Calista Four, Stage Two free porn video

Calista Four, Stage Two By: Malissa Madison During the next week I had been given Duty time Chores on top of my off duty chores. I also met the other five officer's apprentices onboard. I was throwing myself into my work with added vigor hoping Momma wouldn't ask me about Stage Two again. I'd been thinking a lot about it and also about Patricia's behavior, and in my mind I linked the two together. I was sitting on my bunk in just me pantys when Momma finally decided to ask why I'd changed my mind at the last minute. "Calista, I know I promised I wouldn't push you faster than you were ready." She gently lifted my eyes to meet hers. "You were so excited when you left here, I just want to understand what happened." I tried to look down away from her eyes, but her fingertips resting gently under my chin prevented it. How could I tell her what I was feeling, how confused I was. I wanted to be a girl more than anything in the universe, not just any girl, I wanted to be her daughter. To make her proud of me, to shine at whatever I did. But at the same time I was afraid. Afraid I would end up like Patricia Clark, a wanton slut with no morals or shame. It scared me to the core, and my tears, though I fought to hold them back came unbidden, I could feel my entire body shaking with the fear. "Calista, what has you so frightened?" She gathered me in her arms, gently rocking me as I cried. "Momma I really want to but I'm scared. I don't want to become a Slut like Patricia, I don't." I held onto her tighter burying my face in the hair covering her neck. "What makes you think that would happen to you? You can tell Momma anything." "I, I saw how she was after she got the shot Momma. I saw with my own eyes how she screwed everything she could get to hold still long enough," I sobbed. "And, and Vicky told me she, she had a bit of trouble controlling her urges to at first." Now momma held me at arm's length by my shoulders staring straight into my eyes. "Calista Four Dalton, I am not raising a Slut. I am raising a very talented Astral Navigator, who could very easily become Captain of her own Ship one day." She paused for breath. "Now wipe those silly tears away and let me show you something." "Mona, Ships Log entries pertaining to Clark, Patricia, aka Patrick, please," she addressed our cabin AI. I saw a long list of violations and a list of sexual misconduct that ranged from shortly after he came on board up till she was confined to the Brigg. "Now list all entries of sexual misconduct for Turner, Vicky since she began Stage one up till present." There was only one listing, and I saw it had been Patrick who was involved. "Mona, what was her status in that incident?" "Turner, Victoria Ann, QM Security detail was the victim of unwanted sexual assault in her quarters while sleeping," stated Mona. "But Momma she told me herself she slept with guys and girls after she got Stage Two," I said. "Honey, those were brief discrete encounters. And very healthy, they helped her develop her own sexual personality, just like yours will when they occur. And Baby, no one will judge you." "You mean it isn't like some huge super sex charger thingy? You know, kick my sex drive into overload like?" "If anything was going to do that it would have been right after you got your Stage One Shot?" I had to admit I was feeling better now, having had so much explained to me. I felt silly for not being open with Momma when I first chickened out. She kissed my tears. "Feeling better now?" "Yes Momma," I giggled. Then moved to my chair and my vanity slid out of the wall. "What are you doing now?" she asked. "My chores, it's almost time for Dinner." "We have an hour before dinner, sweetie," she pointed out. "Vicky said the best time to take Stage Two was just before dinner," I told her. "And I'll need to rest for about six hours afterward. That will put me well rested for the Pegasus Jump point," I smiled. "Do you want me to come with you?" she asked. "Please Momma, yes." I looked at her, my eyes pleading for support. "In that case I better do my own chores, and then we'll go get you something special to wear for Dinner to celebrate." Her smile told me how much she had come to genuinely love me as her child, as well as her daughter. Walking beside her as we made our way to the Med Lab I really noticed how people looked at us. She commanded respect in the way she carried herself, and I realized I was doing the same thing. Just outside the door I giggled as it began to open. I smiled up at her then pranced on my four inch heels into the Lab and bent over the exam table flipping my skirt up and