Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction
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She frowned. "You get married or something? I was expecting a<br />
Janet Arnold, not a Janet T. Arnold-Maam."<br />
Jan suspected <strong>the</strong> sarcastic remark was intended to throw her offbalance.<br />
Instead, it destroyed <strong>the</strong> stuffy image she had of one of <strong>the</strong><br />
most formidable intellects in <strong>the</strong> history of science. She smiled <strong>and</strong><br />
relaxed. "I'm Jan Arnold."<br />
Dr. Thompson looked her over. "So, you think you'd like to<br />
serve on The Starry-Eyed Dreamer, do you?"<br />
Jan nodded. "Yes, as a matter of fact I'd like that very much."<br />
Dr. Thompson eyed her for a moment. "The last four applicants<br />
said <strong>the</strong>y'd 'be honored'. Just for consistency, let's get something clear<br />
from <strong>the</strong> start: this is a job, not an honorarium. I'll work your butt<br />
off. So, why do you think you'd like that?"<br />
Jan shrugged. "Hard work is fine if it's interesting. Give me a<br />
challenge <strong>and</strong> I'd ra<strong>the</strong>r work on it than play."<br />
"Good answer, if you mean it," <strong>the</strong> old woman countered.<br />
"However, I think you should know that, of <strong>the</strong> original crew of this<br />
ship, I am <strong>the</strong> only one still serving on her. The rest all burned out.<br />
Most last two to five years, <strong>the</strong>n move on to something less<br />
dem<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> more lucrative. But let's get down to business.<br />
"I don't care what <strong>the</strong> UN says, The Starry-Eyed Dreamer is my<br />
ship. I designed it, I built it, I named it after myself, <strong>and</strong> I've called it<br />
home for fifteen years. The people who pull <strong>the</strong> purse-strings can<br />
schedule <strong>the</strong> missions <strong>and</strong> designate <strong>the</strong> payloads. The comm<strong>and</strong>er is<br />
welcome to drive it <strong>and</strong> worry about fuel, spare parts, <strong>and</strong> paperwork.<br />
I'll even put up with a bunch of space-sick dirtsiders taking <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
instrument packages for a joy-ride, as long as <strong>the</strong>y pay <strong>the</strong> bills <strong>and</strong><br />
stay out of my way. Those things mean nothing. This is an<br />
exploration ship, I am <strong>the</strong> Chief Explorer, <strong>and</strong> you would be my slave.<br />
I start getting cranky if my slaves don't gratify me with a minimum of<br />
one fantastic finding a day."<br />
Jan nodded. "I'm here for discovery."<br />
Dr. Thompson continued. "I am also, of course, <strong>the</strong> inventor of<br />
<strong>the</strong> c-prime engines which make faster than light travel possible.<br />
Some people say I opened P<strong>and</strong>ora's box. What do you think?"<br />
Jan thought for a second. Dr. Thompson evidently preferred<br />
direct <strong>and</strong> truthful answers, which were <strong>the</strong> type Jan preferred to give.<br />
"They're probably right, but I'm glad you did. There's a lot of neat<br />
stuff in <strong>the</strong>re. If a committee had been in charge, it would probably<br />
still be under discussion."<br />
Dr. Thompson smiled slyly <strong>and</strong> wagged a finger. "Except, of<br />
course, that we'd all be dead by now, but that's ano<strong>the</strong>r story. As it is,<br />
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