The Thunder of Engines

by Laurence Dahners

  Arya’d been pleased when Lee, another woman, had been their first point of contact with Space-Gen. But, when the Space-Gen contingent had arrived with ten members; Lee, another junior engineer, Teri Nunsen, and Space-Gen’s CFO, Cary Lark were the only women. Then, Marks, as she’d heard prior to his arrival, had proven to have such a dominant personality the rest of the Space-Gen team had seemed to fade into the shadows. Well, not Lee, but I think that’s only because I feel like I know her.

  Arya made sure there were thirteen chairs while praying that these immature-acting men didn’t have some expectation that she’d have arranged a stripper or some other humiliating entertainment. She knew such things still occurred in some parts of corporate America and had always thought she’d have the gumption to stand up to such idiocy. But can I resist when there’s so much money on the line? she wondered. Will I just roll over if they start asking for something offensive to women? Would Kaem expect me to lower myself to… such a level?

  Arya shook herself and turned to worrying about things she could control. She started checking the sturdy chairs for stains or stickiness. She was glad she did. She had to ask the server to replace two chairs.

  She set to checking the silverware and glasses.

  Arya decided everything was as good as she could hope for in a place like the Buffalo. She’d just started worrying about whether Kaem and Gunnar would arrive in time to provide emotional support when the door opened and the Buffalo’s star-struck night manager ushered Aaron Marks in the door.

  Marks made a beeline for Arya. The rest of his people were a little boisterous, as if they’d already had a couple of drinks. Marks, however, seemed fully in command of his faculties. Of course, he’s so brilliant, you could probably knock fifty points off his IQ without most people being able to tell.

  Arriving beside Arya, Marks said, “Thanks so much for setting this up. That demo this afternoon was…” he shook his head as if in wonder, “very informative. Have any other companies come for demonstrations?”

  Arya, shook her head, resolving to be tighter lipped than she’d been earlier in the day.

  “Was it Orbital Systems or Martin Aero that offered you the ten million?

  “Um…” Arya said, still feeling like she shouldn’t answer Marks’ questions about their business, but unable to come up with a good reason why she shouldn’t answer this one. “It was Orbital Systems. Um, Martin Aero…” Arya shook her head, stopping before she could say anything she shouldn’t about their problems with Martin.

  Marks said, “No need to say more. I know Ricard Caron, their CEO, and he’s… not a pleasant man. I’d bet he’s trying to apply pressure rather than making a sincere effort to negotiate, right?”

  Marks just said, “No need to say more”! Arya thought, Then promptly asked a question! But maybe she could get useful information out of Marks. This doesn’t have to be a one-way street. Just knowing Caron is difficult is helpful. To Marks, she nodded. “He hasn’t called himself, but the guy who did has been kind of…”

  “An asshole?”

  Arya nodded again. “You could say that.”

  Marks shook his head in disgust. “And they haven’t even made an offer, have they? I’ve heard of Martin using intimidation tactics before. Making ridiculously low bids. Telling vendors he’ll destroy them if they don’t play ball.”

  Arya shook her head. Which could’ve been an answer to the question about whether Martin had made an offer. Or not. She found herself feeling warmly toward Marks. As if they were a couple of girls with their heads together to discuss a hated bully at school. She pulled herself up short, How did he do that?

  Marks gently patted her shoulder, giving her goosebumps. “Well, even if we can’t make a deal, I’d love to help you guys stand up to Ricard. I don’t like him either.”

  I was pissed at Kaem for touching my shoulder without permission. Now I’m getting goosebumps when Marks… Before her thoughts could go any farther, the door opened and Kaem came in with Gunnar. Incongruously, they had a Mylar party balloon with them. Oh, Arya thought with a sudden realization, it’s a stade on a string! she thought. It must be the lighter-than-air cube they promised to make.

  Marks walked toward them, intently focused on the floating stade.

  Kaem pulled it down so the CEO could see it better. “Definitely lighter-than-air,” Marks said. “How’d you attach the string?”

  “Tied the string to a nut and put the nut in the chamber before forming the stade. The string’s under the one-millimeter limit, so, small enough to get out the door of the mold without causing problems.”

  “What size nut?” Marks asked.