pushing my pantys down at the same time. "Ok Doc, Give it to me hard and dirty, I'm ready for it." "Calista, I sure hope you're talking about Stage Two, because you're far too young for me. Besides your Momma would have my balls if I did what it sounded like you were suggesting." I blushed three shades of red realizing how it must have sounded. "She truly is innocent in some ways, isn't she Doc?" I heard Momma snicker. "Oh to be young and pretty again," the voice startled me. "I'm sorry for the interruption Mrs Kenner," Doc said. "Oh by all means Doctor, take care of the young lady's needs. I'm old I can wait." "I, I'm sorry Ma'am." I was reaching to pull my panties up when Momma smacked my butt. "Not so fast, you came in here for a reason, remember." I giggled and pushed my butt out farther, only to feel the hypo-injector press against my right cheek, and before I could respond a second one injected into my left. Unlike Stage One, both of these stung a bit. But still I felt warm and tingly as it spread rapidly through me. I giggled as I rubbed my bottom before pulling my pantys up and smoothing out my skirt again. Then I spun around and kissed him saying thank you Doc. As I was floating out of the Lab I heard Mrs Kenner say, "I'll have whatever she just had." "I rather doubt you'd want what she just got, Ma'am." And then the door was closed behind us. Momma led me to ships stores again, this time she typed in Officers Dress and Formal wear. She selected the Dress uniform for Apprentice Officers, and then my ID. But I'd seen something that caught my eye that was even prettier. Ladies Dress, Mess, Formal. I could hardly take my eyes off of it. It hung past the knees, with petticoats, and four inch strappy heels. The sleeves were garnered in lace and silver ribbons signifying the Officers rank as well as duty assignment. I saw the look in Momma's eyes, the longing, yet knowing she couldn't afford it. "Sweetie, if you want it, you can have it, you haven't touched your personal account once since you got it." I looked at the total of my account on my PDA and about fell over. "Momma this has to be a mistake." I was astounded by the figure. "No Sweetie, that's after the deposits from both the Corporate and Fleet for the Riggs Drive, which you are the sole inheritor." "If, if I buy myself one you have to let me buy you one too," I insisted. She relented and let me buy it for her. Then looking at the time she asked if I wanted to be a bit naughty. When I looked at her curiously she tapped an intercom. "Civilian Lounge, Ladies salon, please." "Ladies Salon?" "This is First Officer Dalton, could you possibly squeeze my Daughter and I in, in time for Dinner this evening?" "If you hurry, Yes Ma'am. But it will make you a few minutes late." Carrying both new uniforms, Momma carrying hers we headed for the Salon. I let Momma select the hair style since I only knew two myself. Ponytail and hanging strait down. I know it only took forty minutes but it seemed like an eternity, as my hair was poofed and teased, trimmed and curled, and sprayed. My fingernails were manicured, and speed grown about a quarter inch longer than my usual shortness. Then polished in a soft pink, and topped with a clear sparkling top coat, the scent was intoxicating. I hadn't realized they were painting my toenails until I stepped into my heels and the Salon assistant helped buckle the straps around my ankles. They did my makeup in matching shades of soft pink. We were forty one minutes late to dinner, and I anticipated a write up in the ships log as a reprimand from the Captain. But he like everyone else just stood and stared as we entered to take our place. He was there behind Momma to hold her chair. Then Ensign Johnson held mine as we were seated. "Alice, the two of you never stop amazing me," began the Captain. "Such beauty and grace as yours should be saluted," he said aloud holding up his wine. Later he asked, "To what do we owe this wondrous occasion?" "She got her shots Andrew. And I was all set to buy her the dress uniform when she saw these and insisted on buying me one. So I decided we'd be naughty this once." I doubt it escaped anyone's notice that she called him Andrew rather than Captain. "You know I may just have to organize a formal function after the Pegasus Jump. Calista should experience it before she gets to the Academy." After dinner Momma tucked me in promising to wake me well before the jump. I drifted off to sleep dreaming about the short dance I'd shared with Vicky before I felt myself getting tired from the shots. I pictured myself with her in a similar uniform formal as we danced around in front of other