Document:

Exhibit 10.16

                              COPS WORLDWIDE, INC.
                       CASTLE, OVERMYER, POOLE & SCHUBERT
                                MERCHANT BANKING

                          410 17TH Street, Suite1225
                             Denver, Colorado 80202
 Telephone: (303) 623-1489                          E-mail: cops@cops-banker.com
Facsimilie: (303) 623-5848

                   INVESTMENT BANKING AND CORPORATE FINANCIAL
                               ADVISORY AGREEMENT

September 21, 2004

Mr. Tim Bumgarner, CEO
American Pallet Leasing, Inc.
2031 Northgate Drive N.E.
Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

Dear Mr. Bumgarner:

         THIS INVESTMENT BANKING AND CORPORATE FINANCIAL ADVISORY AGREEMENT (the
"Agreement")  is made effective the 22nd day of September,  2004 (the "Effective
Date")  by and  between  COPS  WORLDWIDE,  INC,  a  Delaware  corporation  whose
principal offices are located at 410 17th Street,  Suite 1225,  Denver, CO 80202
(hereinafter  referred to as "COPS" or "Consultant") and Literary Playpen,  Inc.
(also known as American  Pallet  Leasing,  Inc.), a Delaware  corporation  whose
principal offices are located at 307 Quarry Road, Blacksburg, SC 29702
(hereinafter referred to as the "Client" or the "Company")

RECITALS

A.       WHEREAS Consultant is experienced in providing advice and assistance in
         investment banking,  corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions,  broker
         and  investor  relations  and  other  related  investment  banking  and
         corporate  financial  advisory  services  to  business   organizations,
         institutions and firms.

B.       WHEREAS Consultant is experienced in advising and assisting business to
         manager   institute,   structure  and  otherwise   effectuate   capital
         structuring,   such  services  to  include   without   limitation   the
         introduction of such entities to institutional and individual investors
         for the purpose of raising debt and equity capital.

Initials: TRB                                                 Initials:  DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       1
<PAGE>

C.       WHEREAS Consultant is experienced in providing advice and assistance to
         private   and  public   companies   for  equity   private   placements,
         acquisitions, and initial and secondary public offerings.

D.       WHEREAS  Client wishes to engage the  investment  banking and corporate
         financial  advisory  services  of  Consultant  specifically  to advise,
         assist,  consult and provide the services  discussed in Sections A thru
         C.

E.       Consultant agrees to be retained for the foregoing purposes, subject to
         the terms and conditions provided in this Agreement.

                                   AGREEMENT

         NOW THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual promises,  covenants and
agreements Contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,  the
receipt  and  sufficiency  of  which  are  expressly  acknowledged,  Client  and
Consultant agree as follows:

(1)      SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION. Client grants Consultant permission to provide
Client the investment  banking and corporate  financial  advisory  services on a
non-exclusive  basis  described  in  Sections A through C below.  CLIENT  HEREBY
ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT  CONSULTANT  IS NOT A REGISTERED  BROKER/DEALER  AND WILL ACT
SOLELY AS A CONSULTANT.

(2)      ENGAGEMENT AND SERVICES OF CONSULTANT. Consultant agrees to utilize its
best efforts to advise the Client and facilitate the execution  therewith of the
following   services:   investment   banking,   corporate  finance,   mergers  &
acquisitions and advice in order to manage,  institute,  structure and otherwise
effectuate capital structuring.  Such services to include without limitation the
introduction  of  the  Client  to  broker/deals,  institutional  and  individual
investors for the purpose of raising debt and equity capital via equity and debt
private placements, acquisitions and secondary public offerings

Consultant,  in its capacity as a corporate advisor to the Company, will perform
such of the following advisory services as the Company may reasonably request:

         (a)      Familiarize   itself  to  the  extent  it   reasonably   deems
                  necessary,   appropriate   and  feasible  with  the  business,
                  operations,  properties,  financial condition and prospects of
                  the  Company  in  order  to  better  determine  ways in  which
                  Consultant can facilitate the Company's objectives;

Initials: TRB                                                  Initials: DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       2
<PAGE>

