Page 38 of The Ranger
I glance at the fire extinguishers and first aid kits around the immediate area before a man I briefly saw yesterday, but wasn’t introduced to, approaches.
“Hey, Cole Reynolds, right?”He shakes my hand.“Chen Lee.Senior Production Manager.”
The man we are all waiting on regarding the final component.Nathan told me to follow up with him...so.
This is a key date in the timeline for delivery to the military—their customers, as they refer to them—and the prototype being completed.Simply put, the risk of our mole disappearing with it is very high.
I’m eager to speak to him and get clarity about the date.
“Thanks for showing us around.”I plant my hands on my hips, glancing around with a smile and looking impressed, which isn’t hard to fake.I am.“Definitely an upgrade from GreenTech.”
Now that part is a lie.
GreenTech is an organization based in Hong Kong where I’ve never worked, but if anyone looks me—or rather my alias, Cole Reynolds—up, they’ll find a profile showcasing my success at the data tech company.
GreenTech has a good reputation, but it’s not large enough to raise suspicion.Plus, it’s human nature to be competitive, so I’m expecting QuantumCore employees to show off.
“You’re playing with the big boys now, Cole.”Chen laughs.
Bingo.
“Come on through.I’ll show you around.”
“Thanks!”
Chen leads Todd and I through the plant, raving about how all their machines and processes are world-class and better than everyone and everything, blah, blah.
“Do we have a prototype run booked in yet?”Todd asks, doing my job for me.
Nice.
It’s much better than coming from the new guy.Even if my newbie questions can look innocent.Or not.If one of these guys is the mole, they’ll be hyperaware of everything.
Chen slows, picks up a damaged chip and tosses it into a reject bin, taking his time answering.
“I will check the schedule.I think there was a delay.”
Think?
He knows very well there is.We’re waiting on the Erbium component.
“Still?I thought the final materials had all arrived.”Todd frowns.
Interesting.
For such an important product, there sure is a lot of confusion.
“Where’s it coming from?”I inquire calmly.
“China.”Chen picks up another chip, says something in Asian I don’t understand, then suddenly lifts his face and smiles.“Hey, Cole, do you play golf?”
Golf?
Ah...what just happened?
I feel like I skipped ten minutes of the conversation and was dropped back in it.
“More of a baseball guy, actually.”I glance around the room, taking in all the employees and studying their behavior.
