Michael Brachman's Blog: Tales of the Vuduri, page 7

The Milk Run Teaser Part 2

Previously, I told you about my theoretical wrap-up of the Rome and Rei saga. I had already decided I was moving on with the "next generation" of characters so I wrote this little teaser long before I actually started writing the novel itself. In a way, it kind of painted me into a corner but it was a very large corner. I had a glimmer of an idea about The Milk Run so this generic teaser was not too restrictive. I broke it into two pieces. Yesterday, I presented Part 1. Here is the final part, Part 2:

Year 3476 AD (1395 PR)
(17 years after the end of Rome's Evolution)

     Rome opened up her PPT channel and “spoke” to Aason directly into his mind.
     “I am very proud of you, Son,” she said. “You be careful.”
     Aason smiled.
     “Always, Mother,” he thought back. The handsome young man, well over six feet tall, leaned over to press the blue stud to retract the cargo ramp and lower the hatch. His parents waved at him until they were out of view. Turning forward, Aason made his way directly to the cockpit where Lupe was already seated in the copilot’s chair on the right. Aason buckled himself in the pilot’s chair on the left.
     Rome’s voice came through Junior’s grille loud and clear.
     “OMCOM, I need you to watch out for my children. They are the most precious things in all the world. No detours. You are to go there, do your business, then return.”
     “Of course,” OMCOM said. “Junior and I will take care of them,” replied the animated shell that was connected to a subset of the computer taking up temporary residence within Junior’s memron structure.
     Aason twisted to his right. “Make sure your harness is snug,” Aason said to his younger sister. “He’s been getting a little wild with his takeoffs recently.”
     “He does it because that’s the way I like it,” replied Lupe in a slightly irritated tone. “I’m not a baby. I can take care of myself,” she said. Nonetheless, she tugged on the X-harness tabs one more time.
     “She will be fine, Aason,” said the two-meter tall all-white being standing behind them. “Lupe has done this before,” OMCOM added.
     “I’m her big brother,” countered Aason. “I’m allowed to worry about her. Ultimately, it’s my responsibility. This is the first time they’re letting us go this far alone and I want it to start out right.”
     “Understood,” OMCOM replied patiently.
     While it was probably unnecessary, Aason checked the instrument panel one last time. All the readings looked good. He tugged on his own harness once more then said, “OK, Junior, I think we’re ready to go. It’s up to you.”
     “You got it, Cuz,” came the starship’s voice from the grille built into the console. Vaguely mechanical noises issued from the back.
     “Despite the fact that she likes it, maybe you could take it a little easy this one time?” Aason requested.
     “Roger that,” replied the sleek starship, the first of a breed “born” rather than built. “Even so, hold on to your hats.”
     The powerful EG lifters came up to speed and the jet-black craft leaped into the sky.

When I originally wrote this, MINIMCOM was the spacecraft so at least I had the foresight to switch it to MINIMCOM, Jr. And on that note, this is the end of the review of Rome's Evolution, tomorrow, we'll examine some of the big ideas I wanted to exploit in The Milk Run.

The Milk Run Teaser Part 1

Yesterday, I told you about my theoretical wrap-up of the Rome and Rei saga. I had already decided I was moving on with the "next generation" of characters so I wrote this little teaser long before I actually started writing the novel itself. In a way, it kind of painted me into a corner but it was a very large corner. I had a glimmer of an idea about The Milk Run so this generic teaser was not too restrictive. I broke it into two pieces. Here is Part 1:

Year 3476 AD (1395 PR)
(17 years after the end of Rome's Evolution)

