“What?” Rei asked, confused. “The human race is already here.”
“He wants us to have a daughter. He says she has to solve the riddle of the Stareaters,” Rome answered.
“A daughter?” Rei exclaimed. “For crying out loud. We just had a baby. Can’t we give it some time? You know, I need a break from OMCOM and his crazy adventures. I don’t care what miracles or wonders lay ahead of us. We deserve some time off.”
“That is what I told him,” Rome said. She held out her arms to Rei. “Hold me,” she said.
You can see that Rome and Rei are in agreement that now was not the right time to be having a baby. But the seed has been planted. As it turns out, when the three books that comprised VIRUS 5 were crushed down to make the single, long novel Rome’s Revolution, I took this entire scene and grafted it on to the end of The Ark Lords. And following the climax in Rome’s Evolution, we find out that Lupe has been conceived. So she does make an appearance in the subsequent novels and, of course, is the center of the plot underlying The Milk Run. Pretty important for a girl who just started out as an idea!
Entry 4-171: June 15, 2016
We are home
As I have mentioned several times, I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye to my characters, even though they had saved the Earth and all of mankind and resolved pretty much all the crises thrown at them. During their voyage back to their new home world at the end of Rome's Revolution, the exhaustion of taking on all these challenges finally caught up to Rome:
Rome held out her arms to Rei. “Hold me,” she said.
Rei came over and enveloped his wife. She was trembling. He gripped her tighter to make her feel safe.
“It is so peculiar,” Rome said. “I have forced you and my parents to leave the Earth. We are in the belly of a computer spaceship, traveling faster than any human has ever gone before to go live on a strange planet, among people we don’t even know. And OMCOM?” she said, not even able to finish the question.
Rei snorted a laugh. “Join the club,” he said. “Who do you think you’re talking to? I woke up all alone. Everybody and everything I knew died 1400 years ago.”
Rome squeezed Rei back. "But you are not alone. You have me,” she said.
“Yes, I do, honey,” Rei said, lovingly.
“I need a home base…a place of refuge,” Rome said. “I am just not sure we will ever come to see Deucado as our home. After all, Earth is the only planet you and I have ever really known,” Rome said with uncertainty.
Rei pulled back a bit to look into his beautiful wife’s dark, glowing eyes. This was the thing he loved the most about her. She had kept her feelings in check for so long that now, whenever she felt anything, she felt it purely and with a far greater intensity that someone who had been emotional their whole lives. He didn’t need the bands to know this. He felt it in his soul.
“Romey,” Rei said. “Just being with you is everything. It doesn’t matter what we’re doing, whether we’re facing danger, making love, raising our son. It doesn’t matter where we go. As long as I am in your arms, I am home.”
Rome sighed and put her head on Rei’s chest. She closed her eyes and said, "Yes, you are right, my wise husband. Home is in each other’s arms. That’s the way it was always meant to be."
“Yes it is,” said Rei, kissing the top of her head. “Yes it is.”
Ahh. A love for the ages. It makes my heart warm. After this scene, I was finally ready to let go but I couldn't do that without proving to you that they got to Deucado safely. More on that tomorrow.
Entry 4-172: June 16, 2016
Glory
Rei Bierak has never been shy about requesting his moment of glory. You might recall his previous moment when he had gotten good enough to jump “The Flying House” the exact perfect speed to back up The Big Lie.
Well, as Rome’s Revolution draws to a close, Rome, Rei, Rome’s parents, their son Aason and MINIMCOM, now a full-fledged starship, are heading toward their new home world of Deucado. Rei was very excited about what they had accomplished. They had destroyed MASAL, disarmed the Onsiras and made peace with the Stareaters. They even had a solution for the asteroid that was going to slam into the planet in 19 years. So naturally Rei wanted to be the one to announce their triumphs.
He never had a chance!
Rei sat in the pilot’s seat watching intently as they came ever closer.
“I took the liberty to ‘radio’ ahead,” MINIMCOM said. “I have informed the Ibbrassati, the Essessoni and the Deucadons of the success of your mission regarding MASAL and the Onsiras.”
