All Alone in the Night

[Alfred Bester 0]

Alfred Bester sat in his office in the Imperial Security Headquarters, making plans for his departure. After many long and lonesome years, he had moved to top of his section. He was now in charge of Section 29 of the Imperial Security Forces, specializing in pulling secrets from enemy (and ally) minds through telepathic methods. These methods are not subtle, simple or pain-free. His group was known throughout the Imperial Court as the Emperor's Truth Extractors, or more brutally, Psi Cops. They were forced to wear special uniforms at all times to identify themselves to others and are usually shunned by the courtiers, as their presence made everyone nervous. They were a vital and important part of the Emperor's control of his subjects and his hold on power, but he had only communicated with Bester's group through 3D vid links, as getting too close to a Psi Cop does hell to your secrets.

 

Bester knew that this was the way of his chosen career (or rather the career that chose him at a very early age), but it was still a lonely existence. There were few people he ever met, face-to-face and fewer still that he could speak to, that he could confide in.

 

As the Chief of S29, he found himself an administrator, probably the only fate worse than a Psi Cop, and here he was, both!. So, he was more than a little excited when an emergency system had engaged to alert of him of an unplanned tragedy. Every deep space officer of Flag rank had a life sensor imbedded into him or her and it seems that the sensor in Admiral Atragon-9 had just stopped transmitting. This could mean a transmission error or the untimely death of the Admiral. Either way, it meant that Alfred got out of his office to pay a visit to the ISS Manticore.

 

He had alerted his personal squad of Psi Cops and the ship was almost ready. He would be communicating with the other officers on Manticore on his way to them, but even if he heard from Atragon-9 himself, he would continue his mission. He had to verify that nothing untoward had happened and, if so, re-implant another sensor. However, if something is amiss, then the fun begins. His ship is even prepared for a forced boarding of the Manticore, if necessary. Yes, this is one of the perks of the job and since he didn't know Atragon-9, personally, he felt only happiness that the man's death had gotten him back into the field again.

 

He stood and smiled at his reflection in the mirror. He really didn't need the sidearm, with his Psionic powers, but it was good for show and he was ready to put on quite a show!