     21-year-old Aason Bierak stood with his arms folded across his broad chest, scowling while his parents fussed over his younger sister. He was anxious to get started and to him the prolonged goodbyes seemed interminable.
     “You listen to your brother,” Aason’s mother, Rome said to his sister, Lupe. “He’s in charge. You do what he says.”
     “What about OMCOM?” Lupe asked as if she didn’t know.
     “The livetar we are sending along is just a subset of our OMCOM’s core. He’s there for a system upgrade only,” Lupe’s father, Rei, interjected. “He can advise you but he’s not in charge of you.”
     “What about Planet OMCOM?”
     “Same thing. Aason is in charge. Nobody else.”
     “I get it,” Lupe said. “OK. Goodbye, Mother,” she said and she hugged her mother tightly. At five foot six, she felt like she towered over her mother, having inherited some of her father’s height. But even though she was only sixteen and a half, with her dark hair and glowing eyes, she already looked like a clone of Rome, just taller.
     “I will miss you,” Rome said. “Hurry back.”
     “Sure,” replied Lupe. She stepped to her left and hugged her father. “I love you both,” she said then she turned and skipped away, heading for the cargo ramp leading up to the all-black starship sitting on the landing strip.
     “Aason, you watch over her,” Rome said. “She is still a baby.”
     “Of course, Mom,” Aason said. “There’s nothing to worry about. Dad told me this is a milk run.”
     “What is a milk run?” Rome asked, looking over at her husband.
     “He told me it’s a quick trip just to grab something at the store.”
     “In that case, he is wrong. There is no such thing as a milk run in space,” Rome said, looking back at her son. “You know we would be going with you if we could.”
     “I know, Mom,” Aason said. “But Grandmea needs you more, right now. Grandbeo has to get better.”
     Rome opened her arms and Aason allowed her to hug him tight. “You are so grown up!” she exclaimed. Aason didn’t even bother to blush. He gave his father a manly hug and twirled around toward the starship awaiting him. As Aason reached the top of the ramp, before he entered the cargo section, he turned and looked back at his parents one more time. His father had his long arms draped over his mother, holding her gently.

Tomorrow, we will complete the roster of characters and that is truly the end of Rome's Evolution.

The End?

Yesterday, Rome and Rei returned to their home world of Deucado and it would appear that they live happily ever after. Originally, it was my plan to have them do so. So I wrote a postscript that was supposed to announce to you, the reader, that was my plan. Here is that postscript:

     This is the end of the story arc concerning Rei and Rome. While they have some ups and downs, in large part, they go on to live very happy and productive lives together. No one and nothing tries to kill them again. They are not called upon to save the human race yet another time. The peace they experience is the peace they so richly earned.
     However, it is not the end of the world of the 35th century. Life continues, not only for Rei and Rome, but for all the humans of that age. At this point, there is one unspoken fact, a subtext, underlying everyone’s assumptions that will turn out to be wrong. That fact is this: if there were an Olympic competition between the three inhabited worlds, Helome would win the gold medal uncontested. Earth would take home the silver medal handily but win the prize for the most important world. Deucado would win the bronze but only because it had no other competition. In every category, this plain unpretentious world would seem to have gotten the short end of the stick.
     Poor drab Deucado.
     The small planet had been bashed to bits for billions of years, and yet it kept spinning in its orbit around the parent star, Tau Ceti, watched over by its gigantic brother Grentadar. The fact that life had survived, let alone thrived on this little world, despite overwhelming adversity, was a cosmic miracle. The constant rain of death from above made it more resilient and tougher than Earth or Helome. With its new shield of protection and the four major races of mankind living in peace, Deucado, ‘the little planet that could’, would continue to develop and evolve at an accelerating pace.
     There was no dominant race on this planet and certainly nowhere where the Essessoni and Deucadons had as much influence. From this world would spring the outward bound industry and ventures that would benefit all of humanity. Not the Earth, controlled by the Overmind and segregated into its enclaves of Vuduri and mandasurte and certainly not the ethnically pure world of Helome. No, it was Deucado that was destined to eclipse Earth some day as the focus of the human adventure and become the crown jewel of the empire of Man.
     Rome’s library was simply the first seed planted in the new garden of knowledge of mankind. Her Library of Life would blossom forth and be at the center of it all. But as we already know, life and intelligence is not limited to just humans. There are many other life-forms out there, waiting to be discovered, with their own lives, their own wants, needs and desires. And that, my friends, is why the story will never end.

It really was my plan to retire the Rome and Rei story line. I already knew I wanted to start with "the next generation" meaning Lupe and Aason. But you will see, if you read The Milk Run, I couldn't help myself. I brought the parents back and ultimately made them virtually immortal. Where I go from there, I don't know. Tomorrow, I'll give you the teaser I wrote for The Milk Run before I had put down a single word.

Lupe is coming!