  Marks’ question seemed innocent to Arya, so she was surprised when Kaem smiled and said, “Just one we had handy,” which wasn’t an answer to the question posed. After a moment she realized, Ah, if Marks knew the size of the nut, he could subtract its probable weight to infer the density of the stade itself and realize it’s close to the density of helium. From that, he might deduce that the density depends on the stuff in the chamber when the stade was formed, not some wizardry Kaem’s doing with his electronics… She had a warm thought. Marks may be brilliant, but he’s not getting a step on Kaem.

  Arya looked around. Their server was taking drink orders and passing out menus. Teri Nunsen, Space-Gen’s young female engineer, and Prakant, their CTO, were talking to Gunnar.

  Lee and a couple of the other engineers had gathered around Kaem and Marks.

  Ah, and Cary Lark, their CFO and Saul Izzo, their legal counsel are heading for me. I wonder if this is all part of a well thought out plan of attack?

  When Lark arrived, she extended her hand, reintroducing herself, “Hi, I’m Cary. You’re Arya Vaii, right?”

  Arya nodded, shaking Lark’s hand and saying, “Good to see you again, Ms. Lark.” She turned and extended her hand to Saul, “And you, Mr. Izzo.” She frowned and spoke as if in confidence. “Sorry we’ve got you here at the Cavalier Buffalo. It’s not a very nice establishment. I don’t know if you heard the byplay between Kaem and Mr. Marks that got us here?”

  Lark chuckled, “Don’t worry. This really is Aaron’s kind of place. The rest of us have gotten quite used to having dinner in the worst dives to be found in any city we visit.”

  “You can say that again,” Izzo grumbled. He didn’t seem to find his CEO’s proclivities amusing.

  “Well,” Arya said as if divulging a secret, “actually, their fish and chicken sandwiches, though served on paper plates, are quite tasty. The Buffalo also brews its own beer. I’m told their wheat beer’s quite good.” Arya hoped this last was true, since she didn’t drink beer and only had knowledge of a few online reviews.

  Lark looked around, “Trust me. We’ll be fine. Well, except for Saul here. He’s more of a sophisticate than the rest of us.” She turned her attention on Arya, “I tried to look Staze up online but didn’t find anything. The impression I’ve gotten from some comments is that you’re the business side of this enterprise?”

  Arya nodded, wondering once again what she shouldn’t tell these people.

  “Is it just the three of you so far?”

  Now there’s a fraught question, Arya thought. She said, “Well, we’ve hired some legal counsel, but you’re right, we’re very small.” Implying we’re bigger isn’t lying is it?

  Lark smiled, “From what I hear, you don’t need to be big when you’ve got a product as interesting as yours, right?”

  Arya took a sip of her water, dabbed her lips, and smiled, “That’s what I’m told as well.”

  “So, are you guys most interested in licensing your invention, or are you planning to develop some parts of it yourself?”

  Arya resisted closing her eyes to ponder a question with so many implications. She cleared her throat. “I’d think that’d depend on the offers we receive.” She didn’t actually think so, since Kaem was dead set on developing most of stade’s applications himself.

  Lark leaned a little closer,
“Well, I think you’re going to like the offer Mr. Marks is going to make.”

  Lark’s eyes were aimed across the room. When Arya followed her gaze, she found they were on Marks. What arrested Arya’s attention was the way the attractive Lee was standing right next to Kaem, apparently hanging on his every word.

  She realized she didn’t like that. But I shouldn’t care, should I? He’s not my… boyfriend or anything. He doesn’t fit my parents’… Arya cut off that line of thought. She was American enough that she didn’t think her parents should control her destiny. Am I worried she’s trying to use her looks to obtain an advantage for Space-Gen? No! She’s an engineer. She wouldn’t do that kind of thing. Besides, that’s such a previous-century thing to worry about!

  The waiter took orders from their little group, which got Arya’s mind off Lee.

  Once the waiter stepped away, Saul Izzo discreetly cleared his throat. “I, um, did a search for your patent on stade but didn’t find it. Could you give me the number?”