Officers and Cadets. I could feel our lips touching and every caress. Oh how I loved the feel of the petticoats as they caressed my thighs. "Nav Apprentice Calista to the Bridge please." I woke up with a start. "Jump point in twenty two minutes." I rushed as I got ready, wondering why Momma had left it to Sylvia to wake me using the intercom. When I got there Momma was on the command deck with the Captain. "Definitely Delphi Raiders, Sir," stated Colson the communications officer on duty. "And they are vectoring toward the jump point" "Keep an eye on them, if they power up main engines I want to know it right away," the Captain said. "QM Turner, to the bridge." "Almost there Sir," Sir they just went full power, if we jump, we'll just drag them through behind us," said the Pilot. "Alice I need those jump coordinates like yesterday we have no choice. I'm not giving up my ship and its passengers." Vicky and her dad arrived a moment later. "We're jumping, since we aren't a combat vessel we don't have the right shielding, we'll be blind for five minutes after drop out. I want all your people armed and ready for a fight," directed Captain Clark. "Aye Captain, you'll have it." We were frantically crunching numbers to give us the best jump into clear space. "The longer we take to reach jump power as we start into it the closer they'll be when we come out," Momma said. I could feel the Star drive powering up, they were going to try to jump early. "Prepare for jump," "Maintain full jump power on the star drive, Ginger. Let them think were unable to achieve the jump," Momma said, a wicked grin on her face. "Alice what are you doing?" The Delphi were closing in behind us, bunching together to glide in on our power emissions and save fuel of their own. "Hold it, hold it, hold it," I was watching the rear screen seeing the three as they disappeared into our energy trail. "Hit it now," suddenly everything became a blur as I was pressed back into my seat. As the pressure dropped away I leaned forward to look at the numbers Momma had fed into Ethel's system. They were.ooo1374 off from my own, but still within a hundred kilometers. Then I realized she calculated for the late engagement of the jump engine. "Colson, notify Fleet to post warnings of possible debris in the Pegasus Jump Corridor," Momma said. "Aye Ma'am. Did we really just fry three Delphi Raiders?" he asked. "Let's hope so," she said. We began running scans of the area sending scans back toward the jump corridor. But all we found was debris from the Delphi ships. I was about to head back to begin rounds when Ensign Colson reported a signal. "It's automated Sir, from the Equinox, no other signal." I saw the quadrant it was coming from and began calculating a course. "The Equinox disappeared four years ago," Momma said. "Captain, you know we're obligated to check and report it." "Well Calista, give us the course, I know you've been calculating it." "Aye Sir, course laid in. It's all yours Roberts." "Engaging course change, in five, four, three, two, one, engaged." The ship made a gentle roll to port as we changed course headed toward the signal. "Don't stop scanning the surroundings, there might be more Delphi around, or worse," Momma advised. "What's worse than Delphi Raiders?" I asked Momma. "Skecksies," four other people said at the same time. The Delphi just sold people into slavery, the Skecksies mutilated them to harvest their brains for their Cybernetic systems. We were operating under a universal code that any ship no matter what would respond to any distress signal. Colson continued to try raising someone on the ship that was rapidly coming into view on the forward screens. The Equinox was almost twice the size of the Silver Light, she was a luxury liner, last seen some nine systems away. As we got closer we could see scorch marks from impulse cannons. Then there was the absence of several external bay doors. They'd been cut away. And other things attached around those bays. "Standoff at fifty Kilometers," called the captain. "Turner, assemble a boarding team, I need answers like yesterday. Alice, I want you to pull the Navigation logs. Especially the automated that tracked her every move since she disappeared." I jumped up to follow. "And where do you think you're going?" Momma asked me. "She still has one impulse engine running, we can set her on course to reenter Human occupied space," I pointed out. "Please Momma." "Stay close to Vicky," she said. It took us fifteen minutes to get everyone suited up. "Shouldn't we be taking more of the security teams with us?" Vicky asked her dad. "No, two teams is enough. I won't leave the Silver