Space Station Zion by CJ Williams

Author:CJ Williams [Williams, CJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-08-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14 – Confrontation

The following morning, I talked to Shayla in my office. She had been right about the lawsuit wars. Stratum Syndicate filed a claim against the Spaceport Authority for five hundred million celestials.

Shayla wasn’t at all perturbed. “Don’t worry. It’s a bullshit claim.”

I wasn’t too worried, but lawsuits are unpredictable. “Bullshit claims can still win in court,” I said.

“I know. I’m not saying we won’t take it seriously. They just want you to settle. I looked at our insurance last night. We have twenty-five million in liability coverage. That’s what they’re after.”

“What’s the plan?”

“First thing is to countersue, of course. For attorney’s fees and damages. I’m not sure what damages, but I’ll work with Mondo; we’ll find something.”

“How about damage to the station and all the farms around here?”

Shayla gave a little headshake. “They’ll have to sue on their own. Not that anyone will get anything. You can bet those guys are broke—”

Without any warning, Carol stormed into the outer office.

“Where’s Worthington?” she snapped at Elaine so fiercely that she flinched backward and pointed in my direction.

Carol stomped through my door and glared at me. Her face was flushed with anger, her jaw tightly clenched. She stood rigidly, hands balled into fists, barely containing the rage that threatened to explode.

“Washington,” I said calmly. It threw her off.

“What?”

“My name is Washington, not Worthington.”

She looked perplexed for a moment and then snarled, “Whatever. What the hell did you do yesterday to put me in such a spot? I’ve never been more humiliated in my life!”

“I’m very sorry, Carol, but I’ve been sending messages and leaving voicemails for days trying to fill you in. I didn’t know about your TV appearance, or I would have been there.”

“It’s Chairwoman Levine to you. Not that it matters. You’re fired!”

That was a little more abrupt than I expected, but I knew it was coming the second she came in like a tornado.

Then Shayla said, “You can’t fire him. He doesn’t work for you.”

“Huh?” Carol turned on Shayla angrily. I wished Shayla hadn’t intervened even though she had good intentions. “Who are you?” Carol growled.

“I’m the General Counsel for the Authority,” Shayla replied calmly.

“You’re fired!”

I sighed and said, “Carol, you can’t fire Shayla. She doesn’t work for you either. Now, please, calm down. Shayla, would you give us a minute?”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!” Carol shrieked.

I stood up and shooed Shayla out. She didn’t want to go, but I didn’t give her any choice. I asked Elaine to get us a couple of coffees, then faced Carol, who was seething at being ignored.

“Carol, please. Take a breath and calm down. Here, have a seat. Let’s go over this. No one is arguing with you.”

“It sure sounds like it!”

“Not at all. Shayla was just trying to explain that you don’t have hire/fire authority over me. It takes a vote by the entire board. They can fire me as a group, but not just one person. And Shayla works for me, not you. You don’t have authority over any of the spaceport’s employees.

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