Gregory rose from the system simulator console and stretched. It had been a long four hour session this time, but he felt he had finally gained a facility with the new operating systems. The Aladdin's controls weren't very different from a standard ship. Targeting and navigation were the same, even if they did link to radically different hardware.

His people had done an impressive job, as well they should have for the money they cost. His security personnel were already stationed at every estate, and were erecting the mobile ground-to-air defenses. All the stable orbits around the globe had been seeded with mines, and the defense contracts had been filed with the appropriate Federation boards.

The social contract, a stroke of genius on his part, gave him the right to post global defenses, so the church and Terran politicians would find deaf ears to their pleas for support in any actions they cared to file.

Federation law was a very thin structure of inter-world agreements. Man had thrust out into the void too fast, out-pacing any attempts to regulate expansion. The big companies and corporations had rushed to establish inter-world contract law, but except for a few special interest areas like shipping and transport, there was little concern or support for establishing any comprehensive oversight agencies.

The Federation council was just an oversize bargaining collective. It saw to the administration of a small anti-piracy force supported by the commercial shipping trade. It ratified large trade agreements, and maintained Standards and Measures Boards. It was a free trader's paradise.

They wouldn't find him unprepared this time. A taste of the new technology he had sole control of and they, along with everyone else, would soon come begging to his bargaining table to find their place in the new order of things.

His agents reported Terran forces had mounted an expedition. The time frame almost surprised him. He had estimated he would have at least a day or two after he filed his papers with the Federation, but somehow his location had leaked out earlier. Internally, Gregory was infuriated. When I find out who blabbed my business to the Terrans , they'll fry for it, he thought blackly. Luckily, the whistle-blower was too late to affect his plans. The last of his personal baggage was already aboard ALADDIN'S LAMP, the last fitting screwed in place. It was time for phase three.

The smell of new was on everything. Gregory St. Croix smugly passed his hands over the upholstered captain's chair, his hard eyes sweeping across the bridge's vista. Seven 4 x 6 foot flat screens fronted the room. Six of the view-screens reflected every exterior surface of the ship. The last, centered before the main console, provided a master navigation display where several dozen graphic status windows showed the operating condition and state of all ALADDIN's major subsystems.

Two auxiliary consoles flanked the main control board, where his technical and military aides were already busy verifying green status for the first flight, if flight was the right word anymore. Behind him clustered a small group of engineers and specialists. Among them, a recalcitrant Samuel Mavens stood, eyes downcast. Their presence wasn't strictly necessary, but each had supervised some major aspect of the project ship, and had assured him of its operational perfection. Gregory hired people who knew what they were talking about. All the same, he put his neck on the line based on his people's judgments, and made damned sure they did as well. Finally, he received nods from the secondary operators, and powered on the navigation controls.

A low pulsing whine echoed through the huge ship. Two decks down, several ten inch thick data cables heated up enough to fry eggs. Terra-bytes of data streamed between layered banks of plasma state computers, and billions of nano-relays engaged and disengaged redundant sub-systems. A green telltale, signaling the completion of the systems check, lit on his console, and Gregory initiated the ship. There were no engine noises or sense of movement - the football stadium-sized ship just vanished from its build cradle in a rolling clap of thunder. The six screens fronting Gregory suddenly showed black, save for one, in which the long planetary curve of Avon abruptly appeared. There was a ripple of applause from the group of engineers, and a notable decrease in the tension that had pervaded the room previously. All the systems had been individually tested out before, of course, but this was still the Aladdin's maiden flight. And soon, thought Gregory, going over the armament and defensive systems, its first fight as well.

****

Arlyis entered the ship's dining room unescorted for once. Sister Seika was on the transmitter pleading her case for a research grant, and Joshua was preparing fora conference with Diocullis, who was currently on route to meet with the crew here. She caught the eye of Colonel Colmer, who was just approaching his usual spot at table.

The Colonel stopped to putdown a small bag he was carrying and waved at her. He motioned to two empty seats at the opposite trencher, largely unoccupied due to the absence of several of the ship's busy complement.

Here we go, she thought, I might as well hash this all out now as later. Arlyis mounted her sunniest smile and nodded, making her way to the suggested seats. Sir Colmer, bending stiffly from the waist, held the chair for her, then seated himself. A contemplative expression settled on his weathered features. He was quiet a moment, then, withan unaccustomed hesitation, smiled and spoke.

"We really haven't had much chance to just sit and talk, Arlyis. I'm happy for the opportunity, believe me. Besides which, look here." The Colonel produced two splits of white wine from the small bag on the table, and chuckled. "I had them brought up by re-supply last flight. Have to make do with the ship's glasses, but..."

"Oh, you are a true worker of miracles...Gimme."

Colmer's smile broadened and he opened one, splashing a generous portion into her glass, then the remainder in his own. I wanted to tell you how much I have enjoyed talking with you, and I feel I haven't expressed that very well. It's not often I get the opportunity to work with a beautiful woman such as yourself. Or one I feel at ease with. You have made this tour less a duty for me and much more of a pleasure."

Arlyis tipped back her tumbler and tasted the wine. It was crisp and well balanced, a good colonial estate vintage, and her palate rejoiced in it after the long stint of abstinence aboard ship. She hadn't thought to bring any luxuries with her for the mission, although that would certainly have been allowed. The monks didn't stock wine, save for a small quantity of overly sweet sacramental vino that barely qualified. She glanced at the Colonel over the top of her tumbler. He was beginning to exhibit that boyish fidgeting she found both so at odds with the man's military bearing and yet so ingratiating. He could be so proper at times, then burst forth with such a brocade of humor, whimsy, and openness, that it was impossible not to like him. He reminded her of a pet bird she had once raised. Quick, stiff, probing, yet funny too.

"God, thanks for this. Apology accepted. Now open the other one."

Colmer did so gladly, and managed to top off both glasses with the remaining split.

Arlyis tried the wine again, then sat the glass down, and looked hard at Colonel Colmer. "You've been the perfect gentleman, Fredric. I've just been irritated at myself for ignoring that. Every time I find myself admiring a man, I tighten up. It's the career thing, you know? I have spent ...well, years, pursuing a seat at the university, and forcing myself to ignore any distractions. I guess it's become a habit. It's not anything you've done. I am sorry if I have seemed off-putting."

Sir Colmer sat back, his face dropping a bit. "I see."

Arlyis laid her hand lightly on Colmer's wrist. "This trip will get me that seat, Fred. I would love to see you once we get back. Will you do that for me?"

Colmer brightened immediately. "Without fail, I swear."

"Then, let's finish this wine quickly. There's something I need to show you in my cabin. For about, "Arlyis checked her watch, "an hour and a half. Diocullis is on his way here for a conference, so," Arlyis stood and pulled at Sir Colmer's epaulets with an impish grin, "get on your feet, soldier!"