The Intergalactic Peddler-Volume 1 Read online

  Janet stepped into the kitchen area, saw the girls needed nothing that Connie had not already provided them and returned to the ready room with her brother. Connie felt a tiny bit of movement, as if a light wind had blown on the side of The Empress, but felt nothing more to indicate they were traveling. Then Janet stepped into the kitchen she told Connie that she should go to the ready room; then listen quietly to Ronnie and the computer discuss the problem and their plans. Janet sat down with her girls as Connie quickly moved into the ready room, sat down in the copilot’s seat, watched the monitor screen and listened to the computer and Ronnie work.

  Ronnie finished discussing the problem with someone he knew very well on a secure radio channel, then leaned back in his captain’s chair, turned his head to Connie and smiled. He asked how she was doing and if the teleportation had upset her body. Connie told him she was too busy worrying about the children to be sick. Ronnie reached over, squeezed her hand and said she had done very well with the emergency. “You did exactly what I needed you to do without one word of instruction. You handled the situation like a professional. Welcome aboard Connie, but I need to tell you that I am sorry to put you and my family through this mess.” Connie reminded him that her boyfriend was the one who had created this mess in the first place.

  The radio crackled to life and Ronnie was once again talking to someone on the secure channel. Ronnie said they would move into a geosynchronous orbit so the planet would block them from the Federation cops scanning from the direction of Earth. Connie reached up to the keyboard in front of her and typed in the words, define, geosynchronous orbit. The monitor screen quickly filled with a description explaining that the geosynchronous orbit would lock The Empress in a stable position, so the planet Earth would never move into their view, possibly hiding them from the Federation scanners.

  Connie asked Ronnie how the Federation had found them. Ronnie said the Federation knew the last location where the cops had visited, which was The Empress. They used that eleventh-dimension string energy signature to identify The Empress, and then scanned the universe until they found an identical signature. Connie then wanted to know if the Federation could find them at their new home just as easily as they found them the first time. Ronnie smiled and said that they were traveling to a different universe, so far from Earth that the Federations scanners should not easily find them. They would also be hiding behind a planet making it very difficult for the Federation to scan them if they did enter this universe. Even if they did locate them, they had no jurisdiction or extradition rights in Universe Number Six. Connie asked how many universes there were, other than the one that contained the planet Earth. Ronnie said he did not know exactly but he read a report a month or so ago, that said the astrophysicists’ had discovered sixty-four at the time of the report.

  As Ronnie talked to Connie, the travel computer began the process of jump-out from Universe Number Two (the universe that planet Earth is located in), then within another few minutes began the jump-in process into the speck that was Universe Number Six, the universe that would ultimately hide The Empress and its occupants. Within seconds, the sound of an entity speaking Chitter came across the Super 11 radio transponder. The voice asked Ronnie for identification and Ronnie quickly began identifying The Empress. He gave his own name, his Federation I.D. number, and the number of occupants aboard The Empress. Ronnie spoke and spelled the names of each of his crewmembers aboard The Empress, and the radio went silent. Connie could not contain herself and asked if something was wrong? Ronnie smiled at her and said, “Connie, shut up.” Connie smiled back, folded her hands in her lap, and sat quietly listening for the radio operator to give them clearance to continue. It seemed like hours to Connie, but the operator soon came back and cleared Ronnie to continue towards the destination shown in his flight plan.

  As Ronnie settled The Empress into the geosynchronous orbit around the planet of Keemus, Ronnie told Connie she could now talk and ask as many questions as she needed. Connie looked at him and said, “I am much to pissed at you for telling me to shut up to have a civil conversation with you in the next few hours or at least until you apologize for being so rude to me, but I do have one question that needs to be answered.” Ronnie began to speak, but was interrupted by Connie, so he shut his mouth and waited. Connie continued talking, as if she would explode if she did not speak the words she had stored in her mind. Connie finally asked, “What universe did Janet and the girls live in?” Ronnie explained that they lived in the same universe as planet Earth, but in a different galaxy, one called Fusion. Connie only thought a moment or so, and then started to ask what universe they were in right now, but did not finish the question. Instead, she said that she needed to help get two girls into a bed where they could try to settle down and get some sleep.

