Tales of the Vuduri_Year Five

by Michael Brachman

  Virga and Maury Keller came out to greet them.

  “I see you got one of them, at least,” Keller said upon spotting Troutman.

  “No, sir, we got both of them,” Rei said. He pointed over his shoulder toward starship MINIMCOM. “Steele is in a cell we rigged up. He’s being completely uncooperative.”

  “Figures,” Keller muttered.

  “What do you want us to do with them?” Virga asked.

  “This one here, he might be salvageable,” Rei said, pointing at Troutman who took a step forward.

  “Is it true, sir?” the tall, red-haired man asked Keller. “Are we giving up the fight?”

  “We already won,” Keller said. “Just a different planet than we thought.” He put his arm around Virga and gently rubbed her tummy. At the same time, a little boy wandered out of the house and came and put his arms around his father’s leg. “This is a beautiful world. We’re given free rein. We don’t need to conquer the Earth. We’re all working together now.”

  Troutman’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m so glad,” he said. “I just want to do something in my life that doesn’t include that idiot Steele.”

  Virga stepped forward and looked up into Troutman’s eyes. “Do you renounce your former life of violence and agree to become a contributing member of our society?”

  “Yes!” Troutman said enthusiastically, holding up his right hand. “Sign me up.”

  Rome came over and put her hand on his shoulder. After a moment, she said, “He is telling the truth.”

  “Good choice,” Keller said. “We’ll get somebody to fit you with one of these…” He held up his wrist to display the tracking bracelet.

  “What is that?” Troutman asked, cocking his head.

  “It’s like a security GPS kind of thing. It lets the Vuduri track us.”

  “Why do we need that?”

  “Because they, no we, don’t want our people messing things up by wandering off and plotting things like you two tried to pull off.”

  Troutman shrugged. “OK, if you say so. Frankly, I don’t care.”

  Well, I'm glad Troutman had a change of heart. But what about Steele? Tomorrow.

  Entry 5-339: December 5, 2017

  Steele Will Not Repent

  Yesterday, Rome, Rei and Aason arrived at Helome and gave David Troutman the opportunity to repent which he gladly accepted. Virga laid down the ground rules and Troutman was fine with them. Now it was time to address the Steele situation:

  Troutman shrugged. “OK, if you say so. Frankly, I don’t care.”

  “My beautiful wife here,” said Keller, “will find you some living quarters.”

  “Then what?” Troutman asked.

  “Then you do what you want. Use your skills for something constructive. I know that they have some crops up north that aren’t thriving. They need a certain mineral and they’re having trouble finding it. You could use your capabilities to help them locate some.”

  “That sounds great,” Troutman said. “What about Steele? I don’t think he’s going to go for the same deal.”

  Keller turned to Virga. “Why don’t you take David here, into the house and get him something to drink and I’ll go have a talk with Steele?”

  “Of course, Maury,” Virga said. She swept her arm forward and Troutman and she went into the house. Her little boy followed her inside as well.

  In the meantime, Rei, Rome, Aason and Keller walked back up the cargo ramp, through the cargo compartment and stood outside the small room that MINIMCOM had constructed to keep the renegade captive.

  “Dan?” Maury called out. “It’s me, Maury Keller.”

  “Captain Keller?” Steele answered back. “Where are we?”

  “We are on a beautiful planet in the Alpha Centauri system called Helome.”

  “Alpha Centauri?” he replied. “What about Earth?”

  “No more Earth,” Keller said. “This is it.”

  “But what about the Project?” Steele asked.

  “The Project has been completed,” Keller replied. “We are making our home here now. We don’t need to go back and conquer Earth. The people here have already given us this world.”

  Steele didn’t answer for a moment.

  “Sir, they must have done something to you. You would never give up the fight. I know I can’t.”

  “Look, son, we won,” Keller said. “We’re all creating a new society together, the way we want. That was the goal, after all.”

  “I don’t believe you, sir,” Steele said. “We have to take back the Earth. Maybe you’ve given up but I won’t. Ever.”

  Keller shook his head.

  “That’s a shame, son,” Keller replied. “Well, we’re going to put you in a special place and let you think about it for a while. Maybe you’ll change your mind eventually.”

  “Don’t hold your breath,” Steele answered with disdain in his voice.

  “OK,” Keller called out and he started walking toward the cargo bay.

  Well, that didn't go so well. What will they do with Steele? I'm pretty sure you know.

  Entry 5-340: December 6, 2017

  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.

  Entry 5-341: December 7, 2017

  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.

  Entry 5-342: December 8, 2017

  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.

  Entry 5-343: December 9, 2017

  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.

  Entry 5-344: December 10, 2017

  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: