Theodyssey 1. Privateer by I K Dirac

Author:I K Dirac [Dirac, I K]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Racing House Press
Published: 2021-08-10T22:00:00+00:00

Jim had been on the Bridge during much of the negotiation. He watched as de la Beche leant back in his chair and Orestia's face disappeared from the screen and then he heard de la Beche's again.

“Commander Splenditheran. Lovely to talk to you again, darling. I really think we're on to something now, but I want to have a little chat about how we go from here.”

***

Jim was due back for his usual duties at Culpepper’s surgery. On his way back he could not help wondering who the Feminarchs were and how they might be able to discover things unknown to anyone else. Culpepper might be the one to ask and the Doctor would most probably be well lubricated and in expansive mood at that time of the day.

When he entered the surgery he saw Culpepper sitting at a bench on which were a number of glasses filled with amber liquids. He was tapping each with a metal spatula. He looked up as Jim came in.

“Now Jim, if you really know your whiskies, you should be able to tell which is which by the sound they make. This,” he said tapping one, “is a Glenbogle. Can’t you just detect hints of clear mountain streams, and mountain airs? And this,” tapping another, “is a Ballspocklangie, all smoky peat and soft rain. I have no idea what this one is,” he said, tapping a third. “I think it may be one of those dreadful blended concoctions that distillery companies insist on pouring down the throats of the undiscriminating.”

He tapped the others, claiming to identify each. Then lifting a glass, he said, “I shall now confirm my judgements,” and proceeded to down them all. “Spot on with most, although I did have a few doubts about the Spathbuckle and the Buckspathie. Same stream, I believe. Difficult to tell apart. Not that it matters. They’re neither of them very distinguished tots, I’m afraid. Bit oaty for my taste.”

Jim had tasted whisky a few times and wondered how anyone could tell one burning sensation at the back of the throat from another. He watched as Culpepper slumped back in his chair, his face radiating contentment, and decided it might be time to broach the subject of the Feminarchs. Culpepper shook his head.

“I’m not the one to ask, Jim. All that sort of stuff makes my head spin. Can’t stand it.”

Jim persisted.

“Is there anywhere else I might find out about them?”

Culpepper grimaced.

“Galactopedia might be the place but I don’t think I should let you see it. It’s banned, you know,” he added.

“Banned on this ship?”

The Doctor snorted.

“No, of course not. Nothing’s banned on this ship, more’s the pity, but it’s banned nearly everywhere else.”

Jim wanted to know why.

“The same old thing Jim: religion. All the great priests and panjandurms of the Galaxy say what’s in Galactopedia is against their religions – the only thing they agree on – so they want it banned and what they want they get.”

"Why would they say that?”

“A good question, Jim. I’ve asked myself that a few times.

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