by Saxon Andrew
In less than three hours, there were four chutes above a control panel for each of them and a large hose was attached to the wall below them. The wall was perfectly smooth and painted to match the former color. Eddie was shaking his head and Taffy asked, “Did you bring the shipment?”
“Yes, but we’ve not had time to remove the packaging.”
“Leave it on,” Taffy replied. “The processors will convert it into clear packages for the product.”
Edward whistled, and a truck began moving toward the wall. Taffy ordered, “Get back in the truck!” The robots moved to the rear of the truck and lifted themselves in. “Abby, move the truck away from the wall.” Abby moved the truck and rushed back to the wall to see what was going on. The food truck backed up to the wall and Eddie’s crew raised the rear door and began throwing crates of vegetables into the chute with a number one above it. Taffy watched them and after a few minutes shouted, “That’s enough for now!” Taffy went to the control panel under the chute and waved Eddie over. “When the light on the panel turns green, the food in the unit has completed processing.” A few minutes passed as everyone watched the panel, then the light turned green. Taffy looked at one of the men in the truck, “Please move that cart next to the wall.” A man jumped out of the truck and pulled the cart to the wall. Taffy pulled the hose out of the wall and opened a valve on it. Light-green-colored balls shot out of the hose into the cart.
Edward’s eyes narrowed, “Those are smaller than the ones you gave me?”
Taffy nodded, “I believe that selling half-balls wouldn’t be as good as just reducing the size and selling them complete.”
Eddie smiled and nodded, “You’re right.”
Taffy turned to him, “Alright, you know how to operate the system and I’m leaving it in your capable hands. Do you remember the instructions?”
“I do.”
Taffy smiled, “Have you come up with your first promotion?”
“I’m going to use your idea. We’ll move forward from there as the product starts being used,” Eddie answered.
Taffy smiled, “Keep me informed about your progress.”
“All you need to do is check the accounts, Mrs. Henricks.”
Taffy turned to go and saw the huge smile on Eddie’s face. She took one step into the truck, tossed the contract on the seat, and said, “By-the-way!” Eddie turned to her. “I don’t believe I’ve told you that I hold a patent on the processor and what it produces, have I?” Eddie’s smile disappeared. “It could cost you quite a sum if you violate those patents.” Taffy watched his expression closely and smiled, “That’s exactly what you were planning, wasn’t it?”
Eddie blew out a large breath and smiled, “Hey, it’s only business.”
“That’s why I have the patents, Eddie. Trust me, you’ll be much better off working with me than not.”
Eddie raised his shoulders, “It appears there isn’t any choice in the matter.”
“You’ll see I’m right, Eddie. You won’t remain number three very much longer.” Taffy went into the truck and said, “Let’s take Bob and Robbie back to the ship.”
Abby drove the truck out and lifted it almost immediately. She looked at Taffy and asked, “Are you going to tell me what you’re doing?”
“Abby, I trust you, but I feel I have to tell Grady before I tell anyone else.”
“YOU HAVEN’T TOLD HIM?!”
Taffy lowered her head and said in a soft voice, “No. He’s been really busy, and I’ve sort of done this on my own.”
“And what happens if he disagrees with what you’ve done?”
“I’m going to tell him it was your idea and convinced me to do it.”
“HOW CAN I CONVINCE YOU TO DO SOMETHING I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT?!”
“He’ll accept it better if I tell him it was your idea.”
Abby shook her head, “Exactly what is going to come out of this?”
“Well, I can tell you that there’s good news and bad news.”
“What’s the good news,” Abby asked.
“The people on Melbourne are going to be incredibly healthy.”
“What’s the bad news.”
Taffy looked out the windshield, “A lot of businesses are going out of business.”
Abby had no idea what that meant and turned the truck toward the center of the city.
Chapter Eighteen
Abby flew the truck in slowly toward the roof of the tower, but no warships showed up this time. She landed close to the small ship and Taffy opened her door to find the major standing there. “DON’T YOU EVER SLEEP!?” Taffy asked incredulously.
