SUNGLASESS AND ROCKETS Part 2: The Machine

V.I.P.

Right at that moment a vibration was felt. We stopped. The guard in charge pushed a button on the opposite wall. Mr. Wright took a glance at it and again, fixed all his attention on us.

"I'm not offering a salary. I offer you 10% of Space Corp. stock," he explained satisfied. "What do you say?"

Our boss did not answer, let alone his two aids.

Meanwhile, two hatches on the opposite wall slid open. The magnate turned his head.

"Take your time to think about it," a guard pushed him out. "It is a very important decision."

We got out to what at first glance looked like a filthy industrial plant: huge ducts, laid down in a parallel structure, crossed along the section all the way to the edge of the floor at about 60 feet, fenced in by an orange banister.

We were heading toward that direction, beyond, an enormous open space spread out.

No one was speaking. Now, only the metallic echo from the group's footsteps was heard. Meanwhile, my pulse speeded up. I felt like if I was walking straight to the scaffold. In the distance, huge containers were appearing. Perspective advised me that we might have been in some fifth level of those facilities.

And by the way, we were going toward some small stepladder.

I breathed in deeply.

"Well?" the magnate was heard saying with his usual charm. "What do you think professor Masterton?"

"Mr. Wright—"

"Lucas. Please, call me Lucas."

"Mr. Wright," the doctor insisted, "Mama Bat's technology does not belong to Voodoo or you. It belongs to all mankind, so forget it."

"Professor, we all know that monopolies are not good!"

"In a week, a delegation from Earth will come," the doctor replied, without losing his temper. "You and your company will be judged back on Earth for breaking the codes of Mama Bat."

Far from being disheartened by the threat, the dialogue seemed to encourage Mr. Wright.

"I appreciate your concern, professor, but don't worry, my lawyers will take care of—"

"Major Bilsby is on his way. We can still fix the situation before he gets here..." he said to the guards. "Voodoo has jeopardized the base...I need you to free us in order to take immediate measures; I will intercede for you. We still have time."

The guards paid no attention.

"Doctor," the magnate said. "What is the danger? What are you talking about?"

Finally he asked!

"For Christ sake!" the doctor exclaimed. "The information that Voodoo filtered to Earth was, undoubtedly intercepted by a group of terrorists! Did you know that?"

"I know," Mr. Wright said, understanding. "It is a risk that my company has to take. I assure you it is a calculated risk...besides, the base is practically impenetrable."

"The Vampires are out there and waiting for something. Do you happen to know what it is? Has Voodoo told you if he has made negotiations with them too?"

The magnate folded his arms, intrigued.

"But that's not the worst," the doctor explained. "We shouldn't be here wasting our time, for crying out loud!" he exclaimed. "We need to deactivate the SVM!"

Mr. Wright looked at him thoroughly.

"Then, you are willing to work with me."

The sound of voices burst from nearby. The squad stopped. Getting off the stepladder, coming to our level, the figure of a shabby fat man, wearing a tight blue t-shirt showed up...

He seemed to be in his forties.

"Moses Masterton?" he yelled. "What took you so long? Tell these clowns to release me!"

Two guards were watching the massive character.

"Phil?" the doctor called out.

The magnate intervened.

"What do you say professor? What do you say to 12% of the stock? Do we have a deal?"

The Major in charge turned to see out of the corner of his eye.

"There's Phil."

Mr. Wright hesitated.

"There's Phil," he repeated. "Perfect."

The guards made the fat man go up a couple of more steps.

"Are they letting us go?" he gasped.

The Major looked at his watch and made a signal. The guards proceeded to withdraw the chubby character.

"Oh no!" he yelled panting, and turning around. "Moses, tell them...tell them..."

Meanwhile, the magnate strained his eyes at his watch. The seven minute period was probably over...It had been over ten minutes!

And of course, Mr. Wright remained unaware of our tribulations. Politely, he asked the guards permission and walked away from the group. He moved at a quick pace and leaning over the banister he looked down.

"I like Phil," he said and turned around. He smelled the environment. "This is the farthest we go," he walked back to us. "Give me a few minutes and I'll get back to you to keep on talking." He excused himself to the guards and drew near us. "No one will hurt you."

Was that character so powerful? A future owner of the base, perhaps?

The Asian woman was making room for her boss, who was giving each one of us cheerful pats.

"Phil will come too," he said pleased. "He's fun..." He turned to the Major. "Thanks for the extra minutes," the billionaire said and gave him another couple of friendly pats. "Well, Cheerio."

The guard pointed his gun at him.

"You're coming too."