Volume II

by Ronnie Coleinger

  Naomi looked surprised and then realized what had just happened. Jill spoke into Naomi’s mind and told her not to be concerned, and she would explain what had just happened. Jill stepped up to Naomi and said, “The computer has discovered that it can communicate with your mind, as it does with mine, and as it did with my father, who designed the travel computer that controls this travel membrane. Frederica is also somewhat telepathic, but she can only communicate with certain minds and not at all with the computer or you.” Fred looked at Jill for more information and finally said, “How could this be, how can the computer, and you Jill, communicate with my daughters mind?” Jill said, “Naomi’s mind is telepathic and freely opens the communications pathway to my mind and to the computer. Naomi’s mind understands that it is safe here within the confines of this travel membrane.” Fred sat down on some bags of top soil, looked at Jill and said, “I am sitting here hoping that the words you just spoke will somehow allow my mind to form an intelligent thought pattern, hell even an intelligent word would be great right about now.”

  As Fred regained the upper hand with his emotions over his daughter being telepathic, he began discussing with both Jill and Naomi what it meant for Naomi to be able to communicate with others using only her mind. Fred was concerned that his daughter might be in danger from others who could gain entry into her personal life; entities that might want to exploit Naomi’s young age and her inexperience with this newfound gift. Jill explained to Fred that Naomi had already learned to close her mind when anyone tried to pry into her thoughts.

  As Jill began to help Trish move bags of soil into the garden area and pour it into its new home, Trish quietly spoke to Jill and asked her if she would have any issues with Naomi spending a few weeks here on The Empress, helping with the growing gardens and the fruit trees. Trish told Jill that Naomi had no classes for about three months and working here during her vacation would definitely be good for all concerned. Jill told Trish that she was not sure what Fred would think about this arrangement. Trish asked Jill, “Would you have an objection to me discussing this with Fred to see if he would be comfortable with the arrangement?” Jill thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I have no objections at all and I would love the opportunity to allow Naomi and me to see if we could coexist in a family relationship.” Trish said, “Then I will discuss this with Fred when we stop for lunch. I am afraid I already discussed it with Naomi to get her thoughts before I asked you of your feelings. I now wished I had asked you first, but I cannot change what I already have done. Skipper, I apologize if I talked to her out of turn.” Jill put her hand on Trish’s shoulder and said, “Do not worry so much about stepping on my feelings. You always seem to have my back whenever you speak for me, and usually your feelings mimic exactly how I feel.”

  When the table was set and everyone had filled their plates, Trish looked into Naomi’s eyes and hunted for her approval before speaking. Naomi quickly solved the question in Trish’s mind by stating to her father that she would certainly love to spend some time here on The Empress and visit another universe, especially Universe Number One where the Bahs live. Trish used Naomi’s words to launch into her planned discussion with Fred. Trish asked Naomi if she had any spare time and if she would be interested in helping with the fruit tree and garden project, if her father were willing. Naomi said, “I have the time and would love to spend some time here, but my father may have plans for my vacation time away from school.” Fred looked at Naomi and said, “Daughter, do not use me as an excuse if you do not wish to spend time here on The Empress. If you do not want to take this wonderful opportunity, than tell Trish right to her face, man to man, I mean, woman to woman.” Naomi stood up, walked to her father and whispered something in his ear. He whispered back into her ear and Naomi got a huge smile on her face. Naomi remained standing at the table and addressed Trish and Jill, “I am sorry for whispering in front of my friends, but I had to be certain of my father’s words. Father and I sometimes misinterpret our words, leading us into arguments. Sometime what my female mind thought he said was not anything like what his male mind meant. I had to be certain of his words before I said, YES, I WOULD LOVE TO SPEND SOME TIME HERE ON THE EMPRESS!”

