Yes, indeed the name is Stivik.
Anyway, as Dripik seems to have run off I'll just get on with it.
Several minutes later Stivik steps out of #7 Slig's office in search of the bunk he was just assigned and with the assurance that if he went to Arnie's office at the apropriate time later he would be able to find out the result of the Anni-Nick problem.
Stivik finds his bunk which he has to himself at least until another batch of sligs arrive. He climbs onto the bed, unclips his black box from his belt and presses a small black button on the back. A panel flips open revealing a microphone and various other buttons. He presses one with the label, "back"
Stivik presses the play/stop button once more and speaks into it. "Arrived 2 and a half hours ago at Repture Farms. I've spoken to several muds and sligs, details on the tape. I've addressed Arnie and the head of security. Threats of piecemaking currently appear to be some part of an unorthodox scheme to improve mud work-rate. Several sligs seem unsatisfied with the conditions set by the boss. The mudokons certainly seem to approve of his standards."
Stivik presses the play/stop button and another in the back panel labelled "End".
He presses play again: "My next issue will be to interview more of the workers. An argument seems to have broken out between one of the younger muds and the slig, Nick (previously occupated at Fee Co. Depot and vykkers Labs). An informal trial will take place later on. I will try to attend to watch the proceedings." Stivik presses stop and then a button labeled send. The box beeps quietly and a blue light comes on at the back. It goes out again 3 seconds later.
Stivik gets up and leaves the room to patrol the building. In any respectible factory the slig would almost certainly come out on top in a situation like Nick and Anni's, even if several sligs gave evidence in favour of the mud. But then, the whole reason Stivik was here was because The Magog no longer believed Repture Farms to be respectible.
|