Light with less than three fourths of her security detail. Just in case." As the shuttle entered in through the main airlock Mr Turner said, "I want everyone on open Mike, report everything you see. Team one go with the Nav. Team. Team two, we're going to engineering. "They put up one hell of a fight. We have power weapons scarring all over the place." Everyone was reporting pretty much the same thing as we made our way to the bridge. "We have some sort of web like material near Engineering. Looks like it's almost a cocoon of sorts." "My atmosphere readings are showing Normal levels of oxygen. And the temperature readings are showing above human normal." We rounded the last corner before the bridge and found the internal atmospheric doors closed. Momma reported it. Suddenly as we got closer to the doors that would open onto the bridge the ones behind us closed. "I think we have someone alive up here, the internal doors just closed," Vicky reported moments before the bridge shield doors opened. "Arachnid, we have an Arachnid on the bridge." "Jones hold your fire damnit, that's a Brown Widow Phase Spider." "Dad you copying this?" "Got it, I pulled a copy of the passenger list. She was listed as one of the dignitaries." "Silver Light, we need a med team right away. She needs blood or she won't make it." "How'd she last out four years?" was the question from the captain. "It looks like she cocooned herself and went into hyper sleep. Do we have anyone who can translate?" I was staring at her, I couldn't break eye contact with her. "You look familiar childling. Come closer, let me touch you that I might know you better." One long jointed leg reached out toward me and I touched it. The fine soft hairs wrapping around my arm, warm and soothing. "Ahhh, an old friend. But how is this possible. You are younger, Janet Riggs." Came the voice in my head. She read the thoughts as fast as I could think them, and then I thought how lonely she must have been these last four years alone on the ship. "Alone no, just lonely. They killed many of my guardians you know." I caught a vision of six limbed creatures much like Arachnids but with no fur covering their hard bodies. "Skecksies," I breathed aloud. "Calista, is she communicating to you?" I heard my Momma ask. And suddenly the link was lessened allowing me to tell her what was happening. The Skecksies had attacked out of nowhere. Her guardians and the ships security fought them off. But the ship was too badly damaged, and most of the crew who could repair it had been killed in the fighting. Ruby, the Widow Queen had convinced the Captain to let them put them in hyper sleep while they tried to repair the ship and get help. But she didn't know how to navigate and they had been wandering ever since. "Well someone made a blind jump," Momma said. "Probably what saved all of you. It's a wonder you made it this far." "My guards? How many are left?" "Mr Turner, she wants to know how many of her guards are left alive in engineering." They found three still alive. And the med team had brought synthetic blood packs to feed them. When they checked the crew they found the Captain had died in hyper sleep, and there was no one experienced or senior enough to take command of the ship. The only surviving Navigator was like me, an Apprentice. The captain had raised Helconia and reported the findings. Then as we slowly began getting her back online while the Silver Light towed her toward our next jump point he gave Momma the news. "Alice, Fleet just appointed the new Captain of the Equinox. You know we can't tow you through a jump point. So as they say, 'The ship is yours Captain Dalton." He paused. "I'm sending Ginger over to you to help get those engines back online. But I need QM Turner back here. I think Vicky can handle the job as your QM until you reach port at Helconia. Is there anyone else you need?" "Thank you Sir, I already have two Navigators. Maybe a pilot and a communicator. We'll keep the passengers in hyper sleep until we get to the space station." Momma said. "Ginger is bringing a few of her people to help, she says she knows what you need." There was a long pause. "I'm going to miss you both, take care." As we cruised barely under light speed, I began getting the story from Ruby. We'd found an Arachnid translator module, but I was finding that I understood everything better in my head. "Ruby, why is it that I can hear you thinking to me, but no one else can?" I was curious. "Calista, my Sweetling, you share DNA with my old friend Janet Riggs. Remember I mistook you for her when first we met. We shared a blood bond that let us communicate and know each other's