The major actually laughed, “I’m off duty but I wanted to make sure you arrived without issues.”
Taffy smiled, “Thank you for that, Major.”
“I’ll remain until you leave, Captain.”
“So that means hurry up, right!” The major smiled. Taffy looked at Abby, “You wait here. I’ll be right back.” Abby leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. Taffy opened the truck’s rear doors, “Alright, follow me back to the ship.” The two robots exited the truck and followed Taffy to the port. “Open it up, Bob.” The port began opening and the robots followed Taffy into the ship. Taffy closed the port and went to the bridge with the robots right behind her. She started taking off her flight suit and asked, “Bob, can you hear me outside the ship from your charger?” Bob flashed. Taffy started putting on the clothes she wore to the ship that morning and ordered, “Both of you will remain on your charging stations. Bob, you will open the port only for Grady or me.” Bob flashed and moved toward the charging stations with Robbie. Taffy put her clothes on and headed to the port. She opened it and stepped outside the ship. She said in a normal voice, “Bob, close the port.” It didn’t move for a moment, but then it began closing. She headed back to the truck and smiled at the major, “Thank you again, Major.” The major nodded and walked away. Taffy climbed in the truck and saw Abby was sleeping. She woke Abby and said, “Long day.” Abby nodded and cranked the truck. “Let’s go return the truck.” Abby nodded and flew the truck off the tower.
They arrived above the truck rental facility and Abby leaned forward and said ‘Uh-oh!” Taffy looked out of the windshield and saw neon green and yellow lights flashing next to the building. Abby glanced at her, “Those particular colored lights are only used on a Senior Officer’s staff car.”
Taffy’s eyes narrowed, and she raised a shoulder, “Let’s go see what’s going on.”
Abby landed the truck and signed the forms, as Taffy walked over to their transport. She found an officer waiting and he said in a formal tone, “Captain Henricks, I’m here to take possession of the transport you’ve been assigned to use.”
“And you’re doing that because…?
“The transport was assigned for the express purpose of taking you on tours of the city. You have used it inappropriately and I’ve determined that it should be returned to the base.”
Taffy stared at the general as Abby walked up. The general turned to her and held out his hand, “The actuator please.” Taffy saw the general’s expression was almost a sneer.
Taffy reached in her pocket and took out her communicator. She opened it and turned on the speaker. Grady answered and said, “I’m sorry, hon, we’ve gone way overtime. I’ll come home shortly.”
“Grady, I need you to put me in touch with the Prime Minister.”
“Is there a problem!?”
“Yes, a dipwad general is here to take my transport. I want you to connect me with the Prime Minister now!”
“Standby, let me ask Dr. Goldman if he can make the connection.” As soon as Taffy mentioned the Prime Minister, the General’s sneer disappeared, and his eyes opened wider. Grady came back on and said, “I’ve contacted the Prime Minister, but he can’t contact you on your communicator.”
Taffy punched numbers into her communicator and said, “Have him call me at this number.”
“Will do. You will contact me a
nd let me know what’s going on!”
“I will, love. Sorry to interrupt you.”
The General glared at Taffy and then heard a ring. He turned to Abby and she took her communicator out of her pocket, opened it, and said, “Hello?”
“May I speak with Captain Henricks, please.”
Abby held the phone out to Taffy, “It’s for you.”
Taffy took the communicator and saw the General’s expression revealed a high level of tension. Taffy turned on the speaker and said, “Mr. Prime Minister, I apologize for interrupting your evening.”
“You may interrupt me any time, Captain. Your husband tells me there is an issue involving your transport.”
“Sir, a General…”
Taffy turned to the general and he said, “Mulvaney.”
Taffy continued, “A General Mulvaney has come and is taking my transport. It appears he doesn’t like the way I’ve been using it.”
