Let's Make a Deal (Bob and Nikki Book 11), стр. 81
“Did they at least go to some trouble to make it look like they hadn’t put out more platforms?”
“Not really. It seemed like they might think that the only way we found the others was somebody tipped us off to where they were, and we didn’t really have sensors that could find them.”
“I think we have played their games long enough. We’ll give them a fireworks show on their way out of the system.”
Tex said, “Yes, Boss. I’ll give you some pretty secondaries.”
“That’s the spirit! Anything else, Topper?”
“Pouncing Fox brought Frank back about two hours ago. He and Wilma are waiting in your ready room.”
“Nicely done, Topper. I suppose I better go see if we’ve gotten his attention, yet.”
I walked over to the ready room. I tried to channel R. Lee Ermey before I opened the door. Frank saw me, and jumped up, saying, “Oh, good, you’re here. Can I go back to work, now?”
I said, “Sit your ass down! You go back to work when I’m good and ready to let you, and not before. If your work wasn’t so important to this operation, I would have sent you out for a walk after that last crap you pulled. I’m still not convinced that isn’t the right course of action.”
He wilted. I continued, “I am not going to tolerate you messing with any bot’s programming, for any reason. Am I clear?”
He replied, weakly, “Yes, Boss.”
“I can’t hear you, maggot!”
Stronger, “Yes, Boss.”
“What was that, slimebag?”
“Yes, Boss!”
“More like it. You’ve caused me to disrupt operations at Shady, just to get someone out here to keep you out of trouble. If things there get out of hand, and our cover is blown, I will hold you personally responsible. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Piss me off again, and you’ll wish you were back on the planet, shoveling shit.”
“I understand, Boss.”
“You will be supervised at all times. You are not to be in the presence of a bot, unless Wilma is present. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Boss.”
“Wait outside. I want to talk to Wilma.”
“Yes, Boss.”
As soon as he closed the door, I asked, “Do you think I got his attention, Wilma?”
“You sure got mine. I’ll do my best to keep him on the straight and narrow.”
“That’s all I can ask. Thanks for coming all the way out here to deal with it.”
“You’re welcome, Boss.”
“Call me if you need anything.”
“I will. Hopefully, I can head him off before he does anything else to annoy you.”
“I hope so. There is only so much slack I can cut him.”
“I understand, Boss. I better get started.”
“See you later.” She got up and left. I commed Phonelia.
“Hi, Bob. What can I do for you?”
“Just wondering how things were going. Trying to keep busy so that I don’t worry about a meeting I have coming up.”
“Well, we just got into a new system, and we haven’t had time to survey it too well yet, but one of the planets looks promising, from this far out.”
“No sentient life, or near-sentient?”
“Not any that’s detectable from here. We’re going in without thrust, just in case.”
“Reasonable precaution. What does it look like? Ice world, or desert, or something in the middle.”
“A little colder than Earth, but not bad, by any stretch.”
“Sounds like a nice place. I hope it isn’t already taken.”
“You’ve been talking to Will, haven’t you?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You keep beating around the bush, like you’re trying to get me to tell you something.”
“You think so? Couldn’t just be your guilty conscience playing tricks on you?”
“You sneaky booger, you can’t play those tricks on me. Will told you we found a planet with beings who could evolve intelligence if we left them alone, didn’t he?”
“I refuse to confirm or deny your ridiculous accusation.”
“Did I just hear you say you don’t rat out your friends, so I might as well quit asking?”
“You’re entitled to believe whatever you want to.”
“How does Nikki put up with you?”
“Very well, thank you.”
“You don’t seem to be very upset that I didn’t report that planet to you.”
“I agree that it needs to be kept secret. I don’t want to know the coordinates, but I would have hoped you would trust me enough to tell me it existed. That’s the only thing that I’m concerned about.”
“You really don’t want to have it in reserve, as a bugout destination?”
“It would be too much of a temptation. No matter how hard we tried, we would wind up messing with that species. It’s better if we leave them alone entirely.”
“Sorry, Boss. I didn’t think you would see it that way. I figured the welfare of your crew would be your most important concern.”
“It is, but if worse comes to worst, we can hold out here at Charlie’s Planet for a good long time. We need a fallback position, but it isn’t something we need today. Besides, people know we’re associated with this system. It may well be we have to stay here to help Morning Flower fight off the folks who come here looking for us.”
“Will said you were negotiating a peace treaty with those folks. Did it fall through?”
“I’m negotiating with the Emperor, but he doesn’t seem to have very reliable control over the Navy. I’m yet to be convinced that a treaty with him is worth the paper it is written on.”
“I see. That sounds complicated.”
“I thought it was just that we had a dumb ole hillbilly working the problem.”
“No, Bob, it’s not just you. How close are you to a treaty?”
“We signed the non-aggression pact the other day. We have some other agreements to sign today, and we should be finished for right now.”
“I’m glad you’re