The Krakow Klub by Philip C. Elrod

Author:Philip C. Elrod
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: scifi, action, cloning, space travel, robots, space station, assassinations, gravity, political intrique, computers and technology

Chapter 8: Strategy Session

“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” - General Dwight D. Eisenhower

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” - Abraham Lincoln

John Scott was not born with the temperament to be patient. Perhaps it was his long line of hard-working German genes from his human side that urged him to be decisive and to act immediately. However, over the years, he slowly but surely learned to value patience before taking actions. Sometimes he had to fight hard within himself when his human side was screaming for action and his Mylean side was urging for caution.

By the time he had received his Mylean legacy, he had accepted that the right thing to do was a combination of what and when. The correct action at the wrong time was just as bad as the wrong action at any time. After observing his personal reactions, and those of many others, over time, he became convinced that it was easier to decide “what to do” than it was to decide “when to do it.” The “when” part often begged for patience, even when the “what” was patently obvious.

His study of history provided him many examples to confirm the importance of timing. The history of warfare was no exception. Warfare, perhaps more than any other of man’s endeavors, was replete with examples of bad timing negating the value of an otherwise proper action.

John Scott would be served well by having learned to have patience in a crisis.

****

By Tuesday noon, Scott Key was much calmer. John and Sylvia had continued to meet regarding their business relationship and the plans for the bullion vault. He treated her in the utmost professional manner and showed respect for her experience and knowledge. Eventually, she grew tired of listening to his never-ending pleas of innocence regarding Jim’s presence on the island and grudgingly accepted his apologies. Nevertheless, somewhere in the back of her mind, she still had that tiny little twinge of suspicion that John had deliberately engineered her meeting with Jim Slater.

She also was forced to admit, although grudgingly, and only to herself, that she still had feelings for Jim. He had that rugged, handsome look of an athlete and the upright bearing that betrayed his military background. In fact, she began to notice some qualities that she might have missed before or that he had developed since he returned to the States. For example, he doted on that little dog. He lavished affection on her constantly and catered to her every need. How could such kindness come from the brooding person that he had become at Oxford? He laughed more now, and the tiny little lines around his eyes told her that he probably spent a lot of time smiling, too.

****

Jim Slater and John Scott were frequently huddled in strategy meetings leaving Julia and Sylvia to become better acquainted with each other. They sat on the beach, looking out over the gentle waves and talking for hours.

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