Its orbit wasn't even disturbed!  Those on board breathed a sigh of relief.
     "Go immediately!"  The First Speaker told the officer, "Let us know immediately if the focal point has been damaged!"
     The officer hurried off, and in a few minutes returned.  "Everything seems to be fine, First Speaker!"  he announced.  "The additional heavy matter was blown out of the chamber when the hyperbeam activated.  There was an early period of impurity and instability, but now the beam is clear, and pure, and running at the precise levels predicted."
     The Speaker looked at the shimmering beam going off into space.  "Let beverages be passed around," he ordered.  They quickly were, and he raised his glass.  "To new adventures," he toasted, "from old beginnings!"
     "To new adventures!" everyone answered, downing their drinks. 
     The First Speaker looked out the window as The Emperor came up beside him. 
     "Would you like to be going?" The First Speaker asked.
      The Emperor shook his head.  "I've got more than enough adventures right here," he answered, "merely living up to my father's legend is enough to keep me busy! Seeing the children come into the palace display room and look in awe at his burned jacket, and, vest amuses me almost every day!  Having to live up to such a legend is not easy."
     The First Speaker smiled.  "I know!" he said, "I've got a young lady that wants to learn how much the legend is true.  She says she wants to import some pets, but I think she wants to take home another prize, as well."
     The Emperor, too, smiled.  "Well!  Let us pray I live up to her expectations and she returns home with everything she wants."
     The Emperor raised his glass.  "Good journey, my brothers!  If you cannot come home, send your children home. We will be waiting!"
     "Yes!" The First Speaker agreed, "We will be waiting!"

THE END

Page 58

 

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