Chapter 56

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.