since this was their universe and
they knew how it worked.

Chavvorth interrupted his train of thought. "If you will key the lock,
sir?"

"Right." Medart placed his hand against the door's lock-plate, keying
it to his palm-print. The two entered when the door slid open; Medart
immediately went to the service panel for a fresh cup of coffee. "Want
some more chovas?"

"No, thank you. A cup of Blue Ginger, perhaps?"

"You got it." Medart entered the appropriate order, took the steaming
cup when it appeared, and handed it to the Traiti, then took his own
seat. "You said you'd start teaching me magic. I know better than to
tell a teacher how to teach, but I have a feeling I'm going to need
something I wasn't wearing when Ranger Ariel summoned me. So I think
I'd better learn that summoning spell first."

Chavvorth looked uncomfortable, but shook his head. "Such a summoning
is dangerous even for an experienced magician--far too dangerous for a
novice, particularly one who is also a Ranger. No, I will not teach
you that spell. But I will attempt to summon this object myself, if you
will describe it."

Medart frowned. He wasn't used to having his requests refused, even
for his own safety--a Ranger was presumed to be able to evaluate risks
and take only necessary ones. On the other hand, he didn't know enough
about magic to make such an evaluation accurately, and his first
attempt at using it had injured an Imperial officer . . . so maybe he'd
better accept the refusal gracefully. "All right, Captain. But if
it's that dangerous, I'd hesitate to risk an IBC's captain, either.
Don't you have any magical specialists?"

"Yes, of course. Next to Ranger Ariel, Major Treschler is our most
accomplished magician, and he has been successful with summonings."

"Get him to do it, then. I may be able to do better than a description
of what I need, though--I'd better be, or there won't be any point in
getting it. Emperor Barton, do your records include twentieth-century
entertainment tapes?"

"Yes, Ranger. I have a complete selection."

"Then if they exist here, you've got the Star Wars movies."

"Yes, sir. They do, and I have."

"Good! I'd like close-ups of Lord Vader's lightsaber, please, from as
many angles as possible."

"It will be about ten seconds." The ship paused for that time, then
said, "Completed; they are in your fabricator."

"Thank you." Medart went into the sleeping area to get the still