Interlude Nineteen point Two,
At Bluehardt CompuTech
Alden Bryce looked over the report had requested about Bluehardt
CompuTech. The summary was that Bluehardt Computech was big into guidance
systems and areospace control systems. They also did a lot of research.
The President and founder was Jack Wiper, who had recently been poaching
talent from some of the other high tech industries in town.
"Guidance systems, eh?" Alden smoothed his hand across his chin. "I think I
have my in. Our new line of self-powered wheelchairs could benefit from some
gyro-stability and guidance technology."
He sat the report down on the dining room table. He could see that Ka-sador
did not follow. "Simple, I work up a proposal to enter a strategic
partnership... I'm losing you again. Okay, my company does two types of
production. We do research into using machines to help make life easier for
those with disabilities. We also do research into using tiny machines and
their biological equivalents to help the sick."
When Ka-sador nodded slowly, Alden assumed he had absorbed enough to
understand. "I lie to the people at the company and tell them I want to buy
some of their technology to help build our new wheelchairs. I can then set
up a meeting with the head guy and try to get a tour of their facilities."
"So we go undercover to find out who may be involved in taking the MUSE,"
answered Ka-sador through the translator that hung around Alden's neck.
"Do we know if Bluehardt got the contract for the MUSE's guidance systems?"
Defender thwacked himself on the forehead. "You know, I knew I was
forgetting an angle. It sure would be easy to steal a craft if you created
the guidance system, now wouldn't it."
Ka-sador was very familiar with what these earthlanders called an 'inside
job,' often the Krai would recruit slaves and promise them great wealth to
betray their own. "It is a shame we cannot see their employment records to
see who may have left the company after doing the dirty deed. I would be
surprised if whoever did this was still there. Certainly the guidance
system will be suspected when the investigation is undertaken."
"I'm sure that IPAC will look into that. Now, if we are lucky, they will
actually share the info with us." Alden said. "Let me see if I can get a
meeting set up."
Alden called his assistant. "Could you please set up a meeting for me with
someone at Bluhardt Computing for as soon as is convenient with them? I want
to discuss a business partnership with them. Oh, and I'll be bringing one
other person with me. Thanks."
"Once inside, I may be able to determine if anyone there was at the crash
site," Ka-sador commented touching his nose. The tweets and whistles of
his native Orionid flowed so easily from his mouth that they created almost
a song along with the translator's synthesized voice.
The assistant called back a half an hour later and said that an
appointement had been made two days hence.
"Well, Mr. Enhutch, do you think you are up for a little undercover work?"
Defender asked.
Ka-sador ran his hand over his smooth blue-black iridescent skin, and said
with a grin "Baretta-style."
* * * *
Two days later, Alden Bryce and his "associate"
Starzkee Enhutch arrived for their meeting with
Jack Wiper, president of Bluehardt.
At the appointed time, they were ushered in to see the man himself.
He was youngish, in his mid-30s, and in good shape. His handshake
was firm, Alden noted, and he seemed only mildly surprised when
Enhutch didn't offer to shake.
He gestured them to a seat, sat himself, and asked, "Now, what can I
do for you?"
The strange looking immigrant Enhutch declined to sit and instead stood
behind Alden Bryce, ocassionally walking around Wiper's office to look at
the photos and paintings on the walls and other decorations occupying his
office when the conversation disinterested him.
"Jack, I've got a small proposition for you and your company," Alden began.
"I'm sure you've done your homework on Hope-Bryce. You know we are in the
business of researching hybrid technologies to help make life easier for
those with physical disadvantages. Well, we've been working on a new version
of our MK14 standing wheelchair and have run into a brick wall in our
control systems.
"I'll avoid the details for now. What occurred to me recently was 'why
re-invent the wheel.' So, I started researching companies that produce
control and guidance systems. What did I find?" Alden paused for effect. "I
found that the number one producer of said systems was located merely blocks
from our research facilities.
"I'd like to discuss our two companies working together on this project,"
Alden concluded.
"Interesting," said Wiper. "You want a joint project, joint patents if any,
joint IP and all that? Frankly, if any of our stuff works for you, you'd
probably be better off just buying the parts. But maybe there's nothing
in our catalog that is quite right, eh?"
Enhutch prowled around the room as the men spoke, sniffing the air as he went.
There was a faintly familiar tang in the air, although he couldn't place it.
It wasn't Wiper, that much was clear, but someone had been in the room who
had also been at the Lake.
"We have two problems with off-the-shelf parts," Alden said. "You are
correct. A majority of your systems are designed for the aerospace industry.
Adapting would be difficult for our engineers. Which leads to the second
difficulty. Expense. If we were to buy and adapt, we would have to pass the
cost on to our customers. That would price the chairs out of range of most
of our targeted customers.
