Sunday July 11, 2010
Book 11: Massively Parallel — Part V: Command and Conquer

Transcript

NARRATOR: Aboard the mercenary warship Touch-And-Go...

THURL: Captain, before you make assignments, you should know that we're not the only people working on this.

TAGON: Competing bids on the job?  I don't care, this is personal.

THURL: That's not it at all, Sir.  We're getting help.  And everybody working on this gets paid.

TAGON: Well, that's okay then.  I mean... I wasn't really going to do any actual work for free.

THURL: Why don't I review our assets?

TAGON: Good idea.

THURL: Retired Real Admiral Mikhail von Mauser has hired a team of private investigators on Celeschul, and they are working closely with the police at the scene of the crime.

THURL: Ex-pat General Edgar Kerchak, formerly of the U.N.S., is coordinating the data-mining efforts.

He's also our employer.  Captain Andreyasn's rescue contract fell in his lap somehow.

TAGON: These guys are connected.  I'm glad they brought us in, but I don't see why they need us.

THURL: Ships are in short supply, or so I've heard.  The Touch-And-Go is a ready materiel asset.  And of course there is the personal connection.  Ol' Mikky Mauser knew you'd want in.

THURL: And the fact that you command a solid cadre of trained personnel doesn't hurt.

TAGON: Speaking of personnel, where's Barsoom Command?

THURL: They're under house arrest in Lakeside Hospital in Marineris Dam City.

At least, three of them are.  Schlock is lying low, per my orders.

NARRATOR: Meanwhile, at Marineris Motors...

DEALER: What can I do you out of today, my friend?

SCHLOCK: I want to buy an ambulance.