thoughts," it was explained. Suddenly I saw the images flashing in my mind. The two struggling together on a harsh planetary surface. Working to repair a damaged ship after a battle had crashed it, using parts from three others strange ships. The likes of which she'd never seen in any of the data bases. "Those are Skecksies fighter craft," she said of two. "The other was the Fathom." I felt great sorrow as I saw images of the dead crew. Then even more as the woman Janet Riggs helped her bury her dead. "Carisata, my only daughter," I felt more than heard through the link. The young Spider was only a quarter the size of Ruby at the time. "Riggs tried so desperately to save her. She bled herself to feed her in hopes of helping her gain strength. She named that planet after her, but other humans misspelled the true name. It was the first Human's had come into contact with the Skecksies." She grew silent and I saw through her many facetted eyes my old home system of Calista and all seven of her satellite planetoids. One leg extended out tenderly to caress my cheek. "My poor child, it seems we have even more in common." I could never get over how soft the fur covering her legs was. Yet it was so fine that it looked as if it was bare skeletal casing. "I gave up a Daughter to that world. And it gave me a new Bond mate. "I can see the Champion in you as I could your Mother." "Come we should introduce you to Jet. That way you can tell him how best to direct the other two in aiding your Engineer in undoing what was done to our Engines." She told me. "Momma, I'm going to Engineering, Ruby wants me to translate for Jet." "Stay clear of the damaged holds, we still don't know how well those patches are going to hold." She smiled at me. "If I need you I'll call." As we made our way toward engineering I was surprised to see someone heading our direction. I tapped a Com pad at the intersection. "Bridge, Momma Patricia is on board," I informed her. "Yes I know, I asked for her. She's our Senior Pilot." "Oh, thanks Momma." As we stopped even with each other in the hall, Patricia staring wide eyed at Ruby I decided to make it clear who was more senior. Pinning her against the bulkhead I got right in her face. "Patricia, I don't care about your past, I don't give a damn what you do in your own time. But if you do anything to harm anyone or this ship I'll kick your ass all the way to Fleet." "Yes First officer Dalton, I understand that, and I'm sorry I was such an ass before," she said. Something in my mind said I should bite her to make her loyal to me. "Ruby it doesn't work that way with humans," I said aloud. "Pity, you could have fun with that one." I felt a giggle through the link. "Janet Riggs used to have her fun with her crew, it kept them happy as well as loyal." The images flashing through my head left me blushing. It was my first time seeing Engineering on this ship, and I was impressed by its size. The outer portions of the engines were the Star drive components, I recognized the central portions that made up the jump Drive components. Currently it was the main sections of the three huge engines that was pushing the ship along through space. "Do you know why I chose this ship in particular to travel?" asked Ruby in my head. "This is a Riggs Drive, isn't it?" I said both aloud and through the link. "Yes," came two separate answers. Ginger was suddenly in front of me, an obviously Male Widow spider behind her. "Calista, can you tell this fool I need to get those drive crystals out to see if they're damaged?" "What's wrong with the translator?" I asked. "It takes too long, and it's inaccurate," I heard both answers at the same time. "Oh," I took out a hair pin and jabbed my finger, then offered it to Jet who obviously requested permission of Ruby first. Then he used one of his fangs to draw his own blood before pressing both wounds together. Almost instantly I could hear his thoughts and knew he heard mine. Spinning around he began his chittering at the other two who jumped into action. "Wait, you didn't even speak to him," Ginger said. "And he's telling the others to do what I told you I needed done." "It is a Blood Bond mental link, Ginger. But I have to warn you, it is a lifetime bond." I explained. "Cool I can bond with the three of them then and get everything done a lot easier," she was excited pulling out her little scribe. "Ginger, wait. You can only bond with one of them, if you bond with more than one they will fight to establish Dominance," I explained. "These are the only three left of the twenty who accompanied Ruby. She does not wish to lose any of them. Especially Jet, who is the only