Phule's Paradise Read Free

a crisis of monumental proportions, one which-would put all other worries and tasks on a back burner while he weighed and considered the immediate problem. In short, anytime he seemed relaxed physically, it meant that he was racing about mentally.
          "Is there a problem, sir?" Becker prompted, pointedly closing the door behind him.
          "You might say that. I just got a call from Headquarters giving us a new assignment, and-"
          "Is that a new assignment for the entire company, or just for the two of us?" the butler interrupted.
          "What? Oh. For the entire company. Why?"
          "You might want to announce that to your command as soon as possible, sir. They seemed quite anxious when I passed though the pool area just now."
          "I don't know," Phule said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "I was planning to wait until I had a better fix on this new assignment before announcing it. It's always nice to have the information clear yourself before opening the door to questions and answers."
          "If you'll forgive my saying so, sir, I really think you should say something to quiet their minds. They're aware that a call has come in from Headquarters, and many of them are concerned that you are being removed from the command of this unit."
          "I see. Well, I'll put a stop to that right now."
          As he spoke, Phule raised his wrist communicator to his mouth and pressed a button.
          "Mother?"
          "Yes, Captain," came the immediate response without any of that Legionnaire's usual banter.
          "Is everyone in range for a general broadcast?"
          "That's a big affirmative. Truth to tell, they're all hangin' so close you could probably just raise your voice and save the batteries."
          A brief smile flitted across Phule's face.
          "I think I'll follow normal procedure, anyway ... just for practice. Give me a broadcast channel."
          "You got it, Big Daddy. We're all ears."
          Without thinking, Phule dropped into a deeper, formal voice as he began his announcement.
          "If I could have your attention for a moment ... I have been told that some of you are worried about the recent call from Legion Headquarters. All I can tell you at the moment is that we are being reassigned. I repeat, we are being reassigned ... That's the entire unit. Details will be provided at a formal briefing tonight at twenty hundred hours. Officers, please stand by. Your presence will soon be required for a strategy session. That is all."
          He clicked off his com unit and leaned back, winking at his butler.
          "There, I think that should do it."
          "Quite. Thank you, sir."
          "Okay, now that that's taken care of, I have something I want you to see."
          Phule waved Beeker toward a chair as he rose and fiddled with the holo unit which occupied the better part of one wall of his quarters. He had purchased and installed this unit as a supplement to the one issued the company specifically to ease the reception of calls from Headquarters. Of course, unlike the issued model, this one also had a record and playback capacity.
          "This is a replay of the call I just received," he said. "I want to know what you think of it."
          As he spoke, the image of General Blitzkrieg materialized in the room, seated at his desk, leaning forward on his elbows, his hands clasped in front of him.
          "Good morning, Captain Jester." The image smiled. "Sorry to wake you so early."
          "Actually," came Phule's phantom voice, "it's afternoon here, sir."
          While interstellar communications were now commonplace, the problem of coordinating days, much less hours, between widely separated settlements still remained.
          "Whatever." The general shrugged. "I have some good news for you, Captain. You and your company are being reassigned to a new duty. Orders are being