         (b)      Advise and assist the Company in  identifying,  evaluation and
                  implementing   various  financial  options  available  to  the
                  Company in the private  equity and debt markets,  specifically
                  as such options relate to debt or equity offerings ("Financing
                  Transaction").  If the Company  determines to undertake one or
                  more Financing Transactions, Consultant will advise and assist
                  the Company in  considering  the  desirability  of undertaking
                  such Financial Transaction(s);

         (c)      Identify and introduce the Company of institutional and retail
                  vendors;

         (d)      Advise and assist the  Company in  locating,  identifying  and
                  evaluating potential  acquisition  candidates and/or potential
                  suitors;

         (e)      Advise and assist the Company in restructuring,  investing in,
                  or spinning off any of its subsidiaries, if any;

         (f)      Advise and assist  the  Company in any merger and  acquisition
                  activity.

(3)      In conducting the foregoing efforts, Consultant will rely on the Client
to provide all necessary information regarding the Client and its business.  The
Client will furnish Consultant with all relevant publicly available material and
information  regarding the business and financial  condition of Client that will
be accurate and complete in all material respects at the time furnished and will
represent  their best  estimates  of future  performance  in the  context of all
applicable U.S.  Federal and State  securities laws and the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended  (hereinafter  the "Act"),  with  specific  reference to
required material  disclosures and standard  disclaimers  regarding estimates of
future   performance.   Consultant   will  be   relying,   without   independent
verification,  on the  accuracy  and  completeness  of all  financial  and other
information  that is and will be  furnished  to  Consultant  by the Client.  Any
advice  rendered by Consultant  pursuant to this  Agreement may not be disclosed
publicly in any manner without  Consultant's  prior written approval and will be
treated by Client and Consultant as confidential.

(4)      In the event the Client  provides  any  non-public  information  to the
Consultant,  in  connection  with this  Agreement or otherwise,  the  Consultant
agrees to maintain such  information in confidence in compliance with Regulation
FD.

(5)      THE SERVICES,  AMERICAN  PALLET  LEASING,  INC. HEREBY AGREES TO RETAIN
COPS WORLDWIDE,  INC. on a non-exclusive  basis to provide  financial  advisory,
investment  banking and other  consulting  services in  connection  with Clients
efforts to raise capital and/or to effect a Transaction,  as defined in Appendix
I. The total amount to be raised is $20,000,000  USD. Such services will include
a due diligence review of Client's business.

Initials: TRB                                                  Initials: DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       3
<PAGE>

(6)      FEES. In connection with the services  specified  HEREIN,  Client shall
pay COPS (i) a due diligence fee of $42,600.00 USD in cash, in two payments; one
on  signing  and the other 45 days later. ADDITIONALLY,  COPS will  charge  five
percent  (5%) of ANY  money  raised.  This  will be paid  from the  proceeds  at
closing.  In addition,  Client shall pay COPS two percent (2%) of the  Company's
common  shares issued and  outstanding  as of September 22, 2004 or 227,723 (two
hundred and twenty-seven thousand, seven hundred and twenty three) common shares
(hereinafter  the "Equity Fee") UPON THE SUCCESSFUL  COMPLETION OF THE COMPANY'S
PRIVATE PLACEMENT OF CASH EQUITY (OR CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBT) AMOUNTING TO
A MINIMUM OF $3 MILLION  CASH,  ONLY IF THE  INVESTOR(S)  ARE  INTRODUCED TO THE
CLIENT  BY COPS.  THE  AFORESAID  EQUITY  FEE TO COPS WILL BE PAID ON A PRO RATA
BASIS  (E.G.  100% OF THE EQUITY FEE IF $3 MILLION IS RAISED,  66% OF THE EQUITY
FEE IF $2 MILLION  IS  RAISED,  ETC.).  THIS WILL BE PAID FROM THE  PROCEEDS  AT
CLOSING.

