The Lost Prince (13 page)

Cole said, “Well, well, oh yeah!”

Drey laughed, “Yeah.”

Cole sighed, “I’ll have them put inside the hull. The feeder was reason enough to do it.”

Drey said “Well at long last, thanks. By the way, you can reroute the reactors to the force field if you exclude the Dark Matter system.”

Cole said absently, “It’s already been done.” Drey forced himself to keep a straight face. Cole had ditched the Dark Matter system. He walked out of the ship and silently mouthed Hallaluuuuia just as Andi came out.

Andi looked at Drey, “You’re working him pretty good.”

Drey whispered, “He’s impossible.”

“I heard that.”

“I was talking about Andi’s computer engineer.”

“Oh.”

Andi pushed her lips together, “Now you’ve gotten me in trouble.”

Drey shook his head, “Better you than me.”

• • •

Three months into the construction process E, showed up. Drey saw the ship land and waited for Ian and Violet to step out. Andi said, “It’s not going to happen.”

“Why not?”

“If they set foot on Euclid, Ian will be declared King and he won’t be allowed to leave.”

“Who flew the ship here?”

“E can do it alone.”

“Will our ship be able to run errands?”

Andi smiled, “Oh yes.”

“Why did E show up?”

“Cole has developed a way to increase the power going to the blasters. E needs to have the modifications done and the wing units moved inside his hull.”

“I wonder where Ian and Violet are?”

Andi looked up at the sky and sighed, “They’re free.”

Drey looked at her and said, “Yeah, I guess they are.” Drey saw at that moment that originally he didn’t want Andi to go. Now he knew getting her to come back was not going to be easy; even if she didn’t stay with him. She had tasted being free and Euclid would never hold her again.

The final day was getting closer and Cole called Drey and Andi into the energy lab. They arrived and Cole said, “Pull the blasters you took from the planet.”

Andi said, “Why?”

“I’m not going to take them.”

Drey looked at Andi and saw that Cole had called it right. Drey said, “I must be rubbing off on you.” Andi stuck out her tongue at him and handed her blaster to Cole.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m adjusting the force field so there will be a very slight leakage.”

“Why, won’t that damage it?”

“No it won’t. The energy field will be so minute it won’t really exist as a force field for all intents and purposes.”

“Then why are you doing it?”

Cole looked up from what he was doing, “You have always been the most inquisitive person I’ve ever known.”

“Thank you; why are you doing it?”

Drey tried not to laugh but couldn’t stop himself. Andi stuck out her tongue again when Cole wasn’t watching.

“You know the ships can jump you to locations as long and the blaster’s field is active.”

Andi said, “That makes sense. Thanks for telling me.”

Drey said, “Hey, hey, not so fast. Why are you doing it?”

“An occasion may arise where the two of you may need to be removed from a dangerous situation. With the small leakage, your ship can pull you out.”

Drey looked at Andi when Cole went back to work and stuck out his tongue at her. She smiled and then laughed. Drey decided he liked her laughter.

• • •

Cole finally declared the ships ready and Drey shook his hand, “You’ve done a remarkable job, Cole.”

“Thanks, some of your suggestions made good sense.”

“Then why did you argue?”

“Sometimes the disagreement uncovers things that would be missed without it.”

Drey stared at Cole and then started nodding, “You’re right. Rerouting the reactors to the blasters came from that disagreement.”

“Yes it did and it also allowed me to bypass the Dark Matter System.”

“WHAT?”

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t draw any power, but it can be activated with the push of a button. It never hurts to have more than one door out.”

Drey smiled and knew his respect for the Lead Scientist had grown immeasurably during the construction and he suspected the Prince wanted the two of them to get to know each other. Drey now trusted Cole and Cole felt the same about Drey. Cole said, “Get out of here. I know you’re itching to leave.”

“Where’s Andi?”

“She’s already on board.”

Drey stared at Cole and then turned to enter his ship. Cole watched him disappear and nodded, “Let’s hope this subterfuge is not discovered.”

He went to the bridge and Andi said, “You need to link with the ship’s main computer.”

“Why?”

“Your mind will be imprinted in the system just like Ian’s was with E.”

