us.”
He led George to a recessed command module with a sea shell shaped head piece that was designed for human interface. It had a sim visor, something George had only seen in a museums and archival images.
George sat down and put it on. Nothing happened. “Staff, extend rapport, maintaining shields in case of feedback.”
‘Acknowledged. Extending rapport under shielding. Seeking uplink.”
Outside Greth called out, “I heard something down the hall. I’m going to check it out, be right back.”
“Fine, fine,” he heard Lawson say as the computer bank in front of him began to glow, matching the warm inviting light staff now cast.
A diagnostic flashed through George's mind.
Q U E S T O R : I D E N T I F Y
GEORGE BRADLEY, TERRAN UNIVERSITY
N O T F O U N D
ACADEMIC OVERRIDE, TERRAN UNIVERSITY, ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT,
RESEARCHER GEORGE BRADLEY, MASTER COLONIZER FLEET PROTOCOL, CODE A – 50U78093 – ADD TO QUESTOR’S CREW DIRECTORY.
C R EW MA N G EOR GE BR AD LE Y ADDED. W EL COME ABOARD CHIEF ENG IN EER.
George’s concentration was broken by Lawson, shouting, “Hey! You can’t!”
Then, George was struck from behind. Staff flared as he lost consciousness and he felt the computer staff wrenched out of his hand. He writhed in agony then knew nothing more.
“It was that Berrick, wasn’t it? I’ll kill him!” Cle’or shouted.
“They took your mage staff?” Se’and asked.
“Computer staff: I don’t do magic. And yes, he did.”
‘Which is how we learned about our little problem,’ Staff commented.
George nodded, “Which is how I learned about another change in my relationship with this fellow here,” he said as he stroked the handle of his staff.
“What change?” Balfour asked, George never having shared this tidbit before.
“Oh, my computer friend and I can’t be parted at least by any great distance.”
‘Five point six feet to be exact.’
“What happens?” Se’and asked.
“We die,” George said.
“Ladies, remember,” Se’and said, “Staff stays with Lord Je’orj here.”
Fri’il swallowed then said, “So what happened next?”
George sighed and told them.
Councilor Berrick and his men had an accident when they took staff, one which Greth later explained resulted in quite an explosion. The Core wasn’t damaged, however, it just started glowing.
George awoke in agony on that big cot in the guest room of Greth’s family residence as Qapin brought Staff back to George.
“What happened?” George groggily asked.
Qapin sat down beside him. “I must ask your forgiveness.”
“Just tell me what happened.”
Qapin shook his head and felt something was different about the staff. It wasn’t as cool to the touch. George looked at it and found it covered in some leathery material.
“George, I’m very sorry for what happened. My people were being superstitious fools. Berrick and his friends apparently thought that your staff would power our systems for years to come. But when he took it from you, while you were linked to the Core, he learned the price of his foolishness.”
“Qapin, what happened?”
“Berrick lost his hand. I suppose it could have been worse, he could have lost his life. Then the staff just went black. It was dead and Lawson thought you were too.”
George uttered, “Staff report.”
‘Systems coming back online. What happened?’
Qapin shamefully looked away and explained, “You reactivated the Core. It is rather displeased with our behavior.”
He fixed his eyes on George and explained further.
“It refers to you as the ship’s Chief Engineer, highest ranking officer presently on board… I suppose that means my title as Qapin passes to you, Sir.”
George laid his head back. “Great. Just great.”
Dinner was an interesting affair. It was troll formal. Sadly, Councilor Berrick was not able to make it. Mendra broke that news as the guests arrived.
“Chief Engineer,” each said, formally acknowledging
He led George to a recessed command module with a sea shell shaped head piece that was designed for human interface. It had a sim visor, something George had only seen in a museums and archival images.
George sat down and put it on. Nothing happened. “Staff, extend rapport, maintaining shields in case of feedback.”
‘Acknowledged. Extending rapport under shielding. Seeking uplink.”
Outside Greth called out, “I heard something down the hall. I’m going to check it out, be right back.”
“Fine, fine,” he heard Lawson say as the computer bank in front of him began to glow, matching the warm inviting light staff now cast.
A diagnostic flashed through George's mind.
Q U E S T O R : I D E N T I F Y
GEORGE BRADLEY, TERRAN UNIVERSITY
N O T F O U N D
ACADEMIC OVERRIDE, TERRAN UNIVERSITY, ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT,
RESEARCHER GEORGE BRADLEY, MASTER COLONIZER FLEET PROTOCOL, CODE A – 50U78093 – ADD TO QUESTOR’S CREW DIRECTORY.
C R EW MA N G EOR GE BR AD LE Y ADDED. W EL COME ABOARD CHIEF ENG IN EER.
George’s concentration was broken by Lawson, shouting, “Hey! You can’t!”
Then, George was struck from behind. Staff flared as he lost consciousness and he felt the computer staff wrenched out of his hand. He writhed in agony then knew nothing more.
“It was that Berrick, wasn’t it? I’ll kill him!” Cle’or shouted.
“They took your mage staff?” Se’and asked.
“Computer staff: I don’t do magic. And yes, he did.”
‘Which is how we learned about our little problem,’ Staff commented.
George nodded, “Which is how I learned about another change in my relationship with this fellow here,” he said as he stroked the handle of his staff.
“What change?” Balfour asked, George never having shared this tidbit before.
“Oh, my computer friend and I can’t be parted at least by any great distance.”
‘Five point six feet to be exact.’
“What happens?” Se’and asked.
“We die,” George said.
“Ladies, remember,” Se’and said, “Staff stays with Lord Je’orj here.”
Fri’il swallowed then said, “So what happened next?”
George sighed and told them.
Councilor Berrick and his men had an accident when they took staff, one which Greth later explained resulted in quite an explosion. The Core wasn’t damaged, however, it just started glowing.
George awoke in agony on that big cot in the guest room of Greth’s family residence as Qapin brought Staff back to George.
“What happened?” George groggily asked.
Qapin sat down beside him. “I must ask your forgiveness.”
“Just tell me what happened.”
Qapin shook his head and felt something was different about the staff. It wasn’t as cool to the touch. George looked at it and found it covered in some leathery material.
“George, I’m very sorry for what happened. My people were being superstitious fools. Berrick and his friends apparently thought that your staff would power our systems for years to come. But when he took it from you, while you were linked to the Core, he learned the price of his foolishness.”
“Qapin, what happened?”
“Berrick lost his hand. I suppose it could have been worse, he could have lost his life. Then the staff just went black. It was dead and Lawson thought you were too.”
George uttered, “Staff report.”
‘Systems coming back online. What happened?’
Qapin shamefully looked away and explained, “You reactivated the Core. It is rather displeased with our behavior.”
He fixed his eyes on George and explained further.
“It refers to you as the ship’s Chief Engineer, highest ranking officer presently on board… I suppose that means my title as Qapin passes to you, Sir.”
George laid his head back. “Great. Just great.”
Dinner was an interesting affair. It was troll formal. Sadly, Councilor Berrick was not able to make it. Mendra broke that news as the guests arrived.
“Chief Engineer,” each said, formally acknowledging
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