(7)      CONSULTANT'S  EXPENSES.  Throughout  the  term of this  Agreement,  the
Consultant shall provide the types of services AS DESCRIBED  HEREIN.  Consultant
shall  perform  such  services  at and from  its  principal  place of  business.
Consultant  shall be solely  responsible  for ordinary and  reasonable  expenses
incurred during the performance of this Agreement,  including but not limited to
traveling, entertainment, telephone,  facsimile and copying expenses. Consultant
shall be entitled to reimbursement  for any expenses incurred by Consultant only
if  Consultant  obtains  Client's  prior  written  authorization  to incur  such
expenses and agreement to reimburse Consultant for such expenses.

(8)      CORPORATION.  Client agrees to cooperate fully with COPS in connection
with  the   assignment  and  to  make  available  such  current  and  historical
information as COPS may reasonably  request and, if requested by COPS, prepare a
private placement  memorandum.  Client recognizes and confirms that COPS may use
and rely upon data,  material and other information  furnished to COPS by Client
without  independent  verification.  COPS  AGREES  TO  UTILIZE  ALL  INFORMATION
RECEIVED  FROM  THE  CLIENT  ONLY  AS  CONTEMPLATED  HEREIN  AND  TO  TREAT  ALL
INFORMATION  RECEIVED  FROM  CLIENT  IN A  STRICTLY  CONFIDENTIAL  MANNER;  SUCH
INFORMATION  WILL NOT BE  DISSEMINATED  PUBLICLY  OR PROVIDED TO ANY THIRD PARTY
WITHOUT  CLIENT'S  WRITTEN  CONSENT,  UNLESS  OTHERWISE  REQUIRED BY LAW. CLIENT
AGREES THAT ALL  MATERIAL,  WRITTEN OR ORAL,  provided  by COPS is for  Client's
exclusive  use and will not be  disseminated  publicly  or provided to any third
party without COPS' express written consent, unless otherwise require by law.

(9)     INDEPENDENT  CONTRACTOR - NO FIDUCIARY DUTY.  Client  acknowledges  and
agrees that it is a  sophisticated  business  enterprise  and that COPS has been
retained  pursuant to this  agreement to act as adviser to, but not an agent of,
Client  solely with respect to the matters set forth herein.  In such  capacity,
COPS shall act as an independent contractor,  and any duties of COPS arising out
of its engagement  pursuant to this agreement shall be contractual in nature and
shall be owed solely to Client. Each party disclaims any intention to impose any
fiduciary duty on the other.  Consultant does not have the right or authority to
create a contract or obligation either express or implied,  on behalf of, in the
name of or  binding  upon the  Client or to pledge the  Client's  credit,  or to
extend  credit  in  the  Client's  name  unless  otherwise  agreed  in  writing.
Consultant  shall  have no right or  authority  to commit  Client in any  manner
without the prior written consent of the Client.

Initials: TRB                                                  Initials: DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       4
<PAGE>

(10)     TERM.  Client can,  six months after the date  hereof,  terminate  this
engagement if Client  chooses,  in its sole and absolute  discretion,  to do so,
COPS can  terminate  this  engagement  if it  determines  that the result of Due
Diligence do not confirm the viability of the assignment.  Termination  shall be
without liability or continuing obligation to Client or to COPS, except all fees
shall be  payable  for any  Transaction  with a person or entity  introduced  to
Client by COPS if such occurs  within 12 months of  termination,  and except for
any expenses  incurred by COPS up to the date of termination,  provided that the
indemnity and confidentiality  provisions  contained herein remain operative and
in full force and effect regardless of any termination. If this agreement is not
executed  within 15 days of the date above,  the  agreement  will  automatically
terminate.

(11)     INDEMNIFICATION.  Since COPS will be acting on Client's behalf,  Client
agrees to indemnify and hold COPS (including its respective officers,  directors
and employees) harmless as provided in Appendix II.

(12)     ARBITRATION. In the event of any dispute arising out of this Agreement,
the parties shall meet and confer prior to the institution of any proceedings to
attempt to resolve  the  dispute  without  incurring  the costs of  arbitration.
Should the dispute not be resolved, all parties  agree to submit the dispute and
all surrounding issues to binding  arbitration in NEW YORK, NEW YORK pursuant to
the  rules  of  the  American  Arbitration  Association.  The  decision  of  the
arbitrator(s)  shall be  binding  and  judgment  may  be entered in any court of
competent  jurisdiction.  All parties shall  cooperate with the  arbitration and
promptly pay all  necessary  fees.  Until a final  decision on  distribution  of
costs, all fees shall be paid equally by all parties. The arbitrator shall award
reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party.

