Read S.T.A.R. FLIGHT for Free Online

punch. “It’s going to play hell with the consumer industries,” he pointed out. “The governments too. Those things carry high taxes. We’ll have opposition.”
    “Maybe, but you know how to handle it.”
    “Sure. I can use surrogate artifacts, men and women, boys and girls, hit the sex angle and play up the pioneer spirit. We can even hint that this is the final stage before moving to our new worlds.” Nader hesitated. “I don’t suppose there could be any truth in that? I mean, did that louse say anything about letting us through?”
    Chung shook his head.
    “I didn’t think so,” said Nader disgustedly. He looked at his hands. “Maybe STAR has the right idea,” he murmured. “Maybe we’ve forgotten that to act like a doormat is to be treated like one.”
    “We must trust the Kaltich,” said Chung sharply.
    “Maybe. But maybe we’re just wasting our time.”
    “No,” said Chung. “I can’t believe that.” I can’t believe it because I dare not, he thought. And then, to Nader, “Get on with the presentation right away. World coverage. The new prices start at midnight so we haven’t much time.”
    Nader left the office, scowling, a jumble of thoughts in his head. I’ll have to use a full crew, he thought, and they can like the overtime or lump it. There’s no time to have special surrogates made; we’ll have to use those we’ve got together with every other trick in stock. Actors, he thought, then decided against it. It would be best not to use outsiders for fear of leaking the news. A before-and-after effect, he told himself. Something with lots of sex-appeal. An old woman suddenly turning into a ravishingly beautiful young girl. Not too suddenly, he corrected. Stretch the suspension, aim for the big build-up, hit them with the bad while they were entranced by the good. But still a beautiful girl. Cherry Lee, he decided. She would be ideal. He’d have to see if she was in the building.
    As a rush production it was quite good. William Preston looked at the television screen as he ate a late lunch of soy bean soup, noodles, algae bread and Brazilian coffee. Beside him Ed Lever made slobbering noises over his bowl. A pig, thought Preston irritably. So Ed was old, but did he have to make such a sound-production out of a simple meal? He ate the last of his bread and drained his cup of coffee. Before him the screen swirled with colour turning the ten-by-ten utiliflat into an Aladdin’s Cave of glowing splendour.
    Ed sucked loudly at the last of his soup.
    “For Pete’s sake!” Preston slammed down his cup. “Do you have to make such a noise?”
    “It’s my teeth,” whined Ed. He was on charity and wanted to please. “They don’t fit so good.”
    “Then get some new ones,” said Preston. He’d known Ed for ten years but a thing like that could strain friendship tothe breaking point. Beside him Ed sniffed.
    “It’s easy for you to talk,” he said. “You’ve got a good boy in Martin. He lets you live with him. He pays for all you need. Me? I ain’t got no one. It’s easy for you to talk,” he repeated. “But new teeth cost money.”
    “Shut up,” said Preston. He felt a touch of guilt. What Ed had said was true enough. But, he thought fiercely, I’m not sponging on Martin. I do what I can and eat as little as possible. If there was work available I’d do it. He knows that. “Here,” he said, and threw Ed a number four size cigarlet. “Suck on this and let me concentrate.”
    “Thanks.” Ed inhaled with a noisy rasping. “Didn’t you used to work on television?”
    “Advertising.” Preston kept his eyes glued to the screen. “Now pipe down!”
    The swirl of colour solidified, took shape as the background music faded, became the handsome, serious face of a middle-aged man.
    “People of the world!” he said. “An important announcement! Now! At last! The new longevity treatment as offered by our friends the Kaltich. To you all on this lucky day we bring the news.