  Oh crap! Arya thought. And here I was upset because Martin Aerospace wouldn’t give me their patent number. She smiled at him and said, “I’m sorry Mr. Izzo. We’ve only just applied for a patent. I think we probably have an application number, but I’m afraid I don’t know what it is.” She thought, I sure as hell hope Morales has the application in.

  “Could you give me your attorney’s name?”

  “Um, I don’t know the ins and outs of this kind of thing. Let me check with him.” She held up her finger and backed away from Izzo and Lark, asking her phone to connect her with Morales.

  She was just beginning to despair of reaching Morales when his voice came on the line. “Hello, Ms. Vaii. I hope you’re not going to make a habit of calling me at all hours?”

  “I’m sorry Mr. Morales,” Arya said, suddenly feeling like a child calling someone important rather than co-owner of what could someday be the largest business in the world. “We’re meeting with possible investors and need to know if the application is in?”

  “Yes. I sent you an email.”

  “Sorry, we’ve been busy. Can you give me the application number?”

  “I can, but I would strongly urge you not to share it with anyone. Don’t think of yourself as protected yet. Secrecy’s still your strongest ally.”

  “Um, we’re meeting with Space-Gen over dinner at the Cavalier Buffalo. Since you have an interest in our business, maybe you’d like to join us?”

  “I would. When are you going to meet, and could I suggest somewhere… with a little more class than the Buffalo?”

  “Um, I’m so sorry. We’re meeting right now. I had reservations at Argent, but Aaron Marks said he’d rather go to the Buffalo.”

  Morales produced a long-suffering sigh. “You’re calling me after this meeting’s already started?”

  “Sorry…?” she said pleadingly.

  “Well, I do have an interest in your business and I would like to meet Marks… I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.”

  “What can I order for you?”

  “Their fried pickle appetizer. I’ve already eaten, but I should have something to pick at.”

  “Mr. Morales!” Arya said teasingly, “If you know the menu that well, you must eat at the Buffalo yourself.”

  “I went to school at UVA Ms. Vaii. Of course I’ve eaten at the Buff. See you soon.”

  Arya went to find their waiter and ask for another chair and the pickle appetizer. When she returned, she decided she should check on the conversation around Gunnar. Considering Gunnar’s crusty nature, she felt worried about what he might say if he got irritated.

  To her astonishment, when she arrived Gunnar, Prakant and Nunsen were talking basketball! At first, she was surprised Teri Nunsen was hanging around men who were talking about sports. After listening for a moment and recognizing the depth of Nunsen’s knowledge and the eagerness of her participation, she chided herself for her own sexist attitude.

  Since Arya had no interest in basketball, she turned to check on the others. Saul Izzo was right behind her. “Did you get permission for me to talk to your attorney?”

  “Oh!” Arya said, covering her mouth in embarrassment. “He’s coming to the Buffalo. You can talk to him here.”

  “Did you get the application number?” Izzo asked, producing a pen and notepad.

  Arya smiled, “He said I definitely shouldn’t tell you the number. I think you’d better reserve your questions for Mr. Morales.”

  Izzo grinned, “Can’t blame me for trying, can you?”

  “Why, of course I can,” Arya said, trying for a disarming smile.

  When it came time to sit down for their meal, Marks and Kaem sat next to each other, near the middle of one side of the long table. Arya maneuvered to sit close enough to hear what they said by sitting across from them. Prakant sat on Marks’ left. Cary Lark, the CFO, and Saul Izzo, Space Gen’s legal beagle, sat on Arya’s right. Morales sat on Arya’s left.

  Arya blinked. Lee was sitting on Kaem’s right. She just wants to be near the action, Arya told herself. Even if she is angling for a romantic attachment to Kaem, it doesn’t matter because I certainly don’t want to be his girlfriend! No matter how much she reassured herself on that fact, she continued to feel unsettled. Especially when Lee put her hand on Kaem’s arm while making a point. To Arya’s relief, Marks started talking to Kaem and he turned away from Lee.

  Their waiter stopped to give Marks his hamburger, causing him to turn away from Kaem.

  Lee said something and Kaem turned back toward her.

  Kaem laughed.

  Then Kaem said something and she laughed.

  What if she’s just trying to sway him? Maybe she’s not that great as an engineer, just an influencer.

