"The video projector still isn't working," said Nova.
"That's all right, we're quorate. I'm the chairman and I say we can have the board meeting without Captain Bennett," replied Rusty.
"I really don't think that's a very good idea. Marian _is_ our chief of operations."
"Nonetheless we must get on. I call this meeting of the Avocado Shipping company to order."
The video projector sprang into life. "I heard that, Rusty," said Marian.
"Hello, Marian. As I was saying, I call the meeting to order. The whole board is present, also Miss Pascoe, our hyperdrive advisor-"
"I object to that," said Marian. "There's no reason for her to be in on this."
"Overruled. The only item we have to discuss is what to do now Miss Pascoe tells us she cannot complete her analysis without a second one of the modified hyperdrives to work on."
"She already destroyed the Melkarth. We only have three ships. You can't seriously let her loose on one of the others! This isn't the way to make money, it's how to ruin the whole company!"
"I propose that we take the Antikythera out of service for this purpose. Miss Pascoe assures me that she knows what went wrong with the Melkarth and this will not happen again."
"I vote against," snapped Marian.
"That's your right, of course. However I believe everyone else is unanimous?" Rusty looked round the room and the other board members all nodded. "The proposal is carried then, six to one."
"You're fools. You are not getting away with this," said Marian. The screen suddenly went blank.
"I shall contact Captain Elbert and ask him to bring the Antikythera into orbit around Gentian," said Rusty, scribbling minutes. "And now I have an item under Any Other Business. I move that we replace Captain Bennett as COO. Votes? Five-one, carried. I'll get the agencies onto it. I think that concludes our business today. I'd just like to say that you made the right decision, and I hope you're looking forwards to being extremely rich."