MAU: The Adventures of Supergirl and Dawnstrike
Everything in here is fictitious and bears no resemblance to anything living
or dead. The MAU universe belongs to Elrod W. Superman, Supergirl and
Dawnstar belong to DC comics. Wolverine and Deathstrike belong to
Marvel. The story is mine and may only be posted to free websites.
Elrod W asked me to include a note about the characters and here?s what he
said: I would strongly recommend you get this story out to the community
quickly - they'll love it.?Please, however, add a note that your use of
Fwirthians and Agents C and D are not completely canon, but that I enjoyed
your use of them nonetheless.
This story depicts transgender changes, violence, BDSM and strong
language as well as young adult sexual encounters. It is very comic book
like. If you are below eighteen, leave. If you are below eighteen and
continue, you should be grounded from your computer for a week. Why?
You need time to figure out who and what you want to be before
questionable habits can control your life. In fact 25 is a good age to come
back to this stuff.
Questionable habits? This is not what a preacher in the Midwest or the
mayor would consider suitable reading material. Your parents, teachers and
coaches would have questions if they knew also.
On the other hand I hope anyone who reads enjoys. Comments are desired.
You may send them to
[email protected] or post at fictionmania.tv
This intro is too long, so on with the show.
CHAPTER SIX
Lara and I made our way slowly through the darkened corridors to the
recycling treatment station. The place would've been freezing were it not
for our special abilities.
I was really nervous about this. I wasn't sure how this was going to end. My
heart hung heavy yet, I knew Lara was excited. She was going to turn back
into Larry.
Hands greeted me next to a cabinet from which the hum of high voltage
electricity exuded. He explained that the power signatures helped mask the
radiation from the device.
"Who's going to use it?" he said.
"I will," I said and reached out to take the credit card sized metal card. In
the center was a yellow crystal about the size of a dime.
I had gone back to the library and looked up the Mark X. It was the smallest
unit ever produced. It stored patterns for later recall and provided a restore
original safety feature. There was no demo mode on this unit. It was full
featured right out of the box. It also could draw energy from any electro-
magnetic source. It could only affect a change on one being no larger than
a Scyllard. Not the barn sized unit I'd fantasized about.
I touched the red corner and a holographic display appeared above the
yellow crystal. I pictured Lara as she was right now with all of her abilities.
Then I changed the face.
Slowly I made the face more like Larry's real face. I made the eyebrows
bushier and almost a complete line across his forehead. I made the brow
more prominent. The eyes were rounder, and I turned them back to Larry's
deep brown. The lashes were less full. I left the cheek bones more
prominent, like the American Indian. The lips were less full.
I added the beard and shortened the hair back to shoulder length. I left a
little wave and then changed the color to Larry's original chestnut color.
I looked carefully and realized that I had made the image look like Larry
with all of the flaws removed. He looked like a Hollywood movie star.
Maybe he looked a little like Harrison Ford in his younger days.
The body was easier to create. I removed all the soft curves and broadened
his shoulders. The muscles stood out on his chest and his abdomen showed
a definite six pack.
I sculpted the legs in the same manner as the rest of the body. His hips were
narrowed and I gave him that firm tight butt that every man wants. Then I
was thinking about what I wanted to experience with Larry and remembered
Captain. I gave Larry's penis an increase in length and girth. Not humongous
but enough to be noticeable. I also increased the size of his balls. And that
probably would have been enough but I wanted him to have more. I provided
Larry with a little storage pocket that would allow him to have multiple
orgasms and to keep his erection as long as he wanted.
When I was finished I checked everything out once again and made sure that
Larry's features looked correct and that all of Superman's abilities were there.
Then I added the blue spandex suit made of the same monomolecular fabric
that I had used with everything else. I also added the red cape.
As I thought about all of this before the rendezvous I had come to realize that
Larry and I were going to need some clothes. I put over the blue tights clothes
that looked like a pair of black levis jeans, a black knit pocket T-shirt and a
black leather jacket with epaulets. On the epaulets were metal Superman S
insignia that held the radio and translator that had been in Supergirl's earrings.
The studded leather black belt had an admantium steel buckle with the
Superman S. I gave that buckle the same galactic position system and
weapon's alert system that I had in my bracelets.
Over Larry's knee high red boots were placed a pair of black leather combat
boots.
Finally in the image's hand I placed a shoulder bag that matched the color
of my outfit. That bag contained several items that I thought I might need.
I said to Lara,"Is this okay with you? Tell me now if there is something you
don't like. There are no changes after this."
"Hurry up you two we don't have all day. A security patrol could come by
at any time," Hands said hissing slightly.
"It looks fine to me. I'll be able to do everything I can now right?" Lara
asked.
"Yes," I said with my jaw firmly clenched.
"Let's do it," She said.
I touched the purple corner and set the device on the floor. A shimmering
yellow column about eight feet tall appeared. "Wait a minute and hold this
for me," I said as I reached up and unfastened my top and removed it. Lara's
mouth dropped open as I handed it to her. "Step into the column," I said.
Hands was looking at me as my breasts hung freely in the freezing air. My
nipples were erect. I stared at the beam that Lara entered. It thickened and
brightened to the point that Lara was no longer visible. Then the beam
turned off. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dark of the corridor.
I bent down quickly and picked up the Mark X. A quick flick and the
memory was erased of the original and transformed images. I handed the
device to Hands as I took the bag from Larry's hand. He stood tall and firm.
Somehow the image of an iron mountain came to mind. Lara, the Maiden
of Steel, no longer existed. She was only a memory in my mind.
I reached into the bag and pulled out a new top that looked just like the one
I'd given to Lara earlier. I quickly put it on.
"Hey, there was only to be one transformation, with minor changes. You've
changed clothing, and furthermore completely changed her into him,"
Hands said.
I smiled gently, trying to keep the tears back, "You agreed to one use. You
did not say what I could change or not change only it must be minor. I
changed a top into a bag. The changes I made to Lara are minor. She looks
just like a male for our species. She is fully functional too."
"You cheated me!" Hands said.
"Hey you! Stop!" a voice shouted in the distance. Then energy beams
whined all over the place.
"Boss we got to get out of here," another voice shouted.
"You've tricked me!" Hands shouted.
"Let's go," Larry's deep voice said.
"We didn't cheat you or trick you," I said. "We don't know anything about
this." I was trying to avoid the energy beams.
We ducked into shadows. Beams played all around us. Suddenly Larry was
standing in front of me. Energy beams flared off his chest.
"Grab the device and let's go," Larry said.
"No! That's not part of the deal," I said to Larry.
"What?" he shouted, looking at me.
I could see Scyllards advancing to where we were. Hands started scuttling
off down the corridor into shadows.
An energy beam nearly struck me. Larry grabbed me and took off flying.
We were back at the ship.
"You can't change back?" Larry asked.
I shook my head 'yes'. I couldn't speak. Tears began to flood my eyes. I felt
bad because I was stuck like this. I felt good because I was stuck like this.
