A moment before takeoff, Silas studied the control computer. Text and images filled most of the screen. When Silas tapped it, a virtual keyboard appeared, and he punched in the code.
The ship came alive. Lights flickered on from the computers, the holograms, and above them. Relda wondered at the sudden power.
"You've flown this since you were four?" She questioned as she seized control of the ship.
"Yes," Acelynn said, "but can you?"
"I'm forty," Relda said. "I've flown a few ships in my life. Other than the codes, the rest is pretty straightforward."
Silas and Acelynn sat cross-legged on the floor.
"The legal age for flying a ship is eighteen," she pointed out. "Four is too young."
Acelynn shrugged and said, "Well, with the Dialorians they don't care what's legal. Just what they want."
That much had become obvious.
"Who took care of you?" Relda asked.
"We've had caretakers," Acelynn said.
She shuddered, and Silas put his arms around her.
"Some were kind," Silas explained. "Some kept us separate. Some tortured us."
Relda's throat stung.
"How old are you now?" She asked.
"Eleven," Silas said. "We turn twelve next week."
Relda looked upward as she typed on the virtual keyboard.
"Setting the coordinates," she announced to the kids.
She noticed an intercom signaling configuration, and broadened the announcement to the crew elsewhere.
She gazed down at the kids.
"I'm Relda Tenner," she said. "You've met my children."
They nodded. Acelynn shivered and yawned.
"If you come with me," she offered, "I'm a kind caretaker."
Acelynn rested her head on her brother's shoulder.
"We want to," he said, "but my sister is weak."
He looked over at Acelynn.
"Medics don't think she's going to make it past our twelfth birthday."
Relda stroked Acelynn's hair.
"Well," she said. "I'll take care of you for however long she has."
Silas helped Acelynn up, and Relda gathered them in her arms. She looked past them as Klea approached.
"Klea, get the others," she instructed. "Have the oldest girls take one of our transports back. It's time to destroy the Temple of Qor. The rest of us are going to the training station and then on to Quadrant 3."