Stranded on Haven

by William Zellmann

  It was a good thing I'd started early on the aluminum, choc, and bra deals; it looked as though I was about to brushed aside in the rush.

  As for myself, I released the information that Startrader's cargo was up for bids, and I was beginning to receive a lot of requests for lists of available cargo.

  Res Vont was working overtime, as was his staff. He'd had to hire his contract typists full-time, to ensure their availability and silence. Still, he admitted that he was keeping them busy.

  Dr. Aram's Teas, Universal Chemical, and Cellia Metals had telegraphed to request that I send my attorney to discuss the contracts; and of course, in the case of Doctor Aram's Teas, there was no doubt that Ralf Jemson knew he was talking to the Star Man himself. I wasn't as sure about Raj Trunt of Cellia Metals; if he didn't know, though, at the least he'd been wondering about it. Then there was Universal Chemical, and Heidi's bra deal. Since none of Universal Chemical's executives had attended the party, I could still be pretty confident about my disguise and false identity.

  Still, by visiting either Jemson or Trunt I would be tempting fate. Oh, I wasn't really worried about either man; these were no Kel Sarbos. Still, sending Res both complied with their requests, and satisfied elementary security.

  I sighed. "I wish Universal wasn't in Firstlanding. I'm eager to see what they've decided, and I'd be tempted to come down there myself."

  Res shook his head. "Not a good idea. You were lucky on your first visit, but you know Duke Richard could easily have picked up some gossip about 'Star bras' and be waiting."

  I shook my head. Res was right, and he didn't even know about my second trip, the one that had nearly ended in death. "You're right, of course. But call me on your tablet as soon as you can. I have high hopes for this deal. In fact, I may be putting millions into it. Those bras are sure to be money makers."

  Actually, I knew I couldn't go to Firstlanding. Aside from the security risk, I was just too busy aboard Startrader and Adventurer. We now had telephone and telegraph service into the Zone as well as radio, and my 'assistants' were taking dozens of calls and messages. They were also becoming very suspicious, since I only let them take messages and pass them to Ellie. She reviewed the proposals, offers and deals. Some she sent a simple form refusal. Serious purchase offers were routed to me, along with proposals she felt had merit. If we agreed the offers and proposals looked good, we bundled them up and routed them to Res. He was going to be very busy when he got home.

  Since Firstlanding was only a few hours away, Res returned to the Zone with a complete contract from Dr. Aram's ready to sign, along with a sealed letter to be delivered to "the Star Man" before setting off for Cellia City and Tarrant. He'd also visited Universal Chemical, and seemed slyly unwilling to discuss it, always turning the conversation to Doctor Aram's.

  Res wasn't very happy, though. "That guy Jemson drives a hard bargain. I had to fight for two hours just to get a 4.5% interest for you."

  I frowned. "I thought we agreed on 5%."

  Res shook his head. "You proposed a 5% share. What you got was 4 1/2. But Jemson is placing an entire tea plantation in South Cornwell at your disposal. Actually, the place is south of South Cornwell, almost on the equator. For your ten thousand, you agree to provide 1000 seedlings and sufficient information to permit the training of staff in cultivation techniques. You will also provide 4.5% of the cost of establishing 'Star Drinks, Inc.', a subsidiary of Dr. Aram's. For that, you will receive a 4.5% interest in that company, too."

  "Phew! He drives a hard bargain." But I grinned. "I like him. If he's that tough a bargainer, I'd bet he's an honest one." I started to sign the contract, hesitated. I reached for Jemson's hand-written, sealed "Star Man" letter.

  "Dear Messer Carver," it began, "It was a pleasure to meet you again. Given your notoriety, I can easily understand why you travel incognito and in disguise, and why you would send your lawyer to discuss the deal. Still, I find it comforting to know that I was dealing with the principal himself, rather than a subordinate.

  "Messer Vont assures me that you will find our terms agreeable, so I presume to state that upon receipt of a message or letter from Messer Vont, I will travel to the tea plantation we discussed, to begin preparations for the arrival of the seedlings.