I was happy that Larry at least looked kind of like himself.
"Why couldn't we just take the device?" Larry asked looking firmly down
into my eyes.
"I told you that we paid for one use only. Would you've really let me take
it?" I asked. I looked up into his eyes. I couldn't believe how tall he looked
at six feet four inches. He'd been six feet - even with me before. Now I was
shorter and it seemed he was much taller.
Larry looked down into my eyes for a long time. I wanted to cling to him.
I held myself back. I doubted he'd want anything to do with me. I used to
be a guy, now I was a girl forever.
He shook his head 'no' and turned away from me, "No, it wouldn't be right.
It wouldn't be honorable or just or fair." he whispered.
I let go a breath I hadn't known I held. I was relieved. If he was going to be
Superman, I felt he needed that sense of justice and mercy as much as he
needed the super strength and to fly. Otherwise I was sure that instead of
might for right and right for right, we'd prove once again absolute power
corrupts absolutely.
"Before these changes, it wouldn't have mattered to me," he turned back
looking at me and asked "Why now?"
"You yourself said you wanted all of Superman's abilities. Isn't one of those
his sense of justice and fairness. To always do the right thing?" I replied.
Larry thought about it and agreed with me. "Well it's too late to do anything
about it now but what about you?"
"We've been this way 4 or 5 days now. It seems to me like I've been this
person forever. Larry, I've become too attached to being this way to want to
change back. I was beginning to want to stay this way until I died even if it
meant being a freak as a girl with wings," I said.
"Are you sure? What are you going to tell your parents?" he asked.
"That's just it. I don't know. Maybe I can't walk on water, bend steel with my
bare hands, or see through skirts but I've got a face and figure that any girl
would give anything for. No more greasy hair, no acne, no geekiness. I
don't have to ask for a date. I can go anywhere I want," I finished
dramatically.
"Yeah, I'm sure you'll be able to just walk into school, or the mall or any
theatre. And how are you going to sit at a fancy restaurant. You yourself
have complained about the wings knocking into things. I'll bet Senior Prom
will be really special too," Larry replied. "But how are you going to explain
my change back and you didn't?"
"I'm not. As far as anyone knows you were always Superman and I had to
be Dawnstar or Dawnstrike to find the box's origin," I said. "After we
found out we were trapped; we discovered how to really use the thing."
"If you say so but, I think there will be problems," he said.
"Yeah I know. School for one," I said.
"You ready to go home?" Larry asked.
"If you'll get our backpacks, I want to go by the library for something," I
said.
Larry flew into the ship and quickly returned with our packs. I had been
with Larry or Lara for five days and I was still not used to his super speed.
I took my backpack from him. Larry looked at me strangely and said, "I
don't know why you need to go to the library," but gestured for me to lead.
I spread my wings and flew at a leisurely pace. I felt at peace flying. I felt
as if a burden had been lifted and I knew that my whole future would be
determined by what I am now. I think I knew that the obstacles and
difficulties would be great but somehow after overcoming the Scyllards
and Hands? dealings, I felt I could succeed.
When we landed I glanced at Larry to be sure he was following. I noticed
he had a definite bulge in his pants. I smiled to myself thinking that maybe
one thing had turned out right after all. I got a warm empty feeling down
below as I lead the way to the terminal I used earlier.
I touched a corner of the ring on my top and a blue ray scanned the
terminal display. I activated the terminal and a file began to scroll at light
speed.
"What's going on?" Larry asked.
"I transformed my top with you so that the ring acts like a Star Trek
tri-corder and can translate writings. It also acts like a PDA. I made sure it
could display date and time too. The Scyllards destroyed the watch you
made me. Right now, I'm downloading a file I created on star charts, major
races and empires, and space technology such as power, drives, weapons,
and shielding. I've got some medical and computing also. As much as
possible I included the underlying physics, math and chemistry too."
"What for?" Larry asked.
"Just a feeling I've got. I think we might need it," I said.
The file stopped scrolling. I checked it and saw the download was complete.
I verified the file was intact in data storage. I turned to Larry and said,
"I'm ready."
We flew out of the library and over to the docking ports and exited the
station. As we passed in front of the Scyllard ship that had caused us so
much grief we saw Hands in the docking tube. I waved to him. He gestured
at his men. They came out of the airlocks on either end and began firing at
us. Larry shouted, "What the?"
A beam struck my leg and I cried out in agony from the burning pain. Larry
flew in front of me and told me to go on. Then he turned towards the group
on the docking platform. Looking back I saw him rake his heat vision across
the group of men, the airlocks and the docking tube. Suddenly they had
more important things to worry about than us.
Larry caught up with me, "Are you okay?" he asked tenderly.
"I'm fine. It's almost healed already," I said and I showed him that the wound
was almost healed.
"I guess he really believes we tried to trick him," I said.
"Yeah," Larry replied. "I think though that the Queen Mother wanted to
make sure we didn't have any allies when we left. She was able to do two
things by her attack - verify Hands had a Morphic Adaptation Unit and
make sure no alliances remained. She was very shrewd. I personally hope
we never have to deal with a Scyllard again."
"Yes, I agree." I said. We reached the asteroids and I stopped. Larry stopped
too. We hung in space about twenty-five feet from each other. Asteroids
slowly spun around us. It was surreal.
"What's up?" he asked.
"This is where they attacked us," I said.
"Oh," Larry replied.
"Larry, I promised you that if you were good I would make it up to you. I
also haven't thanked you for rescuing me from the Scyllards, with Hands or
even as we were leaving and being attacked by Hands men. I'd like to do
that now I think," I said and moved up to him.
"What do you mean?" He said.
"This!" I reached up and kissed him pulling him close to me. Slowly his
arms came up and grabbed my butt pulling me into him. I felt a bulge
growing in his pants against my crotch. His tongue pushed through my lips.
I used my tongue to fence with his. I felt that warm moist feeling in my
crotch and it felt very empty. After several minutes I broke the kiss. "If you
don't want this or it weirds you out to much, we can stop," I said.
"All I see is one very hot looking girl whose butt I've been staring at since
we left the station," Larry said. "I just want to know that you're alright with
it."
I floated there with my hands up around behind his neck. My right leg was
wrapped around his leg. I looked into those dark chocolate brown eyes and
felt myself drowning. "I think that Captain rubbed out any reservations I
might have. I just ask that you be soft and gentle with me," I said.
"I think I can manage that," Larry said. He began to remove his jacket. I
helped him shrug it off and peeled the T-shirt up over his chest and off his
broad shoulders. It seemed that the S on his suit leaped off it was so bright.
I helped him peel the suit down to his waist. My hands played across his
chest. I found myself catching the hairs on his chest between my fingers ?
tugging at them. I played with a nipple. His hands caressed my butt. His
lips caressed my forehead.
