Preface
Sea of Trees

(Transcription segment, Weekly Priorities Meeting, Office of the Directorate, Area Thirty-Two, Galactic Technical Readjustments Group, Foreign Operations Department, Technology Corrections Division)
...... "I say it must be done!"
...... "There has been no significant irreversible anomaly. Time is on our side. Put it lower on the list."
...... "I say again. It must be done. The damage has been severe enough to date. Put it to the Governors!"
...... "As you demand. But how can it be alleviated without major disruption?"
...... "Send the man!"
...... "He isn't ideal for this work. His attitude is unreliable. He must be supervised at all times."
...... "Then go yourself."
...... "Me?"
...... "You may supervise him as Field Director. Yes, I'll recommend that to the Governors. They certainly will approve."
...... "Is that necessary?"
...... "Consider it an experience for future advancement."
...... "Me!"
...... "Yes, you shall go yourself."

.

Message Room -- File copy of field order sent
after Weekly Priorities Meeting
Office of the Directorate, Area 32

Message Room -- File copy of field order sent, after Weekly Meeting, Office of the Directorate, Area 32

FROM: Directorate, Area Thirty-two
TO: Field Director (Temporary Duty)
SUBJECT: Field Operations Directive

* * * OPERATIONAL ORDER:

AFTER OPERATIVE SELECTION AND

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT DETERMINATION,

WITHOUT NATIVE INHABITANT COGNIZANCE

PROCEED IMMEDIATELY

BY EASIEST FEASIBLE ROUTE AND

MINIMUM INHABITANT AWARENESS,

AVOIDING ALL HAZARDS

BY SUITABLE SUBTERFUGE,

TO DESIGNATED OBJECTIVE, AND

WITHOUT FURTHER TRAVEL

OR SUBSTANTIAL DELAYS

FOR RECONNAISSANCE

OR RESUPPLY,

COMMENCE NECESSARY ACTIONS

TO DESTROY MALFUNCTIONING DEVICE.
* * * OPERATIONAL ORDER ENDS.

table of contents

prolog

PLEASE NOTE: The above story is fictional - the characters and situations are imaginary. Resemblances to actual persons are accidental (and in some instances appalling!)