“Oh,” Rei said, slightly disappointed. “I was thinking that we were going to tell them ourselves.”
“I am sorry,” replied MINIMCOM. “I did not know this was important to you. I assumed you would want them to experience the relief of knowing their future was secure as soon as possible.”
“Did you tell them about the Stareater too?” Rei asked.
“Yes,” replied MINIMCOM succinctly.
“I guess you’re right, I can’t really blame you.” Rei said. He sighed. “I was just being selfish.”
“Selfish about what?” Rome asked, entering the cockpit through the airlock arch.
Rei turned around to look at her. Her arms were empty.
“Where is Aason?” he asked.
“He is with Mea and Beo,” said Rome. “They are securing him for our landing. I came up to be with you.”
“OK,” Rei said.
“So what is it?” Rome asked. “Why were you being selfish?”
“I’m not, really,” Rei said. “MINIMCOM already called ahead and told everybody about the Stareater and that MASAL and the Onsiras were gone. That we won.”
“And you wanted to be the one to tell them?” asked Rome, moving up to stand beside him.
Rei shrugged and grinned sheepishly. “You know me and the glory,” he said.
“Yes, you are glorious,” Rome said, ruffling his hair. “But I had already informed the Overmind several hours ago. The Vuduri would have spread the word by now in any event.”
“Oh,” Rei said. He sighed again.
Well, that’s the end of that. Or is it? Perhaps MINIMCOM can help him catch just a sliver of glory. More tomorrow.
Entry 4-173: June 17, 2016
Victory
Yesterday, we saw that Rei missed out on his moment of glory. If it was even possible for a computer, MINIMCOM felt sorry for him or at the very least sympathetic. This little scene took place right near the end of Rome’s Revolution after Rome and MINIMCOM informed Rei that their victory had already been radioed home:
“Oh,” Rei said. He sighed again. Rei turned to look out the front window again.
“Would you like to speak to them yourself?” MINIMCOM asked. “I can arrange it.”
“Sure,” Rei replied half-heartedly.
One of the view screens mounted in the console sprang to life and before them was the image of Captain Keller with Pegus and Melloy standing to either side.
“Bierak,” Keller said. “Congratulations. You did it.”
“Thank you, sir,” Rei said, brightening. “But it was really Rome. And OMCOM. And MINIMCOM. I guess you’d say it was a group effort.”
“No matter,” said Keller. “We all appreciate what you did.”
Rei and Rome could see Melloy and Pegus nodding as well.
“We’ve been busy here, too,” said Keller. “While you were gone, Pegus here was kind enough to loan us some of their aerogel generators.” Keller turned and slapped the Vuduri on the back. Pegus did not seem that thrilled. Keller continued, “We’ve started building some housing to the north of the lake. We built the first house for you and your in-laws. We figured you deserved it.”
Rei looked up at Rome. She was smiling.
“That is very kind of you,” Rome said. “Thank you.”
“It’s the least we could do,” continued Keller. “W
e all owe you a deep debt of gratitude.”
“Yes,” said Melloy. “This world is now a better place. We thank ya, too.”
“We were hoping your MINIMCOM will share his secret of hyper-velocity travel,” Pegus said, leaning forward. He tapped on the view screen to make his point. “That, along with the food synthesizers should provide for all.”
“That’s great,” Rei said. He squinted at the screen. “Where is Trabunel?”
“He is with his people to the south, organizing the farmlands,” answered Pegus.
Well, while it wasn't exactly the hero’s greeting that Rei was expecting, it was good enough. Time for final approach.
Entry 4-174: June 18, 2016
Crash Landing, part 1
Yesterday, we saw that Rei fill in Pegus, Melloy and Keller on some of the details of their victory over the forces of evil back on Earth. It was time for MINIMCOM to close out Rome’s Revolution by bringing them in for a landing. Seems simple enough, right? Well, MINIMCOM, ever the showman, had one more surprise in store for them:
Rei said. “Well, we’ll be there in less than an hour. We’ll catch up and get started with the real work. The job we started a long time ago.”