The general flinched when he heard the Prime Minister say, “Put him on.”
Taffy held the communicator out and smiled, “He wants to speak with you.”
The general took the communicator and turned off the speaker. Taffy stared into his face as he put the communicator to his ear and moved it away instantly. A speaker wasn’t needed to hear the Prime Minister, “Yes, I know she’s a…No, I don’t want to risk…I was just doing…Yes, Mr. Prime Minister…No, Mr. Prime…I’ll do as you…I’ll see you in your office in the morning.”
Taffy said, “I’d like to speak to him.”
“Captain Henricks wishes to speak with you, Sir.”
The general held out the communicator to Taffy. She took it and smiled, “Mr. Prime Minister, I want to apologize again for disrupting your evening.”
“I’ll take care of this issue and don’t hesitate to call me if you run into any further problems.”
“Mr. Prime Minister, I have run into an issue I don’t understand, and I hope you have a few moments to discuss it with me.”
“What is that, Captain?”
“The woman that’s been my guide since I arrived has told me a few things about herself and I find it troubling.” Abby’s eyes flew wide open and she started shaking her hands in front of her mouthing, ‘NO’!
“I’m not sure I understand, Captain.”
“She tells me that she mistakenly resigned from the military and when she reapplied to reenlist she was told that she would not be allowed to retain her previous rank and would have to enlist as a private. Mr. Prime Minister, I’ve not encountered a more brave, intelligent, and savvy woman ever. I don’t understand why she wasn’t reinstated.”
The Prime Minister was silent and then said, “Is she there?”
“Yes.”
“Let me speak with her.”
Taffy held out the communicator and Abby drew back. Taffy’s eyes narrowed, and she said forcefully, “JUST TALK TO HIM!!”
Abby took the communicator and said, “Good evening, Mr. Prime Minister.”
“Why are you reluctant to talk with me. I heard Captain Henricks.”
“Sir, you are the leader of Melbourne. I’m sure you have more important things to do than speak with me.”
“Why did you resign.”
“I was engaged to a wealthy executive, and he told me if I accepted the command of a warship, we’d need to call off our engagement. He said he would not be able to deal with my long absences.”
“That sounds reasonable.”
“I thought it was as well, Mr. Prime Minister.”
“Why did you try to reenlist?”
“Because we discovered after spending more time together that we were not suited for each other. Four months after I resigned, both of us called it off; I made a mistake.”
“Why does entering the service as a private bother you? You could work your way back up through the ranks; You’ve done it once.”
“No, Mr. Prime Minister, I enlisted as a Leftenant.”
“That’s unusual. I thought that wasn’t permitted.”
“There’s a special program for students with high academic scores to enter the service as officers.”
“And you were one of those?”
“Yes, Mr. Prime Minister.”
“What University did you attend?”
“Victoria.”
“And you studied?”
“Advanced electronics, Mr. Prime Minister. I graduated number one in my class.”
Taffy was watching the General and saw he was impressed.
“And you say you were given command of a warship before you resigned,” the Prime Minister asked.
“Yes, Sir.”
“What class?”
“Behemoth Class, Sir.”
“Let me speak with the General.”
Abby held out the communicator to the general, “He wants to speak with you.”
The General took the communicator and after a moment said, “I can handle the details, Sir…I’ll find out who in personnel made the decision and have them report to your office with me in the morning.”
The General closed the communicator and held it out to Abby. Taffy took out her communicator, opened it, and turned on the speaker. “Is everything all right?!” Grady quickly asked.
Taffy stared at the General and replied, “Yes, it is, Grady. However, I need you to call the Prime Minister immediately.”
“Why.”
“Because the Prime Minister is a man of action and he’s going to make a mistake in the morning. I need you to contact him and tell him that what happened tonight was all a little misunderstanding and that General Mulvaney and I are friends. Make sure he understands that the general and his wife are going to go out to eat with us soon and invite the Prime Minister to go with us. Can you do that Grady?”
