Jackknife 6
Chapter 6 Learning the Beast
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The second viewing of the truck was as impressive as the first. The initial impact was easily replaced with more time to observe details up close. Cray took a slow tour absorbing all the finer points of the design. This was some piece of work. She needed a nickname.
Explanations wove in an out of Cray’s range of experience and knowledge. He was good with basics, diesel engine specifications, torque, transmission, horsepower, cruising range and even adjusted to the CB radio replacement push-to-talk system, however, whenever the presenter went into A.I.-assisted this or that, Cray hoped for an off-switch. The last thing he needed was a glitch in something he didn’t understand or trust.
Some details sounded impressive even though they didn’t mean much to Cray. Steel, titanium alloy and carbon fiber mix to maintain structural strength while reducing weight. Hybrid electric-diesel engine for smooth starts and instant torque capability. Specialized compound tires designed to reduce rolling resistance, noise, and withstand harsh surfaces.
Another surprise on the outside was the reinforced locks with something called multi-factor authentication. The locks couldn’t be destroyed without serious work with a blowtorch and the keys wouldn’t work without an authorized fingerprint read on the large key fob. Pressing his thumb on the fob pad first, the key unlocked the fuel tank intake like magic.
All the information was given to him as if he were a potential buyer, and the presenter a salesperson hoping for a big commission. It seemed very strange and caused Cray to wonder if one of the specialist teams was involved in putting their trucks on the market. They were proud of their vehicle.
“She’s so good, she’s bad. No offense, but she’ll make an average driver look like a pro, and a good driver like a prodigy.”
“What do you call her?”
“Rhea Prime. Rhea after the Titan mother of the Olympians. Prime as in the first.”
It was an appropriate name for the she beast she was.
When it was time to get in the driver’s seat, the pantomime driving went on entirely too long for Cray. She was an automatic transmission of course, so there wasn’t any fun trying to prove he still remembered the manual 18-gear layout. He longed to fire her up, but to his disappointment that step was pushed back after the lunch break. They had some classroom study planned to round out the morning.
The entire entourage walked together to the classroom in what Cray had come to think of as barracks. On the opposite side of the building from the cafeteria and accommodations were multiple rooms for meetings or classroom use. They ended up in a room over-sized for their needs. No one seemed to notice.
The main topic turned out to be an overview of the special teams supporting the delivery. Cray could only surmise this had been a point of contention in the past with other drivers. He could relate. Driver’s were loathe to relinquish control of the vehicle or load under their care.
The presenters tried to keep the lecture upbeat and interesting but Cray couldn’t feign interest or understanding. When they gave him a turn for feedback he was honest.
“I get that this is how you operate and it is not going to change, but I don’t like it. I should be involved. I’m the one driving this load, I’m responsible. Haven’t you heard about Pride in Your Ride?”
“We’ll involve you as much as we can, security issues allowing, but our clients are very concerned with maintaining trade and business secrets. It may be a different situation than you are accustomed.”
“Well,” one of the Ken doll escorts chimed in, “It is time to take a break and get some lunch. How does that sound Cray?”
“It’s early but I’m up for the break.”
“Early?”
“Yeah, I usually drive at noon. Make good time. Most people get off the road for a while to have lunch. It is wired into their brain, noon means lunch. Doesn’t matter if their really hungry or not.”
“We will take note. What is your preferred time?”
“I don’t know, some time between two and three. Depends on the day and how traffic is behaving.”
“We can handle that. For now let’s break and meet up in the cafeteria a little early this time. Say, one thirty?”
Cray nodded and stood up. The break would be a good chance to call Marie.
Back in his room he wasted no time hitting the speed dial.
“Hello?”
“Hey babe, it’s Cray, how are you doing?
“Hiya sweetheart. Things are good. A notice from Silver Label arrived, they sent a a signing bonus. Totally unexpected but great timing. It’s O.K. to spend right?”
“Yes it’s O.K., use it up. Just sorry about the extra bank runs.”
“Oh it’s no problem, they sent it by wire transfer and I can check the balance by internet banking.”
“You’re amazing. That stuff is so far beyond me.”
“Everybody’s got their thing. I can’t drive a semi.”
“Oh that’s easy. Steering wheel, accelerator, brake. I’ll teach you when I get back.”
“No thank you! I’ll stick with the internet.
“Ah, this is so hard. I can’t ask what you’re doing or where you are.”
“We’ll get through it. It will all be over soon. Then we can get back to normal.”
“I can’t wait. Miss you.”
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