Monkey Business (Bob and Nikki Book 10), стр. 92
“That’s kind of you to say. I thought Captains were opposed to mutiny, on principle.”
“Only when it’s directed at me.”
“It sounds like there is a story behind that remark, Commodore.”
“I’m afraid it’s a tale for another time. Do you have an estimate of how long it will take your engineers to get you back in the black?”
“They say about one of your hours, Commodore. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes, it is. Appears I have a few more prisoners for you to haul. Will that be a problem?”
“Less of a problem than showing up without them, I’m guessing.”
“Unless you need anything else right now, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Later, Commodore.” Saucy cut the connection. I asked Sue, “Have you sent your methods to all the sensor operators in the fleet?”
“Yes, Boss, I have.” Saucy said, “Boss, Rhonda is requesting access to the bridge.”
“Let her in.” She came bounding in. “Boss, I got my pilot training. I just wanted to thank you for helping me get my head out of my hind end.”
“No problem. Bob Wilson, rescues and head-popping, at your service.”
“Can I train on the fighters?”
“You don’t learn, do you? If you’re here, asking me, that means that Scotti already gave you a good reason why you couldn’t. You need to train on how to influence people. You really need to work on that. While you’re here, get your Mom on the comm for me, please.”
It took a bit for her to answer. “Rhonda, honey, what’s wrong?”
“Sorry, Gail. It’s me, Bob. I’m using Rhonda’s comm because we’re having some issues with comm security.”
“Hi, Bob. Is she keeping out of trouble?”
“Nothing we can’t handle. She wants to get one of her friends certified ‘Acceptable Contact’ so that she can tell her about all her adventures with us. Do you know the girl she’s talking about?”
“Sure. She was the only one who stuck by her when she was sick. What do you need me to do?”
“Go out to John’s, and get Max to give you Steve’s cold reading course, so that you can see if this girl is a good candidate for acceptable contact.”
“I’ll go out tonight. Does he know to expect me?”
“I’d call ahead. Things are a little hectic here, and I might forget to call and tell him to expect you.”
“I’ll take care of that. Talk to you later, Bob.”
“Later, Gail.” I handed Rhonda her comm. She said, “Thanks, Boss. See you later.”
“Later, then.” She left. I asked Saucy, “Connect me to Regimax Slongum, please.”
“Hello, Mr. Wilson, what can I do for you? The last shipment of hogs not up to snuff?”
“Oops, I’m breaking in a new COB. He got me the wrong Regimax. How are things in Oklahoma?”
“Going well, now that we have a steady customer to sell to. How are things where you are?”
“Interesting, right at the moment, but we should have that cleared up shortly.”
“Even no better than I know you, Mr. Wilson, that scares me a little. If it’s bad enough for you to call it interesting, I think I’m glad to be where I am.”
“Oh, come on now. Where’s that kid that went adventuring in his Dad’s saucer, just to see what the galaxy was like?”
“Older and wiser, I’m afraid.”
“It’s good talking to you, but I better get back to what I was doing.”
“Bye, Mr. Wilson.”
“Bye, Reggie.” I looked at Saucy. I didn’t know a bot could look sheepish. He said, “Oops! I’ll get it right this time, Boss.”
Max’s voice asked, “Yes, Bob, what can I do for you?”
“Quite a lot, if past performance is any guide. I just called to let you know that Gail White will be getting ahold of you to get trained on Steve’s cold reading course.”
“No problem. Why, if I may ask?”
“Rhonda wants to get one of her friends certified acceptable contact, so that she can talk to her about her adventures out here. I thought it would be better, if Gail talked to her first, to see if she was likely to pass.”
“That sounds reasonable, and well thought out. Who are you, and what have you done with my son-in-law?”
“It’s still me, Max. How are things back there?”
“Supply operations for Charlie’s are going well. We’re having to keep the recruitment out of Shady to one a month or so, to keep from raising suspicion, but we’re gradually cleaning the place out.”
“We could use more people out this way, if you can figure a way to do it safely.”
“I’ll look into it, but too many people disappearing all at once isn’t going to be easy to keep quiet.”
“I’m sure you’ll do fine. The need isn’t critical or anything, I just wanted to get you thinking about it.”
“Good enough. Did you need anything else, Bob?”
“Can’t think of anything. Good talking to you, Max.”
“You too, Bob.” Saucy cut the connection, and said, “Sorry, Boss. I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
“No harm done, Saucy.” We watched the Squirrel fleet as they did their repairs. None of them decided to try and attack. Finally, Snappi Dressi called back. “Commodore, we are ready to depart, if you would be so kind as to send the prisoners over.” Topper said, “Scotti says the operation is underway, Boss.”
Saucy put it up on half the screen. I said, “Your deliveries are on their way, Captain. Do me a favor, and don’t wake any of the prisoners until you are back in Squirrel space. I don’t want to have to damage your ships again.”
“Understood, Commodore.” Someone, I presume Scotti, had decided to reduce the risk of delivering the ships their promised walnuts. The nuts had been put in rescue balls, and were thrown