  After all, no one could honestly laugh at Kaem’s jokes.

  Conversation remained light while people were eating. Arya got concerned at one point when the waiter brought Marks a beer and he tried to get Kaem to have one too. She was relieved when Kaem shook his head. Kaem grinned at Marks, “You’re not trying to get us drunk and take advantage of us, are you?”

  Marks grinned, “The thought had crossed my mind. The ethanol molecule has a time-honored place in seduction you know?”

  Kaem laughed, “We’re planning to keep our virginity intact tonight.”

  Arya didn’t think it was funny. In fact, she thought it was offensive. However, Kaem and Marks both seemed quite amused.

  Marks quickly finished his hamburger. After a glance around the table that reminded Arya of a general reviewing his troop placements, he focused on Saul Izzo. “So, Saul, I’m assuming that if we make Staze an offer, you could write a contract that would protect us if it turned out that all these amazing things they’ve shown us were just ploys in some startlingly sophisticated scam?” Marks briefly turned to Kaem and said, “I hope you don’t mind some straight talk. I like to put my cards face up so we all know exactly what we’re doing.”

  Kaem produced a subtle smile, “We certainly don’t mind, but we’re going to have to keep some of our cards face down so Mr. Morales doesn’t have a heart attack.”

  “Understood. Understood,” Marks said, turning his attention back to Izzo and lifting a questioning eyebrow.

  “Sure,” Izzo said, “I could draft something with production and performance guarantees in it. I’d need some help with specifications, but if you can work out the broad strokes, I could turn out something with the detail needed.”

  “Great,” Marks said and turned his attention to the rest of the table. “Have you engineers got any doubts about whether we want access to this product?”

  Will Goran said, “If we’re sure about the properties, because, after all, they’re unbelievable, then, absolutely, the answer is yes. Has anyone but Staze or the redoubtable Ms. Lee confirmed those properties?”

  Marks nodded, “The engineers in Space-Gen’s testing lab signed off on Lee’s results. Prakant checked with them and they fully understand what they
signed off on. No ‘sign here’ events occurred.”

  Goran said, “Okay,” then glanced up at the stade floating over Marks’ head. “I also keep worrying there’s some horrific flaw we haven’t been made aware of. Like stade dissolves on contact with water, or a high pH, or organic molecules, or… I don’t know, pollutants or something.”

  Kaem smiled and said, “We’ll be happy to guarantee it won’t dissolve… unless we want it to.”

  Goran said, “Maybe it fails on contact with something you yourself haven’t considered testing it against. Just the fact that you think you can make it dissolve scares the hell out of me.”

  Marks glanced at Izzo, “The contract you’re going to write up will protect us from such fiascos, right Saul?”

  Saul nodded.

  Marks looked around again, “Any other objections to beginning negotiations?”

  One of the young Space-Gen engineers, Jerome Stitt—a guy Arya’d taken an instant dislike to—said, “I’m just thinking of the old saying, ‘If it sounds too good to be true…’”

  Marks finished the saying for Stitt, “It is too good to be true. Yeah, I’ve got that feeling in the pit of my stomach too. I think we’re just going to have to count on Saul to provide legal protection against getting pulled too far down such a rabbit hole.”

  No one else voiced an objection. Marks looked at Cary Lark, so Arya turned to look at the woman next to her. Marks asked, “Cary, can we scrape together a hundred million to buy Staze?”

  Arya had intended to watch the CFO’s reaction but her eyes flashed to Kaem instead. Kaem had said he wouldn’t sell Staze. But a hundred million! For doing nothing?! Almost twenty million to me?!

  Kaem still wore the inscrutable smile he’d worn much of the evening.

  Lark said, “It’d be difficult and would take a while, but we could come up with that much.”

  Marks turned to Kaem and said, “How about it? You told me about your family’s financial difficulties. You could help them out and still retire a wealthy man.”

  Kaem said, “Respectfully, as I’ve said, we’re not going to sell Staze. We will make things out of stade for you. If you provide the molds, we’ll staze rocket motors for you for two million dollars each. We’ll staze booster rocket bodies with integral cryotanks for twenty million dollars. We’ll staze an upper stage body or delivery capsule for five million each.”