“Why don’t you do it? You’re smarter than I am.”

“I’m not so certain that’s true, but the reality is we need the ship to have a military frame of reference and I’m totally lacking in that expertise.”

Drey nodded, “You’re right, as usual. What do I need to do?”

“There is a skull cap on your console. Put it on and plug the cable in the receptacle under the computer screen. Lay back and close your eyes and relax. Just let the connections happen and don’t fight it.”

Drey put on the cap and plugged in the cable. He leaned back and felt his mind rush out of control. He started to resist but caught himself and quit thinking. After a moment he felt normal. He opened his eyes as Andi removed the skull cap. “Did it work?”

“If you’re asking whether or not I’m now operational, I am.”

Drey looked at Andi and saw her nod, “What do you want to name the system?”

“How did E get his name?”

“That’s the first sound in Ian’s name.”

Drey smiled and said, “Your name is Doc.”

Andi furrowed her brow and then said, “Ahhh, the first two letters of your name.”

“With your permission, I’ll join E in orbit.”

Andi said, “Take us where we need to go, Doc.”

Drey looked at the view port and saw the planet falling away faster than he had ever seen. He was free. He looked at Andi in the second chair and saw a smile that lit up her whole face. He suddenly realized he really didn’t know freedom as much as his copilot.

• • •

They arrived in orbit and E said, “Are you ready to go?”

Andi said, “Give us a moment and let’s see if Drey and I can guess correctly.” She looked at Drey, “Do you know?”

“I haven’t even thought about it. Do you?”

“I think so.”

“Give me a moment.” Drey let his mind go free to work on it and let all the variations glow through at blinding speed. The restaurant was discarded. The first coordinates were also eliminated; Ian didn’t have a ship to wait there in space. The information continued to rush through his mind and he said, “We’re going to Hellhole.”

Andi clapped her hands. “E, where are we going?”

E said, “I’m glad the two of you weren’t searching for us.”

Drey said, “I was.”

Andi said, “Yeah, but you didn’t really know him.”

“E, I’m Doc.”

“Good to meet you, partner. Hellhole it is.”

• • •

They arrived and E said, “Doc, send them to the restrooms in the supply building. You will find them in the restaurant. Turn left out of the supply store and it’s the second building.”

Andi and Drey emerged from the restrooms and walked to the restaurant where they found Ian and Violet surrounded by fifty miners laughing and singing. Ian saw them enter and said, “Hey Newbies, come join us.”

Drey and Andi walked over and Drey saw every miner immediately stare at Andi; for some reason that bothered him. Violet pulled up two chairs next to her and hugged Andi as she sat down.

Ribbons said, “Who is this?”

Violet said, “This is my cousin Andreia and her partner Drey.”

Everyone yelled, “Welcome to Hellhole!” Andi smiled that beautiful smile and Violet ordered them drinks.

Ribbons said, “We were just thanking Nosey and Violet for getting us the work.” He looked around and said, “You’re looking at some seriously wealthy miners.”

Andi said, “That’s great.”

Glenda came over and sat in Gibbon’s lap to let Andi know he was taken. Andi got up and sat in Drey’s lap. He was shocked and she leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and whispered, “We don’t need any of them thinking I’m available.”

Drey forced himself to relax and Andi stayed in his lap for the rest of the evening. They learned that these miners had gone and mined the alien planet. Finally Ian stood and said, “I’m sorry guys, but we have to leave.” There were loud complaints and numerous goodbyes, but they finally made it out the door. Andi was holding Drey’s elbow until they left the building but then she moved her hand away. Drey felt disappointed. Ribbons and three other miners had exited with them and Ribbons stuck his hand out to Ian, “Nosey, that suggestion to get Switzer to invest our funds in the ship building industry in the Union was a great idea. Our accounts have tripled in value.”

“Good. How much longer are the four of you going to stay here?”

“We’re leaving tomorrow. Wealth is worthless if you don’t take the time to use it.”

Ian shook the three men’s hands and Porky hugged his neck. Violet said, “Hey, hey, he’s mine.”

Porky smiled and said, “I could have had him.” Derek looked at her and she said, “But I have the one for me.”

