Phule’s Company by Robert Asprin

“Why don’t you use the duty room of my penthouse?” Phule said, his mind racing over this new discovery. “You’d be more comfortable, and I think the light’s a lot better for reading.”

“Thank you, Captain. Most gen … erous.”

The Voltron stumbled a bit over the word, but began to gather up his books.

“Let me give you a hand there. You know, Tusk-anini, if you were serious about helping-above and beyond the call of duty, that is-there is something you might be able to give me a hand on.”

“What that?”

“I get lots of communications from Headquarters: copies of reports and modifications to the rules and regulations. Most of it is pointless paper shuffling, but I end up having to read it all to find the few items that do affect us, especially the changes in regulations. Now, if you could read through those for me, and pull the really important items for me to look at …

The beep of Phule’s wrist communicator interrupted his explanation. For a long moment he debated ignoring it to continue his conversation with Tusk-anini. Then he remembered that Rose would have to deal with it if he didn’t, and reached for the activator button.

“You got Com Central here,” came a voice from the unit’s speaker. “What desperate situation can we alleviate for you this evening?”

The commander froze with his sign-on unuttered on his lips. Apparently whoever was calling in was also thrown by the response, as there was a pregnant pause before a reply came on the air.

“Is … is Captain Jester there?”

That voice was clearly recognizable to the commander as Brandy’s, which meant the other voice had to be …