Chapter Twenty-Seven Second Guessing

“This unit is full of rust-preventative grease. It looks like it’s never been run,” Dakham says, acknowledging the obvious. Ivan opens several more for their inspection. They all look to be in similar condition.

“Dimitri, we are shopping for used equipment,” Hussein grumbles. “Our budgets do not allow us to buy new. If we did, we could not afford all that we need to obtain.”

“Look, when you’re looking for specific equipment, you may not always have the option of finding used parts,” Dimitri counters. “But do not worry. I can offer it to you at not much more than used pricing.”

After an hour of looking around, Hussein walks back to where Dimitri has been sitting all this time. “Dimitri,” he says, “give us a package price on the four reducers we opened and the four switchgear boxes you have on the third skid. And we have one more request.”

“I’ll have the pricing for you tomorrow. If we come to terms, you will have to pay in US dollars only. What’s your other request?”

Hussein hesitates, then plunges into the real reason they are here. “The customer who needs this equipment is now requesting that we also look for some spent fuel rods.”

“And where would I get spent fuel rods?” asks Dimitri.

“We don’t know. We are only asking if you can. If not, we’ll have to continue shopping for that part of the package,” Dakham answers for Hussein. It is clear that these two are working as a team.

“You do know, I assume,” Dimitri answers cautiously, “that if I could possibly supply them, the price would be…very expensive.”