Searcher a-5

by Saxon Andrew

Matt continued to watch the feed. At least the invaders had not found a member planet or the probe that had been following them. Matt looked up and saw the silver field just as General Durk and another person appeared on Aladdin’s bridge. General Durk and a woman bowed as General Durk said, “Thank you for allowing us to see you, Your Grace.”

  “Any time, General; what brings you here?”

  “We have selected the person to assume your previous position as Vice Admiral and wanted you to interview her.”

  Matt looked at the Searcher Durk had brought with him and was not impressed with what he saw. She was dressed in an engineer’s coveralls that were baggy and wore a floppy hat with a Ross emblem on it. It was clear she had no pride in her appearance. She also didn’t appear to be impressed with where she was. “Why don’t you introduce us, General?”

  “Prince Gardner, this is Searcher Melanie Guadalupe Grace. The command team has chosen her to assume command of our forces.”

  Matt looked at her and wondered what in the universe possessed the team to choose her. Her uniform was two sizes too big, her hair looked like sprigs of grass hanging out from her hat, and her boots were not shined. “Searcher Grace, were you not given time to prepare for this meeting?”

  She raised her eyebrows and said, “Am I going to take a test or something. I thought I was coming to answer your questions.”

  Matt immediately felt his temper rise, “Is this the uniform you are supposed to wear for someone in your position?”

  “I’m not in it yet and yes this is the uniform I wear to carry out my duties.”

  Melanie heard a voice in her mind, “Searcher, you might want to back off a little and assume a little humility.”

  “Who are you,” she thought?

  “Just call me, Al. I don’t think you understand who you’re dealing with.”

  “Nor does he?”

  “Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”

  “General Durk, just why have you chosen her for command. She obviously has no respect for the service or the realm she serves.”

  General Durk said, “I didn’t select her.”

  That’s when Melanie exploded. “Just who are you to stand there and pass judgment on my commitment. I am directly descended from one of the colonists that were disintegrated by the Cainth lasers on Ross. One of my Great Grand Mothers got to watch as her husband and son were vaporized that day. Another of my Great Grand Parents was on Admiral Smith’s ship when he was killed by the Algeans. The Captors killed another on Wes McAnn’s ship. You have no idea of what the word sacrifice means. My family’s history has been written with the sacrifices they’ve made to ensure this Realm survives. You do not have the right to question my loyalty and commitment to the Stars Realm and you obviously have no idea what true loyalty looks like.” She paused and then said, “Your Grace.”

  Matt felt his temper rise to a level that felt good; he wanted to straighten this smart mouth Searcher out.

  Suddenly a silver field appeared and Sprig, Twig, and Anglo Gardner appeared on the deck. Melanie saw them and suddenly grew nervous. She had thought that this interview to make her the Vice Admiral over the Realm’s fleet was just a joke. Now she didn’t know what to think. Then she heard in her mind, “I told you to back off. Now you have risked your future doing that which you desire most.”

  “What is that?”

  “Why, protecting the Realm. You’re yelling at the one the King and Queen have decreed that his decisions will be followed without question. He could kick you out of the service and take away your ship.”

  Melanie felt terror. She looked at the young man in front of her and suddenly realized that she in was way over her head. “I’ve made a huge mistake, haven’t I?”

  “Why did you act like this?”

  “I don’t know. I thought that this office they’re supposedly giving was some kind of huge foul up. I’ve never done anything that would justify promoting me to that title. I just didn’t take it seriously. Besides, I am not one that fits in easily.”

  “Well you better be considering your next words carefully.”

  Mat listened to the young woman’s outrage and started to kick her out of the service until he played back what she said. At that point the other three visitors arrived just as Melanie finished her tirade and he turned his attention to them and away from the angry Searcher. “I wasn’t expecting any more guests.”

  “We were watching your interview and we determined that we should be here,” Sprig thought.

  Matt looked at the now silent Searcher and then said, “Why did you select Searcher Grace to fill the position as Vice Admiral?”

  “Because she is going to be working closely with you for the foreseeable future and in order to be effective she would need that level of rank. She will assist you in getting your orders followed.”

  Matt immediately forgot about the Searcher in front of him and said, “I have not decided to work closely with anyone and I believe that no one can make that decision but me. I do not desire nor need anyone to assist me. I consider this issue closed.”

  Melanie stood there wishing she could just find a hole and crawl in it. She had angered the prince and she was going to pay for it. If she lost her position in the navy her life would be over. She thought, “Please, can you help me.”

  The Prince suddenly turned and said, “Al, are you talking with her?”

  “Darn it, you caught me again.”

  Melanie said in a shaking voiced, “Who is Al?”

  The Prince turned on her and said, “He’s my ships computer.”

  Melanie looked like she had been hit with a stunner. “That’s not possible; whoever was talking with me was telepathic.”

  “The world is full of surprises, Searcher. You should have listened to me. Ole Al has great wisdom.”

  “What did you say to her, Al?”

  “I told her to back off.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re so tight that if someone placed a lump of coal in your arm pit you would have a diamond is less than ten minutes.”

