 
### The Intergalactic Peddler - Volume I

Author

Ronnie Coleinger

Publisher

Ronnie Coleinger Publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Copyright © [Ronnie Coleinger, pseudo.] 2009

Illustration copyright © [Ronnie Coleinger, pseudo.] 2009

http://www.ronniecoleinger.com

ISBN: 978-0-98311793-4-4

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 – The Beginning

Chapter 2 – The Empress

Chapter 3 – Connie Smith

Chapter 4 – Planet Quantum

Chapter 5 – Universe Number Six

Chapter 6 – The Marriage Proposal

Chapter 7 – Connie's Achluophobia

Chapter 8 - Nightmares

Chapter 9 – The Wedding Day

Chapter 10 – The Open Market

Chapter 11 – Influenza Strikes the Empress

Chapter 12 \- Deoblo 12

Chapter 13 \- Ronnie's Patience is Challenged

Chapter 14 – The Birth of Jill Marie Yutaka

Chapter 15 – The Ganme of Universe Number Four

Chapter 16 – Angela Returns Home

Chapter 17 – Teleportation Accident

Chapter 18 – The Skipper's Revenge

Chapter 19 – Death of the Matriarch

Chapter 1 - The Beginning

The time travel membrane named, The Empress, was setup as a huge traveling warehouse. Its designer used the membrane to provide commodities to the entities of the universe. The owner and skipper, named Ronnie Yutaka, thought of his vessel as a traveling General store. If Ronnie did not have it aboard The Empress, you probably had not needed the fucking thing in the first place.

Ronnie had a large clientele from all over the cosmos. Some of the universes he visited required many hours of travel, even using the latest technology in time travel computers. The most distant clientele away from the Milky Way Galaxy were the entities that called themselves the Dendrals. They were located in the universe of Htrae, in the planet of Desab. This journey would take The Empress just short of two Earth days. Ronnie would then spend another day in orbit around the planet of Desab waiting for clearance to enter their inner space to perform docking maneuvers.

When Ronnie had completed visiting his customers in the Universe of Htrae, he would usually visit the Bahs living on the planet of Reja, in the Galaxy of Nosaj, in the Universe of Lyraja. This trip would take almost three days, but the Bahs were much easier to trade with. They would teleport directly to the secure room of The Empress and Ronnie would never have to leave his vessel.

Ronnie's next customer visit would take him back to his own universe (the one planet Earth is located in, Universe Number Two) to visit the last of the customers on his itinerary. One of Ronnie's least favorite entities to visit was the Supross on the planet Quantum, in the Galaxy of Fusion. These people would pilfer the fillings from your teeth if you fell asleep in their presence, especially if you were traveling on a commuter shuttle. The planet Quantum was where Ronnie had been born and raised but he no longer lived there, his permanent residence was now aboard The Empress. Ronnie knew the planet Quantum and its people very well. Janet, Ronnie's sister, still lived on the planet. Ronnie would often visit her and spend a day or so spoiling her two young daughters rotten. Janet was having a very hard time living on Quantum but she still refused to let Ronnie move her to planet Earth where she could live and raise her daughters comfortably, and most important, raise them safely.

Ronnie liked the planet Earth in the Milky Way Galaxy and always did a brisk business with the Earthling females. Ronnie seemed to be able to charm them easily with his large inventory of pretty jewelry he had purchased from around the cosmos. The Earthling girls would sometimes want to teleport up to The Empress for a little adventure. Most had never teleported and soon discovered a new thrill in their lives. Ronnie never refused their advances. The Empress was so large that when Ronnie placed the vessel into an orbit around planet Earth, you could easily see it in the night sky as the sun began to set. It would not twinkle or shine as a star might, but instead would block out the stars behind it and create a black starless place in the heavens.

The last two places on Ronnie's customer list were both very friendly trading partners and Ronnie usually spent a few weeks on the planets, visiting, trading and dipping his wick. The first port of call was the planet Heryl in the Andromeda Galaxy. This planet had an interracial mix of humans from Earth, and they had mixed again with entities from all over the cosmos. When Ronnie ran out of customers, and ladies, he would hop over and visit another planet in the Andromeda Galaxy, called Rowkin.

The people that lived on the planet of Rowkin had acquired the name, Rowkins, just as the people of planet Earth had acquired the name, Earthlings. No one really knew why the people had acquired the same name as the planet, but that is just the way it was. Ronnie had discovered that the female Rowkins liked to mate with human males. They could produce no offspring from the joining, as their DNA was incompatible with humans, but they certainly enjoyed Ronnie's company. Their beautiful bodies were a golden color and they had dark, almost black eyes. Neither the males nor females had any body hair for some reason, Ronnie guessed because their planet was so humid and warm that their evolution had never called for body hair to keep them warm.

Chapter 2 – The Empress

Ronnie had configured The Empress (eleventh-dimension time travel membrane) to be a huge traveling warehouse, and huge it certainly was. It was over one hundred and fifteen meters long, and forty-two meters wide. The inventory control locker had a flat wood plank floor, and there was access to the under-floor area accessible by doors that Ronnie could lift up and swing open on huge brass hinges. eHHe only put items below the floor that were very heavy and required a hoist to lift and move, or things like metal ammunition lockers that Ronnie did not like to open unless absolutely necessary. The doors were located between the rows of shelving on the main level, so Ronnie could get easy access to the items stored below. When he swung the doors open, they rested against the metal shelving above.

Ronnie had carefully inventoried every item on the vessel and recorded the information on a massive computer system. The cross reference system for the inventory of The Empress was very large, and items could be located by typing in a name, description, part number, customer name, or invoice number from a previous sale.

He had also built a visual scanner, which would identify and located any item he could place in front of the scanner screen. Even if Ronnie did not stock the item scanned by the scanner, it would still tell him the items description and all the details about it. The computer could then find a vendor in the universal distribution system, along with the estimated delivery date, and the price in Galax.

The Galax is the universal monetary system used by almost every universe in the cosmos. One Galax is worth about ten-thousand Earth dollars. For small purchases, the Milli-Galax became the currency of choice for simplicity.

The Empress was equipped with anything and everything that might be required by any entity that Ronnie may visit. The vessel had an incredible array of goods to suit any entity that was in need, and the, register of goods, was over two hundred pages long if printed out in the language of humans, called Chitter. Ronnie was most fluent with this language and used it for all his computer programs. The register of goods was broken down into groups to help Ronnie quickly search for any item his customers might wish to purchase. By using the groups, Ronnie always had a starting point to identify the item so the computer program could begin to drill down into the program for the desired item. The following listing shows the groups along with a list of the general contents of each group:

Hardware: Nails, screws, bolts, hinges, tools, axes, shovels, rakes, saws, replacement blades, hand drills, and bits. All of the tools Ronnie had on board for sale were hand or pneumatic operated, since most planets, other than Earth, had no use for electricity. There were hundreds of different methods used in the cosmos for producing rotation and locomotion, but only Earth used electricity. Small ion generators or pneumatics of some form or another powered the tools Ronnie used to repair his vessel and sold to his customers. Ronnie had almost anything you could find in a hardware store on the planet Earth, in the year 20,950 AD.

Dry goods and haberdashery: Foot operated treadle sewing machines built on the planet Earth were incredibly popular and Ronnie tried to have ten or twelve on board every trip out. The Singer sewing machine company originally produced these treadle sewing machines on planet Earth. In the year 19,922 AD, another Earth based company purchased the patient rights and they renamed the machines, The Smith Family Treadles. The company was located in Smithtown, USA. Ronnie also had one or two heavy sewing machines for sewing leathers and other very heavy materials such as canvas. He usually sold out of sewing machines after a few stops and would have to hold a few machines with customer's names on them so he would have some left for the customers at the end of his voyage. He also had sewing scissors, clothing patterns, along with tanned and dyed leather products of any type and thickness. Ronnie stocked every size of sewing needle ever made, along with pins, tape measures, spools of sewing threads for sewing all types of material. He also stocked hole punches used for making saddles and gun holsters. Snaps, buttons, zippers, elastic and anything else his customers asked Ronnie to stock. If it needed sewing, Ronnie probably had the items you needed.

He also had a huge inventory of cloth on bolts that he would allow his customers to sort through and pick just the right color and material for that very special dress or jacket they needed. Since factory made clothing was so very hard to come by these days, every household had someone who could make what they needed, right down to shoes and boots. Ronnie had over a thousand pair of shoelaces of all lengths and types aboard and was constantly increasing the inventory. The only clothing that Ronnie stocked heavily was the underwear and socks that were dried and compressed into tiny blocks that looked like a sponge. When you soaked them in water for a few minutes, the garment would absorb the water and become a wearable pair of underwear or socks; then you simply dried them and they were ready to wear.

Building Supplies: Ronnie would like to have had a small lumberyard aboard The Empress, but that was impossible. Instead, he stocked what he could and took orders to deliver anything he was missing on his next trip. However, if you needed bags of concrete mix, mortar mix, wheelbarrows, roofing shingles, or 122 by 244-centimeter sheets of outdoor siding, you were in luck. Ronnie had just about anything you might need to build or repair a small house or building.

He also stocked a good supply of electrical and plumbing supplies and that seemed to be the easiest, because the components used today were standardized and Ronnie only needed to stock one type of each item. As I said, there was very little call for electrical supplies, except for the planets of Earth and Quantum. There were no longer a hundred different styles and types of light switches or outlets; today there was only one, single pole switch, only one three-way switch, and the electrical conduit was PVC and simply glued together. They only made plastic plumbing pipe and fittings, and the fittings were standardized. Life was much simpler without all the choices in products that used to plague the cosmos.

Weaponry: Ronnie stocked many items that were used in warfare, like flame throwers and fuel cartridges. These items, while still used in warfare, also became standard items for sanitation of the dead, diseased and decomposing bodies often found on the surface of any planet Ronnie visited. None of the entities buried their dead any longer, but instead cremated all animal, human or entity bodies to prevent the further spread of disease in the cosmos.

Large caliber guns had long ago been banned by the IFTT. They no longer allowed the manufacture, purchase, ownership or transportation of these guns anywhere in the cosmos. The Federation did allow small caliber rifles for hunting and protection of one's dwelling. Ronnie carried a rather large selection of these small caliber rifles along with a large quantity of ammunition for them. Ronnie also had a large selection of Louisville Slugger baseball bats; they found use in personal protection when someone tried to rob you on a shuttle.

Food Stuff's: Ronnie had every kind of spice used on any planet he might visit. Some of the spices had different names on different planets, so Ronnie's cross reference system contained notations about the different names. Ronnie chose to only stock food items that were special, like chocolate bars, beer, some liquor items, canned fruits, canned vegetables, canned potatoes, Spam of course, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, sealed packets of Tuna fish and salmon, spaghetti pasta and two kinds of sauce. He also carried a few things like pre-sweetened Kool-Aid to comfort a child, pre-packaged hot chocolate to comfort a woman, and 1.36-kilogram cans of coffee.

Electronics and tools: Ronnie stocked electronic items like parts for the Super 11 transceiver, repair components such as resistors, diodes, capacitors, and transistors for the older equipment that was still in service on the planets he visited. He also carried small tools to repair electronic equipment, like soldering irons powered by butane gas cartridges and batteries, electronic solder, small pliers, screwdrivers and the like.

He also stocked a battery powered digital test meter and he normally stocked about twenty of these. While on the subject of batteries, let's talk about them for a moment, because they are the source of power for most of the electronic equipment used today. Most all of the batteries presently used in the cosmos are rechargeable by solar powered battery chargers, which Ronnie always kept in stock. The Empress usually had fifty chargers on board at any given time; sometimes Ronnie stocked up, and had upwards of one-hundred on the shelves. Every planet that Ronnie visited had some source of sunlight or artificial light that would power the chargers.

Medical Supplies: Once again, Ronnie only stocked the essentials. Ex-lax tablets, Imodium A-D, aspirin, sterilized suture packs with needles, toothache medicine, tooth extraction pliers, isopropyl alcohol, all types of Band-Aids and sterile dressings. Ronnie also supplied the special drugs for diabetes and other chronic medical problems the doctors used in their medical practices.

The Empress had a large quantity of Penicillin and other drugs to ward off the diseases passed on when the silly folks forgot to purchase one of Ronnie's hundred packs of condoms before the party began. Lubricated or not, ribbed or not, studded or not, reservoirs or not, used or not (just kidding).

Tobacco Products: Ronnie did not believe in smoking, but realized there was a huge market in tobacco products, so he provided the goods his customers wanted. He carried every brand of cigarette he could get his hands on, pouches of tobacco, rolling papers (lots of rolling papers), pipes, cigars, butane lighters, and wooden kitchen matches.

Chapter 3 – Connie Smith

As Ronnie left the Earth based supply depot with The Empress fully restocked, he decided to move to a low Earth orbit and put all of his purchases into their proper places, and update the computers database with the correct quantities and descriptions. Keeping the database updated with the correct quantities of each item was a major task and required that Ronnie carefully count each item as the loading crew at the depot put it aboard his vessel. Ronnie had also learned that by spending a little time in Earth's orbit, he would sometimes have customer's stop in and make purchases from him.

The Federation did not approve of some of the sales, but out here in space, no one normally bothered him or interfered with free enterprise. Ronnie had a supplier that would teleport Wacky weed directly to his vessel without going through the Export Customs Office's scrutiny, and Ronnie could often sell every bit of it even before he left Earth's orbit. It was a little risky, but often the people who made the purchases were the very ones who would have arrested him on the planet's surface. Up here, aboard Ronnie's vessel, they had no jurisdiction and really could do nothing to stop the sales, other than make Ronnie's life a little difficult the next time he tried to purchase goods from the markets.

As Ronnie completed his inventory control work, he realized another vessel was hailing him and had settled into an orbit alongside. When Ronnie answered the hail on his Super 11 radio, he found out that two Intergalactic Federation law enforcement officers wished to board his vessel. They requested to teleport aboard The Empress for supplies, and Ronnie radioed his approval. The two officer's teleported directly into the secure room of The Empress were Ronnie would fill their supply requests.

The secure room was structurally adequate to stop any intruder from gaining access to the ships interior. The viewing wall contained heavy shielding against stun guns, blasters, and conventional weapons fire. This kept Ronnie away from anyone intent on doing him or his vessel harm. The computers would dispose of any intruders by opening the floor panels and expelling the bodies out into space. When the computer opened the doors to vent the room to the atmosphere, you could be positively certain the exploding bloody mess was dead from the effects of the extreme vacuum of open space. The computer would then close the outer doors, wash the room with water and disinfecting foam, and then secure the airlock mechanism to form a vacuum seal. Ronnie was certain he was secure while inside The Empress.

As the two Intergalactic Federation law enforcement officers materialized inside The Empress's secure room, Ronnie realized they might not be there to make purchases as they had stated. They had a file folder with them and they began talking without any pleasantries or introductions. Finally, the lead cop got to the point and explained they were planning to arrest Ronnie for raping a woman on his last visit to Earth's surface. Ronnie explained they had the wrong man, but the cops were not going to listen. Ronnie continued to explain that he had in fact seduced the woman, but she was the one on top doing the actual seducing part. Apparently, her boyfriend found out and was screaming rape. Ronnie decided he was not going anywhere with these two and told them they should leave now before they got into trouble. One of the cops started to draw his pistol. As his gun cleared his holster, he found himself shooting bullets into the vacuum of open space. Ronnie laughed aloud as the computer slid the floor panels back into place and began the cleansing process to remove the mess in his secure room.

Ronnie guessed that business was not going to be very profitable today in Earth's orbit, so he set in a course for his next stop and pressed the return key on the computer console. As The Empress slowly began moving, Ronnie could see the cop's vehicle floating in space where they had boarded his vessel. Ronnie engaged the tractor beam. The vehicle moved up behind The Empress, and then slowly moved inside the cargo bay door. As the tractor beam sat the vehicle down on the steel floor of the cargo bay, Ronnie decided he would check and see if there was anything usable inside before he jettisoned the hull into deep space.

When the cargo bay was again fully pressurized, Ronnie walked to the vehicle, looked inside and then realized that the woman whom he had supposedly raped was inside the vehicle's rear seating area. She was alive and doing well but obviously pissed with all that had transpired in the last few minutes. When the woman saw that Ronnie was looking in the windows at her, she began beating on the glass and yelling. Ronnie opened the front compartments side door and she began yelling for him to let her out because she was freezing.

Ronnie stepped to the back door and pressed the button to allow the door to slide open. When she had crawled out of the back seat, she stood with her hands on her hips and tapped her toe on the floor of the cargo bay floor; obviously, she was in a distraught state of mind. When Ronnie spoke her name, Connie smiled and said, "At least you remembered my fucking name." Ronnie asked her what in the hell she was doing running around with two cops like that. She smiled and said her boyfriend had decided Ronnie must have raped her, and had filed charges against him. Connie explained that she had told the cops no rape had occurred, but the cops wanted to check out the story anyways. Ronnie smiled and told Connie that if any rape had occurred it was her raping him. Connie laughed and said that she had really enjoyed the experienced and began walking closer to Ronnie.

Ronnie stepped back away from her and spoke aloud to the computer, "Computer, perform a security check of this visitor and this vehicle sitting in my cargo bay." Connie stepped back with a very displeased look on her face and said, "No fucking computerized robot is going to search me," and began removing her boots, and then her clothing. In less than a minute, the girl was standing in the cold cargo bay, buck naked, and shivering. Ronnie walked in a circle around her and then told the computer that Connie seemed to have no obvious weapons, but he would do a more thorough search when they arrived at his ready room. Connie rolled her eyes, picked up her boots and threw one of them at Ronnie; then picked up the pile of clothing and headed for the door that had just slid open.

As they walked down the hallway to the ready room, Ronnie realized that Connie did have a very nice looking body. Her small bare butt jiggled gently as she walked in front of him. Ronnie decided he might let her take advantage of him again if things worked out. Ronnie found a warm blanket in the cabinet beside the bathroom and gently wrapped Connie in it. She smiled at him as she stepped into the bathroom and locked the door. Ronnie leaned back against the wall beside the bathroom door and listened to Connie pee. It was then that he realized it was nice to have another human aboard The Empress, especially since this human was female.

When Connie stepped out of the bathroom, she stepped up close to Ronnie and kissed him on the lips. Ronnie asked her what the kiss was for, and she told him the kiss was his reward for the warm blanket. Ronnie just smiled as she walked to the center of the ready room, dropped the blanket to the floor and started putting her clothes back on. Ronnie slapped her bare butt as he walked past her and said he did not get a chance to finish searching her for hidden weapons. She bent over in front of him and asked if anything looked dangerous to him. Ronnie's face quickly turned red as he assured Connie that everything seemed to be in perfect order.

Ronnie had a schedule to keep, but now had a visitor that needed attending to. He could not safely enter Earth's orbit long enough to teleport Connie back down to the surface to her home. He needed to sit Connie down and discuss what she wanted him to do with her, maybe he could find a transport vehicle on one of the planets he was to visit, and return her home that way. Maybe she wanted to stay with him for a while and then make a decision where she wanted to live out her days.

Ronnie suspected that if she returned to Earth, the Federation might arrest her as an accomplice in the death of the two cops. The ones who seemed to have had a tragic teleportation accident while visiting The Empress. Ronnie made up his mind that he would ask Connie to stay aboard The Empress and work with him for a while to see if she might like the lifestyle. He knew he had plenty of work to keep her busy and could pay her well for her services. Maybe with a few Galax tucked away, her life might become a little easier in the future. Ronnie felt strange around Connie, it was not a male - female thing, it was just the fact that he liked her; she interacted with him in a way that did not piss him off or give him reason to mistrust her. It was just like Connie to strip off her clothes to show she had no hidden weapons when he had questioned her and asked the computer to search her. She was just that way, everything about her was right up front; she hid nothing from a friend. The one thing that Ronnie had discovered about her was that she was very private with her body and her sex, usually that is, until she stripped naked in the cargo bay so the robot would not search her with its probes and paddles. She never had sex in the dark, never, ever. If there was no light, there was no sex. Just the opposite of most females Ronnie had befriended. Ronnie sure would like to know what that was all about and made a mental note to ask her sometime when the conversation turned in that direction.

Ronnie needed to get the Federation vehicle out of his cargo bay and make it disappear very soon. He set a course for the Andromeda Galaxy, where he could jettison the vehicle towards a large black hole where it would eventually become cosmic dust. Ronnie pressurized the cargo bay and walked out to the vehicle. He opened the front sliding doors and searched the vehicle for weapons, ammunition, or anything else he could sell or use on The Empress. When he opened the back sliding door where the cops had secured Connie, he discovered a small forth-five caliber snub-nosed pistol tucked in the crease of the seat cushion. He slid the five round ammunition clip out of the handle, and realized it was fully loaded. He opened the chamber and sure enough, the pistol had a live round in the chamber and was ready to fire. Ronnie figured Connie had hidden the pistol in the seat to keep it from discovery, but there was a chance the weapon did not belong to her. He put the pistol into his pocket and the bullets in another; Connie could explain it to him when he went back inside.

He then remembered that Connie was inside The Empress and could get herself into trouble if left alone. Ronnie spoke to the computer again, "Computer, monitor my visitor and insure she remains in my ready room." Ronnie listened for the three chirps that the computer used to signify that the order was accepted and it had implemented his command. Now Ronnie needed to finish the job he had came out here to the cargo bay to execute. He moved the vehicle into the ejection room and closed the sliding door. Ronnie could easily eject an object inside the room to the vacuum of space, simply by opening the pressured door. The rapid outflow of air would send the object hurling out into the vacuum of outer space.

With the vehicle safely stored inside the chute, Ronnie returned to the ready room. As he stepped inside, he heard water running and realized that Connie was in the shower. He smiled to himself and set a course for the Andromeda galaxy so he could rid himself of the incriminating evidence he had in his cargo bay. He pressed the execute button on the control console and The Empress instantly responded to the command.

As The Empress slowed and stopped where Ronnie had commanded, Ronnie maneuvered the vessel so the ejection chute faced the black hole of the galaxy. He pressed the button and felt the vessel shutter slightly as the door opened and closed, sending the IFTT vehicle towards its final resting place. Connie stepped into the ready room and asked what the commotion was that she had just felt. Ronnie explained what he had done with the vehicle and she smiled. Ronnie stood looking at her and also smiled, she was standing there in his ready room, very naked, rubbing her wet hair with a towel trying to dry it. Her boobs were bouncing up and down as she dried her hair, and Ronnie's eyes seemed to wander over the beautiful body that stood in front of him.

Ronnie finally turned towards the console so as not to stare. He heard Connie giggle and she explained that her clothes were in the laundry and the computer was cleaning them. Ronnie did not turn around, but said there was a white bathrobe in the closet across the hallway from the bathroom that she could have while she was aboard. She spoke to Ronnie, and this time he did turn to look at her. She had said, "Does my body offend you?" Ronnie looked her in the eyes and said he liked looking at her body, but it did make him feel rather uncomfortable. "You do have a sister that you grew up with, do you not," she asked. Ronnie said he did, but she never ran around naked. Connie turned around, went to the closet and put on the white robe. She looked at him and asked, "Better now?" Ronnie just smiled at her.

She continued to look at him and finally Ronnie asked, "What are you looking at Connie?" Her answer surprised him, "Looks like you either found my gun, or my naked body really did make an impression on you." Ronnie removed the pistol from his pants pocket and laid it on the table. As Connie finished drying her hair, Ronnie began talking to her. He asked Connie if she had any plans for the future, or if he could offer her a job, now that returning to Earth would be difficult.

Connie got a real big smile on her face and said she did not want to return to Earth, even if she could. Her old boyfriend had shown his true colors when he got so possessive and tried to control everything about her life. She walked up really close to Ronnie, looked him in the eyes and asked him one simple question, "Can you and I work together without our sex interfering?" Ronnie considered the question for a moment, sat down in the captain's chair beside the control console and then answered her question. "Connie I hope to have sex with you again, I will say that right up front, but our being male and female will not be any problem with the work that needs doing here on The Empress. This vessel will keep both of us very busy. I will pay you a very fair wage, which you can hide away for your future. The Galax you earn while working with me will be safe here on this vessel, controlled by the computer and your password. You can walk away from this vessel anytime you need to. I will not attempt to control your life in any way; however, I will in fact control the quality of your work here on The Empress to insure our safety, and the prosperity of the business venture."

Connie considered his answer a moment, and then asked him another question, "Do you think we can get along without arguing and fighting continuously. We are both very set in our ways, and I know that you can get very upset when things don't go your way." Ronnie laughed at the question, but considered the question legitimate, and began to answer. "Connie, I cannot guarantee anything, but when I am around you I seem to mellow and my judgmental attitude seems to fade away. I can tolerate anything you do or say. When I do get pissed off at you, it seems easy enough to just explain myself to you and get over it." Connie reached down with her hand and shook Ronnie's hand. "Thanks boss for the job; can I fix us some supper before we begin work?" Connie asked. Ronnie snickered and said that meal preparation should be a shared duty.

He stood up, and as he did, Connie pressed her lips to his, stepped back, then looked down to her feet and said, "Thanks for rescuing me from the mess I seemed to have gotten us into." Ronnie kissed her lips and said, "Welcome aboard my friend, I hope this works out well. I get very lonesome here in this vessel, but I could never allow anyone else to enter until you came into my life." Ronnie looked into Connie's eyes and said, "I just may have found a partner in this business venture if we can work things out in the next few weeks." Connie's reply made Ronnie feel good about his instincts as she said, "If we can work that out, I would be most grateful, and I will try to do my very best to help build this business under your guidance."

Chapter 4 – Planet Quantum

Ronnie set a course for the planet Quantum in the galaxy of Fusion. This galaxy was located in Universe Number Two, the same universe where Earth is located. Ronnie was planning to spend a couple of weeks laying low with his sister and her two lovely daughters. Frederica was twelve years old, and Monica was ten last week. Ronnie planned to take them both belated birthday presents on this trip. He would also introduce Connie to his sister and his nieces. They should get along great, but you just never know about women.

When they arrived in the planets orbit, the Director of Operations gave them permission to teleport down to the surface, directly to the front porch of Janet's home. When they materialized, Ronnie heard Connie swear quietly, and then watched as she crawled across the porch on her hands and knees to the flowerbed. Ronnie was not sure what was wrong with her, but she was now lying over the edge of the wooden porch on her belly, puking her supper to the ground below. Just then, Janet stepped out on the porch to see what was going on and found her brother kneeling down over a woman lying on her belly, puking in the flowerbed. Janet quickly kneeled down on the other side of Connie and spoke quietly to Ronnie until Connie's stomach seemed to settle down a little. Janet asked Connie if she could sit up now. Connie rolled over, sat up and Janet helped her lean back against the wall. Connie was very pale and when she finally spoke, her voice trembled.

Ronnie asked her if she was ill or if the teleportation had upset her body. Connie said it was the teleportation thing. Janet went inside, got a glass of water for Connie and then got her to her feet. They went inside the house and Connie sat down on the edge of the sofa. Janet stood in front of her, and then showed Connie where the bathroom was in case her stomach turned upside down again. Connie was beginning to get her color back, and Ronnie introduced everyone. The girls were at school and would not be teleported home for another hour. Connie apologized to Janet for the mess in her flowerbed, but Janet said the rains would fix that problem tonight. Connie told Ronnie she had never teleported before and was not sure she was going to like this new method of transportation. Ronnie put his hand on her shoulder and explained that some humans had trouble the first few times they teleported, but the problem should diminish and finally go away.

Ronnie said he would get some medicine for her to take before she teleported back to The Empress in a few hours. Janet looked at her brother and said, "Connie is going nowhere tonight, she can sleep right here and get herself under control." Janet made them some hot tea and Connie said that helped a lot; the color had now returned to her cheeks and she looked as if she might survive the ordeal. Ronnie said that he would really like Connie to spend the night at The Empress if she was able. He said he would go and get her some medicine to take an hour before they planned to teleported again. Ronnie stood up, touched Connie's shoulder, and then walked the two blocks to the pharmacy.

While he was gone to the pharmacy, the two girls got to know each other. Connie explained to Janet how she and Ronnie had met, but left out the parts about the two cops and about the sexual encounter on planet Earth. Ronnie had just stepped in the porch door to the kitchen when the girls teleported into the center of the living room. Their arrival startled Connie and she put her fingers over her mouth to stifle the words that spewed from her lips. The girls looked around the room, smiled at their mother, said, "Hello" to Connie, and then ran to Ronnie.

Ronnie hugged on the girls for a few minutes, caught himself up on all the latest boyfriends, and then walked the girls to where Connie sat on the couch and introduced everyone. With the introductions complete, Janet asked Ronnie if he and Connie would stay for supper. Ronnie said they could, and Connie asked if she could help prepare supper. Janet stood up, took Connie's hand and walked with her to the kitchen. When they had washed their hands and gotten the food out of the refrigerator to begin cooking, Janet got Connie started preparing salads while she put the meat on the gas grill in the range top. It only took the girls about thirty minutes to prepare supper.

Frederica and Monica had set the table, with expert guidance from Ronnie on proper napkin folding techniques. When it was time to sit down at the table, Ronnie put a birthday card on each of the girl's dinner plates before they sat down. Ronnie pulled the chairs out and helped all four of his girl's take their chairs. With everyone seated, Ronnie asked Janet if the girls could open their cards before they ate. They quickly opened the cards, read them, and then opened the second page. They each found a gold Galax coin taped inside the cards. It was a lot of money, but Ronnie knew that Janet struggled to dress the girls and provide for them, so the extra money helped. What Janet did not know was that when Ronnie had went to the pharmacy for Connie's medicine, he had stopped at the grocery store and talked to the owner that he had known for years and asked him to deliver fifty Milli-Galax (500 US dollars) of food tomorrow morning to help his sister. She would not take her brothers money, but she had no choice when Ronnie had groceries delivered and she could not refuse the delivery. Ronnie knew she would cry tears tomorrow and act pissed at him, but that was okay, Ronnie knew her financial situation very well. Ronnie would make sure he warned Connie about Janet's tears before they happened so she would understand what was going on. Dinner was very good and the food made Connie's stomach feel much better. She had puked up her lunch so she was starving by suppertime.

When supper was over, Connie offered to help do the dishes, but Janet said that she and the girls would take care of the dishes, and asked Ronnie to show Connie around the neighborhood. As Ronnie and Connie walked, Ronnie took the opportunity to explain the food delivery tomorrow and the possibility of Janet's tears. Connie stopped walking, took Ronnie's hand in hers and said, "Ronnie, I just wanted to thank you for being understanding with me when I puked up my lunch this afternoon, and I also what to tell you that the love I just saw between your family gives me hope that there are some really good people left in this universe." Then she leaned up and planted a kiss on Ronnie's cheek. Ronnie put his arm around her shoulders as they began walking again.

When they got back to the house, Ronnie explained to Connie that they really should spend the night at The Empress. The young girls were off doing something, and Ronnie spoke softly to Connie and his sister, explaining that if the Federation would actually track him down, he did not want them to connect him to his sister's home. He wanted them to think that he had stopped in for a visit and then left. Janet would not have to lie about anything, just tell the Federation that Ronnie had left and she did not know where he went. Janet asked if he had done something horrible, and Ronnie told her that he had killed two Federation cops, but could blame the whole thing on a teleportation error at this point. The only real crime right now was not sticking around and explaining the incident to the Federation. This lie might save his and Connie's asses if the Federation cops found The Empress.

Neither Ronnie nor Connie said anything about the rape charges filed against Ronnie. Ronnie hoped that Connie could help clear those charges if they went to Federal court. When Ronnie and Connie had said their goodbyes to the girls, Ronnie walked Connie to the porch where they had arrive, took hold of her hand, and pressed the green button on his travel watch. When Connie's feet hit the floor of the ready room, she quickly reached for the trashcan sitting beside the console. She put her head over the can and began the process of puking her supper into the trashcan. As she calmed herself, she finally looked at Ronnie and said, "So this fucking medicine I took to help me with this little problem, explain that again. Other than the fact that it looks real pretty pink in the bottom of this trashcan, I don't see the good in it." She puked again, then sat back, leaned against the wall and tried to compose herself. Ronnie took two more of the tablets out of the bottle, gave them to her with a tiny cup of water. She looked at them with disgust, but finally swallowed them with the help of the water. Connie finally picked up the trashcan and started walking to the bathroom to empty and clean it. Ronnie asked if she needed him to take care of the puke, and she answered, "No, I can handle it okay, but thanks anyways."

Ronnie knew that he needed to get a handle on this problem quickly or Connie was going to be very thin and dehydrated in another week, and she was already too skinny. Ronnie went to the ready room and made a radio call back to the pharmacy he had purchased the pills from to get more information. The pharmacist gave Ronnie a whole list of things to do, but the biggest was to take the pills an hour before she teleported, then five minutes later after she quit puking. He explained that the pills should work, but Connie might have to work up a schedule to eat long before or after any teleportation so she could at least get some nutrition from the food she ate. He also said to try putting his arms around Connie and hugging her close before teleporting. He said he did not know why, but it worked with some people. The close body contact seemed to change the way the human body's atoms reassembled at the end of the teleportation process, and prevented the inner ear imbalance that produced the nausea.

When Connie walked back into the ready room, she walked up behind Ronnie and looked over his shoulder at the monitor screen. She saw a list of things to try to prevent the distress of teleportation. She realized the top item on the list was about the proper use of the pills, and the second item on the list that worked the best was the hug. Connie giggled as she read the second item, then asked Ronnie if he could deal with a woman who would puke on his shoulder as they teleported. Ronnie said that she should try it before she scoffed at the idea, because the pharmacist said it worked very well on many of his patients. Connie squeezed his shoulder and asked if he knew some place that they could teleport to and test the theory right now. She said her stomach was empty, so it was good time to test things out. Ronnie stood up and said they could teleport back to the planet Quantum if she wanted to. They could stabilize in the park just down the street from the pharmacy. Ronnie put his arms around Connie and held her very tight; she put her head on his shoulder. Ronnie pushed the green button on his travel watch and they were standing in the park, still hugging. Ronnie finally spoke to her, "So how do you feel right now," he asked. She said nothing, but released her grip on his body and stepped back. She began smiling from ear to ear and said, "I feel quite fine, thank you." She turned around and walked a little to be sure the feelings were not going to sneak up on her. She looked at Ronnie and reminded him that her stomach was empty. She smiled and said, "Maybe I should eat some food and then test this again." Ronnie, reached out, took her hands and pulled her close. She rested her head on his shoulder and he pushed the green button once again. They now stood in the ready room and Ronnie quickly grabbed the trashcan, just in case the second time was the charm. Connie put her hands on her hips and said, "We will not look very professional with this technique, but it certainly seems to work." Ronnie smiled and said he did not care how professional it was, the result was the important thing right now.

They went into the kitchen and Ronnie showed Connie around the kitchen area. He knew she would be starving in a little while. He took twenty minutes making sure she understood the food replicator and the beverage replication system. Then he began showing her every nook and cranny of The Empress. He showed her how the computer inventory system worked, how to find any item she might need, and how to label the item she removed from inventory so they could replace it later. He showed her how to locate the clothing she would need, such as socks, underwear, flight suits, and boots, and then helped her retrieve the items she needed from the inventory control locker. He helped her pick out a toothbrush, soap, washcloths, towels, and then they covered her bed with the things they had found in inventory. They put all her belongings into the dresser drawers, and closet. As they walked back to the computer console, Connie asked if she could search for one last item she needed. Ronnie stepped back from the screen and let her think her way through the process. Soon she heard the chuckle leave his lips and she elbowed him in the ribs. The items shown on the monitor screen were tampons. Ronnie handed her a pad of paper and a pencil, she wrote down the location and headed off to find the tampons. She did very well and Ronnie was pleased. She had grasped the concepts very quickly, and was not awe struck by the vastness of the inventory on The Empress.

Ronnie sat Connie down in the copilot's chair and said they needed to allow her to interact with the computer by voice commands. Connie stared straight ahead, but Ronnie could see that the computers voice did intimidate her. He spoke to the computer using very simple commands to turn on the cabin lights, spoke again, and turned the lights off. Ronnie asked the computer to turn the heat up one degree and then to return the heat back to normal. Ronnie had programmed the computers voice to be a deep masculine voice, easily distinguishable from his own. Ronnie spoke again to the computer and said, "Computer, the female sitting in the copilot's seat is named, Connie." The computer said, "Hello Connie." Connie looked at Ronnie and he motioned with his hand for her to speak to the computer. Connie finally managed the words, "Hello computer, I hope you do not mind me staying here in your vessel." Ronnie snickered, but said nothing. The computer then spoke again to Connie. "You are welcome here Connie. Ronnie's mind tells me that we will be working together, performing inventory control and maintenance on the equipment inside this travel membrane." Connie now seemed to have gained her ability to interact with the computer and asked the computer if she could, drive, The Empress. The computer remained quiet for a long moment, and then addressed Connie. "Connie, if your meaning for the word, drive, means to point this vessel in the correct direction and turn the steering wheel to maintain that relative direction, the answer is, no. If your question refers to inputting a travel destination and allowing me to guide you to that destination, then the answer is, yes. However, that control function is password protected and Ronnie will need to give you the proper passwords to drive this vessel." Connie quickly countered the computers answer with another question. "If Ronnie died of a heart attack in his sleep, would you then allow me to drive?" Ronnie laughed aloud at her question, but the computer followed her train of thought and said, "Connie, you must understand that I would not allow that medical emergency to occur so your question cannot be answered as it stands. Would you like to reword the question and ask it again?" Connie struggled for another way to solve the problem, but finally gave up for now and said, "Computer, I will ask the question again at a later time, thank you for talking with me."

When Connie looked to Ronnie, he had tears running down his cheeks from laughing. Ronnie reached over and put his hand on Connie's and replied, "Connie, I will teach you how to drive after you have been on board awhile and understand the systems operation a little better." Ronnie sat in his chair at the control console trying to remember the last time anyone had made him laugh until his stomach hurt. He could not remember the last time, but decided that Connie was a very nice addition to The Empress, even if he did hate puke. As they sat at the control console and talked, Ronnie heard Connie's stomach begin protesting its lack of food. He asked her if she was hungry. She looked him in the eyes and said she was starving, but was still afraid to eat. She told Ronnie she would wait a little longer.

