They offered to buy them. Not ten thousand, just ten.You want more, send us a signed contract for fifty thousand. The Army did so. However, it was so ...oosely worded as to be worthless.We sent our final reply. This conversation can serve no purpose anymore. Goodbye.The Army and the so-called military/industrial complex dug into the patents strictly illegal, finding all the interworking were proprietary.Finally, they resorted to trying to steal one out in the field. We were ready for them, having. I really hoped it would.That was when I noticed the old man sitting across the path staring at me. He saw me look up at him."What the fuck is wrong with you, boy?" Wha... What are you talking about?" Jaysus H. Christ, boy, your life has barely got going and you're ready to end it?" How?... Ah what the hell do you know?" I know you got a lot of living ahead of you. You don't want to do this." Yeah? Well if what I got I got ahead of me is anything like what's behind me then you aren't making much. He said that Dr. Woerner isn't finished with us yet."The woman's face went pale. "That's...that's impossible. It's been almost six years, Chris. Dr. Woerner is long gone...she has to be."Gently, Chris guided his wife to a chair at the kitchen table. "He said something else, Annie, something I think you'll be interested in hearing." The woman didn't look convinced, so he plunged on. "Grandfather said that what you are you were always meant to be."Annie's eyebrows rose. "What does that mean? What. . we had to testify to the rest of the Consensus, that you are an extraordinary young man, able to handle any responsibility thrust upon you, before they would agree to consider your plan. To give away your companions at this time would be looked upon as a sign of weakness or disrespect, and therefore reflect badly upon us and our endorsement of you. Once a few of your earth years have passed, you can essentially do with them as you please, but, for right now, unless it really becomes a.