Isaac taps impatiently on the desk with his pen. For two hours, a Defense Department liaison has been lobbying Isaac and Janice Cole to build ships for the Navy, but Isaac isn"t enticed by their lucrative offer.
“In all my years as a nautical engineer, I"ve never wanted to design military ships. It"s a question of principles,” Isaac says, his jaw firmly set. “Besides, there are dozens of other shipbuilders who would give their eye teeth for such a contract. Why Cole Shipping?”
The liaison, a Navy captain wearing an impressive collection of combat ribbons, is undaunted. “Because even though Cole Shipping is a small company it"s one of the best. And because we feel we"d get a better deal from you, under the circumstances.”
“The circumstances being that Cole Shipping is experiencing financ
