Dark as Daylight Ch. 05a

"He'll be 17 in March. He will do to the Senate what his cousin, Gordon, did to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, when we first applied for approval to build a small Nuclear Fusion Engine. Not one of the people on the commission understood how it could be build it, until Gordon explained it to them. He told them, if they built one focusing 172 high powered lasers at a gold capsule the size of a small thimble, containing titrium, and deuterium and have the heat of the lasers squeeze it down so small that the atoms fuse and produce a star burst of continuous energy, enough to power the entire continent. They still didn't understand what he was talking about, but they gave him the permit.

If they give Patrick a few months before the confirmation hearings, he will know more about NASA than his predecessor. If they ask him a question he does not know, he will start out by giving them a clear, and cogent answer, and then baffle them with bull shit. There will be only 2 people on the committee that will know anything about NASA, and the internal workings of it. Everyone else is just there for show. Patrick will take them apart for not knowing what they're voting on.

It works for us as well Mister President, because Patrick will never go anyplace unguarded. We expect someone to come after the 2 of us at some point. It will be wonderful to draw them out into the open as they try to make their move. Now they will have to come at us from 2 different directions. It weakens them, and makes us stronger."

****************

As their helicopter lifted smoothly into the air, Patrick asked his brother, "Will you call Holden for me?"

"Are you going to brag already?"

"There's no time to brag, I want to see if they can retrofit Orion."

"You are something else little brother."

"Rod Laver here, who's calling?"

"William Zabo Junior, calling for Holden Luck."

"Identifying."

"SAG A Star."

"Hello William, how is everything up north?"

"We are stirring the pot quite vigorously, looking for the rats to start running. It appears the president is on our side, but nothing is for certain."

"Very interesting, how might I help you today?"

"Is Holden with you?"

"Yes, we are eating lunch."

"What you are about to hear is the truth, so don't start yelling. Here's Patrick, and put your phone on speaker."

"Holden, it's me Pat, can you hear me okay?"

"Yes I can, what's up?"

"The president fired the head of NASA, and he said if I could beat him in a game of chess in less than 20 moves, I could replace him. I beat him in 16 moves. I am now the head of NASA. This is not a joke; it is for real. I want to know if it is possible for us to retrofit Orion with your sister's engines, in one year, or less. I don't know if they will need a nuclear engine, because they're only going to Mars. It will take them an hour to get there, and leave them more time for exploration. What do you think?"

"It's interesting, but I'd have to get underneath Orion to see how the cabling would go. We would also have to find a way to get the power to run my sister's engines without the nuclear engine to provide it. The nuclear engine is the only way I know to give it enough electricity. The super-cooled helium has to be kept at 4.2° Kelvin. The ultra-high powered electrical current is what achieves the negative magnetism passing through the 2% non-enriched uranium that puts the Earth's gravity negative 2% has to come from somewhere. It's either a small nuclear fusion engine, or we build a complete power plant, and put enough fuel in there to run it for 3 hours."

"How long do you think would take Bascom to build a 3 Mega Joule fusion engine?"

"They already have the design, and the experience to make the sarcophagus. The problem is Washington and getting the permits."

"If I got them to give you the permits, how long?"

"Since it would be a tiny engine, 7, or 8 months."

"How would you like to take a break from what you are doing, and go down to Kennedy to see Orion, with unfettered access?"

"Does a bumblebee like flowers?"

"I will pick you up next Tuesday, 10 AM, at Charleston airport. I gotta convince my dad I need an airplane."

"I have to bring my entourage."

"That's funny, so do I."

"Big brother, do you want to buy me a 747, or do I have to ask dad to buy it for me?"

"What the hell are you going to do with the 747?"

"Shall I show you my design for it, or can you wait until we get home?"

"We have an hour, go ahead."

"We're going to have 4 large bedrooms. One upstairs for you and Gwen. God knows you make enough noise. Another large one, forward, on the main floor, for mom and dad. One large one for me, and the rear of the aircraft, and one medium-size one for a guest in back by me. All the other seats will be first-class, and must be able to recline into a sleeping position. We have to travel with our guards, and they deserve to be as comfortable as possible, while we are flying. We will upgrade the kitchen area's downstairs for better food, and more of it. We will contract with the finer restaurants in New York City, Washington, DC, Charleston S.C., and the Cape Kennedy area for food. We will have 8 full-time hostesses, and 2 full-time crews on board while we are in flight. We will never have as much cargo as the plane can carry so we will see what Boeing can do for us downstairs.