  "Of course, I am aware of the amazing speed of your landers, so I will inform you that it will take me three days travel by airship to reach the plantation. Please plan your arrival accordingly. I will not ask your schedule, as I understand your security issues. Simply assume that I will be available four days after receiving Messer Vont's message.

  "Normally we place seedlings in pots with high levels of plant food for a day or two, but I daresay that given the origin of your seedlings, I doubt such treatment will be necessary. It will therefore be necessary to get the seedlings into the ground as soon as possible after receipt.

  "It might be best, therefore, for you to allow me a few days to get the field prepared to receive the seedlings. A week should be sufficient. I hope we can meet again soon.

  Ralf Jemson

  I sighed with relief. Oh, he could still be setting me up for a kidnap, but I trusted my judgment of the man. I had a feeling I was going to be very comfortable dealing with Jemson, something I really hadn't expected from such an important business executive. I was actually smiling as I signed the contract and handed it back to Res.

  I sent a robot to gather a dozen of the books on choc farming and processing, and gave them to Res. "Send these to Jemson along with the contract," I told Res. "They'll probably need them to prepare the fields properly. Let me know when you get them in the mail, and how long they'll take to reach Jemson."

  Res nodded. "Not the mail. The package will be too big. We'll use a rail express service. Might take a week or so, if I have to send it from Cellia City. Less if I can send it from Cogan Town. I'll let you know."

  I nodded. "All right, now that you've had your fun keeping me in suspense, what do you have for me from Universal Chemical?"

  He grinned. "They were very disappointed that I wasn't you, I think. they kept trying to get me to talk about fabrics and bras, and I kept having to tell them I was just a country lawyer, and didn't know anything about them. But they had this thick proposal. Ran about 250 pages. It kept me up all the way from Firstlanding."

  I raised my eyebrows. "Well?"

  He grinned. "Hell of a document. They must have kept six lawyers busy for a week putting it together. I suspect they're nervous. This is probably the biggest gamble they've made in the history of the company. Actually, though, it's pretty straightforward. Those lawyers padded it with every possible contingency, probably just to calm the company people down.

  "They've decided to jump in with both feet. They propose a joint venture between you and them, to establish a plant in the name of a subsidiary to produce the stretchable fabric. They agree to provide the funding for the plant, machinery, and start-up costs to a ten million limit.

  "At that point, you agree to provide any supplemental funding up to the start of production. You also provide the name of the company that expressed an interest in producing bras from the fabric. In return, you will receive stock in the subsidiary equal to the percentage you have funded, plus 5%.

  "In other words, if the plant costs fifteen million, they invest ten, and you provide the other five, in return for 38% of the stock in the subsidiary. Oh, and you tell them who their customer is." He shook his head. "I can't believe they're willing to invest ten million without even knowing who their customer will be."

  I smiled. "There won't be any shortage of customers, once this stuff hits the street. They only need one to get the concept on the street and to the public. Okay," I continued, straightening, "I want you to draft me a contract. Parties will be Heidi and me. In essence, it is to agree that once my investment has been recouped, 50% of my earnings from Universal Chemical and its subsidiary are to be paid to Heidi. This whole idea was hers, originally, and she deserves at least half the profits. Actu
ally, I think this may be as big as choc." I sighed. "I could become very rich!"

  We discussed the auction. The thirty-day deadline was approaching, and I was getting worried about security again. True, I had indicated that another representative might show up, but I hated to get Res so closely identified with me.

  He shrugged. "Don't worry about it. No one in Cellia City knows me; I don't move in those circles. And I've never been to Tarrant. I'll use a fake name, and be careful coming and going." He turned a mock glare on me. "But I sure hope this security stuff isn't permanent. I'm looking forward to printing signs saying 'Attorney to the Star Man'! Unless our retainer relationship becomes exclusive, of course."

  I chuckled. "Well, don't start printing that sign just yet. Duke Richard is still very interested in me and the people around me. Be careful."

  He nodded soberly. "I will."

