The Overmind of Earth, Part 2

Yesterday, right as Rome and Rei were dropping off Commander Ursay at his home in Amarante in a place that used to be known as Portugal, Ursay told Rome that the Overmind of Earth wished to speak to her. While unusual, Rome complied. She sent Rei and Aason forward and sat down in the cargo bay to concentrate. The Overmind wanted to share some information that had previously been withheld:

     “Our genetic mapping did not stop when we arrived at Lacy Henry as she preferred to call herself,” said the Overmind. “Our analysis regarding the human genome was also performed using mitochondrial DNA sequencing which is always passed from mother to child without dilution. My scientists were able to trace nearly every Vuduri back to a single woman who you might refer to as the Mitochondrial Eve. Based upon your mother’s genetics, we know that your ancestor was a woman who survived the Great Dying because of a particular mutation which made her resistant to the virus that swept the Earth.”
     “What has that got to do with anything?”
     “Based upon what I saw in your mind, I believe your husband had spoken to her before he started on his mission.”
     “He did?” Rome asked, dumbfounded.
     “Yes,” the Overmind said. “Her name was Sally Reynolds.”
     “What!?” Rome exclaimed. Mentally, she became speechless. She had no idea how to process this information. She turned the name over and over in her mind. Finally, when she was able to respond, she said, “Rei told me that Sally was once the love of his life. And you are telling me that I am her great-great-great granddaughter?”
     “Yes.”
     The starship shuddered as it lifted off the ground. Rome shook herself and stood up. She braced herself by placing her hand against MINIMCOM’s outer hull wall.
     “Thank you for telling me,” she said, “I think.” With that, she started to make her way forward.
     “You are welcome,” the Overmind answered. “Goodbye for now. And good luck…”
     Rome cut the connection before he could say anything else. Unsteadily, she entered the corridor leading to the cockpit. By the time she reached the entrance arch, her gait was normal. As she entered the cockpit, she looked over at Rei with new eyes. She hugged him and kissed him passionately before buckling herself into the co-pilot’s chair.
     “What was that for?” Rei asked. “Not that I’m complaining, mind you.”
     Rome just smiled at him. “I’ll tell you after we get home. But for now, let’s…”
     “I know,” Rei interrupted her. “Let’s get this show on the road! OK, buddy, hit it.”
     It was just a matter of seconds before the windows turned blacker than black and the shushing noise of the null-fold drive announced they were on their way home.

So, uh, wow. Rei is married to the great, great, great times 20 granddaughter of his previous girlfriend. Talk about your May-December romances! Oh well, they are happy (now) and were clearly meant to be together.

We're headed into the home stretch where we wrap up not on Rome's Evolution, but the whole Rome's Revolution series. Tomorrow, we'll take a brief detour and talk about bananas.