Chimera Read online

  M. W. Huffman

  Chimera

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  Thanks once again to my partner and wife, Susan. I’m sure she wonders when I am going to run out of ideas and stop having her read every story. None of this would be possible without her love and encouragement.

  “Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases.”

  - Hippocrates of Iphicrates -

  OTHER BOOKS PUBLISHED BY M.W. HUFFMAN

  THE END — BOOK I of THE EVENT

  THE BEGINNING — BOOK II of THE EVENT

  THE REVELATION — BOOK III of THE EVENT

  A NATION DIVIDED — BOOK I of THE 2nd Civil War

  A NATION at WAR — BOOK II of THE 2nd Civil War

  A Nation HEALING — BOOK III of THE 2nd Civil War

  OPERATION BLUEBOLT — BOOK I America’s Gulags

  OPERATION BLUEBOLT — BOOK II American Uprising

  BlackStar

  CHIMERA

  CLOSE PROXIMITY

  WORLD’S END

  THE BRINK — Operation Deep Flight

  Angie Bartoni Case File #1 — The Alphabet Murders

  Angie Bartoni Case File #2 — Frostbite

  Angie Bartoni Case File #3 — Dead Aim

  Angie Bartoni Case File #4 — What Goes Around

  Angie Bartoni Case File #5 — Nothing to Lose

  Angie Bartoni Case File #6 — Shadow Man

  Angie Bartoni Case File #7 — The Club

  Angie Bartoni Case File #8 — Murder by Shakespeare

  Angie Bartoni Case File #9 — One Too Many

  The Logan Files — Blond Deception

  The Logan Files — Innocence and Avarice

  The Logan Files — The Deal Breaker

  The Norris Files — Insurrection

  The Norris Files — Silver2

  Unfinished

  CHAPTER ONE

  The New Bedford Mining Company was certainly not the largest U.S. operation. It wasn’t even the oldest or the newest. In fact it was quite unremarkable in many ways. Where it excelled was in the ability to adapt to new technology. They were constantly looking for better ways to bring the precious ore out of the vast caverns in the complex.

  They had been in operation only seven years and while the initial startup cost had been astounding, they had managed to break even during their fourth year of operation.

  For the past six months the board had been debating whether or not to order a prototype piece of equipment called a Remote Controlled Boring Auger Reclamation Drill. It was soon nicknamed BARD-1. The cost was staggering, almost one hundred million dollars but it would be unlike anything being used in the mining industry.

  The boardroom was not opulent by any means but it was adequate for the size of the operation. While the company was still privately owned, most of the board members were given stock as bonuses rather than drain the cash reserves.

  Paul Miller was the CEO and Chairman of the Board of the New Bedford Mining Company. He did not get there by accident. His great-grandfather had actually started the mine which was handed down through each successive generation. Like his grandfather and his father, he started by first working in the mines. His great grandfather was a firm believer that you could never understand the entire operation or what the paid help was going through until you got in and did the job right alongside them.

  “Until you toil alongside the working man, you can never understand what they have to go through,” had been the unofficial family motto for over a hundred years.

  Paul was forty-one years old but looked ten years younger. His black hair, cut short, didn’t have a single gray hair. He was physically fit and swam every day that he could. He was the first college educated family member to run the company.

  * * *

  “I would like for Ann to start with the financial report,” Paul said by way of starting the meeting.

  Ann Taylor was a striking woman. Her auburn hair, emerald green eyes, and pale complexion pretty much gave away her Irish heritage. She was as smart as she was good looking. She had earned her BS from Stanford University and an MBA from Penn State.

  “Well, the news is good for the most part. Last month’s P&L shows a healthy operating profit of 16.1 percent. Now I know you don’t rely on the profit and loss statement for net income but it is always a good indicator when we can top fifteen percent operating profit. The company had a net income after taxes of 11.2 percent making it the third best month in our history,” she told them.

  Smiling faces and nods greeted her when she looked up.

  “Excellent Ann. What is our cash position currently?” Paul asked.

  “As of yesterday, COH was eighty-seven million six-hundred thousand. That brings up another point. We have way too much cash on hand and it is just sitting there not working for us. We need to make a decision because we are just wasting money.”

  “She is right. We have been talking about this for six months…”

  “Seven,” Ann interrupted.

  “Okay, seven months and we still haven’t decided a course of action. Darin, what’s going on?”

  “Well, we are still evaluating and changing the parameters of the prototype. It’s complicated,” he said hedging.

  Daren ‘Mac’ McDillon was the Chief Operations Officer, or COO for the Bedford operation. While extremely knowledgeable he was also overly cautious according to Paul.

  “Come on Mac. I’ve been hearing that for seven months. You’re the one who first brought this up. Now we need to buy the thing or move on. Right now it is just criminal to have these cash reserves not earning income,” Paul said.

  “I understand. I do, but this is a whole new area. No one has anything like this. If we are going to spend a hundred million on the BARD and my butt is on the line, I darn well want to make sure we did it right. I certainly don’t want to get fired because I overlooked something,” he replied.