  So it was Res who collected the bids from Cellia Metals and Westin Mining.

  But before leaving Tarrant for the Zone, Res called me. I was irritated at having to take a two-hour trip each way to and from orbit, but it was the only way to get an even halfway private conversation by phone. I could almost hear his grin. "I'm hoping we can save me a long airship flight." He chuckled. "I peeked at the bids, of course."

  I grinned "I was sure you would."

  Res nodded. "These Westin people are really motivated. Sharp, too. I suspect they scraped up every bit of cash they could, but they bid two million, ten thousand New Home Crowns. Cellia metals wasn't as smart. They went for the round number, and bid two million."

  I nodded, smiling. "Great. I was impressed with the Westin Mining people. I liked their drive and their informal management style. Tell 'em they've won, and pick up their revised contract. Let's see. It'll take you about two days to get back to the Zone."

  Res nodded. "Three days, more likely. I hope your expense account is fat. I'll be booking sleeping cots on the airships."

  In another month, all my entrepreneurial deals were signed and active. The aluminum had been delivered to Westin Mining at night, on a rail siding almost fifty klicks from Tarrant. Delivery of the choc seedlings had been easier. I just dropped down over the major ocean, and flew to the thinly-settled coast at low altitude.

  Jemson had been waiting for me, and explained that he and his people had been studying our book; he was confident that there would be no problems, unless the plants themselves proved unable to adapt to soil cultivation.

  Heidi had tried to refuse to sign my contract with her, but I wouldn't take "no" for an answer, and finally she capitulated. I think it was the only argument I ever won with her.

  I was finally beginning to relax, and was actually enjoying looking at the offers on Startrader's cargo.

  I was a wealthy man, now, with over a dozen bank accounts. Ellie and I were becoming close, and I began to wonder if it would ever be possible for me to just retire, without worry about kidnap and torture, and without working 80-hour weeks.

  ********

  Faba Hunto, Major General, New Home Grand Army, looked down at his uniform with disgust. The proud maroon of the dress uniform of the Grand Army was gone, along with all the medals for which he'd fought so hard. Instead, he was forced to wear this ridiculous sky blue tunic over garish red trousers. In place of the hard-won medals on his chest was a silly embroidery spelling out "University of the Stars" in fancy script. He sighed. Oh, he'd understood the necessity, once Duke Richard had explained it; but it had been hard to sign that resignation from the Grand Army. Even the Duke's assurances that he would be reinstated after this mission hadn't made it much easier.

  Still, the mission itself was worthy, even historic! To take control of Adventurer! If they could do it, they could pull these upstart 'nations' back together in a few years. The Reunification could be accomplished in his lifetime!

  Reunification! Haven Colony had lasted less than a century, thanks to that fool Administrator Archer. In year 87, he'd allowed those mountain bandits in Cellia to declare themselves independent of the Colony; and instead of marching the Colony Defense Force west to confront them, Administrator Archer and his cowardly Council had simply let them go; surely the stupidest decision in Haven history.

  Of course, it hadn't been all bad; it had led to the Insurgency, led by the Bartons, which had overthrown Archer and his council, and replaced it with Administrator Albet Barton, soon to become King Albet. It had been too little, too late, though, Faba admitted. By the time the king had pacified all of Haven Colony and secured the kingdom, Cellia was well established and ready for a fight.

  Several expeditionary forces had been ambushed and repelled by the Cellians before King Albet recognized defeat. With the split, and the second nation, it became confusing to refer to both the nation and the planet as "Haven", and eventually King Albet had reluctantly accepted the lords' recommendation, and renamed the nation New Home. In a bitter, ranting speech King Albet had freely admitted to his humiliation at this action, brought about, he claimed, by the cowardice of the previous Administration and the selfishness of the Cellians. An enmity had been formed that remained to this day.

  But now! Adventurer was awake, and almost within their grasp! With the weapons and information aboard that ship, New Home could easily reunify all of Haven in only a few years. New Home would be once more able to assume her original name, because New Home would be Haven, and all of Haven would be New Home, under the rule of King David. Haven would once again be able to progress as one, as it should have from the beginning.