I reached for the button on his jeans. I had those down to his boots and
realized they would need to be unlaced. I was tempted to extract a claw and
cut them off but I wasn't sure I could actually cut through the material.
Besides they were irreplaceable. I restrained myself and unlaced the boots,
slipping them off as quickly as possible.
Somehow Larry had flipped us around so that he was working my
moccasin boots off as I got his off. I worked his jeans and the blue suit off.
Larry floated nude next to me. His long thick cock rose up slightly from his
groin. It looked like a heat seeking missile and I knew I had a hot box
waiting for it.
"That's no fair," Larry said.
"What?" I asked.
"How come I'm nude and you're not?" he asked.
"Just a minute," I said. I pushed gently away from him and we drifted apart.
I reached up and undid my top. I unclasped my belt and shimmied out of
my outfit. I spread my wings and drifted back to Larry's inviting arms. He
kissed me passionately.
"Just a minute," he said and reached for my hair thongs. He undid them
very quickly and then gently undid my braids spreading my hair out around us.
"You look like an angel," he said. "I don't think I have ever seen anyone as
beautiful as you," he whispered against my ear.
My body felt on fire where we touched. My hands burned where I kneaded
the muscles of his butt. I felt a warmth growing in my abdomen.
He reached up and caressed my right breast. I found myself pushing my
breast into his hand and as he kneaded the soft flesh. I felt tremors shooting
into my groin. He kissed my lips. So many feelings coursed through me I
couldn't keep track of what was going on.
I felt something large and hard, only it was soft press to my opening
between my thighs. I parted my legs wrapping them around Larry's. His
shaft found the wet opening to my slit and he nudged forward. I tried to
push him in deeper. Larry pulled back and then pulled me hard against me.
As he speared me I felt something tear and I gasped at the unexpected
pain.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?" he asked tenderly, "Do you want me to
stop?"
When I could speak again I said, "No. It's okay. I think you popped my
cherry. Again."
"What? What do you mean again? I thought Captain seduced you," Larry
said. Holding me close, he leaned back to look into my face.
"He did. But that's what it felt like when you thrust into me just now. I
regenerate, you know. I think that you just broke my hymen again," I said
into him. It was feeling good having him in there now and I was alternately
squeezing and relaxing my vaginal muscles around his cock. I felt so good
having him there.
"You mean each time you have sex, it'll be like the first time all over," He
said.
"I suppose. I don't know for sure," I said. "Only time will tell."
"Oh, wow! I mean ouch!" Larry said.
I smiled sardonically up at him, "Yeah well we'll see if it really is like that,"
I said.
He moved within me. "Ooh! Keep doing that," I cooed. Larry began to
thrust against me in earnest. I wrapped my legs around his butt and reached
up with my hands to grab my ankles and pull my heels into him in time
with his thrusts. His broad hands wrapped around my waist pulled me
firmly into him. My breasts shook as he took me. My nipples brushed his
chest and I hungered for more of it. Urgency took control of me and I felt a
wave building that suddenly peaked. I trembled as orgasmic waves shook
my body. Through the haze I could feel Larry thrusting deeply into my
vagina. He groaned, stiffened and pushed deeper. I felt his penis spasming
in my vagina.
I felt myself wanting more. The added lubrication seemed to help and I felt
our juices seeping out. Some were pushed down through the crack of my
ass. I began thrusting harder against Larry.
"Here," he said. He pulled out of me and flipped me over and thrust up
between my legs. I felt empty and unfulfilled without him there. He slipped
easily into my sloppy pussy. I felt better having him there. He began
rhythmically pumping into me. I pushed back against him digging my ass
bones into his groin. His hands held my waist firmly. My breasts tugged
back and forth from the motion. I felt that wave crashing over me once
again while Larry pumped his seed into my body. This time he didn't slow
down. He kept going and I felt another wave building only this time when
it crashed it never subsided until Larry quit thrusting into me. I was only
aware he'd come again when he stopped.
I felt his breath heavily in my right ear as he lay across my back. His arms
up over my wings cupped a breast in each hand. I spooned up against him
wallowing in the pleasure of his warmth and strength wrapped around me.
When we'd caught our breath and come to ourselves a little bit. Larry asked,
"What did you do to me? I've been with a few girls and it was never like
that before."
I blushed. I hoped he wouldn't be made at me. "I added a little enhancement
to you." I explained what I'd done.
He chuckled, "It may be a good thing that the box doesn't work anymore.
You have too much imagination for your own good. Thank you. I just don't
know if anyone else could accept that kind of workout."
I suddenly bristled at the thought that Larry wanted to sleep with anyone
else. Wasn't I good enough for him. I realized though that there had been
no promises between us. Nevertheless, I couldn't stop the stiffening of my
spine or stifle the sharpness in my voice. "You'll be surprised at how many
people may just want to give you a thorough workout and leave you
gasping for more, Superman,"
Larry must have sensed my ire. "Well I don't think I want to test that out on
anyone else anytime soon. Shall we head home?"
I nodded and we proceeded to get dressed. I grabbed my backpack and
pulled a cleaning cloth from inside. One of those things I'd learned while
reading the library files. The cloth held small nanites that consumed any
material that adhered to the 'cloth' and broke it down into oxygen and water.
I used it to remove the stickiness between my legs. I passed the cloth to
Larry. I quickly dressed and stowed the cloth back in my bag when he was
done.
"Which way?" he asked.
I pointed and we set off for home.
We traveled as quickly as we could. Since I knew which way home was we
headed directly there. The first night we stayed on an asteroid in a yellow
star system. Somehow I couldn't resist Larry's advances and we made love
again. We did the same in the morning and the next night too. Each time
his initial penetration had broken my hymen anew.
The next morning, I woke up and felt someone on top of my back and
thrusting into me. I realized that Larry was fucking me again. He stiffened
and groaned. I realized that he was coming into me again. I felt used and
cheapened by this.
"Couldn't you at least wait 'til I was awake and ask?" I cried. "I'm not your
very own personal fuck toy." He climbed off me and I folded a wing so I
could roll over and see him. He began getting dressed.
"I'm sorry," he said, "I thought you'd like it. We've been doing it ever since
we left the station." Hurt and anger filled his face.
"Those times I was awake and could say I wanted you. This time I wasn't
even aware of you 'til you were finished." I said back sharply. "I just want
your respect Larry. I don't want you to think of me as a cheap slut."
"I don't, Jamie. I'm sorry. What do you want me to say? It won't happen
again," he said.
I cried. He stormed out of the tent. I could hear him slamming things
together packing up. I didn't know what I wanted him to say. I knew we
were going to be home today and maybe that's what had me edgy. Maybe I
just wanted to know he cared about me and how I felt.
When I got myself together, I cleaned up from the stickiness and got the
tent insides picked up. I checked my face in the mirror and saw my eyes
were puffy and red, my face blotchy. I used a little of the makeup I had
created for us. It helped some.
