Finally, the lawyer stopped scrutinizing the document and gave me a still slightly stunned look.
I think, Igor, in a week youll be licensed. With such a recommendation, it is unlikely that anyone would pay attention to formalities, because, in fact, Mr President himself has assumed full responsibility. Youve earned a lot of trust, though.
I just hemmed vaguely. I didnt expect it myself. And some little worm of doubt was scratching somewhere in my brain, banging hammers into the top of my head: theres no free cheese in rat labyrinths.
Im more than happy with the week, I told Rabinovich, But I have to get started somewhere. Can your company find me an office space and an experimental workshops site?
I think so. It wont be a problem. Its not hard to rent an office in the capital, if one has money. Its pretty simple with a production site, but not on Earth, of course. Theres no way youre gonna be allowed to set up a production site here, but the Moon is at your complete disposal. There are huge tech parks where they will be happy to rent you out the necessary space, perhaps even together with the equipment.
Then, Leo, get the list of the parameters of the site and the office that I need, and Im looking for suggestions.
* * *
Good afternoon, Ivan Gerkhardovich, I decided not to delay calling Professor Stein,Do you have a few minutes for me?
Glad to see you, Igor, the professor gave me a sincere smile. Of course, Im the one he has extremely positive memories with, both emotionally and financially, Always happy to talk to you. But you didnt just bring up the provincial professor. Surely you have another adventure for me. Am I right?
As always, Ivan Gerkhardovich, as always, I didnt deny it, But Im also very happy to see you in a good mood.
Well, tell me, then. Why waste time?
Ive registered a company and Im going to develop weapons for our army. In a weeks time, Ill have the necessary license, office and space to house the production equipment. I need people, good engineers and scientists to develop EW systems, armor and cannons, and then utilize all this into prototypes of spacesuits, dropships and combat robots. Ten people will be enough for now. Ill send you a list of the skills needed. Could you find me such people among the best students of the Colonial Technological Institute or among recent graduates? I need young people with open-minded brains capable of perceiving and developing breakthrough ideas.
Give me your list, Ill see what I can do.
I sent the professor a pre-prepared paper. A couple of minutes later, Stein stopped reading and looked up at me.
I think I will. I see youve already indicated the approximate salary levels. I dont think any of my candidates would give up on that. Itll take me a few days to talk to the right people.
Thank you, professor, I had no doubt that you could help me recruit people. But that is not all, I said, observing a slight surprise and interest on Steins face,To manage this team, I need an experienced leader with the necessary knowledge and authority in the scientific community.
And you want me to help you find such a man?
No, Ivan Gerkhardovich, I dont. I already found him. This man is you. If you want to, of course. But something tells me youre not gonna say no, I smiled rapaciously.
The professor started thinking. He didnt see it coming.
Hmm, Stein vaguely hemmed, about another adventure, I did guess. Id probably send someone else with that idea a long way away. Im too used to the Colonial Technological Institute, Ive got all my roots in it.
Professor, I told Stein quietly, do you watch the news regularly?
Yes, I do, from time to time.
And what do you see? Do you think Id start this whole thing if everything was okay? Why? Im not poor already. And as you can see, Im a soldier, not a scientist. And suddenly, I make this offer. Why do you think?
The professor looked at me silently.
When I first met you, I was dying of asteroid fever. And then, to avoid death, I became a scientist for a while. And now I come back to you, and Im ready to do science and engineering again. Im dead sick again, Professor. But Im not the only one sick this time. The whole Federation is sick. And if we dont create a cure right now, we all die. Some will die in space and in the colonies fighting the quargs, and someone in the Solar System under bombs and orbital strikes when theres no one left to protect the planets. There will be no Colonial Technological Institute, no artificial sun over Titan. Its a matter of several years. We need a cure, professor, and this cure is a new weapon. Ill give it to the Federation, with or without you, but Id rather do it with you.
Is it that bad?
I was there and I saw it with my own eyes.
The professor looked away, and for a while, he was thinking about something of his own. Finally, he looked me in the eye again.
Where and when do I bring the science and engineering team?
Chapter 2
I spoke to the newly-made Lieutenant of the Corps of Engineers, Jeff, shortly after the call to the professor. He took my idea calmly, but surprised me with his answer.
Commander, Im with you, whats there to talk about? As much new hardware as Ive seen and touched in the last few months with you, Ive never seen before in my life. And not only did I see it, but I thoughtfully looked into it, and then I tested it in combat. This is a dream, not a service! And something tells me therell be no problem with such things in your new firm. Just talk to the director of the Academy. I owe him a lot. They wouldnt have made me lieutenant without him. Im supposed to have taken an individual training course at the Academy. Although why supposed, if Im talking to my instructor now, the Lieutenant smiled, Yeah, and I wouldnt want to leave the army now, when Ive just become an officer.
All right, Jeff. Ill talk to the Lieutenant General, I think we can find a way that works for everyone, and then Ill contact you again.
Lieutenant General Schiller left me his personal contact, sending me to the capital for an award, so now I could go straight to him.
The director of the Academy didnt respond to the call, but he called back 20 minutes later.
So, Second Lieutenant, congratulations on the Federation Award, the new rank, and the Staff Academy. Dont stand at attention, the call isnt official. And put aside ranks.
Thank you for your help. All of this is largely due to you.
I watched the awards broadcast. What were you talking to the President about for a minute? General Gallo nearly burst on the spot from such a breach of protocol, Schiller grinned.
Thats what I wanted to talk to you about. Please, look at this document, I sent the General a copy of the recommendation signed by President Tobolsky.
Youre such a dodger, Lavroff. How do you get those papers? a minute later, the general laughed. First Admiral Petrov, now Mr President himself You just have the talent to be in the right place at the right time with the right words. And what do you want from me?
I need a chief engineer. A talented technician familiar with weapons specifics. Youve got one of those.
Im not giving Jeff away. So far, everything youve done has been good for the Academy. Now you want to steal my best tech?
No, I dont. He wouldnt leave the service himself, much less you.
What do you want then? the General was surprised.
I want a mutually beneficial partnership with the Planetary Commando Academy. You can send Lieutenant Jeff to my company as a military advisor or just a consultant, after all. At my official invitation, of course. To insure the cooperation of weapons developers with the army and to make certain that the needs of troops are most fully taken into account in the development of new equipment. I need a talented technician. So do you. His qualifications will only increase in my company, and the Academy through him will have access to the latest developments of my company, which are just being tested. And, of course, Ill only have him spending just a part of his time, so hell be able also to perform his duties at the Academy, albeit in a somewhat reduced form.