  Faba frowned. He hated this sneaking around. Better if they'd simply invaded that 'International Zone' and captured that blasted Star Man. But Duke Richard had explained that only the Star Man had control of Adventurer and the new ship. With even the briefest of warnings, Carver could simply jump in one of those amazing boats of his, and flee. They must capture Carver if they were to secure all the benefits from the ships. Every child knew the story; that only the person the ship's thinking machine considered its Captain could truly command the vessel, and take advantage of its incredible contents.

  Still, Duke Richard and King David had continued their preparations. There was resistance on that blasted "Planetary Council", despite the fact that New Home led it. And clearly Carver was aware of New home’s ambitions. He was being very careful, spending most of his time aboard one of the ships. Then there were those blasted 'assistants' of his. One of Duke Richard's agents, Carla Andros, had been killed in the Cellians' clumsy raid on the International Zone. the other, Andrea Parelli was too inexperienced to be entrusted with a vital mission like capturing Carver.

  All the rest of the 'assistants' were agents of the various nations and, it appeared, had been instructed to protect Carver. Even Rebecca Towne, Duke Richard's East Brent agent, was becoming increasingly reluctant to pursue her duties. Duke Richard had considered replacing her, but East Brent was a hotbed of anti-New Home feeling. Despite the words of his deputy in East Brent, Duke Richard was reluctant to chance another agent that might prove untrustworthy.

  The Duke had managed to suborn one of Cornwell's agents, Paula Cordo, by encouraging her resentment of Carver's role in her partner's death. He'd gained invaluable information on the layout and defenses of the International Zone, but then Cornwell had called her back, and hadn't replaced her.

  But the King and Duke Richard weren't about to give up, and they were clever men. Early reports from agents placed in working parties aboard the ships reported that the mechanical men, the 'robots' that operated the flying boats totally ignored their human cargo. Experimentation had proved that a man could stand directly behind the piloting robot and the machine would not react.

  All of Duke Richard's agents were provided with cameras, and ordered to stand directly behind the pilot whenever they were moving to or from the ships, and shoot picture after picture, as quickly as possible over the machine's 'shoulder'. Since Duke Richard had managed to place dozens of New Home agents among the work crews, this quickly produced thousands
of images.

  Analysts had quickly been able to assemble what they hoped were complete records of the robots' every movement in controlling the landers.

  Oh, the layouts of the controls varied a bit, but only slightly. Duke Richard had mockups made of the control panels, and several of New Home's best test pilots began practicing, sitting at the mocked-up controls and duplicating the movements in the pictures. As they gained experience, they began flipping rapidly through decks of the pictures, simulating motion.

  It took months, but finally the chief test pilot pronounced himself willing to try stealing one of the landers.

  Only one other hurdle remained. Very little information on robots had survived; the early colonists had none of the machines, and they had much higher priorities. As soon as Duke Richard had learned of their existence, though, he had set other experts to researching old documents, particularly anything relating to robots. King David had requested information on robotics, and that fool Carver, not seeing the importance of the information, had actually sent it!

  Faba suppressed a grim chuckle. They had been so close! And they hadn't even realized it. That party, with almost two dozen robots patrolling with star weapons had made it impossible to capture Carver and all the heads of state in one quick attack. But within three days after the party, one of the historians had learned of something called the "Three Laws", implanted in all robots. Those blasted mechanical men couldn't have used their weapons, and in fact could not have hurt a human being! King David's fury over Carver's deception had a lot to do with their mission schedule being accelerated.

  Faba recalled himself to the present. He looked around at the fifty men also clad in sky blue and red. They had been practicing, too. All veteran combat troops, they too had resigned in order to participate in this mission, as had the six men who'd seized control of the supply airship in Cogan Town.

  Unfortunately, Carver was careful; they hadn't been able to pinpoint his location. With any luck, he'd be in his office in the Zone; if so, he'd be quickly swept up.