  Ronnie asked Connie to put Janet and the girls into her room for now and he would create a room for her in a few minutes. Ronnie asked Connie to come back to the ready room if she wanted to see how he created new living spaces and rearranged the furniture in The Empress using the computers software. Connie asked if she could move the furniture, and Ronnie said she certainly could, because he had a sore back. Connie walked out of the ready room, then walked back around, swatted Ronnie on the shoulder and said “Ha - ha, real funny.”

  Connie helped the girls move their stuff into her room and then left them to get ready for bed on their own. She moved her stuff into Ronnie’s room until Ronnie created her new quarters. Connie then found two blankets for her and Janet to wrap up in, as they were both tired and cold. Connie made herself and Janet a cup of hot chocolate, and then they both went to the ready room to help Ronnie create new quarters for Connie.

  Ronnie had Connie sit down in the copilot’s seat and began showing her how to first create a room, and then add a door, then closets. Since this was going to be Connie’s room for as long as she was aboard The Empress, he let her located the bed, the bathroom, the dresser, the monitor screen, and all the other things the room required to make her comfortable. With the rooms layout safely stored in the computer software, Connie looked at him and said, “Well, we have a nice design; but who does all the work to actually create the thing?” Ronnie looked at her and said, “You do, my dear.” Connie just looked at him, not understanding. Finally, Connie commented, “I am not a carpenter, or an electrician, or a plumber.” Ronnie laughed and explained that once they had created the room in software, the computer would modify the travel membrane to match the new floor plan. Connie said, “No, you are just teasing me again. I am too tired for jokes, so quit fucking with me.” Ronnie laughed, asked Connie to press the enter button. She did, and a dialogue box appeared asking for a password before reconfiguring the membrane. Ronnie spoke to the computer so it understood his voiceprint, and the screen displayed a second box that stated, “Reconfiguration complete.”

  The computer spoke to Ronnie, explaining that they could now enter Connie’s new quarters. Just then, Frederica and Monica entered the ready room. Ronnie stood up and asked the girls if they would like to inspect Connie’s new quarters. Both girls laughed at Ronnie as he walked out of the ready room and down the hallway. The girls followed and now Connie realized there was another door in the hallway, just past the existing bathroom that was not there a few minutes ago. She stepped past Ronnie and opened the door, expecting Ronnie to say, “Stupid girl,” but he did not. Connie turned the door handle and the door opened. She stepped inside her new living quarters. She walked to the bed and it was real, she turned on the faucet in the sink and it worked. She turned on the monitor and it worked. Connie stood in the center of the room and said, “Incredible, simple incredible.”

  Ronnie went back to the ready room and created another room with two beds for the girls to share. When the room was complete, Ronnie said that he would help Janet modify her room, make it more comfortable and put in a few of the things that would make it, her room. Next, Ronnie let the girls rearrange the kitchen and dining area as they wanted, adding in prope
r lighting, work counters, an eating table with proper chairs, sinks with running water, and a hundred other things the girls decided were essential. When they were very satisfied with their layout, Ronnie spoke to the computer, and the computer made the changes and displayed the message on the screen, “Reconfiguration complete.” The girls almost tripped over each other getting to the new kitchen to see the results of their labors. They both had smiles, and were very satisfied.

  It was about two hours later when the girls woke up from their short night’s sleep. Janet and Connie took turns rearranging their rooms to make tiny little improvements. When Connie was certain she was happy with the layout, she asked Ronnie if he would do her the pleasure of rearranging her room. Ronnie spoke to the computer with his mind, and then typed a note on the screen in front of Connie with a password. Ronnie asked the computer to create a file for Connie to use to store the things that were personal and important to her. When the file appeared, Ronnie used his finger to drag the password name into the folder. Then he tapped it twice and the file opened. Ronnie spoke aloud to the computer, “Computer, please make this file accessible only to Connie. This is her personal hiding place and no one including myself needs access to it. Computer, would you please explain to Connie who has access to Connie’s personal file?” The computer, spoke aloud, “Ronnie, only Connie and I have access to this file, and only in an emergency will I access it.” Ronnie spoke to the computer one more time, “Computer, I give verbal access for Connie to be able to rearrange her room as it suits her. Please check any changes Connie makes for safety and proper protocol before complying, and then implement the changes as she wishes.” The computer responded with three chirps, signaling its acknowledgement.

