Volume II

by Ronnie Coleinger

  Trish said, “I will be just fine until this afternoon. I will call the doctor for an afternoon appointment, that is if I can leave this bathroom long enough to make the call. Jill said, “I will make the appointment, you just steady yourself right where you are for the moment.” Trish said, “Thanks Jill.” As Jill finished making the doctor’s appointment for Trish, Naomi stabilized in the ready room. She took Shelley from Jill’s arms and turned her attention to the smell of fresh puke. She walked into the bathroom and talked to Trish. Naomi got Trish a glass of goats’ milk and sat down with her against the wall. Shelley began giggling in Naomi’s arms, but Naomi realized the little girl was very wet. Naomi said, “I will be back as soon as if put dry pants on this child.” Jill came back in and said, “Here Naomi, I will change Shelley if you will sit and talk to Trish for a few more minutes.”

  Fred stabilized in the ready room, smelled the puke and walked to the sound of the voices. He sat down on the floor of the hallway and listened to Trish and Naomi talk. Finally, Fred said, “Trish I have a medicine that will settle that stomach for a few hours if you cannot get it under control.” Trish said, “I have been puking now for about four hours and Jill just made me an appointment to see Doctor Tom for this afternoon. Fred said, “I will be back with the medicine in a moment. Naomi would you get us a glass of water please.” When Fred returned, he gave Trish a tiny cup of green liquid. Naomi handed Trish the water and she quickly swallowed the liquid and then sipped a little water to wash it down. Fred sat and talked to Trish for a few minutes then said, “I will be back to check on you in five minutes.” Trish touched Fred’s hand and said, “Thanks Fred, I don’t think I can puke anymore without my insides coming up.” Fred rubbed Trish’s fingers and said, “I hope this medicine helps. If not, we will teleport to the emergency room. They have medicines stronger than what I gave you to help get you under control and keep you that way.” Sometimes the fetus creates a toxin that triggers the Mother’s body into thinking it needs to vomit to get rid of a toxin and the results can be very unsettling. It is controllable with the proper medicines. Relax my friend and we will help get you feeling better very soon.

  When Jill and Trish stabilized in the doctor’s office on Quantum, the doctor spotted them and walked over to welcome them. Trish’s first words were, “Trash can please.” The doctor grabbed a pan on the shelf and helped Trish into an examination room. Trish sat down on a chair, and the doctor began checking her blood pressure and heart. Then he helped her onto an examination table and tried to get her stomach settled. The doctor rolled a small table up to Trish’s bed and placed the pan on top in case Trish needed it quickly. He talked to Trish, and then poked and prodded for twenty minutes. Then a nurse rolled a portable ultrasound machine into the room and Doctor Tom said, “Trish I will let you know in a moment if you are in fact carrying a litter or a school of goldfish as you explained to me. Trish giggled but was very concerned as to why she was so very ill with this pregnancy.

  As the nurse operated the ultra sound, the doctor carefully watched the monitor. He said, “There,” and pointed to the screen. The nurse moved the probe to get a better picture for the doctor and then he said, “Trish there are two fetuses in your womb. One is growing normally, but I must tell you Trish that one has perished. That is why you are so very ill. Your body is trying to cope with the perished child. Trish you were not Earth born were you?” Trish said, “No I was born here on Quantum.” Doctor Tom said, “Trish, I need for you to stay here with us in the hospital where we can watch you and get antibiotics started on you. I believe that this remaining twin is viable and you should be able to deliver a healthy normal child, despite the loss of one twin. The doctor stepped around to Trish, took her hand and said, “Will you stay with me a few days and let us do our very best to save this remaining child?” Trish began to cry but said, “Yes, I do not want to lose this baby.” Jill said, “Trish I will call Sidney and tell him what is going on. He will want to be with you right now. He would be very hurt if we do call him immediately.” Trish said, “Please call Sidney, I do need him here with me, but try to keep this ordeal hidden from Naomi. She is so sensitive to death, especially the death of a child, and now that she is pregnant, she will be devastated. Please make sure that Trevor is with her if you must tell her. I would like to tell her myself if you could arrange it.

  Trish suddenly felt a very severe pain in her belly. The nurse put her hand on Trish’s belly and felt a contraction, then a second. The nurse stepped out into the hallway and brought the doctor back into the room. The doctor listened and soon felt a very strong contraction. The doctor said, “Trish do you understand what is happening inside your belly right now?” Trish tried to speak the words she needed to say to the doctor, but none would come out. She tried again and said, “I think I am about to abort this child.” The doctor said, “Trish that may be the reality, but only time will tell. I will give you some medicine to keep you from vomiting, but I would rather not stop your body from doing what it must to save your life. You can become pregnant again if you are healthy, so let’s do our best to keep you that way.

  One hour later, Trish was in the delivery room in full labor. When the staff finally placed her into a room in the recovery area, Sidney was there and came to her side. The family left the two alone and allowed them to grieve privately for the loss of their babies.

