Excerpt: Cosmic Control: The Prime Locus Learns Something

Fortescue Unordo, Prime Locus and head of the Intergalactic Council, sat confidently in his study sucking on a fat cigar and contemplating his predecessors. He had thought the previous one, Vargus Tusellar, would never die. The man had lived miraculously long, even for a Prime Locus. He signed contentedly. Fort’s ascension and installation had made his wife very happy. And his personal life easier. Always easier when he didn’t have to listen to her nagging. He was at the top. There was no where else to go.

Here on Mantibus Prime they were at the center of the universe. This planet covered with cities, buildings and shopping arenas had everything they needed and more. The universe came to Manitbus Prime. His wife had her exclusive soirees and he had his seat of power. Power. It felt good!

Too bad about Makken Honenberg, that Finder. Fort had worked with him since he had first earned his Finder status. Had gentled him and brought him around to see that Cosmic Control should rest with the Council and not with the vagaries of a Gifted Revered Mother. Who knew what went on in a Gifted’s head? They never shared all they knew and just couldn’t be relied on to have the best interests of the government at heart. Having one of the leading Finders in his pocket had been his secret weapon. Now it was gone. His duplicity had been discovered by the Revered Mother, Bronwen, while she was still unfrocked. Well, that was to be expected, he thought. You can’t really keep anything from a Gifted for long. Not if they put their mind to it. Not if they knew where and when to look.

Still, he continued, gazing out the tall windowed doors at the setting suns, she was untrained and untried. That part of the plan had worked – more or less. She had taken the bait and gone to Earth where she had spent the first 50 years of her life not knowing who she was or the talent she possessed. 50 years wasted that Lofta had tried to cram into a few months and some chats over tea. Well, even in the 10 years since Bronwen was frocked she couldn’t have made up for lost time. Everyone knew some things could only be taught to the young. Some things it was just too late to learn.

He stepped forward, opened the doors and sauntered into the crisp fall air. The wind rustled in the trees while the sun slanted through them lighting up the yellowing leaves against the green. Stunned for a second by beauty, Fort stood and puffed on his cigar. Yes, thought Fort, it's all done. That Bronwen had succeeded in returning to Regulus and taking up her calling wouldn’t put too big a crimp in his plans. He was still in charge wasn’t he? Everything still had to be approved by him, didn’t it? Well, there you go. He leaned back, blew smoke rings and grinned an evil grin.