(13)     WARRANTIES AND  REPRESENTATIONS.  Consultant's  investment  banking and
corporate  financial  advisory  services are provided on a best effort basis and
are  based on  Consultant's  personal  experience  and  expertise.  THERE ARE NO
GUARANTEES,  WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF ANY KIND THAT CONSULTANT'S ADVICE
OR SERVICES  WILL  PRODUCE ANY  SPECIFIC  RESULTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CLIENT.
Actual results may  substantially  and materially differ from those suggested by
the Consultant. Consultant represents and warrants to the Client that:

          (a)  Consultant  is  under  no   contractual   restriction   or  other
               restrictions  or  obligation  that  are  inconsistent  with  this
               Agreement,  the  performance  of its  duties  and  the  covenants
               hereunder;

          (b)  Consultant's management is under no physical or mental disability
               that would  interfere  with its keeping and performing all of the
               agreements,  covenants  and  conditions  to be kept or  performed
               hereunder;

          (c)  Consultant is familiar with all federal and state securities laws
               applicable to the  performance of its services as contemplated in
               this Agreement, including Sections 17(b) of the Securities Act of
               1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),  Sections 9 and 10(b) of
               the Exchange Act and Regulation FD;

Initials: TRB                                                  Initials: DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       5
<PAGE>

          (d)  Consultant  will  comply  with all  applicable  federal and state
               securities  laws in the  performance  of the services  under this
               Agreement; and

          (e)  Consultant will cause any person to whom any of the  Compensation
               Shares  or  other  compensation  are  transferred  to  agree  and
               undertake  for the  benefit  of the  Client  to  comply  with all
               applicable  federal and state  securities laws in connection with
               their  ownership  or  disposition  of  the  Compensation   Shares
               (including compliance with Section 17(b) of the Securities Act to
               the  extent   applicable)  The  Client   acknowledges   that  the
               Consultant may provide  financial  services and consulting advice
               (of the type  contemplated  by this Agreement) to others and that
               nothing herein  contained shall be construed to limit or restrict
               the  Consultant  in providing  financial  services to others,  or
               rendering such advice to others

(14)     GOVERNING  LAW.  This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance  with the laws of the  state of NEW  YORK,  applicable  to  contracts
executed  and to be  wholly  performed  therein  without  giving  effect  to its
conflicts-of-laws, principles or rules.

(15)     AMENDMENTS.   This  Agreement  may  be  modified  or  amended,  or  its
provisions  waived,  only by a writing  signed by the person or persons  against
whom enforcement of the modifications, amendment or waiver is sought.

(16)     NO  COMMITMENT.  This  Agreement  does not and will not  constitute any
Agreement,  commitment or undertaking  express or implied on the part of COPS or
any affiliate to purchase or to sell any securities.

(17)     ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire  agreement
between  the  parties  and   supersedes   and  cancels  any  and  all  prior  or
contemporaneous  arrangements,  understandings and agreements,  written or oral,
between them relating to the subject matter hereof.

(18)     SEVERABILITY.  If any portion of  this  Agreement shall be held or made
unenforceable or invalid by a statute, rule, regulation,  decision of a tribunal
or otherwise,  the remainder of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby and
shall  remain  in full  force  and  effect,  and,  to the  fullest  extent,  the
provisions of this Agreement shall be severable.

(19)     HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of the paragraphs, subparagraphs and
appendices  of this  Agreement  are inserted for  convenience  only,  and do not
constitute a part of this Agreement, and shall not affect in any way the meaning
or interpretation of this Agreement.

(20)     FAILURE OR DELAY - NO WAIVER.  It is understood and agreed that failure
to delay by either  Client or COPS in exercising  any right,  power or privilege
hereunder shall not operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial
exercise  preclude any other or further  exercise thereof or the exercise of any
other right, power or privilege hereunder.

