The Armbuster Affair

By sam lefkowitz

Willis and BETE go to Terra3 to investigate an abundance of tragedy in the Armbuster family.  

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: sam lefkowitz
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224846221

Book preview

THE

ARMBUSTER

AFFAIR

A WILLIS BARLOW ADVENTURE

the com call

IT IS BUCOLIC HERE on Terra2.  Soft rolling hills combed with vineyards. Warm blue seas. Fine sand beaches. Since I usually work from home it all suits me fine.  In fact I was walking along the beach sweeping a cloud of plovers before me when my com link buzzed. 

Incoming call from a Dr Stranje.  Subject business

I do investigations.  Primarily research and documentation for litigation.  Before that I worked for the government.  And before that for the military.  My success in private practice is not the result of connections but the attributes of my secretary, BETE, the most advanced AI in the Terran confederacy.  A genius at data retrieval.  She has the ability to penetrate the most secure data banks and retreat undetected.

So I am in love with her. 

Anyway, business is business, so I said, Put him through.  Audio only.  And record.  As if she wouldn't do so on her own.  Then I hit the button, Willis Barlo speaking.  How may I help you?

Hello Mr Barlo.  My name is Warren Stranje.  I am a physician with a practice on Terra3.  I got your name from an attorney.  I have a situation and you may be able to help.

What does it involved?

That is something I would rather discuss in person.  I am currently on Terra2 and could be at your location tomorrow afternoon.  Is that convenient for you?

I'm agreeable to that.  Just identify yourself as my guest at the airport and you will be given landing and parking instructions.  A vehicle will pick you up and take you to my home.  Until tomorrow.

I clicked off and said,

Hi BETE

Hi Willis.

What have you got.

He is who he says he is.  Registered practicing physician on Terra3.  Arrived 6 days ago to attend a professional conference.  Married.  Daughter 3 years old.  Loves sports.  Nothing negative.  Still searching.

Thanks BETE.  Notify the airport we have a guest coming.  I'm going to catch up with the plovers.

the visit

TOMORROW CAME AND EVERYTHING proceeded according to schedule.  BETE announced Dr Stranje's arrival at the airport and had a ground car waiting to transport him.  I met him on the seaside veranda, took his jacket and offered him a choice of refreshment. 

He chose a Pina Colada.  An old favorite from Terra Prime.   Its interesting how the tastes of old earth have drifted across time and space.

We settled down in comfortable recliners looking out at a calm azure sea. 

My office, which does in fact have a desk and high back swivel armchair, is more of a war room.  I find that a desk is a barrier to communication.

Dr Stranje started by saying that it was a long story and he would begin at the beginning.  To which I responded that it was a beautiful afternoon for one.

"I teach at a university but also have a private practice.  One of my patients is an elderly woman. Recent widow. She has asked a favor of me.  Her name is Cecelia Armbuster.

Are you acquainted with Armbuster Mining and Refining?"

No.

"Well they are really big on Terra3.  A family owned company.  Very rich and very powerful.  It all started with Iam Armbuster.  A scrap dealer with yards full of outdated and discarded equipment which he dismantled and re-sold.

He had two sons, Eddi and Tedi.

Eddi, the elder brother, qualified as a navigator at the age of 18 and joined a venture to explore and map the periphery of the new Terra3 galaxy.  A 6 year expedition. 

About three years after Tedi's departure Iam Armbuster walks into the Property Registration Office in Capitol City on Terra3 and files papers for ownership of two planets on the galaxy's rim.  He has the necessary registration data and pays the required fees. The applications are accepted and 3 moon cycles later these planets become his.

It is not uncommon on Terra3 for citizens to register distant properties in space with the hope that they will one day become valuable.  Some times generations pass before anyone finds out the value of such property.

Well, to continue the story, at the end of 6 years the expedition returns and files a report.  At the top of their list of valuable galactic assets were the two planets which Armbuster registered. They are composed of extra heavy metals oxides which, when refined, become clean energy sources.  One single cubic meter of pure Delirium can power a major metropolitan area for a year.

There was a big flap.  The underwriters of the expedition demanded Armbuster's ownership be rescinded because the registration information was illegally obtained.  They accused his son Eddi, member of the expedition crew, of theft of classified expedition information.