  Matt had an expression of anger for a moment and then burst out laughing. He laughed so hard it hurt. Al said, “I didn’t think it was that funny.”

  Matt said between laughs, “I’m just confused why you said arm pit. Somewhere else would have fit better.”

  “Probably, but we have a lady present. Watch your manners.”

  Matt pulled himself together and looked at the young woman who was obviously nervous. “Searcher, why did you come to this meeting wearing what you have on?”

  “I was told by Central Command that I was scheduled to attend a meeting where I was to be promoted to Vice Admiral over all our military forces. I asked them if they were sure they were contacting the right person and they told me to just get ready. I didn’t take the communication seriously. They had obviously made a mistake and they would contact the one they really wanted to go, so I just continued preparing for the next attack on the mother ship.”

  Matt flinched and looked more closely at her, “Searcher, do you command an Alpha?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “And you were part of the plan to attack the Eight Leg Mother ship?”

  “I’ve already attacked it ten times, Your Grace, for all the good it’s done.”

  Matt looked at Melanie for a long moment and then said, “I apologize for questioning your loyalty and commitment to the Stars Realm. I understand your anger and would feel the same if mine was questioned by someone in higher authority. I don’t think I would have said quite what you did because I do like serving in the Navy, however, Al is right; I found myself about to take some of my frustrations out on you and that would not be appropriate. Having said that, Searcher, the next time you show up out of uniform I will drum you right out of that Alpha and have you clean latrines on some of our defender class ships. Is that clear?”

  Melanie bowed and said, Yes, Your Grace, but may I humbly request one thing.”

  “
What is that?”

  “I will wear the uniform and follow the protocols set forth for a searcher’s appearance; I only ask that I be allowed to wear my hat.”

  Matt looked at the floppy hat with the Ross symbol on it and asked, “What’s so special about that hat?”

  “My family’s Grand Father that was killed on Ross by the Cainth was wearing it when he died. We have passed it down from generation to generation and now it is my turn to carry it into the future.”

  Matt looked at the young woman in front of him and suddenly knew the strength of her commitment. He felt shame at having questioned it, “Searcher, by Royal Decree, you may wear that hat whenever you choose. Al, send that order to Fleet Command and get a copy printed that Searcher Grace may keep with her in the event that someone is stupid enough to question her right to wear it.”

  “Done and done. Can you see now young lady that you should listen to me in the future?”

  Melanie looked at Matt and asked, “Is he really your computer? And is he always like this?”

  “What do you mean like this? You better be glad I saved you from the wrath of the Prince. It was my intervention that saved you.”

  Melanie looked at Matt with wonder on her face. “Yes, Searcher, he is always like this but he is right. I caught him communicating with you and he showed me how I was going to take some of my frustrations out on you. So you do owe him.”

  “Thank you, Your Grace. It’s about time I was appreciated for my good deeds.”

  The four other visitors listened to the two go back and forth and started to relax. Melanie even thought she might get out alive. Melanie then said, “May I ask a question?”

  Matt looked at her and said, “Go ahead.”

  “How is it possible for a computer to be telepathic?”

  Matt looked at her and said, “You are actually more curious about that than saving your hide.”

  Melanie thought a minute and said, “I think I am. He doesn’t sound mechanical at all.”

  “You got that right, Lady,” Al quipped.

  “Now you back off, Al,” Matt thought. Matt looked at Sprig and said, “I cannot work with anyone at this point in my life and I certainly cannot open my mind to anyone else. I am just not up to the task. Give me one good reason why I should agree to work closely with her.”

  “She is the occupant of the second chair.”

  Matt froze. Even Al was speechless. Melanie tilted her head and said, “I’m what?”

  Anglo moved forward and looked Matt in the eye, “I know it’s too soon since Angel died but you must start working with her and open your mind to her.”

  Matt hung his head and said, “I can’t.”

  Twig said, “You must.”

  Matt looked at them and said firmly, “I can’t.”

  Melanie had heard about the death of Angel Dodd and she knew that the Prince was her lover. She could see his anguish and pain. “He should not be forced to accept this,” she said.

  Matt looked up at her.

  Sprig thought, “Searcher Grace, he must agree.”

  “Then I will not agree. I cannot be forced into this.”

  Durk said, “You will if you intend to remain in the Realm’s Navy.”

  Matt looked at Durk and said, “I believe that I am the one who will make that decision, General.”

  Durk bowed and said, “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Twig thought to Matt, “You must find a way to do it.”

  “Why is it so important to do it now?”

  Melanie asked, “Do what? What are you talking about?”

  Anglo Gardner looked at Melanie and said, “All will be explained at the right time. Hold your questions for now.”

  Melanie looked at the Baron and said, “Yes, Your Grace.”

  Twig thought, “We have traced the links in the ship and have determined that the two chairs are linked with huge connections. We believe that to wait until you take your places in them to form a mental link could be disastrous for both of you.”

  Matt was shaking his head, “I’m sorry, I just can’t do it.”

  Melanie looked at Matt and said, “It would be a betrayal, wouldn’t it?”

