"An energy generation system of that magnitude, compact enough
and -safe- enough to power a hardsuit?  That's... "  Sylia shook her
head, though she looked intrigued.  "Science fiction, Mr. Stark."
        Stark's little smile became a touch sly.  "Would you care to put
something on it, Dr. Stingray?"
        Sylia favored him with a little smile of her own.  "What did you
have in mind?  Nothing so vulgar as -money-, I hope."
        "Not at all.  How about... "  He thought for a moment, then
nodded with satisfaction.  "Just the thing.  It so happens that I'm in
need of a trustworthy software engineer.  You give me a month to
construct and demonstrate a clean, safe energy source small and powerful
enough to supply a hardsuit.  If I succeed, you let me have yours."
        "And if you fail?"
        Stark considered this for a moment.  "I won't," he said, then
added breezily, "But if I do, you can have Zoner.  If you don't want to
keep him for yourself, well, big strong lad like that, with medical and
security training, he's worth quite a lot on the open market."
        Zoner snorted; Mackie stared, not quite sure whether to take the
matter seriously.
        Sylia merely smiled.  "Done," she said.  "It seems to me you've
made a fool's wager, Mr. Stark."
        Stark shook her hand and grinned.  "We shall see, Dr. Stingray.
We shall see."