When I exited the tent Larry looked at me and didn't say anything. I didn't
know what to say either. I wanted him to hold me. I wanted him to say I'm
sorry again. I wanted him to say it'd be alright. The silence only seemed to
get deeper.
I collapsed the tent and packed the remaining items in my pack. He helped
me put it on and we were off without saying a word to each other. Suddenly
the closeness and camaraderie we'd felt for each other were gone. It was as
if a gulf had opened between us and I was left alone.
When we arrived at Earth we could see the North American Continent was
in darkness. Neither of us was tired yet.
"Maybe we could find a South Pacific Island with a lagoon and waterfall,"
I said. It was the first words we'd spoken to each other since we'd woken
up. "I'd like to cleanup and rinse off before we actually meet our parents.
Waiting 'til sunrise won't hurt anything."
"Sure. I see just the perfect place. Follow me," he said.
As soon as we hit the atmosphere, I felt like I'd crawled into a thick fluffy
blanket just out of the dryer. It was fresh warm and comforting. I felt my
wings flushing the wastes from them as they soaked up the rich life giving
atmosphere of our home planet. A sense of contentment and security filled
me. Hope made me believe that I could face my future without fear and that
everything would be okay.
The island Larry selected was perfect. We rinsed and splashed in the water.
The easy camaraderie of the trip seemed to return somewhat. Then we
splashed onto the shore and soaked in the energy of the sun's rays. Larry
started a fire and we roasted some fish over it.
"How long do you think we've been gone?" Larry asked.
"Nine days," I said.
"How do you know?" he asked.
"I scanned some radio and TV signals as we approached the earth. I caught
a news broadcast that gave the date and time," I said.
He gave a low whistle. "The folks will know we've been missing for sure.
School starts day after tomorrow. What do you think will happen when we
get back?"
"I'm not sure," I said looking out to the sea horizon. "Larry, you'll be able
to go back home and be yourself. Maybe if you want you'll lead a double
life kind of like Clark Kent and Superman but, I'm not sure I can."
"Sure you can," Larry said with false brightness.
"Thanks," I said, "But you said it yourself. Prom with my wings will be
special. You know what high school is like. Can you imagine what it'll be
like being the former boy who is now a girl with wings? Of course I could
come back to school as a foreign exchange student. I don't look like myself,
do I?"
"So, it's still you on the inside. That's what counts. I'll be there for you,"
Larry said.
"I'm so scared. I don't know that I even want to go home," I sniffed and then
broke into huge sobs. I buried my face in my knees and hands.
I felt Larry pick me up with one hand beneath my bottom and slide me onto
his lap. "Shh," he said softly in my ear. "It will be okay." He rubbed my
back and stroked my arms.
I found myself burying my face in his neck and clinging to him as I cried.
I think under other circumstances I would have found it erotic. I just found
comfort and strength in Larry's strong arms holding me. His hard muscled
chest seemed to be an anchor to support me. When I got myself under
control he said, "If you're ready let's go to my home first then we'll get my
parents and all go to your place together."
I nodded my head in agreement.
We landed at Larry's place about an hour after sunrise. I went to the barn to
get the Mark V. Larry called out, "Mom, Dad I'm home!"
I heard doors slamming open and a woman's voice scream as I entered the
barn. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the gloom. I walked down the
center to the back where the hay was stacked.
About two rows back the hay was all jumbled. It looked like the hay on top
had fallen into an empty space and a few bales had fallen to the side. It
reminded me of when one of the hay forts Larry and I had built had
collapsed because someone had jumped on it. I began picking up the hay
bales to restack them so I could get back inside the area where the MAU
had been stored. As I moved the bales of hay, although I had no problem
moving them, they seemed heavier to me and more awkward. I could only
think that because of my smaller frame and weight I was seeing the
difference from being a male now. I wondered what other surprises might
lay ahead for me.
I found the folded MAU just as I expected. You know how when you dread
something and you know it's going to happen but until you see it, it's not
real? I felt like that. Now I saw the MAU and tried to open it. It wouldn't
open. A sob and a tear leaked out of my eyes as I realized that the library
had been right, the unit was locked closed and I was stuck.
I firmed up my courage and wiped the tears from my face. I clasped the
MAU to my chest holding it in my folded arms like it was a book. I walked
slowly out of the barn trying to think what this might mean for my future.
When I reached the outdoors I spread my wings and flew up above the
trees and down to Larry and his parents. As I came to land beside them
their conversation seemed to stop and they followed me. I was a little
nervous about having that many eyes on me. Larry's little sister breathed
out softly, ?Mom, It's an angel! Are we going to Heaven??
I bent down in front of the seven year old. ?No, Laura. I'm not an angel.
It's me Jimmy, Larry's friend. I put on this costume and now I can never
take it off. I guess now you can call me Jamie instead.?
?Oh My Word!? Mrs. T said, ?I thought Larry was up to his tricks trying to
get out of a well deserved hide tanning 'til I saw you just glide over like a
sparrow. My word Jimmy, I just couldn't believe it was possible. Have you
been to see your parent's yet? No, of course you haven't. Larry just told us.
Well, we better go over with you to see if we can set this straight.?
Mrs. T was always a very pragmatic lady and made anyone feel
comfortable. Somehow her words just seemed to melt the chill I felt in my
heart.
?Lordy, George, get your tongue back in and close your mouth before all
the flies start landing there. Get your coat and the keys to the truck. Can't
you see this poor child's half-frightened to death,? Mrs. T said.
I blushed at Mrs. T's words. She was right of course and I had seen the look
in Mr. T's eyes. It looked just like a kid's in a candy store. Only thing was,
I felt like I was the candy.
?Larry you and Jimmy, er, Jamie get in the back of the truck. I think it'll be
alright to ride that way for the short distance we're going. I'll go call your
parents Jamie and let them know we're on our way,? Mrs. T said as she
wrung her hands on her apron, reached around back and untied it and then
proceeded into the house.
?Mom, I could just fly us all over,? Larry said.
?I'm sure you could, dear but, I think this is going to be a big enough shock
for Brian and Julie that we'll just take it gentle like on them,? Mrs. T said,
?just do like I said.?
Larry and I climbed into the back of their pickup truck. I sat on the side
wall and let my wings hang out. Larry sat on the opposite sidewall. ?See I
told you it'd work out fine,? he said.
?We'll see,? I said, ?but yeah it seems better.?
At length everyone was in the truck and we took off over to my house.
When we pulled up in front of my house, my mom came running out the
front door. I had hung back behind the truck as Larry and his parents got
out and went to greet my parents.
?Where's Jimmy? What's wrong with him?? my mother said. ?Please tell
me he's okay.?
?He's fine Julie,? Mrs. T said. ?He's just a little different from before.
Jimmy, come here please.?
I stepped from around the truck as Larry's dad and mom stepped off to the
side so that my mother could clearly see me. My dad just coming down the
end of the path saw me too. He stopped right where he was.
