and incredibly conceited. This combination of attributes manifested itself as a constant air of self-satisfaction, a patronizing show of superiority which he made no effort to disguise.
Even though Rasel was technically Lokus’s subordinate, he was not without his own authority and powerful friends, his own little empire within the Ministry of Science. Lokus detested him, but as they were of like minds, they had on occasion become grudging allies against other power-hungry elements within the government.
Lokus ignored the platitude. “What is the status of the equipment?”
“Which equipment is that, Vice Governor?” the other man asked coolly.
“You know which equipment, Rasel,” Lokus snapped. “What is its operational status?”
“Ah, of course, Vice Governor. The temporal locator is fully functional. Of course, there are no authorized projects in progress at this time.”
Lokus frowned; he did not need to be reminded of the technology’s restricted status.
“However,” the Science Minister continued, “there are a few small… enhancements you might be interested in reviewing, should you find yourself in this area.”
Lokus considered the tacit invitation. “Yes, I might do that. Plus, there is another matter I wish to speak to you about.”
“And what might that be, Vice Governor?” Again, the irritating smile.
“I prefer to discuss that in person. Do not leave the Ministry; I will arrive at your offices shortly.”
“At your service, Vice Governor. Do have a pleasant…”
Lokus punched the “Disconnect” button a bit harder than he had to. Rasel’s disembodied head disappeared in mid-sentence.
On the short railcab ride to the Ministry of Science, Lokus considered how much of his plan he should reveal. It was not a question of whether to trust Rasel—of course not—it was whether Rasel could be more useful if he knew something of the situation. Lokus decided to disclose as little as possible, to Rasel or anyone else.
The Science Minister met him just inside the huge double doors, smug as ever.
“I wasn’t sure you’d recognize me,” Lokus said, mildly irritated that Rasel had failed to comment on his appearance, substantially different as it was from their last encounter.
“You overestimate yourself, dear Lokus,” Rasel said easily. “Regardless of the countenance you wear, I could never mistake your… essence.” Gliding across the floor in a flowing tunic just a bit too elaborate for his position, he led Lokus directly to the turbolift. They descended in silence to the main laboratory.
“What did you wish to speak to me about, Vice Governor?” asked Rasel as they stepped out of the lift.
Ever the strategist, Lokus made Rasel go first. “I’ll come to that later,” he replied. “Let’s have a look at the relocator improvements you mentioned.”
Verbally outflanked, Rasel paused for a moment. “Actually, the improvements I mentioned are not to the relocator itself, but to the return mechanism.” He walked to a table, picked up a small, brushed metal oval, and held it out.
Lokus took it; it fit easily in his palm. On one side was a universal adhesive pad, which allowed it to adhere at a molecular level to virtually any surface—metal, cloth, even human skin—yet be removed with a gentle pull. On the other side were two small buttons, one blue, one red, and a tiny display screen. There were no visible seams, markings, or other features of any kind.
“This is a new remote for the return unit, then?” Lokus ventured.
The self-satisfied smile flashed, disappeared. “No, Vice Governor. This is the return unit.”
Lokus was impressed. The return units he had used before were portable, but bulky, much like the personal entertainment systems of his father’s era. Worn on the arm or leg, they were bulky and complex. The new unit was small, light, and thin, hardly bigger than a personal chronometer. He wondered if Borok’s team had developed anything as
Even though Rasel was technically Lokus’s subordinate, he was not without his own authority and powerful friends, his own little empire within the Ministry of Science. Lokus detested him, but as they were of like minds, they had on occasion become grudging allies against other power-hungry elements within the government.
Lokus ignored the platitude. “What is the status of the equipment?”
“Which equipment is that, Vice Governor?” the other man asked coolly.
“You know which equipment, Rasel,” Lokus snapped. “What is its operational status?”
“Ah, of course, Vice Governor. The temporal locator is fully functional. Of course, there are no authorized projects in progress at this time.”
Lokus frowned; he did not need to be reminded of the technology’s restricted status.
“However,” the Science Minister continued, “there are a few small… enhancements you might be interested in reviewing, should you find yourself in this area.”
Lokus considered the tacit invitation. “Yes, I might do that. Plus, there is another matter I wish to speak to you about.”
“And what might that be, Vice Governor?” Again, the irritating smile.
“I prefer to discuss that in person. Do not leave the Ministry; I will arrive at your offices shortly.”
“At your service, Vice Governor. Do have a pleasant…”
Lokus punched the “Disconnect” button a bit harder than he had to. Rasel’s disembodied head disappeared in mid-sentence.
On the short railcab ride to the Ministry of Science, Lokus considered how much of his plan he should reveal. It was not a question of whether to trust Rasel—of course not—it was whether Rasel could be more useful if he knew something of the situation. Lokus decided to disclose as little as possible, to Rasel or anyone else.
The Science Minister met him just inside the huge double doors, smug as ever.
“I wasn’t sure you’d recognize me,” Lokus said, mildly irritated that Rasel had failed to comment on his appearance, substantially different as it was from their last encounter.
“You overestimate yourself, dear Lokus,” Rasel said easily. “Regardless of the countenance you wear, I could never mistake your… essence.” Gliding across the floor in a flowing tunic just a bit too elaborate for his position, he led Lokus directly to the turbolift. They descended in silence to the main laboratory.
“What did you wish to speak to me about, Vice Governor?” asked Rasel as they stepped out of the lift.
Ever the strategist, Lokus made Rasel go first. “I’ll come to that later,” he replied. “Let’s have a look at the relocator improvements you mentioned.”
Verbally outflanked, Rasel paused for a moment. “Actually, the improvements I mentioned are not to the relocator itself, but to the return mechanism.” He walked to a table, picked up a small, brushed metal oval, and held it out.
Lokus took it; it fit easily in his palm. On one side was a universal adhesive pad, which allowed it to adhere at a molecular level to virtually any surface—metal, cloth, even human skin—yet be removed with a gentle pull. On the other side were two small buttons, one blue, one red, and a tiny display screen. There were no visible seams, markings, or other features of any kind.
“This is a new remote for the return unit, then?” Lokus ventured.
The self-satisfied smile flashed, disappeared. “No, Vice Governor. This is the return unit.”
Lokus was impressed. The return units he had used before were portable, but bulky, much like the personal entertainment systems of his father’s era. Worn on the arm or leg, they were bulky and complex. The new unit was small, light, and thin, hardly bigger than a personal chronometer. He wondered if Borok’s team had developed anything as
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