inner ring. We’re going to need to install a treatment plant as soon as we can,” Liz said. “Currently we’re using the systems on the Oryxes to handle all the waste, but we’re approaching the limit of what we can do with them.”
Catie raised her hand.
“I’m assuming you’re volunteering,” Marc said.
“Sure, I’ll get Tomi on it, and Natalia wants to study environmental science. I want to give her a chance to see if she’s going to like it,” Catie said.
“I’ll trust you to take care of it. Now other assignments,” Marc said. “We have some applications from people who want to start businesses here on Delphi City.”
“I’ll take that as long as Catie will help me,” Samantha said.
“Sure, sounds like fun,” Catie said.
Marc nodded his approval. He had wanted to give the assignment to Catie so she would get more people-based experience. Samantha taking the lead was perfect, she would make a good coach for Catie.
“Thank you,” Marc said. “Now that our asteroids are getting close, we need to start up the mining operations for them. We need to find miners; hopefully, we have some people with mining experience. That way, they’re not too overwhelmed with having to do it in microgravity and in vacuum. Blake, can you take that?”
“Absolutely,” Blake said. “That actually sounds like fun.”
“Liz,” Marc continued. “How about getting someone started on the particle accelerator Catie wants.”
“Already added it to my list,” Liz said.
“Then that wraps the meeting up for today,” Marc said.
Samantha motioned for Catie to follow her to her office.
“We should talk about the business applications,” Samantha said while they walked down the hallway.
“Sure,” Catie said. “Thanks for including me. I’d like to learn about this stuff. You and Daddy didn’t set me up, did you?”
“No, but with his reaction, you’d have thought we did.”
“He did seem happy.”
“ADI, please send us the business applications,” Samantha asked.
“They are on your comm, Cer Sam,” ADI said.
“Thank you,” Samantha said. “Let’s see what we have. A Lebanese restaurant, a Jamaican restaurant, a hotdog stand, and a clothing store.”
“A clothing store!” Catie said, completely surprised that someone would want to start one up in Delphi City. Almost everybody either ordered online or made their own. “That will be interesting.”
“Why don’t you take the clothing store and the Jamaican restaurant,” Samantha said. “I’ll check out the hotdog stand and the Lebanese restaurant. If you need help, just text me. We can review things on Friday.”
“Okay,” Catie agreed. “I’m surprised you didn’t take the clothing store and give me the hotdog stand.”
“I think we’ll give a more impartial review of their business plan this way,” Samantha said with a small laugh. “These are the first people who have asked to start up their own business. We’ll have to decide how to handle the leases and select the locations.”
“We have set aside areas for commercial districts,” Catie said. “I’m not sure about a hotdog stand, though.”
Chapter 3
Business Plans
Catie was meeting with the Shammas family in their home. She had invited them to her office, but they had requested that the meeting be in their condo.
“Would you like some tea and sweets?” Mrs. Shammas asked.
“Some tea would be nice,” Catie answered as she took the seat on the sofa that Mr. Shammas was indicating. “So tell me about this clothing store you want to open.”
“Nezha wants to sell some clothes that she makes,” Mr. Shammas said. “She thinks that the young people here in Delphi City would like to buy suits that look like the ones the pilots wear.”
“You mean our shipsuits?” Catie asked.
“Yes,” Mrs. Shammas said as she entered with the tea. She poured a cup for Catie and her husband and then sat down next to her husband. “Our son and daughter both begged me to make one for them. I
made them one each, now all their friends are asking for them.”
“Even the girls?” Catie asked, surprised that Muslim girls would wear anything so tight as a shipsuit.
“She is only seven,” Mrs. Shammas said. “But I am sure that even the older girls will be wearing them. This generation is so daring, and it is so safe here. Let us show you. Hanifa, Salim, come here and show Ms. McCormack your suits.”
Two children came out of the back bedroom wearing shipsuits. They were made of spandex but were a remarkable likeness for the shipsuits that the pilots wore when going into space. They fit snugly, although not with the same tightness of the real shipsuits that had to provide pressure to compensate for the vacuum of space.
