The Oort Federation: To the Stars

Oort Station Prime-Chairman John Butler's Office

OORT STATION PRIME—CHAIRMAN JOHN BUTLER’S OFFICE“Kimberly…” Chairmen John Butler said to the pretty blue-eyed blond who had been the Federation’s liaison to him as the U.S. president for the last several years.

“Yes, Mr. Chairman,” Kimberly said as she reached out to stroke Max, who had positioned himself on a stack of papers on Butler’s desk.

Butler examined her through hooded eyes. I have been a fortunate man, he thought, to have this delightful and oh-so-competent woman at my side for so long.

He smiled while patting the desk and said, “It’s not exactly the Resolute Desk, is it?”

“John, if I may, there is no higher office in our known universe. I have to believe that when you became the U.S. vice president, you could not have imagined sitting here now with the power and influence you have.” She leaned across the desk and kissed him lightly.

Butler blushed and leaned back in his chair. “You’ll give me a heart attack, Girl,” he said. In his mid-sixties, with brown eyes and thinning brown hair combed straight back, he adjusted his tweed jacket and smiled sheepishly, bow tie slightly askew. “I’ve got thirty years on you. I could be your father.”

“It’s a new world, Sir, with new rules.” She smiled impishly, crinkling her nose.

“I suppose you’re right,” he said. “By any measure, I could not have imagined this. You know,” he said, “I think you had a lot to do with it.”

“Mr. Chairman, I know I played a role, but I admire you for what you are, one of the most influential people not just on Earth, but in the entire Solar System. My admiration for the man you are knows no bounds.” Kimberly put her hand to her mouth, much like her friend Sally Nguyen did, and blushed.

Where is this leading? Butler thought. “So,” he said, “would you be willing to continue in your liaison role, but between me and the new U.S. president, George Fulton?”

Kimberly raised her eyebrows.

“I know,” Butler said, “you’re one of the two richest women in human history. You need to accommodate me like you need a hole in the head. Nevertheless, I’m asking.”

Kimberly leaned across the desk and kissed Butler more fully this time. “Is that what you really want, John?”

He wasn’t completely sure what this meant, but he was in no hurry for their kiss to end. He nodded.

“Consider it done,” Kimberly said, placing herself in his lap and kissing him with convincing thoroughness.

Is it power that draws me? Kimberly asked herself. No, she answered, it’s the man. He’s unlike any leader I’ve ever met. He doesn’t wield his immense power; he exercises it judicially, carefully, with discretion. He doesn’t look down at me or anyone else. He sees his people as members of a team. He listens, he considers, he asks questions—there’s something very special about him, something I’ve never known before.