Read Online A New World 10 - Storm by John O'Brien - Free Book Online
Authors: John O'Brien
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communication logs. There hasn’t been a single signal emanating from or sent to the facility. As the command center, there would have been something, even if it was to check in. So I would say no, there’s no chance that it became operational.
“Have you reached a conclusion about my staying here? I mean, something definite?” Harold asks.
“I’m not sure how that will play out at the moment, but as I mentioned, I’m inclined to keep you here. I’m just not sure how that’s going to work at the moment,” I answer.
“Well, as I said, we could break down some of the equipment in place here and transport it to the compound. It really wouldn’t take that much. We’d just need to dismantle it, transport it, set it up, and establish a satellite comm link. Keep in mind that the satellites will only be useful for a couple more months. After that, they will effectively become paperweights. Still, it’s worth doing. But we have little time and every day counts. That’s why I’m being persistent about this. It would be better if I remained here, as it makes one less thing that could go wrong. If the sat link fails for whatever reason, then we’d be blind and I couldn’t work on the problem. We’d lose some of the precious little time we do have. If I was here, then we’d at least have someone at the controls with direct access to the equipment.
“Point taken. What about the reliability of the technicians? I have some serious worries about them, however much we may think we need them,” I state.
“That’s true. But, really, this group is about tinkering with their toys; they don’t think much about who they work for. At least, that’s the feeling I get. They aren’t zealots. They were brought in because of their abilities. I’m sure there was something of an allegiance involved in their selection process, but they’ve been helping without a problem.”
“So far anyway,” I say.
“Granted, so far. You leave them under me and I’ll take responsibility for them. Like you said, we need them and I don’t see that we can replace them,” Harold states.
“Okay, fair enough. They’re yours, but know that I still carry some deep reservations about it. As far as you staying, you can count on that. I’ll figure out the logistics. Have you had any luck contacting any of the other groups?”
“I’ve sent a broadcast on multiple channels without a reply so far. It looks like we’ll have to contact them directly,” Harold replies.
“And the satellite?” I query.
“Nothing as yet. I think they were right in their supposition that the receiver onboard is malfunctioning. I’ve found the manual for the program they installed; I’ll be pouring over that next. But, without a functional receiver, it might as well not be there at all. I’ll also be looking at the notes on what they’ve attempted so far. I’m not sure how as yet, but if there’s a workaround, I’ll find it,” Harold reports.
“Okay, keep at it. I’ll try not to bother you too much. I don’t have to tell you what it would mean should you establish working communications. The plan is to leave sometime tomorrow afternoon, so if you could start gathering the equipment that we’ll need to take with us for the relay, that would be greatly appreciated.”
“I’ll get on that. It shouldn’t take too long to compile the equipment you’ll need. I would suggest taking three technicians with you to help set it up and to troubleshoot.”
“Okay, I’ll leave that to you. Pick three that you think have the expertise we’ll need. How do we keep them from sabotaging our efforts out there? The technical aspects of all this,” I say, sweeping an arm to indicate the entire room, “are beyond me. I wouldn’t know if they were doing something or not.”
“Well, with me here, I was thinking we’d only set up a monitoring station there. It would duplicate whatever information we gather, and we could send whatever you wanted on request.
“Have you reached a conclusion about my staying here? I mean, something definite?” Harold asks.
“I’m not sure how that will play out at the moment, but as I mentioned, I’m inclined to keep you here. I’m just not sure how that’s going to work at the moment,” I answer.
“Well, as I said, we could break down some of the equipment in place here and transport it to the compound. It really wouldn’t take that much. We’d just need to dismantle it, transport it, set it up, and establish a satellite comm link. Keep in mind that the satellites will only be useful for a couple more months. After that, they will effectively become paperweights. Still, it’s worth doing. But we have little time and every day counts. That’s why I’m being persistent about this. It would be better if I remained here, as it makes one less thing that could go wrong. If the sat link fails for whatever reason, then we’d be blind and I couldn’t work on the problem. We’d lose some of the precious little time we do have. If I was here, then we’d at least have someone at the controls with direct access to the equipment.
“Point taken. What about the reliability of the technicians? I have some serious worries about them, however much we may think we need them,” I state.
“That’s true. But, really, this group is about tinkering with their toys; they don’t think much about who they work for. At least, that’s the feeling I get. They aren’t zealots. They were brought in because of their abilities. I’m sure there was something of an allegiance involved in their selection process, but they’ve been helping without a problem.”
“So far anyway,” I say.
“Granted, so far. You leave them under me and I’ll take responsibility for them. Like you said, we need them and I don’t see that we can replace them,” Harold states.
“Okay, fair enough. They’re yours, but know that I still carry some deep reservations about it. As far as you staying, you can count on that. I’ll figure out the logistics. Have you had any luck contacting any of the other groups?”
“I’ve sent a broadcast on multiple channels without a reply so far. It looks like we’ll have to contact them directly,” Harold replies.
“And the satellite?” I query.
“Nothing as yet. I think they were right in their supposition that the receiver onboard is malfunctioning. I’ve found the manual for the program they installed; I’ll be pouring over that next. But, without a functional receiver, it might as well not be there at all. I’ll also be looking at the notes on what they’ve attempted so far. I’m not sure how as yet, but if there’s a workaround, I’ll find it,” Harold reports.
“Okay, keep at it. I’ll try not to bother you too much. I don’t have to tell you what it would mean should you establish working communications. The plan is to leave sometime tomorrow afternoon, so if you could start gathering the equipment that we’ll need to take with us for the relay, that would be greatly appreciated.”
“I’ll get on that. It shouldn’t take too long to compile the equipment you’ll need. I would suggest taking three technicians with you to help set it up and to troubleshoot.”
“Okay, I’ll leave that to you. Pick three that you think have the expertise we’ll need. How do we keep them from sabotaging our efforts out there? The technical aspects of all this,” I say, sweeping an arm to indicate the entire room, “are beyond me. I wouldn’t know if they were doing something or not.”
“Well, with me here, I was thinking we’d only set up a monitoring station there. It would duplicate whatever information we gather, and we could send whatever you wanted on request.
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