26 The Engineer had been listening quietly, but
now he took the papers North was holding and began to examine them.
Finally he sat them down. "I can't put my name to these, Commander," he
explained.
27 "Oh," sighed North, "they're THAT bad?"
28 "No," the Engineer assured, "they're too GOOD! Anybody aware of my
Engineering capabilities would know in a moment that this isn't my
work. You're wrong about the protective value. I'd say
eighty-eighty-five per cent improvement. You've made some radical
changes and the wiring may need some work, but I think the system's
practical.
29 With your permission, I'd like to make a prototype and test it. Then
I'll draw up the plans in proper form and submit them. I'll have them
registered first. You know, sir, don't you, these are worth a fortune.
I didn't know you had a degree in shield technotics."
30 "I don't!" North told him.
31 The Engineer smiled. "You'll have an honorary one after this! I'll
put myself down as technical advisor but the work is yours, sir. I
can't take credit."
32 The Engineer was right. North's idea revolutionized shield theory as
his design was soon being adapted for ships and station use. His
royalties for the manufacturing rights made him richer than ever. But
North's greatest pleasure was when one of the consoles in Engineering
blew out, and thanks to his shields the Engineer walked away without a
scratch!
33 While they were preparing the prototype the new converter arrived
and the replacement for their scout craft. It was a few hours later
that an angry Engineer called North. "Sir!" he explained, "I've just
inspected the new equipment they sent us. The converter's not much
better than our old one, and the scout is a piece of junk! It will take
me months to make it space worthy! I refuse to accept them!"
34 "Very well! " agreed North. "If the equipment