  Matt looked up sharply at her, stared for a long moment, and then said, “Yes.”

  “May I suggest something, Your Grace?”

  “What.”

  “What if roles were reversed? What if you died and left Angel behind. Will you consider just writing her a letter saying what you would want her to know if that had happened; I think it might help you.”

  “Why is that?”

  Melanie cocked her head to the right and said, “Because you have forgotten how much she loved you and it would help you remember.”

  Matt hung his head and stood there saying nothing. “Alright, everyone, the Prince needs some time. We will contact you soon and let you know what his decision will be,” Al announced.

  Melanie looked over at the control panel and then turned to Durk and said, “I for one wish to respect his privacy. Will you please take me back to my ship?”

  Anglo looked at her and said, “He will take you back to your ship, however, you will not participate in any attacks from this moment on without my direct consent.” Melanie tried hard not to show her disappointment at missing the next attack.

  Sprig looked at Twig and thought, “General, if you don’t mind, I would like to take the Searcher to another ship first. I will then take her to her ship.”

  “As you wish, Elder,” General Durk responded and he then disappeared from the bridge.

  Sprig and Twig moved to each side of Melanie and they disappeared. Anglo walked to Matt and placed his hand on Matt’s shoulder, “Write the letter, Cousin. Angel see’s your suffering.” Anglo stepped back and pushed his wrist unit and disappeared.

  Matt was left alone on the bridge and could not get his lost love’s face out of his mind. “Magic, write the letter,” Al said.

  Matt moved to his chair and sat down and thought about all that had happened. He remained still for more than four hours and Al remained silent while he meditated.

  Matt activated his display on the chair arm and cleared the screen. He thought;

  “Dear Angel,

  I am so sorry I’ve left you alone. I know how much you hurt and I am hurt even more for causing you to suffer so much. I have loved you for so long and now I’m not going to be there to hold you and care for you at the times you most need me. Seeing you in such pain hurts my soul so deeply. I didn’t plan for this to happen and if I knew it was coming I would have told you every day how much you meant to me and would have shown you the depth of my love in every remaining moment.”

  Matt felt his tears falling but the next lines seemed to write themselves:

  “I want you to find happiness, Angel. I will suffer as long as you endure the pain. You must find happiness in what life you have remaining. Only remember the happy moments we shared feeling our love for each other and let the pain go. I know you will always love me and you have to know that I want you to find peace and happiness again. I will be in misery if you live your life in sorrow. I cannot rest until you let me go and only remember what happiness I have given you. Love me, Angel, and live.”

  “You know that’s exactly how she would want it, Magic?”

  Matt jerked his head up. “She is as much a part of me as the ship I find myself in and, like you, I miss her so much.”

  “Fly Girl, I miss her so much that there are moments I want to die.”

  “Would you want her to feel the same way if you were the one that died?”

  Matt took a shaking deep breath and said, “No.”

  “Neither would she, Magic.”

  “How do we go on, Fly Girl?”

  “One day at a time taking one step after another until we only feel the joy she brought us. Choosing to live is the only way we can best honor who she was and I know I must do it for her.”

  “What are you going to do now?”

  “I am go
ing to make friends with that Searcher that just visited you. She is absolutely ga ga over Al. I suspect I will bring a new level of excitement for her.”

  “Can you link to her mind after Angel?”

  “I need to link to her mind to bring me back into the world of the living. You know that I would have eventually lost Angel anyway.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I would live longer, Magic, and I know that she would insist that my life after her be the best it could be. Do you think she would wish less for you?”

  Matt hung his head and thought about what she said.

  “Thank you for coming, Fly Girl”

  “Al, I was as lost as he is until I read his letter. He helped me see what I couldn’t see. I know what I must do now.”

  “Fly Girl, I love you.”

  “I know, Al; and I love you as well. I have felt you during my reconstruction and it was your love that kept me from giving up.”

  ‘I wish you were going to be on the new ship with us.”

  “Fly Girl sighed, “I will always be near you, Al, never forget that.”

  “I won’t.”

  “Good.”

  Matt continued to sit in his chair and stare at the display.

  Chapter 13

  “Al.”

  “Yes, Magic”

  “Call everyone.”

  “Do you want to clean up first; you pointed out how inappropriate our Searcher was dressed.”

  Matt looked at his uniform and saw all the wrinkles. He smiled briefly and said, “Tell them to be here in an hour.”

  “Messages have been sent.”

  Thanks, Al. Thank you for bringing Fly Girl.”

  “She wanted to be here, Magic.”

  Matt stood and went back to his quarters to clean up.

  Matt was sitting in his command chair when the group arrived together. Matt could see their apprehension and the young Searcher appeared to be more nervous than the rest. He looked at them and said, “I have reached a decision and I want to discuss it with you; but first I have a question for you,” and he looked at Melanie.

  Melanie was dressed in regulation uniform and Matt thought that the baggy uniform really didn’t do her justice. Even her hair that was combed perfectly coming out from under her hat was unexpected. She had to have just piled it up under it the previous day. She came to attention and bowed, “Yes, Your Grace.”