Chapter 12
Colby’s Dilemma
Colby, the Star Board Commander's, mood was, as usual, less than happy. Well that is probably the understatement to end understatements. If there was a time to do something completely irrational, this would be the time for Colby to do it. Doing something, anything, would relieve some of the frustration he felt at not being able to protect his now almost extinct personnel. He knew that he had to bring the UGGB up to date on things but he wasn't sure how they would take Scott's situation. Colby quickly typed in a detailed note on current events and forwarded it to the board. He didn't expect a reply until after the board had called a meeting and made some decisions. That, of course, would take some time.
In the meantime, he was practically out of business, except for completing dead files and closing cases that no longer mattered. Dead files, what’s in a name? The files were dead, the personnel were dead, Colby again thought that maybe he too might as well be dead. He never thought about committing suicide or anything like that. He just thought it would have been easier if he too had been eliminated by the unknown enemy. He knew he could never do away with himself, he was too much of a coward and did not like the sight of blood, especially his own.
As Colby walked, he again thought about the Warman and Scott, his lone surviving Coordinator. What an unlikely pair. Scott was of normal statue and build, while a Warman was enormous and built more like the cartoon drawings of a Super Hero. Scott was good at intervening and conferences. The Warman was like a, a one man wrecking crew, able to leap tall buildings with a single bound. If he wasn’t a Warman, he could have been a super hero.
Colby thought that Scott must think he was out of his mind. His only survivor and he chewed him out because he's still alive. Colby was just so shocked. He felt Scott wasn’t alone but he expected him to have some lovely young thing living with him, which is not against the rules, just highly frowned on.
But, no, no, not Scott. He had to have a destructive weapon, and not just a gun or bomb, which might have been understandable in some respects, he had to have a live Warman as his companion. A man in search of peace with a Warman, it’s contradictory to say the least, maybe even an oxymoron.
Colby tried to forget about that for now and set his mind on trying to rebuild his forces with some personnel that could protect themselves. He still had to keep within the rules established by the UGGB. Colby let his thoughts navigated through their set policies looking for some gray areas on weaponry that would meet his needs.
With their present state of affairs, He didn't think for one minute the board would condemn him if he had his crews able to defend themselves. After all the UGGB's clients would be the ones who benefit in the long run.
Colby started with a call to his Engineering of Defensive Weapon Department. He wanted to find out what is new and available. He knew that Cliff was still there, so he might as well ask to speak with him. It would save a little time and avoid a lot of phone transfers before he got to the individual that had the information he required.
The picture was exceptionally clear when the call was answered. “E.D.W.D, this is Carol. How may I direct your call?”
“Hi Carol, this is Colby. I need to speak to Cliff.” Colby told the young lady who appeared on his monitor.
“Hey Mr. Colby. Hold on, I will transfer you.” Carol was replaced by a blank screen. At the bottom was a short line that read, “Call transferred to Cliff”.
Cliff’s face replaced the blank screen. The engineering department was visible in the back ground. “Hey Colby. I’m surprised to hear from you, you know, with all that’s going on.” Cliff then paused as he saw Colby’s expression. “Sorry, I heard what happened and I didn’t mean to be crass. What’s up? How can I help?”
“Morning Cliff, thanks, it has been tough and, hey, don’t worry about it. I know how the talk is all over the project and I am so mad, at what happened, the talk doesn’t mean anything to me. I have to keep busy so I need your help.” Colby said and meant it.
“Ok, should I come up to your office?”
“No, that’s ok, I’ll come down later, what I need to talk about is down there anyway.” Colby paused. “What would be a good time for you, this afternoon if possible?
“My time is yours I’m at your convenience.” Cliff immediately replied.
“Before I come down I’ll give you a heads up on what I am looking for. What I need from you is something completely new and revolutionary, that will fit within the category of defensive weapons and meet the approval of the UGGB.”
“Give me a few minutes Tom, I’ll buzz you back.” Cliff then left the screen .
Colby placed his monitor in the personnel sensor mode so he would be alerted when Cliff returned.
Colby picked up the school’s list of undergraduate Coordinators. He had the task of choosing those students that were close to graduation. Those students that had completed all the training requirements who were ahead in their studies and were mature enough to fly solo. He was looking for those that might be able to hold their own under fire, verbal or live. He only got down to number five before the monitor pinged, Cliff was back on. So far he had not found a student that might be ready.