Ghosts from the Past (The Wandering engineer Book 7) by Hechtl Chris

Author:Hechtl, Chris [Hechtl, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Self
Published: 2015-01-03T16:00:00+00:00

“Admiral, I'm concerned about how we're going to well ... pay for all this,” the lieutenant governor said, sounding uncomfortable but at least blunt and to the point.

The admiral nodded wisely. “It is a concern, Mrs. Mitrian. Economics however is a long discussion and I believe we wanted this to a preliminary one,” he said.

“I understand that. But we have an obligation to our constituents to keep their taxes as low as possible.”

“We're not going to work for free,” Sprite said, rolling her virtual eyes. “I don't think you do your job for free either. We put our lives on the line.”

The woman looked at the AI, scanning her. “You are an AI. You don't need to be paid.”

“But I am paid. I am not a slave,” Sprite retorted.

“So, we choose how much you are paid? I mean, we can only afford so much,” the lieutenant governor said doggedly.

“The biggest bang for your buck?”

“Ah, so you are admitting you are mercenaries?” Mrs. Mitrian accused, eyes gleaming.

“Where did that come from? No, we are sworn to protect the Federation,” Sprite retorted.

“So, we don't have to pay you and you'll still do the job?”

“No, we'll put what we can afford to pay for here then,” Sprite said. “This discussion has been ongoing in Pyrax for some time. It is annoying to see it come up here,” she said, turning to the admiral.

“The universe seems to run on fuel and credits, Commander,” Taylor Warner said smoothly.

Hishina Fu nodded. “Unfortunately true. Everyone is out to make a credit but they describe the worst motivations to those in uniform who protect their ability to live and prosper.”

“We can't prosper if we're broke,” the lieutenant Governor retorted.

The governor stretched a hand out to the center of the table to get attention and cut the debate off. “As the admiral said, we can discuss the economics later. I understand some things we pay for, and others we do not need to do so.”

“Most of the credits go to payroll and subcontractors,” Sprite said. “We mine materials in the belt on our own and do our own manufacturing for the most part. Part of the taxes can be set as up as mining rights, I can discuss the details with you later. We do have to pay our people for that work of course, as well as those who tend to the fuel manufacturing. Again, I can work with you and show you how the economics break down,” she said with a nod to the governor and then his subordinate. “In fact, I just sent you the break down complete with charts and a tutorial,” she said, cocking her virtual head impishly.

“Thank you, Commander,” Governor Randall said with a nod to her. He turned to the admiral. “You were saying, Admiral?”

"We can turn the scaffolds you used to repair the Kiev 221 and other ships over to you as a start Admiral. That should give you something to work with to ... rebuild your ships. After of course they are repaired.

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