Newton's Law
03 Nov 2020Lochannon
Tara has really come into her own, thought Rick, as he watched his sister control the Tachyon with the ease and confidence of a veteran. Thinking back, he couldn’t believe it’s been three some odd years since he returned home from the Empire.Those were some lean times at first. Tara was always there though, credit pad in hand, smile on her face, smart-alek phrase on her lips just waiting to break free. She didn’t know the difference between an intake and a landing strut … but didn’t care … her brother needed so she gave. No questions asked. Well, not at first anyway, that however, changed.
The endless questions that were tossed out felt like being in a confetti shower …. “What does this do?” “Why did they design it like that?” “I would think they would make it in a more pleasant color don’t you?” Rick smiled to himself. His sister, so predictable. Those ending frivolous questions were a habit of hers. She did that so men wouldn’t feel intimidated by a girl smarter than they could ever hope to be, smarter than =he= could ever hope to be.
She always looked out of place in the landing bay, at first. Now, he couldn’t imagine a landing bay without her. His big sister. The day he bought the Tachyon, a brand new Anaconda, she was there. As excited as any kid on Christmas morning ….
“Ohhhh Rickie … its beautiful! I get first dibs on cabin choice!”
“Hey now, what do you mean cabin choice? You aren’t going into the black, and don’t call me Rickie …. I frickin’ hate that.”
“Now Rick, you’ve been training me for the last what … two years? You think I went through all that, and bankrolled your every move just to wave at you from the observation deck?”
“No I .. well I thought ... you were gonna … heck I dunno … nobody can figure you out.”
“Well, you don’t have to … I get first dibs!” she said while laughing. Turning quickly she ran to the Tachyon and disappeared inside just as he managed to shout out:
“FINE! But I’m still the Commander …. And you can’t call the Commander, Rickie, dammit!”
Echoing from within the ship he heard Tara say, “Whatever you say Commander Rickie.”
That was Tara alright, that was her way of following commands and still retaining the rank of boss. She did just like he ordered, she didn’t call him Rickie, she called him Commander Rickie. It has been Rick’s life experience that trying to stop Tara was akin to pushing back the wind with both hands. Sure, you can try, but it’s just going to blow past anyway and all you will accomplish is becoming tired and frustrated. He also knew though, she never =ever= did anything that would do harm. Well, at least not on purpose.
“Ah hell. Let’s go see where I am gonna have to bunk.”, he sighed with resignation.
Once inside the Tachyon, Rick realized it was best to just stand back and watch her go. She was like an excited dervish … flashing back and forth … pointing to this … laughing at that … it was infectious. Within the flash of a moment he was caught up in her excited mood and let her have her head.
As it turned out, Tara left the intended commanders cabin to Rick. She said, “Meh, I like the other one better, easier access to the galley and to engineering. All true, but he knew she was giving him the nod that she recognized he was in command.
Now, here they are … in the black, Tara at the helm. Rick couldn’t be more proud of her, and she was one heck of a good pilot.
“Rick look! See that?”
Looking up after taking a sip of coffee, Rick walks up behind the command seat, peering ahead.
“Ah yeah, I see it … dirty ice roid … almost black … good eye Tara, just give it a wide berth.”
“Seriously Rick? Let’s check it out.”
Before Rick could offer up protest, Tara kicked up the throttle some forcing him to grab onto the command seat.
“Alright Tara, easy now, those things are a navigational hazard and for good reason … be careful.”
“No problem, I’ll just corkscrew over it … give us a great view and not a scratch on anything.”
“Tara no … “, he said too late.
Tara pulled a beautiful corkscrew, wrapping up and around the asteroid while Rick, holding onto the chair with his one hand for dear life, felt the effects of centrifugal force push him down grounding him to the deck. Eyes wide, with a white knuckled grip on her chair, he stared at his coffee, held in place inside the cup like water in a bucket being swung in a looping circle.
“There see?”
“Good googa mooga Tara … don’t you ever ..”
“oh tiny rock ahead, nose dip …”
Tara slammed the stick forward pitching the nose down all the while forcing, without her knowledge, Ricks feet to become airborne and above his head … holding on with one hand … like a streamer off the back of her chair. Eyes wide with fear, mouth in a death grin, still staring at his coffee trapped in the cup all he could get out was “gggguhhhhhhh” as Tara pulled back up gently returning Ricks feet back on solid deck again.
“I love flying! It makes me feel so alive!” exclaimed Tara after they were clear.
“Yeah, I felt every second of life there for a bit too sis … tell you what … let me take over and you figure out lunch ok?”
“Ok Rick! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” getting up, she kissed Rick on the cheek and whispered, "I love you brother." and then she bounced out of the bridge.
“Ok Tara, thanks, I’ll be careful.”, he said while he flipped on the autopilot and let his head just drop onto the console.
Muttering to himself, Rick whispered … “You are gonna be the death of me yet sis.”
