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.