“Sir, the Government holds your company with the highest esteem, and we wish to make you a lucrative contract offer for several of our common shipments. It would be a … Long term investment on our part, requiring a guarantee from your company because of the sheer amount of research required for this project. We most likely will not see substantial results, if any, but the entire program must be completely confidential, regardless of the outcome. Sir.. Is that perfectly clear?”

Mr. Marayek wasted no time in responding “Albert, to be completely frank with you, I think the entire thing stinks to high heaven as a way to waste money, but if you think you have a chance in hell of getting anywhere with it, we might as well be the ones to make sure that happens. Don’t see how we have anything to lose from the deal, that’s for sure. And for security, that should never be an issue to come between us, you know I am the devils brother for a clean rig. How much time are we talking here?”

“Significant, Marayek, in that there is no end to time, and if done correctly this contract will never need to end. Where there is a need, there is a supply, which is what the Government considers your company. We will pay you to develop the products, we will supply the best tools in the industry and construct a facility for their assembly, we will even include the mortgages to this vast property. In short.. we will own your soul, Mr. Marayek. But we will also save your ass.”

There was a lingering, perilous silence where each party stood cautiously on the terrain of the other, testing for any chance of weakness. A possibility of escape, both sensing a relentless opportunity. “How could I resist the most generous offer, General. I consider it a profound honor to accept the contract.” He replied sweetly, like sandpaper gritting coarse stone, his eyes never wavering in their penetrating stare as he held out a hand in courtesy.