Self Defense: Part II

"Thanks Frank, but call me Yves and its no promotion." Yves shook hands with the young man.

"Well, if anyone can make a company out of the ECC teleporter technology, you're the man to make it fly." Frank said as he led Gorman through the wall.

"I’d have better luck making an elephant fly." Gorman said to the back of Frank’s head. Frank laughed. He would laugh at Gorman's words whether he heard them or not.

Janis Sault stood at the opening to her office; otherwise it would have been blank walls again. Gorman could see her as he walked behind Frank. Gorman put his hand on Frank's shoulder to get his attention. "I can make it from here by myself, thanks Frank."

"Oh, sure," said Frank and he veered off down an adjacent blank hallway.

"CEO Style wanted to meet in my office." Janis said with an officious tone. This was a business matter, but she still blew Gorman a small kiss as he approached. Gorman's appointment to the President of the spin-off company had not only made it easier for them to see each other but it had also improved their relationship. Each person now had the benefits and enhancements of the separation of business and pleasure.

"Thanks, MS Sault." Gorman smiled as he stopped to let her back up into her office.

Jonathan Style sat behind her desk. "Yves, glad you could come over so quickly, things here are moving at breakneck speed, as usual."

"I was in the building already, no problem." Gorman sat down on the synthetic leather couch near the wall.

Janis stood by the closed door. "PAT, Inc. asked me to invite President Gorman for a discussion this morning."

CEO Style shook his head, "Breakback speed's more like it." The CEO looked into Gorman's eyes. "You must have realized some commotion is brewing."

"And you hate commotion almost as much as you hate lawyers, right?" Gorman forced a smile. His professional side was always on call.

"Completely, right." CEO Style didn't smile. That was Style’s professional side. "That's why I keep you around to keep away the lawyers and the commotion." Nobody smiled. "No matter, to the issue. To ECC, PAT, Inc. is simply a financial liability. PAT, Inc. brings in no income, but we do and will live up to our contract with PAT. The sub-basement accommodations are and will continue to be available to, uh, Pat, Inc. Despite that and considering the present situation, for now, though, ECC's stand on PAT, Inc. is completely neutral. "

Gorman tried to show no expression on his face, but internally he was reacting dramatically. Every event so far this morning had yelled out big trouble to him. Now this statement from Style screamed it at him. There was never a place to run and hide though, when you most needed it. "But someone else's is not, I gather." Gorman’s voice remained calm.

"Damned Continental Coalitions, they’re as nervous as a litter of kittens." CEO Style tapped on Janis' desktop. "Especially the USCA."

"The government of the United States of the Combined Americas is concerned about PAT, Inc. violating a curfew clause in our contract?" Gorman had dealt with the USCA many, many times. Everything is complicated and everything is important to them, even the temperature of the room. "A minor infraction."

"Nothing is minor to them. Remember what they did to San Diego to finalize their treaty demands?"