More from our three friends which do not like the work on Saturn...
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The airlock of the Green Thumb was pushed open and Norman entered the container, excitedly waving a small data chip in his hand.
“I got it, I got it!” he shouted as he slammed the door close behind him.
Miriam looked up and grinned. “I hope it is not contagious?” she said which made Alexander snicker.
“You and your stupid jokes” Norman murmured, then he placed the data chip on the desk. “You remember that I promised to ask this Mad I know about some support?”
“Yeah, we remember him, Norman” Alexander replied, “you told us at least ten times about him the last days. Did you finally got a reply from your contact?”
“Yes, he did” Norman acknowledged with a smile, “and its not only a reply, he will provide us with some of his hardware! He say it will take a few weeks, but he promised me a space capable truck and a weapon system to continue with our plan.”
Miriam blinked. “Wow, that sounds really great... but say, who is this contact that he gives away weapons for our cause?”
“I think he is a Mad at the Soviets base on the moon” Norman said, “you know, they have always been proposed a strong ‘Earth stays on Earth’ politics.”
“Wait, you THINK he is a Soviet?” Alexander interrupted. “What are you talking about?”
“I never met him in person, but we talked a lot over a secure message board” Norman admitted. “You know, it would be stupid to meet because if something bad happens to one of us it would be too easy for Space Patrol to track the other one.”
“How the hell can we trust him if you have never met before?” Alexander wasn’t happy about this. “He might just be a trap from the Patrol which will jump on us any second! Or some AI or Fen that think its a nice joke!”
“Calm down Alex, its neither a joke nor a trap. We have been in contact for years, and he already supported us in the past” Norman angrily spit back, “where do you think I got the money we used to repair and upgrade the Green Thumb last year? At that time you didn’t even wanted to know!”
“Okay boys, take a seat and calm down” Miriam suddenly interrupted them. “Alexander, you are right that we have to be careful, but we already agreed that we need external support for the problem on Saturn.” She looked to Normal. “Norman, please be careful. If we can get this truck and the weapon system we will take it, but make sure no one follows you back to the Green Thumb. IF you get the truck at all.”
“Maybe we should look for another abandoned asteroid mine here in the belt” Alexander suddenly said, “there should be still more of this probing tunnels in other asteroids and we might not want to take this truck to the Green Thumb at all. You know, better safe than sorry.”
Both Norman and Miriam nodded.
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The airlock of the Green Thumb was pushed open and Norman entered the container, excitedly waving a small data chip in his hand.
“I got it, I got it!” he shouted as he slammed the door close behind him.
Miriam looked up and grinned. “I hope it is not contagious?” she said which made Alexander snicker.
“You and your stupid jokes” Norman murmured, then he placed the data chip on the desk. “You remember that I promised to ask this Mad I know about some support?”
“Yeah, we remember him, Norman” Alexander replied, “you told us at least ten times about him the last days. Did you finally got a reply from your contact?”
“Yes, he did” Norman acknowledged with a smile, “and its not only a reply, he will provide us with some of his hardware! He say it will take a few weeks, but he promised me a space capable truck and a weapon system to continue with our plan.”
Miriam blinked. “Wow, that sounds really great... but say, who is this contact that he gives away weapons for our cause?”
“I think he is a Mad at the Soviets base on the moon” Norman said, “you know, they have always been proposed a strong ‘Earth stays on Earth’ politics.”
“Wait, you THINK he is a Soviet?” Alexander interrupted. “What are you talking about?”
“I never met him in person, but we talked a lot over a secure message board” Norman admitted. “You know, it would be stupid to meet because if something bad happens to one of us it would be too easy for Space Patrol to track the other one.”
“How the hell can we trust him if you have never met before?” Alexander wasn’t happy about this. “He might just be a trap from the Patrol which will jump on us any second! Or some AI or Fen that think its a nice joke!”
“Calm down Alex, its neither a joke nor a trap. We have been in contact for years, and he already supported us in the past” Norman angrily spit back, “where do you think I got the money we used to repair and upgrade the Green Thumb last year? At that time you didn’t even wanted to know!”
“Okay boys, take a seat and calm down” Miriam suddenly interrupted them. “Alexander, you are right that we have to be careful, but we already agreed that we need external support for the problem on Saturn.” She looked to Normal. “Norman, please be careful. If we can get this truck and the weapon system we will take it, but make sure no one follows you back to the Green Thumb. IF you get the truck at all.”
“Maybe we should look for another abandoned asteroid mine here in the belt” Alexander suddenly said, “there should be still more of this probing tunnels in other asteroids and we might not want to take this truck to the Green Thumb at all. You know, better safe than sorry.”
Both Norman and Miriam nodded.