Yesterday, Rome had explained to Rei her theory of time. While you couldn't actually travel backwards or forwards in the physical sense, your mind could travel "up the river" or down and you could experience (but not interact) with a point along the timeline. While Rei did not fully subscribe to the theory, he could not refute Rome's evidence. They put the discussion aside because Rei had something that had been nagging at him since they left Helome and he finally remembered to ask Rome about it:

     The private moment Rome and Virga shared before they took Virga home flashed into his mind. “Hey,” he said, pulling his head back. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”
     “Yes, mau emir?” She put her hand on top of his, caressing it tenderly.
     “When we were tussling with the Sipre, in the ethereal world, I saw your spirit as a bright red flame. But there was this little pink spark, like a pixie, that seemed to always follow you around. That spark was so bright but it never strayed from being beside you. It wasn’t one of the Onsira children. Their sparks were black or at least they were until Bonnie came along.”
     Rome took Rei’s hand and began moving it in a circular motion around her abdomen. “That tiny spark was Lupe,” she said, smiling. “She is coming.”
     “What?” Rei said, sitting bolt upright. “I’m going to be a father again?”
     “Yes,” Rome replied, her smile getting even broader. “She was conceived during our training night together. I suppose it was just the right time.”
     Rei laughed. “That is so sleek.”
     Rome cocked her head. “You’ll have to wait and see about that. You may end up changing your mind.”
     “Why?” Rei asked, confused.
     “I have already spoken to her.”
     “You have?” Rei tried to act surprised but in this brave new world, almost nothing surprised him anymore.
     “Yes, but unlike Aason, I must give you fair warning. This one is going to be a handful. I believe your word for it is a brat.”
     “A brat, huh?” Rei breathed. “Daughters always are,” he said, kissing Rome’s nose. “But we’ll love her all the more.”
     “Yes, we will,” Rome said. She smiled seductively and took Rei’s hand and moved it even lower. “But for tonight, it is just you and me and we are home again.”
     Rei nodded his head vigorously and focused on his wife, his beautiful wife, the love of his life. She was the one he was fated to be with since the beginning of time. Their enemies had been vanquished. There was peace everywhere. Their love-making began in earnest knowing all was right with the world, no, the universe, now and forever more.

These two people have been through a lot. They deserve a little peace and quiet. And happiness. And now they are going to have a new baby. Yet another adventure.

Rome's Theory of Time Travel

Yesterday, Rome started to explain to Rei her theory of time travel. Not in the science fiction sense but in the psychological sense. Something she had personally experienced:

      Rome continued, “Perhaps time is more like a long river than a series of individual moments. Perhaps our consciousness normally just floats along. But maybe some people can travel up or down that river, with their minds. A form of time travel.”
     “That sounds like string theory to me,” Rei observed. “I’m not buying it. My mind can only think of now. The rest is the past or the future.”
     “You, yourself once called the Chara mission a ‘damned time machine’. So even you acknowledged the possibility.”
     “I was speaking metaphorically,” Rei protested. “I mean, we go to sleep and wake up in the morning. That doesn’t really count as time travel.”
     “All right, explain this then,” Rome countered. “Four years ago, before I had even given birth, I was in the Vuduri compound and had a bad dream. A nightmare really.” Rome shivered. “In that dream, a black hooded stranger came to take our son. When I would not agree, he grew until he filled the sky, just like the Sipre. In the dream, it was Aason who saved me but upon reflection, I think it was OMCOM’s genetic manipulation of you that allowed us to defeat him. You were Aason’s creator.”
     “Dreams don’t count,” Rei said. “Everybody has them. That had to be a coincidence.”
     “You always say there ain’t no such thing as a coincidence.”
     Rei set his jaw. “I still don’t believe it.”
     “Well I do,” Rome insisted. “When we were under the Tevatron, when I first touched the dried blood of Hanry Ta Jihn, my ancestor as it turns out, my mind flashed back to his time as if I was there in person. I feel like I went down the river.” Rome reached up and touched Rei’s cheek. “That is all I am saying. Perhaps Sally was someone who could travel up the river, forward to our time. Maybe she saw our future together like I saw the past.”
     “That’s too heavy to even consider,” Rei said. “But if there were ever any doubt we were fated to be together, I guess this seals the deal.”
     Rome pulled Rei’s head forward and kissed him on his cheek. “You are right. Now that we have settled our score with those that wanted to bring us harm, it’s time to get on with our lives. Together.”
     “Yep,” Rei said. “On this wonderful little planet. I always thought it was a plain Jane, nothing world but every time we dig, like with the ‘blankets’, we find out there is more to it. Like peeling back the layers of an onion.”
     “Yes,” Rome said happily. “I love this little world. Our world.”
     “And I love you,” Rei said. He kissed her deeply and drew his hand up, first to her chest then down her front, stopping when he got to her stomach. The private moment Rome and Virga shared before they took Virga home flashed into his mind.