  Naomi danced around the kitchen and began kissing cheeks until she had kissed every face at the table except for James. She picked up a damp towel, wiped a spot clean, then kissed him gently on the cheek and returned to her chair. She sat with her hands in her lap and her head bowed. Then she looked up and picked up her fork. The computer spoke to Jill and said, “Naomi just requested that I create her a room for tonight; separate from her father’s, so that you and Fred can spend the night together.” Jill giggled, and everyone looked at her. She quickly recovered and said she had thought of something funny, and then covered her mouth with her hands.

  Jill mentally told the computer to go ahead and create the room for Naomi. Jill explained to the computer that she would have to discuss today’s events with Trish, because she had seduced Fred here on The Empress after she told Trish that would not happen. The computer told Jill it was certain that Trish would understand, especially since she and Naomi instigated the private time for you in Fred’s room. Jill probed into Naomi’s mind and then sent her a short message. The message said, “The computer will create your new room, and I am going to slip into your father’s room and make love to him after you are in your own bed. Please, be certain you do not return to your father’s room later. I do not want him to be ashamed or embarrassed with our actions.”

  Naomi’s head remained looking down at her plate as she moved some food around with her fork, but she blushed instantly from the message. The message she sent back said, “Thanks for the new room, but do not let Father think I know what is happening between you two. My father is a very protective man, and will not approve of my prior knowledge of this love affair; I will keep you and my father’s sexual activities very private, and act thirteen.” Jill sent Naomi one more message, direct and to the point, “I love you Naomi, and I hope your father and I will marry one day. You and I could be an incredible team.”

  Suddenly Naomi and Jill realized that everyone was staring at them. They had been so engrossed in their telepathic discussions that they had missed Trish asking Naomi a question. Naomi said, “Sorry, I was distracted for a moment.” When Fred asked her what she was thinking so hard about, she said, “I am just happy to be here on The Empress with my father and my new friends.” Then Fred said, “I believe that you and Jill have been plotting to overtake Universe Number Eleven, and are about to embark on an adventure to destroy the warlock that had been trying to force his evil upon the unsuspecting entities of the neighboring Universe Number Twelve.” Naomi’s eyes got large and then she realized that her father was chastising her for her inattention at the supper table. Naomi looked at her father and said, “Sorry Father, one of the ion generators just failed, and so Jill and I are in a holding pattern until supper is over.” Fred smiled and said, “You two can reschedule the adventure for tomorrow when I have returned to Earth to tend the sick and injured souls of the planet Earth.”

  Naomi looked at her father and said, “Father, do you realize that this will be the first time we have been separated for more than a few hours since, since forever.” Fred looked at Jill and then at Trish and said, “May I come visit when The Empress is in the neighborhood, I just got really lonesome.” Jill said, “I hope you will come visit us often.” Trish patted Jill’s arm and said, “I bet you can’t keep him away. Fred will be eating Sunday breakfasts with us and visiting Naomi every weekend if his schedule will allow it.” Fred looked at Jill and winked at her. Naomi watched Jill blush, and then Naomi giggled just like a thirteen-year-old girl.

  After the evening meal was over and the kitchen cleaned, Trish asked if everyone could help in the gardens for a couple hours. She needed help setting up and securing the lights, now that she had mounted them on the tall tripod assemblies while they still lay on the floor. Within two hours, the lig
hts with their extension cords were standing and were ready for electricity. The engineer they had worked with on Earth would teleport to The Empress first thing tomorrow morning and would help get the equipment running. The fuel cells and voltage converters were now located in their special ejection room. Trish had secured each piece of equipment to the floor with explosive bolts wired to radio controlled interface boxes. If any of the fuel cells or voltage converters failed in a way that was dangerous, the computer could quickly disconnect and promptly eject the failed item.

