Mission Beyond The Stars: Book #1 of "Saga Of The Lost Worlds" by Neely and Dobbs

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  A small red light on one of the duty station's monitors winked at Pezzer, but he failed to notice it. Draped indolently over his chair, both booted feet placed contemptuously atop the console in front of him, his head lolled back against the headrest, he remained captivated by his angry thoughts.

  Although he had only recently been named a Special Aide, he had already learned— or, at least, strongly suspected— that both the new title and this specific duty station assignment were shams. He was convinced that the sole purpose of both was so his "superiors" could keep an close eye on him. They just want to keep me stuck under their thumbs! He felt sure this current duty assignment was just another example. They say it's important... an advanced observation post. Hah! It just keeps me hidden away from anyone smart enough to recognize my true talents!

  Angrily, he lifted his booted foot, intending to smash it back down on the console. Instead, his precarious position in the chair became overbalanced. He flailed wildly, twisting in the chair, to no avail. Pezzer spilled awkwardly onto the carpeted floor.

  He pulled himself into a sitting position and glanced around, unhurt and finally glad no one else was in the room. He reached up, grabbed the console's edge and started to pull himself upright. He stopped as his eyes rose over the edge: one of the console lights was rapidly blinking.

  Pezzer focused on the small warning light and jerked to attention. How long had it been signaling before he was roused from his day dreaming? Then he realized it had been joined by other lights and soft beeps on different monitors around the room. He could hardly believe his eyes. He jerked erect and stared at the center monitor of the console which, from its previous blank and dormant state, now displayed a mixture of stars and void at some unknown position in space. Here was clear evidence that this equipment was not mere stage dressing— which, during his peak moments of paranoia, Pezzer had suspected. It was real! Actually operative!

  Pezzer was briefly bewildered. Then he belatedly realized what he was supposed to do. He searched his lax memory, then spoke an awkwardly worded string of commands. Fortunately, the machines had been designed to be very forgiving, so he was rewarded with a large holographic representation of a region of space. But just a starry void? There's nothing there that should set off the… wait... No, it's not quite empty! Faintly centered in the image was…something that distorted the stars behind it, painting them with an almost imperceptible violet tinge. Pezzer suddenly felt a surge of excitement! I know what this is!

  Almost instantly his extravagant sense of self-confidence returned. He worked quickly to capture the scrolling data and record the revealing images. Although he hadn't applied himself to his studies well enough to accurately interpret all the data, he had no doubt about the nature of what had been found. He also assumed that— with cunning political manipulation of "his discovery"— his other two recent "setbacks" would be largely overlooked. Pezzer's face clouded. He wanted desperately to report this directly to Lord Ptoriil, but that would only compound his recent gaffes and further tarnish his reputation. He decided to follow the proper chain of command.

  He smirked. Oh, well! The right information might open other doors! I'll just do a quick report to make sure I get credit for the discovery. She surely can't complete the full analysis before late tomorrow... which gives me time.!

  He consolidated the minimum of information into a preliminary summary, made three copies, then called for a replacement attendant. He gave it instructions, then— inordinately proud of himself— relaxed back into the control chair, thinking of how he might celebrate. The machine attendant would deliver two identical copies of the summary report to Laytonn, as protocol required; one for her and one for Ptoriil.

  The third, unauthorized, copy was for Pezzer's personal use.

  He turned back to watch the purple haze wax and wane. Might this soon to be captured system somehow tilt the balance of power? He smiled. And how can I best use it to further my own career?