Team Work (standard:science fiction, 3203 words)
Author: Gavin J. Carr	Added: Jan 31 2005	Views/Reads: 3523/2151	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
You have to be ruthless in business. A future corporation comes up with a unique way of creating cut-throat employees.

“If you want to get ahead in business, then you need team work,” said
Fitzsimons.  “That's why we need Team Building Day – to forge a link 
and give us that edge.” 

I groaned inwardly.  Fitzsimons was a great one for this sort of
nonsense.  Ever since he had become head of Galaxy Finance, around a 
year ago, he had been determined to make his mark.  It wasn't enough 
that sales were up, or that profits were at an all time high, 
Fitzsimons wanted us working like clockwork men: greased and ruthless 
machines that would stop at nothing to achieve their goal. 

“Now, we all remember last years little debacle,” he said glancing at
Williams.  “I don't want a repeat performance.  You're a team and you 
should work as one.  Remember, you're only as strong as your weakest 
link.  This isn't a business for mealy mouthed wimps – you need to be 
ruthless!” 

Williams looked embarrassed.  Last year Fitzsimons had booked us on a
survival course.  The eight of us spent a week abandoned on Rehbus – a 
jungle planet in Ambartsumian's Knot – fighting off razor-bills and 
lug-cats with nothing more sophisticated than a sharpened spoon.  Poor 
Williams had lost a leg and had to spend a month in the infirmary 
growing another, a situation which Fitzsimons seemed to regard as a 
lapse of character on Williams's part. 

“Do I make myself clear, team?” 

“Yes sir,” we said in unison. 

“I can't hear you.  I said do I make myself clear?” 

“YES SIR!” we shouted, feeling faintly ridiculous. 

“Good.  I want you all to be ready tomorrow at eight sharp.” 

I almost expected him to shout ‘Dismiss!'   But instead he waved us away
and disappeared back into his office. 

We left the conference room dragging our feet like zombies.  No-one was
looking forward to tomorrow, well, no-one except Wakefield – boss's 
pet!  A smile creased his chubby face and he actually had a spring in 
his step. 

“Come on fellows,” he said.  “Cheer up – it's a day away from the
office!” 

Williams, still limping even after a year, gave him a dark look and
mumbled under his breath, “Goddam crank.” 

* 

At eight the next day the company flier arrived to pick me up.  I'd
slept in and didn't have time for breakfast.  I swallowed a vitamin 
pill instead and washed it down with a mouthful of tap water.  Probably 
for the best, I thought.  I didn't know what Fitzsimons had in store 
and already felt sick with the thought of it.  A belly-full of 
breakfast would probably be a bad idea.  All it would take was for me 
to chuck-up at Team Building Day and I would be plunged into the gloomy 
mire that was Fitzsimons's disapproval. 

The others were already on the flier.  I sat next to Syed, the company's
Press Officer, and buckled my harness. 

“Ready for this?” she asked. 

I rolled my eyes and fidgeted in the seat.  “I don't think I'll ever be
ready for one of Fitzsimons's little jaunts.  Have you heard what he's 
got planned yet?” 

She shook her head.  “He's keeping it to himself.  Roscoe's been trying
to pump the driver for information, but he won't tell us where we're 
going.” 

I sat back resigned and looked out the window.  We were pulling away
from my apartment block into the dark winter morning.  Below us were 


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