Chapter 1Bureaucraciesor chains of command, whether military or civilian, areexasperatingbecause they often move at a snail’s pace. Occasionally, though,when the powers that be want something done, they react withastonishing speed.
Itwas the latter case when Dr. Edison Altamonte was literally droppedin front of my make-shift command post on Jardoval just three daysand five hours after I had requested him. Dr. Altamonte had been afew solar systems over, but Earth Command demanded light-speedpriority in getting him to the base.
Ashe shuffled into my office, while wiping the dirt from his wrinkleduniform, Dr. Altamonte did not look happy. His hair was ruffled, ared, ugly bruise spotted his forehead and a few nodules of theblackJardoval sand darkened his chin.
Becausehe had been so rushed,
