Download the Book - Islam and Science Fiction

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