Eddi was relieved of his commission and the case went to trial.  Experts testified that when the ship was in subspace communication was impossible.  While it was in real space communication was also impossible because faster than light communication does not exist. 

The court  concluded that communication between the ship and Terra3 could not and had not occurred.  The decision went in favor of Armbuster.

On the basis of the expedition's findings Armbuster raised funds, created AMR and began exploiting his planets.  His business grew exponentially. Power is food. Continually consumed .

Iam Armbuster died of a massive coronary when he was 58.  His will left the company to his sons.  Divided the company into shares giving Tedi a 70% share.  Eddi got the remaining 30%.  That may appear to be a strange division between sons but it was a considered one.  Eddi was romantic and sought adventure. Tedi was pragmatic and desired wealth and power."

It was peaceful out here on the veranda watching the waves rolling on the beach.  Shore birds feeding in the splash zone.  A thin bank of gray fog smeared the far horizon. 

Events occurring in another galaxy felt insubstantial.  Just an entertaining story.  Fiction side of the stacks.

I asked Dr Stranje if I could refresh his drink and he accepted.  After a few sips he continued his story.

"When Iam Armbuster died Eddi was 28 and had just married Andra, a high school crush.  Two children ensued; Marj and Tomas.  A few years later Tedi married my patient Cecelia.  They had one child, Jon.

Then, ten years after Iam's death, almost to the day, Eddi Armbuster died in a racing accident.  Eddi was into speed.  He had his own racing team and several checkered flag trophies.

It happened during the Fossil Fuel 800.  He tried to pass on a downhill curve, lost control, hit the mountain side, ricocheted over the guard rail, bounced and exploded several times during a 600 meter decent.

Six years after that incident Tedi Armbuster took off on a routine subspace trip to one of his mining operations and never arrived.  Twelve men and a cruiser simply disappeared.  There was a long and detailed investigation.  The conclusion was 'malfunction' while in subspace.

Then, just four months ago, Jon Armbuster was beaten and robbed in an alley.  He never recovered consciousness.  That happened in Bedlam.  Jon was a gambler and had been there before. The assailants have not been apprehended.

My patient Cecelia Armbuster is stressed physically and in a weak psychological state.  Actually she is terrified.  She believes her life is in danger.  I have her on sedatives with a 24  hour nurse.  I even brought in a psychologist to help with her emotional state. 

In the interim her nephew Tomas is managing Armbuster Mining and Refining. 

Mrs Armbuster has expressed interested in the services of a private detective." 

I watched the afternoon sun sinking.  The sky moved from blue to pink.

You seem to know a great deal about the Armbuster family.

I did some research to assure myself that Mrs Armbuster was not delusional.

And you concluded ...?

There is in actually an abundance of unexplained tragedy.

I watched the sky's colors deepen.  The birth of dramatic shadows.

You are aware that I have never been to Terra3 and know nothing about it.

Yes.  That is a positive factor.  An outsider with a different perspective.

A long pause. 

Then I said,

There are a few aspects to your story that interest me.  I would like to think on it.  When are you leaving for Terra3?

In seven days.

That should be enough time.  I will contact you before you leave.

We shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.  A vehicle arrived to transport him to the airport.  I went into the kitchen to make dinner.  And open a bottle of wine from the vintner over the hill.

evening with BETE

AFTER DINNER I SETTLED into a lounge chair under starry skies.  I become drowsy after large meals. Short naps are restorative.    When I opened my eyes both moons had risen.  I sighed, went into the kitchen, made a fresh cup of coffee and took it to the office .

Hi BETE

Hi Willis

Give me the flavor.

"Researching Dr Stranje's story.

Armbuster Mining & Refining (AMR) is a major player on Terra3.  In addition to mining and refining it owns a lot of real estate, controls a major bank and several well placed politicians.    All are highly profitable ventures.

No information found on the death of the father Iam Armbuster.

Concerning the Armbuster family deaths starting with Eddi Armbuster.

Here is a terrain map of the Fossil Fuel Race.  Over 80% mountains.  Twisting and steep.  There was lots of media coverage.  Here is a clip from a helicopter camera."

I watched the vid. 

"Pretty