Chapter 28: Excavating
The small conference room smelled of expensive cologne, and was silent as a group of mining executives watched a live video feed from the squat rover-like robot, that was drilling and scraping lead ore from the walls of the mine, and loading it onto a waiting mining cart.
"Can it be configured to mine ores other than lead?" asked Friedrich Albrecht, the CEO of Albrecht Nuclear systems.
"Yes, it can be configured to detect and mine any ore, including radioactive ones like Uranium and Thorium, and even carbon based minerals like coal, graphite and diamond," replied Aaron.
"How quickly can you ramp production?" asked Friedrich, the manic glint in his eye, matching his silver cuff links as his hands shook with excitement.
"With the right funding, we can ramp production to 100 units a month, by the end of the month," replied Aaron.
"I’ll take ten thousand units, Uranium configured, at four billion over ten quarterly installments, we have a deal?" bid Friedrich.
"You get the robots and a 5-year support contract. Throw as much money as you want, but you’re not getting a single share of equity," replied Aaron, handing Friedrich a sales and support contract.
"Are you insane kid? There’s no way we’re just cutting you a check without some kind of oversight!" protested one of the other executives.
"I’m selling you a product, not puppet strings," replied Aaron, as the other executives’ expressions turned sour.
"Selling your product without selling your control. Ha! The kid’s got guts, I like it!" said Friedrich, as he signed the contract and handed it back to Aaron, as the other executives filed out shaking their heads.
Andre watched with growing alarm, as Friedrich gave Aaron a final handshake and almost skipped out of the conference room like a happy child.