My mom said, ?What is this some kind of sick joke??
?Mom, it's me Jimmy.? I said. I stopped where I was watching her.
"That's not Jimmy, it's a girl with some slutty costume," she said looking at
Mr. And Mrs. T. ?You don't even sound like Jimmy," she looked straight at
me, "How could you be him?? she said and turned to Larry. ?Larry what
did you do with Jimmy? Where is he??
My dad walked up to my mother and put his hands on my mother's
shoulders, ?Stop Julie, let them explain what's going on,? he said.
I swallowed nervously. I said, ?We found an alien device that allowed us to
change ourselves.? I showed them the collapsed Mark V. ?We wanted to
find out where it came from. I thought if we transformed into superheroes
we could go to where it came from and find out how it works and to keep
it working. Dad showed me an old comic with Dawnstar from the Legion
of Superheroes. I changed myself into her to do the tracking since it was
my idea. We transformed Larry into Superman and set off after the trail I
found. Only thing is we found out the makers don't exist anymore and got
back too late to change back. We got stuck like this.?
?Dawnstar? Really? You can fly?? my dad asked.
I just spread my wings and floated up until my boots were above their
heads. Larry did the same.
My Dad's jaw dropped open. ?Jimmy really, it is you??
?Yeah, dad. So what do you think of Dawnstar in the flesh? Not exactly
PC now? Is she as hot as you thought?? I asked.
My dad gulped and opened and closed his mouth, ?Well, uhh, I don't?
well, you're certainly an attractive girl.?
?Well, I don't believe it,? my mom said, ?It's preposterous. This is some
kind of sick joke.?
?What do you want me to do Mom to prove I was Jimmy? Tell you about
the argument I had with you about watching Kelly? Or that you were
complaining about your back hurting and needing to lose twenty pounds at
breakfast??
My mom gasped and held a hand up to her mouth. ?How do you know?
Why did you?? she trailed off.
?One of the things I was thinking Mom is that if we knew how to really use
this thing, I could fix your back and maybe heal Dad's knee and high blood
pressure, just like we did Larry's ADD and dyslexia. Maybe we could help
a lot of people. I didn't expect to get trapped like this. I didn't expect a lot
of things that happened,? I said. I couldn't go on. My folk's rejection of me
being what I was now and the memories of what Larry and I had been
through were too painful. The tears had blurred my vision and I was too
emotional to continue anymore. I turned my back on them quietly sobbing
into my hands.
?It's okay, son. We'll sort all of this out,? my dad said. He put his hand on
my shoulder.
I turned around and hugged him tightly sobbing into his shoulder. He
stroked my hair and patted my back. I never noticed how comforting the
smell of Old Spice could be before.
?Now just a minute, Jimmy hasn't hugged his dad like that since he was
thirteen years old. He said that he was too big for that,? my mother said.
?Julie, what is it with you?? my Dad asked, ?Not a week before I showed
Jimmy my old LSH comics. We talked about Dawnstar and how weak she
was. She played only a minor role. I told him that I thought she was
created for a political role only. No one else could've known that, you
didn't.?
?Tom, maybe you're right but, I can't believe my son would turn himself
into a world class bimbo and then run around virtually naked like that,? my
mother said.
I blushed and felt extremely embarrassed by my mother's comment. It was
true but up until now no one but Larry saw me this way.
Mrs. T laughed. My Dad just stood gasping at my mom and looking
between Mrs. T and her and even I was a bit shocked at Mrs. T.
?Ooh! Oh my! I'm so sorry. I know it isn't funny but I grew up with seven
brothers. Up until they were about twenty-five I swear they used to think
that girls were tits and tail. T-squared or T and A they used to say. They
were always talking about who had the biggest or the best of whatever
body part. To be honest, the one I hated the most was when they referred to
white meat and dark meat for breasts and thighs. They were really into
comic book girls too. My mother used to get so mad and call them Playboys
for kids. I can't really imagine any boy not thinking that a girl would look
exactly like this. Actually, I have to give Jimmy credit. She really does
look like any girl you might see on television except for the wings. If she
had on a blouse and jeans you wouldn't notice how large she is up top.?
"But why a girl, Jimmy? Didn't you like being a boy?" my mother asked.
"Mom being a boy was just fine. When Larry and I started messing with
the box, we didn't know how it worked. In fact the first time I turned
myself into a kind of dinosaur. It was my idea to follow the trail back. I
was the one that knew about Dawnstar. The box read your mind. We didn't
know if I could add Dawnstar's ability to some other form. Later I added
Wolverine's abilities and Starfire's plasma bolt. Then we didn't change me
because we didn't know when it would quit. We wanted to be able to
change one last time. If we'd known it was on a timer only, we'd of done
things differently."
I was ashamed but I also had to admit, "Mom I also wanted to know what
it was like being a girl. They're always talking about how women can do
more, take more pain, and everything. Well, I figured no one else would
know except Larry because he was...my best friend. We were going away
and coming back before anyone knew."
"Okay, well it makes a twisted sort of sense. Are you sure there's no going
back?" she asked. She came up to me and put her hands on my upper arms.
She looked into my eyes and I could see tears glitter in them.
A few years ago I became taller than my mom. I was just getting used to
that. People used to say I had her eyes and nose. Now she was taller than
me again by a couple inches. I didn't look anything like her except for
being female like her.
"We found one device that would only make small changes. Just enough to
make Larry look like himself, then it was gone. We figured it would be
best if one of us kind of looked right. Larry was the easiest to change back.
We barely got that," I said. I realized I wasn't telling the whole truth to my
mom but it seemed the best standing there in the parking area.
"Did you say you have Wolverine's abilities too," my Dad asked.
I noticed the two and a half inch diameter metal pipe my dad had gotten to
build a hitching post for my sister. He'd never gotten around to it. I decided
a demonstration was in order. I told everyone to stand back.
I told Larry what I had in mind and asked him to pick up the pipe for me.
Larry told me to cut the pipe at a forty-five degree angle because it would
be easier to join later.
When I flicked out all of the blades my mom and Mr. T gasped. Then I
retracted them. I pushed out only the one first blade in my right hand. I
positioned my self to cut about six feet off one end and let the blade pass
right through the iron. I did the same to the other end and stepped back to
give Larry some room to work.
He tossed up the steel and while everyone was watching it come back down
sank the two end pipes, pointed ends up, into the ground. The top was about
waist high. He caught the falling pipe and using his heat vision welded an
end to each upright.
When he was done he stepped back beside me and he bowed and I spread
my wings to do a little curtsy. The parents and our sisters applauded.
Mrs. T was up beside me looking at my hand. My dad was too. "Are you
okay? Did that hurt?"
"I'm fine. It stings going out about like getting a shot but not as long," I said.
Mrs. T asked, "These lines are where the blades come out."
I nodded.
"What about these other lines?" she asked pointing to the faint lines on my
arms, ribs and hips.