  James returned home from his vacation the following afternoon and went with Jill to visit Trish in the hospital. When he walked into his mother’s room, she immediately began to cry. James consoled his mother then Sidney shook James hand and hugged him. As they talked and discussed his mother’s health and his vacation in Wyoming, James asked, “Will you two promise me that you will try again? I would like a little sister or brother to love.” Trish said, “Sidney and I have discussed that, and I think we will try again when the doctor says it is safe.”

  The doctor came into Trish’s room, talked with them for a couple minutes and then said, “Guys, I would like to examine Trish and see if we can send her home with you this afternoon. Will you wait outside and I will talk to you in a couple minutes.” When the room was empty, Doctor Tom checked Trish and said, “Your blood work all come back within safe limits and if you feel ready I will release you to teleport to The Empress. But you must tell me if you feel comfortable going home this early.” Trish smiled and said, “I would like to go home today if that works out. Jill’s husband Fred is a registered nurse. He will insure that I follow your instructions to the letter and I promise to call you at once if I have any problems or questions. Doctor Tom said, “Fair enough, I will sign the paperwork and write the discharge instructions. You come see me in a few months and then we will discuss a date you can become pregnant again if you so choose.”

  Chapter 16 – James Twenty-First Birthday

  The year is now 21,001 AD, Earth time. James is celebrating his twenty-first birthday, and every crewmember of The Empress had helped prepare the vessel for the party planned to begin in two hours. The entire family had planned a trip to Universe Number Three to visit the entities that called themselves the Swims. This universe went by the name of G2. James walked out into the cargo bay and saw all the decorations and the tables arranged into a horseshoe shape design. Someone had made a poster that hung on a wall just inside the cargo bay from the living quarters that listed family members and their ages. James stood and read the entire list. The list showed each family group and ages in Earth years. It also gave a general idea of whom begat whom:

  Trish Wilson–Kennedy – Age 43

  Sidney Kennedy–Age 44

  James Sam Wilson Yutaka – Age 21

  Fred Samuel Cunningham – Age 49

  Jill Marie Yutaka-Cunningham – Age 49

  Shelley Marie Cunningham – Age 5

  Naomi Susan Cunningham–Bishop – Age 29

  Trevor Bishop – Age 33

  Megan Marie Bishop – Age 4

  Frederica Wilson – Age 62

  Monica Wilson �
�� Age 60

  The computer announced the arrival of Frederica and Monica. They had just teleported into the ready room and Jill and Fred greeted them. The computer then announced the return of James Mother (Trish) from a doctor’s appointment on Quantum. James quickly walked to the ready room to talk to his mother. When Trish had stabilized from the teleportation, Jill hugged her and asked what the doctor had to say. Trish looked over Jill’s shoulder into James eyes and said, “The doctor says my heart valve has not worsened since my last visit, and I am doing just fine.” Trish spoke to James and said, “But he also said that I would need to adopt a brother or sister for you, James. He feels I could not survive another pregnancy. It seems that the toxins from my failed pregnancy were what damaged my heart valve.”

  Trish’s eyes clouded over and she stepped to James and put her head on his shoulder. James pulled her close and comforted her until she looked up into his eyes and said, “Sorry James, I just cannot seem to create another child after giving birth to the perfect son I already have.” James said, “Mother do you know how many tiny babies in the cosmos need your loving arms around them right now. Sidney and I would prefer to love one of those babies instead of chancing your life or further damaging your heart. Do not shed another tear Mother, Sidney loves this life just as it is, and he loves you more than you could ever know.” James felt a firm hand on his shoulder and he turned his head to see Sidney standing behind him. Sidney said, “Nicely said son, may I hug that fine woman you are hiding in your arms, or do you plan to keep her all to yourself.”

  Trish moved into her husband’s arms and began to cry all over again. Fred walked to James and said, “Can you help me for a few minutes, James, I could use a pair of strong hands moving a light pole to make a larger walkway around four of the new cherry trees that we just planted.” Sidney got Trish calmed down and then turned her around and walked with her to the kitchen with Jill, Frederica, Monica and Naomi. Trish was soon giggling with the others and drinking hot chocolate. Right now Trish needed some female comfort to help sort out her doctor’s words warning her of becoming pregnant. Sidney decided he would talk to Trish about getting a vasectomy to insure Trish could not get pregnant. He then decided he may have to sneak around Trish and get the vasectomy or she would not allow it. He smiled to himself and thought, “I will not lie or hide my thoughts from Trish. I will sit my wife down, explain my fears of an accidental pregnancy, and then get the vasectomy done.”

