Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 56
“That seems to be the state of things, yes, Boss.”
“Do you think that the early bots might have been produced before the plant was infiltrated?”
“That’s a possibility. We know the Squirrels didn’t infiltrate all at once, and that probably wasn’t a priority for them.”
“Right now, it’s all I’ve got to work with. The Emperor invited me to sign treaties, and I want to make sure I get home.”
“Good luck, Boss. Talk to you later.”
“Fly safe, Scotti.”
I commed Topper. “Yes, Boss?”
“The Emperor wants me to come over and sign some treaties. Put someone else on Saucy’s console, and send him to the landing bay. Tell him to arm himself.”
“Got it, Boss. Anybody else you want me to send that way?”
“Bone, and anybody the two of them trust. Pete and Scotti are still not sure if you newer models have some kind of programming loophole, that would let the Squirrels tell you what to do. Scotti says she can’t find it, but Pete is convinced it must be there.”
“Are you sure the older bots are safe, Boss?”
“Nope, but it’s the best play I have. I figured to take some humans along as well, just in case.”
“Do you need me to get some people headed this way, Boss?”
“Yes, if it isn’t too much trouble. Dee, Beatriz, and Jane, if you would.”
“Don’t you want Captain Sloan backing you up?”
“More than you could ever know, Topper, but I need him in charge of the fleet, if this goes sideways.”
“Understood. The personnel you requested are all in route. Do you need anything else?”
“Murphy to look the other way for an hour or two?”
“Above my pay grade, Boss. I did tell Jeeves to get your dress uniform ready.”
“Thanks, Topper. Talk to you after.”
“Fly safe, Boss.” Gene’s voice came out of the speaker. “Diverting the transit to your cabin, Boss.”
“Thanks, Gene.” Nikki asked, “What’s up, Caveman?”
“I need to go to the Imperial yacht to sign those treaties we worked on. Before you ask, neither one of you is going with me. I do need you to back Topper up on the bridge again, if you don’t mind?”
“I can do that. Are you sure it’s safe to go over there?”
“No, I am not. I’m taking all the precautions I can think of, and taking Dee with me, so that Dingus will be motivated to solve the problem if something doesn’t go like it should.”
Janet said, “You play dirty, Dad.”
I replied, “I suppose I do. You knew that before you said you wanted to be my daughter, though, so you shouldn’t act like it’s a big surprise.”
“Busted!”
“Not yet, give it a couple of years.” She looked at me, and tipped her head, trying to figure out what I said. Then it hit her, and she said, “Aww, Dad!”
Nikki laughed. She said, “Mean old Caveman, why do you have to be like that?”
“The world is going to treat her worse than that, she might as well get used to it, when it’s just for fun.”
The door opened, and saved me from having to explain myself any further. Nikki and Janet stayed aboard, headed for the bridge, I assumed. Jeeves had everything laid out. He said, “Boss, if I would have known, I could have come up with a more impressive uniform for you.”
“I only found out myself a minute or two before you. This will be fine.” I got dressed, and headed back out to the transit. It was standing open, waiting for me. I stepped in, and said, “Thanks, Gene.”
“No problem, Boss.” The doors opened, showing the launch bay, with a gleaming freighter, and the people I had asked to be there. Saucy said, “Boss, we got all the first generation bots we could find. I hope we’re safe from whatever you think the Squirrels have.”
“Saucy, I’m not even positive the Squirrels have anything, but I’d rather be sure.”
“Either way, thanks for thinking of us, Boss.”
“Any time, Saucy.” Dee squared up on me. “Bob Wilson, what are you getting us into?”
“I don’t know, could be nothing. The Emperor asked me to come over and sign those treaties Natti and I have been busting our buns on. Given how trustworthy our friends the Squirrels have been so far, I thought it might be wise to take a few people along who know how to get out of a mess, once we get into it.”
“Why not just take a bunch of Marines, and call it good?”
“Pete and Scotti are yet to be convinced there isn’t a backdoor into the Marines programming that would let the Squirrels turn them against us. These fellas are old enough that they were built before the Squirrels had a chance to put a plan like that in place. Even so, I wanted some human shooters to back me up, just in case.”
She studied my face. “You didn’t want Dingus here, because you wanted him in charge of the fleet, if it turned out the Emperor was up to something. With me here, he’s going to be motivated to get us out. Same deal with John, coming after Jane, and Diego, coming after his Grandma. I’m surprised you didn’t ask Bucky to come along, but I suppose if that many ships attack, Steve will be right in there with them. Sally wouldn’t need any extra motivation, if you were in danger. You’re a sneaky booger, Bob Wilson.”
“Have to be, to stay ahead of all of you.”
Beatriz said, “And now with the compliments. Does he really think we will fall for that, Dee?”
“I doubt it, but you know how he is. If a thing might work, he’ll try it, just so he didn’t miss a trick.”
Jane said, “Sounds like they’ve got your number, Boss.”
“I suppose they do. Guess I’m going to