Ronnie stood up and said he needed to eat a little now and headed towards the kitchen. Connie sat in the copilot's chair, and in a few moments closed her eyes and fell asleep. When Ronnie had a bowl of soup heated, he sat down at the kitchen table, turned on the video monitor and watched a broadcast coming from planet Quantum. He touched the remote control lying on the table beside him and the monitor screen displayed a split screen, left side was the news broadcast, right side was a picture the computer was sending him of Connie sitting in the copilot's chair, sound asleep. Ronnie chuckled to himself and decided once again that it was nice to have human company aboard The Empress.

Ronnie spoke to the computer, "Computer, would you wake Connie, then see that she gets a shower, clean clothes, food if she desires, and then tucked into bed." The computer remained quiet for a moment but then questioned Ronnie. "Ronnie, I will do as you have instructed, but would you define you're meaning for the words, tucked into bed?" Ronnie chuckled to himself, forgetting that the computer was not accustomed to gentle feminine words like, _tucked into bed_. The computer was used to hearing, "Put the bitch into her bed and be fucking quick about it." Ronnie thought a second then explained to the computer, "Computer, tucked into bed means to make sure that Connie has enough blankets to stay warm through the night, and that you watch over her. If she needs anything during the night, provide it for her. If she needs food or a drink during the night, be sure she is able to operate the replicators. If she needs to use the bathroom during the night, turn on the light for her so she can find her way." The computer responded with another question, "Ronnie, do all human females require this, tucking into bed, or is Connie special?"

The question from the computer surprised Ronnie; he chuckled to himself as he answered the question. "Computer, Connie will be staying with us for an extended period of time and I would like to make her feel comfortable and respected here on The Empress. She most certainly will prove to be very valuable to this business venture, and yes, I do consider her very special. I find that her presence around me makes me feel happy, and I enjoy her company." As the last word left his mouth, Connie stepped around the corner of the kitchen doorway. She leaned against the doorway smiling at Ronnie. Ronnie was certain his cheeks must have blushed, but he managed to speak softly to Connie. As she stepped into the kitchen, she walked up behind him and put her hands on his shoulders. She did not say anything, but leaned down and kissed Ronnie's neck. She finally spoke, saying that she had decided she was hungry and very thirsty. Ronnie told her if she needed any help with the replicators, to ask.

When Connie had gotten the food she wanted and a hot cup of coffee, she sat down at the table with him. She sat quietly, not knowing if she should talk or keep her mouth shut. She finally could not keep the words inside her head one more second, looked into Ronnie's eyes and said, "I liked your explanation for, _tucked into bed_ that you provided to the computer. Thanks for putting up with me today. You will soon discover that you will need to add three more words to your vocabulary, and you may need to use them often. The words will be, _Connie, shut up_." Ronnie began laughing again, reached over, touched her hand, and explained that it was nice to hear a female voice, and he would not often tell her to shut up.

When Connie had finished her meal, she said aloud, "Computer, where do I dispose of the dirty table wear when I am done using it?" The computer explained the process to her, and as she walked past Ronnie, she said, "Good night, Ronnie," then spoke again, "Computer, would you now tuck me into bed." As she walked through the kitchen door, Ronnie spoke to the computer. "Computer, would you please warn me when Connie is listening to my voice so I can refrain from embarrassing either of us." Then he heard Connie speak to the computer as she stood in the hallway, "Computer, disregard the last command Ronnie just gave you. Always allow me to hear his spoken words so I can understand how our friendship is evolving." Ronnie felt a feeling deep inside his soul, a feeling that maybe he wanted this female human aboard The Empress, and maybe he needed her here to restore his ability to interact with the human race once again. It felt good not to be angry every second of the day.

Ronnie had the monitor in the kitchen watching the computer tuck Connie into bed. When she walked out of the bathroom and headed for her bed, Ronnie realized she was very naked. Ronnie smiled to himself and switched the monitor to the cargo bay. The computer spoke to him, "Ronnie, I provided pajamas for Connie to sleep in but she left them lying on the end of the bed, and is now sleeping without clothing." Ronnie smiled, and then wondered if he had programmed a little too much masculinity into the computer, if it was now noticing the naked body of Connie. Ronnie spoke to the computer and acknowledged the missing pajamas, explaining to the computer that some humans do sleep in the nude, and it is a perfectly acceptable behavior.

Chapter 5 – Universe Number Six

Ronnie had just fallen asleep when the computer spoke to him with a voice inflection that Ronnie knew meant there was a serious problem. As Ronnie's feet hit the floor, he heard Connie talking in the hallway and coming towards his doorway. When she walked into his room she had the pajamas on, and the computer was blabbering away to her. She walked up very close to Ronnie, but said nothing, instead letting the computer and Ronnie interface. Connie knew that the problem was serious and she stepped back to allow Ronnie room to finish dressing. Ronnie told Connie she needed to dress in her clothes and boots quickly, as they needed to visit his sister Janet and the girls immediately.

Connie ran to her room and returned buttoning up her shirt as she walked into the ready room. She listened and soon realized the problem. She quickly sat down on a chair and tied the laces of her boots. She stood up, waited for Ronnie to finish fastening the buckle of his weapons belt he now had around his waist. When he was ready, she stepped up very close to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, rested her head on his shoulder and prepared to teleport to the planet Quantum's surface.

Ronnie touched the green button on his travel watch and they were instantly standing on the front porch of Janet's house. Ronnie told Connie to remain motionless for a moment to be sure they were alone, and to insure her body was stable, as he needed her well and functioning to assist him in getting the girls back to The Empress quickly. Ronnie knocked very hard on the front door, then removed a key from his pocket and unlocked the door, stepped inside and spoke loudly to insure that Janet and the girls recognized his voice. When Janet came running into the kitchen, Ronnie spoke to her, explained they were all in grave danger and needed to board The Empress immediately. Connie was already wrapping Monica in a blanket and picking her up in her arms, and then quickly lifted Frederica into her other arm.

Janet had grabbed a weapon, her money belt from the safe and moved to Ronnie's side. They all held each other close as Ronnie pressed the green button on his travel watch. They were all now standing inside the ready room, and Connie began moving the girls into the kitchen to get them out of Ronnie's way. He needed only his sister Janet with him in the ready room for now. Connie settled the girls on the sofa along side of the kitchen area, and began calming them. Then she began answering Frederica's questions, trying to tell her the truth without frightening her to death. Connie made the girls some hot chocolate, put miniature marshmallows on top and sat with them as they regained their composure.

Janet stepped into the kitchen area, saw the girls needed nothing that Connie had not already provided them and returned to the ready room with her brother. Connie felt a tiny bit of movement, as if a light wind had blown on the side of The Empress, but felt nothing more to indicate they were traveling. Then Janet stepped into the kitchen she told Connie that she should go to the ready room; then listen quietly to Ronnie and the computer discuss the problem and their plans. Janet sat down with her girls as Connie quickly moved into the ready room, sat down in the copilot's seat, watched the monitor screen and listened to the computer and Ronnie work.

Ronnie finished discussing the problem with someone he knew very well on a secure radio channel, then leaned back in his captain's chair, turned his head to Connie and smiled. He asked how she was doing and if the teleportation had upset her body. Connie told him she was too busy worrying about the children to be sick. Ronnie reached over, squeezed her hand and said she had done very well with the emergency. "You did exactly what I needed you to do without one word of instruction. You handled the situation like a professional. Welcome aboard Connie, but I need to tell you that I am sorry to put you and my family through this mess." Connie reminded him that her boyfriend was the one who had created this mess in the first place.

The radio crackled to life and Ronnie was once again talking to someone on the secure channel. Ronnie said they would move into a geosynchronous orbit so the planet would block them from the Federation cops scanning from the direction of Earth. Connie reached up to the keyboard in front of her and typed in the words, define, geosynchronous orbit. The monitor screen quickly filled with a description explaining that the geosynchronous orbit would lock The Empress in a stable position, so the planet Earth would never move into their view, possibly hiding them from the Federation scanners.

Connie asked Ronnie how the Federation had found them. Ronnie said the Federation knew the last location where the cops had visited, which was The Empress. They used that eleventh-dimension string energy signature to identify The Empress, and then scanned the universe until they found an identical signature. Connie then wanted to know if the Federation could find them at their new home just as easily as they found them the first time. Ronnie smiled and said that they were traveling to a different universe, so far from Earth that the Federations scanners should not easily find them. They would also be hiding behind a planet making it very difficult for the Federation to scan them if they did enter this universe. Even if they did locate them, they had no jurisdiction or extradition rights in Universe Number Six. Connie asked how many universes there were, other than the one that contained the planet Earth. Ronnie said he did not know exactly but he read a report a month or so ago, that said the astrophysicists' had discovered sixty-four at the time of the report.

As Ronnie talked to Connie, the travel computer began the process of jump-out from Universe Number Two (the universe that planet Earth is located in), then within another few minutes began the jump-in process into the speck that was Universe Number Six, the universe that would ultimately hide The Empress and its occupants. Within seconds, the sound of an entity speaking Chitter came across the Super 11 radio transponder. The voice asked Ronnie for identification and Ronnie quickly began identifying The Empress. He gave his own name, his Federation I.D. number, and the number of occupants aboard The Empress. Ronnie spoke and spelled the names of each of his crewmembers aboard The Empress, and the radio went silent. Connie could not contain herself and asked if something was wrong? Ronnie smiled at her and said, "Connie, shut up." Connie smiled back, folded her hands in her lap, and sat quietly listening for the radio operator to give them clearance to continue. It seemed like hours to Connie, but the operator soon came back and cleared Ronnie to continue towards the destination shown in his flight plan.

As Ronnie settled The Empress into the geosynchronous orbit around the planet of Keemus, Ronnie told Connie she could now talk and ask as many questions as she needed. Connie looked at him and said, "I am much to pissed at you for telling me to shut up to have a civil conversation with you in the next few hours or at least until you apologize for being so rude to me, but I do have one question that needs to be answered." Ronnie began to speak, but was interrupted by Connie, so he shut his mouth and waited. Connie continued talking, as if she would explode if she did not speak the words she had stored in her mind. Connie finally asked, "What universe did Janet and the girls live in?" Ronnie explained that they lived in the same universe as planet Earth, but in a different galaxy, one called Fusion. Connie only thought a moment or so, and then started to ask what universe they were in right now, but did not finish the question. Instead, she said that she needed to help get two girls into a bed where they could try to settle down and get some sleep.

Ronnie asked Connie to put Janet and the girls into her room for now and he would create a room for her in a few minutes. Ronnie asked Connie to come back to the ready room if she wanted to see how he created new living spaces and rearranged the furniture in The Empress using the computers software. Connie asked if she could move the furniture, and Ronnie said she certainly could, because he had a sore back. Connie walked out of the ready room, then walked back around, swatted Ronnie on the shoulder and said "Ha - ha, real funny."

Connie helped the girls move their stuff into her room and then left them to get ready for bed on their own. She moved her stuff into Ronnie's room until Ronnie created her new quarters. Connie then found two blankets for her and Janet to wrap up in, as they were both tired and cold. Connie made herself and Janet a cup of hot chocolate, and then they both went to the ready room to help Ronnie create new quarters for Connie.

Ronnie had Connie sit down in the copilot's seat and began showing her how to first create a room, and then add a door, then closets. Since this was going to be Connie's room for as long as she was aboard The Empress, he let her located the bed, the bathroom, the dresser, the monitor screen, and all the other things the room required to make her comfortable. With the rooms layout safely stored in the computer software, Connie looked at him and said, "Well, we have a nice design; but who does all the work to actually create the thing?" Ronnie looked at her and said, "You do, my dear." Connie just looked at him, not understanding. Finally, Connie commented, "I am not a carpenter, or an electrician, or a plumber." Ronnie laughed and explained that once they had created the room in software, the computer would modify the travel membrane to match the new floor plan. Connie said, "No, you are just teasing me again. I am too tired for jokes, so quit fucking with me." Ronnie laughed, asked Connie to press the enter button. She did, and a dialogue box appeared asking for a password before reconfiguring the membrane. Ronnie spoke to the computer so it understood his voiceprint, and the screen displayed a second box that stated, "Reconfiguration complete."

The computer spoke to Ronnie, explaining that they could now enter Connie's new quarters. Just then, Frederica and Monica entered the ready room. Ronnie stood up and asked the girls if they would like to inspect Connie's new quarters. Both girls laughed at Ronnie as he walked out of the ready room and down the hallway. The girls followed and now Connie realized there was another door in the hallway, just past the existing bathroom that was not there a few minutes ago. She stepped past Ronnie and opened the door, expecting Ronnie to say, "Stupid girl," but he did not. Connie turned the door handle and the door opened. She stepped inside her new living quarters. She walked to the bed and it was real, she turned on the faucet in the sink and it worked. She turned on the monitor and it worked. Connie stood in the center of the room and said, "Incredible, simple incredible."

Ronnie went back to the ready room and created another room with two beds for the girls to share. When the room was complete, Ronnie said that he would help Janet modify her room, make it more comfortable and put in a few of the things that would make it, her room. Next, Ronnie let the girls rearrange the kitchen and dining area as they wanted, adding in proper lighting, work counters, an eating table with proper chairs, sinks with running water, and a hundred other things the girls decided were essential. When they were very satisfied with their layout, Ronnie spoke to the computer, and the computer made the changes and displayed the message on the screen, "Reconfiguration complete." The girls almost tripped over each other getting to the new kitchen to see the results of their labors. They both had smiles, and were very satisfied.

It was about two hours later when the girls woke up from their short night's sleep. Janet and Connie took turns rearranging their rooms to make tiny little improvements. When Connie was certain she was happy with the layout, she asked Ronnie if he would do her the pleasure of rearranging her room. Ronnie spoke to the computer with his mind, and then typed a note on the screen in front of Connie with a password. Ronnie asked the computer to create a file for Connie to use to store the things that were personal and important to her. When the file appeared, Ronnie used his finger to drag the password name into the folder. Then he tapped it twice and the file opened. Ronnie spoke aloud to the computer, "Computer, please make this file accessible only to Connie. This is her personal hiding place and no one including myself needs access to it. Computer, would you please explain to Connie who has access to Connie's personal file?" The computer, spoke aloud, "Ronnie, only Connie and I have access to this file, and only in an emergency will I access it." Ronnie spoke to the computer one more time, "Computer, I give verbal access for Connie to be able to rearrange her room as it suits her. Please check any changes Connie makes for safety and proper protocol before complying, and then implement the changes as she wishes." The computer responded with three chirps, signaling its acknowledgement.

Connie leaned over and kissed Ronnie on the cheek. He blushed, stood up and left the room. Janet sat down in Ronnie's captain's chair, and began talking to Connie. Connie made a statement that surprised Janet. Connie looked into Janet's eyes and said, "I hope I did not embarrass Ronnie with that kiss; I have very strong feelings towards your brother, but must learn to keep those feelings to myself because Ronnie only tolerates me because he does not know what else to do with me." Janet sat quietly thinking about what Connie had just said, but could not keep her thoughts to herself any longer. Finally, Janet decided to speak her mind and said, "Connie, I think you are a very confused female. You need to close your mouth around Ronnie and spend a little more time looking into his eyes and listening to the words coming from his mouth. He likes you a lot, so much I can see him about to jump out of his skin when you touch him or make eye contact with him. He is in the kitchen right now drinking coffee, go have coffee with him and pay attention to his feelings towards you." When Connie did not move, Janet said, "The longer you wait and think about it, the less time you have to spend alone with him before the girls wake up and occupy every moment of his time." Connie stood up, reached down and put her hand on Janet's shoulder, then turned and walked into the kitchen.

Chapter 6 – The Marriage Proposal

Connie sat at the new kitchen table and talked to Ronnie about how his sister Janet and the girls were going to cope with the sudden loss of their home and friends. Ronnie said he had always wanted Janet to move away from the planet Quantum, but not this way. As they talked, the computer announced that a radio message was waiting for Ronnie. Ronnie stood up, walked to the ready room and sat down in the copilot's seat. He smiled at his sister Janet who was sitting in the pilot's seat and seemed to have fallen asleep. He listened to the message stored on the computers message system, then keyed the mike and waited for his friend Timms to answer. Ronnie noticed out of the corner of his eye that Connie had stepped into the ready room. When Connie realized Ronnie was on the radio she started to leave. Ronnie motioned for her to sit down in the chair behind him. When she had seated herself in a chair behind Janet, he explained that his friend Timms had some information about the Federation to pass on to him. He told Connie that she probably would want to listen in on the conversation.

When Timms answered to the radio, Ronnie exchanged pleasantries for a moment. Then he asked Timms if it was all right for his crew (Connie and Janet) to listen in on the conversation. Connie heard Timms ask Ronnie if this Connie was the same woman the Federation had been looking for. Ronnie explained to Timms that this Connie was the same person. Timms then asked how Connie was doing after the violent rape she had endured? Ronnie laughed, and then explained that the rape charges stemmed from the jilted boyfriends anger, and not from Connie.

Janet was now staring at her brother with looks that could kill. Ronnie smiled at Janet, but she did not smile back. As they talked, Timms slowly got to the point of his radio call. Timms explained that the Federation had decided the two cops, Connie, and the new travel vessel they were commanding were involved in a string of events that had destroyed three other new travel computer systems the Federation had just purchased. There seemed to be a problem with the teleportation systems. It seemed that the new travel vessels and the occupants would simply blink out of existence whenever the operator tried to engage the ship-to-ship teleport systems. Timms also told Ronnie that the Federation had no idea that Connie was still alive, and that he was surprised to hear she was doing well. Then he said, "I assume the cops are dead?"

Ronnie acknowledged that they had in fact died in a horrible accident. Timms laughed aloud, the laugh came deep from his belly and the sound made Connie giggle. Connie quickly put her fingers over her lips to stifle the sound. Ronnie asked why the Federation had hunted him down on the planet Quantum. Timms explained that the IFTT had dropped the rape charges and only wanted to discuss the accident with him. They simply wanted to ask if he had any communications with the cops, and to ask if he had seen what happened. They just wanted to close the books on the incident. Ronnie asked Timms if he thought The Empress should contact the Federation and talk to them. Timms said it would be the best thing to do; that simple act might keep The Empress on the good side of the Federation. Ronnie said he would take care of that later today. Timms said he had to run; spoke a kind word to Connie and Janet, then cleared the channel.

Ronnie hung up the microphone, looked to Connie, and found she was crying. Ronnie put his hand on her arm and asked, "Why the tears?" Connie started to talk, choked a little, started over and said she would miss her friends on Earth terribly, but did not really want to confess to the Federation that she was aboard The Empress. She said that it might be a little hard to explain how she was safely aboard this vessel and both cops were dead. Ronnie assured her it would be very difficult to explain. Ronnie said he did not really want to spend any time in the Federation penal system if possible. Connie point-blank asked Ronnie a question that felt to him like an act of desperation. "Ronnie, will you allow me to stay aboard The Empress until I can figure out where I can live out my days?" Ronnie did not have to think long over his answer, and tried hard to reassure Connie that she was welcome aboard The Empress. Connie looked at Ronnie and finally asked, "Exactly what are you saying Ronnie." Ronnie could contain himself no longer and turn his comment into a question that Connie could not possibly mistake. "Connie, I have fallen in love with you and would like to one day marry you and live out my days with you. Connie, would you please stay here with me on The Empress, until we have time to test our ability to live as husband and wife. You do not have to give me an answer about marrying me just yet, but please consider it."

Connie sat quietly, but now the tears were dripping off her chin. She squeezed Ronnie's hand and said, "Ronnie, I do not have to think very hard about your question. I will stay with you and will consider your offer about marriage. I fell in love with you long before I arrived here on The Empress, so the decision is not difficult." There was a small snicker behind them and Ronnie turned to see the faces of Frederica, Monica standing behind them. Connie looked at Ronnie and said, "Ronnie, I don't think you need to tell your family about our relationship, I think they already know."

It was then that Frederica asked her mother why Ronnie did not propose on his knees as they did in the movies. Ronnie stood up from the console, held out his hand for Connie to take, gently pulled her to her feet, kneeled down in front of her and asked the question again. "Connie, will you marry me?" He remained on his knees and waited for her answer. She put her hands on his shoulder and said, "Ronnie I love you and I will marry you. I plan to turn you into respectable chapman." Ronnie stood up and kissed Connie, not once, but three times. Then he looked down at Frederica and asked if he had done her proud. She smiled and then began to blush. Ronnie kneeled down to her and asked why she had blushed; did his marriage proposal embarrass her? She put her arms around Ronnie's neck and said, "This means I will have cousins to play with; right?" Ronnie quickly looked at Connie and said, "Frederica, let's not rush things, here. Connie has just agreed to marry me, let's not put babies in her belly just yet." Janet stood up, kissed Ronnie on the cheek, reached out her hand, then smiled and winked to Connie. As Janet escorted the girls to the kitchen to prepare lunch, Connie put her arms around Ronnie and just hugged him for a moment. Ronnie leaned down and kissed her.

As they stood, Ronnie said that they should sit down and call the Federation. Connie asked what he was going to tell them about her. Ronnie said he was going to let the Federation consider her dead along with the Federation cops unless she had another idea or suggestion. Connie said she would like to let it stay that way. She touched Ronnie's hand and asked him, "Would you mind if when we marry, I not only change my last name to yours, but also acquire a new first name?" Ronnie asked her why, and she said she might be able to work around the Federation if she changed her name and they registered her new name on the planet Quantum when they married there. Ronnie asked what his Fiancée might want her name to be once they were married. Connie thought a moment and then said, "Angela Irene Yutaka." Ronnie just stared at her a moment and then asked, "I understand the last name of course, but help me with the first and middle names, please." Connie began the explanation. She said, "Of course your last name Yutaka means fisherman. Angela was my mother's first name. The middle name of Irene will always remind me of The Empress. The name Irene I chose from the Empress Irene, the Empress of Athens Greece. Whenever someone speaks my middle name, I will always remember the love I found here on The Empress." Ronnie smiled and said, "You must have thought about this for a second of two. How did you come up with all these great names so quickly?" Connie shrugged her shoulders and said, "I am a quick study; did you not notice?" Ronnie assured her that he certainly had noticed.

Ronnie and Connie sat down at the control console and prepared themselves to make the call to the Federation. Connie was to say nothing, keep perfectly still, not giggle or make any sound. Ronnie told Connie they would work up papers for her identification later, but for now she did not exist, she was dead. Connie took hold of Ronnie's hand, moved it to her breast and asked if that felt _dead_ to him. Ronnie blushed, and Connie began to giggle about his red cheeks. Ronnie put his finger on her lips and said "Connie, shut up" as he input the radio frequencies of the Federation into the Super 11 transceiver.

It was only a few moments and someone at the Federation headquarters was answering Ronnie's call. He quickly explained that he needed to talk to someone in charge of the investigation over the two Federation officers that died trying to board The Empress a few days ago. The female operator quickly transferred his call to the proper officer, General Williams.

When Ronnie began speaking to the man, he explained that a customer had told him that the IFTT wanted to talk to him about a teleportation accident. Ronnie flatly denied knowing that the two officers had attempted to teleport to his vessel. He explained (lied) that he had talked to the officers on the radio and they requested permission to board, but simply took off and never told him they were leaving. Ronnie said he was a little pissed over them not telling him they had changed their minds, but simply figured they had an emergency somewhere.

General Williams then talked to Ronnie about the charges made against him over raping the woman, named Connie. Ronnie explained that the only rape done was Connie raping him, and he certainly did not rape her, that he had in fact fallen in love with her. The general said the charges would not hold up in court anyway, because Connie had been with the officers when they attempted to teleport onto The Empress, and all had died. Ronnie quickly acted stunned, shocked, and heartbroken over her death. Ronnie asked if Connie had any relatives that he should contact and express his condolences. The general said that Connie's boyfriend, if that was what he really was, had said Connie had no living family left that he knew of. The general said he needed to get this case file closed, and said that he now understood what had happened and would make the court records show that he had dismissed all charges and arrest warrants issued against The Empress. Ronnie asked if the Federation would issue a death certificate for Connie. The officer said he would see to it, and would forward a copy to The Empress if Ronnie wanted one. Ronnie gave the officer the radio frequency for The Empress and thanked him for talking with him.

When Ronnie had cleared the radio channel, he hung up the microphone and said aloud that he loved lying. Connie did not like lying to anyone, but understood that Ronnie disliked the Federation. The Federation no longer stood for the good of the people, it now stood for the good of the wealthy and the politicians, but Ronnie also realized he needed to say what the Federation wanted to hear. Ronnie asked about Connie's parents. He asked why her old boyfriend had told the Federation that she had no living family. Connie looked Ronnie in the eyes and said, "I assume that to be just another way he tried to control my life and destiny. He is nothing but a useless, self centered, lying bastard. He gets off trying to control the lives of those who mistakenly let themselves think he is their friend."

Ronnie began talking with Connie about his sister Janet and her daughters. He needed to decide if he should allow them to return to their home or not. Connie looked Ronnie right in the eyes and said, "My friend, you have no right to decide anything about where Janet lives. Janet alone has the right to decide where her children live. You have to talk with Janet and let her make her own decisions about where to raise her girls." Ronnie was instantly angry, stood up and slammed the chart he had in his hand to the floor.

Just as quickly as Ronnie had lost his temper, he sat back into his chair and calmed himself. Connie was right and he knew it, but he was afraid to have his family living on the planet with all the violence and home invasions. Ronnie stood up and told Connie that she was right and then held out his hand for Connie to join him. When Connie stood up she had tears in her eyes, and Ronnie took her in his arms and said he was sorry for getting angry about her comments. She snuggled up close to Ronnie and said she was just overly moody today, because her period had started. Ronnie hugged her and said, "Then we will play nice until you feel better." Connie kissed his lips and said that when she felt better, she would let him play really nice if he wanted. Ronnie smiled and said they should wait until the wedding because his nieces needed a good role model. Connie giggled and explained that they should begin planning the wedding in the very near future, before her finger began to blister. Ronnie had walked almost to the kitchen before he realized what she had said, turned towards her, smiled and shook his head. Connie just laughed at him as she followed along to the living area where Janet and the girls were hanging out.

Ronnie sat down with Connie, Janet, and the girls, and began explaining what the Federation had said and that they were no longer looking for them. The situation was resolved and probably Janet and the girls would have been safe in their own home. Ronnie then got to the point of this meeting. Ronnie looked at Janet and said, "Janet you know how much I hate having you live on Quantum. I asked Connie if I had the right to move you and the girls to a safer place to live, and she let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I had no right to decide where you live and raise the girls."

Janet looked to Connie, winked, then began explaining to her brother that she and the girls had many friends on the planet Quantum and they did not want to move away to an unfamiliar planet and have to restart their lives all over again. Janet told her brother that she had met someone and would like to get married if the man would have her, and the girls. Frederica said, "Bill is very nice and always spends time with us and takes us places." Ronnie smiled and said he was happy for them and would shut up about them moving. Janet explained that they were very safe in their home. She said, "I knew someone was on our porch before you every touched the doorknob." Ronnie asked how she knew, and Janet explained they had a neighborhood watch system that worked, and her phone had range twice then hung up, then rang twice again, warning her she had a visitor. She explained that she was very capable of shooting the eyes out of anyone who actually entered the house. Ronnie only had a few words to say, "Let's fix supper, and I will take you all home so you can sleep in your own beds tonight." Janet walked to Ronnie, hugged him and said, "If you take us home now, you and Connie can eat supper with us and spend the night." Frederica said, "But you two will sleep in different rooms, until you are married." Ronnie looked at Frederica and said, "Agreed."

As Connie walked towards the kitchen, Ronnie stopped her and put his arms around her waist. He asked her if she would listen to an idea he had and then give him her opinion. She looked nervous, but Ronnie quickly began explaining. He wanted to have a wedding on the planet of Quantum, with his sister Janet and the girls present. Ronnie told Connie he wished they could have the wedding on Earth but that probably could not happen. Connie instantly responded to Ronnie's comment about an Earth wedding, by saying her past life was no longer part of her present life, and a wedding on Quantum would be perfect. Ronnie said he would arrange the date and time, and then would consult her to help him work out all the details.

Ronnie saw Janet stop Connie in the entry to the kitchen and the two giggled together for a moment, then went their separate ways. Ronnie went to the control console and returned to the inventory control program, insuring that his shopping list was accurate before placing his order with the planet Keemus. Ronnie giggled at the inventory withdrawal sheet on the clipboard he was using to insure the inventory quantities physically matched the computers quantities. Connie had crossed out the withdrawn quantities number of the tampon listing twice, telling Ronnie that Connie had went to the medical supply cabinet more than once. Ronnie tripled the minimum quantity before reorder number to insure The Empress had adequate inventory for its newest crewmember, and his customers.

Chapter 7 – Connie's Achluophobia

When Connie stepped out of the ready room after talking to Ronnie about the location of the wedding, she pressed the button beside the inventory locker bay and the door slid open. She picked up the clipboard and pencil on the counter and headed down the aisles until she arrived at the medical supply section of the bay. She located the tampons drawer; placed six of them into the inside pocket of her blue flight suit, and began writing down the bay, bin, and container number for the tampons. Just as she was entering the quantity that she had removed from inventory on the sheet, the thing that most frightened her, happened. The lights went out in the inventory locker bay.

Connie stood very still for a moment, thinking the lights would come back on quickly. She spoke to the computer, but it did not respond. She now yelled very loud, loud enough they should have heard her on planet Earth. She yelled for Ronnie to turn the lights back on. She began screaming at the top of her lungs, stomping her feet, her hands and arms flailing around her; she screamed again, saying, "I am afraid of the dark, afraid of what happens in the dark. Turn the fucking lights back on." Connie now screamed to anyone or anything that would listen. She suddenly stopped yelling, tried to find the shelving along the bay, and finally felt her fingers touch the cold metal shelves.

Then she heard the computer speaking into her mind, speaking her name, trying to get her attention. She forced her now hysterical mind to concentrate on the computers voice, _Listen to the computers words,_ she told herself. _The computer is telling me that a circuit breaker has tripped and requires a manually reset to correct the problem._ Connie screamed at the computer saying, "I don't care why the lights are out, turn the lights back on right now." Connie found she was talking aloud to herself again; _someone must turn the lights on very soon, very soon, very, very soon._

Connie screamed again with sobbing panic-stricken screams, telling the computer she was terrified of the dark, "Turn the lights on, please," she pleaded. The computer begins speaking to her again and tried to calm her, tried to tell her to stand very still. Her legs would no longer support her and she sat down on the cold metal floor. She felt the cold from the metal decking rising up into her body and she shivered. She told the computer once again that she was frightened of the dark; "I will die here in the darkness if someone does not turn on the lights right now," she screamed at the top of her voice.

The computer began speaking to her again, and she focused her mind to the words, trying to calm her emotions. The computer told her that he could see her infrared image, and he would talk her to the door to the living area if she would listen carefully to the instructions. She tried, and finally managed to stand on her trembling legs. She panicked and began to run, ran headlong into a shelving unit, fell backwards on her butt, and then realized she had cuts her chin. She could feel a tiny trickle of blood run down her neck. The computer told her again to stop, standstill, and he would guide her to the door. She tried to listen, and the computer told her, "Slowly turn to your left, until I say stop." The computer told her to stop, and then told her to walk slowly forward, one-step at a time. She followed his instructions and began moving along with her eyes closed, following the computers instructions, making turns, touching shelving when told to do so.

She stopped walking, and spoke to the computer. Her mind felt foggy; she was trembling all over and could not walk one more step without talking. Talking was her vent, her way of preventing her mind from exploding, going off like a firecracker. She was almost whispering now, pleading with the computer not to tell, "Please computer, don't tell Ronnie until I have a chance to explain it to him. He will laugh at me, he will hate my silly fear, he will never understand. Computer, please don't tell him I was raped in a dark room when I was a tiny child, and that I have been afraid of the dark every since, please computer fix the lights quickly," Connie screamed again, "Computer, turn on the lights, please."

Then Connie stood very still and said, "Computer, are you here with me?" "Connie, I am here, and I will guide you towards the door when you are ready to walk again." "Computer, please don't tell Ronnie that I sleep with the lights on. You know I always leave them on, you know everything. Please don't tell Ronnie that I must have the lights on when making love to ward off the fear of rape, that I must have the lights on to have an orgasm. Don't tell Ronnie that if a man touches me in the dark, I scream because I feel as if the hands are hurting me—raping me—destroying my will to live. Please don't tell Ronnie that the fear of the dark has made me soil my pants here in this dark place; please don't tell him. I must be the one that explains this sickness, this phobia to him. Please, computer let me be the one to tell him." The computer spoke again to Connie, "Connie your fears are my secret, and I would never speak of your secrets to anyone without your approval, understand my child that your secrets are always safe with me."

The computer began again with instructions, moving Connie one-step at a time. The computer asked if her eyes were open, she said, "NO, I am afraid to look at the dark." The computer finally convinced her to open her eyes; convinced her she was safe under his watchful eye. "Trust me," the computer told her, "I will not allow you to fail, you will arrive safely at the door, arrive to see the light if you trust me Connie." Connie began to speak, but the computer silenced her words, "Connie, shut up," and began again to guide her. She forced her eyes open, this time she is able to look, to leave them open. The computer told her the door to the living quarters is straight ahead of her. She tries to hurry, stumbles, falls on her hands and bangs her knees on the steel floor decking. She is crying once again, this time she comforts her own emotions, then speaks aloud to herself, "Hush little darling, don't you cry."

She stood back up, asked the computer if she was facing the correct direction to walk to the door. The computer said she was and that she could now feel the walls of the hallway if she put her hands out to her sides. Instead, she stepped ahead, putting her hands out in front of her, and moved forward another meter or so. Suddenly, her fingers touched the door. She checked to make certain it was in fact the door and not just a place on the wall. Then she heard a sound leave her mouth. The sound came as she exhaled the breath she had been holding in her lungs. She moved her hands to the right hand side of the door, located the button and pushed it.

The light, the wonderful light blinded her, preventing her from seeing inside the hallway. She quickly steps inside as the door slides shut behind her. She realizes that Ronnie is standing one meter in front of her. She tries to remain calm, but cannot. The tears run down her cheeks, but she manages to smile at Ronnie.

She desperately wants to run to the safety of Ronnie's arms, but instead speaks to the computer as if it was an old friend. "Computer, thank you for helping me return from the darkness, and thanks for keeping our little secret." The computer said nothing; Ronnie said nothing.

When the computer finally did speak, it explained that Connie was left in the dark inventory bay due to a failed circuit breaker; "But my friend is much better now," the computer explained. Connie smiled at the words the computer spoke, her friend it had said. Ronnie asked the computer if the breaker needed manual resetting. The computer said the problem had resolved itself, and would not happen again. Ronnie produced a small flashlight, stepped up close to Connie and slid the light into the pocket at the top of the sleeve on her flight suit. The pocket seemed tailor made to fit the light. When Ronnie started to step away from her, she touched his cheek with her hand. It was then that she turned and walked into the bathroom to wash the smell of fear from her body, and to change into a clean flight suit.

When she returned to the ready room (still drying her wet hair from her shower), Connie felt certain that Ronnie might have heard the events in the inventory bay; how else would he have known she needed a flashlight to carry with her in case the lights went out again. She stepped up close to Ronnie, looked him in the eyes and said, "Ronnie, I will talk to you about the darkness within me when we are alone sometime, but not right now." Ronnie planted a kiss on the end of her nose, and allowed her to walk away to spend some quality time in her room with her own thoughts.

As Ronnie sat down in the captain's chair, Janet walked in and asked if Connie was okay now, or if she needed a friend. Ronnie smiled at her, said, "Thanks for caring," and then explained that Connie may have made friends with the computer and worked through her phobia. Janet thought about what he said for a moment, and then said that Connie may have just made a new friend, one that Ronnie had not considered. Ronnie looked confused, so Janet explained. While Connie was talking to the computer, did you understand, did you grasp, that the computer let her, no forced her, to make friends with the darkness. Ronnie had not considered that possibility. He reached over and held his sisters hand, then said, "Sis, I hope you are right about that, I have never heard the sound of fear like I just witnessed a few minutes ago."

Ronnie then felt a hot flash of his own fear run through his veins, "Janet, tell me that the girls did not hear Connie's screams for help." Janet squeezed her brother's hand and said she had quickly taken the girls into their room, and they heard none of it. Ronnie leaned back in his chair, and then told Janet, "Sis, I had to force myself to stand there at the door to the inventory room and listen to my friend scream for help. I knew she was perfectly safe with the computer protecting her, but her fear was so real, I felt her pain. I knew I needed to let her and the computer work it out, but it broke my heart as she begged the computer to keep the secrets from me, her best friend, to listen to her cries of fear. I felt as if the rape was happening all over again in her mind, and I needed to let it happen, needed to allow my friend to deal with being raped in a dark room, and to face the fear. Janet if this ever happens again, I will not be able to remain detached, I will run to her, hold and love her."

Janet looked at Ronnie, then said, "I have a women's intuition that now is the right time for you to knock on Connie's door, wait outside for her to open it, and then hold her in your arms until she begins talking to you. Do not admit to hearing one word of her fear, but do not lie about it either. If she asks you if you heard, tell her the computer cannot hide human secrets. Tell her that you did hear, but do not repeat one word you heard her say, let her tell you in her own words, her own way, let her make love to you with the lights on, in her own way." Ronnie stood up to leave the ready room and his sister stood up, wrapped her arms around his neck and cried.

She cried as if Connie's fear had broken her own heart. Ronnie held her until the girls stepped into the ready room, and began asking why their mother was crying. Janet handled their presence with a simple answer, "Sometimes us girls just need to cry on our brother's shoulders." Ronnie handed her a tissue and she escorted the girls towards the kitchen for some hot chocolate. Ronnie chuckled to himself and spoke aloud to the computer to make a note that he should get some extra hot chocolate if these four females were going to spend any time on The Empress.

As Ronnie stepped up to the door of Connie's room, she opened her bedroom door and stepped out into the hallway. Ronnie stepped up close to her as she leaned close and kissed him. Then she said that she had missed breakfast, and was starving. Ronnie escorted her to the kitchen with Janet and the girls. As Connie stood beside Janet, she passed Janet the Tampons she had went into the inventory bay to get when the lights went out.

