here,” she said to herself as she stared at her display.
“Can you please tell me what this Red Flag business is all about?”
Cynthia looked up from her display and sighed. “I just don’t know if I should. I’m waiting for someone to tell me what I should do. Please be patient and let me get a grip on what’s going on. I suspect we will be receiving visitors shortly who will explain everything.”
“Are these restraints still necessary? I’m not going anywhere.”
Cynthia asked, “B.C., do you have him locked in?”
Jake heard a voice emanate from the walls, “Absolutely, Cyn.”
Cynthia got up and used her bracelet to break the electronic field of the shackles and they fell away from Jake’s legs. They immediately disappeared.
“Who is B.C.?”
“My ship’s computer. B.C. is a shortened form of Big Cheese. It was one of my father’s favorite terms for big shots and it fits him quite well.”
“I thought a ship’s computer had the same sex as the Searcher?”
“That was true more than eight thousand years ago when computers were bonded and imprinted to the Searcher, but the newest models have cybernetic systems that are pretty much autonomous. They’re built right into the ship already active.”
B.C. said, it allows us to be assigned to different Searchers without having to be reprogrammed.”
Jake looked around and said, “Well, hello B.C.”
“Hello, Jake. Boy, have you stirred up a hornet’s nest. I haven’t seen this much excitement since Cynthia took command.”
Cynthia quickly said, “Not now, B.C. We need to wait for instructions.”
“Why?”
Cynthia struggled for an answer and said, “Because.”
“I hate it when you do that; however, you’re probably right. We are treading in uncertain territory. Anyway, welcome aboard, Jake.”
“Thank you, B.C.”
Suddenly Cynthia’s com activated, “Permission to come aboard, Searcher.”
Cynthia signed, “At last.” She pressed her com key and said, “Permission granted.”
A silver screen appeared and a teenage girl stepped out of the silver screen. She was about five foot six inches tall, weighed about 125 pounds, and Jake thought she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen. She had amazing hazel eyes and jet black hair that hung down below her shoulders. She was wearing a rose and blue colored formfitting jumpsuit that made her look regal. Then he recognized her.
She looked around the small bridge and saw Jake, “My, you’re handsome for the fearsome criminal the casinos paint you up to be.” She then looked at Cynthia, “I am Valerie Rose, and I am a member of the Royal Family.” Cynthia bowed and Valerie walked forward and shook their hands.
Jake now started to get nervous. Valerie looked at him and quickly said, “The last thing I need for you to do is get nervous, Jake. Relax; you’re not in any trouble that should concern you.”
Jake answered in a shaky voice, “Easy for you to say. Then why are you here? People go all their lives and never see a member of the Royal Family. If I’m not mistaken, you are next in line for the throne.”
Valerie tilted her head, nodded, and smiled, “Ta-Dahhhh! You’re absolutely right. Give the man a prize! I would still feel much better if you would relax. Some rather dramatic events could take place if you get too nervous, and I’d like to try and avoid those.”
Jake shook his head, “What are you people talking about? All I’ve heard is Red Flag this, Red Flag that, most dangerous person in the universe, don’t get nervous! How could I not be?”
Valerie looked at Cynthia and said in a voice Jake could hear, “I like him. He’s so open and direct. Don’t you think so, Searcher?”
Cynthia was in shock herself from seeing the Princess. She looked at Jake and said to Valerie, “I know a little about what a Red Flag is, but your coming here has me, just like Jake, very nervous.”
Valerie laughed and said, “Both of you need to lighten up. The safest place in the universe, at this moment, is aboard this ship. So relax. It’s everyone else outside this ship that should be nervous. But we are perfectly safe right here, and that’s why I was sent now. To make sure I was safe in the event of an “event”. By the way, would you please move your ship to an empty area between galaxies?”
Cynthia started to speak but heard, “Already on it.”
“Thank you, B.C.”
Valerie walked over to Cynthia’s command chair and looked at the view outside the ship. The closest galaxy looked like a tiny speck of light. She took a deep breath and turned to look at Jake and Cynthia, “Well, maybe now we can talk. Why don’t we move to the galley and have a bite to eat. Anyone else hungry?”
Jake thought about it and realized he had not eaten anything for hours. “Well, I am, Your Majesty.”
“Lead the way, Searcher.”
Cynthia left the bridge and walked the hundred feet to the small kitchen. They each ordered a meal from the ships system and sat down at a small table. Jake was more hungry than he thought; he took a big bite of his sandwich. Cynthia just sat there not eating. Valerie was also eating and noticed Cynthia’s nervousness. “Searcher, I think you need to relax. We have some time to get to know each other and you’d make coffee nervous with the way you’re acting right now.” Cynthia picked up a spoon and started eating. “That’s better,” Valerie said. She looked at Jake and smiled, “Tell me why you went back into that casino, Jake.”
Jake stopped his sandwich half way to his mouth, then put it down. “I’d rather not, Your Highness.”
Valerie leaned back and said, “Jake, I want to share some things with you, but I need to know what kind of person you are before I do. If you want to know what’s going on, I need you to be open and honest with me.”
Jake looked at her and saw she had the most open face. He didn’t feel any danger from her. He was still amazed at how beautiful she was; he guessed she was about sixteen or seventeen years old. “Can’t you just look in my mind and see whatever you want?”
“Possibly, but that might cause things to happen I would rather avoid. Besides, I want to get to know you. I’m amazed that we’ve finally found you, and I’m excited at the opportunity to actually get to talk with you.”
Jake could see she was serious. He lowered his head, then decided. He told them about his childhood and how he had caused Robby’s death. He could not allow someone else to take the blame for his actions, and that’s why he went back to rescue Cynthia.
Cynthia listened to Jake and forgot her nervousness. “How old are you, Jake?”
Jake looked at her and said, “Nineteen.”
Valerie actually broke into a beautiful smile, “Good! You’re not too old.”
“‘Too old?’ For what?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. We are going to have to do something about Gambia; it’ just not right how the population is treated. Why do you steal from the casinos?”
The sudden shift in topic startled Jake. He looked Valerie in the eye and said, “I don’t.”
Cynthia turned and said, “Oh yes you do! You did it tonight.”
Jake shook his head and looked at both of them, “Tell me how I stole something tonight.”
“You knew the machine was going to payout, and you tricked me into moving so you could win. You prevent others from winning, too.”
Valerie tilted her head, “She does have a point, Jake.”
Jake smiled, “No she doesn’t.” Cynthia started to stand up and Jake quickly said, “Sit down, please, and let me explain.”
Valerie looked at Cynthia and nodded. Cynthia sat back down and leaned back.
“Cynthia, if someone was giving away food and I jumped in front of you in line to get it, what law have I broken?”
Cynthia thought a moment and said, “You probably didn’t break a law, but you were very discourteous.”
“Is that against the law?”
“Well, no, but food and money are different.”
“How?”
Cynthia struggled for a response and looked at Valerie, “Don’t look at me. I don’t see a difference. He tricked