The aircraft will be guarded 24/7, and maintained as Air Force One is. Anyone who goes near that aircraft will be challenged for identification and work orders. They will be escorted to their workplace and monitored while they are there."

"Do you want it painted like Air Force 3?"

"I think that's illegal William. I was thinking about something like 'DEFENDER' or maybe "JEMMA," but you can't tell dad."

"You did this out of thin air as usual my brother."

"No, you gave me 2 seconds to think about it."

"Give me the phone Mr. Administrator, before I hit you."

"Information, could you connect me with Boeing aircraft sales department. I have no idea where the located."

"Boeing customer relations, this is Virginia speaking."

"Virginia, this is William Zabo. I'd like to speak to someone about buying an airplane."

"Yes Mister Zabo one moment please."

*****************

"Frank, William Zabo is on the line and he wants to buy an airplane."

"William Zabo?"

"Yes Frank, William Zabo. Get your dancing shoes on, and pick up the phone."

******************

"Mister Zabo, this is Frank Williamson, how my help you?"

"You made me wait 87 seconds Mister Williamson, and it was a waste of my time. You have just lost a sale for one of your 747's, because of your tardiness. I am going to hang up, and call the French. I dislike spending American dollars in other countries and keeping their people employed instead of American workers employed. How many people have you just put on the unemployment line Mister Williamson, and how soon? Goodbye Sir."

"Mister Zabo, I apologize for keeping you waiting. We were at a meeting and I had to be pulled out of it to speak to you. I'm sure we can come to some sort of an agreement that will make you happy to purchase American aircraft."

"I need a Boeing 747 yesterday. My son was just made the Administrator of NASA, and honestly I don't trust any of their aging aircraft. With Congress constantly cutting their funding, all NASA does is cut back on repairs, and I won't have my son die, because Congress doesn't do what they're supposed to do. When can I have an aircraft Mister Williamson, when?"

"The wait for a new aircraft Mister Zabo is 5 to 7 years."

"Goodbye Mister Williamson."

"Mister Zabo are you going to be financing this aircraft?"

"I haven't financed anything since I purchased my first car. This airplane should cost me between $280 million, maybe $320 with what I have in mind for the inside. That's petty change Mister Williamson, I can bring it in cash, or write you a check."

"Mister Zabo may I call you back in 30 minutes."

"Here is my phone number, in 31 minutes I turned off my phone."

"Thank you Mister Zabo."

Patrick laughed. "You play dad very well."

"You watched me do it in China all the time. You have to scare the other guy to get what you want. I have a pretty good idea of what a Boeing 747 costs, but he knows now what I'm willing to pay for it, and he knows it's a cash deal. He's going to call his boss, who is the head of purchasing to find out if the deal for the next airplane is solid. Then he is going to call the head of production to find out when aircraft number 1 in line is going to be ready. They will call flight test to make sure there is a crew ready to fly that particular airplane. if everything falls our way, we will have that airplane in 2 months. If not able try to sell us a used aircraft, which I will keep saying no and no and no and no, until they lowered the price to bare minimum. Then we will change the engines, update the avionics, and work on the inside of the aircraft, until everything is brand-new."

"You sound like you've done this before."

"It's like selling a table. They have a product they want to sell. They have a product you want to buy, but not at the price they want to sell it at. The object is to bargain. They say no, you walk away. You get to the door they ask you to come back and reconsider. You tell them there's nothing to reconsider, because their price is way too high. I've already told them what my bargaining price is, and I'm willing to pay cash. Cash today is more valuable than cash 10 years from now because it depreciates.

Wait a minute, you gave me this lecture years ago, when you were in school, you little bastard."

"I was just checking to see if you remembered it."

"I should throw you out of this damn helicopter."

"You can't, the doors lock automatically when we are in flight."