  Connie leaned over and kissed Ronnie on the cheek. He blushed, stood up and left the room. Janet sat down in Ronnie’s captain’s chair, and began talking to Connie. Connie made a statement that surprised Janet. Connie looked into Janet’s eyes and said, “I hope I did not embarrass Ronnie with that kiss; I have very strong feelings towards your brother, but must learn to keep those feelings to myself because Ronnie only tolerates me because he does not know what else to do with me.” Janet sat quietly thinking about what Connie had just said, but could not keep her thoughts to herself any longer. Finally, Janet decided to speak her mind and said, “Connie, I think you are a very confused female. You need to close your mouth around Ronnie and spend a little more time looking into his eyes and listening to the words coming from his mouth. He likes you a lot, so much I can see him about to jump out of his skin when you touch him or make eye contact with him. He is in the kitchen right now drinking coffee, go have coffee with him and pay attention to his feelings towards you.” When Connie did not move, Janet said, “The longer you wait and think about it, the less time you have to spend alone with him before the girls wake up and occupy every moment of his time.” Connie stood up, reached down and put her hand on Janet’s shoulder, then turned and walked into the kitchen.

  Chapter 6 – The Marriage Proposal

  Connie sat at the new kitchen table and talked to Ronnie about how his sister Janet and the girls were going to cope with the sudden loss of their home and friends. Ronnie said he had always wanted Janet to move away from the planet Quantum, but not this way. As they talked, the computer announced that a radio message was waiting for Ronnie. Ronnie stood up, walked to the ready room and sat down in the copilot’s seat. He smiled at his sister Janet who was sitting in the pilot’s seat and seemed to have fallen asleep. He listened to the message stored on the computers message system, then keyed the mike and waited for his friend Timms to answer. Ronnie noticed out of the corner of his eye that Connie had stepped into the ready room. When Connie realized Ronnie was on the radio she started to leave. Ronnie motioned for her to sit down in the chair behind him. When she had seated herself in a chair behind Janet, he explained that his friend Timms had some information about the Federation to pass on to him. He told Connie that she probably would want to listen in on the conversation.

  When Timms answered to the radio, Ronnie exchanged pleasantries for a moment. Then he asked Timms if it was all right for his crew (Connie and Janet) to listen in on the conversation. Connie heard Timms ask Ronnie if this Connie was the same woman the Federation had been looking for. Ronnie explained to Timms that this Connie was the same person. Timms then asked how Connie was doing after the violent rape she had endured? Ronnie laughed, and then explained that the rape charges stemmed from the jilted boyfriends anger, and not from Connie.

  Janet was now staring at her brother with looks that could kill. Ronnie smiled at Janet, but she did not smile back. As they talked, Timms slowly got to the point of his radio call. Timms explained that the Federation had decided the two cops, Connie, and the new travel vessel they were commanding were involved in a string of events that had destroyed three other new travel computer systems the Federation had just purchased. There seemed to be a problem with the teleportation systems. It seemed that the new travel vessels and the occupants would simply blink out of existence whenever the operator tried to engage the ship-to-ship teleport systems. Timms also told Ronnie that the Federation had no idea that Connie was still alive, and that he was surprised to hear she was doing well. Then he said, “I assume the cops are dead?”

  Ronnie acknowledged that they had in fact died in a horrible accident. Timms laughed aloud, the laugh came deep from his belly and the sound made Connie giggle. Connie quickly put her fingers over her lips to stifle the sound. Ronnie asked why the Federation had hunted him down on the planet Quantum. Timms explained that the IFTT had dropped the rape charges and only wanted to discuss the accident with him. They simply wanted to ask if he had any communications with the cops, and to ask if he had seen what happened. They just wanted to close the books on the incident. Ronnie asked Timms if he thought The Empress should contact the Federation and talk to them. Timms said it would be the best thing to do; that simple act might keep The Empress on the good side of the Federation. Ronnie said he would take care of that later today. Timms said he had to run; spoke a kind word to Connie and Janet, then cleared the channel.