“Yes, we will,” said Keller. He pulled on his chin, stroking an imaginary beard. “I gotta tell you, Bierak, when I first met you, I thought you were sort of a lunatic or at least a screw-up. But you and your little lady really came through for us.”
“Thank you, sir,” Rei said modestly. “I know it sounds stupid but we had no choice. We just did what we had to do.”
“You had a choice,” said Pegus. “And you chose well.”
“I agree,” said Melloy. He had a broad smile on his face.
“Thank you, all of you,” Rei said. “Well, we’ll sign off for now. We’ll see you soon.”
“OK,” said Keller. Melloy and Pegus raised their hands in salute. The view screen went dark.
“Satisfied?” asked MINIMCOM.
“Yes, thank you,” Rei answered. “I...”
“Rei, look!” Rome shouted. Rei looked up. Deucado was coming at them at an alarming speed.
“Uh, MINIMCOM, don’t you think you should slow down a little?” Rei asked.
“No,” MINIMCOM replied. “It is not necessary.”
“But you are heading straight for the planet,” Rome said, more than a little panicked. “Aren’t we going into orbit first?”
“I do not do that anymore,” said MINIMCOM. “I decided I liked Rei’s method of direct entry better.” With that, the PPT generators started up with a gentle whine.
“Uh, MINIMCOM, are you sure about this?” Rei asked. “The last time we did it, it was an emergency. We aren’t in any kind of hurry now.”
“Please trust me,” said the computer/spaceplane. “By now you must know I would never endanger either of you. I have practiced this many times and I know what I am doing.”
“What about our forward velocity?” Rome asked. “Won’t your hull heat up if we enter the atmosphere too quickly?”
Well, MINIMCOM has done this before. No, actually, he hasn’t. The last time he did it was an emergency landing toting a 7,000 metric tonne Ark. Do you think he can land just himself?
Entry 4-175: June 19, 2016
Crash Landing, part 2
Yesterday, we saw MINIMCOM heading right for the planet at a velocity that would destroy most spacecraft. He said he has practiced it many times but the fact is, we only saw him practice his proposed maneuver once before, under emergency conditions. Maybe he used this technique back on Earth when it was time for him to land but he forgot to mention it?
What a way to end Rome’s Revolution. To overcome all obstacles only to die a fiery death just as they arrived home? We must have faith, right?
A small circle appeared in front of them. It was the beginnings of a PPT tunnel.
“I have calibrated the tunnel so that we will emerge with essentially zero velocity. Please do not concern yourself.”
Rei looked at Rome with a slightly horrified look on his face. Rome shrugged and hurriedly walked around the pilot’s seat, buckling herself into the copilot’s chair.
“Where are you setting us down?” she asked, ignoring what appeared to be their imminent doom.
“Just to the north of the Ibbrassati settlement village on the eastern edge of Lake Eprehem,” replied MINIMCOM. “That is where they are building the spaceport.”
“That’s great,” Rei said through gritted teeth. He reached down and gripped the armrests tightly. MINIMCOM had proven time and again to be a reliable friend and Rei made up his mind that this would be no different.
As the PPT tunnel enlarged, they could see a bright hole appear in front of them. It looked like they were headed straight down. Through the hole were the deep blue waters of Lake Eprehem: a waterspout formed driving moisture right at them. The sound of the atmosphere and moisture venting out toward them made a whooshing noise.
“What about the ice?” Rei asked, pointing at the windshield.
“Please give me a little more credit than that,” replied MINIMCOM.
In one smooth motion they were through and MINIMCOM closed down the PPT tunnel behind him, effectively eliminating the waterspout. The spaceship leveled out, flying only 100 meters over the suddenly calm waters of the crater lake at a very reasonable speed. Rei had no idea how MINIMCOM was able to shed their substantial velocity but it seemed to work. The front of the ship was pointed east and they could see the eastern shore ahead. MINIMCOM banked left and came in low and fast over the woods just to the north of the Ibbrassati village where Rei was imprisoned in what now seemed so long ago.
