The redhead bit the corner from a plug of spearmint. He glanced around the plant. "Things is quiet now; but you never know."
"Rather old-fashioned equipment isn't it? When was it installed?"
"Huh? I dunno. What's wrong with it?"
"What's your basic power source, a core sink? Lithospheric friction? Sub-crustal hydraulics?"
"Beats me, Mister. I'm the boss here, not a dern mechanic."
A gray-haired man carrying a clipboard walked past, studied a panel, made notes, glanced up to catch Retief's eye, moved on.
"Everything seems to be running normally," Retief remarked.
"Sure. Why not?"
"Records being kept up properly?"