Read Online Orpheus: Homecoming (The Orpheus Trilogy Book 2) by Dan DeWitt - Free Book Online
Authors: Dan DeWitt
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civil engineering, the motor pool, the armory, and communications. “As you requested. Let's get this started.”
Trager said, “I need a moment with him.” He motioned for Holt to take a seat.
“What's that?”
“Your contract.”
“Ugh.”
“Relax. Robertson? In English, if you please.”
The man in the expensive suit said, “It's a solid contract. It states that Ralston gives up any right to press charges upon completion of this one-year term of employment. During that one year, you will be assigned as the commander of Operation: Reclaimer, permanently stationed on the island, of course. Leave can be arranged, although it has to be approved by your superior.”
“Ralston.”
“Of course. Your specific mission is to terminate as many undead beings on the island as possible, utilizing methods that you, as commander, deem to be most effective. By the end of your year, you will be released from any obligation, provided that you have set up a satisfactory permanent operation to continue the work. Day-to-day operations including manning, tactics, and leave, are in your hands, although you are ultimately accountable to Ralston. He's giving you a lot of latitude, even though you laid him out, which, between you and me, means he needs you. Based upon your previous military service and … unique … experience with the targets, you are being given a field commission of Captain with commensurate pay and privilege.”
“What about Ethan?”
“His service is strictly voluntary and he can end it at any time, although while in service, he is expected to adhere to the chain of command. He,” Robertson flipped back a few pages, “is being given a special commission of Second Lieutenant, based upon his island experience and the fact that Ralston believes you'd insist upon it anyway. This commission can be negotiated after one year.”
“Sweet!” Ethan chimed in.
“I'll need one more of those.”
Robertson scribbled a few notes in a change form. “I'll see if I can get you the authority to grant them yourself. Shouldn't be a problem. Other than that, basic stuff. Non-disclosure agreement, debriefing upon completion of the assignment, etc. There is a media clause in here which will force you to escort reporters and camera crew for the purpose of real-time broadcasting.”
Holt balked. “Absolutely not. There's no way I'm allowing anyone without real combat training on that island.”
Trager said, “Ralston will insist that people have a right to know what's going on. I can't say I completely disagree. I don't think that you'll win this one."
Holt sighed. "Fine. They're not my responsibility." He pointed at the contract. "I want that in there."
"Will do. Any other objections?"
"Now that you mention it, yes. No unannounced visits by Ralston. I report directly to Martin, not him. Any of my lieutenants can opt out of their commission at any time. And one reporter, one cameraman. That's it."
Robertson scribbled the requests down and took a moment to consider them. "Any wiggle room on these?"
"None."
"Okay, but you need to understand that you have to be prepared to walk away from the table to get these."
"Meaning?"
"You go to jail."
"Fuck him."
Robertson chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."
Trager said, "Hey, I don't pay you for the easy stuff. Make it happen."
"On it." He headed back to the table and began negotiating again.
Holt and Trager watched from a distance. The men at the table were arguing, then seemed to come to a consensus.
Robertson returned and said, “Counteroffer. The opt-outs are a go. No unannounced visits, but he reserves the right to inspect your setup as soon as the school's secure. You still ultimately are accountable to him, but for the day-to-day you report to Mr. Trager and submit a daily written briefing. You also get the two-man camera crew of his choice, but have to wear body cams while on-duty."
Ethan said, "Body cams aren't a terrible idea."
Holt didn't say
Trager said, “I need a moment with him.” He motioned for Holt to take a seat.
“What's that?”
“Your contract.”
“Ugh.”
“Relax. Robertson? In English, if you please.”
The man in the expensive suit said, “It's a solid contract. It states that Ralston gives up any right to press charges upon completion of this one-year term of employment. During that one year, you will be assigned as the commander of Operation: Reclaimer, permanently stationed on the island, of course. Leave can be arranged, although it has to be approved by your superior.”
“Ralston.”
“Of course. Your specific mission is to terminate as many undead beings on the island as possible, utilizing methods that you, as commander, deem to be most effective. By the end of your year, you will be released from any obligation, provided that you have set up a satisfactory permanent operation to continue the work. Day-to-day operations including manning, tactics, and leave, are in your hands, although you are ultimately accountable to Ralston. He's giving you a lot of latitude, even though you laid him out, which, between you and me, means he needs you. Based upon your previous military service and … unique … experience with the targets, you are being given a field commission of Captain with commensurate pay and privilege.”
“What about Ethan?”
“His service is strictly voluntary and he can end it at any time, although while in service, he is expected to adhere to the chain of command. He,” Robertson flipped back a few pages, “is being given a special commission of Second Lieutenant, based upon his island experience and the fact that Ralston believes you'd insist upon it anyway. This commission can be negotiated after one year.”
“Sweet!” Ethan chimed in.
“I'll need one more of those.”
Robertson scribbled a few notes in a change form. “I'll see if I can get you the authority to grant them yourself. Shouldn't be a problem. Other than that, basic stuff. Non-disclosure agreement, debriefing upon completion of the assignment, etc. There is a media clause in here which will force you to escort reporters and camera crew for the purpose of real-time broadcasting.”
Holt balked. “Absolutely not. There's no way I'm allowing anyone without real combat training on that island.”
Trager said, “Ralston will insist that people have a right to know what's going on. I can't say I completely disagree. I don't think that you'll win this one."
Holt sighed. "Fine. They're not my responsibility." He pointed at the contract. "I want that in there."
"Will do. Any other objections?"
"Now that you mention it, yes. No unannounced visits by Ralston. I report directly to Martin, not him. Any of my lieutenants can opt out of their commission at any time. And one reporter, one cameraman. That's it."
Robertson scribbled the requests down and took a moment to consider them. "Any wiggle room on these?"
"None."
"Okay, but you need to understand that you have to be prepared to walk away from the table to get these."
"Meaning?"
"You go to jail."
"Fuck him."
Robertson chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."
Trager said, "Hey, I don't pay you for the easy stuff. Make it happen."
"On it." He headed back to the table and began negotiating again.
Holt and Trager watched from a distance. The men at the table were arguing, then seemed to come to a consensus.
Robertson returned and said, “Counteroffer. The opt-outs are a go. No unannounced visits, but he reserves the right to inspect your setup as soon as the school's secure. You still ultimately are accountable to him, but for the day-to-day you report to Mr. Trager and submit a daily written briefing. You also get the two-man camera crew of his choice, but have to wear body cams while on-duty."
Ethan said, "Body cams aren't a terrible idea."
Holt didn't say
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