"I got a little hurt while we were out there but, I'm fine," I said.
"That was some demonstration ya' all put on. Is that how you got all them
chores done?" Mr. T asked.
I looked at Larry but I guess I was the spokesperson for us again. I sighed.
One thing hadn't changed. "Larry did all of that. I lent a hand trimming or
cutting. I don't have his strength or speed."
"Well son, don't go cutting yourself short. Seems to me that was a good
piece of teamwork there. There's a lot to be said for people that know how
to use their strengths together to get a job done. And the person that makes
it happen," Mr. T said.
I was embarrassed at the unexpected praise. There was a bit of chatter
amongst the parents about what to do now. Then I was yawning. Larry
followed right after.
Mrs. T asked, "How long ya' all been up?"
I had to stop and think. "We got to Earth about 11:30 pm your time. That
was 4:00 pm our time. We'd been up since 3:00 am our time. It was now
10:00 am local. Twenty-three hours I think."
"Off to bed both of you. We'll hash this out amongst us adults," Mrs. T
said.
"Okay," I nodded yawning again. I grabbed my pack from the truck and
said to Larry, "See ya."
"Yeah. Later." he said and kind of waved and then yawned.
I turned and headed towards my house. I heard a boom as Larry broke the
sound barrier getting home. It felt so good to be back.
EPILOG
Jamie heard a car coming down the drive from the main road. She closed
the book she was reading and went to the loft doors to look. A black
Crown Victoria pulled up next to the hitching post. She stayed hidden in
the hayloft shadows as two men in black suits got out of the car and
walked to the house.
One of the men seemed to stay back. It seemed to Jamie he was watching
the barn as well as the house even though he never seemed to actually look
in her direction. She didn't like this at all. She realized the anxiety must
have set off her nausea again. She'd been feeling sick kind of like the flu for
about the last week, since the Indian summer began. She ran over to the
john that they'd placed in the loft for her.
Jamie finished cleaning herself up just in time to see her mother and the
man that went to the house walk out and join the one watching. The trio
walked towards the barn. This made Jamie even more nervous. She almost
flew out the door. No one came to visit her.
Agent D looked around the small country farm. It was quaint, almost
nostalgic like. It obviously wasn't a working farm. The place was more like
a farm estate with room for a few livestock and enough chores to keep kids
busy rather than in trouble. He wondered though if the person they were
here to see was the one he'd seen vaguely move in the upper doors of the
barn. He wondered if they were working in the hayloft or lived there. He
wondered what the transformation box might have done to them to force
them to live in the barn. Or was it that the person had moved there to avoid
problems in the house.
When they entered the barn he realized the person now lived there. Old
blankets and quilts partitioned the loft from the rest of the barn. The barn
was dusty and dim. Light came through cracks in the boards, joints, and
missing roof tin. A single ladder led up to the loft. The Midwest had
recently experienced a pretty strong frost. Agent D could not believe that
someone might have found the drafty barn comfortable.
"Jim...uh, Jamie, these men are from the government and they want to help
you. They know about the box," Mrs. Williams said. She looked at the men
apologetically and smiled at them.
There was nothing from upstairs but the sounds of someone moving around.
Agent D knew the girl hadn't flown out the window yet. He spoke up,
"Jamie, we think you and Larry found a piece of alien technology. You're
not the first. We're trying to find out what we can about it so we can help
people that get hurt by it. We also want to protect others from it. Can we
talk a little?"
"Yes. Come on up," a soft soprano voice called out.
Mrs. Williams said, ?I'll be in the house for a little bit if you need anything
then I will be leaving for town. Perhaps you can help her.?
Agent D climbed the rickety wooden ladder. Agent C followed right behind
him. When D got to the top he parted a blanket and entered the loft space.
He was careful not to let his face show any reaction to what he saw. In a
few quick glances he had made a thorough assessment.
The space was primitive. The walls were bare with two by four studs and
wooden planking. The floor was also one by twelve planking. Rough
wooden tall stools served as chairs at a bare worktable on the left wall.
Near the table was a laundry sink and cabinet. Over the sink sat a dish
drying rack with a single set of dishes. Above the cabinet was a single
polished metal mirror. Beside the cabinet was a flush valve toilet with
integrated seat. On the right side near the open doors was a narrow cot.
The cot had a thin foam pad covered by a pink colored mat. At the end of
the cot was a board with pegs from which two articles of clothing hung.
Next to that was a computer desk. Both tables were on cinder blocks and
raised off the floor so they matched the stools.
Some planks on shelf supports, tacked to the studs, held books, some
magazines, a few articles of clothing, and some knick-knacks. The end
wall was a pair of sliding doors, which were fully open. Agent D was
unable to tell whether it was by necessity or choice.
Standing near the doorway was a Native American young woman who
appeared to be between eighteen and twenty-three years of age. Her long
black hair was braided and hung to her waist. The ends were held in place
by leather wraps laced with leather ties. Her face was oval shaped and her
eyes had an almond Asian shape. They were a very expressive warm
golden brown. High cheekbones and arched narrow eyebrows made her
eyes seem deeper and more alluring.
The girl's clothing was minimal, consisting of an ornamented leather
halter-top and narrow loincloth and a pair of knee high moccasin boots
with thick platform soles. The top emphasized her breasts, which were on
the large side but not exceptionally so. The loincloth only highlighted the
swell of her hips and how well proportioned her body was. Her appearance
was clean, lithe, and trim.
The only truly exceptional thing about her other than her clothing was the
pair of falcon's wings, which swept up and around from the woman's back.
They seemed to emphasize her beauty and her small stature.
Agent D decided the girl was not drop dead uncomfortably gorgeous. She
was hometown beauty queen pretty. She also was very frightened and
nervous.
"Jamie is it? I'm Agent D. This is Agent C. We're part of a special unit that
investigates unusual or unnatural situations," He said.
D moved over to the nearest stool and worktable. As he sat down he noticed
that the book on the table had a pencil marking the place. The book was
titled: Advanced Calculus: Theorems and Applications. He did not think
that was part of the standard pre-college curriculum.
"You're real? I thought that movie was just a joke," she said
incredulously.
Agent C said, "It was a joke. It doesn't show anything about how it really is.
It's made our job twice as hard. If I had my way..." C trailed off. He looked
like someone that realized they'd said too much.
"If my partner's finished??" Agent D shot a warning look at C. "We are
real but we don't have any contact with extra-terrestrials or ET's. We work
for a branch of the government. Our job is to try and prevent any harm to
US citizens from real or imagined extra-terrestrial threats. We investigate
any situation that appears to involve an ET, which is why we're here."
Agent D took a letter sized manila envelope from his pocket. From it he
pulled a single photo.
"It seems to us you found one of these," Agent D placed the photo on the
table and slid it a little towards the table edge nearest Jamie.
