The Fifth Correction by Robert Wingfield

Author:Robert Wingfield [Wingfield, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Space Opera; Science fiction; Humor; Space Opera; Android; Viking; Ale; Time Travel; String Theory; Synthetic Human; Sex;; galactic empire; business satire
Publisher: Robert Wingfield
Published: 2019-04-22T23:00:00+00:00

* * *

“So, my dear old drinking buddy,” said Tom, raising a glass of cloudy brown liquid to his nose and sniffing it with appreciation. “Where have you been all this time and universe? It was a completely different one I saw you in last time wasn’t it?”

“Possibly,” said the Magus,26 “but there have been so many universes and so many time-shifts that I really have no clue which one this is and where I am in it. I hope someone’s keeping a tally.”

“I used to have one, but the wheel fell off,” said Tom, “but do tell how you found me.” He smiled and took a sip of his drink. “Awesome,” he said, smacking his lips. “Naughty lips.”

“It is rather good isn’t it,” said the Magus, downing his drink in a single draught. “Ah, another?”

“No thank you. I want to savour this. It has been a long time since I last had a real real-ale.”

“You don’t mind if I do?” asked the Magus. “It doesn’t keep once it’s opened... more than a week anyway.”

“I don’t think this one will,” said Tom. “You were saying about how you found me.”

“I was?”

“Go on then. How did you find me?”

“I knew you wouldn’t be far away from Skagans, so all I had to do was find them, gain their confidence and wait for you to turn up in time and space. I’m really pleased that you are here already because it saves a lot of blank space in the text.” The Magus paused, imagining a long blank piece of text, which he decided not to include here to save boring the reader.

“So pure chance then?” said Tom after the blank space that wasn't there.

“More or less,” nodded the Magus. “I’m pleased that I find you in charge because I have a mutually beneficial plan.”

“Starting a brewery?” suggested Tom hopefully.

“That’s a good idea,” said the Magus, “and would be mutually beneficial to boot. I’m sure there was something else though.”

“You wanted to get help with manufacturing the Doku-drive,” said Kara27, trying not to catch Tom’s eye. She glanced at Caryl, who was staring thoughtfully at her. “Sorry, I can’t look directly at him. It buggers up my systems.”

Caryl relaxed. “I have the same problem but don’t worry. I know you two go back a very long way, and I also know that you are programmed to accept him as your creator. If I could turn it off, I would.”

“So would I,” said Kara sadly, “I’ve tried, but the fail-safes are too good. It also includes a self-preservation over-ride, so I can’t even shut myself down.”

“Good thing,” said Caryl generously, “You still have a major contribution to the fate of the universe. I don’t think we can do it without you.”

“Not again.” Kara sighed tiredly.

“Hang on,” said Tom. “What are you talking about, ‘the fate of the universe’; I thought we’d sorted all that out in previous volumes28.”

“So did I,” said Caryl. “What am I talking about?”

“You’re not becoming a psy-chick, are you?” said Tom.

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