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Chapter 30 - Self Configuring Modular Robot[]
Word circulates...
...and so, Jaime Wolf took a trip. "I heard a rumor that you're not renewing the contract on Kowloon, Green."
"That's a way to put it, I suppose." Max Green was showing his age tonight.
"A better offer?" the Dragoons leader asked.
Max shrugged. "The kid wants to put us on permanent retainer as cadre."
Jaime froze, "Isn't that usually something they tender to an open bid?"
Max shrugged, "Usually." he agreed amiably enough, though he kept staring into his beer.
"C-bill for the story?" Wolf prodded.
"Give it to you for free." Max told him, "It's the best contract offer I've seen in twenty years...but I have this gut feeling I should shake my head, and run as fast as possible for the Taurian border while I've still got a unit."
"Why in god's name would you do that? I know you, Max, you're ethical."
"Because a twenty year old kid wants put my unit on long-term retainer on the Lyran periphery border? It's a fantasy job and my gut is telling me to turn the contract down and run for it." Max looked up. "You probably never had to deal with the temptation, your guys have always been the best. I've been losing my best for a couple decades now and now. I'm getting a Father Christmas offer from a Lyran world, and I should be bouncing off the goddam bulkheads and my little voice is insisting there's something fatally wrong."
"Huh...I'd love to see what they're offering." Jaime prodded.
"Long Term. Full tech support, all we have to do is play OpFor and do training cadre while he's raising his Militia Regiment. Which we then become a key part of...and my gut is telling me scary shit, Wolf. Something's up, nobody that small hires an outfit my size just to play drill instructor, and definitely not for what they're offering to pay."
"I'd say take it." Wolf confided, "Take the job, maybe see what shakes loose."
"You, my Exec, my ex-wife..." Green shrugged, "I probably will...but something is definitely wrong."
"If the money's too good..." Wolf suggested.
"...The client's bad with numbers." Green agreed.
"Take the job. maybe I'll hit you up for side-work if it's legitimate, hey?"
"You sponging off us, instead of the other way around?? I'll take that action." Green finally smiled.
"I'll do you one better, are you actually allowed to bring in subcontractors?" Jaime asked.
"Yeah." Green said, "Kinda why I'm on Outreach...I'm missing some vital parts-remember. You recalled two of my best Company Commanders when you were rebuilding after Misery."
"Ah...yeah. Tell you what, I can afford to slip you some contractors to beef your staff up, help you get this contract really rolling." Jaime told him, "Standard rates?"
"I can afford industry standard, not Wolf's Dragoons standard." Green said sadly.
"I may be able to accommodate that." answered Jaime
"You want eyes and ears out there." Green said.
"Yeah. Is that an issue?" Jaime asked.
"Not really. Truth be told might be good to have some better intel in the process." Green told him, "And it helps to have backup."
"I hear that."
They shook on it.