  Trish looked around the growing room and the only thing left undone was a method to transport the water and nutrients stored in the huge tank to the plants. Trish had not decided on how to do this yet. Jill stepped up beside her and explained a simple method that would not require any pumps or complicated equipment. Even James could water the gardens with her idea. Trish smiled and said, “Please tell me your idea, it cannot be that simple.” Jill smiled and said, “We could set up a siphon system. By cutting one end of a pipe on an angle and placing the pipe in the center of the tank down to the bottom, then running our water hoses from the top of the siphon pipe, the water would naturally flow from the tank to the plants without pumping. The only obstacle is that the water level in the tank needs to be constantly above the top of the pots where the trees are growing.” Trish thought a moment and said, “We can do that by setting the tank up on a platform. We have enough wood timbers left to create a platform strong enough to hold the weight, since the top of the platform only needs to be one meter high.” Trish then said, “We will need a valve in the line to stop the flow of water when the plants have been properly hydrated.” Jill smiled and said, “I have just the valve we need that will fit the hose we are using.” Jill returned a few minutes later with a valve and the fittings. Trish looked around and said, “We have one more problem. This huge tank has about two hundred liters of water in it and we cannot move it until it is empty.” Fred stepped up and said, “Does anyone need a bath?” Jill giggled and said, “You would look rather funny taking a bath in that huge tank, since the sides are clear.” Fred blushed a little then said, “I meant, we could run the siphon hose to the tubs in the bathroom to temporarily store the water while we moved the tank, then we could pump the water back into the tank when it was ready.” Jill asked Trish if they had a pump that would work and she said, “Yes, but we would have to pump it by hand.”

  Three hours later the tank was sitting up on top of a crisscrossed platform created from the fifteen-centimeter square lumber, and was once again full of water. Four sweaty tired bodies stood and looked at their work, and all were very pleased with the result. Fred said, “My patients will hate me when I touch their skin with my rough and calloused hands.” Jill giggled as she said, “I certainly would not want those hands rubbing all over my tender skin.” Then she turned around and headed towards the living quarters. As she walked she said, “Anyone interested in some food before we all wither away?” Three hungry bodies quickly joined Jill in the kitchen. James had slept the entire night and now into the early morning, and the computer said he was still sleeping soundly. Trish said that as soon as the smell of food permeated the vessel, her boy would be awake and ready to feed his face.

  The computer spoke to Trish and she said, “Excuse me for a few moments, James needs my assistance.” When she entered his room, he was on the toilet and very excited about his accomplishments. Trish helped him finish his business, then dressed him, and walked along side him as he toddled to the kitchen saying, “egg.” When they stepped into the room, James walked up to Naomi and told her what he wanted for breakfast. Naomi quickly held James up to the food replicator while he pressed the button that the computer had preprogrammed with his favorite breakfast. Within seconds, he was sitting in his chair attempting to hit his mouth with the food. Naomi sat down beside him and helped guide his spoon to his mouth by keeping the spoon flat instead of allowing it to roll in his hands as James lifted it to his mouth.

  When Naomi sat down to eat her own food she watched and realized that James had understood her instructions. Most of James food would now stay inside the spoon and not fall into his lap or onto the floor. Trish patted Naomi on the shoulder and said, “Bravo my friend, I believe you have succeeded.” Trish spoke to Jill in the hallway for a few moments and then stepped into the kitchen. Trish asked Fred what time tomorrow he would be leaving. Fred smiled and said he should leave right after breakfast in the morning. Jill walked in and said, “We were considering traveling to the local drive in movie theatre this evening and watching an old nineteenth century Earth movie called, Nemo Gets Lost, or some silly name.” Naomi said, “It is called, Finding Nemo, and it is about a clownfish that runs away from home and gets lost in the huge oceans of Earth.” Trish asked Naomi if she had seen it and she said, “I have only heard stories from some of my friends. The movie is a remake of a very old movie first created somewhere around the year 2003 AD. I would love to see it though.” Jill checked with the computer for a current schedule of the next showing.