When the meal was over, Connie took Ronnie's hand and took him to her room, where she locked the door. She hugged and kissed on him for a few minutes and then undressed and got under the covers with Ronnie for the second time in her life. Ronnie snuggled close but only put his hands on her arm, as they lay close. As they snuggled and kissed, Connie said, "Computer, I would like to make love to Ronnie with the lights off, but I may change my mind if my fear sneaks up on me. Would you listen carefully and if I ask, will you quickly turn the lights back on until I can calm myself?" The computer spoke to Connie and said, "Connie, my friend, my finger will be resting on the handle of the switch. All you have to do is speak the words; 'Lights please' and the lights will be on instantly. Connie, are you ready for the darkness now?" Connie considered a moment and then said, "Lights off please." The lights went off. Ronnie felt Connie tense, felt and heard her take a very deep breath, then calm her emotions. She found his lips and began kissing. Soon her hands found his body and she found the inner strength she needed to smite the dragon, the dragon named fear. However, Connie would soon discover that her dragon was not about to die easily.

As they dressed, Connie spoke to her friend again, "Computer, thanks for tending the lights for me, but I did not the light this time. Maybe, I will ask you to watch the lights for me while I try to sleep alone in my bed tonight."

When Connie and Ronnie walked out into the living area, the girls asked Ronnie when they could return home. Monica reminded him that the girls were missing school, and their teachers would be giving them homework for weeks to make up the lost time. Ronnie looked at Janet and she said, "Well are you going to answer the ladies question or not, kind sir." Ronnie said that he would take them home as soon as he cleared a flight plan with Quantum's Director of Operations.

As Ronnie finished with the flight plan, Janet walked into the ready room and Ronnie began talking to her. He asked if it would work out if he and Connie were married in the small church near her house, where their parents had baptized them as children. Janet said that would be very nice, then the girls could attend to make certain the marriage was properly done, so their uncle was not living in sin. Janet said she would help him with the arrangements tomorrow after breakfast if he and Connie would stay over. Ronnie asked Janet to say nothing to Connie until he had a chance to talk to her.

**************

Ronnie was sitting at the travel computers control console when Connie came in and sat down in the copilot's chair beside him. He said, "How are you doing my friend," as she got comfortable in her chair. She looked him in the eyes, said she was much better now and that her tears seemed to have finally dried up. Ronnie asked her if she would like to talk about something that maybe would make her smile. She said she could enjoy a good smile right about now. Ronnie said, "I just had a discussion with Janet. We discussed the idea of you and I being married in the church near her home, but I wanted to talk to you and see where you wanted to be married." Ronnie continued on, and asked Connie if she even wanted to continue with this lifestyle, maybe she had changed her mind. Connie looked at him, and said today only reinforced the desire she had to live here on The Empress with her new husband and very best friend. She then said, "Ronnie, you do realize I am in love with two men right now don't you. I don't want any jealous fistfights in the cargo bay, so I thought I would explain that in advance." Ronnie realized Connie was talking about the computer. Ronnie smiled and said, "If your friend becomes a problem, I will simply reprogram its voice to a high-pitched female voice, and eliminate the competition."

Connie began to laugh and told Ronnie to tell her everything about the church, and then said, "Ronnie, I have always wanted a church wedding, so please fill me in on the details." Ronnie began explaining, and soon Connie was smiling, and giggling. Janet walked into the control room and asked if Ronnie had asked Connie to spend the night, and then go to visit the church in the morning. Ronnie said he had not gotten to that yet, so Janet did the invite, explaining there were two twin beds in the spare room, so the girls would not get to chattering about premarital sex and such shit.

Connie giggled, but stood up and explained that there was only one problem. Janet took Connie's hands in hers and asked to hear about the problem. Connie struggled with her fears for a moment, then looked Janet in the eyes and said, "You will laugh if I tell you, so I should just stay here on The Empress and let Ronnie go with you." Janet said, "That is not possible any longer, you and Ronnie are now inseparable and there is nothing you can tell me that will make me laugh at you. I possibly will laugh with you, but will never, ever laugh at you." Janet was not going to take the word no for an answer and pushed until Connie finally blurted out that she was afraid of the dark and had to sleep with the lights on. Janet smiled and said, "Is that all, I thought it was something horrible. You must realize that we can work that out. There is a bed in the small loft over the kitchen, where you can turn on the light beside the bed and be quite comfortable." Connie smiled, and then asked Ronnie why they had not left orbit around the planet Keemus yet? Janet hugged Connie and said she needed to help the girls get packed. Ronnie told Connie that if she opened the door next to the dresser in his bedroom, she could find a bag to pack her things in for the overnight stay. Connie bounced out of the room and the sound of her giggles filled his ears as she went to Ronnie's room to retrieve an overnight bag.

Ronnie radioed his friend Timms, and explained he would return in a couple days to purchase supplies and trade goods at the Open Market. He then told Timms about the impending wedding that would take place on the planet Quantum. Ronnie asked Timms not to mention to anyone about Connie being alive, "Just let her die in the cop's vehicle." Timms agreed to keep his mouth closed about Connie and The Empress. When the conversation was over and the channel cleared, Ronnie entered the travel information for the planet Quantum into the travel computer. He pressed the engage button, and watched out the viewing port in the front of the travel membrane as The Empress slowly turned and began it preparation for dimensional time travel to the planet Quantum, Janet and the girl's home.

Within a couple of hours, The Empress was in a stable orbit around the planet. Ronnie completed the flight plan details with the Director of Operations, and then prepared everyone aboard The Empress for the teleportation down to the surface. Connie put her bag over her shoulder as Ronnie had done, stepped up close to him, rested her head on his shoulder and waited. Everyone held hands and Ronnie pressed the green button on his travel watch.

As everyone stood on the front porch of Janet's house waiting for their bodies to become stable, Connie dropped her bag on the porch and ran to the flowerbed, trying to keep from spilling her stomach in the flowerbed. Ronnie followed her and Janet took the girls inside the house. As Connie sat on the edge of the porch, she began to feel better, but was still afraid to move. Janet stepped to the door and said the bathroom was ready for Connie if she wanted to use it. Connie carefully stood up, then quickly walked inside to the bathroom, sat down on the floor and let her body stabilize itself. When Ronnie stepped inside, Connie asked him why she was sick again from teleportation. She thought she had this problem under control, but now she wondered what else she needed to do. Ronnie asked her when she had last eaten anything, and Connie said it had been probably breakfast this morning. Ronnie brought her a glass of water and a couple of crackers to see if she could settle her stomach. As she began to feel better, Frederica asked if she could use the bathroom. Connie stood up and walked back outdoors, but this time, Ronnie took her for a walk behind the house where the backyard met the woods. Connie said she was sorry for being such a damn problem, but Ronnie said her teleportation sickness was a very real problem and inflicted millions of humans throughout the cosmos. Ronnie reminded her that she only had to do this process once in awhile, but some humans needed to teleport daily, and were constantly sick.

Connie said she was going to walk to the pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist about more ways to prevent this teleportation problem from controlling her life. Ronnie asked if her stomach was better and she promised she would not puke on him. Ronnie laughed and said that a little puke never killed anyone, and if they ever decided to have a child, they had both better expect a little puke and poop in their lives. Connie said she still did not want to puke on him, ever.

Ronnie took her hand and they headed off to the pharmacy. When they stepped inside, Connie was impressed at the quantity of potions and remedies that were on the shelves. Connie walked up to a man in a white smock and asked if he could help her with this illness caused by teleportation sickness. He looked at her and said, "Oh yes my dear, there are hundreds of products available for the problem, but I must tell you only four actually work." He explained to Connie that there were also a few things she could try that required no medicines at all, some worked some did not. He pulled a list from the shelf beside his cash register that contained a list of four things she could try for her illness, and exact instructions for each. One of the items was the one she and Ronnie had used, hugging each other close during the teleportation process. Then the pharmacist showed Connie four drugs that might also work, he suggested purchasing a sample size of each and trying each one. He explained that only one would work quickly when needed and was the one most people had the most success with. He produced a sample of it and handed it to Connie for her inspection. Connie said she would try the Misenall tablets. Once she paid for her purchases, she and Ronnie headed back to Janet's house.

When they left the pharmacy, Ronnie suggested that they stop at the clothing store down the street and see if they could find the clothes they wanted for the wedding. An hour later, they had purchased shoes, a suit for Ronnie, and a beautiful white wedding dress for Connie with matching shoes.

When they got back to Janet's house, they tried on their new clothes and everything fit perfectly. Ronnie's shirt needed pressing, as did Connie's dress. Frederica asked if she could press them. Ronnie looked at Janet and she nodded her approval. Frederica took the garments and asked her mother if she would stay close, to insure everything was perfect. Janet giggled with her daughter as they headed into the kitchen to press the most beautiful dress Frederica had ever seen. While, Frederica was busy, Connie took Monica's hand and walked into the kitchen with her. She asked Monica if she would be the flower girl at her and Ronnie's wedding. Monica began to giggle and then threw herself around Connie's neck and said, "Yes." Connie walked over to Janet and Frederica and asked them to both stand up with her at the wedding. Frederica began ironing and crying at the same time. Her mother brought her a tissue to wipe her eyes and took the iron while Frederica wiped away her tears. Frederica hugged Connie so hard that Connie sat down on the floor with her and they both cried. When Frederica had wiped her eyes dry, she returned to the iron and listened carefully to her mom point to the spots that needed a touch of the iron here, and a crease there. The two ironed and giggled as if they were very best friends, and Connie felt that maybe they were best friends. They were happier than Connie had seen them since she met them.

When Connie opened the box of tablets from the pharmacy and read the instructions and warnings, she asked Ronnie if he was willing to help her test the medicine. He smiled and asked if she like puking just before supper, but Connie explained her stomach was already a mess and she might as well test this medicine right now. Ronnie agreed. Connie put a tablet under her tongue and waited a full five minutes. When the time had passed, they walked to the back of the house along the edge of the woods. Ronnie set the location in his travel watch as a waypoint, took hold of Connie's hand, pressed the green button on his travel watch, and away they went.

When they were stable inside the travel membrane, Connie quickly walked to the bathroom, turned the lights on and hung out for a few minutes. Ronnie walked up to her and asked how she was doing, but already knew the answer. Connie's cheeks were there normal color; she was smiling and had not puked. Connie went into the kitchen and got a drink of water, then after another ten minutes, pronounced herself cured. Ronnie was not so sure, but hoped she was correct. Connie sat down in a chair and read the instructions to see if she needed another tablet before returning to Janet's house or if the first one was enough. The instructions said to use a tablet for each teleportation, up to six in any twenty-four hour period. Connie put another tablet under her tongue, waited the five minutes and then teleported back to Janet's house, this time stabilizing beside a large tree in Janet's back yard.

As they stood, hand in hand, Connie again pronounced herself cured, but she did not want to test fate and walked around the yard for a few more minutes. She knew how quickly her stomach could go from feeling perfectly fine to puking, and wanted no embarrassing moments in Janet's home. After about twenty minutes, Connie could smell something wonderful cooking in Janet's house and it smelled like spaghetti to her. As they walked inside, Ronnie smiled at Connie and said, "Connie, you were correct, my wonderful sister and her beautiful Daughters prepared spaghetti for us, and it smells incredible." Janet snuggled up in her brother's arms and said; "The food Genie dropped off some wonderful groceries. We seem to have the most incredible Genie in the whole world."

Ronnie hugged Janet and asked if he and Connie could help with anything. Frederica and Monica said both at the same time; "We decided that you and Connie have to do the dishes." Ronnie put his hands on his hips, reminded the girls he was a man and could not possibly do dishes. Frederica, walked over to Connie and said, "Connie will teach you how to do them so she has help when you two are married." Ronnie relented and said he would allow Connie to teach him. Janet knew Ronnie was very capable in the kitchen, and needed no instruction on how to do the dishes, or how to prepare a wonderful meal. When supper was over and the kitchen was clean, Ronnie and Connie walked to the local pub and had a cold beer. Neither of them could stay calm, they were nervous about the wedding on Sunday.

When they went back to the house, the girls were getting ready for bed, so Ronnie and Connie tucked them into their beds. When they returned to the kitchen, Janet was making hot chocolate for the three of them. They sat and talked until late at night. Janet wanted to get up early and work on the novel she was writing, so Connie said she would also get up and fix breakfast for the girls and get them showered and ready for the busy day ahead of them. Janet watched Connie for a few moments and then asked, "Connie do you have any brothers or sisters?" Connie looked at Janet and said she was an only child. Janet quickly realized she needed to stop questioning Connie about her family.

Connie noticed the sudden turn in the conversation, reached over and put her hand on Janet's hand. When Janet looked at her, Connie said, "It is okay for you to ask about my family, and I will tell you all about them sometime. However, for the time being, it is best if I do not talk about the things in my life that disturb me" Connie then looked at Ronnie and said, "I think there is so much that my man does not know about me, so much I need to tell him. The stories of my family, my life on planet Earth, and even the details of the rape that has so changed my life. Some of that fear still haunts me; you have both witnessed that fear, and I am sorry for putting you through that. I often become completely out of control in the dark. Some of the details of the rape I will only tell my husband, and will ask him to take those tales to his grave." Connie looked back at Janet, "All this sounds horrible, but understand that I have really had a pretty good life for the most part. I had good friends on Earth that I will miss; I had a boyfriend that I will not miss, as he tried to dominate my life, was insensitive, and scoffed at my fears." When Connie looked back to Janet, Connie had tears in her eyes, and Janet got up from her chair, walked around the table, leaned down and hugged her. Connie stood up and the crying session began. Ronnie got up from the table, went to the bathroom and bought the box of tissues to the table. Then he went into the kitchen and heated water for hot chocolate; the girls were going to need a good chocolate hug tonight.

Chapter 8 – Nightmares

Ronnie woke to the hysterical sounds of Connie screaming, "Lights please, you promised; computer, turn on the lights now, I hate the dark, computer, turn on the lights." Ronnie realized the lights in the bedroom were off. He quickly ran to the door and turned on the light switch. The room, now instantly bathed in light, revealed Connie on the floor, wrapped in her blanket, hiding where the corner of the bed touched the wall. He did not touch her, he did not know if she was awake or not, and did not want to frighten her any further. He talked softly to her, spoke her name and began explaining to her where she was and that she had dreamed a bad dream, but was perfectly okay. Ronnie realized that Janet had opened the door to the bedroom, checking on Connie, but she did not enter the room, not wanting Connie to feel ashamed for her fear and her nightmare.

Suddenly Connie's eyes popped open, as if startled awake, frightened like an animal, but she quickly realized she was safe, and that she was in Janet's spare bedroom. Connie wrapped her arms around Ronnie, and cried tears that had needed to come out for years. When Ronnie asked Connie why she had turned off the lights? She said, "I thought I was okay with you so close, but when I woke and could not hear you breathing, the nightmare quickly snuck through my defenses." Connie said, "I knew I could not sleep alone in the loft as Janet suggested, now I wish I had returned to The Empress where my screams would not disturb my friends."

As she cried, she told Ronnie a story that no woman, no child should ever have had to endure. Ronnie sat with her for over an hour, and listened, talked to her and hugged her until his arms hurt. Connie finally moved away from him, and said "If I do not pee right now, I will pee on the floor," stood up and headed to the bathroom. Ronnie put on his robe and walked out into the living room. As he walked past the kitchen, three very upset ladies sat eating breakfast: all three afraid to speak, afraid to ask any questions, assuming they needed to mind their own business.

Ronnie walked into the kitchen, put a hand on the back of his niece's necks, and told them that Connie was okay now, the horrible nightmare was over and they could relax. Frederica and Monica both turned and hugged Ronnie, and seemed not to want to let go. As they finally turned back around to finish their breakfast, Connie walked into the kitchen. She snuggled up close to Ronnie and said, "I am sorry that I upset everyone with my nightmares, I should have slept on The Empress where my dreams could not wake the house." Janet looked at Connie and said, "I think that you worry too much about us, my friend. I also think that the more often you dream these vivid dreams with Ronnie close at hand to comfort your fear, the sooner you will be able to understand the dreams and rid yourself of this horror." Connie explained that the reason she had slept with the lights on all these years was to keep the nightmares away, but now she was determined to sleep in a dark room with her husband, and not wake him every night screaming.

Connie looked down at the two young girls eating their breakfast, and then said she was sorry to have the girls hear her screaming, and scaring them as she had done. Frederica looked up at Connie and said, "Mother explained that you are afraid of the dark, that you were hurt by a bad person when you were young like us, and that you needed to scream to get rid of being afraid. I am afraid of the dark too you know, but I have a real monster that lives in my closet."

Connie leaned down and kissed Frederica on the cheek. Connie told Frederica "I bet you will never see that monster again, I bet it ran for its life when it heard me screaming in the dark." The girls started giggling, and Janet told them to get back to their breakfast. Janet asked if anyone needed the bathroom before she took a shower, as she and the girls needed to run an errand this morning, and would return around ten o'clock. Frederica, looked up at Ronnie and said, "You two be good while we are gone, remember you are not married yet." Janet quickly shushed her daughter, but Connie leaned down, gave Frederica a big hug and said they would behave. Then she said, "When we have time today, you and I will have a woman-to-woman talk about this wedding, and you can ask me all the questions that are swimming around in your head."

When the girls walked out of the kitchen to the bedroom to dress, Connie asked if that was all right for her to talk to Frederica about marriage and girl things. Janet said it was perfectly okay, that she and Frederica had discussed everything in detail, but talking to the bride to be would help with the girl's questions, the questions she might not ask her mother. Janet quickly commented to Connie, "Connie, please exclude Monica from the in-depth sex talk; okay?" Ronnie's face turned bright red; Connie kissed his cheek and told him to relax, that she would never say anything that would embarrass him, or his niece. Connie said, "Frederica considers her uncle to be a knight in shining armor, ready to save the cosmos from the enemies of the Federation, and I would never do anything to upset that wonderful relationship." Ronnie blushed a little more, but Connie planted another kiss on his cheek and headed off to the bedroom to dress for the day. Janet looked at her brother and said, "She may have a hard time dealing with the darkness, but she certainly plays well with others in the daylight." Ronnie agreed; she did play well with others, and he wondered how any human could cause her such pain and fear.

After Janet and the girls were off doing their errands, Ronnie and Connie decided to walk to the church and introduce themselves to the minister. Janet had said that he would be at the church all Saturday morning and would like to see them if they could stop in. They also had to pick up their wedding license that Janet had arranged for them; Janet had said it would be ready this morning at the clerk of the courts home.

As they walked into the church, Ronnie reached out and took hold of Connie's hand. He was squeezing her hand very hard, and Connie finally squeezed back and said to Ronnie, "Not so hard." As they walked towards the front of the church, Connie realized that the beauty of this church was magnificent and overwhelming to both of them.

As they continued walking towards the altar, they stopped at the bottom step, turned and looked into each other's eyes. Ronnie reached out, took Connie's hands and said to her "Now is the time to search our hearts and souls my friend, search to be sure this marriage is what we want, what we need to fulfill our lives. Connie, please be sure you and your God are comfortable with the choice you have made for your lover, for your very best friend, for your husband." Connie felt a tear run down her cheek, but she wiped it away and stepped very close to Ronnie, so close he could feel her breath when she spoke to him. "Ronnie, I was very certain of my undying love for you long ago, but last night when you rescued me from the darkness that overtook me, and then listened to my most intimate and darkest secrets, I was certain of my love; I was certain that choosing you as my very best friend was the right decision. My God has guided me to your arms, and has given you to me, to steer me from the guilt and fear of the rape that has haunted me all these years. God promises to save me from my sins, but only if I forgive the one who sinned against me; Ronnie, with your help I may be able to do God's will. I believe that choosing you as my very best friend, choosing you to be my husband for eternity, my lover, the one I can share my prayers with, the one my God says is right for me, I will be able to forgive the monster who raped me in that dark room. Ronnie, will you be my husband, do you love me as I love you? Does your God consider me the one you can lean on when things get rough, the one to bear your children and teach them the values I have seen in your own heart. Tell me now if you need to walk away, I will understand, I can bear the sorrow if you reject me before the wedding, but do not reject me after we pledge our love before our God's."

Then they realized that the minister had stepped up close to them. He placed his hands, one of each of their shoulders, and waited for Ronnie to answer the question put to him by the woman that stood before him. Ronnie looked to the minister, and the minister said, "This woman waits your answer to a very difficult question, young man. We have time for you to gather your thoughts." Ronnie kneeled down in front of Connie and said, "Connie, I love you more than I can ever express in words, so please allow me to express that love by my actions over the many years we will spend together as husband and wife. Connie will you marry me; become my wife, my very best friend? Tomorrow, in this church before our God and before all the friends who come to experience our love for each other, will you become my wife?"

Then as Ronnie stood up, the minister offered his hand, and Ronnie gently shook it. The minister then offered his hand to Connie and she shook it, and then said, "You, young lady must be Connie, and good Sir, you must be Ronnie." They both nodded, the minister welcomed them to his church and then asked them to sit with him for a while. They discussed the wedding tomorrow, made decisions on the vows they both wanted to say to each other, then shook hands again. As they turned to leave the church, Connie asked what time the main service was tomorrow. The minister said it was at eleven o'clock and they were very welcome to attend. Connie looked at Ronnie for permission and Ronnie said, "We will be here promptly at eleven." They shook hands again and headed out to pick up their wedding license.

As they walked towards the clerk's home, Ronnie told Connie they had forgotten one very important part of this marriage, which needed immediate attending to. Connie looked at him and said, "Can't that wait until after we are married and we are in our wedding bed?" Ronnie snickered and said that was not what he meant, but he did like the idea. Ronnie stopped walking and said, "Connie we have no wedding rings for tomorrow." Connie blushed, and said she realized that back at the church, but had hoped he would think of it. Ronnie said they would take care of that as soon as they picked up the license. As they walked, Connie told Ronnie there was one more thing they needed to discuss. Ronnie, said nothing, but waited for Connie to continue.

When he looked at her, her cheeks were very red and she was blushing again. Ronnie stopped walking, stepped over to a wooden bench along the street and sat down. Connie sat down beside him, and said, "Did you figure out that I can only have an orgasm when on top and in control, and also the lights have to be on and brightly lit." Ronnie smiled and said he had figured that out back on planet Earth, but then did not understand why; now he fully understood the reasons. Connie leaned over, kissed him hard on the lips and said, "Then I have no more excuses for not marring you, do I." As Ronnie stood up again, Connie continued sitting. Ronnie sat back down and waited for more discussion. Connie asked him what he thought about children. Ronnie smiled and said, "As pets or for lunch." Connie opened her mouth to protest, but Ronnie began talking again before she could get the words out of her mouth. Ronnie said, "To raise Daughters would be very incredible, but a Son would also be nice. I would like for at least one of our children to learn my trade and maybe take over The Empress when we are too old to work it anymore." Connie kissed him again, said they agreed once again and pulled him up off the bench for their walk to the clerk's house.

When they had signed and paid for the marriage license, they walked to where Ronnie knew there was a nice jewelry store. As they stepped up onto the step in front of the jewelry, Connie asked one more question, "Ronnie, can we spend our wedding night on The Empress?" Ronnie said he was going to get them a nice room at the inn, but Connie repeated the question, this time looking him in the eyes. Ronnie said, "Connie, we certainly can spend our wedding night at The Empress, we can be very comfortable their together." Ronnie desperately wanted to ask, why The Empress, but held the question. Connie saw the question in his eyes, and whispered quietly close to his ear. I would like to try making love in the dark again, this time with my new husband, but I need my friend's finger on the light switch in case I panic and need the lights turned on quickly. Ronnie, whispered in her ear, "I love you, Connie."

The rings they purchased were simple, made of solid gold, small but elegant. Connie stepped into the restroom and when she came out, she had enough Galax in her hand to pay for Ronnie's ring. Ronnie chuckled, realizing that Connie had a hidden stash of Galax on her body somewhere, but he certainly did not know where she had it stashed. Ronnie said he could pay the bill, but Connie said, "It is important to me to pay for the ring on your finger, this ring represents the love I feel for you." Ronnie nodded, and said "Thank you, Connie" and let her pay the clerk. Ronnie paid the clerk for Connie's ring and they had the clerk put them in a tiny flat box that Ronnie could put in his back pocket to keep them safe until Sunday.

When they got back to Janet's house, Janet and the girls had returned home from their morning of shopping. Connie asked Ronnie for the rings and soon was off with the girls doing whatever girls do with wedding rings before a wedding. Ronnie went outside and started the charcoal grill, planning to cook lunch for the girls. Ronnie had the two geese roasting nicely when the girls detected the smell of the roasting meat and quickly came outside to see what the chef had in store for them. Ronnie made salads from the vegetables growing in Janet's garden, and put a bottle of non-alcoholic red wine in the ice bucket to chill. Red wine always got Frederica and Monica giggling whenever Ronnie served it. They realized it contained no alcohol, but it just tasted great on their lips, and made them feel much older.

As Ronnie sat the picnic table on the porch in the sunlight, Connie walked out, inspected the label on the wine bottle cooling on ice, smiled and said, "Lunch smells great my favorite man." Ronnie tickled her on her side, and she pulled away giggling. Janet and the girls stepped outside and Monica said, "Mom, the love birds are at it again." Janet asked what they were doing this time, and Monica blushed and said, "Tickling." Ronnie grabbed Monica and tickled her on her sides until she said to stop, or she would pee. Ronnie quit tickling instantly, and Monica ran to the sister for protection, then put her hand on her crotch and scurried off to the bathroom. Ronnie looked at Frederica and said, "I guess I will not tickle Monica anymore, I would not want to embarrass her by making her pee her pants."

Janet stepped out onto the porch as Ronnie was speaking to Frederica and said that Monica had a very weak bladder, and she might pee her pants just by laughing to hard. Ronnie said, "I will try to remember that." While the meat finished cooking, Connie sat at the picnic table looking at the marriage license. Ronnie walked up behind her, put his hands on her shoulders and gently massaged her neck. He asked if she was still happy with the new name that she had chosen. Connie turned to him, smiled and said, "Very satisfied, but I will miss the old Connie from time to time." Ronnie said that he loved both Connie and Angela, but hoped the old Connie would not completely disappear from their lives. Connie read her fake maiden name on the license (Connie Smith was her birth name), Angela Irene Smith. Then she read the new name she would take after the wedding tomorrow, Angela Irene Yutaka. She said it aloud again, Angela Irene Yutaka. Connie liked the sound of the words as they rolled off her tongue, Angela Irene Yutaka. Connie folded the marriage license back up and replaced it in the envelope for safekeeping. Connie headed back inside to put the license in the inside pocket of Ronnie's suit coat along with the wedding rings.

Once the meat had finished cooking, they sat and ate lunch. They all ate lightly; knowing they would eat a huge supper at a very fine restaurant that Janet recommended later tonight.

Connie told Ronnie that she had forgotten a few things during their shopping trips, and she needed to visit the clothing store again this afternoon. Ronnie walked with her to the store, and then she asked if he could find somewhere else to be while she shopped in the store. Ronnie said he would go to the pharmacy and pickup a bottle of the teleportation drug that seemed to work for her and would meet her on the bench outside the clothing store when she finished shopping.

When she came out of the clothing store, she sat down on the bench beside Ronnie with her bag of things she had bought. She put the bag on her lap, opened the top and showed Ronnie her purchases. There was a new bra, white panties, and socks in the bag. Ronnie smiled and said he had forgotten that she had no special clothing when she came to The Empress with the Federation cops, and the items from The Empress were not very fancy. Connie said she probably should wear proper undergarments with her wedding dress. Ronnie agreed, saying the more clothing she put on, the more fun he would have removing them after the wedding. Connie put her fingers over her mouth as she giggled, and then choked. Her face turned red and Ronnie stood her up. When Connie finally got the coughing under control, they began walking back to Janet's house.

As they walked, Ronnie realized what time it was and they decided they had better hurry along or they would be late. Janet had made a reservation for seven o'clock and it was six o'clock already. When they walked into the house, Janet said they were not running late, they did not have to leave until fifteen minutes before seven. She had scheduled a travel transport to pick them up so they would have plenty of time to get inside before their reservation. Connie quickly changed her clothes and fixed her hair. Ronnie changed his shirt and they were ready in plenty of time. When the transport arrived, Janet's travel watch chirped three times and everyone held hands. Within seconds, they were teleported up into the transport, and headed off to the restaurant. When they began hovering over the restaurant, they were teleported into the restaurants receiving area, where they were met by the maitre d'. Ronnie stood close to Connie in case she became ill, but she quickly said the new medicine worked perfectly, and she was just fine. Ronnie saw a smile come over Connie's face and he was very happy the pharmacist had helped them solve the devastating illness that afflicted her. The girl had enough problems in her life, without being sick every time she teleported. When their server had seated them and taken their drink order, Connie began questioning Ronnie about her own travel watch and if her watch would do everything his watch could. Ronnie assured her that the travel watches were very similar, and he could quickly show her how to use the one the IFTT had fitted her with at birth, correctly.

As they all looked at their menus and tried to decide what they wanted to eat, Connie suggested that they each order something different, then place all the food in the center of the table. They could then all share and taste each item on the table as they liked; trying different things was always fun. They all liked that idea, and when their server took their orders, Connie asked if they could get five small plates so they could all share their food. The server said she would certainly do that for them, and quickly returned with their drinks, silverware, and extra plates. She cleaned everything from the center of the table and made room for the food they ordered. She then placed the plates of steaming hot food in the center of the table, where everyone could take what they liked. She brought hot rolls and butter, honey, and a bowl of chocolate pudding that she placed beside Janet to control. Ronnie liked this idea of sharing food, and the girls seemed to be very willing to try everything. There was shrimp, lobster, flounder, cod, and beefsteak so tender it melted in your mouth, mashed potatoes and gravy, and Ronnie had ordered a side order of fried mushrooms. The girls did have a little trouble with the mushrooms, they simply did not like the taste or texture in their mouths, so Ronnie had them put the uneaten pieces on his plate. When they were all stuffed, Ronnie asked the server for a desert menu and asked if he could get takeout orders of desert. The waitress said she could send anything except ice cream home with them. They each ordered desert to go, and as they waited, Ronnie and Connie had another cup of coffee. When the desert orders were ready, Ronnie left a tip on the table, and then paid the remaining bill at the checkout counter. When the travel membrane teleported them down to front porch of Janet's house, Connie bent over and acted like she was going to be sick. Ronnie told her not to puke up the supper that he had just paid for, and she turned back to him and said, "Okay," and walked into the house. Ronnie walked in behind her, politely telling her that she was not a nice person for treating her man in such a manner. Monica asked if they were fighting, and Janet laughed and explained that Connie was just teasing Ronnie about throwing up her supper. Janet explained that Connie felt just fine, and it was a joke on Ronnie. Monica did not quite get the joke, as throwing up was not on her list of funny things to talk about, especially with her overly stuffed tummy. Ronnie put the desert in the refrigerator for later, much later he hoped.

When bedtime came around tonight, Ronnie helped Connie tuck the girls into their beds, and then began getting his and Connie's room ready to sleep tonight. Ronnie wanted to try sleeping very close to Connie and see if she could sleep in the dark, without the nightmares. He slid the two beds tight together, so it would seem like one bed. As Connie walked into the bedroom, Janet stood at the door asking if they needed anything and telling them to try to be calm and get some sleep. Connie saw the beds pushed together, spoke to Ronnie and said that the two beds could not be touching. Ronnie looked at her and asked, "Is this another phobia that I am not aware of?" Connie quickly explained to him that she had promised Frederica that they would not sleep together until after the wedding, and the beds touching each other would certainly be like sleeping together in her young eyes. Ronnie sat down on the edge of his bed and watched Connie separate her bed so there was a two-inch gap between them. "There that is better," she said. Ronnie stood up, put his hands in the air and said, "Girls." Connie stepped up close, kissed his cheek, rolled her eyes and said, "Boys." Janet said, "Goodnight" and headed off to her own room, laughing as she walked.

When they got under the covers of their own beds, they talked with the lights on for a few minutes trying to unwind. They talked mostly about the wedding tomorrow, and about speaking their lines to each other. Finally, Ronnie asked Connie to get out of bed and help him with his vows. When she stood in front of him, he took her hands and began speaking the lines, slowly, carefully making certain he got each word correct. When he had recited it perfectly once, he repeated them a second time to be certain he had them down pat. Then Connie practiced her vows, she spoke them perfectly with little difficulty. Ronnie asked her how she could so easily memorize lists and wedding vows. Connie put her mouth close to his ear and whispered, "I have a photographic memory. I can recite every item in your inventory list and the location number without looking, except for the ones you change on me." Ronnie did not believe that story, but asked if she had memorized his vows also. She reached out and took his hand, and recited his vows, just as he had told them to her. Ronnie looked her in the eyes and said, "If I stumble while saying my vows with everyone staring at me, will you tell me my next word and get me back on track?" Connie wrapped her arms around his neck and assured him she would not let him stumble or be embarrassed. She told him the ceremony was to be a very happy event, and for him not to be nervous or worry about his vows, she would insure he did just fine. Remember, we are partners now, and partners do not let each other falter, not ever.

When Connie was under the covers, Ronnie looked at her to be sure she was ready and then turned the light switch off. He was certain he heard a little muffled sound of fear come from deep within her soul. Before he moved from the switch he asked, "Connie, are you still okay?" She said she was, so he got into bed, reached over and took her hand. She moved very close to the edge of the bed, held his hand tight and fell asleep as he listened. Around two in the morning, Connie suddenly sat bold upright in her bed with a startled voice, but she did not scream. Ronnie heard her comfort herself, quietly reassuring her own mind that Ronnie was right beside her, she could hear him sleeping, she could feel his presence, and she could feel his love. He heard her begin to sing quietly to herself, almost a whisper: Ronnie listened to the words of comfort she spoke to calm her own mind, to release the fear the monster had pounded into her soul. She sang to herself, as a mother would sing to her own child to comfort the fear of a bad dream.

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Mama's going to keep you safe tonight

If that nightmare makes you weep

Mama's going to hold you, until you sleep

When you find your prince someday

One small child you'll have I pray

If that child should wake at night

Hold her tight until the light

She finally rolled over on her side, facing Ronnie, whispering softly to him, telling him she loved him and that she could now face her fear with him so near. She whispered so softly Ronnie could barely hear; telling him, that she would love him for eternity. She tried to convince herself that she would not to let the darkness take her, or pull her back into that room she so feared.

Connie finally quieted her mind, and fell back asleep. Ronnie listened to her breathe, softly now, as the dream that had so frightened her, slipped back to it hiding place for the night. Ronnie found himself lying next to her, wondering if she had been awake as she spoke aloud, wondering who had taught her the nursery rhymes (nursery rhymes certainly spoken from a mother heart, not from a book), and wondering if her mother had also tried to calm the horrible nightmares that her daughter endured. All these questions, questions he was certain he wanted to understand, needed to understand. Ronnie knew that Connie's dreams would never be completely gone, but maybe he could help her calm them, make her understand them; help her cope with the fear the dreams forced upon her mind. Maybe he could find a doctor that could help her fight the nightmares; extinguish her horrible fear of the darkness.

When Ronnie woke, there was a face very close to his. He instantly realized that it was light outside, and Connie was watching him sleep. He kissed her nose without breathing in her face with his morning breath. He told her he needed to pee. When he returned, he cuddled up close to her and let her rest her head on his shoulder. Ronnie realized then that wet warm tears had begun dripping on his arm, and asked Connie if she needs to talk about the tears. She said she should talk about them, but was not certain where to start. Ronnie waited for her to organize her thoughts, to convince her mind to let him inside, to be her friend, to be the one to hear her most intimate secrets. She finally asked him, "Did I sing to myself last night, I seem to remember singing my comfort song and whispering to you." She waited for Ronnie to answer her, waited for Ronnie to find the way to tell her she acted like a silly little girl, instead of a grown woman.

When Ronnie finally spoke to her, he first kissed her lips, and then told her that she did sing. Connie said, "I sang my song to the man that loves me most, and will always hold me close whenever I need to be comforted." Ronnie could feel more wet tears, but knew that the tears were okay; they were healing tears. Ronnie quietly sang Connie's comfort song to her, slowly, letting her hear the words she had spoken to him during the night. When he was done, he asked her if she could tell him who taught her the song; was it her mother?

Connie, wiped her tears, sat up on her bed, crossed her legs Indian style, and began telling him about her parents, her mother, and the way her mother tried to comfort her every night as the nightmares came. How her mother had taught her to comfort herself by singing the song so she could return to sleep. Her mother had often explained to her that she was a good child and that the nightmares were not her fault; that the fear she felt was not of her own doing. Connie's Mother had shown her how to work through the screaming sessions by talking to her mother and hugging her father; how she would tell her mother every horrible detail about the monster and how her mother would hold her until she could go back to sleep.

Then Connie told Ronnie how her boyfriend had slapped her face when she woke in the night after he had turned out the lights and she had screamed from the nightmare. How she hated him for causing her more pain than she already felt. Then out of the clear blue sky, Connie smiled, said her mother and father would love her new friend, the man she loved, and that they would be proud of Ronnie for caring about her fears. She stood up from the bed and said, "No more sad tears, only happy tears today, my love."

Chapter 9 – The wedding Day

They put on their robes and went to make some coffee. When they stepped out of the bedroom door, they smelled the coffee already brewing. As they entered the kitchen, Frederica was cooking. She had made pancakes, bacon, juice, and eggs, everything they loved. Ronnie told Frederica that he did not know she was such an incredible cook. She blushed, but held her own when Ronnie teased her and explained to him that it was better that she learned to cook than to have to endure the burned meals, he prepared. Ronnie grabbed and hugged her, telling her he never burned anything, and she knew it.

As Janet stepped into the kitchen, Frederica was explaining to Connie that Ronnie really was a good cook, and his lunch yesterday was incredible. Janet rubbed her daughter's neck as she walked by, and said the breakfast smelled wonderful. Janet told Frederica, "Your father would be proud of your cooking skills." Frederica smiled and said, "Father just loved food, no matter who cooked it." Janet giggled and said, "You are probably right about that." Connie realized she had never heard anything said about the girl's Father, but did not feel as if she should discuss him without asking Ronnie first. Janet must have sensed that Connie felt uncomfortable talking about the girl's dead Father and told Connie that discussing the girl's Father was perfectly okay, that they had all cried the tears. Janet told Connie her husband was better off with his God than here suffering in horrible pain the rest of his life.

