The captain stood stiffly next to his transporter chief as the technician worked the magic that brought John Paul from the eternal city of Rome upward to a great starship in geosynchronous orbit.
         The Pope appeared with the same shimmer that had taken him from his apartment moments before. He smiled a great and genuine smile for the transporter technician.
         "Oh well done, dear lady. That is most invigorating!" the Pope announced as he stepped off the transporter pad.
         "Your Holiness," the captain said, extending his hand, "It has been so long."
         "Yes, Captain, a long time," The Pope embraced the captain and stepped back. "So long since you were the top cadet at the academy and your roommate dropped out to enter the seminary."
         "We will have you at the Mars conference in less than an hour. Come, we have time for a tour of the ship.  Excuse me a moment." The captain touched his comm badge as they exited the transporter room. "Number One."
         "Here, Captain," replied his first officer from the bridge.
         "Take us out of orbit. Three quarter impulse to the Mars colony. I will be giving his . . . "
         "Excuse me . . . " the Pope interrupted, touching the captain's arm, "might we just find a corner somewhere . . ."
         "Number One. I will be in holodeck four with his Holiness if I am needed."

Click on the bar to continue reading