Initials: TRB                                                  Initials: DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       6
<PAGE>

(21)     INTERPRETATION. Each of  the  parties  acknowledge  that  it  has  been
represented by  independent  counsel of its choice  throughout all  negotiations
that have preceded the execution of this Agreement, and that it has executed the
same with consent and upon the advice of said  independent  counsel.  Each party
and its counsel cooperated in the drafting and preparation of this Agreement and
the documents  referred to herein,  and any and all drafts relating hereto shall
be deemed work product of the parties and may not be construed against any party
by reason of its preparation.  Accordingly,  any rule of law,  including but not
limited to any decision that would require  interpretation of any ambiguities in
this Agreement  against the party that drafted it, is of no  application  and is
hereby expressly waived.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as
a whole and in accordance  with its fair meaning to affect the intentions of the
parties and this Agreement.

IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have agreed and executed this Agreement
on September 22, 2004.

COPS WORLDWIDE, INC

By: /s/ David H. Overmyer                        COPS WORLDWIDE, INC.
    ----------------------------                       1994 SEAL
    David H. Overmyer, President                       DELAWARE

AMERICAN PALLET LEASING, INC

By: /s/ Tim Bumgarner
    --------------------------------------------
    Tim Bumgarner, Chairman of the Board and CEO

                                       7
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX I

         "TOTAL  CONSIDERATION"  shall  mean  the sum of  cash,  fair  value  of
securities,  services or equipment  provided  (or given,  as the case may be) to
Client,  its security  holders and its  employees,  including the  assumption of
debt,  excluding any amounts  contributed  by Client or any affiliate of Client.
Non-cash consideration shall be valued as follows:

(i)      in the case of an exchange of securities in a transaction  in which the
         number of  securities  of the  acquirer to be  received  will vary in a
         manner designed to produce a fixed value to be received in exchange for
         each  security of the target  company,  the number of securities of the
         target company exchanged in such transaction shall be multiplied by the
         value per share  specified in the agreement  between the target company
         and the acquirer;

(ii)     in the case of an exchange of securities in a transaction  in which the
         number of  securities  of the  acquirer to be received in exchange  for
         each  security  of the  target  company  is fixed  and the value of the
         securities may vary,

         (A)      for securities traded on a national securities  exchange,  the
                  average  closing  price of the  securities  for the 20 trading
                  days  ending on the fifth  trading day prior to the closing of
                  the   transaction   shall  be  multiplied  by  the  number  of
                  securities  of the acquirer to be issued upon  exchange of the
                  target company's securities in the transaction, and

         (B)      for  securities  quoted  by a  national quotation service, the
                  average of the closing  bid and ask prices for the  securities
                  for a period of 20  trading  days  ending on the fifth trading
                  day   prior  to   the  closing  of  the  transaction  shall be
                  multiplied  by  the  number  of  securities  of  the  acquirer
                  to be  issued  in  the transaction; and

(iii)    for any other securities,  the value shall be reasonably  determined by
         COPS,  provided  that if such  securities  are  promissory  notes,  the
         securities shall be valued at face value

         "TRANSACTION"  shall  mean any  dealing  or  series or  combination  of
dealings,  whereby directly or indirectly,  capital stock, debentures,  or other
evidence  if  indebtedness,   businesses  or  assets  (hereinafter  referred  to
collectively and individually as "Assets" are transferred for  consideration.  A
transaction  shall include,  without  limitation,  a sale or exchange of capital
stock or tangible or  intangible  assets,  leases,  licenses of Assets,  with or
without purchase options,  a merger or consolidation,  the formation of a public
company, joint venture or partnership;  the undertaking of a cooperative project
development  program;  the  investment  of  cash;  other  liquid  funds or their
equivalent;  the issuance of straight or convertible  debt; or any other similar
dealing.