Well, that was close. Or was it? Now they are safe. Or are they? We have one more ramp to climb down. You know, guns and ramps? Let’s see what happens tomorrow.
Entry 4-176: June 20, 2016
The Final Ramp
Yesterday, we saw MINIMCOM reenter the atmosphere using his patented, headlong rush directly into the atmosphere. Our heroes are none the worse for wear. The time has come to wrap up Rome’s Revolution. There are no more battles to fight and only one more ramp to descend:
Ahead of them was a clearing, the beginnings of a landing area for the airships and spacecraft that were now accessible to all. MINIMCOM came to a dead stop centered over the only part of the landing strip that looked paved. He hovered for a moment and rotated in place until his windshield was pointed west again, toward the lake. He extended the landing gear and then lowered his bulk until they landed with the gentlest of bumps.
“That was a hell of a trip, MINIMCOM,” Rei said. “Thanks.”
“It was my pleasure,” replied the former computer.
“Yes, thank you,” said Rome as she unbuckled herself.
“You are welcome,” answered MINIMCOM.
Rei unbuckled himself and took Rome’s hand to exit the cockpit. He led Rome aft where they were joined by Fridone and Binoda who was carrying Aason. Binoda handed Aason to Rome and the child put his little arms around her neck. She kissed him and nuzzled his cheek as they made their way to the back of the cargo compartment. When they arrived there, Rei pressed the blue stud to lower the ramp and raise the cargo hatch.
The bright light of Deucado streamed in and Rei held his arm up to shield his eyes. With their advanced optics, none of the Vuduri passengers had any such problem. Rome reached up and tugged on his arm, trying to pull it down.
“Rei, look,” she said insistently.
“Oh no,” Rei said, not quite able to see. “Not again.”
“No, not again,” Rome said. “Different.”
Even though his eyes were blurry from the brightness, Rei blinked a few times until his vision cleared. There standing at the base of the ramp was Captain Keller, Pegus, Melloy and a whole host of Vuduri, Essessoni and Ibbrassati. A cheer went up from the crowd, Vuduri included, as the space voyagers made their way down the ramp.
“
I like this kind of reception better,” Rei whispered to Rome.
“Me too,” said his wife, smiling up at him. “Me too.
The crowd swarmed around them as each person wanted to thank them and wish them well. Off to the side were tables and chairs. Somebody had planned a semi-elaborate party. Rei and Rome and Rome’s parents relished it all. The celebration went on for some time.
That was nice. They worked so hard, they deserved it. But what about MINIMCOM? His services were no longer required. What would he decide to do with himself now that all the crises were over? Let’s find out tomorrow.
Entry 4-177: June 21, 2016
MINIMCOM's fate
Yesterday, we saw MINIMCOM deliver Rome and Rei to their new home world. There was a victory celebration and MINIMCOM’s services were no longer required. Since he had achieved sentience, Rome and Rei treated him as a member of the family and as such, no longer a servant. He was fully emancipated. He didn’t have to carry people or even hang around anymore if he didn’t want to.
So what would a fully emancipated space-plane do, now that he had the rest of his “life” in front of him? This is how it went:
As the party was winding down, MINIMCOM activated his EM link. “That is the last of your belongings,” the starship transmitted into Rei’s head.
Rei turned back to look at MINIMCOM and saw one of the Ibbrassati carrying two of Binoda’s satchels down the ramp, placing them on a small cart along with the rest of their paraphernalia including Rome’s artwork. It did, indeed, look like all their worldly possessions.
“What are you going to do now, MINIMCOM?” Rei asked. “I’m sure it’ll take us a while to get settled.”
“I am going to go and check on how the Lawlidon clones are doing with the asteroid and the security shield. After that, I think I will take a run as that taxi service you mentioned earlier. I am certain there must be many mandasurte who are anxious to return to Earth.”
Rome, who was listening in, ‘spoke’ up. “That is very kind of you, MINIMCOM,” Rome thought. “I imagine you are correct. But what if the Vuduri on Earth try to stop you? You were banned, too.”