  “You’re not going to get fired, even if the damn thing blows up when we first start it. I understand the risk we are taking but even if it doesn’t work, it will not ruin the company. We will still be solvent. No one is going to place the burden of making a good decision squarely on your shoulders. I take responsibility for those kinds of decisions,” Paul told him.

  “Paul, he does have a valid point. Suppose we do buy the machine and find that it could have done this or that better if it had of been thought through a little better. We would essentially have a hundred million dollar antique,” Barney Falk, the Executive Vice President said.

  “You are right Barney but that does not change what we are facing. We know we have located a huge coal vein that has the potential to double our output. Think about that. This one mine could out produce Alpha, Beta and Charlie all combined. Why can’t we capitalize on it right now? We need workers that are qualified workers. We can’t just hire a bunch of new people and expect them to go into the mines. Look at our safety record. In the last seven years, we have had only one serious accident. Even that one was caused by horsing around, not work. We can’t just sit on this. We need to either work it ourselves or sub it out to some other company,” he replied.

  It was silent in the room. He was right but to sub the core out to some other company would be a very bitter pill to swallow and they all knew it.

  “Ann, is there any room for negotiation on the cost of the BARD? Mac asked.

  “Not much. We would have to pay twenty-five million at the signing of the contract. The next twenty-five would be due when we send the five operators to watch the final assembly and to learn how to operate it. The third payment is upon delivery and setup of the machine. Their technicians will be on hand for the first week to make sure everything is operating correctly. Once we sign off, we pay the last twenty-five million,” Ann informed them.r />
  Everyone sat deep in thought. One hundred million dollars was a hell of a lot to pay for one piece of equipment that had never been tested. Finally Paul broke the silence.

  “Look, we know the machine is operated by remote control. No real safety issues need to be factored in to the equation. This one machine can do the whole operation of three shifts of regular workers. The payback is what Ann?”

  “Forty-three months,” she said.

  “Forty-three months. That’s a hell of a payback. No insurance, workers comp, Social Security, or anything else to deal with. It can’t go on strike or stage a walkout. For me it’s clear cut. We buy the thing. The sooner the better,” Paul told them.

  “Which you have neglected to mention,” Barney added.

  “Neglected? What are you talking about?”

  “The workers. How do you think they are going to take this? They will see it as a threat to their job security,” Barney said.

  “Why would they? This is a brand new operation. The other three mines would continue to operate as they always have,” Paul said.

  “They will think you are trying to find a way to replace them. If this machine does as advertised they will see it as a direct threat. You mark my words.”

  “Mac. What do you think?”

  “It is certainly a possibility. You know how skittish they are. Once a rumor gets started it will sweep through them like wildfire. Barney is right to some extent, they will feel insecure.”

  “Then we just have to tell them what we are going to do and make sure they understand this is just a test. We have to assure them that it will not endanger their jobs.”

  “Easier said than done,” Barney replied.

  “Maybe so, but that’s what we have to do.”

  “So are you saying we are going to go ahead and purchase the BARD?”

  “Yes, we need to do this to grow and be a state of the art facility. Mac, you can tell them that I am ready to sign and pay the initial deposit.”

  “You’re sure? Once we sign we will be on the hook. You don’t want to wait and talk it over with the workers in advance?” Mac replied.

  “Before or after makes no difference. We just need to explain it so they understand,” Paul answered.

  “Good luck with that,” Barney replied.

  CHAPTER TWO

  When the day came to sign the contract for the RC-BARD-P1 as it was officially designated, standing for Remote Controlled Boring Auger and Reclamation Drill Prototype 1, Paul was suddenly apprehensive. One hundred million dollars was a lot to shell out on a gamble.

  “Look honey, you made your decision. You did it with all of the information and facts available. You have been talking about it for how long?”

  “Seven months.”

  “For seven long months. That is pretty much all you have talked about, even with me,” Laura, his wife of ten years said.

  “I didn’t bring it up once last night,” he said with a sly grin.

  “Yes, and it is a darn good thing you didn’t she replied,” blushing.

  “You’re right. It’s a little late to back out now. It wouldn’t do the company’s reputation any good,” he acknowledged.

  “Or yours. Barney would never let you live it down if you did.”

  “Now Laura. Barney plays devil’s advocate from time to time but that’s a good thing. I don’t want everyone waiting for me to say ‘yes’ so they can jump on board. Barney does just what an Executive Vice President is supposed to do.”

  “Yes dear,” she replied.

  “Stop it you scamp. You are definitely not a ‘yes’ woman.”

  “I was last night,” she said and scooted out of reach.

  “You are a very bad girl Lauren Miller.”

  “Thank you sir, I’ll take that as a compliment,” she said seductively.

  “I would chase you down and give you a spanking if I didn’t have to run.”

  “I’ll be here when you get home,” she said tauntingly.

  He shook his head, grabbed up his briefcase and put his coat over his arm.

  “Don’t forget we are all going out to celebrate spending all that money. I’ll be home around six.”

  “I’ll be ready and waiting. Paul, don’t worry about this. You are doing the right thing. If that machine lives up to half of what they say it can do, you will be way ahead. Sign the papers and get on with the next phase.”

  “Good advice woman. I will now go conquer the might BARD.”

  “My hero,” she said batting her eyes.

  * * *

  The signing went smoothly. A few signatures here and there and handing over twenty-five million dollars and it was done. Paul felt both apprehensive and relieved at the same time. Now at least they could move on to the next phase of opening the new operation.

  After the initial excitement, things pretty much went back to normal. Mac spent most of his time on site where the new mine was to be opened. The critical first stage was a delicate operation and exactly how the new machine would function was still somewhat of a mystery.

  While Mac was dealing with the startup phase Barney was answering questions from the workers. They were part of the UMWA, United Mine Workers of America. Their major concern was what this meant to their jobs. It was up to Barney to calm them and make sure they understood that it did not represent a threat to job security.

  It was met with a great deal of skepticism. On top of that the MSHA was coming to do a site inspection of the three operating mines. The Mining Safety Health Administration has a great deal of power concerning the ongoing operations. Safety violations are often harshly fined and if the mine is considered dangerous enough, they can order it shut down.

  Paul and the rest of the administration were not really concerned with the MSHA inspections. They had an excellent safety record and had recently upgraded the water sprayer system to keep float coal accumulation lower than current regulations called for. Since they had been in operation MSHA had only issued four violation notices. Some of the other mines in the area had over a hundred violations in a single year.

  All things considered Paul was confident that the mine was operating at peak efficiency. He had always been concerned about the safety of the miners. Perhaps it was because he had been required to work right alongside the other men that he had such a strong safety conscience.

  Paul had always maintained an open door policy for any of the foremen who believed that safety was being jeopardized. Many mines operate under just the opposite philosophy. They don’t want to know about it and the philosophy is work or get another job. Paul felt that a policy of taking care of the workers first would actually pay off in the long run. He had been right.

  CHAPTER THREE

  When the second installment on the BARD was paid it was then time to send the five people who would initially operate the machine from the control booth that had been constructed.

  Erin Lake, Sally Strong, Billy Myers, and Tommy Perkins would undergo training where the BARD was being assembled. Daren was already on site and had taken part in the actual design. While he wouldn’t do much of the actual operating of the machine, as COO he had to know how it worked inside and out.

  “This is going to be so cool,” Sally said, looking out of the airplane window.

  “I just hope I can assimilate everything. Running a hundred million dollar machine by yourself is an incredible responsibility,” Erin replied.

  “You’ll do fine. I mean, how hard can it be? It has a joy stick and some buttons. It will be a piece of cake.”

  “I got the feeling it’s a little more than that. Actually a lot more than that,” Erin insisted.

  “Quit worrying and enjoy the change of scenery. How often do we get to take a trip at the company’s expense? I intend to have some fun as well,” Sally said.

  “I think they are going to keep us pretty busy. I looked at the schedule and it didn’t leave a lot of down time.”

  “Don’t worry; we’ll have plenty of time to d
o a little partying.”

  “Sally, I don’t do partying. This is about learning. The company expects us to come back and actually operate this giant machine.”

  “You worry too much. Chill girl,” Sally replied.

  Erin decided to just lie back in her seat and try to catch a short nap. Two rows up Tommy Perkins and Billy Myers were having a similar conversation.

  “You want to go to a couple of strip clubs?” Tommy asked.

  “Heavens no. We are here to learn the system, not hang out at bars.”

  “Come on man. Loosen up some. No one will ever know,” Tommy insisted.

  “Three people would.”

  “Three? How do you figure that?”

  “You, me and my wife.”

  “Your wife? How would she know?”

  “I’d tell her. We have a pact. We don’t keep things from each other.”

  “You would actually tell her that you went to a strip club?”

  “I don’t have any choice if I want to uphold my end of the agreement,” Billy replied.

  “Man, that’s just too… I don’t know… married. I can’t see the harm in having a little look once in a while.”

  “We all have to do what is best for each of us. If that works for you, fine, but it just doesn’t for me,” Billy said.

  That pretty much ended the conversation and Billy went back to reading while Tommy nodded off.

  * * *

  They were greeted at the airport by a representative from Dynamic Engineering and taken to their hotel to settle in and freshen up. Two hours later they were collected and driven to corporate headquarters. The President of Dynamic Engineering, Fred Nickels, and the head of the technical division, Avery Collins, were there to greet them.

  “Welcome to Dynamic Engineering,” Nickels said, shaking their hands and introducing Avery Collins.

  “Nice building,” Billy said.

  “Thank you. It seemed like a good idea to have an intriguing building if you are in the engineering business. Did you all have a chance to settle in?”