by Saxon Andrew
“JOSHUA!” Taffy yelled. Joshua turned back to the monitor. “Is there any way for us to detect those scouts?”
Joshua waved a hand at her, “That’s easier than you think. I just need to program your computers to see if part of the scanning beam has a hole in it where those scouts are absorbing the beam. I’ll set up the software before your ships are finished being modified.”
Grady quickly added, “Joshua, I’m sending you all the recordings we’ve made; will you send them to the military for them to examine.”
“Go ahead and send them. They’ll probably have some questions after you arrive.”
“Thanks, Josh.”
The monitor went dark and Grady fell back in his chair, “I’m tired, Taffy. I’m ready for a break.”
“So am I! Carter has finished building our new home in Billabong and I’m looking forward to seeing it.”
Grady turned to her, “New home, you say?”
“Yes. It’s on top of the Spring Hill Foods corporate headquarters building and we can land on the roof and send the ships to Joshua. Bob or Robbie can fly them to his site and we can take a break.”
“How are we doing financially, Taffy?”
“I’ll tell you after we take a break, Grady. It’ll take a while for me to look at our accounts after we arrive.”
Grady nodded and stared at the tactical monitor. Melbourne was a day away. He sat back and closed his eyes. Taffy put the Rabbit on autopilot and sat back as well.
• • •
Grady heard the alarms go off and he came up straight in his chair. Six small blips were moving at high speed toward the Rabbit and a face appeared on his monitor, “Col. Henricks, welcome back.”
Grady glanced at the tactical and saw the six ships were Rabbit Class Warships, “I didn’t know the Rabbits are being used for defense.”
“We started using them four months ago, Sir. Pilots were called in about a year ago to start training on how to fly them. You are free to proceed to Melbourne, Sir. I’ve notified Fleet Control of your arrival.”
“Thank you, Captain.” The six warships turned and headed back toward Melbourne. Grady turned to Taffy and saw her expression, “It appears they’re building a huge number of small warships, Taffy.”
“I did notice the blaster nodes on those ships were different from the ones on Rex.”
Grady nodded and then asked, “Does our new quarters have room for Dunhan and Abby?”
“It does. I’ll contact them and have them follow us in.” Grady nodded and took the ship off autopilot. He saw Melbourne’s star in the distance and he increased the Rabbit’s speed. He was in a hurry to get home.
• • •
The two ships arrived above Billabong and Taffy nodded toward the monitor, “Head toward the new building one block south of the Government Center.”
Grady found the government center and his eyes narrowed, “That building wasn’t here last time we came back.”
“It was being built at the time but wasn’t high enough to be noticed, Grady. That building is Spring Hill Foods new world headquarters building.”
Grady turned to her, “That building had to cost…” he could only shrug.
“It cost a little over a billion to build,” Taffy replied. “James paid for the building, but we paid for the top floor’s construction.”
Grady turned to Taffy, “Was the cost of our quarters included in the billion crowns price tag?”
“No. We paid for it out of our funds.”
“How much was that?”
“About three hundred million crowns, Grady.”
Grady looked back at the monitor and shook his head, “Do tell! Can we afford it?”
“Spring Hill Foods is now the largest grossing corporation on Melbourne. About a year ago, James found a process to add taste to the balls and sales exploded. He reduced the price of them, which only accelerated their sales. We can afford it, Grady.”
Grady sighed and turned the Rabbit toward the top of the new skyscraper. He flew away from the Government Center and saw their building was just as tall as the Government building. As he moved in toward the roof his eyes narrowed, “What is this?”
Taffy turned to the monitor and squinted, “I know the military gave us four armed transports for transportation, but I don’t know what those two white ships are doing on the roof.”
“They’re a lot larger than the Rabbit but they have the same shape and profile.”
“They must be a newer model, Grady. Let’s land and settle in and I’ll contact Joshua and see what’s going on.” Grady nodded and flew the Rex Rabbit down to the roof and parked beside the two white ships. Abby and Rory landed beside them and they met outside their ships.
Abby looked around, shook her head, and turned to Taffy, “Are you sure you have room for us?”
Taffy giggled, “I insisted that there be enough space for several couples inside and James insists I’ll like the plans.”
“How do we get inside?” Grady asked looking around.
Suddenly, a section of the roof in front of them slid back and a large column arose out of the roof. Taffy walked up and a door opened in the column. She looked at the other three and said, “James told me the elevator is keyed to our voices and appearance. It won’t open for anyone else.” The four moved into the elevator and it smoothly dropped one floor. Taffy smiled as the door opened, “The elevator can go down to other floors in the building, but no one can enter it but us.” They stepped out and looked around. The room was gigantic. Taffy smiled and pointed to the left, “Abby, your quarters are located at that end of the room. If you want some privacy, a wall can be raised between our living spaces.” Rory stared at the far end of the room more than a hundred yards away and turned to Taffy with his eyes widened. “Go check it out and we’ll get together after we clean up,” Taffy suggested. Abby and Rory walked away, and Taffy took Grady’s hand, “Let’s go check out our rooms.” Grady followed her and was amazed at the view of the huge city through the glass that surrounded the huge room.