Initials: TRB                                                  Initials: DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       8
<PAGE>

                                   APPENDIX II

         Client agrees to indemnify  and hold  harmless COPS and its  affiliates
and their  respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents and controlling
persons  (COPS and each  such  person  being an  "Indemnified  Party")  from and
against all losses,  claims,  damages and  liabilities  (or  actions,  including
shareholder  actions,  in  respect  thereof),  joint or  several,  to which such
Indemnified Party may become subject under any applicable  federal or state law,
or otherwise, which are related to or result from the performance of COPS of the
services  contemplated  by or the engagement of COPS pursuant to this Agreement,
and will promptly  reimburse any Indemnified  Party for all reasonable  expenses
(including  reasonable  counsel  fees  and  expenses)  as they are  incurred  in
connection with the  investigation  of,  preparation for or defense arising from
any  threatened or pending  claim,  whether or not such  Indemnified  Party is a
party and  whether or not such  claim,  action or  proceeding  is  initiated  or
brought by Client.  Client will not be liable to any Indemnified Party under the
foregoing indemnification and reimbursement provisions for any settlement by and
Indemnified  Party  effected  without  its  prior  written  consent  (not  to be
unreasonably withheld).  CLIENT ALSO AGREES THAT NO INDEMNIFIED PARTY SHALL HAVE
ANY LIABILITY (WHETHER DIRECT OR INDIRECT, IN  CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) TO
CLIENT,  ITS SECURITY  HOLDERS,  ITS  CREDITORS OR ANY THIRD PARTY RELATED TO OR
ARISING OUT OF THE ENGAGEMENT OF COPS PURSUANT TO, OR THE PERFORMANCE BY COPS OF
THE SERVICES CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY LOSS,
CLAIM,  DAMAGE OR  LIABILITY IS FOUND IN A FINAL,  NON-APPEALABLE  JUDGMENT BY A
COURT OF COMPETENT  JURISDICTION  TO HAVE RESULTED  PRIMARILY FROM COPS' WILLFUL
MISCONDUCT OR NEGLIGENCE.

         COPS agrees to indemnify and hold harmless  Clients and it's affiliates
and their  respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents and controlling
persons  (Client  and each such  person  being an  Indemnified  Party)  from and
against all losses,  claims and damages and liabilities  (or actions,  including
shareholder  actions,  in  respect  thereof)  joint or  several,  to which  such
indemnified  Party may become subject under any applicable  federal or state, or
law, or otherwise, which is related to or result from the willful misconduct, or
negligent  performance  of COPS  related to the  services  contemplated  by this
Agreement and will promptly  reimburse any Indemnified  Party for all reasonable
expenses  (including  reasonable counsel fees and expenses) as they are incurred
in connection with the investigation of, preparation for or defense arising from
any  threatened or pending  claim,  whether or not such  Indemnified  Party is a
party.  COPS will not be  liable to any  Indemnified  Party  under the  forgoing
indemnification   and   reimbursement   provisions  for  any  settlement  by  an
Indemnified  Party  effected  without  its  prior  written  consent  (not  to be
unreasonably withheld).

Initials: TRB                                                  Initials: DHO
         ---------                                                      --------

                                       9Exhibit 10.17

                              Consulting Agreement

Between: American Pallet Leasing, Inc. (hereinafter APL)
and L. Kerry McAbee (hereinafter the consultant)
This agreement, by and between APL and the consultant witness that:

In  consideration  of  the  mutual  promises  hereinafter  set  forth,  APL  and
consultant do hereby agree as follows

      1.    This  agreement  pertains to  consulting  services  and advice to be
            furnished  to APL by the  consultant  during the  period  commencing
            September 15, 2004 and ending  December 31, 2004.  During the period
            of the agreement the consultant  will devote as many days of service
            as needed to APL as requested  from time to time by APL and mutually
            agreed upon in advance. The amount paid for said services under this
            agreement  exclusive  of travel  and  living  expenses  shall be one
            hundred  dollars  ($100) per hour in a  consulting  capacity to APL.
            Assignment  of this  agreement or of any interest  therein by either
            party,  or of any  payment due or to become due  hereunder,  without
            prior written consent of the other party, shall be void.

      2.    Consultant will participate as a consultant and advisor in the field
            and technologies of their expertise.

