cheap at auction, it was then converted into a drone factory ship. On the fantail the name “Santo Gordo” stood out in large letters, confirming it was just a cargo ship, nothing to be concerned about. Among the systems hidden aboard (besides the drone force) included a laser meant to engage aircraft and other point defenses he failed to tell anyone about, all fully automated. It was like a sheep with the heart of a wolf, a warship hiding inside a merchant ship hull, and the Doktor was eager to test it before he attempted to sell the concept to one of his less- scrupulous clients who would love to possess such a capability. For him the CAR represented the right client to show what he could do and once his weapons proved their ability, he would move on to the next conflict and so forth. Plus, he wanted to humble the United States, and here was his chance. Scene #9 – Lima Site 24-A, Cordovan Archipelago Rufus “Corky” Benoit, the crusty old senior mechanic, wiped his sweat- soaked camo coveralls to try to get his battered hands a bit drier, but it was a losing effort. So many scrapes, lacerations and small cuts from try - ing to fix things with sharp edges left his hands and forearms in tatters. The faded bandanna he used to keep sweat out of his eyes was likewise a failure; it was just too hot and humid here to do anything besides suf- fer, he felt. At 68, Corky was way too old for this mess and constantly grumbled in his normal growl-like raspy voice to anyone in earshot. Not only the oppressive heat and humidity, which hung over the place like a moldering veil, but just the sheer number of things going wrong that he could do little about. He had signed on for this job with Pelikaan Security Solutions, a little-known private military contractor (PMC) as a favor to one of his brothers-in-law and to get off his retired duff for a few weeks, but he had no idea what might follow. His experience decades ago as an Air Force mechanic got him successive jobs working for different airlines, giving him the skills, sure, but he never knew this level of stress. Now, he was the most senior of the remaining contractor personnel and since that good-for-nothing Lieutenant van Drook was violently ill, he, Corky, was now the acting commander. “ Commander ? No thank you!” He mut - tered to himself as his arthritic hands tried to tighten another bolt.
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