The young woman licked her lips nervously. She looked out the window
and back at Agents D and C. You could see the struggle within her. Finally,
she squared her shoulders and walked to the table. She climbed onto the
only other stool at the worktable. Sitting on it her wings cleared the floor
by a half inch. She picked up the photo and quickly scanned it and then
returned it to the table.
Agent D breathed a sigh of relief. This girl had decided to trust them for
now. She had at least resigned herself to the fact that working with them
might be the best of a bad situation.
"Do you know what that is?" Agent D asked and gestured at the photo. It
was a standard question and usually opened the door to more discussion.
"Yeah, it's a Morphic Adaptation Unit Mark V manufactured by the
Gemalfi Corporation. Well that's the best translation anyway," Jamie said.
Both Agents C and D did an admirable job of retaining their composure.
They had never had anyone identify the device by a name before. This was
amazing and both agents looked to each other to confirm what they'd heard.
"Excuse me, you said a Morphic Transformation Unit made by the Gemfly
Company?" Agent D said.
"No - Morphic Adaptation Unit made by the Gemalfi Corporation," Jamie
corrected.
"How do you know that?" Agent D asked.
"Went there, asked," Jamie said.
"How did you go there?" Agent D asked.
"Flew there. You think these wings are just for looks?" Jamie asked. She
sprang up from the chair and went back to the doors. Agent D forced
himself to stay relaxed. He noticed that Agent C had tensed also but still
remained slouched against the wall next to the computer table. After a
minute Jamie walked back over and sat down again.
"Flew where?" Agent D asked.
"The Perseus arm of the galaxy, the edge of the Scyllard Empire, where
those things came from," Jamie replied.
"You mean a stellar empire is invading and dumping these things on us?"
Agent C interrupted.
"No. No. You've got it all wrong," Jamie said. She sprang from her chair
again and started pacing. She started mumbling to herself, ?Idiots. What
should I tell them? Someone has to know. I shouldn't have to do this by
myself. I didn't know??
Suddenly she turned toward the open door and Agent D started to get up
thinking the girl was going to fly away. It appeared that she was talking to
herself. D heard a faint buzzing sound as if in reply to her conversation.
Jamie used her earrings for the first time since her return to earth.
?Larry? This is Jamie. I need your help,? Jamie said. She stood in the
doorway hugging herself. Her wings folded about her. It was apparent to
Agent D that this was a very emotional experience for the young woman.
?Jamie, hey! Long time no talk. How are you doing?? Larry said.
?I'm fine. I have some g-g-guys from the Government here in the barn, the
hayloft and they're asking about the MAU. Can you come?? Jamie replied
softly.
?I need about ten more minutes then class will be over and I can break
free,? Larry replied.
?Thanks. See you then,? Jamie said.
Jamie turned around and seemed to be calmer and tenser. Agent D visibly
relaxed as the girl came back to the table.
?Look, I'm not sure I can explain what happened all that well right now. I
haven't been well lately. I think I caught a flu bug. You would think that
superheroes don't get sick. I have a friend that was with me coming. Maybe
he can explain this better,? Jamie said.
Agent D looked at Agent C and then turned back to Jamie, ?Have you had
anything to eat lately??
?I had breakfast, some toast and oatmeal,? Jamie replied.
?Did it stay down?? D asked.
?Yeah, I felt fine until just a few minutes ago,? Jamie replied.
?You know some crackers or toast might help right now. I can have C get
some if you want,? D replied.
?No I'll be fine. I just need to relax,? Jamie replied.
D signaled his partner anyway and C left quietly and unobtrusively down
the ladder.
While C was gone D asked simple things, like what Jamie's favorite ball
team was? What sports he liked if any? What his favorite color was? These
things gave him a good idea of what kind of person the kid was. It also was
apparent that being cut off from the family was hurting him. Jamie had
voluntarily become a prisoner of his own family. Whether it was to seek
their approval for what he had become or to atone for being what he was,
was not clear. Agent D was sure the kid needed a purpose and see she had
a future. He thought a different set of questions might help them understand
the situation better.
C returned and slipped the crackers to D without interrupting their
discussion on trucks. D took out a few crackers and handed them to Jamie.
She said, "Thanks" and began to nibble. "This does seem to help."
?Jamie, just for our records, what is your legal name?? Agent D asked.
?James S Williams,? Jamie replied.
?And you were born a human male correct?? Agent D said.
?Yes,? Jamie replied.
?And now how would you describe yourself?? Agent D asked.
?A Native American female with wings based upon the comic book
characters, Dawnstar and Deathstrike,? Jamie replied.
?Was this purposeful?? Agent D asked.
?Yes,? Jamie replied.
?Why?? Agent C asked.
The question caught Jamie by surprise. Jamie turned to look at him. Did he
mean why she became a girl, why those characters, or why change in the
first place? He was leaning against the wall next to her computer and books.
She looked back at Agent D. She considered her response and answered
the last possibility, ?I wanted to know where the device came from. I
wanted to know how long we could use it and what we could do with it. I
thought the best way to find out was to go to where it was made. If it had
been software or hardware made on earth I would have gone to it's website.
Larry had already determined it was not made here on earth.?
Suddenly there was a loud rushing of air sending the blankets blowing and
dust swirling through the air. When everything settled down again, Larry
was standing in the doorway.
Jamie stood up and turned around. Agent D watched carefully as did Agent
C. D glanced at his watch to see what time it was. Jamie was wringing her
hands and was acting very nervous. Something was between these two but
he was not sure what.
?Hey, Jamie. Got here as soon as I could,? Larry said, ?You're sure looking
good.?
Agent C watched the newcomer. The young man easily topped him at
height and was muscular although it was hard to tell underneath the black
leather jacket. But the black T shirt showed a fit and trim waist. The jeans
were snug but only emphasized the young man's athletic build. The long
auburn hair seemed somewhat disorderly but did not appear unkempt. It
also wasn't spiked or tipped as many young men were doing these days. He
thought to himself, that boy is fast.
Jamie blushed at Larry's comment, ?Thanks? she said, "This is Agent D
and C. They're from the government and here to help. And no, the movies
are not true and don't say it."
Larry nodded to the two men "S'up."
"Hi Larry," Agent D said, "would you mind joining us here?"
Larry walked over to the table with D and Jamie. She scooted closer to D.
Agent D showed the photo of an active device to Larry. He wasn't surprised
that Larry identified the device like Jamie. It was interesting that he looked
to Jamie for confirmation. It was clear that Jamie knew the most about the
device.
He was just starting to ask another question when Jamie's mom poked her
head up, "Jamie, I'm leaving...oh Larry, I didn't know you were here. It's
been such a long time since we've seen you here. How are you doing?? Mrs.
Williams asked.
Larry got up and moved over to the Ladder to see Mrs. Williams up safely,
?I'm doing fine Mrs. Williams.?
?How's school going?? Mrs. Williams asked. It seemed that she was asking
Larry the questions but looking at Jamie. Jamie had her head down and
seemed to be trying to ignore what her mother was saying.