“Those are so cute,” Catie said. “And so realistic. You have even made the boots.”
“My friend, Sania, made the boots,” Mrs. Shammas said. “She makes many different types of footwear. She will have a booth in our store.”
“Do you think there will be enough demand to keep a business going?” Catie asked.
“Oh yes, I would not be able to make them so fast. And your pilots wear them all the time, they even wear them to restaurants and bars,” Mrs. Shammas said. “That means the children will be wearing them all the time, so they will need more than one pair.”
“They are comfortable,” Catie said.
“Of course, you are a pilot also,” Mrs. Shammas said. “I’m surprised you are not wearing one now.”
“My father would have a fit,” Catie said.
“Oh, he cannot be such a prude,” Mrs. Shammas said.
“Oh no, not because of that. He would be upset because I wasn’t wearing proper business attire while I was having a meeting,” Catie said. “When I was flying, I wore mine all the time. I haven’t been flying for a while.”
“Yes, one must project the proper image,” Mr. Shammas said. “At home, Nezha would sell them at the local market, but we don’t have one here.”
“A local market,” Catie said. “Like they have on Rarotonga?”
“Yes,” Mrs. Shammas said. “The women have arranged to set up a small market in someone’s condo each week, but it doesn’t work too well.”
“Someone should have come and asked,” Catie said. “We can make arrangements for a market. I assume you’re referring to an open-air market with booths.”
“Yes, so that you can choose which days you come.”
“Is it important that it be outside?” Catie asked. “We could use one of the smaller warehouses and set something up inside. That way, it would be permanent.”
“Being outside helps to draw a crowd,” Mrs. Shammas said. “People see the booths, and they stop to shop. If it was inside, how would they know? Besides, at first, we would only open the market during the weekends.”
“You could advertise,” Catie said. “What about if it were inside, but you could set up a few booths on the outside so that people would see that you were open. You could change which products you show outside based on how well they draw people in. And I think we can figure a way that works for only having it on the weekend.”
“That would be wonderful,” Mrs. Shammas said. “But wouldn’t it be expensive to use a warehouse?”
“I don’t think it would be too bad, certainly less expensive than everyone opening a small store,” Catie said. “I’ll make you a deal. You arrange with your friends to hold a community market; I’ll give you the space for free for the first three months. If at the end of that time, you think you can afford to pay rent, we’ll negotiate a reasonable rate. I’ll supply the tables; you’ll need to supply everything else. If that doesn’t work, we’ll come up with another plan.”
“What about taxes?” Mr. Shammas asked.
“Ohh,” Catie moaned. “I’ll take care of taxes for the first month. During that time, we’ll work out how to handle them.”
“Excellent,” Mr. Shammas said. “And you will let us know which warehouse?”
“Yes,” Catie said. “I already have in mind the one we’ll use, but I need to check with some people first. I’m sure we can have everything ready for next weekend.”
Catie decided that the warehouses were too far away from where people lived to really work for a community market, so she decided on some of the unused manufacturing space instead. The space she chose was at the edge of the residential section, right across from one of the larger parks. She thought it would lend itself to people congregating and making an outing of going to the market. She was interested to see how things turned out next weekend.
◆ ◆ ◆
The next day, Catie went to meet with the two men who were planning to open a Jamaican restaurant. She was meeting them at the site she thought was the best fit for the restaurant. It was in one of the condo complexes where the ground floor had been designated as retail space.
“Good day, gentlemen,” Catie said as she opened the door to allow the two men to enter. “I think this would be a good location for your restaurant. Of course, I will be happy to consider other options if you don’t like it. It’s located right next to an office park, and although many of the offices are empty now, that should change over time. And this is one of the more desirable condo complexes since it’s the farthest from the airport.”
“We like it,” the first man said. “I am Kenyon Deogene, and this is my brother, Jaylin.”
“I’m pleased to meet you,” Catie said; she smiled at the Caribbean lilt to his voice.
