Aloft (Petronaut Tales) Read Online Free PDF

questioning light out of his eyes.  He crossed his arms over his chest and stepped closer to the pair in the hallway outside drafting room 26A.
    “Absolutely.  Since our coils have never deployed in a vehicle quite like this before, it’s a new world.  And we could use, uh, even more good minds helping us out.”
    “Well, Upforth’s Hydraulics is on board one hundred ten percent.  I’d love to personally review any preliminary discussions you had with Mister Carper.”  He even mustered up a tight smile for his towering employee.  “I imagine I can be more thorough than he was.”
    Ensie developed a tickle in her throat, and rubbed the back of her neck as she coughed.  Cooper was studiously looking at the ceiling. 
    “Actually,” Ensie said, “the, uh, thoroughness was fine.”
    “Well, just so long as you’re satisfied.”
     “I was satisfied, yes.”
    “Because at Upforth’s, we live to please our clients—”
    “I should go,” Ensie said, talking a step backwards. 
    She tucked the edges of her hair into her snood.  Upforth clasped his hands at his waist and bowed his head again as she explained, “I need to inform Sir Tomas and my team about this, uh, development, and get their confirmation on the, uh, the best way forward.”
    “Whatever suits you, technician!  Again, I’m so glad Mister Carper performed all right today—”
    “I have to go,” she brayed, launching herself towards the door.  She fiddled with her hairnet with one hand as the other locked onto the door handle.  “But thank you for—thank you.  I’ll be in touch!”
    “You know where to find us!”  Upforth called, a little bemused through his smile. 
    The sunlit door at the end of the hallway leapt open and drifted closed after her.  Upforth turned to Cooper. 
    “She does know where to find us, right?”
    “We, uh.  We exchanged contact information, yes.”
    “I’ll be honest, Carper.  I didn’t think you could seal the deal.”
    “Well, we didn’t exactly seal the deal,” he said, drawing himself up a little.  “I mean, that’s a little fast for a first—”
    “Shut up.  As long as she feels fine talking to you, you get to deal with her.  But you remember, buddy: you are replaceable.  And if you’re not getting results I’ll pull you off of her myself.”  Upforth ran a hand over his hair.  “They want this Flicker thing ready for the Exposition?”
    “A few days before, for testing.”
    “Then I want you working this thing until you’re blue in the face every hour between now and then.  When Ensie the tech snaps her fingers, I want you at her side.  When you’re awake, you’re on her.  And when you’re asleep, you’re dreaming about being on her.  Got it?”
    Cooper kept his face very still.  “Got it.”
    “Spheres revolving,” Upforth swore, shaking his head at Cooper, “if you weren’t such an ape I’d tell you to sweet-talk her a little, but I think we both know how that would go.”
    “I think we do.”
    “It wouldn’t hurt for you to spruce yourself up a little, at least.  Look at you!  You dress like a dockhand.  And what’s that on your neck?  Is that a bug bite or something?”
    “I think I’d better get back to work,” Cooper said weakly, covering his neck.
    “Help Kini until the Aerials get back in touch.”  Upforth clapped his hand, his chin jutting out in fierce excitement.  “This is a big flaming day!  You’re lucky you’re with Upforth’s.”
    Yeah, I am , Cooper thought, dog-trotting behind his boss back to the Aerial hangar.
     

 
    Iggy crowed with laughter, throwing her arms around Ensie’s shoulders.
    The junior tech went her patented shade of pink.  “I—I’m glad you’re excited, boss, but it’s just a consulting partnership.  It’s not—”
    “Did you get his address?”
    Ensie blinked. 
    “What?
    “Or did you give him yours?”
    “I…”  She quailed under Iggy’s radiantly delighted stare. 
    “Both?”