The girls had run into the bedroom giggling about something they were doing, trying to keep a secret. Janet explained to Connie that her husband (severely injured by a laser beam at work) had so badly burned his internal organs that he suffered horribly. He had died two years ago, and even though they all missed him and cried daily over his memory, they knew he could not have continued to face the world in such incredible pain as he had endured. Janet said that she had decided to speak her late Husband's name in this house every day, and to remind the girls of his love for them. Janet looked at Connie and said, "Better to cry the tears than to hide the pain, I always say."

Just then, the girls come carrying a small box into the kitchen, neatly wrapped in white paper. Frederica nudged Monica and whispered to her that it was okay; she could give the present to Connie and Ronnie now. Monica sat the nicely wrapped present on the counter, looked at Connie and said, "This is for you and Ronnie for after the wedding." Connie giggled and touched Monica's hand, then said, "Thank you my friends, thank you for being with us on our wedding day." Connie, slid the beautiful box towards Ronnie to open, but Frederica said, "Connie, you should open the box, Ronnie will get involved with the present a little later on today," then she snickered and blushed bright red. Monica was not sure why big sister blushed, and did not really care.

Connie looked at Ronnie and then began to open the present. When she pulled the top off so she could see the contents, she also blushed bright red, stood up and hugged both of the girls very hard, then kissed each of them on the cheek and said, "Thanks, Ronnie will really like your present tonight, it is just the most perfect gift." The girls giggled and skipped off to their room to put away the wrapping paper. Connie looked at Janet and said, "You're such a good mom, you just made their day, maybe their whole week better." Connie stood up and hugged Janet, then stepped back and began wiping the tears from her eyes. Connie looked at Ronnie and said she had better get started or she would be holding up her own wedding.

Ronnie explained to Janet that he had less to do to get ready, and would take care of the kitchen. Janet put her arms around her brother, and said, "I think you finally found the prize in the crackerjack box, big brother. She is a keeper."

Everyone was ready a little early, which was perfect. Ronnie was nervous and the girls not being late seemed to calm him a little. Ronnie explained that he had arranged transportation to the church and back home after the luncheon. As the girls readied themselves, Ronnie heard the girls begin yelling about the long black car that was out front, and that a man was standing with the back door open. Ronnie said, "That must be our transportation." Frederica ran over to Ronnie and hugged him until his ribs hurt. The girls danced at the front door waiting for Ronnie to escort them out to the waiting limousine. Ronnie took the two young girls to the limousine first. The driver carefully seated them, making sure they were comfortable. He then poured two tiny glasses of water from a bottle, placed them on napkins and handed each of the girls a drink.

Then Ronnie escorted Janet and Connie out to the limousine, handed Janet off to the driver who also got her seated, then poured her a tiny glass of water and a napkin. Then he dipped low, and waved his hand towards the open center door and said, "Madam, if you would carefully step into your transportation, I will deliver you to the most splendid event on the calendar for today. I believe the marriage of Mr. Ronnie Sam Yutaka to the most stunning Miss Angela Irene Smith is our intended destination on this beautiful sunny day." Connie blubbered something, and stepped into the limousine. Ronnie passed the man some Milli-Galax, but Connie could not actually see how much money Ronnie had passed him.

The driver shut all the doors, and then drove them the short distance to the church. When the limousine stopped, it was like a well-rehearsed play. The driver opened the door for Janet and helped her exit, then stepped to the side. He then assisted the two girls out and onto the sidewalk, beside Janet. Then he offered Ronnie a hand out, and then assisted Connie out onto the sidewalk. Ronnie once again greased his palm as Janet had called it. Three escorts stepped from the church, one was a very young boy who cocked his elbow and began escorting Monica. A slightly taller very handsome boy, escorted the blushing Frederica, and another gentleman, that Ronnie did not know, stepped up and offered his hand to Janet. She called him by name as he escorted her towards the church entrance. Ronnie escorted Connie to the front entrance where they kissed, and then the wedding party whisked them away to different ends of the church. They had arrived at precisely five minutes before the ceremony was to start and the ushers had seated everyone else. They did not have time to get nervous. Ronnie walked up and stood with the minister along with a gentleman from the church that offered to be Ronnie's best man and handle the rings.

Ronnie was again afraid of forgetting his vows even though he and Connie had spoken them to each other a dozen times or more and had memorized their own vows along with their partners. Connie had assured Ronnie that he would be fine, but also knew how he got nervous in crowds, and this time a hundred eyes in this church were watching their every move. Ronnie remembered that Connie had memorized his vows and could easily coach him if he failed to deliver. What cruel words they were, if he failed to deliver.

The minister began the ceremony as soon as Connie was standing beside Ronnie, and the congregation had quieted. The organ player stopped and the silence in the church was deafening. Ronnie felt himself take a very deep breath and Connie looked at him and smiled, knowing he was at least breathing now. Ronnie's was to speak his vows first, and he felt a twinge of panic, but then he felt a squeeze of his hand and the panic was gone. The minister turned the couple towards each other, spoke to Ronnie to help him relax, and then guided him into speaking his vows.

"I, Ronnie Sam Yutaka, take you, Angela Irene Smith, to be my lawfully wedded wife, my dearest friend, and my faithful partner from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, never to judge you, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and to cry with you, and to provide a shining light over your darkest fears. Angela, I love you with all my heart, with all my soul, and for all eternity."

Then it was _Connie's_ turn, and the minister asked her to take a deep breath. When she looked into his eyes and calmed her heart, he guided her into her vows. She turned back to Ronnie and stared deep into his soul.

"I, _Angela Irene Smith_ , take you, Ronnie Sam Yutaka, to be my lawfully wedded husband, my constant friend, my faithful partner, and my love from this day forward. In the presence of my God, your family, and our friends, I offer you this solemn vow, to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you for all the days of my life, to provide you a reason to smile when you rise in the morning, to provide you with a child to carry on your heritage, a child to love as much as I love you. I promise to honor and respect you, to laugh with you, to cry with you, to share my deepest secrets with you, to hold you when your heart seems broken, to share with you my God, who loves you as much as I do. Today my love, I give you all I have to give, my love for you, my faith in you, my undying trust in you, and the dreams that I will share with you. Ronnie Sam Yutaka, I love you my friend, my husband. I will love you always."

The minister finished the ceremony, and Ronnie and _Angela_ kissed as husband and wife. Ronnie remembered that his wife's name was now Angela, a name she had chosen to take once she was married. When they turned back to the minister, he winked at Angela and then at Ronnie. They both had said their vows without missing a beat. They had decided earlier that Ronnie would say his vows first, because he had tried to say them after Angela, but could not look into her eyes and speak the words after listening to Angela's vows. Angela was not sure she could complete her vows without crying, but was determined to say them to Ronnie even if she had to stop, blow her nose, then continue on. She was going to tell him how she felt, in front of his friends and family, no matter what. She did it without faltering, because she had remembered something that the computer had said to her. Something said just after she had stepped into the light from the inventory bay on the day the lights went out. The computer had said to Ronnie, "My friend is much better now." Those words had suddenly popped into Angela's head while she was taking a deep breath, and the minister was struggling to calm her emotions. When she began speaking her vows, Angela did in fact, _feel much better now_ , and was able to say her vows without any fear of crying or forgetting the words.

As they left the church, Janet introduced them to all of her friends, and one male friend that she seemed to hang onto an awful lot. Janet introduced him as James. As they left the church and the driver had seated Janet and the girls in the limousine, Ronnie and Angela ran from the church thru the rice thrown by the guests. The driver quickly waved to the crowd and began driving them down the streets blowing his horn. There were tin cans on strings behind the limousine, and the girls were beside themselves with the sound and excitement of the event. The limousine dropped them off at Janet's house around six o'clock that evening. They had all eaten too much food, met many wonderful friends, and now were very tired.

Ronnie had told the girls earlier that if they wanted desert when they got home, that they needed to stop eating, or they would puke after their desert. That put an instant damper on Monica's constant eating; she hated to puke and would do anything to prevent the occurrence from happening. Janet said she would remember that technique when the girls ate too much for their own good. After they had taken their showers, Janet allowed the girls to have their desert. They sat at the kitchen counter and smiled the entire time they stuffed their faces with brownies, topped with strawberries and just a touch of whipped cream. Angela was sure the girls would explode, but Janet seemed unafraid. How could two skinny little girls eat so much food in one day? Ronnie said they would poop logs tomorrow and Janet swatted him on the arm, saying, "Little girls do not poop logs." Angela was not so sure, Ronnie might be right!

When it came time for the girls to go to bed, as tomorrow was Monday, a school day after all, Ronnie tucked them in and closed the door to their room. However, neither girl stayed tucked for very long. Soon they were sitting on the couch, quietly listening to the adults discuss the wedding, and if Ronnie had forgotten to pay or thank anyone involved. Janet seemed satisfied they had taken care of everyone, but said she would send Ronnie a message if they had missed someone. Monica was yawning, so this time Angela took the girls to their room to settle them in, and this time would make sure they were sleeping before she left them. As they walked to the bedroom, Angela was explaining to the girls that she and Ronnie were going to spend the night at The Empress, but would be back when they got out of school to say goodbye. They had customers that needed supplies and they would be gone for a few weeks.

As Janet and Ronnie discussed her friend James, they heard Angela singing. Janet stood up to go into the girls room to hear the song, but Ronnie gently pulled her back to the couch; then put his finger to his lips to shush his sister. She sat back down and listened, listened to Angela sing to her girls. Angela was singing a nursery rhyme that Janet had never heard before, one that made Janet cry as she realized the meaning of the words that Angela was singing. As Janet listened, she cuddled up in her brothers arms and quietly cried.

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Mama's going to keep you safe tonight

If that nightmare makes you weep

Mama's going to hold you, until you sleep

When you find your prince someday

One small child you'll have I pray

If that child should wake at night

Hold her tight until the light

Hush, little daughter I love you

Mama's going to have to hug on you

If the hugging can't still your cries

Mama's going to have to kiss those eyes

If those kisses don't work on you

Mama's going to have to tickle you

If those tickles put a smile on you

Maybe you'll sleep the whole night through

Hush, tiny dreamer, I love you

If you dream about the dark

Hug me close and calm your heart

Feel my love that mends the fright

Let my love show you that life

Will guide your way to the light

Please my God, please help this child

Don't let her take her life tonight

Her love you see is dear to me

Show her life is the way to thee

Hush, little darling, please hold tight to me

I am the light that will set you free

A boy named Ronnie, will fight for thee

A girl child he will give to thee

If you see the light in He

The child he gives will set you free

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Close your eyes and sleep with me

The song Ronnie had heard last night had contained only the first stanza, but now Angela continued with the complete song. A song obviously composed just for her, by her mother, Ronnie was now certain of that. Janet said, "The last stanza must have been composed by Angela, her mother surely did not know she would marry you, Ronnie." Ronnie kissed Janet's forehead and said, "Are you real sure of that, little sister?" Janet wondered what her brother knew that he was not sharing with her, but decided to remain silent. Janet sat and listened, until her heart was breaking for this child in Angela's song, this child that her mother tried so desperately to comfort. Janet then asked Ronnie if Angela had said anything about suicide. Ronnie said that she had discussed it with him, but she now loved her God and understood that he needed her alive, not dead. Angela had told him the story in bed this morning, and Ronnie whispered what he knew to Janet, who was still crying over the beautiful sound of Angela's voice as she sang to the girls.

When Angela came back into the living room, she said the girls were asleep and she and Ronnie should go to The Empress. "Now please. I have waited all day for your love my husband and Frederica says I can now make love to you, and I shall." She smiled at Ronnie, then said, "I like the sound of that word, Husband," then extended her hand to help Ronnie up from the couch. Angela spoke to Ronnie and said, "I am certain you will not hesitate very long before escorting your bride to The Empress." Janet put her hands over her mouth, but the sound of her laugh still found the way to the married couple's ears. Ronnie quickly stood up, ready to get his wife home, to consummate this marriage. Angela picked up the glass of water she had been drinking, and swallowed a tablet. Janet remembered why Angela was taking medicine; it was Misenall to prevent teleportation sickness.

Janet walked over to Angela, and began hugging her. She hugged so hard, Angela had to say, "Quit hugging please, I can't breathe." Janet released her bear hug, and stepped back from Angela, tears in her eyes and obviously sorry for hugging so hard. Angela reached out and gently hugged Janet and said, "Thanks for being my friend; may I come back and visit you again if I promise not to scream and wake your girls?" Janet said, "You had better come back often, and maybe you can stay a week or so the next time, and you can bring your new husband if you feel you must." Ronnie just shook his head at his sister, and then hugged her goodnight. Angela said, "Janet, I like your man James, his eyes say he loves you, and the way his speaks to your daughters says he loves them also," then turned and walked out onto the porch to teleport to The Empress. "See you tomorrow," Angela said as she waved to Janet.

When they stabilized inside the ready room of The Empress, Angela looked around, and then said, "Good evening computer, do you approve of my new name, Angela Irene Yutaka?" The computer spoke back saying, "Good evening, Angela my friend, I hope you and Ronnie had a very pleasant wedding day." Angela began talking to the computer like a long lost friend, "We had to most wonderful time at Janet's house with the girls, and the wedding was spectacular. Janet and her girls were positively radiant in their pink dresses. Ronnie and I said our wedding vows without forgetting the words and I managed not to cry when I said my vows to Ronnie, as I was afraid I might. You should have seen the limousine that picked us up at the house...."

Ronnie threw his hands up in the air, and said, "I feel like an empty candy wrapper, once needed, now just so much garbage." Angela walked back into the ready room and said, "I am sorry to have ignored your presence my wonderful husband, I did not mean to ignore you, but the computer and I have so much to catch up on, and I got carried away." She put her arm around Ronnie and escorted him to her bedroom. She pulled her clothes off, helped Ronnie quickly get his off.

When they were under the covers, Angela said, "Computer, I need your assistance once again if you would not mind." The computer spoke very softly, "Angela, I will assist you how ever I can, you just need to ask the question." "Computer, would you keep watch of the light switch again. I would like to make love to my husband in the dark, but I may need the lights back on quickly, if I should panic. Would you be so kind to listen for my request for the lights to be turned back on, as we did before?" The computer replied, "I am here for you my friend, enjoy your wedding night."

When the lights turned off, Ronnie felt Angela tense, herd a muffled word of panic rise in her throat, but she comforted herself without Ronnie saying or doing anything. Then she relaxed in her husband's arms and let his hands touch her body, in the dark; she found the touch of his hands actually comforting, not frightening as in her dreams, her nightmares. The sounds that the computer heard, the sounds of Angela yelling, were not cries of distress or pain, not cries for the lights to come back on, but cries of passion as she discovered that she could allow her man to pleasure her in the darkness.

"Computer, would you be so kind as to turn the lights on so that Ronnie and I can make love with the lights on, I would like him to see the love I feel for him. Thank you." The computers response to Angela made Ronnie giggle. "Let there be light my friend; let your pleasures in the light be good." As Ronnie's bride rolled over on her back, he wondered if his programming of the computer had somehow created more than just an artificial intelligence. Somehow, this computer was interfacing with Angela as if it was a living thinking..., a very best friend. Ronnie decided that it did not matter why the computer acted as it did with Angela; the fact was, it did, and Ronnie certainly wanted to change nothing. Ronnie would share Angela with the computer if needed to calm her fears, and allow her to love her God, and dismiss the thoughts of taking her life.

Chapter 10 – The Open Market

The following afternoon Ronnie and Angela teleported back to Janet's home to say goodbye to her and the girls. Ronnie, Angela, and Janet had one last cup of coffee together before leaving to make the rounds to supply the customers of The Empress.

Ronnie and Angela were now standing in the ready room, ready to begin their adventures together, as man and wife. They were discussing Ronnie's friend, Timms. Timms lived on the planet Keemus, in Universe Number Six. Ronnie explained to Angela that the entities on Keemus were Ancient Humans (although their real names are the Monsal's), that existed thousands of generation before they colonized the planet Earth. Ronnie said they lived and had colonies on Earth many thousands of years before the Supross inhabited the planet that they named Earth. The Supross, which are the entities of the planet Quantum, in the galaxy of Fusion, where Janet and the girls live, inhabited the planet just a few hundred thousand years ago, but long after the ancients had abandoned the planet. Angela said all the universes, galaxies, planets and entities, confused her to no end and she would never figure it all out. Ronnie said that he had created a chart long ago that showed all the universes and information about each. He said he had kept the chart current over the years and would transfer a copy to her personal file. He walked into the control console, pulled up the chart, then said, "Computer, would you transfer a copy of my chart of universes into Angela's personal file so she can understand the makeup of the cosmos?" Ronnie waited, heard three chirps and told Connie the chart was now available for her when she had time to study it. Ronnie continued explaining to Angela about his first stop and gave Angela information about his friend Timms. Angela sat down in the copilot's seat, opened the file and listened to Ronnie explain about two mirror image universes. One universe was the one planet Earth was part of (Universe Number Two), and the other was the universe that the planet Keemus was part of (Universe Number Six). Then Angela wanted to understand about mirror image planets and what the word mirrors had to do with universes, and why the scientists called them such. Ronnie sat down beside Angela in the pilots chair and asked if she was certain she had time for the complicated discussion. Angela said that she had nothing but time, and really wanted to understand the universes. Ronnie pulled up another screen with the universes drawn out in their correct positions in the cosmos, with the beginning of time shown as Earth's universes big bang. Ronnie explained that he had used Earth's universes big bang as a starting point, because he got confused if he tried to use any other starting point. Then he said, "Remember that this is not really the beginning of time in the cosmos, just the beginning I have used for the graph."

Ronnie explained that the cosmos contained many universes, and as they had discussed once before, the scientists had now discovered over sixty-four universes. The universe that Angela had live in (the one planet Earth was located in) was Universe Number Two. Earth is in the Milky Way Galaxy, and the universe Janet and the girls live in is the Fusion Galaxy, on the planet Quantum. Ronnie explained to Angela that to locate one of his customers required a complete address. An example for Janet and the girls would be:

Universe Number Two

Galaxy of Fusion

Planet of Quantum

Continent of Julip

City of Luxinton

1002 Jumble Street

Ms. Janet Wilson

That is complicated, Angela commented to Ronnie, I am a spoiled woman that has only lived on planet Earth, and only used a simple address to locate another human on my own planet.

Angela said, "Kind sir, you have wandered from the original question. Ronnie, tell me about mirror universes." Ronnie said, "That I have Angela, so let me begin this way. Universes are composed of matter, as is everything around us. If you look at matter at the atomic level, atoms contain electrons, protons and neutrons. Those three particles are then broken down into many more elements that I could not even begin to name for you. The idea of two universes being mirror images of each other comes down to the two elements, electrons and protons. A _matter_ _universe_ has electrons that have a negative charge, and the protons have a positive charge, just basic science class stuff. However, an _antimatter universe_ has electrons that have a positive charge, and the protons have a negative charge. This is completely opposite of anything you would have learned in your science classes. Now let me tell you that Universe Number Two, the one Earth is located in, is a matter universe. Universe Number Six, the universe Timms lives in is an antimatter universe. That means that the basic atoms are of an opposite polarity, between Timms and me." Then Angela said, "Kind of like male and female." Ronnie said, "Not actually, males and females can join and be perfectly happy, but matter and antimatter, if joined, instantly annihilate each other." Angela thought about all this and finally said, "So no human has ever touched the universe of Keemus." Ronnie smiled, realizing she was understanding, and said, "You must define the word touched." Ronnie explained, "Annihilation would be instant if we tried to land or teleport down to the surface of the planet that Timms lives on. Annihilation would also occur for the place we touched; the event would destroy equal amounts of matter and antimatter." Angela smiled at Ronnie and said, "I guess you do not have to worry about your woman seducing your best friend Timms, do you? It would be rather obvious because of the huge charred hole in the ground."

Ronnie just laughed at Angela; she certainly had a vivid imagination. Angela was still a little confused, and asked, "How do you and Timms communicate, and how can you trade goods if our products are matter and theirs are antimatter." Ronnie explained that they communicated the same way everyone else does in the cosmos, with the Super 11 transceiver. Ronnie said that he needed to explain the second question and then she would understand. "You see Angela; we have to convert everything that we transfer from one type of universe to another, before the transfer can take place. This conversion process occurs within a system located just outside of the Keemus universe, named the Open Market, which I will be showing you probably late tomorrow. Everything that transfers between The Empress and the Keemus universe will pass through the Open Market." Angela asked, "Why is it called an Open Market instead of a matter converter?" Ronnie explained, "Because it looks like a huge tunnel and we pass The Empress thru it; the walls look to contain storage shelving, thus the name, Open Market."

"When The Empress passes thru the tunnel, the system converts the items we want to purchase to matter, and then teleports the items to our cargo bay. The items we wish to sell are teleported from our cargo bay to the shelving, and wait for the buyers to pick them up. If the items we sell need conversion to antimatter, the system completes the process before the transfer of the items to the buyer's cargo bay. Now you have an understanding of the mirror image universes." Ronnie looked at Angela, and then said, "Now that you have a mental picture of the Open Market, I want to warn you that when you see it for the first time you will be very surprised and feel like an ant walking down the center of the four lane expressway on the planet Earth." "It's really that big?" Angela asked Ronnie. Ronnie said, "You cannot possibly imagine how big until you are there and see it with your own eyes; you will be very excited and amazed my friend."

Angela looked at Ronnie and asked one more question, "Ronnie, how did you learn about all this, how did you understand how to build and program your eleventh-dimension time travel computer? I now understand after talking to Janet that only certain people receive a travel computer, only certain minds are capable of controlling a travel membrane like The Empress. Can you tell me the answers to all my questions, my husband? Where did you go to school; were you raised and educated on the planet Quantum with your sister Janet? I have so many questions; so many questions that I hope you can explain all of them to me." Ronnie just smiled at her, and then said, "Angela, I am talking as fast as I can; I can and I will tell you everything, but that telling may take weeks, years, maybe our entire lifetime. You must be patient and I will fill your mind with such wonders that you will never want to return to the simple life you lived on planet Earth. You will want to time travel into eternity, back to the beginning of time, forward to the end of time."

Ronnie looked at Angela and said, "Right now, my body needs food; are you hungry?" Angela stood up and told Ronnie that she was starving. She reminded Ronnie they have not eaten at all today; it is way past time to eat. Ronnie joined Angela in the kitchen and put water on the stove to perk coffee in a pot. Angela was surprised to see Ronnie actually perking coffee just as her father did when she was a young child. As the aroma of the coffee began to permeate the vessel, Angela stepped close to Ronnie, put her head on his shoulder and quietly cried. Ronnie asked what had caused the tears, and Angela told him the smell of the coffee perking just brought back wonderful memories of her father making breakfast for her and her mother on a Sunday morning before church. Angela stepped back from Ronnie and dried her eyes. Ronnie kissed her on the cheek, and told her he hoped she would always remember those wonderful times; those are the memories that make our lives worth living.

When the food replicator had created the hot food they had chosen, they sat at the table together and ate quietly. When Ronnie had finished his food, he began talking to Angela about the questions she had asked him. He said he would start with her question about his childhood and were he went to school. He explained that his birth parents had died shortly after his birth. Foster parents raised him and Janet until they began college. His father was a mathematics professor at a local college; his mother was an astrophysicist at the same college. The funds from their life insurance policies paid for his and his sister's college. He explained that he had received his master's degree in the science of astrophysics, and then received his doctorate. He had written his dissertation on, The Laws of Quantum Physics and the Relationship to String Energy. He had then published that work, and most major colleges were presently using his published dissertation to teach the theory of string energy around the cosmos. When he finished his education, the IFTT hired him. After six years with them, they issued him a license to manufacture and operate an intergalactic travel membrane for commerce. He spent another two years teaching to earn enough money to fund the components required to build his travel computer. When he had the travel computer completed, he created The Empress and began stocking it with the goods needed to support the needs of the entities throughout the universes.

Then Ronnie stopped talking and poured another cup of coffee. As he sipped the steaming beverage, he looked at his wife who was sitting with her mouth hanging open and with eyes that looked like she was in a trance. Ronnie waved his hand in front of her face and asked if she was listening to him, or if he was talking to the fabric of the travel membrane. She smiled and said, "My husband, I do not know what to say. I barely finished high school with C's, and now I am married to a man with degrees in subjects I cannot even pronounce without stuttering. I have married a man who wrote a dissertation on some form of math that only God himself could possibly understand, and then published that work, which now serves as a platform at many major colleges. I am speechless my husband, totally speechless." Ronnie looked at her and asked if he had answered all of her questions. Angela sat and thought a moment, no longer able to remember the damn questions she had asked him earlier.

As they sat at the table, Angela decided to talk to the computer for a moment, "Computer, I need to ask you a question, please." "Angela, I am always ready to answer any question you may have." "Computer, can you read me the meaning of the word, love, from one of the dictionaries of Universe Number Two, the planet Earth to me." "Angela, I have that information ready for you; shall I begin?" "Please begin, my friend." "The definitions of the word, love, which I have chosen for you, are written in the World Book Dictionary, published in the Earth year of 1976 AD. Angela, I will paraphrase as I read the description. Love: Fond or tender feeling; warm liking; affection; attachment: Strong or passionate affection for a person of the opposite sex. A person who is loved, especially a sweetheart: The kindly feeling or benevolence of God for His creatures, or the reverent devotion due from them to God, or the kindly affection they should have for each other:" "Computer, you may stop now, I thank you for helping me with the word." Angela looked into Ronnie's eyes and said to him, "I love you my husband. I love this travel membrane and the computer. I love the life I am living with you. I love the friends I have made in the last few days. I love the feelings of pleasure when your hands touch my body. I love the dark when my friends are near to help me fight my monster. I love sitting here with you, listening to the most wonderful adventure story I could ever imagined. I love the happy tears I shed when I think of my parents, your parents, our friends and family. Ronnie, I love life and I want to create a new life for us to share." Ronnie, "Are you ready to begin discussing our future together; are you ready to discuss creating a child for us to love? My husband, am I being impulsive and childish to ask for a child so soon after our marriage?"

Angela sat back in her chair and let her words settle into Ronnie's mind, let him ponder his response. She looked down to her hands, turning them over, and over, in front of her; she pulled on her fingers, she tucked her hands under her legs. She swiveled in the chair, she tapped her feet on the floor, she moved around as if she was about to explode, she did everything in her power to comfort herself until her husband was ready to speak to her questions. Ronnie watched her for a full minute (probably an hour to Angela), allowing her to wait any longer would have been cruel.

He stood up, reached down for her hand. When she stood up, he put his arms around her waist, and then whispered quietly in her ear, "Shall we begin practicing, now?" Angela kissed him hard, and then he took her hand and walked with her to his bedroom, a place where she would be very comfortable. A place where he could slightly dim the lights but still provide plenty of light to keep her fears from flooding in and spoiling the moment. As the door shut, the computer began to dim the lights, slowly, so very slowly, so slowly that Angela did not realize what was happening, she was much too involved with her husband's hands, slowing unzipping the flight suit she was wearing, gently touching her in ways that only her own fingers had ever touched her before. As the two lovers slid under the covers of Ronnie's bed, Angela realized this practice session (as Ronnie had called it) might be the real thing if the slight rise in her body temperature this morning was an accurate predictor of coming events.

Two weeks later, Angela hugged her husband, placed his hand on her belly and said, "Ronnie, please meet the child we have created." Before Ronnie could respond, Angela turned from him and ran to the bathroom. Ronnie walked to the bathroom door, waited patiently until he was certain Angela was okay, and then headed to the kitchen to make her some hot tea to settle her stomach. When she had been up for awhile and her stomach felt better, he would poach a hen's egg for her, and make her some toast (as she called it), bread roasted over a hot burner.

Ronnie planned to visit the Open Market today, an experience that Angela would never forget, but he would wait until she was feeling better and in the copilot's chair with him. Ronnie's had delayed his earlier planned trip to the Open Marker until now because of the needs of two local customers. Today's trip would be Angela's first trip to the Open Marker and she would never forget this wonderful adventure. Ronnie had traded goods in this Open Market at least five times, but its expanse and high technology still overwhelmed him, and made him feel very small.

**************

As they woke together in Ronnie's huge king size bed, Angela snuggled up very close to her husband and nibbled on his ear. Angela was eight weeks pregnant, and was now waking up very horny in the mornings. Ronnie, rolled onto his back and said, "Not again this morning, I cannot be treated in this manner." Angela said, "Fine, I will take care of it myself," and quickly stripped her pajamas off and moved her hand to her body. As she rubbed, Ronnie said he was just kidding and would certainly make love to her whenever she needed it. She just ignored him and began to moan as her fingers touched exactly the right spots. Ronnie was about to get up and let her finish what she had started, but she spoke to him and asked if he was mad at her. He said, "A little, you take everything I say so seriously," Ronnie told her. She stopped what she was doing and asked if he was mad enough that she could consider this their first fight? Ronnie said, "Yes, I guess you could." Angela rolled over close to him and said, "I am sorry husband for taking everything so seriously, and will try to be more pleasant around you." Ronnie laughed, said he was sorry for picking on her, and kissed her nose. Angela looked him in the eyes and asked, "Are we done fighting now, so we can begin making up and then making out." She put her damp finger on Ronnie's lips, and he said, "Girl you are horrible, but I love you very much." Angela rolled on top and quickly made Ronnie smile.

When they had finished, Angela sat up, rubbed her tummy and said, "That was nice Ronnie, even the baby squealed with joy that time." Ronnie asked if she could handle a little more love, and she said, "Could I have a few...," and then she quickly ran to the bathroom. Ronnie could hear how very upset her stomach was this morning. He went into the bathroom, sat down against the wall beside her until her body began to relax and let her stomach have a moment to settle. Ronnie had not seen her morning sickness this bad, and asked if the lovemaking had made things worse today. She said, "Probably, but I do not care. My puking only lasts for five or six minutes and then I am fine the rest of the day. The orgasms make the rest of me feel very nice the entire day and I will take that pleasure whenever I can. I love you Ronnie, and don't let a pregnant woman's morning sickness worry you, I will be, and I am, just fine." Ronnie, right now you need to leave so I can poo..., sorry, but you need to leave for a few minutes. Ronnie kissed her forehead, and then left the room so the woman could do her business without anyone watching.

When she had showered and dressed, she walked into the kitchen. She was wearing her flight suit and Ronnie noticed the small flashlight in the sleeve pocket. He could also see a bulge in her pants pocket where a second small penlight was stored. He smiled to himself, remembering that she planned to work in the inventory locker bay this morning. She planned to begin doing a physical inventory of every item in inventory to insure that the computers quantity matched the actual physical count. Ronnie said he would download the inventory file to her on her handheld viewer and then she could just upload the file after she was done each day. He explained if they dated each days uploads they would not have an accident and lose any of her work if a file should happen to crash.

As they prepared breakfast and sat down at the table to eat, Ronnie asked Angela if she could come out of the inventory locker bay while they visited the Open Market later today. Ronnie watched Angela's eyes light up and then saw her begin fidgeting around in her chair. He reached over, said she should finish her breakfast, first. Angela settled down just enough to finish the food in front of her, then stood up, said she needed to get her work started, then began to walk away. She stopped, looked back at Ronnie and asked if he would call her before they arrived because she wanted to see the entire area around the Open Market. Ronnie smiled and said, "You go do what you had planned for today and I will call you before I move this travel membrane one inch from its present orbit." Angela smiled, walked back to Ronnie and kissed him hard on the lips, turned and wiggled out of the kitchen. As she walked away, he heard her singing some new song he had never heard before. Ronnie wondered if Angela had made it up or just heard it somewhere. Ronnie spoke to the computer to find out if it knew about the new song. "Computer, did you hear the song Angela was just singing?" "Yes Ronnie, I heard. It was a song Angela found while listening to an intergalactic radio station that played very old music from planet Earth. I recorded the song because Angela was dancing to it, and I thought she might want to hear the words again to memorize them. I soon discovered she had memorized the song after listening to it only once on the radio." Ronnie said, "Computer, thank you for thinking of Angela, but remember that her photographic memory sometimes surprises me also." "Ronnie, the name of the song was, Don't Forget Me (When I'm Gone), by a group called, Glass Tiger." Ronnie asked, "Computer could you print out the lyrics so I can read them?" The printer behind Ronnie began clattering and then spit out a sheet of paper. Ronnie pulled the printed sheet from the printer and began reading.

Two hours later, Ronnie had his flight plan approved by the Watch Commander at IFTT Headquarters. Ronnie asked the computer to summon Angela to the ready room and prepare for flight. Ronnie heard the computer say over the vessel wide speakers, "Angela, your second lover summons you to the ready room to prepare for the flight to the Open Market." When Angela stepped into the ready room, Ronnie was grinning at her. She leaned down, kissed his lips and said, "The computer is jealous and thinks he is my first love, but you know who rings my chimes." Ronnie kissed her very hard and said, "Thanks for clearing that up, I was about to eject the travel computer out of the cargo bay door." Ronnie and Angela both heard the computer say, "Ronnie, you wouldn't?" Angela quickly spoke up, defended the computer and said, "I would not allow my jealous husband to eject my friend out into hyperspace." The computer spoke quietly as if trying to tell a secret to Angela, "Thank you Angela, he may be your physical lover, but you know who loves you for more than just your body." When Angela looked over to her husband, he was holding his sides and laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes. Angela reached over and gave him a gently punch on the shoulder, and then told him to please play nice with the computer.

Ronnie engaged the flight controls and Angela felt a very tiny tingle in her body that indicated movement. Within a few minutes, her mind told her the travel membrane was slowing, and then hovering near the Open Market. Ronnie created a large portal in front of the console in the control room so they could observe the Open Market as they approached. Ronnie first opened the purchase file for the items they wished to obtain from the market, and then opened the file with the list of the items they would be selling, so both files appeared side by side as a split screen. Ronnie asked Angela if she would help him, and headed out to the inventory control locker. Ronnie smiled to himself. He had noticed that as the door to the locker slid open; Angela reached and touched the flashlight in the sleeve pocket of her flight suit to make sure it was there. Angela realized Ronnie had seen her touch the flashlight, smiled to him and said, "Once bitten, twice shy."

Ronnie moved a blue stainless steel tub from the cargo bay into the inventory control room, which had big letters on the side that said, "Property of IFTT." Ronnie pulled up the list of items they were selling on the wall monitory and began placing the items he was selling to the Open Market into the tub. When the last item was stowed into the tub, Ronnie rolled the tub out into the cargo bay and placed the cover on top of the tub. Then he secured the lid with clamps that he tightened by inserting a screwdriver into the slots and turning until they drew the lid down tight. Angela helped Ronnie move the now very heavy tub with a chain falls up off the floor, and then they slid it on the chain falls trolley to the edge of the cargo bay doors. Then together they lowered the tub down to the floor, unhooked the chain falls and cleared all loose items from the cargo bay. Ronnie knew that anything not properly secured in the cargo bay area would float out the open doors and be lost when the travel computer depressurized the cargo bay. They returned to the ready room and Ronnie asked the computer to adjust the inventory to reflect the items moved and placed into the shipping tub.

Ronnie set the travel computer of The Empress to lock onto the Open Markets computer guidance system. When the two had phase locked together, The Empress began to move slowly towards the vast expanse of the tunnel, the opening into the Open Market. As they moved along and entered the entrance to the huge tunnel of the Open Market, Ronnie looked at Angela, and smiled. Angela's mouth was doing the same thing his had done the first time he entered the incredibly vast opening of the Market; her mouth was hanging open. Her eyes were huge, and she could not look away, the size of this immense market had mesmerized her. The Empress was huge in its own right, but the Open Market tunnel was larger, much larger. Ronnie was waiting for a little bit of drool to drip off Angela's chin from her open mouth, but it did not happen.

As The Empress continued to move along the tunnel of the Open Market, Angela could see the large blue tubs ahead of them, slowly filling with items from the shelves that lined the outsides of the tunnel. Something was drawing the items from the shelves and then depositing them into the tubs, but Angela could not see what was moving them. Ronnie did not say a word, but just watched and waited. He knew that when they exited the Open Market, Angela would talk for hours, asking questions, saying to him, "Did you see that huge electric motor just fly across the sky and land in the drum?"

As they moved along, Angela heard the computer announce, "Please clear the cargo bay of human inhabitants. The outer doors of the ejection bay will open in fifteen seconds, ten seconds—five seconds—one second," Angela heard and felt the pressure inside The Empress fluctuate just enough for her ears to pop. She realized the blue tub was now floating out in front of The Empress. The Open Market computer had retrieved the items they had packed into the steel tub, and was now moving it to a shelf along the wall of the tunnel. Angela watched as the huge tub settled on a shelf; now ready to transfer into the cargo bay of their customers vessel. When the tubs were full with the items they had purchased, Angela watched as the lids moved from the shelves, settled on top of the steel tubs and were locked down with air actuated tightening tools located on the ends of six robotic arms.

When the tubs were all sealed, Angela watched as they moved to the right side of The Empress, then hovered and waited to be loaded into the cargo bay. Angela heard the computer announce its intention to open the cargo bay doors again, but she did not feel any pressure change inside The Empress. The computer had not pressurized the cargo bay after the single tub was removed, so the cargo bay and open space were at the same pressure. Ronnie told Angela that the cargo bay doors were open (Ronnie pointed to a red light that was lit on the control console) and turned the cameras so that Angela could see the huge tubs slowly moving into the cargo bay. When all the tubs had entered the bay and the doors had closed, Angela saw the red light on the console turn amber. Then the pressure in The Empress changed again and Angela felt her ears pop, telling her the cargo bay had finished pressurizing. The console light then turned green.

Ronnie maneuvered The Empress to a location near the Open Market area used by travel membranes to lie over. Ronnie explained to Angela that they needed to empty the huge tubs and then return them to the Open Market. Now that the newly purchased items were safely inside the cargo bay, Angela wanted to go out and open the tubs. She was very excited, like a child waiting to open a Christmas present. Ronnie checked with the computer to be sure the cargo bay was safe. The computer began explaining that once they had entered the cargo bay it would increase the atmospheric pressure slightly to compensate for the vacuum inside the containers.

