Fool's Gold (The Wandering Engineer) by Chris Hechtl Read Free Book Online Page B

Juanita's family is a good thing. I'd do
what I could but I'm knee deep in another project right now and I won't get it
done till we leave,” she sighed. “That is if we don't get thrown off our stride
by this project and anything else you have in mind.” She smiled at him. He
laughed.
    “I
make no promises I can't keep.” He looked at her.
    She
shook her head dimpling. “I'd never trust a man's word anyway. Well, maybe
yours.” She smiled. “I took the liberty of replicating a few of the parts you
listed.” She nodded to Mary who was piling a small load on the Valdez cart.
“Call it a promissory note or down payment in return if the purser gets
involved.” She whispered to him conspiratorially. He laughed.
    “All
right, I'll drop these off and then get back with another load. Anita needs to
be back in an hour and a half, she has a shift. Can you ask someone to keep her
honest? She's a little too wrapped up to remember right now.” The glad cries
had receded. Faith nodded.
    “I'm
coming to Admiral.” He looked over to see Junior. “Willing to risk the lift
again?” he teased. Junior gulped then nodded manly.
    Faith
looked them over. “Well, good luck.” She waved to them.
    They
moved off and down the dock but were stopped by the guard. “You have to pay
import fees.” He waved to the custom agent.
    Junior
groaned. “I forgot.” His hands covered his face.
    The
Admiral sighed. “Let's get this over with.” He pushed the cart over to the
woman.
    “Yes?
Oh you? What are you doing with that?” She looked over her desk counter to the
pallet. “What are those?” She looked up to them.
    “Parts
for the Valdez tug. The XO wants us to get it back in space to resupply the
station. We're almost out of fuel.” The Admiral replied.
    The
young woman's eyes widened. “I'd heard, but I didn't know it was that bad!” She
sat down abruptly. “Vinnie...” she shook her head.
    “We
don't have money for the import fees, can we be billed or...?” The Admiral left
the thought dangling.
    “Say
no more! You don't need that hassle! Get that tub back in space! We need fuel!
My cousin Vinnie works in engineering he said the reactor is almost out!” She
gave Junior a look. “You’re the pilot?” She looked from the Admiral to the
young man.
    “He
is. One of them anyway.” The Admiral motioned to the young man who was suddenly
shy and awkward. The girl seemed to preen.
    She
put a call in to Ops. After a few moments a harried voice answered. “Yes?” the
man asked. “This is Kathy in customs; we've got the Valdez family here trading
for parts to repair their tub.” The Admiral winced as Junior mouthed tug.
    “Tug,”
he said softly.
    “Sorry,
Tug,” she said giving him a look.
    “Valdez
family? What does... oh excuse me boss.” Another voice replaced the first.
    “Kathy
is it?” She seemed too straightened and looked at the Admiral and Junior with a
warning glance.
     “Yes
mister exec?” she asked.
    “Expedite
them. Let them go, don't charge them any fees. We need that tug in space
yesterday.” The channel cut with a click. She looked at the speaker for a
moment then cut her line with a shaky hand.
    “Well,
all right then, go to it then.” She waved to the guard. “It's all right Benny,
the exec said to leave them be.” He looked back, looked at the cart then
shrugged.
    “Your
funeral Kat.” He shook his head and turned away as they left.
    “Do
we have to take the lift?” Junior asked, almost whining. The Admiral grimaced.
    “If
you have a better idea, I'm all ears.” He waited patiently by the lift doors.
“Actually, I do, I'll meet you at home.” The boy grabbed a few of the smaller
parts, stuffed them into his coverall then left. The Admiral shook his head as
he left.
    “Coward,”
Sprite seemed to laugh. The Admiral shook his head once more.
    “Yes
and no, impatient too.” He listened as a car groaned to a stop. He muscled the
doors open, and then had to lift the cart up to get