Grady hesitated and said, “He’s on Dr. Goldman’s line now asking to speak with me. I’ll handle it, Taffy.”
“Thank you, Grady.”
The General stared at Taffy and asked, “How do you know I’m married.”
Taffy pointed at the wedding ring on his hand. The general snickered. Taffy asked, “Are we mates now, General?”
Mulvaney nodded, “There are no issues between us. Captain Henricks, I have to say that I really didn’t think you and your husband were all that much. You’ve proven me wrong. If you have any problems in the future, feel free to contact me.”
Mulvaney turned to Abby, “Report to Fleet personnel in the morning at Nine. You will be enlisted in the military one rank higher than you left it.”
The General’s communicator rang, and he opened it. He listened for a moment and said, “No apology is necessary, Sir. Thank you.”
The general closed his communicator, “The Prime Minister has canceled our morning meeting. Thank you, Captain Henricks.”
Taffy smiled, and the General walked toward his staff car. Taffy looked at Abby and saw her head in her hands. She went over and wrapped her arms around her and Abby put her face in Taffy’s chest, “I never believed this would ever happen. Thank you so much!”
Taffy hugged her and replied, “I’m not the one that made this happen, Abby.” Abby looked up at her. “It’s Grady that’s made it happen. The Prime Minister knows that making his wife upset could cause Grady to stop working with them. He’ll do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Abby stepped back and wiped her eyes, “I don’t care what made it happen, Taffy. I’m back where I belong.”
Taffy hugged her, “Take me back to the hotel and you can meet me after your morning meeting.” Abby smiled, and they walked to the transport arm-in-arm.
• • •
The next morning, Abby contacted Taffy and screamed, “I’M BACK IN!!”
“That’s wonderful.”
“Personnel told me not to hold my breath for a command; they say I’m assigned to you as long as you need me.”
Taffy laughed, “Plan to stay a while. I need you to come pick me up; we’re going to meet Grady for lunch.”
“On my way.”
• • •
Taffy met Abby in front of the hotel and watched Abby step out of the transport and pirouette. Taffy clapped her hands, “You look amazing in your uniform!”
“I can wear normal clothes when I’m with you, but I just had to put it on today.”
Taffy hugged her, “You look great, Colonel!”
Abby blushed and headed back to the driver’s seat, “Let’s go to lunch!”
• • •
They arrived at a restaurant close to the spaceport and Abby parked the transport legally. Taffy snorted, “Will wonders never cease?”
Abby shrugged, “You find diamonds occasionally.”
They walked in the restaurant and Taffy saw Grady and Dunhan close to the windows. They approached the table and Dunhan stood up in a semblance of attention. Abby frowned and said, “As you were, Captain.”
Dunhan smiled, “Yes, Mam.”
Abby’s eyes narrowed, and she snapped, “Is that the way you address a superior officer, Captain?!”
Dunhan smiled slightly, “No, Sir. The appropriate manner is Yes, Sir.”
Abby saw Grady and Taffy watching them and she sat down, “I apologize for the tension I’ve caused.” She nodded toward Dunhan, “This poor excuse of a human being thinks he’s a lot more than he is.” Dunhan’s small smile continued and Abby ignored him for the rest of the meal.
The meal ended, and the women left. Grady signed the bill and turned to Dunhan, “Why are you such a jerk?!”
“What are you talking about?”
“Dunhan, you were deliberately demeaning to Abby and she’s not done anything to you to deserve it. She just received her promotion and you diminished her special day. You sit there with that sarcastic smile on your face and make things tense. I don’t get to eat with my wife often and I don’t need you spoiling it! If you can’t act with good manners, then you can remain in the transport in the future!! Got that!”
Dunhan nodded, “I’m sorry, Grady. It won’t happen again.”
“See that it doesn’t!” Dunhan wondered why he had behaved so poorly. He didn’t have an answer.