When they walked into the cargo bay, the tubs were sitting in every direction as if some giant had opened the cargo bay doors and threw the big tubs into the bay, scattering them in every direction. Ronnie located a pneumatic operated hand truck and began moving the containers around so they could empty them. These tubs were about two meters square, and stood one and a half meters tall. Ronnie moved the first tub close to the inventory locker bay, and then slid a set of metal stairs up close to the side of the tub. He explained to Angela that the containers had a vacuum inside and the lids could not be opened until the pressure inside was equalized. Ronnie moved to the end of the container that now had the steps against it, opened a valve on the side and began letting the air inside the cargo bay enter the containers. Then he began doing the same for all the containers.

The sound of the air entering the containers was very noisy, but it only lasted about ten minutes and then stopped. Ronnie said they could now remove the lids on the containers. He began using a pneumatic tool to release the screw latches and soon had the lid on the first container unlatched. He moved the hoist over the container and lifted the lid off. Ronnie told Angela they had done the easy part, and they could begin unloading the first container. Ronnie stepped onto the steps, began pulling items out of the container and had Angela place them into a smaller cart that they could roll into the inventory locker bay. When the cart was full, they rolled it into the inventor locker and neatly stacked the items along the outside walls where they would deal with them later. They spent four hours emptying all the large tubs and moving everything into the inventory locker bay. Then Ronnie carefully covered the containers, screwed down the lids and arranged the tubs in the bay. When everything in the cargo bay was properly secured and stored, Ronnie explained that they would now return all of the large tubs to the open market but keep two of the smaller ones for later use. The two tubs they kept they would refill with merchandise for customers on the next trip to the open market.

Ronnie closed the airtight doors between the cargo bay and the living quarters in preparation for time travel. Ronnie and Angela returned to the control console and Ronnie entered the proper information for bin retrieval from The Empress to the Open Market. Angela felt a tiny movement and then the Open Market reappeared in the portal. They quickly centered up on the tunnel opening and the Open Market's computer locked onto The Empress and began moving them into the tunnel. When they had just barely entered the tunnel opening, the computer announced that it would open the cargo bay doors. Angela felt the air pressure change, realized the console light had turned red and the tubs moved past them to the shelves of the open market. Angela watched as each numbered tub moved into the correct shelf and settled into place. Once they had completed the transfers, the cargo bay doors closed and the console light turned back to green.

They were still traveling through the tunnel and Angela knew that would take another hour or so to travel all the way to the end. As Angela began to settle down into her seat to wait for the long trip thru the tunnel, she realized the wall to their right was opening in a place that had no shelving. When the door opened, The Empress moved sideways through the opening, and then moved out into open space. They were now ready to travel again and did not have to complete the long trip through the tunnel.

As they slowly moved away from the Open Market, Angela asked Ronnie about their next destination. Ronnie said they would move into the Open Market holding area where they would put the new inventory into the lockers and sort out the supplies destined to fill their next customers' orders. Ronnie explained that they had a couple days layover before they would travel to their next customer's location.

When they were properly in a holding pattern in the area designated for customers of the Open Market, they decided it was time for meals, showers, and a little quiet time. They had both been up working for over twenty-four hours and Ronnie did not want Angela working this many hours in the future. He would now begin to steer her towards taking a short nap in the afternoon, sleeping longer at night, and the most important to him was that she begin eating very carefully. She was already cutting way down on her coffee consumption, and Ronnie realized she often would drink cool tea instead. She was requesting healthy foods from the food replicators and would actually sit at the table and slowly eat her meals instead of carrying them with her to the inventory locker bay, or eating as she input inventory quantities into the computer. Ronnie tried to tell her that even though her work was very important to the operation of The Empress, she was to find time for herself.

Ronnie decided to cooked them supper tonight. He planned to cook real food on the stove instead of eating from the food replicator; the aroma of spaghetti with meat sauce, and toasted bread with butter, permeated The Empress. Ronnie refrained from any heavy spices in the sauce, and only put just a touch of garlic powder on the buttered toast. Angela had gone off to take a shower, and when supper was almost ready, Ronnie went to find her. When he walked into his bedroom, he realized Angela had taken her shower and had lain down on the bed. She was naked, but had covered herself with a blanket from the end of Ronnie's bed. He walked up near her and realized she was warm and very comfortable, so he stepped out of the room. He considered asking the computer to dim the lights, but decided he would leave the room just as he found it. When he went back to the kitchen, he put the spaghetti and sauce in the cooling unit, and ate his own supper. He had found a very good book that Angela had read and said was funny so he read as he ate.

Suddenly, he felt as if someone was watching him. When he turned, Angela was standing in the doorway, completely naked, and rubbing her swollen tummy. Ronnie asked if she felt okay and she said, no I believe baby and I missed our supper, and baby says it smells very good in the kitchen. Ronnie walked over to her, kissed her and asked if he could get her a robe before he warmed up some food for her and baby. When he returned, Angela was already warming a small plate of spaghetti, and began tasting the sauce to be certain Ronnie had not put anything in it that would upset baby. Angela was very tired tonight and did not want her child to keep her awake after feeding it spicy spaghetti sauce. As she tasted the spoon of spaghetti sauce, Ronnie stepped into the kitchen and said he could tell her all the ingredients if she wanted. She swallowed a little of the sauce, kissed her husband and said, "Thank you my friend, I needed this wonderful food and you spiced it just right so our child will not have an upset tummy."

Ronnie asked Angela if she would like some tea with her supper and she said, "I have now weaned myself off all the caffeine, so I think a little goats' milk is all I shall drink with supper." Ronnie began heating water for his own tea and said, "I will not perk any more coffee in the mornings and drive you insane with the coffee smells." Angela spoke to her husband, "Ronnie, I love the smell of perking coffee and you do not need to stop drinking it because of me."

As Angela ate her spaghetti, she told Ronnie she did not know what the schedule was for The Empress for the next few days. Ronnie sat down across the table from her and said that they needed to be at the next customer's universe in four days. He planned to stay here in this holding area for three more days, then travel to the customer's universe, establish an orbit around their planet and begin trading on the fourth day. He explained that all the goods they purchased yesterday (now stored in the inventory locker bay) needed stocking, and sorting out for the next customer. He said, "Angela, tomorrow is Sunday on planet Earth, and is considered a day of rest. We are going to have a quiet day and do nothing at all except read, maybe watch a few old movies, listen to music, do whatever we want. The following day, we will begin sorting merchandise. You have worked long hours for weeks now, and you deserve a schedule change. You are now far enough along with the pregnancy that I want to shorten your workdays to a reasonable amount of hours. I would like to have you eat when your tummy is hungry, sleep and nap when you need to, then fill in the rest of your days working when your body feels well. Does that sound like a schedule you can handle until this child is born and you can return to full time work as you desire?" Angela said, "Husband, you have made a lot of plans for me, without asking, I might add, but your plan is a very good one, and I will be thankful for the relaxed work load as I grow larger, and am only able to waddle around this vessel." She reached her finger out and touched Ronnie on the end of his nose. Ronnie said, "I love you too."

Chapter 11 – Influenza Strikes The Empress

The next time that Angela saw Ronnie, he was at the control console, talking to someone on the Super 11 radio. When the first call was complete, he began the next one. This time Angela sat down in the copilot's chair, leaned back and listened to both sides of the conversation. Suddenly, Angela was very concerned and sat upright in her chair, intently listening to the conversation between Ronnie and her doctor. She now wondered why Ronnie was talking to her doctor without talking to her first. She felt a warm rush of adrenaline flood through her veins, and her face flushed. Her husband was sneaking around behind her back, and that pissed her off to no end. As she listened, she realized that Ronnie was discussing the flu that was going around the cosmos with her doctor. Angela realized that Ronnie was ill and was afraid he had exposed Angela and their unborn child to the flu. The doctor said that he would like to have Angela close to the hospital for the next few days. If she came down with the flu, he could monitor her fever until the virus ran its course. That way, they could be certain the fever would never get so high that it would injure the baby. Angela emotions now ranged from anger at her husband, to concern for their child. Ronnie said that he would call the doctor tomorrow and discuss things then. As Ronnie cleared the channel, Angela said, "Ronnie talk to me and talk to me right now my husband. I am very angry with you for not discussing this with me in advance of this call."

Ronnie did not seem to care if his wife was angry or not, as he was very worried and needed information from the doctor, very quickly. Ronnie just looked at Angela and said, "Angela I was exposed somewhere to this deadly flu virus that is going around, I am suddenly very sick and do not have time to concern myself with your anger. The only concerns I have at this moment is for the health of you and our child. I will talk to you in a few minutes about all this, but right now, we need to jump to an orbit around Quantum and remain there until we are all three safe from this flu epidemic. Please help me prepare The Empress for immediate travel."

Angela quickly moved from the ready room to the inventory locker bay to help Ronnie close all the floor access doors. Angela could see that Ronnie was sweating very heavily and knew he was much too sick to be working this hard, but she also needed his help getting the heavy doors closed. If she had to close them herself, she would have to use the overhead hoists and that would use up valuable time that Ronnie did not think they had.

When the vessel was ready for travel, Ronnie returned to the control console and input the flight coordinates for the planet Quantum. When Angela stepped into the ready room, Ronnie asked her to sit in the copilot's chair and listen carefully to him and the computer. With Angela seated, Ronnie began explaining the situation to the computer, instructed the computer to override all security password protocols and use only voice commands from him and Angela. He instructed the computer to assume Angela as skipper of The Empress if he was unable to make decisions, and to consider her voice commands as the "rule." He then made certain the computer would not allow Angela to make any mistakes, and to guide her in her decisions if she asked for his help.

When Ronnie asked the computer if his instructions were acceptable, the computer responded with three chirps. Ronnie engaged the travel computers guidance system and Angela felt the tiny movement as The Empress moved towards Quantum. Ronnie leaned his head back against the headrest of his seat, and then said, "I am sorry for being short with you my friend, but I needed to get us underway to safety quickly. I am feeling very ill and did not want you left out here at the Open Market and not be able to get to safety. As we stand now, the computer will take us to a stable orbit around Quantum. I have already notified Quantum's Director of Operations of our situation. They may or may not allow us to teleport to the hospital on the surface, but the doctor is willing to come aboard The Empress to assist you and our child through this flu virus if you come down with it. You may not get the virus, as your doctor said he vaccinated your when you had your first visit with him, but nothing is certain. The vaccine should also protect the unborn child in your belly from this flu. The computer will work out all the details and teleport the doctor back and forth and do all the things you request it to do if I am too sick to help you. I also had the flu vaccination, but for some reason it did not work with me."

"The doctor is concerned that the virus may have mutated and our vaccination will not be effective safeguarding you and our child. The doctor says I should be just fine in a few days, but you and this child's safety are a concern for me. Your body may be able to fight the virus, but the child could be lost if proper measures are not taken to keep your temperature down. I have contacted our customers, and the appointment in four days is on hold until we are prepared to travel once again." Ronnie spoke to Angela again, "Angela, I must go to my room and lie down. The computer can relay any questions you have to me. You need to stay here at the control console and talk to the Quantum's Director of Operations when he has placed The Empress into proper orbit. All systems will be automatic and the computer on The Empress will take care of all housekeeping chores. All you will need to do is communicate with the humans. The computer can put you in touch with the doctor and instruct you on the operation of the radio if you should need help. Ronnie stood up and headed to his room."

Within minutes, the Director of Operations came on the radio and Angela quickly discussed the situation with him. He told Angela that if she needed anything from him, The Empress's computer could connect her instantly to his radio. He explained that The Empress was now in quarantine and no one could teleport to or from the vessel without his consent. He explained that her doctor would be teleported to The Empress if needed, as he had already had the virus and was immune. We will enable your computer to teleport medicines and any needed supplies to The Empress, and your doctor can make those arrangements by calling me. The Director of Operations then discussed with Angela the things to watch for in her and Ronnie's bodies and to call her doctor immediately after they completed this conversation. Angela promised that she would do that immediately. She thanked the Director of Operations and then cleared the channel.

The computer quickly connected her to her doctor, and when he spoke to her the first words out of his mouth were, Angela do you have the flu? Angela assured him she had no symptoms of any kind and felt as well as any woman with morning sickness would feel. She said, "Its Ronnie I am worried about," and the doctor began asking her all the questions about how he was doing. Angela had the computer begin checking Ronnie's condition and it soon displayed a list of Ronnie's vitals on the monitor in front of her. The list had things that made her chuckle; his last poop was even on the monitor. Angela read the list off to the doctor and she said he would teleport up some medicine. He asked her if she had ever given someone an injection and she said, "Heavens no." The doctor said she would need to give two to Ronnie and he carefully explained how to do it. He told her that Ronnie's life might depend on her being strong for him, so give him the medicines exactly as your computer instructs you. The doctor explained that he had just sent the computer instructions and the teleported medicine would be delivered into the cargo bay in a few minutes.

Ten minutes later the computer spoke to Angela and explained that the medicine from the IFTT had arrived and was waiting in the cargo bay. The computer told her to wait for the green light over the door to the cargo bay to turn green, and then she could enter. She quickly stood at the door and waited, the green light came on, then the computer said, "Angela you may now enter the cargo bay." She quickly spotted the package inside the yellow circle, picked it up and walked back into the living area. The door closed behind her, and she quickly entered Ronnie's bedroom.

Ronnie had not even taken his flight suit off; he was just lying on the top of the bed. Angela took his clothes off and got him under the covers. She realized that even though he was sweating, he was also chilled. She opened the package, remembering she had to administer two injections and felt a panic attack coming on. Angela quickly spoke to the computer and said she needed him to talk to her, she was about to panic. The computer began talking, explaining how to prepare the injections. When everything was ready, Angela said to the computer, "I cannot do this; I cannot stick a needle into my husband's body." The computer kept talking to her, told her to roll Ronnie over, that she would put both injections into his butt muscles. Angela did what she knew she had to do, and prepared Ronnie for the lifesaving medicine, but at the last moment was unable to inject the medicine. Then she heard the sounds a deep male voice, speaking softly to her, speaking her mother's comfort song, but the computer had changed some of the words. Then the computer spoke to Angela and said, "My friend, you need to help the one whose child you carry in your belly. Be strong and this medicine will destroy the flu virus that could take Ronnie's life. Be strong my friend."

Angela stood up, rubbed two spots with the alcohol pads, held the needle one inch above Ronnie's skin, gently but firmly inserted the needle, and pushed the medicine into his muscle. She dropped the first syringe into the trashcan beside her and injected the second syringe of medicine. When she had rolled Ronnie back over on his back, she asked the computer if the doctor had told him of anything else that she needed to do. The computer said she had done very well, now the medicine needed to work.

She got a pan of cool water and began wiping Ronnie's sweat-drenched body, trying to keep him as cool as possible without causing him to shiver again. Angela spoke to the computer and asked, "Computer, my friend, can you tell me what Ronnie's temperature is right now?" The computer said that Ronnie had a one-hundred and three degree fever. The computer told Angela that her doctor had just sent a computer-generated message. The doctor had asked if you had administered the injections without any problems. Angela asked what he had told the doctor, and the computer said, "I explained that you had properly administered the injections, and had done very well with your task." Angela smiled, then said, "Thank you my friend for comforting me, I needed your emotional support to do a task that badly frightened me."

Two hours later, as Angela was sleeping in the copilot's chair, she heard the sound of her doctors voice speaking to her over the radio. She quickly answered the radio and talked to the doctor; assuring him, she was fine, but had simply fallen asleep in the copilot's seat. She needed to check on Ronnie. The computer spoke to her and said she should remain seated. He displayed the picture of Ronnie sleeping in his bed. The computer rolled Ronnie's vitals along the side of the screen; then zoomed onto Ronnie's face. He was now dry and looked to have a better color.

The computer sent Ronnie's vitals to the doctor. The doctor said Ronnie was doing very well, but Angela needed to wake him and try to get some water and maybe some soup broth into him. The computer said that Ronnie had gotten up twice and used the restroom. The doctor said the lab analysis of his urine was okay, and he would check back in a few hours.

Angela cleared the channel, and then spoke to the computer again. "Computer, how long did I sleep?" The computer responded, "Angela you slept for about nine hours while I monitored Ronnie and you to be sure you both were doing okay." Angela said, "Thank you computer, I needed the sleep and I am sure baby was tired out, as she was getting cranky." Angela stood up to tend to Ronnie, and realized that she had called the baby, she. Angela stood still for second, thinking, and then said, "Computer did you ever tell me that this child in my belly was a girl?" The computer responded, "Yes, Angela I am afraid I mentioned the child's sex to you once. I hope I did not tell you something you did not want to know." Angela smiled, "Computer, I am very happy to know this child is a female, but have you told Ronnie this news yet?" "No Angela, only you know of this information." Angela, said, "Computer, do you think we could keep a secret from Ronnie about the baby's sex until the time of her birth? I realize it is not proper protocol to keep information from the skipper of this vessel, but this one time I would like to keep a secret from my husband." The computer responded, "Yes Angela, that information can remain a secret until the birth, or until you slip and tell him."
Angela laughed aloud as she walked to Ronnie's room. When she stepped into Ronnie's bedroom, she realized he was awake and had raised his head up on his pillow. She spoke to him, and then said, "I am glad to see you are feeling better my husband. Could you use some water and maybe some soup?" Ronnie said, "Thanks, I am very thirsty but too tired to get out of bed just yet." Angela told him the doctor wanted him to stay in bed for another twenty-four hours. The virus attacks the nervous system and he does not want you up just yet. Ronnie said that he was going to have to get up shortly and use the restroom. Angela walked to his bed, offered her hand and helped him to the bathroom. He sat down and Angela left the door open and sat in a chair just outside the door where she could talk to him to be sure he was okay. When he returned to bed, she fed him water and soup, freshly made, by the food replicator.

Angela let the computer monitor Ronnie, and left him alone for a while to rest. The computer said he would notify Angela when Ronnie was awake so she could offer him water and soup each time he woke. Angela wanted to get back to sorting the goods they had purchased. She at least wanted to sort the items for their customer, knowing that Ronnie was going to feel like crap for a few days. The computer helped her scan the barcode on each item, then put the item where it belonged. There were two of the heavy pneumatic motors, and Angela used the overhead hoists to get the motors into the tubs she was packing. The computer spoke to her, said she had done well for today and said her baby needed water, food, and rest. The computer said he would help her finish the job in about two hours tomorrow morning and then she would be done with the hard physical work. The rest of the goods were items for their own inventory and were lightweight items, easily placed into the proper bins, and drawers.

Angela was very physically tired and she realized the computer was right about one thing, she and her child both needed food and rest. When she walked into the living quarters, she went straight in to check on Ronnie. He had been alone now for over two hours, and Angela felt bad forgetting to check on him every hour as she had planned. When she walked into the bedroom, Ronnie was sitting on the edge of the bed, with a cup of coffee and a bowl of soup. Angela began to cry instantly. She said, "Ronnie I am so sorry you had to get your own coffee and food, I did not mean to leave alone so long." She sat down on the chair beside his bed and wiped her eyes dry.

The computer spoke and said, "I am sorry Angela, but Ronnie and I talked and he wanted to let you work, and get his own meal. He is feeling much better now." Ronnie said, "Thanks computer, but I can explain to my loving wife that I am feeling better now, and that sometimes we males are better off not being tended to when we are healing." He smiled at Angela, returned his attention to his soup, then turned to her and said, "Thank you for the wonderful care and the medicine while I was too sick to care for myself. I love you; you do understand that, don't you. I love you more than anyone I have ever loved in my life."

Angela sat quietly, fighting her tears, knowing that her husband needed a smile right now, not tears. She began telling Ronnie about all the radio messages; everyone seemed worried about him. Angela said, "Husband, I knew you had a lot of friends, but when they heard you were very ill, they all were ready to do anything they could to help you. There must be over a hundred radio messages stored in the computer's message system, all wishing you a speedy recovery." Ronnie said he would try to reply to all of them when he felt better. He had finished his soup and coffee and asked Angela if she would do one favor for him before she left him. He asked, "Would you stand close by the shower while I wash myself. I stink horribly, but get weak when I stand." Angela said she would help him, and stood very close to him while he quickly washed his body, then brushed his teeth. While he put on the clean pajamas she found for him, she quickly changed his bedding. When he crawled back into bed, he said, "Thanks, for helping me with the shower." As Angela walked to the kitchen to feed herself and her child, she felt an incredible burden lifted off her shoulders. She had been so afraid when Ronnie had come down with the flu, and now he was on the mend and she felt as if her life might be okay now. She had twice discussed with the computer the possibility that Ronnie might not live, and they had discussed a contingency plan in case of such an occurrence. She loved Ronnie so very much that she was not sure her life was worth living if her husband died, but she knew that she also loved this tiny child growing in her belly, and she would be strong for her child if something happened to her man.

Angela was also very concerned about getting the flu. She was certain she could survive the flu herself, but what if her child perished, and she aborted this late in the pregnancy, the thought scared the crap out of her. The incubation period for this strain of the flu was three days, so she should be coming down with it if she was going to get it. Angela calmed herself; reminding herself that she could immediately call her doctor if she felt any of the symptoms of the flu, he could certainly help her.

As it turned out, Angela and Ronnie had no reason to concern themselves with Angela or the baby getting the flu. Her doctor said that either Angela had already had this strain of the flu, or the vaccination had protected them. Three weeks after Ronnie's bout with the flu, Angela still had not come down with any symptoms, and her doctor said she never would. That was a good thing to hear, because Ronnie and Angela wanted to invite Janet and the girls to The Empress to spend a week with them. The reason that Ronnie and Angela were now visiting their doctor was because Angela had suddenly begun putting on a lot of weight, and her tummy was bulging.

Ronnie knew she was not over eating or eating improperly, because the computer had monitored her food intake and said she should not be gaining more than a few ounces each week. Her doctor had asked her to come to his office so he could give her an ultrasound, and see if maybe she had twins growing in her belly. When the ultrasound was complete, the doctor explained that Angela seemed perfectly healthy, and had only one baby growing inside her. He told her to continue to monitor her calorie intake, and monitor her weight gain. Angela was concerned that the child in her belly was very large, and she would not be able to deliver it. The doctor reassured her that the child was the correct size, and that only her belly was too large. The doctor told them to quit being worrywarts, have their guests visit them on The Empress, take their vacation to the Deoblo 12, and enjoy themselves. The doctor wrote down the name, and the channel frequency of a friend of his on the Planet Deoblo 12, and said if they had any problems during the vacation, to contact the doctor and he would take the very best care of them.

Chapter 12 - Deoblo 12

Angela did not want to teleport down to Janet's house, because she would need to take some of the Misenall drug, and she did not intend to take it until after this child was born. Ronnie kissed Angela's cheek and said he would be back in a few hours with their guests. The computer spoke and told Ronnie that it was going to try to get Angela to sit in her recliner, read, and rest for a couple hours if it could manage to sweet talk her into listening. Angela said, "Computer, right now you do not need to speak any kind words or sweet talk me. I am very tired, and will take your advice and nap for an hour or so right after Ronnie leaves."

As Ronnie teleported down to Janet's house, Angela walked into her bedroom and sat down in her recliner. She picked up her book to read, but soon decided she was too sleepy to read. She covered herself in a blanket, asked the computer to dim the lights just a little, and quickly fell asleep.

She was certain she had only slept for a few minutes, but she woke to Ronnie kissing her on the forehead. She reached up to him, kissed him hard on the lips and said, "Hello husband, I was just dreaming about you. I believe I need a little of your attention tonight, if you would be so kind. My dreams seem to have turned very romantic, today."

Ronnie said, "Our guests are here when you get up and around." Angela quickly got up, brushed her teeth and headed out to see the girls. When Angela walked into the kitchen, Ronnie was serving three cups of steaming hot chocolate. Ronnie looked at his wife and asked if she and baby would like a chocolate fix? Angela thought about that for a moment, then decided the baby in her belly would love a little chocolate, as long as it was not too hot. Ronnie prepared her a cup while Angela hugged on Janet and the girls.

Frederica was sitting real close to Angela and her arm was against Angela's side. Suddenly, Angela's belly wiggled a little, and Frederica said, "I think I just got kicked in the arm." Angela said, "I am sorry my baby is being naughty, if something puts a little pressure on her, she seems to kick at the pressure." Frederica, said, "Angela, could I touch your stomach and see if the baby will kick me again?" Angela quickly agreed, and the baby kicked again as Frederica gently pushed with her fingers. Frederica said, "I am sorry to disturb you, little darling, I will leave you alone so you can sleep."

Angela began giggling at the way Frederica talked to the unborn child; it reminded her of the way her own mother spoke to her sometimes when she was very young. As they sat and talked, Angela asked Ronnie where the girls would sleep while they were here, and Ronnie said, "Maybe you girls should create a couple more rooms in The Empress. I know the computer would love to help the four of you, and if you need any assistance, just yell." Angela smiled, stood up, and asked the girls if they would like to create their own rooms. They quickly stood up and followed Angela into the ready room.

Angela sat down in the pilot's chair, Janet in the copilot's seat, and the two girls pulled up chairs behind them. As Angela talked to the computer and had a floor plan displayed of The Empress, she said that she would start by duplicating the dimensions of her own room and bathroom. Then she created the entrance doors from the hallways. She placed two beds in the first room and one bed in the second room, then a monitor in each. Dressers for their belongings, and then had the girls tell her how to arrange the beds, reclining chairs, dressers, and all the other girl things they needed. Frederica said, "Since we have went this far, can we add a second bathroom to our room?" Angela quickly drew in a second bathroom, and added a bathing tub for Frederica, instead of the shower. With the drawings complete, Monica said, "Now that you have drawn the area, who builds the rooms?"

Angela explained that the computer would do the actual construction because he could build the rooms and furnish them, in just seconds. Monica just laughed, but Frederica knew how these things worked, and asked her sister to join her in the hallway and watch the construction. Angela spoke to the computer, asked if she had properly drawn the rooms, and if he could construct the rooms as drawn. The computer assured Angela that everything met protocol and it would reconfigure The Empress as soon and the paper work was complete. Angela saw a screen come up asking for her password to be typed. Angela leaned over the keyboard to hide her keystrokes and entered the proper password. The computer announced that construction would commence in thirty seconds.

The girls opened the door from the kitchen, just as the hallway extended in length by seven meters and the two new bedroom doors appeared. Angela clapped her hands and giggled; creating rooms like this was something she really enjoyed. Angela waited for the computer to tell her the construction was complete, and then she walked to the first door and opened it. When she stepped inside, she walked over and checked out the bathroom, ran water in the sink to see if it worked, then sat down in the recliner and just smiled. Frederica walked to the next door, opened it, stepped inside and the girls heard her laughing. When everyone walked into the girl's room to see what had tickled Frederica, they realized she was holding a rather large, Teddy Bear. When they looked around, there was another bear on Monica's bed, only a slightly different color. Monica ran to the bed, picked up her bear and said, "Thank you computer, I love this bear. It was nice of you to help us feel welcome."

The computer quickly charmed Monica with his welcome speech and the sound of her favorite song that began to play in the speakers beside her bed. Frederica asked her mother if she could take a hot bath. Just as the words left her mouth, they all heard the water begin running in the tub in her private bath. When she stepped into the bathroom, the computer explained that it had provided a variety of bath oils and soaps for her bathing pleasure. Frederica tested the water temperature with her finger and began removing her clothing.

Angela reminded Frederica that there was one easily embarrassed male on this vessel, and to try to not shock her uncle too badly with their nudity, and then shut the door from the hallway into the girl's room. Angela had no more than shut the door when there was knock on the door. Frederica smiled, moved her now naked body into the bathroom and shut the door. Angela said, "Who is it that knocks on the door to this feminine chamber of dreams?" The response on the other side of the door was quick and to the point. "It is I, the master of this vessel that you damsels have locked out. I protest this treatment and the insult to my ownership of all that resides within this vessel." Angela opened the door, stepped into the hallway, kissed Ronnie on the lips, and said, "No males allowed," stepped back into the bedroom and shut the door, leaving Ronnie standing in the hallway.

Janet and Monica were now laughing. Janet sat down in the recliner with tears of laughter running down her face. Monica walked to the door, opened it just a little and said, "There are sometimes naked women in this area so be very careful to always knock." Then opened the door, took her uncle's hand and escorted him into the room. She quickly showed him the Teddy Bears they had received from the computer. Angela smiled and winked at Ronnie. The computer had already told Ronnie that the girl's rooms were complete, that Angela had privately requested Teddy Bears for the girls and that Frederica was naked and about to take a bath. Ronnie had asked the computer to keep a careful watch over Angela and their guests while they visited, so they were all safe, and that he, being the only male did not embarrass a skimpily clad female aboard his vessel.

Ronnie explained to the guests that The Empress would shortly be traveling to a place called the Open Market to pick up some supplies for a customer they would be visiting in a couple days. Ronnie said, "When we get to the Open Market, I would like everyone to come to the ready room, if you would. The Open Market is one of the objects in the cosmos that is very spectacular and a must see on your first voyage. When we shop at the Open Market, I have ordered up some food for supper tonight. We will be doing a one-day layover in a resting area near the Open Market and then I would like to take you all to another universe, and show you a planet that you will never forget. We will visit the depths of the planet's oceans and look at the sea life while standing inside a glass room."

Janet asked Angela if she had ever seen these places. Angela explained that she had seen the Open Market, and Ronnie was right, you have to see it to believe it. However, the planet with a glass room below the ocean she had not seen. Then Angela asked Ronnie if they would need to teleport down to the planet. Ronnie said, "No, I do not want you taking the Misenall medicine until after the baby is born, so I arranged for a travel membrane to join with us and take us on a sightseeing adventure for the day." Angela put her head on Ronnie's shoulder, kissed his neck and whispered to him, "Thank you my husband for thinking of our baby's and my safety. I love you."

Then Frederica opened the door a tiny bit and looked out of the bathroom. Ronnie quickly said he had some work to do, and closed the door as he stepped into the hallway. Frederica came into the room and asked what the name of the planet was that Ronnie was taking them to visit. Angela said she was not sure, but she could ask the computer all those questions any time she wished. Angela then spoke to the computer, "Computer, have I properly introduced you to Frederica, Monica and Janet?" The computer spoke an answer to Angela's question, "Angela, I require no formal introductions, but I would like our female guests to be comfortable asking questions of me whenever they wish, and to feel free to request my services whenever they need assistance while here on The Empress." Angela spoke again to the computer, "Computer, Frederica just asked me the name of the planet that Ronnie said we would be visiting, could you give us some information about the planet and its entities."

The computer began its narrative: "Good afternoon ladies, the planet Ronnie spoke of is located in a very distant universe, known as Universe Number Three or simply G2. The Galaxy's name is Tooken, and the planet's name is Deoblo 12. The entity that lives there are the Swims', named thus because they live under the surface of the oceans. They are a very wonderful entity and you will all enjoy being in their presence. They also have an incredibly high level of technology, which will certainly amaze you. The Swims' created the sea life viewing Ronnie was speaking of by designing a travel membrane that can become transparent like a pane of glass, just as I create a viewing port for humans to observe what is outside of this vessel. The swims' transport their visitors down to the oceans floor, and then they change the membrane's configuration from opaque to transparent so you are literally standing inside a bubble under the ocean. Ronnie says it is a very incredible thing to see and you will all be very excited."

Then the computer spoke to Angela and informed her that they were arriving at the Open Market. Angela hustled the girls off to the ready room and then seated them; Frederica in the copilot's seat, Monica in a temporary seat between the front seats, then Janet and Angela sat down behind the three. Angela spoke to the computer and requested as much viewing area as the computer could manage, and the entire control console area and ready room became transparent to the outside. Ronnie then heard the sound that made him smile. The sound came from four females, all taking a deep breath at the exact same time; a sound he knew meant they were all speechless, and unable to express verbally the sensations they felt and saw as they sat with the cosmos all around them. Ronnie pointed ahead to the rapidly approaching object that was increasing in size quickly at their present speed. Then The Empress began to slow and to maneuver itself towards the tunnel opening of the Open Market. The girls could see five or more other travel membranes moving in ahead and behind them as the navigation computers of the Open Market staged them into single file.

Ronnie figured that Frederica would never stop asking questions, but realized her eyes were moving from side to side, as she took in every tiny bit of information she could. Ronnie quietly spoke to the computer and a holographic display appeared in the center of what Angela called the windshield area, but up high so it did not interfere with their view of the Open Market. That also made the girls gasp with amazement, and then the computer displayed a complete list of all the goods they were purchasing on this trip to the Open Market in green letters. About half way down the list was the words, _two each, six-pound geese, unfrozen_. Monica said she knew what supper was going to be, and Ronnie said he hoped she approved. All four girls at once said, "Yes."

Then Ronnie heard Angela speak to the unborn child in her belly and said, "My love, you will be eating well tonight, you are having goose, mashed potatoes and vegetables." Ronnie said, "Oops, forgot the vegetables." Monica said, "Green beans, please," and the listing changed to read, "One each sixteen ounce bag green beans, frozen." Frederica giggled and said, "Computer, could we also have lima beans tonight," and the lima beans appeared on the screen. Ronnie reached over to Frederica and said, I hate lima beans, "Computer, would you also add some peas to the list," and they appeared on the screen. Frederica said, "I hate peas," but Ronnie quickly explained that he, Angela and their unborn Daughter loved them.

Ronnie did not let on even a little about the word he had just spoken, but Angela caught it instantly, put her hand on Ronnie's shoulder and said, "Ronnie, you sometimes ask too many questions of the computer." The computer spoke to Angela, "Angela, I am sorry but Ronnie used the override password and forced me to tell." Janet could stand it no longer and said, "I think there is a secret being discussed here or maybe the secret has already been told. But I think this new baby is going to be a girl." Frederica looked at Angela and said, "Angela, Jill Marie will be a wonderful name for your daughter. Uncle Ronnie's Mother's name, I believe."

Angela suddenly lost all expression on her face; she just looked at Frederica, trying to remember if she had ever spoken that name to the computer, to Ronnie, to anyone, ever. She knew she had not, so how did Frederica just tell her that the name she had chosen was the name of Ronnie's Mother. Angela could not contain her emotions any longer and spoke directly to Frederica, and said, "Frederica, I need to understand why you called this child in my belly, Jill Marie." Frederica turned and looked Angela directly in the eyes as she said, "Angela, when we get done with the Open Market, could you and I go to your room and talk for a few minutes about that very subject?"

Angela realized she had spoken rather harshly to Frederica and reached out and touched Frederica on the shoulder and said, "Yes, that would be good, and I did not mean to speak so harshly to you, but you surprised me with your words." Frederica smiled at Angela, then put her hand on top of Angela's and squeezed gently. The girls were mesmerized at the vastness of this system, except for Frederica. As The Empress traveled through the tunnel of the Open Market, the only human voice was Frederica's; discussing with the computer, about matter and antimatter, and how the Open Market performed the conversion process right down to the molecular level.

Ronnie listened carefully to Frederica, then realized this girl had an incredible mind, a mind capable at this young age to be able to comprehend concepts he had used in the writing of his dissertation. Ronnie looked to Frederica and began asking her to help solve a problem he was having with a quantum mechanics principle. Frederica listened and soon was discussing the answer to the problem with him. Ronnie smiled as Frederica came to the proper conclusion to the fictitious problem he had proposed to her. He was actually flabbergasted at her ability to arrive at the conclusion to his question so easily. Ronnie began questioning Frederica about what she wanted to do when she graduated from college, and on what subject she would write her dissertation. She quickly said she would like to propose a new method of teleportation that she had reasoned would be safer than the present system and cause less inner ear disturbance and motion sickness.

When they had passed through the Open Market, then settled into the holding area, Angela pulled Frederica to her room and slowly worked the conversation around to how Frederica was reading her mind. Frederica, looked Angela in the eyes and said, "Angela, I have been reading minds for five or six years now, but only some minds. Some minds are like an open book to me, others are completely closed, and then there are minds like yours, which I can only read certain things, like the sex of your unborn child, and the name you have picked out for the child. Then there is Uncle Ronnie, I can see every technical thought that travels though his mind, but if I try to read any deeper into his mind, I cannot." Angela decided to drop the discussion with Frederica, since she did not believe anyone could read minds; but she certainly did not understand how Frederica found out about her unborn child's proposed name. Angela convinced herself that Frederica probably already knew that Ronnie's Mother's name was Jill Marie, so that did not bother her.

The following morning, the girls conspired to create another room in The Empress; this room needed to be pink, and they would name it, the nursery. The girls spent a complete day in that room, working the poor computer to death, changing this, changing that, moving the bed, moving the bathroom, moving cameras and monitors so Angela could see the crib on her travel watch with the push of a button. Ronnie had heard the computer explaining shades of pink to the girls three or four times, but what the girls wanted in room colors and what they explained to the computer seemed to differ most of the time. Ronnie heard Angela reprimanding the computer for being slow to process her request for a color change, but said nothing to her, realizing that the computer would deal with her in its own way.

The computer discussed its housekeeping responsibilities to Angela, and that its processor time required shared time with other duties, but was quickly called a _whine ass_ , by Angela. Ronnie decided he was glad the computer was taking the heat and not him, at least for today. When Monica said, "The computer has feelings too," she was quickly shushed by Frederica who said, "Computers have no feelings, they are just machines," but soon after found herself sitting on the floor instead of the chair she had tried to sit on. It seemed the chair had simply just moved, somehow. Ronnie spoke to the computer and said, "Computer, do not be spiteful with these women. We men simply do not understand their ways." The computer said, "Easy for you to say as you hide in the ready room, allowing me to face the _She Devils_ , alone."

The following morning, Ronnie arranged the private tour of the planet, Deoblo 12. The planet had six scientists from planet Earth permanently stationed there, so it was easy for Ronnie to work with them for this tour. They gave tours all the time when an entity scheduled them, so they were very used to having guests, and they made a nice income from the Galax they charged for food and lodging from their guests.

When Ronnie placed The Empress in a stable orbit around the planet, the two humans that Ronnie had befriended a few months ago discussed the arrangements to move their guests from The Empress to their travel membrane; they said that they would physically couple their travel membrane with The Empress. This meant that their travel membrane would move up close to The Empress and the joining walls would touch, then open, and allow the humans aboard The Empress to walk directly into the Swims' travel membrane, without the need to teleport. Once everyone from The Empress had transferred to the Swims' vessel, the hosts began explaining about the planet, it residents, it environment, it oceans, and the many wonders this planet had to offer.