“We are pleased to be making your acquaintance, too,” Kenyon said. “Now what would be the rules if we lease this location?”
“You are responsible for modifying the interior to suit your needs. You will have to use one of our construction teams, but you pay their wages for the time you use them. We’ll provide the materials for any walls or windows,” Catie explained. “The first three months of the lease are free, then you have to pay four thousand dollars per month.”
“Is there a minimum duration for the lease?” Kenyon asked.
“No,” Catie replied.
“This seems unusual,” Jaylin said. “No deposit, no fixed term, and we only pay to have the place altered.”
“That’s correct,” Catie said. “Basically, your startup cost is the fixtures and the labor to set everything up. We’re looking for businesses to succeed, so we want to help. If you fail, we’ll keep the alterations you’ve made and offer the space to another restaurant. We assume you’ll be buying the fixtures on credit, so we don’t expect them to stay.”
“I’m liking this place,” Kenyon said. “Do you have a bank we can talk to about borrowing money to set up our place?”
“I can take care of that for you,” Catie said. “Do you have any collateral?”
“Not much,” Jaylin said, “I only have my two hands and the twenty thousand dollars we’ve managed to save and bring with us.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Catie said. “You make me and my friend dinner tonight, and if we like it, we’ll loan you the money.”
“You bring your boyfriend to our place,” Jaylin said. “We’ll impress you so much, you’ll be happy to loan us the money.”
“It won’t be my boyfriend,” Catie said. “I’ll be bringing her,” Catie said as she pointed to Natalia. Natalia, Catie’s bodyguard and friend, was sitting in the background trying to be inconspicuous.
“You have our address,” Kenyon said. “We’ll see you tonight at seven o’clock.”
“We’ll see you then,” Catie said as she let them out.
“Why did you include me in the dinner?” Natalia asked. “I could have waited outside for you.”
“I know, but you’re always having to follow me around, I figured it was only fair that you get some benefit out of it,” Catie said. “Besides, you told me you like Jamaican food. You’ll be a good judge of their food quality.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Hello, Ladies,” Kenyon greeted Catie and Natalia at the door; he had dressed like a waiter. “Right this way.
”
He led them to the dining room, which was set up just like a restaurant. “Your table is right here. May I offer you something to drink? We have wine and beer. We also feature Papaya juice, lemonade, and refreshing ice tea.”
“I’ll have ice tea,” Catie said.
“I’ll have the same,” Natalia added. Once Kenyon left to get their tea, Natalia leaned over to whisper. “They’re doing this just like we were in a restaurant.”
“I think it’s clever,” Catie said. “What better way to impress us. And it gives me the perfect opportunity to talk to you about your job.”
“My job?” Natalia asked, sitting back and wondering if she’d been doing something wrong.
“Yes, you said you wanted to study environmental science, and an opportunity has come up. I wondered if you were interested in it.”
“I’ve only been studying for ten weeks, isn’t it a little early to talk about a job?” Natalia asked.
“There’s nothing like on-the-job training to complement your studies,” Catie said. “At least that’s what Daddy always tells me when he gives me a new job.”
“Here you go, Ladies,” Kenyon said. “Your ice tea and some coconut shrimp for an appetizer. This is a homemade honey-mustard sauce. It’s a bit spicy, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.” Kenyon stepped away from the table.
“Those coconut shrimp look delicious,” Natalia said.
“They sure do, and remember I get half,” Catie said as she scooped some of the sauce onto her plate.
“Half? Hey, I have to take in a lot of calories to keep this body fit,” Natalia said, making a point of her two-hundred-pound frame.
“Then you’ll just need to eat more veggies,” Catie said. “Now about that job. It’s developing the waste treatment plant for our high-altitude residence.”
“Oh, you mean the space station,” Natalia said, only mouthing the words for space station.
“Yes, you remember Tomi,” Catie said. After Natalia nodded, Catie continued, “He’s going to be the main designer, but there is a lot of work to do, and then there will be starting it up. He’s made it clear he’s staying grounded, so someone needs to be on the job site to test things out.”
