"Well, we don't have time to tinker with it now," Ramirez declared,
feeling his pique growing. "There's only a problem if it's a
malfunction of the motors, and they don't report a problem." He pointed
down to the console. "So just switch it over to manual."
Helling stirred uneasily. "I'm not sure it's such a good idea to
override the safety system. We don't know--"
"When I'm in need of your views, I'll ask for them." Ramirez cut him
off. "Now go to manual and get on with it."
Wolf Helling was a risk-taker, but only when he knew the downside. If
the gantry motors shut down, he figured there probably was a reason.
On the other hand, the first device already had been loaded onto VX-1,
all systems checked, the preflight punch lists taken care of. Maybe it
was better to go ahead and keep Ramirez's mind at ease rather than
worry too much about the technicalities. After all, unanimity was as
important as perfection.
"If you say so," he declared finally. "But it's risky. I take no
responsibility for this."
He flipped the gantry control motors to override and shoved the
operating lever forward. . . .
Outside the glass partition the huge gantry again began to inch along
its steel tracks, moving away from the vehicle.
"See," Ramirez said coldly and with satisfaction. "It was probably a
malfunction of the indicator lights. We don't have time to troubleshoot
every little glitch that crops up. Now increase the speed and let's get
on with it."
Wolf Helling, his precise Prussian mind clicking, was liking Ramirez's
recklessness less and less. On the other hand, he knew better than to
contradict the temperamental South American he'd hired on with.
"Let's keep the speed the way it is. And I think I ought to go out and
check the track, just to be sure."
"If you want to, but don't take too long."