The Commander Read Online Free

and walls. Different settings gave it a smooth or rough finish. The implements built gravity controls right into the floors. The result was a one-gee environment throughout the base.
    After Luke added a new corridor and two rooms to the base complex, Sam pronounced his instruction was complete. “Let’s head over to the training room,” he said.
    The multi-level room had rows of chairs on stair-step floors. It looked like a college classroom. A podium rested on a small stage.
    “There’s someone I want you to meet,” Sam said. “ George ?”
    “Yes, Sam,” a pleasant baritone voice replied. “I take it this is Luke.”
    “He’s the guy. Luke, say hello to George. Sort of a Sadie on steroids. George runs everything here at Moonbase One. Consider him a gift from the Nobility to your solar system.”
    “The Nobility? What’s that?”
    “ The Nobility,” Sam emphasized. “The rulers, the royals, our divine leaders, whatever you want to call them. Once you get away from the galactic center, they’re just known as the Nobility. Essentially, it’s the ruling families. Kind of hard to explain, but I work for them.”
    “Am I working for them?”
    “Don’t make it more complicated than it is,” Sam cautioned. “To answer your question, no. I doubt you’ll ever see them or hear from them again. As I said, I’m here to do a bit of lawn maintenance. You’re the weed-killer, and George here is your instruction manual. He’s the guardian of all the knowledge I’m leaving with you. As you bring new people here, I’d recommend you let George give them an introductory course. You ought to take it yourself before you get into this much further.”
    “I will,” Luke agreed.
    “Say hello, George,” Sam instructed.”
    “Good evening, Luke,” George said. His warm voice emanated from the ceiling and filled the room.
    “Nice to meet you, George,” Luke offered weakly.
    “I assure you it is my pleasure. I look forward to working with you, sir.”
    “Come on,” Sam urged. “Let’s keep moving. One more thing you need to see.”
    In the food court, Sam waved Luke over to the stalls against the curved wall. A microwave rested on the counter.
    “Cheeseburger and fries,” Sam said aloud. Seconds later, a fully laden plate appeared behind the glassed door.
    “ Preparation complete ,” a female voice said.
    “It’s a replicator?” Luke asked.
    “No, not really. That’s another reference to one of your fictional programs, right? I’d say it’s more of what you call a 3-D printer. It uses micro-gravity emitters to rearrange molecules in layers. But you can call it a ‘replicator’ if that’s what you like.” Sam grinned as he removed the hot burger. “Here you go.”
    “I’m not really hungry,” Luke replied.
    “Suit yourself. You might notice it looks like the burger we got in the diner. There’s a reason for that. Remember when I took a picture of it? That wasn’t a camera. Here.”
    Sam handed Luke a flat, plastic rectangle about a quarter-inch thick. It looked like a cell phone without the glass.
    “What’s this?” Luke asked.
    “That’s a hand-scanner. It records the substance of whatever you scan. Once it’s scanned, George will incorporate it into the database, and after that it will be available to anyone here in Moonbase.”
    “Seriously? Do you have any idea what this could do for our world?
    Sam put a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “Yes I do,” Sam said grimly. “Word of warning: do not … repeat… do not under any circumstances let this technology loose on your planet. This one thing alone will destroy your civilization. As far as that goes, any of these toys I’ve shown you today could do it, but the replicator, as you call it, will do it faster than anything else.”
    “Why is that? This could free mankind from hunger.”
    Sam waved away the question. “I’m a PR guy, not an anthropologist. Just trust me on this. George can give you proof if you need it.” Sam headed