“Was it really an annihilator?” Stek asked in a quick, low voice.
“Yes. The coal sack is a little bigger now.”
Stek looked down at the field of buttons on his desk, and pensively caressed them with his fat hand. “That is an awful power to have,” he murmured soberly.
“Judging by the fact that the Home had it a full century before they used it, I’d say that it is in pretty reasonable hands.”
“I agree. But in another century somebody else is going to be running things there. They may not be so reasonable.”
Deitrich grinned wryly. “Those are things I don’t like to think about much. But it shouldn’t affect you, personally,” he added, “unless you take up time-jumping.”
“No thank you, captain,” Stek said. “Would you care for another oonalyn?”
“I think I better get on with my business here,” Deitrich replied apologetically.
Stek acquiesced. “I suppose so. Incidentally, we have provided the TJ commission with a new building. I think you’ll like it, captain. There is a permanent secretary for the pilots in the system, which you should find a convenience.” He smiled and said, “When we first hired her, she thought you pilots operated time machines.”
“That’s not uncommon among the secondary classes.”