BARGAINING POSITION Copyright 2010, 2011 by Carl Bussjaeger This work is copyright 2010, 2011 by Carl Bussjaeger, and distributed directly by the author. The author has not been paid for this work by any publisher. Researching, plotting, writing, revising, and proofreading more than 94,000 words involves much work. The author cannot afford to continue producing works for readers' amusement unless he is compensated for his efforts. If you received this manuscript from a source other than the author, and have not provided compensatory payment to the author for this work, the author has not been given any incentive to continue working for your amusement. In polite societies, claiming the right to uncompensated labor of other people is known as "slavery". You may contact the author to provide feedback and payment at: http://www.bussjaeger.org/tipjar.html
[email protected] The author suggests just US$5.00 per copy, a price which compares very favorably with Amazon.com ebooks, but even a buck or two will help buy food and pay bills. Thank you. I'd like to publicly thank L. Neil Smith for allowing me to play with some of his literary toys, my publisher for taking three chances on an unknown writer, and Jaq and Nigel who may vaguely recall encouraging me to write 'way back in the Stone Age. Dedication For James P. Hogan June 27, 1941 - July 12, 2010 A true gentleman and great writer who is missed by many. Prologue Roll the bones. Rush The engineer entered the room. Pausing near a console, he glanced at the technician positioned there and gestured.