• • •
That evening, Grady and Taffy sat with Abby and Rory in the center of the room on a huge sofa. Grady reclined it and smiled, “Now this is nice.”
Rory turned to Taffy and asked, “We need to build a place for us to live.”
Taffy instantly frowned, “That’s why I had the wall installed, Rory. Those quarters belong to you and Abby.”
Rory’s eyes narrowed, “Taffy, we can’t afford this!”
“It’s been paid for out of the profits from the robot parts company of which you are half-owners. You’ve already paid for it.”
Rory and Abby stared at Taffy and then blinked at the same moment. Abby looked at Rory and then said, “How do you know we’d want to live here?”
Taffy rolled her eyes, “Ok, if you don’t want to accept this, I’ll buy it back from you and you can use the funds to build a place somewhere else.” They stared at Taffy in silence and Taffy smiled slightly, “If you like the view from ground level, have at it. If you don’t like the privacy this place offers, or the amenities, or the location, by all means, go out and see if you can do better.”
Abby stared at Taffy and replied, “Taffy, the hot tub in our bathroom is large enough to swim in.”
“Wait until you try out the kitchen. Simply tell the computer what you want, and it will prepare the meal for you. Also, there are no parking issues up here. It will cost you double to duplicate this anywhere else.”
“How much did we have left after this was paid for, Taffy?” Rory asked.
“You need to keep better track of your bank accounts, Rory!”
“I don’t need a bank account out fighting Earth and the aliens.”
Taffy stood up, went to the wall, and opened a safe with her thumbprint. She took out two plastic cards and handed one to Rory and then Abby. “These cards give you access to your accounts. Joshua told me that after these quarters were completed, and paid for, you have three hundred mill
ion crowns in them.”
Rory and Abby were stunned by the figure. Abby shook her head as she replied, “Taffy, I know nothing about being rich. It was all I could do to keep my checkbook balanced.”
Taffy waved her hand, “Just forget about it. Use the cards and let the accountants take care of the funds being placed in your accounts.” Taffy thought a moment and then quickly commented, “I assumed that you would want a joint account, right?” Abby glanced at Rory and he nodded. “Good, that makes it easier. Grady and I have converted all of our accounts into a joint account and it’s made the transfers much easier and timely.”
Rory lowered his eyes, “What if I want to purchase a sports transport?”
Taffy giggled, “Buy ten of them, Rory. There’s room on the roof to park a hundred of them.” Taffy looked at Abby, “Have you looked in your closet?” Abby’s eyes narrowed, and she shook her head. “Do you remember the woman at that exclusive clothing store you took me when I first arrived?”
“I do.”
“Well, she has your sizes from when I took you there to purchase a dress for our evening out at the Roo and Rabbit Restaurant and she’s filled it with enough clothes for you to wear to any outing. That is a business expense and the price was written off our expense account.”
“Just how much is in the expense account?” Grady asked.
“James keeps it full, Grady. At the last statement there was half a billion crowns in it,” Taffy replied.
Rory shook his head, “Taffy, we’ve not done anything to earn those funds!”
Taffy looked up and rolled her eyes before turning back to them, “And what exactly have Grady and I done to earn them?”
“You’re the one that set up the companies and make the contracts with the government,” Grady replied.
“That’s the trouble with the nouveau rich,” Taffy countered. “You don’t understand that you acquire wealth by owning stock. Your stock in the robot industry is what’s providing all your funds. You earned that stock by going out with us and risking your lives fighting for the safety of Melbourne. Oh, you earned it alright.”
Rory looked at Abby and shrugged, “I guess I’m being rather dumb questioning this, aren’t I?” Abby smiled and hugged him. Rory turned back to Grady and asked, “So, what happens now?”
“I have to think about it, Rory. But first I want to find out what those two ships are doing on the roof.” Grady took out his communicator and pressed Joshua’s number. Joshua appeared on the small display and Grady smiled, “Josh, I notice there are two rather large white ships parked on the roof above our quarters.”
“Welcome back, all of you. Yes, I had them put there a couple of months back but I’m having them picked up tomorrow.”
Grady’s head tilted, “What’s going on?”
“They need to have the absorptive coating put on them before you can use them.”
“Why would I want to use them?”
“Grady, I know your attachment to the Rex Rabbit is pretty strong but the new Rabbits we’ve developed are far superior to the ship you originally built.” Grady’s eyebrows came together, and Joshua held up his hands, “Before you go all psycho on me, you have to realize that those two new ships are a direct relative to the Rex Rabbit. They are a product of your invention and should be just as much a part of you as the original. You’ll see your original design through out them and besides, they have two much larger bedrooms.”
Taffy burst out laughing and Grady jerked his head to her. “Ask him how they’re different,” Taffy said smiling.
Grady turned back to Josh on his communicator and Josh smiled, “Twice the power, eighty-percent faster, and capable of carrying more than six-hundred of the new mini-missiles.” Grady stared at Joshua in silence and Joshua added, “I think you’re going to need a stronger ship before you go out looking for the third colony.”
Grady’s head went back, “WHAT?”
