Read Online A Galaxy Unknown 10: Azula Carver by Thomas DePrima - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Thomas DePrima
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interrupting your schedule too much. I see you have others waiting in your outer office."
"Let them wait. They're all contractors hoping I'll adjust our established plans to suit their needs or schedules. So, is this a social call?"
"Partly. We haven't seen one another in two full lunar cycles."
"I know. I've been meaning to invite you to have dinner with me, but my schedule has just been so erratic."
"When things calm down, perhaps we can enjoy an evening together to discuss less important and completely trivial matters."
"Meaning that you have something of vital importance to discuss now?"
"I suppose that will depend on your answers."
"That sounds ominous. Come sit down."
Once the two women were settled in the informal area of Madu's office, she said, "Now, what is it you've come about?"
"Probably the most important issue facing your planet— the sterility issue."
Madu nodded. "I'm listening."
"The GA scientists continue to work on the problem following an established agenda of careful research and testing, but to date they can claim no real progress. The reports I've received tell me they've eliminated several causes but still have no real clues for why the reproductive systems of your citizens reject procreation. But my visit here today is for a related but different reason.
"I've heard a rumor that you've been negotiating with a certain pharmaceutical research company that has been remotely linked to the Raiders in the past. Some intelligence people believe that Trigenetics Galactica Pharmaceutical is actually a wholly owned subsidiary of the Raiders, although they've so far been unable to prove that."
"Christa, I can't be concerned with unproven allegations about corporate ownership or behavior, or we'll never get anywhere. When there's proof of wrongdoing or criminal association, I'll remove a company from all consideration. But until then I must be free to negotiate if there's any chance someone might succeed where the GA scientists can't. TGP is a highly successful company with enormous research and development facilities scattered around GA space. I can't just dismiss them out of hand."
"I understand, Madu. I realize the importance of the issue and that you must seek answers from every possible source. Let me just say one last thing, and then I'll let you get back to work. If you make any financial arrangements with a company that is merely suspected of collusion with— or of being owned by— the Raiders, you will not later be held responsible. My purpose in coming here today was simply to alert you to the fact that TGP has long been the subject of SCI investigation, and to warn to you be careful what you agree to. And be especially careful what agreements you might sign ."
"Thank you, Christa. You're a good friend. And if SCI ever does prove that TGP takes direction from the Raiders, I will terminate our association immediately. In the meantime I must use every avenue available to us as we work to cure my people's sterility."
Christa nodded. "Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to hear my concerns, Madu."
"You're always welcome here, Christa. I appreciate your concern and how tirelessly you've worked to help the citizens of my planet get back on their feet. Goodbye."
After Christa had left the office, Madu, deep in thought, walked slowly back to her desk. When she had taken her seat, she tapped a button on the com unit and said, "Tell Minister Sltuvyck I must see him immediately."
Five minutes later, Sltuvyck was seated in her office, facing her desk.
"Commander Carver was just here. She knows we've been negotiating with TGP."
"It's not illegal to negotiate with companies from off world."
"You fool! Don't you understand? She knows we've promised to share the cloning process data and the metallurgy information on Wlabisnk-320."
"She couldn't. Only you and the cabinet members know about that deal."
"I tell you, she knows. I know she knows."
"Did she say she knew?"
"It's not
"Let them wait. They're all contractors hoping I'll adjust our established plans to suit their needs or schedules. So, is this a social call?"
"Partly. We haven't seen one another in two full lunar cycles."
"I know. I've been meaning to invite you to have dinner with me, but my schedule has just been so erratic."
"When things calm down, perhaps we can enjoy an evening together to discuss less important and completely trivial matters."
"Meaning that you have something of vital importance to discuss now?"
"I suppose that will depend on your answers."
"That sounds ominous. Come sit down."
Once the two women were settled in the informal area of Madu's office, she said, "Now, what is it you've come about?"
"Probably the most important issue facing your planet— the sterility issue."
Madu nodded. "I'm listening."
"The GA scientists continue to work on the problem following an established agenda of careful research and testing, but to date they can claim no real progress. The reports I've received tell me they've eliminated several causes but still have no real clues for why the reproductive systems of your citizens reject procreation. But my visit here today is for a related but different reason.
"I've heard a rumor that you've been negotiating with a certain pharmaceutical research company that has been remotely linked to the Raiders in the past. Some intelligence people believe that Trigenetics Galactica Pharmaceutical is actually a wholly owned subsidiary of the Raiders, although they've so far been unable to prove that."
"Christa, I can't be concerned with unproven allegations about corporate ownership or behavior, or we'll never get anywhere. When there's proof of wrongdoing or criminal association, I'll remove a company from all consideration. But until then I must be free to negotiate if there's any chance someone might succeed where the GA scientists can't. TGP is a highly successful company with enormous research and development facilities scattered around GA space. I can't just dismiss them out of hand."
"I understand, Madu. I realize the importance of the issue and that you must seek answers from every possible source. Let me just say one last thing, and then I'll let you get back to work. If you make any financial arrangements with a company that is merely suspected of collusion with— or of being owned by— the Raiders, you will not later be held responsible. My purpose in coming here today was simply to alert you to the fact that TGP has long been the subject of SCI investigation, and to warn to you be careful what you agree to. And be especially careful what agreements you might sign ."
"Thank you, Christa. You're a good friend. And if SCI ever does prove that TGP takes direction from the Raiders, I will terminate our association immediately. In the meantime I must use every avenue available to us as we work to cure my people's sterility."
Christa nodded. "Thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to hear my concerns, Madu."
"You're always welcome here, Christa. I appreciate your concern and how tirelessly you've worked to help the citizens of my planet get back on their feet. Goodbye."
After Christa had left the office, Madu, deep in thought, walked slowly back to her desk. When she had taken her seat, she tapped a button on the com unit and said, "Tell Minister Sltuvyck I must see him immediately."
Five minutes later, Sltuvyck was seated in her office, facing her desk.
"Commander Carver was just here. She knows we've been negotiating with TGP."
"It's not illegal to negotiate with companies from off world."
"You fool! Don't you understand? She knows we've promised to share the cloning process data and the metallurgy information on Wlabisnk-320."
"She couldn't. Only you and the cabinet members know about that deal."
"I tell you, she knows. I know she knows."
"Did she say she knew?"
"It's not
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