Finale 1 - The beginning

When I first came up with the idea of Rome's Evolution, I had only thought it through to Rome and Rei capturing Troutman and Steele. But when I started writing it, suddenly, I realized that this was not the end but the beginning of a deeper, more insidious plot. So here is a 6 part series on what was supposed to be the finale. Today we set up the confrontation during final approach:

     Rei wasn’t sure what the water would do to his electrostatic blouse so he took his shirt off and crumpled it tightly into a ball and covered it with the Deucadon cloak. Rome had gotten used to seeing him with no chest so the sight did not alarm her. Rei held his balled up shirt and cloak over his head with one hand and held onto Rome’s hand with the other as they slid down the bank where it was slightly narrower to ford the creek. The water was cool but not uncomfortably so. The bottom was made of silt and rocks and it was a little bit slippery so they took their time crossing. There were one or two deep spots but for the most part just going slowly was enough.
     Once they reached the far bank, as they ascended out of the water, Rei shook himself like a dog then put his shirt back on. Once again, Rei held Rome’s hand as they climbed up the bank. Ahead the trail of ‘blankets’ beckoned. The trail led through a series of cane-tree woods alternating with rocky outcroppings. Each of the rocky stretches represented a clear area with nothing overhead. It was in those flat areas, strewn with boulders and rocks that Rei looked up to search for signs of MINIMCOM, even though it made no sense. If Rei could see him, then Steele could see him too and tip their hand. Finally, though, Rei had had enough.
     “MINIMCOM, do you read?” he asked.
     “Yes, is there a problem?” the starship asked.
     “It’s just that it’s been a while since we’ve seen you.”
     “Why do you need to see me? I am more or less directly overhead,” MINIMCOM replied. “We can see you just fine. That is all that matters.”
     “But we can’t see you,” Rei responded. “I’m not saying it’s rational. Can you please just phase in and out for a second to put my mind at ease.”
     “As you wish,” MINIMCOM said but Rei could tell from his tone that he was irked.
     MINIMCOM’s reassuring jet-black presence became visible high up in the air. Rei smiled and tapped on Rome’s shoulder, pointing toward the sky. Rome looked up and nodded.
     “Thanks,” Rei said, “that’s all I needed.”
     MINIMCOM promptly disappeared again. “You are welcome,” MINIMCOM replied.

Now it is time to follow the trail to the end, to Steele himself!