  Ronnie hung up the microphone, looked to Connie, and found she was crying. Ronnie put his hand on her arm and asked, “Why the tears?” Connie started to talk, choked a little, started over and said she would miss her friends on Earth terribly, but did not really want to confess to the Federation that she was aboard The Empress. She said that it might be a little hard to explain how she was safely aboard this vessel and both cops were dead. Ronnie assured her it would be very difficult to explain. Ronnie said he did not really want to spend any time in the Federation penal system if possible. Connie point-blank asked Ronnie a question that felt to him like an act of desperation. “Ronnie, will you allow me to stay aboard The Empress until I can figure out where I can live out my days?” Ronnie did not have to think long over his answer, and tried hard to reassure Connie that she was welcome aboard The Empress. Connie looked at Ronnie and finally asked, “Exactly what are you saying Ronnie.” Ronnie could contain himself no longer and turn his comment into a question that Connie could not possibly mistake. “Connie, I have fallen in love with you and would like to one day marry you and live out my days with you. Connie, would you please stay here with me on The Empress, until we have time to test our ability to live as husband and wife. You do not have to give me an answer about marrying me just yet, but please consider it.”

  Connie sat quietly, but now the tears were dripping off her chin. She squeezed Ronnie’s hand and said, “Ronnie, I do not have to think very hard about your question. I will stay with you and will consider your offer about marriage. I fell in love with you long before I arrived here on The Empress, so the decision is not difficult.” There was a small snicker behind them and Ronnie turned to see the faces of Frederica, Monica standing behind them. Connie looked at Ronnie and said, “Ronnie, I don’t think you need to tell your family about our relationship, I think they already know.”


  It was then that Frederica asked her mother why Ronnie did not propose on his knees as they did in the movies. Ronnie stood up from the console, held out his hand for Connie to take, gently pulled her to her feet, kneeled down in front of her and asked the question again. “Connie, will you marry me?” He remained on his knees and waited for her answer. She put her hands on his shoulder and said, “Ronnie I love you and I will marry you. I plan to turn you into respectable chapman.” Ronnie stood up and kissed Connie, not once, but three times. Then he looked down at Frederica and asked if he had done her proud. She smiled and then began to blush. Ronnie kneeled down to her and asked why she had blushed; did his marriage proposal embarrass her? She put her arms around Ronnie’s neck and said, “This means I will have cousins to play with; right?” Ronnie quickly looked at Connie and said, “Frederica, let’s not rush things, here. Connie has just agreed to marry me, let’s not put babies in her belly just yet.” Janet stood up, kissed Ronnie on the cheek, reached out her hand, then smiled and winked to Connie. As Janet escorted the girls to the kitchen to prepare lunch, Connie put her arms around Ronnie and just hugged him for a moment. Ronnie leaned down and kissed her.

  As they stood, Ronnie said that they should sit down and call the Federation. Connie asked what he was going to tell them about her. Ronnie said he was going to let the Federation consider her dead along with the Federation cops unless she had another idea or suggestion. Connie said she would like to let it stay that way. She touched Ronnie’s hand and asked him, “Would you mind if when we marry, I not only change my last name to yours, but also acquire a new first name?” Ronnie asked her why, and she said she might be able to work around the Federation if she changed her name and they registered her new name on the planet Quantum when they married there. Ronnie asked what his Fiancée might want her name to be once they were married. Connie thought a moment and then said, “Angela Irene Yutaka.” Ronnie just stared at her a moment and then asked, “I understand the last name of course, but help me with the first and middle names, please.” Connie began the explanation. She said, “Of course your last name Yutaka means fisherman. Angela was my mother’s first name. The middle name of Irene will always remind me of The Empress. The name Irene I chose from the Empress Irene, the Empress of Athens Greece. Whenever someone speaks my middle name, I will always remember the love I found here on The Empress.” Ronnie smiled and said, “You must have thought about this for a second of two. How did you come up with all these great names so quickly?” Connie shrugged her shoulders and said, “I am a quick study; did you not notice?” Ronnie assured her that he certainly had noticed.