  Shelley and Megan went running and giggling around Sidney’s legs and out the door into the cargo bay. Sidney heard Naomi say, “Ninety-nine, one hundred, ready or not here I come.” Naomi ran into the hallway from her room and ran into Sidney’s arms. He steadied her and said, “Now I understand the reason for Megan and Shelley running out into the cargo bay giggling.” Naomi said, “Thanks for the tip,” and scurried after the two tiny girls that were now hiding somewhere in the cargo bay from their seeker. Sidney found James and Fred attempting to stand a light pole back up and quickly helped get it on its tripod legs. James plugged the cord into the special outlet in the floor and spoke to the computer. “Computer, would you test light pole number three to insure it still functions after Fred let it hit the floor.” The light turned on and then back off. Fred walked to James and quickly wrestled him to the floor. Fred said, “The light hitting the floor was your fault young man, I think I will make you eat dirt so you remember to tell the truth….” Before Fred could finish the sentence, James flipped Fred over on his back, reached into the garden for a handful of fresh wet dirt. Fred said, “You wouldn’t do that would you? Trish watch as James touched Fred’s cheek with the dirt and left a spot of black wet soil. Within the time it takes to blink your eyes, James was on his back and Fred said, “Young man, paybacks are hell,” he picked up a handful of dirt and touched James cheek. James said, I give up I have been bested. Fred stood up, and then extended his hand to help James up off the floor. When James was standing, both of them hugged and patted each other on the back. Trish smiled at how her tiny little boy had grown into a caring, mature adult member of The Empress’s crew.

  **************

  “This is IFTT control to The Empress, attention Jill Yutaka. We have approved your flight plan request for travel to Universe Number Three for James twenty-first birthday celebration. Your engagement sequence program is now active, engage at your convenience. Have a great trip.” Frederica spoke to the IFTT commander and said, “This is Frederica, the Matriarch, and senior member of The Empress’s crew. We are teleporting the top layer of James birthday cake to your ready room. Please enjoy, and thanks for your assistance over the years. The skipper and Trish also thank you, and wish you and your family the very best. The skipper will send you a return flight plan later today for your approval. This is Frederica Wilson, aboard The Empress, signing off. Have a great day.”

  Jill double-checked the computer and IFTT destination programs and then readied her crew for time travel to Universe Number Three. Jill placed her finger on the green engage button, spoke to the computer, listened for the ready status signal, looked at Frederica sitting in the copilot’s seat and then began to speak to the computer as she pressed the green engage button. “Computer, did I properly set the….”

  The IFTT commander watched The Empress’s electronic signature disappear from his control console. He watched the screen expecting that a tiny electronics glitch had prevented the update of the vessels display on his screen. The electronic signature did not return. The commander spoke to his electronics engineer working in the receiving room of the vast electronics structure a few yards away. The engineer told him, “The radio receiver here at IFTT headquarters is working properly. I will send you the last recorded signature for The Empress and make sure it displays on your console to insure all remaining systems are still functioning properly. The commander watched the electronic signature of The Empress appear on his screen and then disappear. The engineer asked if the commander had received the display and the commander said he had. The electronics engineer said, “Commander, we need to think positive. Their Super 11 transmitter may have failed, could you transmit a message to the crew. Tell them that their radio transmitter might not be functioning properly and ask them to send a carrier signal to us if they are receiving your message. The commander said, “I will send that message now.” The commander pulled the instruction card from the top drawer under his control console and prepared to read the instructions to the crew of The Empress. When he was ready, he keyed his microphone and spoke slowly, “Jill Marie Yutaka, skipper of The Empress, this is IFTT control. We have lost your electronic signature on our monitor and cannot communicate with you. If you are receiving this message, the transmitter of your Super 11 radio may have failed. There is an emergency radio transmitter built into your Super 11 that will enable you to send us a carrier signal so that we know you are still safe. You can also use that carrier wave to send us a galactic coded message similar to the International or Morse code. To use this function, all you need to do is move the switch on the front of your Super 11 down to the emergency send position. Then key your microphone three times to allow us to know you have received this message. This if IFTT control, clear.”

  The commander pressed the save message button on his control console so he could resend the message later if he got no response from The Empress. The commander locked the high gain receiver for The Empress’s channel into the continuous receive mode and turned up the volume. He hoped that The Empress would signal him in the next few minutes, but he had a strange gut feeling that something had happened. That something he feared could have been another failure of a condensate modulator. The commander tried to remember how the older condensate modulators worked. Then he remembered his professor explaining to the class, “To accomplish travel from hover speed to light speed incorporates the use of a special condensate, which is simply a lump of atoms cooled to almost absolute zero. A beam of light shines thru the condensate, and by modulating the beam to the correct wavel
engths, the speed of light can be controlled and even stopped. When the correct wavelengths are input, you can change the speed of light from full stop to many times the speed of light. The travel computer can change this modulation and therefore control the travel speed of the eleventh-dimension travel membrane. To accomplish speeds above light speed, each temporal dimension’s energy wavelength is vectorially added and modulates the laser light’s amplitude.”