30828023 Space Rogue

. . . . .. ' ... " - . ~ "" • • The Stars of Opportunity by Neil Shapiro My father is ajeweler famous throughout the Far Arm for precious settings. He can bring out the luster of a Denbian Zil pearl or gather in the light from a Sigurian flame diamond and send it in bright bursts to the eyes of a dazzled beholder. My family's been in the jewelry business for years, and my father dreamed ofa time when his only child would join him in the workshop, learning how to fashion cabochons and necklaces. But I wanted none of it - I wanted to go into space. This nearly broke my father's heart, but he supported me in a future he could not imagine for himself. He even paid my entry into the Merchant Guild. And many's the night he would indulge me in my fascination with space. He always found the time to stand with me in the Arcturian twilight as I peered through my telescope and regaled him with obscure facts about the Far Arm. On one such night, I centered the scope so that the star Deneb shone in the middle of the field. "This is the home of the Duchess Avenstar," I said, moving away from the telescope so father could look. "Deneb used to be the wildest system in the Far Arm - the place used to be swarming with pirates. She tamed it, she and her Imperial Guards- men. Now only the Scarlet Brotherhood dares ap- proach. And even they think twice about it." Father looked up from the eyepiece and shifted restlessly from foot to foot on the hard, pebble- strewn ground of our estate, but I continued. 1 "Avenstar's as tough as her cousin, Emperor 0000 Hiathra, was in his prime. But unlike the Emperor, Avenstar is genuinely concerned about her people. Now, adrift in space, my comrades gone, 1 That's because she's blessed with psionic ability and stare blankly at the main viewscreen of my small knows their innermost needs. 1 wonder if that is scout vessel. truly a blessing... but here, look again." The stars swim outside, diamonds scattered "I don't know why you're so fascinated by all on a black velvet cloth. 1 wish father could see them. of this," father said. "I hold stars in my hand every Then, he might understand what drove me here. day - you dream about those you can never touch ..." Sighing, he bent over the telescope once again, but 1 0000 saw him shoot a guilty look toward…