The travel membranes the Swims' live and travel inside are capable of flight in space or can be swam to the depths of the deepest oceans. Because of the high ammonia content of the atmosphere, the swims' never leave the travel membranes at anytime except to swim below the ocean's surface. Swims' can also breathe the ocean's water like a fish for short periods. They simply open their mouths, take in the water and push it out a small vent in the side of their necks. The process is very similar to the way fish breathe on the planet Earth, with their gills. When the Swims' take in a mouthful of water and push it thru their neck gills, a flap in their throat closes to insure the water does not enter their lungs, or they would drown just like any earthling.

The Swims' raise fish and sea creatures like codfish, mussels, sea trout, lobsters, snails and oysters in huge tanks made of clear dimensional membrane. The material is the same material as the travel membranes, except the Swims' have altered the bond coefficient of the eleventh-dimension string energy so the membrane looks transparent instead of the traditional opaque consistency.

They also raise sea plants like kelp, sea anemones, and phytoplankton. When the phytoplankton blooms just below the surface of the planets oceans, the water, when viewed from high above the planet, takes on the beautiful colors of the species of phytoplankton that is presently in bloom. The colors can range from red to yellow and to brilliant greens. They change the entire color of the oceans, and are the most spectacular thing you could ever imagine; especially from an ocean so vast, that it covers most of the planet. Some days when you look up from one of the membranes floating in the deep waters of the oceans, you can see the phytoplankton blooms actually changing the watercolor all around you as the light shines down thru the water.

The Swims engineers and scientists escorted their human guests from The Empress into a control room that was about six meters square and filled with scientific instruments. In one corner was a travel computer setup that looked very similar to the one aboard The Empress. Once they were all inside and the doors had closed, the Swims' began explaining that they had configured this new membrane to allow for easy exploration of the oceans, but most importantly the ocean floor. The geologists had discovered minerals and metals that were vital to the planet, buried deep within the floor of the oceans.

One of the Swims' scientists explained that they had been able to explore the oceans depths down to around 83 fathoms for centuries, but below that, they could not maintain a stable membrane wall and would get high-pressure leaks that were very dangerous. They had now been able to correct the problem by a very simple method. They had found that they could form one membrane around them in shallow waters, and then inside of this they would create a second membrane. It was kind of like blowing up one balloon inside of another to get double strength. Then they discovered that they could actually bond the two layers together by mixing a third crystal frequency into the travel computer. Once they found the correct frequency and the programming to maintain the triple frequencies, they were able to travel down to the very bottom of the oceans, at least the deepest they had found so far. This very deep area of their oceans was at 800 fathoms.

One of the scientists asked the Earthlings if they remembered the transparent membranes that contained the aquatic creatures and plants when the first arrived on the planet. They explained that the deep ocean observatory used that same technology in order for them to observe the oceans while standing inside the comforts of a transparent travel membrane. As the scientists maneuvered the membrane down to the depths of the oceans, they finally let it settle down on a flat sandy area of the ocean floor. When they looked at the depth gauge on the travel computer console, it read 634 fathoms. As they were standing there talking to each other, the scientists switched the membrane from opaque to transparent. There was an audible gasp as the earthlings realized they were standing inside a fish bowl now sitting on the bottom of the ocean. Not only could they see the ocean and its creatures around them, but the ocean creatures could also see them. One large fish that looked to Ronnie like a shark swam up to the membrane and bumped its nose on the wall. Everyone jumped a little, and then there was a laugh as they all realized they were perfectly safe inside this wonderful deep ocean observatory.

This new environment was very strange, but they had the most incredible view of the ocean and the aquatic life, and found themselves turning in circles trying to get a panoramic view of their surroundings. This ocean contained every color of fish one could imagine, all swimming within centimeters of your face; lobsters walking on the bottom of the ocean floor, a huge sea turtle that almost sat on top of the transparent membrane, and the porpoise were the best. They swam all around the membrane and looked in as if they wanted to come in and play.

The Swim commander turned on the exterior hydrophones and you could hear the porpoise, whales and walrus singing their love songs all around you. The sounds had a mesmerizing effect on the humans inside the membrane, even the Swims' were in total amazement; and they had been down here many times before today.

The commander started talking to the others and began preparing them to travel back to the Swims' headquarters as the day was getting late. They had been down here for over two hours and it was time to go back. No one wanted to go anywhere, and they all felt like two-year-old children; children who did not want to return back to the classroom after recess. This was the second time Ronnie had visited this habitat, and he was just as humbled the second time as he was the first. Frederica had finally run out of questions for the Swims scientists, and had quit talking. One of the scientists walked over to her and asked where she was planning to attend college. Frederica said she did not know yet, that she was a little young to think too much about it just yet. The scientist looked her in the eyes and asked if she would like to attend the college here on Deoblo 12. Frederica was instantly excited again, and the scientist said he would give Janet a business card with a radio frequency on it and would write a written recommendation when she was prepared to begin higher education. Frederica was now beaming and almost in tears with excitement.

When the Swims' transferred Ronnie and the girls back into The Empress, Frederica walked up to Ronnie, put her arms around his waist and hugged hard. Then she stepped back and began crying. Ronnie kneeled down in front of her and asked the reason for the tears. Frederica simply wrapped her arms around her uncle's neck and hugged him again. Ronnie felt her warm tears on his neck, so he just held her close until she was ready to talk about it. When she stepped back and her mother handed her a towel to wipe her eyes, she looked Ronnie in the eyes and said, "Being here on The Empress and learning all this wonderful stuff has been wonderful. When I get out of school, I would like to either live on a vessel like The Empress, or live with the Swims." As the last word came out of her mouth, she began crying again. Ronnie pulled her close and told her that she had only seen a tiny fragment of the wonders of the cosmos, and she would be amazed every day if she dedicated her life to the sciences. Frederica released her grip on Ronnie, wiped her eyes, hugged everyone in the room including her little sister and then headed off to her room.

As she put her hand on the door handle to her room, Frederica stopped, turned back around and returned to the ready room. When she sat down on a chair, Angela put her hand on Frederica's and said, "Thank you for spending this week with us here on The Empress; I have enjoyed your company very much." Frederica leaned over and hugged Angela, then said she had one more request while here on The Empress if she could. She looked at Ronnie and said, "Would it be possible to take The Empress to the beginning of time?" Ronnie thought about the question for a moment, and then said, "No," but we could travel to the end of time; then move forward one second farther."

Ronnie did not say any more, but he could see Frederica's mind spinning a mile a minute and then she said, "I would settle for that, if it's the best you can do with this old tub." Suddenly Ronnie and Frederica were both laughing and Angela, Janet and Monica sat looking at each other, wondering what they had missed. Monica said, "Why did Ronnie tell Frederica, no, to her question and why are they laughing so?" When Ronnie could speak, he asked Frederica to join him in the copilot's seat and they would see if they could work out how to get to the beginning of time. Ronnie began asking the computer questions about how they could accomplish Frederica's request and the computer began calculating a flight plan. A couple minutes later, the computer said it had calculated the coordinates for the travel computer and that they could accomplish the trip in either direction they wished to travel. The trip would be shorter if they traveled forward in time to the Earth year 60,122 AD. Frederica asked if the prophecy had spelled out the exact moment for the ending of time. Ronnie said he did not know, but she could ask the computer if she wished. Frederica thought about her question carefully before speaking, then said, "Computer, in the prophecy that predicted the end of all time, the year was called out as 60,122 AD, but was the exact moment of the demise ever stated, or even known." The computer told Frederica that the exact time had long ago been determined and it could tell her down to the nanosecond if she wished. Frederica said, "Computer give me the date and time, down to an Earth second if you would." The computer began, "It was the Earth year of 60,122 AD, the third month, the eighth day, sixteenth hour, twelfth minute, and the twenty-first second."

Now that the computer had calculated the coordinates, and had placed them into memory, Ronnie contacted the IFTT to prepare a flight plan. The director of operations at the IFTT asked Ronnie to hold for a moment while he consulted with one of the astrophysicists on the safety of The Empress and its crew. The request instantly through up a flag for Ronnie and he began wondering what the problem was. While he waited, he asked the computer if there were any known problems attempting to travel to the end of time. The computer explained that the trip to the end of time was of no concern, but sometimes returning, once you passed time zero, could cause a temporal shift that could destroy a vessel. When the IFTT astrophysicist contacted Ronnie, he said the same thing as the computer and recommended that Ronnie not attempt the maneuvers with The Empress. He explained to Ronnie that destruction of his vessel and crew could easily take place if he attempted to travel beyond the beginning of time using The Empress; only a specially designed travel membrane and travel computer should attempt the time jump. Ronnie made an instant decision and asked the IFTT to cancel his flight plan, as he would not endanger The Empress or his crew. Ronnie thanked the IFTT for their information and then cleared the channel. As Ronnie and Frederica discussed the cancellation of their adventure, Frederica said that even though they had to cancel the flight, she had learned a lot and it was fun planning the trip. Ronnie smiled and said they would try another adventure the next time she came aboard The Empress.

As they ate supper and discussed the upcoming birth of the new baby, they also planned what they would do tomorrow. They finally decided that they would sleep in late and then prepare a wonderful breakfast. Ronnie planned to cook pancakes, bacon and fried eggs for his hungry crew. When they finished with breakfast, they would travel back to the planet Quantum. They would then visit an intergalactic theatre, where they showed movies on a huge screen, which floated in the outer orbits of the planet. The Empress would simple hover and maintain a stable orbit around the slowly turning movie screen while they watched the movie. The space theatre was showing an old movie made on the planet Earth many centuries ago about a space traveler named Buck Rogers.

When Angela got out of bed in the morning, she discovered that Ronnie and the girls were already up and dressed. When she asked why they had let her sleep so late, Janet said that she probably needed the extra rest since they had kept her very busy all week. Angela hugged each of the girls, then walked over to her husband and kissed him hard on the lips. When she stepped back, Frederica asked them to stop with all the kissing, it was making her feel all funny inside. Ronnie patted her on the shoulder as he walked past her and said, "It makes me fell all funny inside to, but I don't want her to stop." Janet hugged her brother as she began locating pans to help Ronnie cook, and whispered, "I think you and Angela need some time alone." Ronnie hugged his sister and told her that they would get all the time they needed together, later this week. Ronnie pulled Janet close to him and said, "Sister, it was nice having you and the girls here this last week. I miss the company of friends and family and I am certain that Angela gets very lonesome sometimes and needs friends and family around her, especially now since she does not teleport off The Empress with me anymore." Janet asked Ronnie if Angela could come to her house after the baby was born and she could spend a week or maybe two healing after the delivery. Just as Janet finished asking Ronnie the question, Angela stepped into the kitchen and waited for Ronnie to answer Janet's question. Ronnie said that would be nice, and Angela just might enjoy the time with the girls. Angela smiled, cuddled up to Ronnie and said, "Janet, I would like to spend some time with you but I would also like to spend two or three days here with just me, Ronnie, and our child, bonding; then I would love to come spend some time with you and the girls. I could certainly use your knowledge of taking care of a tiny newborn child." Janet walked over to Angela, hugged her and said, "Then it's a date, whenever you are ready to come visit us, you just let me know and your room will be waiting for you and your family."

**************

Ronnie and Angela hugged Janet and told the girl's goodbye, and then the tears started flowing. Angela had enjoyed having Janet and the girl's spend the week with her. She loved being alone with Ronnie, but also missed female companionship from time to time. Angela was excited that Janet had asked her to spend some time at her house after the baby was born to recuperate. Angela could use the time to allow the girls to bond with the new baby. Frederica said that would also give her time to put some heavy hugging on the new baby.

When Janet and the girls had teleported to their home, Angela put her arms around Ronnie and said, "It was nice having the girls her with me this week. You were right when you told Janet that I sometimes miss being around females." Ronnie hugged her and said, "We need to throw a few parties in the cargo bay and put a little life into this place." Angela smiled and said, "That will have to wait until this child is born." Ronnie told Angela that this vessel did get very lonely sometimes, and even he sometimes needed to get away and spend some time off The Empress. Angela asked where he would go when he left the vessel before they were married; then decided she did not want to hear about her husband's old girl friends, and retracted the question.

Chapter 13- Ronnie's Patience is Challenged

As Ronnie and Angela sat in the kitchen, talking and sipping coffee and goats' milk, the computer spoke to Ronnie, explaining a problem with the Super 11 transceiver. The computer said that the radio would receive a signal, but would not transmit a signal off The Empress. The computer said it needed Ronnie to test some signals with his voltage meter to help isolate the component that had failed. Angela asked if the problem was serious, and Ronnie explained that they needed the radio to transmit or they could not make purchases at the Open Market or contact their customers.

Suddenly Angela became very concerned because they now had no way to communicate with her doctor if she should need his assistance quickly. Ronnie went into the ready room and discussed the problem with the computer. The computer displayed the schematic diagram of the radio on the monitor screen so Ronnie could help the computer diagnose the problem. Ronnie had been forced to repair this complicated radio system once before and was not looking forward to working on it today. He removed the door to the radio closet, then unlatched two quick lock fasteners with his screwdriver. The drawer then easily slid open allowing access to the circuit boards. The circuit boards were about fifteen centimeters square and slid down into two guide rails where the contacts on the bottom end of the board plugged into the main motherboard. On the tops of the boards were a few colored test jacks, which brought signals and voltages out into the open so a service technician could have a starting point for troubleshooting. Ronnie discussed a few tests with the computer, and then both agreed upon a course of action.

That had already eliminated fifty percent of the circuit boards, and Ronnie realized he was starting to relax a little. The computer asked Ronnie to measure for a signal at the first test point when he keyed the radios microphone. Ronnie attached the leads of the oscilloscope to the proper terminals on top of the correct circuit board. The computer keyed the microphone and the signal was present. They continued testing until they found a point on the fourth circuit board that had no signal. The point before that had proper signal so the problem was located to that circuit board.

Ronnie asked the computer if they had circuit boards for the radio. The computer reminded Ronnie that they could not purchase the circuit boards; the boards would have to be either repaired onsite or teleported to the service center for repair. Ronnie asked if they could teleport this board to the center for a replacement. The computer said, "Ronnie you forget that the teleportation system does not function without this radio to supply the telemetry information to the teleportation computers." Ronnie's temper instantly raged and he screamed obscenities at the radio, the IFTT, the designer of the radio and anything or anybody else that happened to come to mind. Then he threw the screwdriver across the room and it stuck blade first in the wall beside the lavatory door. As he turned to leave the ready room, he ran into a lower cabinet door that he had left standing open and it almost knocked him to the floor. He grabbed the door, ripped it from its hinges and threw it across the room. It landed in the corner with a thud as it struck the wall. Ronnie then pounded his fist on the metal door to the closet beside the radio.

When Angela stepped into the ready room where Ronnie was still yelling, she could see the red in his cheeks and feel the anger in his body. Angela said, "Ronnie, I love you, but you need to settle down and we will find a way to fix this radio." Ronnie frowned at her and pointed to the kitchen. It was obvious that Ronnie wanted Angela to move her ass away from the ready room until the radio repairs were completed. Angela did not speak another word, but did in fact sit down in the kitchen and remain silent. She had no idea if he would hit her if she remained in the ready room, but had no desire to test him until his temper settled down a little. Ronnie finally calmed himself, returned his concentration to the problem at hand and began working with the computer again to locate the defective component. "Computer, will you remove the power to this fucking radio so I can retract the circuit board and insert the board extender?" The power blinked off and Ronnie pulled the defective board from the radio, slid the extender down into the motherboard, and then inserted the defective board into the bus slot of the extender. The extender did just what it implied, extended the circuit board up above the radio's motherboard so the technician could easily get a meter onto the electronic components. Ronnie and the computer soon discovered that one transistor had failed and a power resistor supplying voltage to the collector had burned open.

It appeared that the transistor had shorted from collector to emitter. The computer searched for the components from the inventory of The Empress and quickly found the resistor they needed, but the transistor did not match the one in inventory. Angela went to the inventory locker bay and retrieved the two components that should have been correct. The resistor was the correct one, but the transistor had a different manufacturers part number etched on it than the one on the circuit board. The computer referenced the part numbers again and said the polarity was different from the one they needed, and a test by Ronnie with the ohmmeter proved that the transistor was PNP instead of NPN, and this polarity difference certainly would not work. Once again, Ronnie was pissed, but when Angela stepped into the ready room, he took a deep breath and tried to calm down. He then asked the computer to reference all the transistors in inventory and see if they had one that was NPN, the approximate physical size, and one that would provide enough amplification gain to get this radio running until they could get to a service facility. Within a few moments, the computer came back and said there were three transistors in stock that may work, but one had a very good probability of working.

The computer gave Angela the location and she returned to the inventory locker bay to retrieve the transistor. When she returned, Ronnie asked how many of the transistors were in inventory and Angela said there were eleven left in the bin. The computer checked the reference documentation in memory for the correct pin arrangements of the replacement transistor. The computer displayed the replacement orientation on the monitor so Ronnie could see where the emitter, base and collector leads matched the arrangement of the defective transistor. When he had heated the three tiny solder points, and a tiny bit of new solder had melted, the transistor replacement was complete.

Now it was time for the testing. When Ronnie powered the radio, then keyed the microphone, the radio snapped to life. The computer quickly did a test of the signal feeding the eleventh-dimension string energy membrane, and found the signal to be correct in frequency and amplitude. Ronnie keyed the microphone again and talked to the Director of Operations at the IFTT to verify that the repaired radio was working correctly. When Ronnie was certain they once again had proper communications, he contacted the radio repair facility and made certain they had the correct components in their inventory. Then he placed an order for six of the transistors for his inventory and waited until the facility teleported the parts to The Empress. He did not even want this fiasco to happen again. Ronnie then ordered a replacement circuit board that the repair facility teleported to him. Once Ronnie installed the new board and it was operating correctly, he teleported the defective one to the repair facility so they could install the proper transistor and get the board factory inspected and tested.

The repair facility later told Ronnie that an Alpha particle had struck the transistor and punctured the emitter base junction, and that had caused the failure of the device. Ronnie laughed when he heard the explanation, wondering which whiz kid at the repair facility had made that determination. Ronnie loved it when the whiz kids treated him like an undergraduate. Ronnie wondered if the kid would have a different outlook on life if he knew that Ronnie wrote the book on eleventh-dimension time travel that the kid used for his class studies in the university he attended.

Now that the radio was again working, Angela stepped into the ready room and confronted Ronnie about his violent temper. She stood near the door between the ready room and the kitchen as she talked to her husband. Angela said, "Ronnie, I love you, and will shut up if you do not want to talk to me, but you displayed a violent temper tantrum a few minutes ago that frightened me. I have never seen this side of you and would like you to tell me how one human can become so angered and violent as to rip a door from its hinges and stick the shank of a screwdriver in the wall from six meters away. I have never heard such obscenities as you just spewed here in the ready room. Can we discuss this please?"

Ronnie's face again turned instantly red from anger, but he turned around and sat down in the captain's chair behind the pilot's seat. As he looked at Angela, he said, "I apologize for that outburst. I would never hurt you or touch you; I never direct my anger at living things. Although, humans can and often do make me very angry and sometimes send me into a rage. I have what the doctors call Bipolar Disorder. That is no excuse for my temper tantrums, just the reason for them." Ronnie stood up and walked out the ready room door and out into the cargo bay. Angela decided to leave her husband alone and let him settle down for an hour or so.

As Ronnie and Angela cuddled in her bed, Ronnie felt the baby kick him hard in the stomach. Angela giggled and said the baby did not want him poking her and making her breathe hard. Ronnie said, "Maybe if I whisper to her and sing her a love song, she will change her mind." Angela got out of bed, took her pajamas off, snuggled her body close to Ronnie and said, "It does not matter what baby wants tonight, because mother needs her man and right now would be wonderful."

Ronnie had just turned on the shower so he and Angela could wash their bodies when the fire alarm began ringing. The computer began explaining to Ronnie (in its usual calm voice) the location of the fire, and began giving him the information he needed to deal with the situation. The fire was located in the ejection room on an oxygen generator used to scrub the oxygen used by Ronnie and Angela for breathing. The computer had already begun to isolate the generator and insure that there would be no leakage of the smoke and fire byproducts into the air supply. Ronnie had placed the oxygen generators inside a separate room in the cargo bay so each could be isolated and even ejected into space if there was a major problem. When Ronnie got to the room where the generator was located, he could already see the thick smoke inside the room through the Plexiglas window in the door. When he got close to the room, he could see a faint glow of orange and some very hot blue flames inside the room. The generator had sustained major damage by now and Ronnie decided not to even attempt to fight the fire. He asked the computer to disconnect the explosive disconnect couplers. Within seconds, he heard three sharp pops as the computer severed both incoming and outgoing airlines along with the pneumatic air supply that spun the generator. Ronnie walked out of the cargo bay to be certain he was safe, and then asked the computer to eject the generator to open space. Ronnie heard the loud hiss as the door to the ejection room door slid open, exposing the room to the vacuum of space. Then there were four more sharp pops as the computer detonated the four explosive bolts holding the generator to the floor. The generator immediately disappeared out of the containment room. As the computer closed the ejection room door, it quickly pressured the room again. Ronnie asked the computer to check the status of the remaining two generators to see if they sustained any damage. The computer said both oxygen generators were functioning correctly. Ronnie then asked if the computer knew the reason for the failure of the number two oxygen generator. The computer said the generator had a welded seam fail that allowed pure oxygen to encounter the hot exhaust pipe of the generator. Ronnie asked if the remaining generators were subject to the same failure, and the computer explained the number one and number three generators were of a newer design and did not have a similar welded seam type separator, therefore no similar event could take place. Ronnie asked the computer to enter the information needed to order a new oxygen generator and place the order with the Open Market. The computer responded with three chirps.

Chapter 14 – The Birth of Jill Marie Yutaka

The doctor on the planet Quantum placed the tiny girl child on the belly of her mother, and then spread a warm towel over the child's body. The child's cries instantly stilled as her mother began to sing to her.

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Mama's going to keep you warm tonight

If you wake and need to feed

Mama's going to let you fill your need

When your diaper needs a change

Mama's going to wash you nice and clean

If the dreams, you dream tonight

Wake you up and give you fright

Mama's going to hold you nice and tight

Hush, little darling, this song is for you

Hush, little darling, Mama loves you

Hush, little darling, papa loves you

Hush, little darling, The Empress loves you

Hush, little darling, this loves for you

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

The doctor continued to work on Angela, but quietly watched how she stilled and loved her newborn child. The doctor had never seen a newborn so easily calmed and comforted by her mother's voice as this child. This child simply sucked her thumb as Angela began to sing to her. The doctor delivered the afterbirth and carefully placed stitches where needed. Ronnie asked Angela if the song she sang was a new one, or one learned from her mother. Angela said she made it up while she pushed her tiny child from her belly. Angela said she needed to fight the pain, and her mother's voice spoke to her, told her to be brave and then helped her compose the song. Angela suddenly grabbed the front of her husband's flight suit as the doctor inserted two tiny stitches: Angela did not yell out in pain, instead, she asked Ronnie, "My husband, shall we name our child after your mother; Jill Marie Yutaka?" Ronnie felt a tear in his eye, and said he loved that name and his mother would have been proud to share it with her grandchild. Ronnie and Angela now had a daughter, a daughter to express their love, a daughter to share their love, a daughter to hear their love, a daughter from their love.

Before they left the hospital, a nurse entered Angela's room and said, "Before we give you Misenall to teleport home, we need to collect some breast milk for Jill. The child cannot breastfeed for twenty-four hours after you take adult strength Misenall. If we collect some milk now, Jill will have safe milk to drink, and you will be able to take the medicine you require to comfortably teleport home."

As they prepared to leave the hospital, the doctor gave the girl child named Jill a tiny dose of the Misenall medicine to insure she would not suffer from teleportation sickness as her mother did, and then gave Angela a full dose. After the doctor was certain Jill had tolerated the drug with no side effects, he let them teleport home to begin their lives with their girl child. When they were aboard The Empress, the first thing Angela did was introduce baby Jill to the computer.

She stripped the tiny child naked and held her up in front of the travel computers monitor. The child puckered up and cried: cried over the insult of her mother stripping her naked, holding her in the air like a sack of potatoes; to feel the chill of the air, while her mother displayed her like a trophy. Angela said, "Computer, this tiny child is the direct result of your friendship towards me from the first moment I stepped aboard this vessel; and the love I have shared with this man I call husband, my friend, my lover. I am proud to present this girl child for your approval and acceptance, and asked that you allow her to live out her life here aboard The Empress. She will certainly be an inconvenience to you from time to time, she certainly will test everyone's patience, you may have to turn on the lights for her when she has a bad dream, and she certainly will puke and stink from time to time, but I believe you will love her as her father and I do. Computer, please meet, Jill Marie Yutaka."

The girl child wailed for her mother to warm and hold her close. Angela did exactly that. She wrapped her daughter in a warm towel until she fell asleep in her mother's arms.

Ronnie had made a tiny crib for Jill. Angela put Jill down in the crib on the soft blanket lining the crib and then covered her with a second blanket; the blankets were a gift from Janet and the girls. When Jill continued to shake and scream, her mother began softly singing to her. Jill was immediately comforted and began to settle down and settle herself in her new environment, her new home. Within a minute or so, baby Jill was sound asleep.

Angela undressed and crawled under the warm covers of her bed to rest her very sore and tired body. When she was under the covers, Ronnie brought her water, then heated her some soup. As he brought the soup into her room and sat with her while she ate, Angela began to cry. Ronnie took the soup and sat it down on the table beside her, then held Angela's hand and talked to her to find the reason she was upset. He soon realized that she was not upset at all, but was just emotional, very proud of the child she had delivered and very happy with her life. Ronnie began to understand that Angela seemed to cry for no real reason lately; sometimes she just needed a good cry to settle her emotions.

As Angela finished her soup, Jill begun to squirm around and suck her hand while lying in her crib. When she woke and obviously wanted milk, Ronnie picked her up and hugged her close. He then moved her tiny body away from him, held her arm's length, carried her to the bathroom and changed her poopy diaper. When she was clean again and smelled like a little girl instead of a farm animal, Ronnie placed her in bed with her mother and headed to the kitchen to warm a bottle of breast milk. As Angela fed her child, Ronnie watched Jill begin to smile. When Ronnie commented that her supper seemed to please her, Angela said Jill had just tasted the chocolate pudding the hospital had fed her mother, before they pumped the breast milk. Ronnie had forgotten that what a mother eats, the child who nurses also eats. Ronnie decided he would make certain he fed Angela very healthy foods while she nursed this child. As Angela tended to Jill, Ronnie sat and talked to her.

He asked if she would like to spend a week or so with Janet and the girls while she recuperated from the delivery. Angela said she would be fine right here at The Empress for a couple of days, but she certainly would like to spend some time with Janet and the girls after that. Ronnie explained that it was summer recess for the girls from school, and Janet was not overly busy right now so it would work out pretty well if she wanted to go. Angela asked if the teleportation would make Jill sick and Ronnie said the doctor had given him two more tablets of the same medicine he gave Jill to teleport here. The only catch was that Angela could not nurse Jill for twenty-four hours after she had taken her own Misenall. Angela thought about that for a moment and said she could work around that problem by storing enough milk for Jill before she took her own Misenall, as she did at the hospital. Angela said that by the time they were to return to The Empress, she should have Jill on baby formula instead of breast milk.

Ronnie asked what equipment she would need to store the extra milk and Angela explained the process to him. Ronnie said that in the morning he would place The Empress in an orbit around Quantum, then teleport down to the pharmacy and pickup the supplies they needed. When Jill's tiny belly was very full, Ronnie picked her up and slowly walked with her and patted her back until she burped like a drunken sailor. Ronnie looked at Angela and laughed. By the time Ronnie put Jill into her crib, both Angela and Jill were sound asleep. Ronnie walked out of the room, asked to computer to begin turning down the light level in the room until he said to stop. As the lights dimmed, Ronnie said stop when the lights were where Angela would be comfortable if she woke, and she could see Jill if she needed to comfort her until the computer could tell him that Angela needed his assistance.

Angela was not going to let Ronnie hover over her, but she also realized she needed his help for a couple of days and would allow Ronnie to help with Jill's care until then. Angela had told him that she would insist that he help bathe Jill, change her diapers, feed her and spend quality time with her to insure they bonded very early. Angela said the daughter to Father bonding was very important in a young girl's upbringing, and that bonding is what had saved her sanity after her own kidnapping, rape, and isolation as a child. Ronnie said he understood the parent to child relationship and would insure he and Jill bonded early.

When Angela woke in the morning, she could smell coffee brewing and quietly got out of bed and headed for the kitchen. She sat at the table with Ronnie and sipped just a tiny bit of coffee. She had fed Jill an hour earlier and she would not need feeding again for three or four hours, so Angela would enjoy a few sips of Ronnie's fresh perked coffee. Ronnie cooked Angela a couple of hens' eggs, charred bread and a glass of goats' milk. Angela showered and dressed, then Ronnie teleported down to the pharmacy on the planet Quantum. When he had all the supplies he needed and had filled a prescription for Jill's Misenall, he stopped into Janet's house to talk with her for a few minutes.

Janet had today off work, but the girls were in school so Ronnie and his sister could talk for a few minutes. Janet showed Ronnie the room that she, Frederica, and Monica had prepared for Angela and Jill's visit. Ronnie explained that he needed to supply two of his customers and would not be staying with them during most of the visit, but would spend the weekend with them. Janet asked how Angela was doing sleeping in the dark, and if she needed to provide any special lighting to insure that Angela slept through the nights without having nightmares. Ronnie explained that a lamp in one corner of the room was all Angela would need for lighting. As Ronnie talked with his sister, he checked with the computer on The Empress (using his travel watch) to see if Angela and Jill were okay. The computer said that Angela had just fed Jill again and she was now sleeping. Angela was reading in her recliner and would soon fall asleep if Jill remained quiet a little longer.

When Ronnie finished talking to the computer, Janet smiled and said, "I guess the computer keeps track of everything that happens on The Empress. A woman could not even pleasure herself without the computer knowing about it." Ronnie chuckled at his sister's comment, but understood the implication. Ronnie told Janet that Angela needed to trust him and feel confident that her husband would not ask those questions of the computer, and would allow her to have her own privacy without him spying on her. He also said that he had given Angela passwords to use to personalize her interaction with the computer, and she could easily block any access to the computer she wished, as long as there was no security or operational issues. Ronnie then said, "Besides, I think the computer is in love with Angela and would never allow anything or anyone to jeopardize Angela or Jill's privacy." Ronnie explained that when she and the girls were on board, he had asked the computer to insure that he did not embarrass himself or his guests and the computer had done just that. Janet hugged him, said that he was a good brother, and a great husband and Father.

Ronnie returned to The Empress about an hour later, and when he stabilized in the ready room, the computer greeted him and said that Angela and Jill were taking a bath. Ronnie asked the computer if he could peek into the bathroom and the computer said, "I think the girls would like you to join them in the tub, not just peek into the bathroom." Ronnie walked to Angela's bedroom door and spoke to Angela before entering. She said, "Come in and join us." Ronnie walked in and Angela invited him into the tub with her and Jill, who was splashing and giggling. Ronnie did not realize that newborn babies would like the warm water in the tub like this. Jill was very excited, and as Ronnie talked to her, she giggled even more. Angela said they had been in the tub for almost thirty minutes now and Jill wanted no part of getting out of the water. Angela passed Jill to Ronnie and as her butt felt the cool air of the bathroom, she peed down the front of Ronnie. Ronnie just rinsed himself off and sat Jill back down into the water where she started splashing again. Angela stilled her giggles long enough to say, "Oh, I forgot to tell you about the peeing part." Ronnie carefully leaned forward, at the same time that Angela did, and he kissed her.

When they were all out of bed the following morning, Angela pumped and stored a two-day supply of milk for Jill; then gave Jill two drops of liquid Misenall under her tongue. The new prescription of liquid Misenall was much easier to administer than trying to get Jill to swallow a crushed up pill, even with milk. Angela put some of the still warm milk she had pumped into a bottle and offered it to Jill. At first, Jill wanted no part of the small bottle with the nipple on it, but soon decided it was better than no milk at all. Angela smiled at Ronnie and said that maybe getting Jill weaned to the bottles would be easier than she first thought. Ronnie told Angela it was easy with the breast milk, but what would Jill think about formula. Angela, said, "Husband, I will confuse her by mixing smaller and smaller amounts of breast milk with the formula until she only likes the formula." Ronnie kissed Angela on the forehead and said, "That's why you are the Mother instead of me. We would all have been miserable when I tried to force pure formula onto the child and had to deal with her crying and upset tummy." Angela just smiled and said, "Husband, you would have found the answer and corrected the problem just fine. You underestimate your parenting skills."

Angela took her own Misenall tablet, waited the five minutes, and then stepped up close to Ronnie. Jill made certain she had a firm grip on Jill as Ronnie pressed the green button on his travel watch. When they stabilized on Janet's front porch, Angela stood very still for a moment to be sure her stomach was okay, handed Jill to Ronnie and moved to the bushes beside the porch. Ronnie stepped up close to her to steady her, but she soon sat in the chair beside her and said, "I am okay now; my stomach just had a moment of uncertainty." She stood up beside Ronnie and said, "Would you carry Jill for a few minutes until I am certain I am really okay?"

Ronnie offered Angela his arm, and they walked back to Janet's front door. Ronnie spoke Janet's name and she walked to the door with a huge smile on her face. When she looked at Angela, she quickly took Angela's arm and escorted her to a comfortable chair. She kneeled down in front of Angela, talked to her and made sure she was all right. Angela's face was very white, but she said she was okay now. Janet got Angela a glass of water, then moved to her brother and put her hands out; wanting the tiny child he held in his arms. When she had Jill in her arms, she turned her face away from Ronnie. Angela realized Janet was crying. Angela spoke to Janet and said that she had felt the same way when the doctor had placed Jill into her arms right after she was born.

Janet held Jill for the next hour, and when Ronnie said he would hold Jill again if her arms were getting tired, Janet stepped away from him, smiled and said, "Mine." Ronnie made tea for them and fixed a bottle of blended formula and milk that Angela felt would not upset Jill's tummy. When the bottle was just the right temperature, Ronnie placed a towel under Jill and handed Janet the bottle. Ronnie kissed his sister on the forehead and walked away to let Janet mother the tiny child in her arms. Ronnie spoke to Janet and told her, "Sister, I do expect to get this child back when this week is up, you do realize that don't you?" Janet's answer made Angela giggle, "We will see about that, brother."

When Janet had fed and burped Jill, she suddenly stood up, walked over to Ronnie and carefully passed Jill to him. When she stepped back, she said, "Brother, I have horded this child long enough, it is your turn to love her." Ronnie instantly knew that the smell was not from his sister, and that his child smelled like a barn animal once again. Ronnie held the child out in front of him and walked her to the bathroom. Angela instantly began laughing, and she leaned back in her chair, wanting, needing to stop laughing, because parts of her body hurt very badly, but she could not quit laughing. Angela's mind now had a permanent picture of the look on Ronnie's face as his sister placed his stinky child into his arms. Janet told Angela when Ronnie was out of hearing range, "I hope I did not make Ronnie mad handing him a stinky little girl." Angela told Janet that Ronnie had changed many dirty diapers and he was just fine with it. Angela said, someone has taught him very well, because he does a perfect job. Janet said, "That would have been our foster mother who taught him, because our parents died shortly after Ronnie's birth." Angela said, "I am sorry Janet, Ronnie never got around to telling me much about his parents. I knew they were both dead, but did not know how or when they died."

Ronnie walked back into the room and placed Jill back into Janet's arms. Janet said, "Angela, I will fill you in on all the details and family pictures this week while I hug and love this tiny child." Janet asked if Angela and Ronnie would like lunch since Jill was now asleep in her arms. Ronnie retrieved a blanket, and Janet placed Jill into the back of the recliner chair where she could not roll out, and then covered her with the blanket. They could watch Jill sleep while they fixed lunch and ate at the kitchen counter. Janet asked Ronnie how long he could stay with them before he had to visit his customer. Ronnie said he would leave tomorrow afternoon, and return in four days. He put his arm around his sister and said, "Just long enough for you to spoil my child rotten and tell my wife every secret I ever told you." Janet wrapped her arms around her brother's neck and said, "I promise you that I will in fact spoil your child rotten; I will now look you directly in the eyes and promise you that I would never tell your secrets to anyone, especially the woman you love so dearly. I will only tell Angela the tales that she needs to hear so that she knows whom she has married." Ronnie kissed Janet's forehead and said, "Fair enough."

Just then, the girls appeared in the living area, home from school. They both instantly got quiet, walked to the recliner where Jill was sleeping, and squatted down beside her. Jill seemed to know her family was close, and began to wiggle, then opened her eyes. She looked at Monica and smiled. When she was awake a little more, Angela went to her, picked her up, motioned for Monica to sit in the chair and placed Jill in her arms. Frederica snuggled up close to Angela, did not say one word, but simply watched Jill rub her eyes in Monica's arms.

Within a couple minutes, Monica spoke to her sister. Frederica leaned down and carefully picked up Jill and cuddled her into her arms. Frederica leaned down and kissed Jill's forehead and then Angela realized Frederica had tears dripping down her cheeks that were dripping onto Jill's tiny cheeks. Each teardrop that fell on Jill's tiny cheek made her blink. Angela wiped Frederica's eyes with a tissue and went back to the kitchen to let the three girls bond.

Very soon, Monica was standing real close to Ronnie, and Angela asked if she wanted to give Jill some milk to drink. Monica's face instantly had a smile from ear to ear, so Angela prepared another bottle of milk and warmed it. She sat Monica down in the chair, and helped her find a comfortable position to let Jill drink. When Monica said Jill had quit drinking, Frederica walked into the room, helped her sister put Jill on her shoulder and get the air bubble out of her stomach. Then Jill finished her bottle. Ronnie reached across the counter, squeezed Angela's hand and said, "I think you are going to have some very capable help with Jill this week." Janet said, "We will see when the first poopy diaper appears and Frederica is elected to handle the situation." Angela said, "I will make certain Frederica receives plenty of help the first few times until she is comfortable with the task." Janet smiled and said, "Frederica may be only thirteen, but she sometimes acts like she is twenty."

