‘Would you say power precludes the pursuit of pleasure?’ said the elegant woman relaxing in the luxurious armchair.
Ken looked up from his flickering red-and-blue computer display. ‘I think I’d struggle to,’ he said.
‘It’s just this ultimate power business. I’m not convinced it’s everything I had hoped for. I feel that true happiness has somehow evaded me.’
Ken thought about this for a moment. ‘On the other hand,’ he said eventually, ‘it has given us lots of money. And fame. And we do get to live forever.’
‘Well, yes, they’re all good things, I’ll grant you that. But is that all there truly is? Power and money and immortality?’
‘I would have thought so,’ said Ken. ‘Why do you ask anyway?’
‘Oh, just contemplating things.’ She sighed wistfully. ‘The problem is, I don’t have anything to do. I’m bored. Ruler of all the Galaxy they call me. And I’m bored. Comical isn’t it?’
Ken frowned, then returned to his computer.
Stefan sat in the corner of the room in silence. He contemplated the situation for a moment, then stood, crossed to his desk and motioned at his holographic display. He watched the reaction of his colleagues carefully as the intelligence report scrolled across.
Penelope bolted to her feet, stunned. ‘Quick, get someone in there! Get them in now! He must not be allowed to continue!’
And so ended Penelope’s boredom.