Rome's explanation sounds a lot like the TV show Quantum Leap except Rome was a passive viewer and could not interact with the past. And Sally's preview didn't really change anything either.

Tomorrow, the final secret is revealed.

Sally 2.0

Yesterday, Rome promised to tell Rei why he thought she looked familiar to him even though he had never seen her before. To refresh your memory, here is a small portion from the opening of Rome's Revolution:

Rei was startled to see a face staring back at him. He jumped back and once again, pain shot through his spine, only slightly less intense this time. The face on the other side of the porthole was female with long dark hair. She looked familiar and exotic at the same time and if he didn’t know better, he’d swear her eyes were glowing.

I always had an explanation for this but after five novels, I figured it was time to put it on the table:

     Rome said, “As I explained to you, the Overmind of Earth had done a genetic analysis of all living Vuduri in order to produce his Slayer program.”
     “Sure,” Rei said. “You are the generations removed granddaughter of Hanry Ta Jihn. That is really sleek in a way. He truly was a great man. And I get to be married to you!”
     “Yes, it is sleek,” Rome said. “I choose to ignore the manipulation that led to my birth. I am here and that is that. However, that is not what I wanted to tell you.”
     “Ok, so what is it?’
     “The genetic analysis did not stop there. The Overmind’s scientists went all the way back to what the Overmind called the ‘Mitochondrial Eve’. She was one of the few women who made it through the Great Dying.”
     “That doesn’t surprise me,” Rei said, nodding his head. “When you think about it, it’s only logical. The Vuduri who are alive today are descended from people who survived the Great Dying. That’s just common sense.”
     “Perhaps,” Rome said. “But the Overmind told me specifically who my ancestor really was.”
     “He knew that?” Rei asked, puzzled.
“Yes,” Rome replied. “Her name was Sally Reynolds.”
     Rei’s jaw dropped open. “Uh, uh,” was all he could say. Finally, he whispered, “My Sally?”
     “Yes,” Rome said proudly. “And that was why I was familiar to you. I am her great, great, great, great granddaughter.”
     Rei couldn’t decide if he was horrified or delighted.
     “Holy mackerel,” he said finally. He put his head down and thought about it for a bit. “I knew she had some sort of freakish immune system because of the incident in Brazil but… Oh wow.” He looked up at Rome. “Her father was the chairman of the Reynolds Corporation. She got me into the Ark program, even though I wasn’t ranked. She told me on our last night together that I was going to meet the love of my life among the stars. And all the time it was her who was responsible. How did she know?”
     Rome shook her head. “All of us think of time as if it were volma, movies, where each moment leads to the next and our consciousness just travels along that road, skipping from frame to frame.”
     “Well, sure,” Rei said. “What else is there?”
     Rome touched her finger to her chin. “Maybe that way of thinking is wrong.”

Tomorrow, we'll review Rome's theory of time travel.

Why did Rome look familiar?

Yesterday, Rome, Rei and Aason were finally allowed to move back into their house which had to be rebuilt after the would-be assassins, Troutman and Steele, had blown it up with a bomb. Since they didn't really have a lot of belongings, it didn't take them the whole day to move back in:

     Mother, father and son had finished their evening meal. After a rousing game of hide and seek, Aason declared himself ready for bed. Rome was happy to oblige. It wasn’t long until he was tucked in and fast asleep in his very own bed. It had been a long time for the brave little boy. Rome stood in the doorway and watched her little angel breathe in and out, in and out. Eventually, she sighed a happy sigh and closed the door.
     She took one more stroll around their newly rebuilt house then joined Rei in the bedroom which smelled of fresh aerogel. Rei was lying on the bed, without a shirt, reveling in not having to wear the vest any more although it had proved to be invaluable not just in saving his back but in saving his life.
     Rome changed into her loose-fitting pajamas and joined her husband on the bed, marveling at the peace and serenity a little thing like being home brought. She snuggled up to Rei and delighted in the fact that she could stroke his chest hairs knowing he was fully healed.
     Rei put his arms around her and found the sensations excited him. Rome smiled and said, “There will be plenty of time for that. There is something I need to share with you.”
     Rei cleared his throat. “I’m not a hundred per cent sure I want you always reading my mind,” he said. “There are some things I’d probably want to keep to myself.”
     “I will respect your privacy,” Rome said, scooting up the bed a little. “But there will be times you will not regret it.” She smiled broadly but there was a hint of naughty in her expression.
     “Oh, yeah,” Rei said. “In this case, I think you’re right. But I believe I owe you a session like you gave me during your training.”
     “I would like that,” Rome answered, “but I promised you I would tell you the information the Overmind of Earth imparted to me just before we left the planet.”
     “What?” Rei asked, not knowing whether to be dismayed or intrigued.
     “Do you recall the first time you saw my face back on Dara? I was on the other side of the bulkhead. You once told me I looked familiar to you even though you had never seen me before.”
     “Yeah,” Rei answered. “I figured it was because I might have seen your face in your spacesuit helmet when you revived me.”
     “No,” Rome said mysteriously. “That is not why.”
     “Then why?”

Tomorrow, we will find out.

Moving Day

Yesterday, Rome and Rei dropped Virga off at home and headed back to Deucado. However, they couldn't go back to their own house because the would-be assassins Troutman and Steele had blown it up. Rome's parents let the three Bieraks crash there until their house was rebuilt. Here is how it went down:

     It was early afternoon. Rome’s parents had taken the day off to spend time with their daughter and Aason. Rome was sitting at the dining table showing her parents the card game she and Rei had discovered inside the casino at the top of The Hand. She promised not to use her new powers to cheat.
     They tried a few hands and Binoda and Fridone were quick to pick up the strategy as long as Rome played normal. The lesson was interrupted by Rei bursting into the house with a huge smile on his face.
     “What is it, mau emir?” Rome asked, pleased to see her husband in such good spirits.
     “You want the good news or the better news?” Rei asked, beaming.
     Rome shrugged. “The good news, I suppose.”
     “The good Doctor MINIMCOM said I don’t have to wear that stupid vest anymore.” He pulled up his shirt to show his chest was actually visible to the world again. Rome was thrilled to see his somewhat hairy chest was as buff as ever.
     “Wonderful,” Rome said, clapping her hands together. “And what is the better news?”
     Rei smoothed his shirt down then pumped his fist in the air. He came over and hugged Binoda and Fridone. “I love you folks and we truly appreciate you letting us stay here but…” He turned to look at Rome. “Our house is done!” he said. “Woo hoo.” He pumped his fist again.
     “We can move back home?” Rome asked excitedly.
     “Yep,” Rei said. “As soon as you like.”
     “Hooray,” Rome said, standing up. “Mea, Beo, no offense but I am ready to leave.”
     “No offense taken,” Binoda said. “I understand completely. She stood up and pulled Fridone to his feet. “We will help you pack,” she said. “I am very happy for you.”
     It took the rest of the day but by evening, the three Bieraks were back in their rebuilt house. From the outside, there was no longer any evidence of the violent explosion that had blown it apart. Even the trellis had been restored although it would be a while before the fragrant vines came back completely. Inside the house, while the physical structure was identical to before, the homey touches Rome had applied over the years would take some time to replace.

There really is no place like home. Remember, though, we have a few loose ends to tie up.

The Pink Spark

Yesterday, Captain Keller said his goodbyes and Virga joined Rome, Rei and Aason aboard MINIMCOM. Their plan was to take the would-be assassin, Dan Steele, and place him in protective custody until he came to his senses. Keller was rather pessimistic that would ever happen but you never know:

     “How is Nick Greer doing?” Rei asked Virga as he stared out the window at the craggy mountains below.
     “He is settling in,” Virga said. “When you gave him his hand back, it is like he became a different person. He appears to have given up his resentment and violent tendencies. He had a very strong wish to work out in the fresh air. I believe your expression is, he will be OK.”
     “That’s great,” Rei said. “Maybe you could have him go visit Steele some day and explain what happened to him.”
     “Why?” Virga asked.
     “Because Steele ended up losing a hand as well. Maybe it will appeal to him.”
     “How did he lose his hand, if I may ask?”
     Rei looked at Rome. “Well, after we hunted him down, he tried to kill me and I accidentally cut it off.”
     Rome leaned forward. “He pretends he doesn’t care but I sense that he does. Perhaps if he sees hope of repair in exchange for his cooperation, it will turn out the same way as Greer.”
     “It is worth a try,” Virga said. “We will give him a little time to consider his circumstances and then we will broach the subject.”
     MINIMCOM landed outside the sally port for the prison and instantiated a livetar to aid in the transfer of the prisoner. Steele said nothing the whole time as he was being processed and interred. It almost appeared it was something he had experienced before. Their business was concluded very quickly and they were soon on their way back to return Virga to her home.
     After they had passed over the central ridge of mountains, Virga stood up and tapped Rome on the shoulder.
     “Yes?” Rome asked.
     “May I speak with you alone for a moment?” Virga requested.
     “Of course,” Rome replied. She unbuckled and lifted Aason up and put him in her seat and followed Virga back through the archway into the corridor. Rei craned his neck to see what was going on. He considered closing his eyes and activating his sonar vision but he decided to respect Virga’s wish for privacy. He did, however, see Virga whisper something to Rome who nodded vigorously. Virga hugged her. The two women shared a laugh together then returned to the front.
     After dropping Virga off at her home, MINIMCOM took them up into the sky and soon the shushing sound of the null-fold drive indicated they were on their way home at hyper-speed.
     “Care to share what Virga was discussing with you?” Rei asked.
     “You will find out in due time, I assure you,” Rome said, cryptically.

Virga could see that Rome was glowing, even if Rei could not. We know that the pink spark that Rei observed in the Ethereal World was Lupe. Virga sensed it too. Rome was all too happy to confirm.

Well, that's that. Everybody is accounted for. It is time to head home and live happily ever after.

Steele Disposal

Yesterday, Captain Keller tried to convince the would-be assassin, Dan Steele, that the war was over. He even said the Darwin Project was a success but Steele was having none of it. There was nothing to do with him but send him to a place where, according to Keller, he would have time to think:

     Keller was just leaving the cargo bay when he decided to turn and to speak Rei and Rome.
     “He’s a smart dude,” Keller said. “He just needs some time to adjust to the situation. But I won’t let them take any chances. Why don’t you two wait here and I’ll send Virga out and you can take him to the…”
     “Prison?” Rei asked.
     “Yeah,” Keller answered sadly. “I can’t take the chance on him being a loose cannon. If I don’t see you again…” Keller held out his hand. Rei took it and shook it. “Good luck to you both. I’m glad you caught those two and that’s the end of it.”
     Rei was about to launch into a more detailed explanation. He looked at Rome who subtly shook her head. Rei nodded and said, “Thank you, sir and good luck to you.”
     “Thanks son,” he said. Keller looked around. “Where’s Bonnie?” he asked.
     “Uh, she decided to stay behind,” Rei answered. “We had no objection.”
     Keller looked at him funny then shrugged. He turned toward Rome. He bent down and tousled Aason’s hair then stood up and held out his hand to Rome. “Mrs. Bierak, I don’t think in all of human history, I could have been more wrong about someone. You are truly a remarkable woman and you deserve all happiness. You two belong together.”
     Rome blushed slightly. She was shaking Keller’s hand and knew that he was sincere. “Thank you,” was all she said. Then she added, “and I am happy for you as well. I am glad you have found peace. Everyone deserves it.”
     Keller smiled and turned and disappeared down the ramp, only to be replaced by Virga a moment later.
     “I understand that you wish to place the other Essessoni in protective custody?”
     “Yeah,” Rei said. “We’d appreciate it.”
     “It is not a problem,” she said and they walked forward to the cockpit. Rei and Rome buckled into the pilot and co-pilot’s seat while Virga buckled into the new ‘navigator’s’ seat. Aason climbed up on his mother’s lap where she wrapped her arms around him protectively.
     “You remember where the prison is?” Rei asked, directing his voice toward the grille mounted in the front console.
     “I am a computer,” MINIMCOM said. “Of course I remember.”
     Aason giggled. Rome did too.
     “Just wanted to make sure you didn’t hand that piece off to Junior,” Rei smirked as he said it.
     The starship lifted off and quickly rose in the air, gaining enough altitude to clear the central range of mountains.

Well, that's that. Steele will have a long time to "think" about his situation. There is one more suprise awaiting us when we get to the prison, however.