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eBook Category: Science Fiction
eBook Description: Luulianni is a lowly second-level linguist, a member of an insignificant provisional species, a tiny cog in the greatest scientific project of all time. But when war threatens to tear the great multi-species Consortium apart, only Luulianni holds the key to the ancient Message that might solve all their problems. If only she can get them to listen to her...

eBook Publisher: Fictionwise.com, Published: Beyond the Last Star, ed. Sherwood Smith, 2002
Fictionwise Release Date: April 2004

33 Reader Ratings:

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Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: eReader (PDB) [38 KB] , ePub (EPUB) [40 KB] , Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [23 KB] , Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [105 KB] , Palm Doc (PDB) [25 KB] , Microsoft Reader (LIT) [82 KB] , Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [94 KB] , hiebook (KML) [87 KB] , Sony Reader (LRF) [57 KB] , iSilo (PDB) [21 KB] , Mobipocket (PRC) [26 KB] , Kindle Compatible (MOBI) [54 KB] , OEBFF Format (IMP) [38 KB]
Words: 7489
Reading time: 21-29 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud DISABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED

Thuren Nektopk peered down at Luulianni from above his massive desk. "I suspect you know why I've called you to speak with me in person." He spoke in his native language, Ptopku Dominant, using the form of address for a subordinate or a child. It was a constant reminder that the Ptopku had built and largely staffed this station, and was one of the most powerful species in the Consortium.

"Yes, Supervisor," Luulianni replied in the same language, knotting her tentacles.

"And that would be..."

"Because of my side project."

"Yes." Nektopk suddenly released the bar from which he hung, caught himself on another handhold, and with two swift strokes of his arms swung down to where his six slitted eyes were level with Luulianni's. "Your little side project."

Luulianni cringed. "I don't understand why it's so much of a problem." She straightened and tried to meet his gaze. "I put in my full quota of time every day."

"Yes, you do, and not one moment more. But I know you are capable of so much more than that. Any work you do on this pointless little side project of yours constitutes theft of resources from the Section--from the whole Project!"

"Theft?" she squeaked. Angry at herself for the loss of control, she brought her voice down. "Theft of resources? But I don't use any data storage space, or any other Section resources! I write my notes on the backs of old printouts." She did not mention how much more natural it felt to work on paper.

"You are stealing the most valuable resource of all!" Nektopk pointed at her with one limber foot. "Your own time and attention!"

"But it's my time!"

"You have been sent here by your people--at considerable expense, I might add--to assist in the Project, to learn the ways of the Consortium, and to demonstrate your species' unique skills." He leaned closer to her. His smell was bitter. "And if I find that your species, as represented by yourself, does not demonstrate any unique skills, your application for Consortium membership could very well be denied." He swung himself up to the edge of his desk, the better to glare down at her. "Therefore, your time is not your own. You owe it to the Section, to the Project, and to your own people to put every bit of available time into your assigned task."