James: You guys would not yet have had the time to read the two documents from the Germans. I will give you a briefing on that development, what is contained in the two documents and the report from our lawyers in Houston as to our disclosure obligations to the NYSE. Harold worked all night on the report to their credit, so they scored a few points last night. Marina did the report on the coming shortages of Lithium, Graphene and some of the other rare earth minerals, so she can speak to that later.
James: If we deal firstly with the report from Veronika and her teams.
There was considerable discussion from 6 present about exactly how amazing the experiments had progressed X Co's knowledge on the blending of those rare earths and the inter-relationship of Nickel-Ion alternatives to battery technologies for self-drive vehicles, electric buses and industrial trucks. What was clear was that X Co was on the brink of some major breakthroughs in producing components that would allow considerably cheaper commercial batteries using complex blends and some surprisingly common and readily available main stream minerals.
What also had evolved through their research was Artificial Intelligence upgrades that would be possible because of the increased efficiencies of the batteries.
Marina pointed out that in the current and all future reports from Veronica the compositions of each compound would not be identified in her reports and agreed references from the current report would remain consistent, with variants numerated with extra A to Z descriptors. Again a mechanism to reduce risks of hacking and copying, along with some new forms of encription.
The Directors resolved to approve Veronika's budget for the next six months and also for her team to begin preparing worldwide patent applications.
There was a real sense of confidence in the meeting and there was none of the bickering that has proceeded from arguments between Chemical Engineering Director and the Marketing Director of the recent past. Just like the CEO, both were young and demanding individuals who were looking for X Co to supply them that one big deal in their lives that should set them up financially for their own pursuits.
Marina had obtained fresh independent research from one of the NYC top commodity trading houses that had only one key element. The prices of Lithium, Cobalt, Graphene and other rare earth minerals like Dysprosium were going to rapidly increase as supply became tight from the existing mines in South America. So the reduction in the usage of these minerals in battery components would be very welcome to the auto manufacturers around the world and be highly valuable technology.
The two documents in from "the Germans" were a Proposal from a consortium of four very large vehicle manufacturers to co-operate and also to fund the continuing research of Veronika's teams, as well as a draft agreement to consolidate their joint efforts over new technology batteries and vehicles that would use electric power exclusively. The names of the companies, the people signing off the Proposal and the initial year funding of just short of one million dollars could only be described as seriously impressive. Royalties ranging between 5% and 10% would be payable on the market value of every battery utilising the X Co technologies.
These documents were so substantive to X Co, that it was resolved the Directors should spend the next week considering the Proposals and the draft documents and a further meeting would be called to make decisions on the way forward, including what may be available from local US auto-manufacturers. In effect the Directors saw this as the first offer in a much more complex game of chess between the ginormous multi-nationals and the diminutive X Co.
The report from the lawyers essentially was that there was no need to release details of the research progress or the Proposals from "the Germans". What was unsaid of course was that another week would potentially open up opportunities for insider trading and the CEO (also paid by Carlo's team) would have bargaining power over his exit bonuses.
The meeting wrapped up in a very buoyant mood and would ensure there were many drinks to follow dinner this evening. The Directors could see a line of bonuses that would encourage (potentially foolish) gambling practices over the tables this evening.
The meeting closed quickly allowing Marina to dash out for the beauty parlour and James to call down Charles for his feedback after he had electronically followed the Directors and the CEO back to their own suites. It is surprising how unprofessional mature adults can become when they are faced with major personal financial gains and they need to talk to "supporters" when they return to their supposedly bug free rooms.
The Houston Divorced Wives Club Suite
The four women did not note the special attention provided by the check-in counter or the porters taking their luggage to the suite. They were still buzzed from the champers in the limo and to be blunt were already on the way to wipe out, excluding Sue. She had kept her alcohol consumption down to ensure she was ready for her role and to act as controller of this load of cats. Being inexperienced she did not have sufficient suspicions when reception pushed a button each time the women received their room passes, or when the porters turned on switches in their suite that did not seem to activate lights. The women were too interested in how well the porters were stacked and how super friendly they were to the women's one liners. After the porters left there were plenty of off colour remarks about their intentions with those porters later in their stay if they could find excuses to get those guys to their suite for a little play time.
The suite was basically four bedrooms with external access, all inter-connected to a central entertainment area, bar, dining table and lounges. The standard was 5 star plus and Red checked the bar was fully stacked with Moet, scotch, JD and mixers.
Sue: OK girls if we keep drinking like Moet is water we are all going to be too drunk to have fun tonight. Moni would you please get that coffee machine going while I see what was in my envelope left for me by Carlo and the I suggest you girls check out your bedrooms and get unpacked?
Thirty minutes later only Sue was on her feet. The others were snoozing off the limo ride and its beverages. It gave Sue time to read Carlo's messages and the rest of the contents of that large envelope. In the envelope were Sue's instructions and some briefing data, a flashcard obviously installed with interrogation software and US$5,000 in small notes. Sue carefully read and shredded all the papers in the envelope. She put the flashcard in her small purse and thought through how to apply that $5k.
The male targets were supposed to be in the bar post their Board meeting around 7.00pm and they had booked dinner for 8.00pm in the restaurant. Gambling was scheduled from 10.00pm onwards in one of the private rooms for high flyers. Pre credits had been arranged for $20,000 for each of the four by the house.
It was 5.45pm and the girls were stirring from their slumbers. Tracey was first out and downed her first black coffee. She was more likely to be Sue's best helper and undoubtedly the brightest of the three. The others joined around the dining table.
Sue: Trace, could you give me some help here?
Tracey was very willing as her groin stirred from lack of action.
Sue: Carlo is spoiling me terribly again. Look he has given us $5000 to spend, no conditions or constrictions. What do you reckon?
Tracey was very deliberate and measured in her response for a woman that had consumed half a bottle of Moet that afternoon.
Tracey: We don't have time for the beauty parlour. We have all the gear, lingerie and perfumes we would need and the bar is stacked. Maybe we look to get some decent weed and some coke, just in case the men here are hopeless tonight or if they need a bit of push to get them in the mood so to speak. That may leave us some left over gambling money for tomorrow or some cash to splash?
Sue had known of Tracey's interest in the old weed from their single days and Moni had been known to have the occasional sniff of coke, so she got the answer she was wanting.
Moni volunteered to browse the bar area and see what she could acquire with $1000. The $4000 would come in useful, even if to bail the girls out over the weekend. Back by 6.30 the girls were impressed by what Moni had been able to buy so quickly and for the right price. Fact was the dealer was setting her and maybe the others up with stuff that would get them hooked, not too unlike what had happened with the very lucky Pam in her escape from the dealer last night.
Sue: That looks like good stuff. Give us the story!