{28 minutes later, William's phone rang.}

"Mister Zabo, Frank Williamson from Boeing. I tried to get you aircraft number one in line, but the deal is solid. Is there anything else I can try to do for you?"

"Yes you can Mister Williamson, give me the name of the owner of aircraft number one, and find me the best used Boeing 747 there is for sale. Don't worry about the engines because we will be re-refitting the aircraft, if we decide to buy it."

"The aircraft is being purchased by an Algerian Airline Company whose president's name is Falik sed Mansad."

William laughed. "Mister Williamson if I were you, I would not paint that aircraft."

"It finishes assembly in 3 days and is scheduled for the paint shop in 8 days."

"Mister Mansad will be calling you with new instructions either today, or tomorrow."

"Yes Mister Zabo, I will await his call."

****************

Frank walked to his secretary's office.

"That man is some piece of work."

"What do you mean Frank?"

"He threatens me, because I kept him on the phone waiting too long. He tells me exactly what he wants, and tells me he wants the first airplane off the line. I did everything I could but it was impossible, because the deal was solid. I couldn't believe it when he said the owner of that aircraft would call me within 24 hours with new instructions. Who the fuck does this guy think he is?"

Virginia replied, "I brought him up on my computer, take a look, but don't die on my floor."

*****************

"Dad, William, how much does Falik sed Mansad owe us?"

"Do you mean beyond his firstborn, his testicles, and his company?"

"Could you put a figure to that please?"

"Without going to my computer, I would say close to $5 ½ billion."

"Thank you, dad, he's just given Patrick a Boeing 747."

"What the hell is Patrick going to do with the 747?"

"He's going to put a lap pool in the belly, a bowling alley in the rear, and a bedroom for each of his mistresses."

"He's a forward thinking young man isn't he?"

"Yes he is dad. He designed the whole thing for me in under a minute. He is brilliant."

"Okay, call Mansad's New York office. Tell them they just lost an aircraft because they've been late on 7 payments. They are still going to pay for the aircraft, but we are going to be the owners. If they don't like it, tell them I'm going to foreclose on their loans."

"Thanks dad, I'm going to call them right now."

***********************

"StarWide Aviation, Teresa speaking."

"Teresa, this is William Zabo calling, I would like to speak to the chief financial officer or the president of the company immediately please. This is in reference to late payments on their debts."

"Mister Zabo, I will patch you through to our Algiers office."

"Falik here William, how can I help you?"

"You are on a spending spree, while you owe me money and are sending it in late. I have been very kind to you by not raising your interest rate. Are you still a sound investment for me, or should I take over your company, and sell it away in pieces?"

"We have had our best year in history William. Instead of flying to the west, our business has grown by flying to the southeast. That is our growth area, and our business is booming."

"If your business is booming why am I not being paid on time?"

"We have been upgrading our fleet to make our passengers more comfortable."

"If you are late one more time, I'm either going to take over the company, or raise your interest rate by 12%."

"12%, that will bankrupt us, either way I will lose the company. Is there any other way we can come to terms?"

"I know you have a Boeing 747 coming off the line in a few days. I want it. You pay for it, I own it. I will give you a year to prove yourself. If there is a downturn in your business over this year, you and I are going to have a very detailed discussion. Is that clear?"

"Yes William, it is very clear."

"You are to call Boeing tomorrow morning and tell them not to paint that aircraft. Advise them you will be paying for it, but the owner is Patrick William Zabo. Do not default on those payments, or I will foreclose immediately."

"Understood William, goodbye."

****************

The following morning at 10 AM Pacific Coast time, Virginia transferred a call to Frank Williamson's office.

"Mister Williamson, this is Falik sed Mansad of StarWide Airlines in Algiers. I have to make a change in our order for our Boeing 747 which is due to come off the line shortly."

"Yes sir, I've been expecting your call. Go ahead with your changes."

When their conversation ended, all Frank Williamson could do was shake his head. He had never heard anything like this in all is born days. A company was buying it an aircraft, but the owner was going to be a private citizen. The private citizen was a 16-year-old boy by the name of Patrick William Zabo. Even though he had read everything about his father the day before, he still couldn't imagine the power this man held over most of the people he knew in the business world. He picked up the paperwork, brought it to Virginia, and told her when she reads it not to be startled. Every word he wrote is true. He was going for breakfast, again.