Joshua’s head went back slightly, “I saw that Earth and the aliens are stalemated and I thought you would want to find the third colony. You were planning to find it, weren’t you?”
Grady glared at Joshua and heard Rory ask, “Were you planning to find the third colony?”
Grady glanced at Rory and sat up straight in his chair. “I really haven’t considered it.”
Joshua waved a hand at him, “Well, even if you aren’t, it’s clear the Rex and Roo aren’t strong enough to continue to go up against Earth’s defenses. You should use them if you go back to Britannia.”
Grady was silent for a moment and then said, “I’ll discuss this with you later.”
Joshua smiled, “It’s good to see you again. Welcome home.”
The call ended, and Grady put his communicator down. He stared at the floor and Taffy said quietly, “Is he right?” Grady raised his eyes to her. “Are we going to go and try to find the third colony?”
Grady looked at Rory and Abby, “What do you think about that?”
Abby raised a shoulder, “I must admit I haven’t thought about it either, but…I must say…I find the idea fascinating.”
Grady stared at Abby and then smiled, “So do I.”
Taffy quickly interjected, “We will not do that without taking the new Rabbits, Grady.”
Grady was still smiling when he replied, “I agree, my love. I’m not stupid.” Taffy hugged him and went to order the kitchen to prepare a meal.
• • •
Grady and Rory cleaned the table and Abby saw Taffy’s expression was apprehensive, “What’s bothering you, Taffy?”
Taffy sighed, “We were attacked both times we looked for Earth and Melbourne. I’m worried about what we may run into searching for the other colony.”
“I don’t think you need to worry about that.” Abby replied.
“Oh, why not?”
“Because we’ve spent the last two years avoiding attacks by Earth and the aliens. We’re smarter than you and Grady were when you went out to find Earth.” Taffy’s head tilted slightly left as she thought about Abby’s remark. “You also need to keep in mind that if Joshua puts the new coating on the rabbits…well…we’ll have an advantage we’ve not had until now.”
Taffy smiled, “You’re right. We can always back out and leave if things aren’t to our liking.”
Grady walked up and sat down, “Abby is right. We won’t just go barging in like the last two times. We should plan to leave when our new ships are ready.”
“Let’s not rush this, Grady. I need some time to decompress before we rush out,” Taffy responded. Grady nodded and put his arm around her.
• • •
Rory landed on the roof with Grady and stepped out of the transport. “How much longer do you think Taffy is going to need before we leave?”
Grady laughed, “Not much longer. Are you starting to get bored, Rory?”
“I am!”
“So is Taffy. It won’t be much longer. She’s wearied of all the financial questions being thrown at her by James and Joshua. She told me they could answer them, but they choose to depend on her. She misses the action and I can sense her restlessness.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“We’ll see.”
They took the elevator down and stepped out to find Taffy and Abby standing beside the sofa with packed bags, “It’s time to go!” Taffy said firmly.
Grady glanced at Rory and smiled, as he said to Taffy, “Are you sure, love?”
“Get packing,” Taffy ordered. Grady walked toward his quarters and Abby whispered, “I’ve already packed your things.” Rory laughed and hugged her. Abby was ready to go two weeks earlier.
• • •
Grady contacted Joshua, “Are the ships ready to go?”
“Yes, but it will take another five days before you can leave.”
Taffy blurted out, “For heaven’s sake why?!”
“I need to complete coating the missiles, Captain Henricks!”
Taffy sighed, and Grady said, “Let us know w
hen they’re done, Josh.”
“Will do.”
Taffy collapsed on the sofa and Grady smiled, “Let’s get out of here and on a beach.”
Taffy jerked her head up to him as Abby turned and ran toward her quarters. Taffy was up in an instant and Rory shook his head, “What is it about women and a beach?”
“Hey, speak for yourself, Rory; I love a good beach, too.”
Rory smiled and turned to go pack a bag, “I guess you’re right, Grady. You can’t beat a good beach.”
Chapter Three
“Grady.”
Grady turned to Abby and saw she was apprehensive about something, “Yes.”
“I’ve just received a message from Fleet Control and I don’t think you’re going to like it.”
“What’s going on, Abby?”
“The Senior officers have assigned another rabbit to go with us to look for the third colony.”
“Why would they do that?”
“They’re concerned that if Rory and I are lost, they’ll lose all the experience we’ve gained fighting against Earth and the aliens. They want the highest rated officers on using the new rabbits to go with us on this new mission. I don’t think it’s optional.”
“I could just tell them to shove it, Abby.”
“You could but Rory and I can’t. Remember we are still in the military and required to follow their orders.” Grady’s eyes narrowed, and Abby shrugged, “Maybe having three of the new rabbits would be a good thing. We are going into an unknown situation.”
“That will depend on who the two new officers are and if they will fit in with us,” Grady responded.
“They’re due to arrive in an hour. I’ll meet them on the roof and bring them down.”
“I’ll let Taffy know what’s going on and you can fill Dunhan in. We’ll sit down with them after they arrive.” Abby nodded and headed back to her quarters.
• • •
Desmond looked at the woman sitting in the driver’s chair on the transport and scowled, “I am assigned to pilot this ship.”