Chapter 2
'Not a word. Not one word. Understand Paul?' Straker was in a foul mood judging from the tone of his voice. Paul Foster stood silent as his boss limped into the control room of SHADO HQ, leaning heavily on a cane.
'I twisted my knee this morning. Hurts like hell and I've a mountain of work to faxed me at home this morning with an urgent demand for some updated information. It seems he wants much more detailed information about the plans to build a further nine Deep Space probes. I'm sorry about this, but he wants the report by twelvenoonat the latest, or he won't put the request before the Finance committee when I meet them this afternoon. Unfortunately it's going to involve a considerable amount of work. I had intended spending the morning getting the data and recording it, but it needs the Control Room computer systems and involves repositioning Hubble several times. I won't be able to do it now, so I'm going to have to rely on you to help me out. Lt Ford isn't part of the command structure so I can't let him support you. This is highly classified stuff I'm afraid.'
Ed Straker made his way painfully across to his office, and closed the door.
Paul stared glumly at Keith Ford who had a quiet look of relief on his face, 'Well, looks like I'm going to be kept busy all morning now.' Foster muttered, annoyed at the unexpected chain of events that had conspired to ruin his well- thought out plans.
The SHADO Commander sat behind his desk, his cane lying elegantly across the Perspex surface. He had completed the initial paperwork that had to be done every morning; checking the night shift's log, authorising the forthcoming day's activities and now he needed to get things moving. He used his private intercom to finalise the arrangement, and then called Paul and asked the Colonel to bring him a coffee.
'Thanks Paul. Sorry about this,' and he indicated the walking stick. 'hope you don't object to being my errand boy today?' he looked questioningly at the younger man. 'If we don't get this report forHenderson…
He was interrupted by Miss Ealand on the intercom. 'Commander, the technician is here to upgrade your car. Shall I tell him to book another appointment with you for later in the month?'
'Upgrade? Your Saab? What are you having done to it this time, Ed?' Paul Foster was intrigued. It was a well-documented fact that the SHADO Commander's car was without a doubt the most technologically advanced vehicle in the whole fleet of SHADO cars.
'Hmm? Oh that. 'Straker looked up, dismissively. 'Seems the tech department have worked out a new paint scheme that enhances the security aspects of the vehicle; makes it less likely to be caught on radar by aliens. Something similar to the paint they use on Stealth bombers. It's all to do with Colour Adaptation Modification. I told them they could try it out on my Saab, but of course I haven't driven to work today.' Straker grimaced as he moved his leg, his knee obviously aching. It's a hell of a nuisance, because they wanted it road-testing before the end of the week so they can start to use it on all vehicles. It's a rather discreet shade if I recall correctly. Cinder; I think they called it, something like that anyway. Probably not too dissimilar to the present colour. That's the only reason I agreed to let them try it out on my car. Damn. I'll have the Tech Chief on my back now. As if I haven't got enough to deal with already.' He frowned, clearly thinking about the need to collate the data for Henderson.
'Hang on a second, Ed.' Paul Foster smiled, 'they can try it out on my car if that would help? You probably won't be able to drive yourself for a few days yet, and my car is available. I don't mind having it resprayed by the technicians if it will help with their research.' He looked innocently at the seated commander. 'What do you think?'
'Are you sure Paul? It would be a great help to them. I feel rather guilty messing them about like this. Thanks. I'll tell them to do your vehicle instead. You won't mind writing a brief report on the effectiveness of the upgrade will you?' Straker leaned back, a look of relief on his face.
Paul Foster thought about his ghastly Rodeo Drive exterior. At last, he would have a car with a respectable colour; and it would have the very latest upgrade, even to a better spec that Straker's. 'No, no problem Ed. I'll be glad to help.'
'Miss Ealand, sorry to have kept you waiting.' Straker flicked the intercom. 'Tell the technicians they'll have to do the respray on Paul Foster's car. I don't want to waste any further time before we try it out, and he's more than happy for them to use his vehicle as a test.' He nodded at Foster. 'He's bringing his keys up now.'
He turned to Foster, 'Don't be long Paul, I need you to start programming Hubble very soon.'
Colonel Foster smiled as he headed for the executive lift. Today might just turn out alright after all.
Commander Straker grimaced as he studied the fax. Nine sets of co-ordinates. That's what Straker had in front of him.
Nine sets, and each set of co-ordinates meant that Hubble's angle and position had to be adjusted, stabilised and then the telescope had to be programmed to perform the required functions, namely, photograph the specific area using infra-red as well as normal imaging.
It would take at least 30 minutes to complete each section. He would have been quite content to stand behind Paul and work with the Colonel on the project, but now of course that was impossible. He would have to leave it to Foster to do alone.
It was within Foster's capabilities, but such a time-consuming task was onerous to say the least. It would take him longer than if Straker himself had been doing it; the commander's knowledge of astrogation was far advanced to Paul's but Ed knew that Paul would be able to figure it out, eventually.
It would, unfortunately, leave Colonel Foster with very little free time for the rest of the morning, but hopefully he might have finished just before noon. Then Ed could get it over and done with before he went to his midday meeting. He flicked his intercom. 'Colonel Foster, I have the co-ordinates ready for you now if you want to get started.'