When Janet went to help her girls with their homework in the den, Ronnie talked to Angela to make sure she had everything she needed, and that she was comfortable spending this week with Janet and the girls. Angela said she was very comfortable and that Janet and the girls had fixed up the bedroom quite nicely. They had created a tiny room, by moving everything out of the large closet and putting the crib and baby stuff in it. The door could be propped part way open or closed as needed to keep the light out of Jill's eyes when her mother needed to have the lights on in the main bedroom. The bedroom was set up with a small desk and a recliner that rocked.

Angela knew she would be comfortable here. The den had a complete library of wonderful books and magazines, and the backyard was a wonderful place to walk and comfort Jill if she would not sleep. Angela snuggled up close to Ronnie and said, "I will have everything I need except for you, and you will be back in a few days. Jill and I will be very comfortable here."

Ronnie sat Angela down on the sofa, and asked her if she understood the operation of his travel watch and was comfortable to operate one if she had her own. Angela said, "Ronnie, I have worked with the computer on The Empress for months making sure that I completely understand every detail and setting. I can also contact The Empress and ask any questions I may have, anytime I need assistance." Ronnie then explained to Angela that he would like to replace her travel watch (the one placed on her wrist shortly after her birth by the IFTT) with a new one, created by him specifically for The Empress. This new travel watch would link her to The Empress, to him, and keep them in constant contact every second of their lives.

Ronnie then explained that it was also time to consider installing a travel watch on Jill so she would be in constant contact with her parents and The Empress every second of her life. Ronnie put his hand on Angela cheek and said, "Angela, you probably would not have been kidnapped if you had been equipped with a travel watch like the one I wear. I would like to prevent such an occurrence from ever happening to Jill." Angela asked if the watches would be permanent and automatically adjust to the proper size as her own watch had done since the IFTT installed it on her wrist as a growing child. Ronnie assured her that the cold fusion bands would grow and be just as comfortable as the watch she currently wore.

Angela quickly agreed, so Ronnie walked into the bedroom, picked up his briefcase and returned to the sofa. He removed two new travel watches from the briefcase; one had a much smaller band. He placed the new watch around Angela's wrist, and then pressed two buttons at the same time on her watch. Ronnie explained that the new watch was contacting the IFTT and they would release the cold fusion band on her old watch so she could remove it. Then she would have twenty seconds to place the new travel watch on her wrist in the correct place where she wished to wear it. After the twenty-second delay had timed out, the new watchband would cold fuse and the watch would be permanent. As they waited, the old watch on Angela's wrist began to buzz, and then the band separated at the point where it connected to the watch. Ronnie removed the old watch, placed the new one where it needed to be, and then let Angela get it exactly where she wanted it. Twenty seconds later, the band slowly began to cold fuse where the ends touched, and the new watch became permanent.

The computer on The Empress spoke to Angela, "Welcome Angela, you are now in constant contact with me and I will always be waiting to help you or follow your commands. If you ever wish private time, you need simply to ask and I will insure that nothing you say or do will be recorded or repeated. Your personal files, passwords and Galax accounts will remain just as you created them." Angela looked up at Ronnie and smiled a smile that told Ronnie she loved being a member of The Empress and entrusted with it secrets.

Angela stood up and walked into the bedroom, then returned with Jill, who fell back asleep within seconds on her mother's shoulder. Angela walked into the living room and sat down in the recliner. Ronnie placed the travel watch with the tiny wristband around Jill's arm, and then pressed two buttons at the same time. The new watch began to buzz. Ronnie carefully insured the travel watch was in exactly the correct position and waited. Suddenly, the watchband began to cold fuse at the joint where the ends touched.

Within seconds, the process was complete and the computer on The Empress spoke to Angela. "Angela, I am proud to have Jill as a member of The Empress. I will be in constant contact with her and will only allow persons you have specified to touch her. As each new person touches her, I will ask you for your consent. If I do not get your consent by verbal password within five seconds, I will alert you and Ronnie with verbal warnings about Jill's safety. If I find she is in imminent danger, I will immediately teleport the child to the ready room where I can protect her. Angela do you have any questions for me at this time?"

Angela thanked the computer for its help and said they would talk more after Ronnie had teleported. Angela said, "Let's try out this security system right now." She walked to Janet and placed Jill into Janet's arms. Almost instantly her watch beeped and the computer asked who was holding Jill and if this action was allowed. Angela spoke to the computer and said, "Please allow Janet to care for Jill at any time, she is authorized." The computer chirped three times, announcing its acceptance of her answer. Ronnie spoke to the computer and gave permission to add his sister Janet to the list of humans that could approve a caregiver for Jill through her personal IFTT travel watch. The computer asked Janet to speak into her travel watch so it could route her voice signature signal from the IFTT computer, into The Empress. Janet talked into her travel watch and soon the computer stated that the signature was complete. Ronnie kissed Angela hard on the lips; kissed Jill on the forehead, kissed his sister on the cheek, then walked out onto the porch, and was gone.

As Angela and Janet sat and talked in the living room, Jill began to fuss. Angela picked her up, sat down in the recliner and hugged her close. She was about to feed Jill, but decided to fix her a bottle mixed with formula instead. The sooner she got Jill weaned off breast milk the better. Angela wanted to get her body back into shape as soon as she could and until her milk dried up, there was little hope for that.

Chapter 15 – The Ganme of Universe Number Four

When Ronnie stabilized in the ready room of The Empress, the computer informed him that he had a customer from Quantum that would like to teleport to The Empress and trade with him. He needed supplies, ammunition and leather goods. He also had two Glock semi-automatic handguns he would like to sell to Ronnie. Ronnie knew the handguns would be either stolen or simply unregistered, probably purchased on the black market. The IFTT had very strict regulations about the purchase and transport of weapons, so Ronnie would have to be very careful whom he was dealing with.

Ronnie asked the computer to request a copy of the guns registration or proof of purchase, and then have it sent to The Empress before any transactions could take place. The computer informed Ronnie about ten minutes later that the customer had complied, and had sent copies of the guns purchase records to The Empress. Ronnie asked the computer to display the papers on the monitor. Ronnie studied them and they seemed to be in order, at least enough that the IFTT would prosecute the seller, not The Empress if the papers were fraudulent. They certainly looked authentic to him.

Ronnie asked the computer to allow the customer to teleport into the secure room, and he would meet him there in a few moments. The customer turned out to be a trader of goods himself and understood the formalities of the sale and purchase of weapons. Ronnie agreed to purchase both of the Glock handguns, the ammunition for them, and two leather holsters. By the time the customer was done with his transactions, Ronnie rounded the price of the customer's purchases down to two-Galax, and the customer smiled. The customer was very happy with the price and Ronnie felt he had made a nice wage for the week, and had two fine weapons in his possession.

Ronnie asked the computer to teleport the customer back to the surface, and then waited until the transfer was complete. When the security room was empty, Ronnie shut down the lighting and turned the heat down to five degrees Celsius. He then moved the handguns to the ready room, and placed both loaded weapons into a drawer beside the radio room. The guns would remain on The Empress for security, and he would teach Angela to fire the weapons when she returned with their daughter. The IFTT had recently begun issuing security warnings to all time travel vessels about roving bands of pirates. Their intent seemed to be the capture of salable merchandise that they could peddle on the black market. The weapons could be an asset if the pirates ever tried to board The Empress.

Ronnie had an appointment in two hours with an old customer of his, who would teleport aboard The Empress so he and Ronnie could discuss some of the newly designed and tested travel computer technology. An entity located in a very distant universe had designed a new travel computer system, and there were only two time travel vessels approved by the IFTT to travel to and trade with this universe. However, the IFTT was just as interested in this new travel computer as Ronnie's customer. The IFTT had told the customer that they would approve the flight plans for The Empress if the customer would attempt to purchase the new system for the IFTT. The Federation wanted to reverse engineer this new time travel device and find out how it worked.

Discovers of this universe they planned to travel to, had labeled it as Universe Number Four and named it, Risch. They named the galaxy, Dygra, and the planet, Nalon. The entity wishing to sell their newly designed time travel technology went by the name, Ganme.

When the customer contacted Ronnie and asked permission to teleport aboard The Empress, Ronnie granted him permission and waited in the security room for the customer to stabilize in the secure area. When he was stable, Ronnie spoke to him and then asked the computer to allow their visitor to enter the security room. Ronnie watched the customer through the clear glass between the two rooms. The customer stepped up to the door leading into the security room. When he touched the door handle, the computer released the locking mechanism and the door slowly slid open. As the customer stepped into the security room, Ronnie reached and shook his friend's hand, and then said, "Welcome aboard The Empress Keith, it has been a long time since I shook your hand." Keith could not just shake Ronnie's hand; instead, he stepped forward and hugged Ronnie. Then he said, "I hear rumors that you have taken a wife, or should I say she took you." Ronnie smiled and said, "I have seriously mellowed my disposition since the last time we met. I no longer feel the need to beat the crap out of everyone who gets in my way. I think it may be the love of a woman, it may also have to do with getting older, maybe even wiser." Keith said, "I hope to meet this woman someday, but I also hear from Quantum's Director of Operations that you have a tiny new girl child, but I cannot remember the name the director told me." Ronnie told Keith that he and Angela had named their child, Jill Marie Yutaka. Keith replied, "After your wonderful mother: An incredible choice of names. A name I loved to hear spoken, and a woman I loved to talk to when you could shush her talking long enough for anyone else to speak." Ronnie and Keith both laughed at the wonderful memory of Ronnie's Mother. Ronnie told Keith that Angela could talk just like his Mother, especially if you made her angry, or if you failed to entertain her point of view when she had things to tell you.

Ronnie escorted Keith to the ready room and sat him down in the copilot's seat. Ronnie introduced Keith to the computer, and then asked the computer if the IFTT had input a flight plan to the planet of Nalon. The computer informed Ronnie that the flight plan was in order, and the IFTT had cleared them to enter into a stable orbit around the planet when they arrived. They would then wait in the planets orbit until the Ganme astrophysicists and engineers were ready to teleport them into their travel membranes. Ronnie accepted the flight plan from the IFTT and the computer began the preparations for the flight. Within seconds, The Empress was under way.

The computer performed the jump-out from Universe Number Two and began the flight through the cosmos towards Universe Number Four. Even though the engineers considered eleventh dimension time travel instantaneous, traveling to some of these universes that were millions of light years away, often took many hours in Earth time. Ronnie and Keith had about three hours to kill, so they ate lunch in the kitchen and talked about the newly designed travel computer that the Ganme had developed. Ronnie and Keith both had studied time travel all their lives. Keith was a published author on the subject as was Ronnie, but neither of them could understand the new concept that the IFTT had tried to explain to them during a radio communication. The Ganme seemed to be able to move through the cosmos by controlling their eleventh-dimension string energy time travel membranes with nothing but their minds. Ronnie could not understand how a mind could have enough capacity and speed to perform the complicated mathematical computation to allow the jump-in and jump-out maneuvers to travel from universe to universe. Keith said that somewhere he and Ronnie had not received enough information. Then Keith made a bold statement, he said, "No human mind could accomplish that feat." As Ronnie considered Keith's statement, the computer announced they had entered the outer regions of the planet Nalon, and would be in a stable orbit in sixteen minutes.

Ronnie heard the chirp from the computer, notifying him that there was an incoming radio message. He talked to Nalon's flight director, and she greeted The Empress and its passengers like old friends, at least the voice sounded like a female. That familiarity almost panicked Ronnie, but Keith felt they were just very anxious to sell their technology and possibly were also nervous about their visitors. The Nalon's quickly insured The Empress was stable in its orbit, and then asked Ronnie if he and his passenger were ready to teleport to their travel membrane and then down to the surface. Ronnie said they were ready. The flight director asked if Ronnie and his passenger would send them a video feed of themselves before the transfer took place. Ronnie said they could do that. Ronnie and Keith stepped back from the monitor screen and the computer began feeding the upload to the director. After about three minutes, the director said the feeds were very helpful. The flight director said, "I will begin the transfer when The Empress's computer responds with the initiation code."

Ronnie and Keith stepped to the center of the ready room and the computer sent the code. When Ronnie and Keith stabilized in the control room of the Ganme travel membrane, the hosts that greeted them, dressed in clothing almost identical to their own flight suits. Keith smiled and Ronnie snickered, but quickly shook hands with their hosts. When the greetings were complete, their host explained the request for the video feeds and why they looked much like Ronnie and Keith. The Ganme had the ability to change their physical appearance to be more acceptable to their guests. The director explained they would show them the normal form of the Ganme entities during their visit here on the planet.

The Ganme director escorted Ronnie and Keith to a large room that looked like a laboratory on the planet Earth. There were electronic instruments on the shelves that Ronnie could not even venture a guess as to their purpose. Sitting on another table was a radio transceiver that Ronnie recognized and understood very well. It was a Super 11 transceiver, identical to the one located in The Empress. On the next table was another radio transceiver, but assembled completely different from the Super 11 Ronnie and Keith were accustomed. This radio was much smaller, about one-tenth the size of the backpack size Super 11. This radio would easily fit on your belt, similar to the old twenty-century cellular phones systems Ronnie had seen in the museums on planet Earth.

The director began explaining the size difference between the Super 11 and the new technology they had designed, along with the ability to control the travel computer by simple wireless communications with most minds presently known to them, including the human mind. Keith chuckled aloud and said, "The IFTT director of operations said that the new technology could control teleportation simply by the mind with no other computer system. Ronnie and I both thought that seemed impossible." The director explained that Keith was correct; no mind known to them was fast enough or had enough memory to control time travel or teleportation directly. However, the mind could easily control the travel computer directly without an interface computer as The Empress presently employs. The director held up his arm showing his empty wrist and his fellow engineers did the same; you must have noticed we no longer use travel watches while here on this planet, but instead control our travel computers with our minds.

Consider this: Our new travel computers are always in our possession due to their small physical size. If one must maintain a travel membrane for business, as you Ronnie do with The Empress, your new much smaller travel computer would stay with you. You could actually carry the computer on your belt or in a large pocket. The computer that remains on The Empress would be very small. It would only be required to maintain the membrane and its contents.

If you wished to travel without a large vessel such as The Empress, you could quickly assemble a travel membrane anywhere and anytime you desire; then disassemble it just as easily when you have finished using it. Ronnie, you could actually create a second time travel vessel and then teleport into the new vessel from The Empress. As an example: Say you wanted to travel to a customer's locations for a meeting and the crew of The Empress needed to service a customer in another location. This second travel membrane would allow you to accomplish that task.

Ronnie asked if it would require a lot of time to establish a new membrane each time you assembled one, or if you could save the last membrane in memory and re-assemble it the next time you needed it. The director explained that you could name each assembly, store the information, and then recall the different membranes as you wished.

Keith's question was not so simple to answer. "Is this new technology completely compatible with the system the IFTT is presently using?" The answer was straight forward and to the point, "Not entirely compatible, but almost, allow me to explain. This compatibility issue is why we are so very excited to have two of the top IFTT time travel designers in our presence today. We have four known compatibility issues that need further engineering. Since we do not have access to the Super 11 transceivers coded frequencies, we would require you and the IFTT to work with our engineers to work out those issues." The director said, "Since we are the designers of the new time travel technology, we would pay the wages and costs for the final development of the technology, if the IFTT would agree to approve our system once it was fully developed, and proven safe and reliable."

The director asked Ronnie and Keith if they would spend another day with them and look carefully at their design. Ronnie asked how the Ganme engineers felt they could trust him and Keith not to steal the new technology. The director quickly stated, "If we discover we cannot trust the two top time travel engineers in the cosmos, he will just have you both killed when he catch up with you." Keith laughed and said, "I guess that pretty well sums things up for us. I believe you can trust us with your technology just as well as we can trust you with ours."

The director said, "Please gentlemen, I know you both can be trusted or we would not have allowed you to become privy to our new technology." Ronnie asked the director how he wanted to proceed with the IFTT to establish a working relationship. The director said he and his officials would like to take the new technology directly to the IFTT and have Keith become the liaison officer to allow the IFTT, and the Ganme engineers to interface without any difficulties. Ronnie looked to Keith for his response. Keith thought a moment and then agreed to accept the offer. Ronnie reached over, shook Keith's hand and said, "Our friends here understand you very well my friend, and they will be well represented at the IFTT."

Ronnie and Keith spent about forty hours more on the planet. They worked with the Ganme engineers to insure everyone was prepared to present the new technology to the IFTT when the Ganme travel membrane arrived at the IFTT Headquarters in a week or so.

When Ronnie and Keith left the orbit of the planet, they felt very good about their interaction with the Ganme entities. They also were very comfortable that the IFTT would readily accept this new technology and pay the Ganme handsomely for the rights to use the new technology throughout the cosmos.

When The Empress settled into a stable orbit around the planet Quantum, Keith asked Ronnie how much the bill was for his help and the use of The Empress for the last couple of days. Ronnie said, "How about if I write down a number in Galax and you write down a number, and we will see how close we are. A few years ago, we were able to figure costs almost identically when we projected costs for a job." Ronnie wrote down his number and Keith wrote his down, carefully protecting the number from Ronnie's view. Ronnie laid his paper on the console and Keith laid his beside it. The numbers on the two sheets were identical. Keith said, "Eight Galax it is then." Keith counted eight gold Galax coins and dropped them into the cup holder on the console between them. Ronnie reached over and shook Keith's hand, then asked the computer to clear Keith for teleportation back to his vessel.

Once Keith was safely aboard his own vessel, Ronnie carried the Galax coins to the inventory control locker. He dropped two coins into the slot above Angela's safe. Then he spoke to the computer and said, "Computer would you deposit the two gold Galax coins I dropped into the slot above Angela's safe for me, and update her account to show the deposit?" Ronnie heard the computer chirp three times, and then the coins dropped into the safe with the sound of gold hitting on gold. Ronnie then followed the same procedure and deposited the six coins into his safe, and the computer updated the accounts receivable to represent the deposit.

Ronnie spoke to the computer again, "Computer, can you tell me the valve presently shown in Angela's account so I know how much currency she presently has in her safe." The computer was silent. Ronnie asked again to know how much was in Angela's safe, but the computer again did not respond. Finally, Ronnie said, "Computer, are you still online and functioning properly?" The computer chirped three times. Ronnie laughed to himself at how well the computer was protecting Angela's finances. It seemed that the computer would not give an accounting of Angela's finances even to the creator of the computers program, even if he were Angela's husband. Ronnie spoke again to computer and asked, "Is Angela's husband not allowed to check on his wife's finances?" The computer was silent. Ronnie did not really want the computer to give him an accounting of the coins in Angela's safe. He had kept a running tally in his head. Since he had placed all of Angela's monthly earnings in her safe, he had little difficulty keeping track of her net worth.

Ronnie performed the required maintenance on the food replicator, then showered and prepared to teleport to Janet's house to spend the night with his family. He decided to stop at the food store before going to Janet's house and pick up a few items to put on the outdoor grill for lunch tomorrow. When he stabilized inside the store, the manager greeted him and then said he would deliver the supplies to Janet's house in about an hour, instead of Ronnie trying to carry them home. Ronnie agreed, and then walked the six blocks to Janet's house.

When he stepped up to the front door, he was going to knock and then announce himself, but realized the house was very quiet. He quietly opened the front door and saw Angela asleep on the couch, with Jill cuddled up in the recliner, wrapped in a cozy blanket. Ronnie closed the door and walked around to the back of the house, expecting to sit in the recliner and warm himself in the sunshine until his girls woke from their nap. As he quietly moved the recliner into the sunshine, he realized that his sister Janet was in another recliner beside the garden, sound asleep in the sunshine. Ronnie chuckled to himself, sat down in the sun and did not awake until he felt warm lips kissing his cheeks on both sides of his face. When his eyes opened, Frederica and Monica were both giggling and sneaking away to the protection of their Mother. Janet sat in her chair, giggling with her daughters and telling them the strange man was awake and she could not protect them from his tickling. Ronnie was about to chase the girls and tickle them both, but remembered that they had now grown old enough that they should be hugged, and kissed on the cheek, but not tickled and made to beg to be let go. Ronnie sat quietly in his chair and waited for them to come back to him. He grabbed them both at the same time, hugged them close, planted a kiss on their cheeks and then let them go before they had to squirm or beg for him to release them.

Then Ronnie heard the door beside him open and a voice said, "Your daddy is home and wanting to love you my tiny daughter." Angela stepped through the door, kneeled down and kissed Ronnie hard on the lips. Ronnie said, "I love you too my dear," and returned her kiss. Then Angela placed Jill into her father's arms and watched her smile and coo for her daddy. Angela went inside, prepared a bottle of milk for Jill, then returned and let Ronnie feed, burp, and change Jill's wet diapers. Ronnie did not want to share Jill that evening, but he finally did release his grip on her when someone asked to hold her, or Jill needed to sleep and not be bothered. As soon as she was awake again, however, Ronnie had her in his arms.

After supper, Angela put some warm water into the tub and let Ronnie wash Jill's tiny body clean, then helped him get the hidden spots washed so he felt comfortable washing his daughters tiny female body. Ronnie tucked Jill in for the night in their room, then joined Angela and the girls in the living room for the evening. Angela wanted to hear the details about the trip to Universe Number Four, and every detail about the entities that lived there. Ronnie explained everything in detail. Frederica, Monica and Janet sat with their mouths hanging open most of the night. The girls had been aboard The Empress before, but they were always amazed at other universes and the entities that lived within them. Angela asked if Keith had paid him for the use of The Empress. Ronnie assured her that Keith had in fact paid for the trip. Angela asked how much, and Ronnie smiled and said, "Eight Galax." Angela's lips moved, her eyes moved around in their sockets as she calculated the value of U.S. Earth dollars to Galax. Then she got a huge smile on her face and said, "Ronnie that is in excess of eighty thousand dollars for two days work." Ronnie said, "I do not work cheep you must realize, and the customer will easily recoup his expenses when he begins selling the new equipment." Angela started to say more on the subject, but suddenly closed her mouth and sat quietly thinking.

Ronnie let his wife think for a few minutes and went into the den to see if Frederica and Monica needed any help with their homework. Janet walked in as Ronnie was showing Monica how to finish a trig problem. She asked Ronnie if he would like a cup of coffee if she made some. Ronnie said he would have some with her, and they walked to the kitchen together.

Ronnie asked Janet how Angela was doing with her dreams and if she had awakened them during the night. Janet said, "We girls are getting along just fine with the dreams and have found ways to keep Angela sleeping all night long." Ronnie said, "Thank you sister," but he got the impression he need not ask any more questions on the subject, so instead he asked about their plans for lunch tomorrow. Janet smiled and said, "I was hoping my brother would cook one of those Turkeys the grocery man delivered while you were putting Jill to sleep." Ronnie agreed to cook lunch for the family. Then Janet said, "Brother, there may be something more important that the cooking of lunch tomorrow. Angela needs to get back to The Empress before she goes stir crazy. We love having her and Jill here with us, and we are going to miss holding Jill, but your wife has missed you more than you could ever imagine, and needs for you to take her home, very soon." Ronnie looked at his sister and said, "Now I understand her quiet disposition when I was talking to her on the sofa a few minutes ago." Janet said, "Is there any reason you could not teleport Angela and Jill home yet this night? If you ask her, I bet you will find her arms wrapped around your neck, and you will get kissed to death." Ronnie took his sisters hand and said, "Thank you for talking with me, but I do not have time for that coffee tonight, can I take a rain check for another time?"

Ronnie stood up, walked into the living room and sat down beside Angela who was reading a book. Ronnie touched Angela on the arm and said, "Wife, I have missed you terribly on The Empress this week. I was wondering if you and Jill would like to come home with me yet tonight. I asked Janet if she would mind, and she said she would miss us terribly, but she would understand if we went home early." Angela turned to Ronnie and her eyes began to leak down her cheeks. She kissed him and hugged him hard. Then she stood up, and said, "Will you help me pack our things?" Ronnie stood up as Angela wrapped her arms around his neck and said, "I love Janet and the girls and do not understand why I need to be back at The Empress so badly, but I miss home something terrible." Ronnie let her hug and cry on his shoulder until she stepped back, and said, "Let's pack my friend, I am ready to sleep in my own bed tonight."

Angela started towards the bedroom, stopped, walked into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around Janet. Angela said, "Thanks for putting up with me this week, but I need to get home. I hope you can come and spend some time with us when you and the girls are free for a week or so. Ronnie and I will take you on some wonderful adventures, and let you diaper a tiny baby whenever you want. Thanks for helping me deal with my dreams while I was here with you. Your thoughts on dealing with the dreams are very good, and I think if I continue doing those things, I may be able to sleep all night in a few more weeks. Janet, I love you."

Angela turned herself around and quietly walked into their bedroom and began packing their things. Ronnie took the bags out onto the porch, and then returned to the kitchen and waited for Angela to put two drops of Misenall under Jill's tongue and then take her own Misenall tablet. While they all talked and waited five minutes, Angela walked into the den and said goodbye to the girls. Ronnie had picked up Jill and had her asleep on his shoulder again by the time Angela stepped out onto the porch. Ronnie leaned down and kissed Frederica and Monica, then kissed Janet on the cheek. Ronnie looked Janet in the eyes and said, "Sister, I believe you were right and I love you." Janet smiled and gently kissed Jill on the cheek. Ronnie kneeled down and let Frederica and Monica also kiss Jill goodbye.

When he stood up, he escorted Angela to the front porch, put the two bags between his legs and held onto Jill carefully. Angela put her hand on Ronnie's shoulder and pushed the green button on her travel watch.

Chapter 16 – Angela Returns Home

As they stabilized in the ready room, Jill began to cry. She puckered up her lips as if she was about to scream, then rubbed her eyes and went back to sleep. Angela giggled and said, "I know just how you feel," then sat down in the chair and let her body adjust to The Empress. Suddenly, Angela spoke to the computer and said, "Computer, we are home, did you miss us?" The computer said, "Angela, I thank your God for your return, I do not know how this vessel operated before you came aboard. Let me tell you what has been going on around here since you left, you will be shocked with the horrible care The Empress has received in your absence." Ronnie just shook his head, walked into Jill's bedroom and placed her in her crib. When he walked back to the ready room, he heard Angela say, "I will help you straighten up the messes in the morning, you must understand that Ronnie was never a very tidy human."

When Ronnie walked past her, she reached down and rubbed his butt, just to remind him that she did love him and had missed him this week. Ronnie looked his wife in the eyes and said, "You have spoiled this computer rotten, and now it has begun tattling on me, its programmer, its creator." Angela just kissed Ronnie and let him make a cup of coffee in the replicator. Then she walked up beside him, picked up his cup of coffee and walked away with it. Ronnie said, "Hey, that was mine," but Angela just continued walking towards her bedroom. Ronnie made a second cup of coffee and followed Angela into the bedroom. As she undressed to shower, she said, "I would wash your back, if you would wash mine, but I need a few more days or so to heal before I can make love to you." Ronnie smiled and said, "I think you need more than a few days to heal, my friend, more like a few weeks." He patted Angela's bare butt as she walked into the shower, then undressed and joined her.

During the night, Ronnie got up twice to still his child. The first time she was hungry and wet, the second time she had turned into a farm animal again. This time Ronnie drew a sink of water, sat her in it and listened to her giggle as she played in the warm water. Angela heard the commotion and came into the bathroom to see what her kids were doing. Angela asked if Ronnie thought that four in the morning was a good time to play in the water with his daughter. Ronnie said, "If you smell Jill, you will discover that she now smells much better now than she did a few minutes ago. The barnyard smell seems to have left her, but I am not sure the pajamas or blanket will survive." Angela picked them up from the bottom of the tub and said, "Holy crap girl, what has your daddy been feeding you," then took the clothes to the disposer. When she dropped the dirty clothes into the disposer, Ronnie heard her say, "Sorry Computer, but I warned you that this tiny child would sometimes stink.," When she pushed the button on the top of the disposer, the computer said, "I have placed new pajamas and a blanket on Ronnie's bed." Then the disposer beeped twice as it began to incinerate the dirty pajamas and blanket.

By the time Ronnie had dried and diapered Jill, Angela had a bottle of milk ready for her. She handed the bottle to Ronnie, and began turning down the lights. Ronnie sat in a rocker and began feeding his daughter. Jill fell asleep before she had even drunk half of the bottle of formula. Ronnie carefully put her back into her clean bed and covered her up. When he crawled back into the bed beside Angela, she said, "Thanks for caring for Jill tonight. To you it was just a stinky child who needed a bath, but to me it was a show of love that reminded me of my father, and how he cared for me when I was tiny and needed him."

As Angela snuggled up close and put her head on Ronnie's arm, he felt her warm wet tears drip on his arm. He leaned over and kissed her goodnight. The computer dimmed the lights so Ronnie and Jill could sleep, but left enough light in the lamp beside Angela to fight off any lurking nightmares. She put her hand on Ronnie's bare belly, hoping the close body contact would also keep her from screaming and waking the sleeping child in the crib. Angela decided she needed to work out a different sleeping arrangement for Jill, possibly in the small room she and the girls created for a nursery. The child needed quite at night, and she and Ronnie were going to need to be able to talk and love each other without waking Jill. She would take care of the problem in the morning.

When they got up in the morning, Angela decided to perk coffee in the tiny coffee pot. She had loved the coffee at Janet's and could not get enough now that Jill was no longer nursing. When Ronnie stepped into the kitchen, his eyes lit up and he said, "I remember why I missed you so much while you were at Janet's. You make the best coffee ever." Then he walked up to Angela, put his arms around her and said, "You make everything in my life better." Angela almost cried, but quickly sealed the leak in her eyes, and said, "I am glad to be back here with you and The Empress, I love being home."

When they had eaten breakfast, Ronnie worked with a customer on the Super 11 radio, and Angela put Jill into bed a basket with handles. She carried the child with her out into the inventory locker bay and began inventorying the massive amount of goods that were stacked along the walls. There was two weeks work here inventorying and putting away the goods. When Ronnie stepped up beside her, he said, "Sorry about the mess, but I was rather busy this week." Angela just smiled and said, "I guess you did miss me while I was gone."

Jill stirred in her basket against the wall, then put her thumb in her mouth and went back to sleep. Ronnie chuckled and said, "I almost threw that basket into the disposer a few months ago, then decided I liked it and should keep it around. I am now very glad I saved it. Jill seems to like it as well." Ronnie put his arm around Angela and pulled her to him. "I have one request for you in the next few days, please do not lift or carry the heavy items. Let your body heal for a little longer. I will transport the heavy items for you, and put the lighter things on the table for you to sort. Agreed?" Angela quickly said that he would get no argument from her. She explained that her belly was still very sore and she probably would only work a couple of hours this morning and a couple of hours later today.

As they talked, the computer notified Angela that she had received a call from Frederica and could return the call at Janet's house whenever she had time this morning. Ronnie smiled and said, "Frederica misses you and Jill's company." Angela said, "I have a feeling she may ask to come stay with us for a few days, under the pretense of helping me take care of Jill." Angela explained to Ronnie that Frederica was fascinated with The Empress and this lifestyle and would give anything to stay here for a while. Ronnie asked Angela how she felt about having Frederica hanging around, and Angela quickly said, "I would let her stay aboard The Empress permanently if it was up to me."

As Angela turned to go talk to Frederica, Ronnie made one comment. "It is up to you, you do realize that, don't you?" Angela turned to face her husband, looked him in the eyes to be certain he was serious, then turned and headed back to the ready room. Ronnie checked to make sure Jill was warm enough, and then asked the computer to listen for Jill's cry and alert him if he should happen to miss her need for assistance. The computer swiveled a camera around onto Jill, zoomed it in close, and began to monitor the tiny child.

When Angela walked back into the inventory locker bay, she looked in on Jill and then walked up and stood in front of Ronnie. Ronnie almost walked into her as he turned around, but stopped short and looked her in the eyes, wondering if something was seriously wrong at home. Angela smiled and said, "Hope you were serious husband, because I just invited a guest to stay with us for two weeks while she is on spring break from school." Ronnie just smiled and told Angela that he would rather enjoy having another smiling face aboard The Empress for a few weeks. Ronnie started to walk away from Angela but stopped, turned around to her and said, "Frederica has grown into a beautiful woman, and has changed from the giggling little girl I once knew; changed into a very smart, very funny teenager, who I very much enjoy having around. She can almost do calculus problems faster in her head than I can."

Ronnie turned and walked away, he did not see his wife put her fingers over her mouth to stifle the sound of her crying; he did not see the tears in his wife's eyes for the love she felt for him. The tears of joy she felt for this man, the Father of her child, the love of her life, the one to rescue her from the nightmares of her childhood; her prince in shining armor that she had hoped for all of her life had finally arrived.

Chapter 17 – Teleportation Accident

As Jill (now twenty-one years old yesterday) and the computer waited for Ronnie and Angela to teleport back to the Empress from a three-day holiday at the IFTT Headquarters, Jill heard the computer speak her father's name. It was just one loudly spoken word, "RONNIE." Thinking Ronnie and Angela had contacted the computer before they teleported back to The Empress, she stepped to the travel console. It was then that she suddenly realized that a serious problem existed.

Just as Ronnie (holding Angela's hand) had pressed the green button on his travel watch, the display flickered and the destination changed from The Empress to Timms's address on the planet Keemus. When Jill had heard the computer speak Ronnie's name, the computer had already realized the failure of Ronnie's travel watch, but the computer was unable to prevent the teleportation from taking place. Ronnie and Angela had been teleported onto the antimatter planet of Keemus, then instantly annihilated.

**************

Jill Marie Yutaka is now the sole owner and only human being aboard The Empress. As she grieves her mother and fathers deaths, she realizes that she can continue operating The Empress as her father had done. The computer has explained to Jill that her father had placed all the components to assemble six more travel watches in a locked safe in the inventory control locker, and her father had then left the instructions and the ever-changing combination to the safe, safely stored in the computer's memory bank. The computer explained that if she ever needed or wanted to bring a partner or lover aboard, that she could provide them with a travel watch if she felt comfortable in doing so.

When Jill crawled under the covers of her bed aboard The Empress that night, she began crying all over again. She could not stop thinking about the death of her father and mother. She began singing to herself, comforting herself as her mother Angela had taught her to do when she was frightened or alone in the dark.

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Mama's going to keep you safe tonight

If that nightmare makes you weep

Mama's going to hold you, until you sleep

When you find your prince someday

One small child you'll have I pray

If that child should wake at night

Hold her tight until the light

Hush, little daughter I love you

Mama's going to have to hug on you

If the hugging can't still your cries

Mama's going to have to kiss those eyes

If those kisses don't work on you

Mama's going to have to tickle you

If those tickles put a smile on you

Maybe you'll sleep the whole night through

Hush, tiny dreamer, I love you

If you dream about the dark

Hug me close and calm your heart

Feel my love that mends the fright

Let my love show you that life

Will guide your way to the light

Please my God, please help this child

Don't let her take her life tonight

Her love you see is dear to me

Show her life is the way to thee

Hush, little darling, please hold tight to me

I am the light that will set you free

A boy named Ronnie, will fight for thee

A girl child he will give to thee

If you see the light in He

The child he gives will set you free

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Close your eyes and sleep with me

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Mama's going to keep you safe tonight

If that nightmare makes you weep

Mama's going to hold you, until you sleep

When you find your prince one day

One small child you'll have I pray

If that child should wake at night

Hold her tight until the light

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Mama's going to keep you warm tonight

If you wake and need to feed

Mama's going to let you fill your need

When your diaper needs a change

Mama's going to wash you nice and clean

If the dreams, you dream tonight

Turn too real and make you scream

Mama's going to hold you until you sleep

Hush, little darling, Mama love you

Hush, little darling, papa loves you

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

When the computer woke Jill in the morning, she quickly dressed and then filed a flight plan with Quantum's Director of Operations. The Director did not want to work with Jill and asked to speak to Ronnie. Jill finally had to explain why he could not talk to him. She explained the death of Ronnie and Angela to the Director. Then she explained how Ronnie's travel watch had flickered, and how it had sent her father and mother into the planet of Keemus. The Director asked for the details of the accident so he could forward them on to the IFTT. Jill said that the computer could send him a detailed report if he wished, which might help the IFTT understand what exactly happened. The director of operations was crying by the time Jill cleared the channel with him, Jill could hear him sniffling and trying to keep his composure. The Director quickly approved Jill's travel request to Janet's home, and asked Jill to pass along his sympathy to the family.

Jill swallowed a Misenall tablet with a glass of water and waited five minutes. She smiled as she remembered that she had inherited the same inability to teleport as her mother Angela. She would always be ill for hours if she did not take the Misenall. She had found that sometimes she could teleport by resting her head on her father's or mothers shoulders before pressing the green button on her travel watch, but even then, she would sometimes be sick for many hours afterwards.

The one thing she had received from her father that she cherished was her nerves of steel. She did not fear anything, she did not worry about anything, she had the intelligence that her father had passed into her gene pool, and she could think her way out of most problems she encountered. From her mother Angela, Jill had acquired her beauty, her constant never-ending nightmares, and her love of life. As Jill had grown older, the nightmares became incredibly vivid, and she could see the man raping her mother in a very dark room. For some unknown reason, Jill could see the attackers face clearly, as if a bright spotlight was shining on his face, as if her mother knew the attacker very well. Jill did not know why she had these dreams, because she was not even born when her mother's attack took place. Jill figured the man's face was a figment of her own imagination, a face that a child had placed into the dream to help explain the pain her mother felt. How could she possibly see her mother's attacker so clearly? The mental pain her mother fought with most of her life was the driving influence in the creation of the comfort songs; first created by Connie's (Angela's) mother, later modified and sung to her daughter Jill. Jill sang those same comfort songs now to herself whenever she felt sorrow over the death of her parents.

Jill felt tears beginning to run down her cheeks and instantly became angry. She screamed aloud, "Enough with all the tears, I need to be strong, teleport to Janet's house and tell her about her brother and her sister in-laws deaths." Jill knew that Janet had already lost her parents and a husband, now to lose her brother would be devastating to her, and Frederica and Monica would be heartbroken. The girls were all grown up now; Jill was the baby of the family, but would be the strong shoulder the family would need to cry on in the coming days. She would be strong, she would be herself, and she would keep her tears in check; until she was alone and could no longer keep the tears from leaking from her eyes. She had already cried a river of tears after her parent's death, but realized she would cry an ocean of tears during her lifetime. The tears would come whenever something reminded her of them; simple things like a spoken word, a smell, a sound, a picture, even a dream would stir her emotions; force her to shed tears she did not want to shed; she wanted to be in control, did not want to be vulnerable, did not want to be weak.