?It's going fine. I've got several good teachers and I've really been able to
pull my grades up this year,? Larry said.
?That's wonderful. I hear you're taking Kathy Brea to Homecoming. I bet
you'll look real sharp in a tuxedo,? Mrs. Williams said.
Jamie's head snapped up and her eyes fixed on the back of Larry's jacket.
Her mom was blocked from her view by Larry's bulk. Suddenly, she
realized there were others present. She schooled her features into a polite
non-interest.
?Uh, yeah, Mrs. Williams. If I can find one that fits, nothing seems to fit
me these days except what I'm wearing now,? Larry replied.
?Well, come again. It was nice to see you. I've got to be going,? Mrs.
Williams said. Larry steadied the ladder as the woman made her way back
down to the ground.
?Homecoming, huh?? Jamie said as Larry returned to the table. She nibbled
on a cracker.
?Yeah,? Larry said.
?Who're we playing?? Jamie asked.
?Creekside, but they haven't got a chance,? Larry said.
?We're that good?? Jamie asked.
?Yeah,? Larry replied.
?What changed?? Jamie asked.
?Nothing much,? Larry replied, he looked embarrassed, ?Well the coach
asked me to play a little.?
?Is that really fair?? Jamie asked.
?I don't do anything special and I don't play much. I only play fullback,?
Larry replied defensively.
?You wouldn't have to do much except stand there,? Jamie said accusingly.
?Look can we talk about this some other time,? Larry asked. ?We're
wasting these guys time.?
?Sounds like you're enjoying school this year,? Agent D said.
?Yeah, it's the best ever,? Larry said.
?So what's your record?? Agent C asked.
?5-0-1. We almost lost to Mountain View and tied with Larkspur? Larry
said.
?What was the record last year?? C asked.
?1-9? Larry replied.
?Oh? C said. ?Hey, I wanted to ask where you got your jacket? My nephew
might like one if I can find one in his size.?
?Uh, Jamie got it for me,? Larry replied. ?I don't think there are any more
like it.? Larry looked even more embarrassed for some reason.
Jamie shook her head no.
?Jamie seemed to think you might be able to explain better about where the
transformation unit came from,? Agent D said, ?Maybe one of you could
tell us how you found it??
Over the next two hours Jamie and Larry told the two agents their story.
Some things were edited of course and a detail or two may have gotten left
out but the two men understood that there were a lot more of the MAU's
out there waiting for their next victim.
"We have some very good doctors that have dealt with several different
MAU cases. They can provide information on what similar transformees
have experienced and provide any counseling that might be needed. They
can make sure that 'bug' you have is nothing more than the flu. There is a
nice facility that you could stay in while they're doing the testing. Some of
the more exotic transformees live there full time. Would you be interested?"
Agent D seemed to concentrate mostly on Jamie as he spoke.
Jamie was startled by the question. Leave home? Go where a bunch of
freaks like herself lived? Let a bunch of scientists poke holes in her? After
having been captured, poked and tortured by the Scyllards she wasn't about
to let a group of humans do the same thing to her. ?I appreciate your offer
but I think I'll stay where I am. If you think I'm uncomfortable here in the
barn, you need to remember that I flew through the absolute cold of space.
I've also flown closer than Mercury to the sun. I can fly nearly sixteen
thousand light years in a day. What was uncomfortable for me and why I
moved out here is every time I spread my wings I knocked a picture off the
wall or a lamp over. I felt claustrophobic in the house. Here I can spread
my wings any time I want. I can fly out, as I want. I know it's a little rough
but this is a lot better than anything we had on our galactic tour. Believe me
the Scyllards convinced me that open space is better than any comfortable
confinement.?
?You're sure? I mean they can also teach things like makeup, birth control,
fashion. Just some of the things that guys don't grow up learning but girls
need to know,? D pressed one more time.
?I'm sure. Your offer is kind but right now I'm happy where I am,? Jamie
replied.
The two teenagers went down to the car with agents D and C. When they
got there, D asked one more question, ?Do either of you know Jeremy
Thatcher??
?Yeah,? they both responded. Jamie asked ?Why??
?He and his sister are both missing. They disappeared about the same time
you did.? Agent D replied.
?Oh my word,? Jamie gasped as she brought a hand up to her mouth. ?He
couldn't have. Could he?? she said turning to face Larry.
Larry just shrugged his shoulders, ?No one could've seen it unless they
moved the hay,? he said.
Jamie turned back to the agents, ?Sister? I didn't know Jeremy had a
sister.?
?Her name was Lisa. She was about ten years old and had severe cerebral
palsy. She could only go somewhere by wheelchair and Jeremy took care
of her while their mother was at work. Their mother is extremely upset. No
one knows what might have happened.?
?If he found the unit?? Jamie trailed off.
?Was there some reason for him to come here?? Agent D asked.
?We asked him to feed the animals while we were gone. We left him
twenty dollars to do it,? Jamie said.
"And the unit was?" Agent D trailed off.
"In it's active state. Buried in the hay so no one could see it," Jamie said.
"We didn't know how to put it into storage mode. It seemed safer there
than in the middle of Larry's room."
Agent D nodded. He didn't think there was any place safe for those things.
Apparently neither did the galaxy.
"Well no one knows if they found the unit. Until otherwise it's a police
matter. I'm sure their mother just wants them back safe," Agent D said.
"Maybe we can help?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah if anyone can find them Jamie can" Larry spoke up.
"I don't know. It's a police matter until we know differently. If they did find
the MAU and used it, there could be very dangerous reasons why they don't
want to be found," D replied.
"Come on what could be more dangerous than what we've already done?"
Larry asked.
"True. But officially we can't approve anything," D said.
"Okay," Jamie and Larry said.
"If there is anything more you want to tell us, please call," Agent D finished.
C asked, ?What about the unit??
D explained, ?Your unit, do you still have it??
Jamie nodded yes.
?Policy has been to collect them so that they don't fall into wrong hands.
We've been hoping to one day find out how to activate one. Your
information kind of kills that idea. Nevertheless, we still feel they're better
out of the general publics hands. May we collect yours?? D asked.
?I'll get it,? Jamie said.
She spread her wings, lifted, rolled and glided toward the loft doors. It was
the first time they'd seen her fly. It was a long time since Larry had seen
her fly. All of them watched with a sense of awe and wonder mingled with
lustful desire. Their eyes remained glued to her when she returned carrying
the unit in storage mode.
?What?? she asked.
?Just watching you fly, Miss,? C said, ?Very?graceful. Makes all of us
ground pounders feel a little awkward.?
?Oh, Thank you. I think,? Jamie replied. She wondered if that's what they
really felt. Suddenly she brightened inside knowing she'd inspired at least
a little desire in these very hetero males. Then she felt guilty for liking the
male attention.
"By the way how did you find out about us?" Jamie asked.
D pulled out the envelope wit