They turned and walked away and the four watched them go. “I’m going to miss them.”

Jefie said, “They are not who we think they are.” The three turned and looked at him. “The tall one that showed up tonight is the former ruler of the Nebula.”

Ribbons said, “Get out of here.”

“I saw him on the newscasts. It’s him.” Jefie paused and said, “I also find it interesting that Nosey showed up when the entire Union was looking for the Prince.”

They turned and looked at the four walking away and Ribbons yelled, “Keep the track’s down, Your Majesty.” Ian raised his hand and waved as he walked away.

Porky said, “I could have been a princess.”

Jefie said, “Have you taken a good look at Violet?”

Porky hit him on the arm and hurt her hand, “You can spoil anything.”

Derek just laughed. He knew Porky was a dreamer. This was one dream he would not take from her. From that moment on the group called her Princess and she answered to it.

• • •

Andi said, “It looks like they broke the code, Ian. They’re pretty smart.”

“I owe them. They are my best friends.”

Drey looked at Ian and saw how close the group of miners was to him. He thought about who his best friends were and came up empty. He didn’t know what to think about that. Andi punched his arm and said, “Hey, I’ll fill in until you make some.” Drey looked at her with shock on his face. Andi smiled, “I’m not a mind reader. That was easy to see.”

Drey looked at her and then smiled, “I know you’re not a mind reader.”

Andi pulled her head back slightly, “Just how do you know that?”

“You didn’t say anything when you were sitting on my lap.”

Ian and violet burst out laughing and Andi’s face turned bright red. Drey thought a moment and said, “Hey, I just told my first joke.” Ian and Violet laughed harder and finally Drey joined in. It was a little later when Andi joined them.

• • •

The four went to their ships and Drey said, “I think before we set sail, we need to familiarize ourselves with the weapon systems.”

Ian said, “Do you really think that’s necessary? The ships know their limits.”

Drey sighed, “Who decides when to shoot?”

“I guess I do.”

“And are you going to ask the ship to explain your options every time you get in a tight situation?” Drey paused, “I’ve also been meaning to ask you what those things are that were in the units under the wings.”

“They’re hardened missiles that have a dark matter field around them.”

“Are you serious?”

“We determined that it was those missiles that brought down the advanced ships.”

“I imagine they hit with a rather large impact. Do you know how large and do you know their range.” He was greeted by silence. “E, do you know their absolute range?” Again he was met by silence. “Well then does anyone know how much room they need to get up to speed?”

“Alright, alright, you’ve made your point. How do we do this?”

“We move out and take a shot at those installations on the moon.”

“They were part of this planet’s defenses.”

“No they weren’t Ian.”

“They weren’t?”

“Think about it. The advanced ships didn’t use faster than light drives. They used jump drives. The civilization on the planet did use faster than light drives.”

“They were put there to ambush any ships that showed up.”

“That has to be what happened. We need to take them out anyway so the planet can be approached with a FTL drive.” There was silence and Drey said, “The miners might come back.”

“Ok; where do you want to start?”

“The first thing we need to do is settle a few issues.”

“Such as?”

“We need to know how long it takes us to use our weapons when we come out of a jump.”

Drey heard Ian say, “I told you he’d be important.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll pay up tonight.”

Drey said, “What was that about.”

“Violet wasn’t convinced you would really be an asset on this mission.”

Drey sat a moment and said, “What did you bet her?”

Violet said, “That’s none of your business; however, I do pay my debts.”

Drey shook his head and said, “Doc, jump to the planet and hold orbit. Ian, you jump in, in two minutes and fire on the planet as quickly as possible. We’ll take a reading on the time required.”

Andi smiled, “We’re on our way.”

“You look excited.”

“There’s nothing more I’d want to do than go chasing across the stars.”

Drey tilted his head, “That depends on if you’re chasing across the stars or the stars are chasing you.”

Andi smiled, “Either way, this star chase is something I’ve prayed for.” She looked out the front view port and said, “This is release from the prison I was locked up in.”

“What do you mean?”

“Drey, I’m the highest ranking Genetic female. What is the ultimate destiny of the highest ranked?”