Jill teleported down to Quantum's surface and stabilized on Janet's front porch. She knocked on the front door, but got no response. She opened the door and announced herself, but still got no response. She walked around to the back of the house and found Janet in her garden. She had been picking tomatoes and peas from the garden for her supper tonight. When Janet recognized Jill, she quickly took her gardening gloves off and met Jill at the edge of the garden. Janet hugged her tight and tried to be cheerful in her greetings, but Janet was no dummy and saw right through Jill's facade. Janet stepped back from Jill and began to cry even though she did not know what she was crying about, but realized the news was not going to be good. Jill stepped up close to her, wrapped her arms around Janet, and then began to explain that there had been a teleportation accident, and Angela and Ronnie had both died.

Janet could no longer physically stand, her legs simply failed her and she sat down in the grass and cried. Jill sat down with her, and they both cried. Jill's heart was broken and she needed another woman to cry with to help face the loneliness that she felt after the loss of both parents in one single accident.

Janet finally stood up, held out her hand and said, let's make tea and call the girls. Janet looked Jill in the eyes and said, "Jill, will you help me call the girls?" Jill said that she could pull herself together, talk to the girls and give them a shoulder to cry on while they faced the reality of Ronnie and Angela's deaths. Jill hugged Janet and said, "Janet, I have had two days to cry my tears and grieve my parents death, I can now control my emotions for the girls."

After the girls had made tea, Jill asked where Frederica and her daughter Trish would be today. Janet said that they both worked at the same hospital and were both on duty during the day. Jill then asked about Monica, and Janet said she would be at home because the school was on spring break. Jill got the address of Monica's home and teleported to her house. When Jill knocked on the door, Monica opened it and almost jumped into Jill's arms.

As Jill sat Monica down and explained the death of her uncle Ronnie and Angela, they both decided to teleport to hospital where Frederica's worked. The human resources director paged both Frederica, and her daughter Trish to her office. When Trish walked into the office and saw Jill and Monica, she sat down and began crying. She finally was able to hug the girls and let them explain what had happened. Frederica had walked in during the crying and Jill filled her in on the details of Ronnie and Angela's death. Jill hardened her emotions and said, "Girls, we need to teleport to your mother's house and console her, now if you can get away." Jill explained that she had already told Janet and cried with her for a couple of hours before she met with Monica. When Frederica looked to the Human Resources Director, she stood up, hugged the girls and said their funeral leave would end in five days, and they could leave now and she would do the paperwork for their time off. When the girls stabilized on the front porch of Janet's house, Janet quickly pulled the four girls into her arms and the crying started all over again.

It was three in the morning and the sound of a woman screaming was the most horrible sound anyone could ever imagine. By the time Janet, Frederica, Trish and Monica got to the loft over the kitchen, Jill was completely hysterical. Trish pulled Jill into her arms and kept telling her that she was safe; she needed to wake up. Finally, Trish slapped Jill hard across her face. Jill instantly fought back and began punching Trish in the face and shoulders. Trish wrestled Jill down onto the floor and sat on her until she could get her awake from the horrible nightmare. When Jill realized what was happening, she reached up and pulled Trish down close and sobbed. Jill told Trish that she often would dream the same nightmare as her mother Angela had dreamed. Sometimes she would fight the attacker, sometimes she could see his face, often she could feel him enter her body and cause her horrible pain. She told Trish she did not understand how she could relive her mother's nightmare, her mother's rape; see the face of her mother's attacker.

It was now obvious that there would be no more sleep in this house tonight so Janet and Monica made a pot of tea and some toast. The smell of the toast brought Jill and Trish down to the kitchen. As they sat and drank their tea, Janet asked Jill if she knew the name of her mother's attacker or could actually see his face well enough to recognize him if she saw him somewhere. Jill nodded her head, then stood up and left the room. When she returned, she put her briefcase down and extracted a drawing pad with a sketch drawn on the first page. Jill had neatly drawn the sketch with colored pencils, and she had drawn all the man's facial features very accurately. Jill said, "I would know the bastard anywhere if I saw him, and there is one more thing you need to know. I have listened to his voice and memorized the words he spoke to my mother as he repeatedly raped her, and I could pick his voice out of a crowd with ease."

Monica asked how the dream (nightmare) could have transferred from Angela's mind into her daughters (Jill's) mind at birth. The girls all shrugged their shoulders, not seeing any way that should have happened. Jill needed to do something to settle herself so she began cooking eggs and bacon for their breakfast. She put on a another pot of coffee, then stopped and looked at her family and said, "I will sleep on The Empress from now on and not let my dreams ruin your sleep and unsettle your emotions." Trish stood up, put her arms around Jill and said, "You will do no such thing. I will sleep close to you and keep the boogie man away while you sleep."

Monica said she would move to the loft and let Jill sleep in her bed beside Trish's bed while she was here at the house. Jill asked Janet if Ronnie and Angela had any more relatives that she needed to tell about her parent's death. Janet explained that all of Ronnie's relatives were here in this room, and then asked if the girls remembered that Angela's birth name was Connie, and that she had lived on the planet Earth. She may have had relatives but she disowned them just before she and Ronnie were married. At the wedding, Connie legally changed her name to Angela Irene Yutaka. She had no one that cared, or at least no one she would have wanted to know about her death. You must also remember that Ronnie and Angela have continued to let the IFTT believe Connie had died in the teleportation accident, which happened just before she first arrived aboard The Empress.

During Jill's stay at Janet's home, Jill learned that Trish wanted to join her and become a partner in the operation of The Empress. Trish is six years younger than Jill, only fifteen, but very mature and very well educated. Trish was already working on her Master's degree and planned to get her doctorate in intergalactic time travel and follow her Uncle Ronnie's profession. Jill discussed Trish's desire to join her on The Empress with her mother Frederica, and she was very excited. Frederica felt that joining The Empress would be exactly the challenge that her daughter Trish needed to fulfill her life's goals.

When Jill had made an agreement with Frederica to take Trish aboard The Empress, she also explained that Trish would be earning a hefty wage as she worked on the vessel whenever she was not studying or attending a lecture at the college. Jill also explained that when Angela died, she left a small fortune aboard The Empress and the computer had agreed to allow Jill to pay for Trish's education with the Galax in Angela's safe. Jill would pay Trish her wages, and she could spend and save her earnings as she wished, just as Angela had done. Jill explained to Frederica how her father Ronnie had created the safe that only Angela could access while she was alive, and then only the computer could control the account if Angela should die. There was enough Galax in the account to pay for Trish's doctorate and then some. Jill said she would add anything left over from her education to the savings that Trish acquired as she worked. Frederica gave her blessing and Jill said she would discuss the details with Trish later today and allow Trish time to make up her mind about her future.

As Jill was about to walk to her bedroom to make beds and prepare her new sleeping place for the night, her travel watch chirped twice. Jill answered the computer aboard The Empress and then cleared the channel. Jill walked back into the kitchen and sat back down on the stool at the eating bar. Frederica looked at her and Jill asked if she could have one more cup of coffee and discuss one more thing with her. Frederica poured Jill a cup, then one for herself, and sat down across the bar from Jill. Jill began tactfully questioning Frederica to see if she had incurred a large debt while trying to provide the education that Trish had already received. Jill explained that The Empress could easily pay off Frederica's debt burden so she could concentrate on her own life. Jill explained that this offer was not just an idle offer, that Ronnie and Angela had horded away a large fortune and he would have wanted his family to be provided for when he died.

Frederica reached over the counter and squeezed Jill's hand. The tears started leaking from her eyes, and then she said, "Jill, I presently have a second mortgage on this house, have used all the money I had in savings, and now may have to take another mortgage out on this house to live on. I make a fair wage working, but not enough to cover the payments for my daughter's expensive education. Trish works as many hours as she can, but be are barely surviving right now."

Jill reached over to the end of the counter, pulled a pad of paper and a pencil towards her, and then slid it to Frederica. Jill said, "Write down the amount of money you presently owe on outstanding education bills." Frederica said, "But, Jill that amount of money is not your responsibility to repay." Jill said, "My father would have not asked your permission, he would have just paid the bank and said nothing. I am not experienced enough to understand how to accomplish that task, so I need your help to pay for Trish's education. Frederica, will you please write down the full amount of Galax that you presently owe?"

Frederica said she needed one moment to get a paper from her office, and left the room. When she returned she handed the paper to Jill and as Jill read and arrived at the amount due column, she realized why Frederica was having financial trouble. Jill contacted the computer aboard The Empress and discussed the outstanding dept for Trish's education. The computer agreed that the outstanding dept would fall into the criteria that Ronnie and Angela had set forth with their private accounts. The computer asked for Frederica's bank and account numbers. Jill read the numbers to the computer off Frederica's checking account book. The computer said he would complete the money transfer from The Empress's accounts to the bank immediately.

When Jill had cleared the channel to The Empress, she asked Frederica if she could travel to the college with her and redirect all future statements to The Empress, so the monthly payments could originate from there. Frederica agreed, and within seconds, they stabilized in the front entry of the college. Once the paperwork was complete with the college, Jill explained that The Empress would now insure that the tuition payments were on time. The arrangement made the college administrator very happy.

When Jill and Frederica where back at Janet's house, Frederica pulled Jill into her arms and hugged her so hard that Jill had to say, "Frederica, you are killing me." Frederica backed up and told Jill that she would never forget what she had just done for her. She said that Trish was the most incredible child she could ever imagine having in her life, and she would do anything for her, but the dept from the college had been so overwhelming that she did not know what she was going to do in the next few months. Now her brother's daughter had saved her from financial ruin and she would never forget the help.

Jill sat down in the chair and began crying. She had let her emotions get the best of her once again, but this time she could not seem to stop crying. Frederica sat and hugged Jill until she could calm herself. Jill explained to Frederica that Ronnie and Angela loved them all, and would have taken care of the money problems long ago, if they had only known. I just did what Ronnie and Angela would have done, and it makes me feel very good to know your life will be easier in the future. Jill hugged Frederica and told her that if she ever had any problems that she and The Empress could help resolve to call at once and not put it off. As they talked, Trish walked in the front door and sat down beside them, wondering what all the tears were about this time. Frederica explained the afternoon's events, and then it was Trish's turn to hug the stuffing out of Jill for her loving gesture.

Trish explained that she had discussed her new living arrangements with the Human Resources Director and filled out all of the paperwork. She said, "The HR director has notified the IFTT of my new address and living arrangements, and they approved my relocation." Trish slid over close to her mother and said, "I hope that having me move out so suddenly does not upset you, or cause any problems taking care of this home." Frederica explained that she would be just fine now that the college bills were paid. Then she kissed Trish on the forehead and said, "Maybe I can come aboard The Empress sometime and visit when you two are in the neighborhood." Jill assured her that all she had to do was let them know and she could visit as long as she wanted.

That night Jill and Trish slept in the same room, but Jill was very nervous about having another screaming session and waking the family again tonight. Trish discussed Jill's concerns and discussed leaving the light in the room turned on, but Jill felt that the one small lamp on the desk would be enough, maybe. Trish walked over to her travel case, pulled out a small mask with an elastic strap on it and said, "Jill, the room light can stay on if you like, because the light will not bother me." Then she put the black mask over her eyes and adjusted the strap. Trish said, "There, I cannot see any light at all." Jill began to laugh at the ridiculous looking mask, but Trish said it worked just fine and she would sleep with the mash in place. They crawled into their beds still giggling, but Jill was certain she could sleep through the night if the lights remained on as they were.

When they woke in the morning, Trish yawned and asked Jill if she slept okay with the lights on, and Jill said, "I only woke once and that was because of a sawing sound coming from the bed next to me." Trish covered her mouth with her hand and said, "Sorry, I guess I must snore. Monica says I do, but I never believed her because I never heard myself doing it." Jill started to laugh, then jumped up and left the room very quickly. When she returned, she said, "Sorry, almost peed in my pants with all the laughing." Trish and Jill got out of bed, dressed and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast. When they got to the living room, Frederica's Mother (Janet) was in the recliner, reading a book. When they sat down near her and asked how she had slept last night, she said that she had slept just fine until about five in the morning when her eyes popped open and she found she was wide-awake. Janet said, "When you get to be my age, you will find that if you sleep until five o'clock in the morning you have done very well." Frederica had joined them in the living room and she squatted down beside her mother and kissed her gently on the forehead. Janet reached up and hugged her, then said, "Girls, I am starving, who will help me cook breakfast this morning?" Three girls stood up at the same time, and Trish said, "Grandmother, I believe we will all cook for you this morning if you will allow us." Janet, said, "Then help me to the kitchen counter so I can tell you how to do it properly," then she laughed her deep belly laugh; the same wonderful sound Jill remembered her father Ronnie produced as he laughed.

Jill turned away and walked towards her bedroom, tears running down her face from the wonderful memory of her father. Janet started to apologize for upsetting Jill, but Frederica smiled at her mother, held her hands and reminded her that Jill would always find tears for her father and she needed to cry the tears to heal her broken heart. Trish walked with Janet to the kitchen counter and as Frederica sat, Trish kissed Janet on the cheek and said, "Grandmother, I will check on Jill and settle her emotions, then be right back." Janet said, "Thank you Trish, I hate to see Jill cry alone."

When Jill gently knocked on the bedroom door and stepped inside, Jill said, "I am sorry for the tears, but when Grandmother laughed just like Father, I could not keep my eyes from leaking again." Trish walked up to Jill and hugged her, but the tears that Jill cried were contagious and soon both girls were crying over the death of Ronnie and Angela. Trish finally got them both settled down, took Jill's hand and escorted her back to the kitchen. When they stepped up close to the counter where Janet sat, Frederica said, "We need to make a pact, girls. From now on, the tears we shed for Ronnie and Angela's death we will shed in the arms of a family member, and not in hiding. Agreed?" All five girls hugged and agreed that it was time to start the healing process; from now on, they would talk about their tears and share their emotions.

The following morning, Jill and Trish made their plans to teleport to The Empress where Trish would become a full time crewmember. She would work whenever needed and would study whenever she had free time. Trish's college courses would be top priority in the end, and Jill was more than capable of helping Trish with her studies, she being a Mensa member and all.

By lunchtime, the girls were all starting to say their goodbyes and beginning to pack. They all had jobs to return to, Janet's two girl friends had asked her to join them for a two-week vacation on planet Earth and she really wanted to go with them. Janet's girl friends were all unmarried and they all took good care of each other and always had a good time together.

Janet said that a few good gin and tonics would cure most everything that ailed her; and maybe a little rich boy could cure the itch between her legs. Frederica just threw up her arms and said, "I am proud of you mother. Most women your age long ago forgot they had a vagina, but yours seems to continue working just fine despite my insistence you could have a major heart attack in the arms of some stranger." Trish just laughed and said, "Do him once for me, would you Grandma? Then get his phone number." Jill punched Trish in the shoulder and said not to encourage Grandma's lustful nature. Trish announced that she hoped her vagina worked as well as Grandmothers when she was living her third century of life. Grandmas said, "Trish, you need to use it often and keep it well lubricated with testosterone." Trish made some comment about also needing a little estrogen in her system sometimes, but said it low enough that only Jill heard the comment.

With lunch over and the dishes washed, Trish asked if they could teleport to The Empress very soon. She hoped to avoid a major crying session that surely would start if they hung around much longer. Jill asked who was going to do the crying and Trish said she was afraid she might be the one who started it this time. Jill said they could leave in twenty minutes since the travel plans with the Director of Operations were now complete. Jill and Trish moved their luggage to the front porch, Jill only had one small bag and her briefcase, Trish had two bags and her briefcase. When they were ready to travel, they walked into the house and began the goodbyes. The one who finally started the crying session was Frederica, she did not want to let go of her daughter. She had contained her fears over teleporting accidents very well until this moment, but now those fears surfaced and she was very frightened for her daughter, and for Jill. Jill took her Misenall pill then offered one to Trish, but she said no to the offer. As Jill waited for the Misenall to take effect, Jill finally convinced Frederica that Trish would be safe and that she could call home when she was aboard The Empress. Jill helped Trish and Frederica set their travel watches to the correct frequencies, and then save the numbers so they could communicate whenever they needed.

Then Trish and Jill held hands while Jill pressed the green button on her travel watch. When they stabilized on The Empress, Jill spoke to Trish and told her to stand very still for a moment and make sure her stomach was well. Trish sat down on the floor instead and Jill quickly slid the trashcan beside her. Trish finally stood up, put her hands on Jill's shoulders, looked her in the eye and said she would be okay in just a moment. Jill stepped up close to Trish and let her rest her head on the shoulder for a moment and Trish leaned forward and kissed Jill on the cheek. The girls then walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table. Jill sat down across from Jill and asked if she was okay now. Trish finally stood up, walked around the kitchen for a few moments, and then pronounced herself fit for duty. Jill laughed and said there would be no duty tonight, the computer would be lonesome and there would be little time to rest.

Jill took Trish by the hand and walked her to a door in the hallway, opened it and stepped inside. She turned the light switch on and Trish followed her inside. Jill said this room was Angela's and she had not been in here since Angela died. Jill said this room could be Trish's room or they could have the computer start over and create her a new room. Trish looked around and said, "This room will do very nicely, thank you." Jill took Trish's hand and said, "Let me give you the grand tour of The Empress since you have not been here in a very long time." Jill spoke to the computer and said, "Computer, this fine lady with me is Trish, the one we have been discussing for the last week or so." She will be staying with us and will be working as a crewmember, so we will have to help her for a few weeks to understand the operation of The Empress. She will need our help to get the answers to the many thousands of questions she will have. Trish, please say hello to the computer." Trish stood tall, pulled her shoulders back and said, "Hello computer, I am pleased to talk to you again. If you remember, I talk too much and ask too many questions. I hope I do not become a nuisance." The computer spoke in his deep masculine voice, "Hello Trish. I will never become annoyed with your questions. I am a machine and will answer your questions anytime you wish, and as often as you wish."

I can also read your thoughts right now and the restroom is behind you. Trish never spoke another word; just stepped back, opened the door, stepped inside and shut the door. Jill walked into the kitchen and waited for Trish to return. It was ten minutes later when Trish returned and sat down on a stool beside Jill and very quietly said, "The teleportation did not make me puke, but it certainly made my insides work." Jill snickered at the words Trish spoke, and then asked if she was ready to continue the tour. Jill showed Trish Ronnie's room, which she said she would have the computer remove from The Empress once they had time to investigate the room and make certain Ronnie had not left things in there vital to The Empress or family mementos that she and the computer felt they should keep. Then Jill showed Trish the cargo bay area, the inventory locker area, the ready room, and the control console area. When they had finished with the tour, Jill explained how to do her laundry and how to use the food replicator. By the time, Jill had completed showing Trish everything she needed for tonight, she said, "Do you like popcorn and hot chocolate?" Trish explained that she liked both very much, but would gain twenty pounds if she allowed herself to eat the things she loved. Jill said she could work off the calories in the cargo bay running, or exercising each day. Then Jill took Trish back to her room and showed her how to access the computer, log into the college to retrieve her lessons, and see her class schedule.

Trish and Jill worked late into the night taking care of all the routine maintenance the computer had saved for them. Finally, the computer said that they had completed their work and they could retire for the night if they wished. Jill looked at Trish and said, "You realize that we missed supper don't you." Trish nodded and said, "I think I need a little food or I will not sleep well tonight." Jill took Trish by the hand and said, "Then food it is." Jill walked up the food replicator, and spoke her food order. "Replicator, two fried eggs, cooked easy over, two strips of bacon cooked crispy, two slices of buttered toast toasted lightly, and black coffee." The replicator chirped two times, paused and chirped twice again. The door in the front opened and there was the food Jill had ordered, steaming hot. Jill took her food to the counter, then returned to the replicator and stood beside Trish in case she needed help. Trish ordered, two eggs scrambled, two slices of buttered wheat bread toasted dark, two pancakes with maple syrup, and hot green tea. The replicator chirped twice, paused then chirped twice again. When the door opened, Trish clapped her hands and said, "I think I am going to like this wonderful machine. I will be able to eat properly, but quickly when I am in a hurry."

Trish carried her food to the counter where Jill was sitting and ate slowly, spending most of her time talking and giggling about how lonesome the computer had been when they came aboard. Trish said, "I think the computer needs human companionship to maintain its own form of sanity." Jill said that tomorrow they would clean out Ronnie's room with the computers help, and then work on their own living arrangements. Jill asked if Trish was shy, and she giggled and said, "Heavens no. I am one of the girls that run around naked in the house or dorm room if no males are around." Jill mentioned that they could remove the wall between their two rooms, which would allow them to intermingle better. They could keep separate bathrooms, and then create a small office for each of them so if they needed quiet time to study or read; they would have a place to shut a door for privacy. Trish said that would work out nicely and she would appreciate the company, as being alone for any length of time was very distracting and emotional to her. Jill said they would work on the new arrangements in the morning.

Both Jill and Trish were up early the next morning, showered, then made their beds and started their laundry. Trish said she would eat some breakfast and then be ready to get to work. Trish walked into the kitchen, ordered her food on the replicator, but instead of two chirps, she heard a series of steady beeps, then the computer spoke to her. The computer said, "Trish, when you order food from the replicator, you must give more detailed cooking instructions. Your toast will come out as cold bread with butter instead of being toasted as you wished." Trish quickly picked up the computers meaning and restated the food order, this time explaining the wheat toast was to be toasted dark. The replicator chirped twice, paused and chirped twice again. The door opened and she could smell the wonderful aroma of breakfast. Jill was standing in the ready room and heard Trish say, "Life is good," as she tasted her first bite of eggs.

When Trish walked into the ready room, she heard a strange woman's voice, then another one, and then a third woman began speaking. As Trish stepped into the control console room, Jill pointed to the copilot's seat for Trish to sit in and said, "I am working with the computer to find a new voice for, Him. The computer is about to get a gender change." Trish giggled and listened to the different voices. When Jill pressed the button to play the next voice, both Jill and Trish said at the same time, "That is the one." Jill played the new voice a few times and then asked the computer if it would acquire the new voice and begin using it from this point forward. The very feminine voice came over the speakers, "Jill, does this new voice please you?" Jill looked at Trish, and Trish put her fingers on her crotch and said, "That voice makes me damp." Jill giggled and told the computer the new voice was perfect. Jill looked at Trish and said, "We are going to get along just fine, I do believe."

*************

Jill was very proud of Trish; she had completed her doctorates degree in less than 30 months. She had written her dissertation on dimensional time travel, and did a follow up to her Uncle Ronnie's original work. She had worked with her college and they hired a publisher to publish a revised addition to Ronnie's original book that many colleges were still using. Now that Trish's college work was complete, Jill wanted to put her education to work and begin traveling to some newly discovered universes. The astrophysicist that Jill knew said two of the universes they had recently discovered had habitable planets and entities that were very willing to trade outside their own universe. Jill discussed her thoughts with Trish, and met with instant excitement.

As they began planning their travel plans, Trish asked one simple question, "Could we spend two days with our family on Quantum before we go. Grandma Janet is having an operation in two days and I am very worried about her." Jill looked Trish in the eyes and said, "When were you planning on telling me about this operation?" Trish looked at Jill and said, "I did not mean to hide it very long from you, but you have had a lot to take care of in the last couple days. Besides, The Empress needed your full attention. I planned to tell you if her condition worsened, or if I heard you planning a trip that would overlap into the surgery date."

Jill hugged Trish and said, "Tell me everything, and then we will finish business here. We can go visiting tomorrow so we can spend some time with Janet before her surgery." Trish took Jill's hand and escorted her to the bedroom where they could sit in their recliners and talk. Trish explained that Janet's heart had a valve that was failing and the surgeon wanted it replaced while Janet was still healthy enough to tolerate the surgery. The doctor was concerned that if he let the valve continue to fail, Janet's body would also begin to fail, and he did not want to wait. Janet's doctor said that Grandma was a very healthy lady and if they fixed the heart valve now, she would live many more years. It seems that this heart valve problem is genetic and runs in the family on Grandma's side.

Jill walked over to Trish and sat down in front of her chair. She took both Trish's hands in hers and said, "Please don't hide things from me, I know you are stronger emotionally than I am, but I would always like to hear you tell me whenever something is going on, okay?" Trish kissed Jill hard and said, "Yes, I promise to tell you immediately from now on." Jill took Trish by the hand and walked her to the ready room. She opened a drawer beside the radio room and said, "Trish, I would like to replace the travel watch you received at birth with a new one that was designed by Ronnie, and will put you in constant contact with The Empress. Trish held out her arm. Jill placed the new travel watch on Trish's arm, pressed two buttons simultaneously and the process began. Within seconds, the original IFTT birth travel watch released where the band touched the edge of the watch, and it fell into Jill's hands. Jill held the new watch into the correct position and the new band cold fused to Trish's arm. Jill placed the original watch into the drawer and said that the IFTT director would finalize the set up of the new travel watch tomorrow.

When they got up from bed the next morning, Jill said that she had about two hours work with the IFTT, getting the last of the paperwork completed. The IFTT was officially transferring The Empress's operating license to Jill, as Ronnie's surviving daughter. Jill had also included Trish as the Senior Engineer for The Empress, and the IFTT was verifying her educational degrees and knowledge to insure she was qualified for the position. Trish had become an important asset to The Empress, but the IFTT was very strict about whom they allowed to update and repair the Super 11 transceiver, and program the teleportation computer.

Jill sat Trish down in the copilot's seat, connected her to the director of operations at the IFTT and let him discuss her duties and her responsibilities aboard The Empress. He requested Trish's signature on two documents. The computer displayed them on the screen and Trish carefully signed her name. When the computer sent the documents back to the director, he welcomed Trish as the new Senior Engineer of The Empress, and then made certain she had his radio frequency installed in her travel watch in case she needed his assistance or required information.

When Trish was done with the IFTT director, Jill said they could now visit their family. Jill requested a flight plan from the Quantum Director of Operations, and then spoke to the computer. "Computer when the Director inputs our flight plan, please place us into a stable orbit and wait until we rejoin you here in the ready room." The computer chirped three times in agreement. Jill looked at Trish and asked, "Would you join me in the shower before you and I teleport down to Janet's house?" Trish smiled, quickly stood up and began unzipping her flight suit. Both girls dropped their flight suits into the disposer as they headed to the shower. The computer heard the giggles, but paid no attention to the pleasure that was occurring in the shower; she was just a machine after all, and did not feel passion or emotion, just tiny surges of energy as her memory bits charged and discharged while maintaining The Empress in a stable orbit around the planet Quantum.

Chapter 18 – The Skipper's Revenge

As Jill's customers stabilized in the security room of The Empress, Trish greeted the two men and began working on their shopping list. Trish realized that the customer's shopping list was very large, and very expensive. She continued typing on the computer key board as the monitor screen rolled down to page two. As she questioned the customers about the size of the air compressor they wanted, Jill walked into the secure area of the security room and stood beside Trish.

As Jill looked down at the computer screen reading the list of goods that Trish had typed, she heard one of the customers speak and instantly recognized his voice. Jill looked up and recognized his face as well as his voice. Jill stared into the face of the shorter of the two men, but did not speak to him for a few moments. Jill let the man's voice and face be mentally compared to the details stored deep in her memory; then devised a plan in her mind to expose the man for who he really was. Trish could see that Jill was very disturbed with the two customers, maybe even angry, but did not understand her reasons. The shorter male customer finally asked Jill if she knew him from somewhere, but Jill just continued to stare deep into his soul.

Jill finally turned to the glass security windows separating her and Trish from the customers, raised her arms over her head, placed both palms on the glass and said, "We have not been formally introduced, but you raped my mother, and left her in a dark room." The man looked carefully at Jill and asked how she was so certain of a thing like that. Jill considered the question a moment, and then said, "I see your face in my dreams at night just before I wake from the attack you inflicted upon my mother. You see, I dream the same nightmare as my mother Angela. You may remember her as Connie Smith before she changed her name." The customers face lost all color and he began fidgeting around as if he was at a loss for words, or looking for a place to hide. The man finally spoke and said, "That is absurd, I never attacked your mother." Jill spoke to the computer and said, "Computer would you teleport the taller of our two customers back to his vessel, and then turn the temperature in the secure room down to zero degrees Celsius for me? Thanks." The taller customer opened his mouth to protest, but the words never left his lips. He just simply disappeared from the secure room. The shorter customer was now yelling and cursing at Jill, but she knew that given enough time, the man would be quite willing to talk to her sensibly: Man to woman, captive to captor.

Trish was now protesting this treatment of the customer, but Jill screamed at her, "Please, get the fuck out of the security room, and do it now." Trish quickly stomped out and pressed the button to slide the door shut. Trish had never seen or heard Jill talk or act like this and quickly questioned the computer to explain Jill's actions. The computer calmly explained to Trish that the man in the secure room was the man who had raped and left a young girl in a dark room for six days before her rescuers found her. The young girl was Jill's mother, Angela. Angela and her parents hunted this man for many years. Then Angela and Ronnie hunted him for many more years. The skipper has now found the man and will end his life very slowly, probably shivering in the cold, dark, security room. The computer said, "The skipper will not let him live; of that I am certain." Jill has hated this man since she was born, when the nightmares of her mother transferred to her tiny brain; the same nightmares her mother Angela dreamed. Jill, as did her mother, hates the man that caused so much pain to that young girl, a young girl unable to fight back.

Trish stood up from her chair and told the computer she was going to put a stop to this madness right now, and headed towards the security room. When Trish input her key code to open the door to the security room, it did not work. Trish hit the clear button and punched in the code again, and once again, the door refused to open. Trish screamed at the computer to open the fucking door, but the computer refused. Trish slammed her fists on the door, screamed at Jill to let her in, then backed up so her back was against the hallway wall. She slid down until she was sitting on her butt, with her back against the wall, facing the security room door.

The computer waited until Trish had calmed her emotions for a moment, and then calmly spoke to her. The computer said, "Trish, I cannot allow you to interfere with the punishment the skipper must inflict upon this man. The skipper cannot allow the man in the security room to go unpunished after the physical and mental pain he caused her mother. If you or I interfere with Jill in the completion of this lifelong quest, she will never forgive herself, or us, for allowing her mother's attacker to walk free. She must kill him, and she must do it without touching him or using any weapons other than her mind. Jill does not believe in directly killing any entity unless that entity is threatening her or someone else's life; in this instance she must, and she will, allow this man to freeze in the security room, alone, and in total darkness."

Trish finally got her wits about her and asked the computer if she could enter the security room and sit with Jill until this deed was complete. Trish could hear the computer speaking to the skipper and then the door to the security room opened. Jill stepped into the hallway, and reached out her hand for Trish. When Trish was standing up in the hallway, Jill hugged her and said she did not need to witness this death, and should wait in her room. Trish gently stepped past Jill and walked to the glass security windows. Jill had electronically tinted the security glass completely dark, but the monitor showed an infrared image of the man walking around in the room, shivering, cursing and trying to cope with his impending death. Trish sat down in the chair at the monitor and allowed herself to cry. She did not make any sounds, she did not want Jill to comfort her or talk to her; she just needed to make peace with the fact that she was watching a human slowly freezing to death, and she was unable to prevent the death. Trish made up her mind that she would stay here in this room until the man died: No living entity should die alone without someone present to pray their soul unto their God.

Jill finally spoke to Trish, and asked if they could discuss this man's impending death, but Trish shook her head, no. Trish finally looked Jill in the eyes and said, "Skipper, I do not want to hear one fucking word from your mouth until this man is dead, and then we will discuss your inability to kill humanely instead of playing with your victim like an animal." Jill doubled up her fist and stepped towards Trish, intending to punch her stupid face, but Trish quickly stood up and prepared to defend herself if forced into it; Jill relented and sat down in the chair beside the monitor to calm herself. Jill spoke to the computer, looking for reassurance that killing this man was the correct course of action that would revenge the brutality inflicted upon her mother as a young girl.

The computer spoke to Jill, "My friend, I witnessed firsthand the pain and suffering of Angela. I protected her from the nightmares the best I could. I tried to instill in her mind that most human males would defend her, cherish her, and love her; would die to protect her from harm, but the dreams continued, and she was continually haunted. I understand your concern about killing and causing another human to suffer, but you must remember that I am a machine, not mortal, and unable to feel guilt or remorse. I have no right to advise you in this matter of killing, I have no programming to guide this action. If you need guidance in this matter, you must speak to Trish, and let her morality guide you." Trish looked at Jill, but saw no sign of remorse; instead, she saw a flicker of hate, a hint of determination to complete her quest.

Jill walked to the control console, turned the lights on in the secure room, and then spoke these words to the man standing in front of her as he tried to adjust his eyes to the bright lights. "Let God take pity on your soul, because I do not." The skipper raised the hinged red switch cover, and pressed the button under it labeled, EJECT.

Instantly, the sound of air escaping filled The Empress, the floor panels opened, and the glass viewing windows turned red with blood and human body matter. Then once again, the sound of moving air filled their ears as the computer pressured the secure room back to its normal atmospheric pressure. Then, as the girls watched, the windows began to turn foamy white as the computer began the process of cleansing the room by flooding it with cleaning solutions and high-pressure steam. Trish stood up and walked out of the security room, and locked herself in her private room, unable to understand the hatred Jill had felt for the man she had just killed.

As Trish sat in her recliner rocking and crying, trying to get her emotions under control before trying to open a discussion with Jill, she heard the sounds of Jill singing her mother's comfort song. The sound of the song allowed Trish's mind to relax and let her feel the deep pain that Jill's mother, Angela, had felt that day in the dark room, as her attacker repeatedly raped her.

As Jill sang, Trish cried. Trish cried tears for the child locked in the darkness after the rape, and tears for the death of the man that Jill had just killed. Trish now understood the feelings in Angela's heart, felt the feelings in Jill's heart, felt the hatred that her Uncle Ronnie felt for the man who had injured the love of his life, the Mother of his child. Trish now felt Jill's pain, and knew she was also crying, crying hysterical tears of joy for the revenge of her mother's attacker, but also of remorse for killing a human being. Trish stood up and walked into the ready room where she found Jill sitting on the floor, crying as an injured child would cry. As Trish pulled Jill close, Jill began to sing again, and the words seemed to sooth the hurt they both felt so deep in their souls. The sound of Angela's comfort song that she had taught to her daughter filled The Empress with love. The song that Jill's Mother had sung to her from the moment of her birth, filled The Empress with hope, hope that mankind could learn to love one another.

Hush, little darling, don't you cry

Mama's going to keep you safe tonight

If that nightmare makes you weep

Mama's going to hold you, until you sleep

When you find your prince someday

One small child you'll have I pray

If that child should wake at night

Hold her tight until the light

Hush, little daughter I love you

Mama's going to have to hug on you

If the hugging can't still your cries

Mama's going to have to kiss those eyes

If those kisses don't work on you

Mama's going to have to tickle you

If those tickles put a smile on you

Maybe you'll sleep the whole night through

Hush, tiny dreamer, I love you

If you dream about the dark

Hug me close and calm your heart

Feel my love that mends the fright

Let my love show you that life

Will guide your way to the light

Please my God, please help this child

Don't let her take her life tonight

Her love you see is dear to me

Show her life is the way to thee

The computer sat a course for planet Quantum, where it felt the girls could heal their souls. The computer would teleport them down to the porch of Janet's home, where they could spend a few days with their dearest friend, Janet. Janet was now much older, but the wisest person the girls knew: Janet, the Grandmother that could comfort the two cousins, and help heal their pain.

Janet had written a poem that she read to the girls. The poem she wrote was a cry of hope for the future of the universe, of the cosmos.

If all mankind could banish hate

There'd be no need for war

And guns could be used for peaceful things

Instead of killing more

If all mankind could love one God

There'd be no need for war

And men could live with peace at heart

Instead of killing more

If all mankind could cherish life

There'd be no need for war

And God's children could love and play

Instead of killing more

If all mankind could comfort a crying child

There'd be no need for war

We'd be too busy hugging children

To fight a silly war

Instead of killing more

If all mankind could praise a friend

There'd be no need for war

One new friend you'd reach each day

No need to fight, you'd be my light

Instead of killing more

Chapter 19 – Death of the Matriarch

The woman that had provided the hope and love for this family died six years later in her daughter Frederica's arms. The woman, who had lost her parents, her husband, her brother and sister in law, was now the one the family would lay to rest this day in the family cemetery. The son of the Minister that had married Angela and Ronnie would assist the family in the burial process, and insure that Janet's God received her in his home.

As the attendants started lowering the coffin into the grave, Jill began to quietly sing the song that had so comforted her over the years, and had kept her mother's sanity in check. As she sang, Trish took hold of Jill's hand and added her voice. As the attendants began to lower the cover on the crypt, Jill threw a red rose on top of the coffin. A rose to symbolize her love for the woman that had allowed her mother Angela to become a part of this family, and had then guided her through the troubled times that her mother's attack as a child had placed upon her. Jill loved Janet, her grandmother, her mentor, her friend. Jill hoped that she could also be a beacon of life to her family when she was the eldest and wisest of the clan, just as Janet had done. Frederica and Monica would be the ones most to suffer from the loss of their Mother, Jill knew that, but she already missed her grandmother.

When the family returned to Janet's home, they discussed selling it, but Monica finally asked if she could assume responsibility for the house. She said she would live there and maybe raise a family there if the others had no objection. Frederica took a key from her pocket and said, "Little sister, this loving home now belongs to you. Please care for it, and love it as our mother and father did in the past. All we ask is that you allow us to visit with you, often."

As Jill and Trish time traveled to the new universe where they planned to trade, Jill stopped at the Open Market and watched Trish's face as they drew close to the huge tunnel. Then Jill watched the excitement on Trish's face as the goods transferred into carts in front of The Empress, just as her father (Ronnie) had watched the smile on her face the very first time. When the process was complete and the goods had transferred into the cargo bay of The Empress, Trish felt the spirits of Ronnie and Angela stir within her soul, stir her mind with the wonders of the cosmos. She would follow her uncle's footsteps, and travel the cosmos in search of the next great adventure, the next great frontier.

(Until we meet again) (Hasta la vista)

Ronnie Coleinger