      3.    The sum stated in paragraph one (1) above will compensate consultant
            for services rendered

      4.    The  work  contemplated   under  this  agreement  may  require  that
            consultant  have access to information  which is proprietary  and/or
            confidential to APL.  Consultant  agrees not to publish or otherwise
            disclose to persons outside APL,  without specific  permission,  any
            proprietary and/or confidential information acquired from APL by him
            or her as a result of participation in studies under this agreement;
            nor to use said information for any purposes other than consultation
            with APL. APL shall  designate in writing all  information  which it
            considers to be confidential.

      5.    It is  understood  that this  agreement  is not intended to restrict
            consultant's use or disclosure of information  which (i) is or later
            becomes  publicly known under  circumstances  involving no breach of
            this agreement;  (ii) was already known to consultant (other than by
            previous  disclosure  to him or  her  by  APL  or  through  services
            performed  by him or her for APL) as evidenced by his or her written
            records,  (iii) is  lawfully  and in good  faith made  available  to
            consultant  without  restriction on disclosure by a third party;  or
            (iv) which is created  or  originated  by  consultant  outside  this
            consultation.  It is further  agreed and  understood  that  specific
            information disclosed to consultant by APL shall not be deemed to be
            available  to the  public or in his or her prior  possession  merely
            because it is embraced by more general information  available to the
            public  or in his or  her  prior  possession.  Consultant  will  not
            publish on the specific work covered by this agreement without first
            providing APL with a reasonable opportunity to

<PAGE>

            review an comment on the contemplated publication for the purpose of
            protecting its interest in any patentable subject matter referred to
            therein.

      6.    Consultant will communicate findings, conclusions,  recommendations,
            and supporting  data and analyses to APL, and any such reports shall
            become the property of APL.

      7.    It is agreed and  consultant  agrees that any and all inventions and
            discoveries,  whether or not patentable,  which consultant conceives
            and/or  makes  within the  consulting  period and which are a direct
            result of his  consulting  with APL under  this  agreement  and/or a
            direct result of confidential information received from APL shall be
            the property of APL.  Consultant further agrees that he or she will,
            upon request by APL, promptly execute all applications, assignments,
            or other  instruments  which APL shall deem  necessary  or useful in
            order to apply for and obtain  Letters  Patent in the United  States
            and any foreign countries for such inventions and discoveries. It is
            understood that APL will bear the cost of any such patent filing and
            prosecution.

      8.    Consultant is an independent contractor under this agreement.  He or
            she  is  not an  employee  of  APL  and  will  not  be  entitled  to
            participate  in or receive any  benefit or right as an APL  employee
            under any APL employee benefit and welfare plans, including, without
            limitations, employee insurance, pension, savings and security plans
            as a result of his or her entering into this agreement.

      9.    It is understood  that this  agreement will run the full term stated
            in  paragraph  one (1) above at which time it will be  renewable  as
            mutually  agreed by the parties.  The agreement may be terminated by
            either party upon 1 day(s) notice.

      10.   Tim Bumgarner  shall represent APL in  administering  this agreement
            and must make and approve all request for  consultant's  services in
            order for such services to qualify for payment pursuant to paragraph
            three (3) of this  agreement.  Tim Bumgarner  may by written  notice
            appoint another designated representative for the above purposes.

      11.   This agreement is the sole agreement between consultant and APL with
            respect to  consulting  service to be  performed  during the term of
            this   agreement  and  it  supersedes   all  prior   agreements  and
            understandings  with  respect  thereto.  No  change,   modification,
            alteration  or addition  to any  provision  hereof  shall be binding
            unless  in  writing  and  signed  by  both  consultant  and  a  duly
            authorized representative of APL.

      12.   This  agreement  shall be  construed,  interpreted,  and  applied in
            accordance with laws of the Commonwealth of Iowa.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO:

APL (Tim Bumgarner)                       L. Kerry McAbee

/s/ Tim  Bumgarner                        /s/ L. Kerry McAbee
--------------------------                --------------------------

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00088-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00088-of-00352.parquet"}]]