  As the computer guided The Empress into a stable orbit around the planet Quantum, the huge movie screen came into view. The Empress moved into position, guided by the navigational controls aboard the space projector system. They had a little over thirty minutes to wait before the movie would begin, but the computer turned the entire opaque membrane wall of the cargo bay clear and the huge screen became visible. Trish realized that the space projection computer had placed The Empress directly in front of the projector screen and then had moved the much smaller vessels around The Empress so everyone had a perfect viewing angle. Fred and Naomi discussed with the computer the chairs they would like to sit in while they watched the movie, and the computer created them as they watched. Fred sat down in one of the chairs and the lights in the cargo bay began to slowly dim. The computer then created a smaller version of the chairs for James to sit in.

  As Fred and Naomi sat and watched the previews of coming attractions and the advertisements about the hotdogs, pizza, and popcorn, Trish who was walking beside James and Jill came out to the cargo bay to greet them. Jill asked Trish and Naomi if they would sit on each side of James during the movie. Then Jill and Fred sat down in the chairs behind the three. As the movie began, the computer dimmed the lights down all the way. Fred and Jill were now in the dark and begin holding hands. Soon their hands are holding more than just another hand and Jill whispered to Fred that they could sneak out for twenty minutes and then return with popcorn.

  Fred quietly stood up, and left the room. Then Jill left and entered the kitchen. They made the popcorn and took it out to the three, now very engrossed movie watchers. Then they returned to the living quarters, but this time entered Jill’s room and quickly found their way onto the bed. Neither Jill nor Fred required the twenty minutes they had allotted themselves for this rendezvous. When they returned, they sat back down behind the unsuspecting people in front of them. Naomi turned to Jill and winked. Fortunately, her father did not see the wink and did not become embarrassed by his daughter’s discovery of the clandestine meeting. The movie was incredible, and not only did James and Naomi enjoyed it, but Trish could not stop giggling. A few times when a fish was in peril of becoming dinner for another fish, or ground up by the propellers of a boat, Trish sat with her hands over her face and cried.

  When the movie was over, Trish took James and headed off to bed. Then Naomi said she needed to get a shower and get into bed at a reasonable time tonight. Jill looked at Fred and quietly asked him if he would come to her room and spend the night. He was about to make excuses, but then remembered that Naomi was now in her own room and would not realize he had not slept in his own bed. He said, “I hope Naomi does not discover that I am having sex outside of marriage, as I preach to her about every day of her life.” Jill took his hand and walked him to her room, shut the door and explained the real facts of life to him. Jill sat Fred down on the bed and kneeled in front of him. She explained that Naomi knew exactly what h
e was doing, but also understood the difference between her own, and her father’s sexuality. Jill said, “Fred, Naomi understands that she is underage and has no right to engage in sex outside of marriage, whereas you are an adult and are able to make up your own mind and take responsibility for your actions. Naomi may be only thirteen, but she is no child, and thinks as an adult most of the time. She will not go behind your back and seduce her boyfriend, and she will not consider you a hypocrite either.” Fred said, “She is so very much like her mother, sometimes I see her mother standing before me when Naomi speaks or when she laughs.” Jill said, “What happened to Naomi’s Mother if I may ask you that question?” Fred said, “She died giving birth to Naomi. Did Naomi not tell you that?” Jill said, “No, we have not talked about her mother, but we will when the time is right.” Jill asked if he had married Naomi’s Mother and he said, “Yes, we were married for almost a year before her death. Her name was Rihanna, and that is what Naomi calls her most of the time. She seldom says Mother, but often speaks of Rihanna.” Jill said, “Then Naomi and I have talked about her mother. I did not connect the name with her mother during the conversation. I will remember from now on who Naomi is speaking of; I thought Rihanna to be Naomi’s best friend as we talked.” Fred said, “If Naomi pulls out a red leather bound book and reads from it to you, the work she is reading from is the manuscript that Rihanna wrote during our one year of marriage and during her pregnancy. Rihanna loved to write and she wrote the novel I gave to Naomi as a thirteenth birthday present. I will give Naomi two more manuscripts Rihanna wrote as a teenager when Naomi grows older, but the one she has now will give her a good understanding of the love Rihanna and I felt towards each other and also the love Rihanna felt for her unborn child.”