17. Finality

You could hear a pin drop in the ready room. The look in Jennifer's eyes and the way she was holding Even close to her, told them this was not a practical joke. Soon, they were going to lose the glue that held their ship together. If anything went wrong, the first thing anyone did was call Even Luck. That comfort was going to be taken away from them soon, and there wasn't anything any of them could do.

His assurance that they were ready to proceed with this mission without him was of little comfort, because they didn't feel that way themselves.

None of the captains did, not Jennifer or Gordon.

The Captain trainees each shrunk a foot, when they heard the news. Janet and Gloria, who were on the bridge seconds ago, and feeling at the top of their game, suddenly were not as sure of themselves as they were when they entered this room.

Elizabeth saw him looking directly at her, as he was speaking. He knew she was thinking about running back to the safety of Navigation. As he stared at her, he wiped that thought out of her head, because he was telling her she was needed where he put her.

Tears flowed from her eyes. She brushed them away as best she could. She looked at her Captain, and nodded her head. He nodded back.

Monty realized why he was pushing her so hard. On this ship there were 2 imposing figures: Even Luck and Montgomarie Jamison. Even, because of his skill, magnetism and brilliance. Monty because of her leadership abilities, intuition, and size. People were naturally drawn to them, and valued their opinions.

Even said, "This information is not yet for general release. When we complete our travels through the White Hole, I will advise the entire crew of my predicament. Then we will turn to seek a new home among the stars. This meeting is adjourned."

Everyone was quiet as they left the room. There's nothing you could say to a man, who knew he was going to die to cheer him up.

Gloria and Janet left for the bridge to resume a close watch on the asteroid 25,000 meters in front of them. Callie was in full control of the ship's propulsion and navigation functions.

Gordon was one of the last people to leave the ready room. He glared at his father from the door.

Monty grabbed him by his neck, pulled him out of the room, and dragged him down the corridor.

"Stand up straight when you look at me boy. What was that supposed to prove? Do you think for one minute he wants to leave you, or us? Do you think for one minute he wants to leave your mother, or the twins? Do you think he has any say in this matter? Say something dammit."

"He should have let me die. He never told me he had a termination date. He knew this since he had cancer, and he never told me. I could have done something for him. I could have been a better child, a better son, a better scientist. I could've made him so much prouder of me then he is, instead of butting heads with him all the time. He should have told me Monty; he should have told me."

"So now when he needs you most what are you going to do; stick your head up your ass and hide? Or are you going to pick up the slack that's going to be missing by his passing? I'm going to be taking the 2^nd Captain's Test in 10 days. That's the 4 weeks earlier than I'm supposed to take it. Why, because your father asked me to do it. He wants another senior captain, and he wants it to be me. I'm never going to be as good as you, I'll probably never be as good as your mother. What I will be is what your father wants me to be; someone calm, and steady in the captain's chair, and much to my relief I will always be able to order you around."

"Monty, if you were the person assigned to pluck the turkeys, you would still be able to order me around. That reminds me, I have to have a long talk with the chef. If he touches one more egg, he's going to be minus a hand."

"Don't you think you should talk to your father first?"

"I'm not ready for that yet. I'll get to him before we enter the White Hole for sure."

************

The last person to leave the 'ready room' was Elizabeth and she approached me with her head down.

"My problems seem very small in comparison to yours Captain. I don't understand and how you are being so calm and resigned to your fate?"

"Elizabeth, I knew this was coming for many years. I don't know if you can believe this or not, but my sister talks to me from beyond the grave.

I was in the hospital suffering from pancreatic cancer, and they were throwing everything at me, including the paving stones in the parking lot. I was ready to give up, when my sister came to me and told me it was not my time. She told me to fight, fight harder, and fight the pain. You will never know how much I loved my sister. I would do anything in this world or the next for her. So I fought, and I fought harder and harder, until finally, I won. I beat the odds on longevity for pancreatic cancer, which is 6 years, because I am now in my 11^th year. If now is the time God wants me, I'm ready to go to Her, and explain my life.