"However, with your engineers doing the required adaptions and our
facilities working together, we could bring the cost down. Plus, with the
promise of joint patents, as well as the charity and public relations
potential... I think we can work out something beneficial to all involved."
Enhutch began to cough, hoping to indicate to Alden that he detected
something that could be a clue.
"Are you okay, Mr. Enhutch?" Alden asked.
Enhutch smiled and nodded, patting his chest and gesturing for the men to
continue. [DREENK OF WATRR] he said as he moved toward the door.
"Of course," said Mr. Wiper, "Down the hall on the left."
After Enhutch left, he nodded in that direction, "One of your
engineers?"
"Freelance security consultant and one heck of a personal assistant," Alden
replied. "I'd be lost without him some days. Anyway, what are your
thoughts?"
"In a general way, I like it. I'll have to run it past legal, and also
some of my technical VPs, but the basic idea sounds good."
"That's wonderful," Alden said. "To this point, it's all been mostly my
hare-brained scheme. I've run it by a few of my people, but with your
tentative approval, I can step up proceedings. I can have my legals talk to
your legals. Beyond that, I'd love to swap tours. First and foremost, I'm a
gear head. I'd love to contrast and compare set-ups. In exchange, I'd
happily conduct either yourself and or your head engineers around our small
shop. I know, you have government contracts and thus certain areas would be
off-limits."
In the hallway, Enhutch made his way slowly to the watercooler,
sniffing as he went, trying to pin down the elusive scent.
Now and again he would catch traces, but not often enough to pin it down.
Whoever it was was not here constantly, but with some regularity.
Disappointed, he headed back toward Wiper's office.
Wiper's response to Alden's proposal was interrupted by Enhutch's return,
but then he continued, "Certainly." He touched an intercom button,
"Ron, have legal rustle up our usual first draft boiler plate for
joint contracts and run it up along with all their contact info. When's
my next appointment?"
"Twenty minutes, sir," replied Ron.
"Great." Wiper clicked off, "I have twenty minutes to give you the
rush tour, and we'll set up something more thorough later."
Enhutch stepped aside and bowed slightly toward Jack Wiper as he fell into
step behind Alden. Before leaving the office, Enhutch spoke up as an
afterthought, [IF YOO NEED ANEE SECURITEE CONSULTING, MY CARD] as he
placed the business card on Wiper's desk with a smile.
"Thanks, I'll bear it in mind," said Wiper.
The trio passed quickly through a number of offices and labs, with
Wiper pointing to various features of the complex. Suddenly, Enhutch
stiffened -- the scent was in the room somewhere. He looked around,
there were half a dozen engineers working on a couple of tables or
around a pair of terminals in the room, but the air-conditioning
made it hard for him to get a lock on which one was giving off the scent.
With a look of curiousity, Enhutch meandered about looking at the ceiling,
walls and engineers. A friendly smile came across his face as he nodded
and approached each one with pleasantries.
Most spared him a quick smile and returned to their work. He was not
able to fix the scent exactly, due to the ionization and strange smells
being put into the room by the various pieces of equipment.
Frustrated, he looked for names on each engineer's badge in order to
conduct some further investigation to isolate the scents. In an effort to
inform Alden he got his attention and touched the side of his nose to
indicate that there was something afoot.
Alden nodded then cocked his head to the side. He tried to get a look at the
project the people were working on.
The project involved some sort of small robot it looked like, presumabley
a control system testbed. It was the work of a moment to get the names
of the engineers from the garrulous Wiper:
Janet Dorsey, VP, Research Division
Wilhelm Von Kutz, Technical Lead
Brian MacAndrew, Senior Engineer
Leslie Murdock, Engineer (male)
Jill Kryzmanick, Engineer
Don Prince, Engineer
Kelly DiAngelo, Intern from PAU (female)
"Looks like your staff is way ahead of the curve, Jack. My instincts
weren't wrong to bring this project to you." Alden smiled, making sure to
stay well within ear-shot of all the engineers. "I have a good feeling about
this. This project will be worth... No, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's
let our legal eagles do their thing first."
Alden motioned for Wiper to continue the tour - please - and for Enhutch to
follow.
Wiper finished up the tour and showed the men out.
With a glance back to the engineers Enhutch followed along, perking his
ears for any comments upon their departure.
Alden thanked him once again for his time while placing the legal documents
in his briefcase. From there, they walked back to Alden's Jag. He put the
briefcase in the trunk and got in. He put the top down so Mr. Enhutch could
"feel the breeze through his hair."
"That was productive," Alden said after they cleared the gates. "Not only
did we narrow it down to a handful of suspects, but I think I've managed to
leverage myself a strategic partnership. A good time all round, I think. How
about you, partner?"
Last Updated 5 March 2002