one old enough to become her next mate." Ruby began chittering, and I understood as she called another, 'Cling', back. "Tell her that if she wishes I will allow her to bond with him so that they can communicate." It was done quickly, and the look of amazement in Gingers eyes as she saw the way he saw her. "Ahh, I believe she understands how strong the bond is now." With a giggle she thought, "Yes I do." I suddenly realized that I heard her as well. "It is the bond link and sub links, they allow us to hear in such close spaces. I am linked to you and Jet. Jet is linked to you and Ginger and to Cling and Jump. It is a crossover of common bonds." Suddenly I understood that Jet, if released from the stronger bond with Ruby, would follow me to the ends of the universe. I had an image of Janet Riggs, followed by one of the huge Spiders as she boarded her explorer vessel the Fathom II, on her last flight before she was lost. "Torig, was Jet's brother. This ship was going in the right direction to find them," it was a simple statement. I wondered about the bond Riggs and Torig shared. "Yes they were more than just blood bonded." Was the answer that came back through the link to Me. I could see Ginger blushing and knew that she'd heard as well. Once the drive crystals were out it became clear that one was damaged. We couldn't use the three engines together to make light speed let alone jump. Then I realized if we added the good crystals to the two outboard engines, we could boost the power and be able to make a jump. But the cradles would need to be modified. "Girl they have to be aligned just perfect or we're just another meteor shower," warned Ginger. "They'll fuse and we won't be able to control them to shut it down." "Then I suppose you should be sure your team gets them perfect," I told her. "How long to get them ready for a test?" "We have enough from the middle engine to maintain power and systems. Give us about two days?" she conferred with Jet. "Two days." I opened the Com to the bridge. "Ma'am, we should be ready for a star drive test in two days. If all goes well Ginger can have us ready to jump shortly after that." "Damn that is good news. If Ginger can be spared for a few, I would like an officers meeting on the bridge," Momma informed us. At the meeting I was informed that my things had been transferred to my new quarters. It was going to be strange having my own Quarters. The next two days were spent checking and recalibrating the Navigation systems. The charts hadn't been updated in four years. I slowly got used to being watched by the Widow Queen, though she always stayed well in the background. I think she was fascinated with me for some reason. After several hours I decided I needed to get some sleep before we tested the main drive engines. I woke in my quarters after only a couple of hours, and knew I wasn't alone. "Calista, please may I speak with you?" Ruby requested. "Of course Ruby, we're friends," I told her. "You can ask me anything. Or tell me anything." "I can never return to my home. I would be killed by the new Queen, or I would have to kill her," I let that set in. "I have never harmed one of my children, and I will not fight my Granddaughter for the throne." "Ruby, what are you saying? Why are you telling me this?" I asked bewildered. Suddenly alarms began blaring in the ship. "Prepare for Hyper Jump, in ten, nine, eight," "Ruby what's going on?" "Six, five," "Calista, the Spiders have taken over engineering," Ginger called. "Two, one, Engaged." The electronic voice stated as the world blurred and I was slammed back in my bunk by the force of the star drive engines. "Ruby, what have you done?" I demanded. "Calista, I thought you of all people would understand," I was told. "Calista, we jumped without a course," Momma was frantic. "I need you on the bridge. We have to find out where we are as soon as we drop out." I hurried and dressed, rushing to the bridge. "Momma, I don't know why," I started to say. "Oh I know why," Momma said. "We are taking the Queen to where she can start a new Hive. Isn't that right Ruby?" "For a human, you are most perceptive. But you are only half right, we are following the course left by Janet Riggs." Said Ruby. "Her true course." We dropped out five hours later, into unknown stars. Ruby planted herself firmly on the bridge. "I will guide you to where you need to go. Then if you wish, you may go on about your own way." "Calista, have you any idea how to plot a reverse course?" Momma asked. Making eye contact with Momma, blocking Ruby out, I covered the jump clock with my hand. "No Ma'am," I nodded yes. The numbers and drop out location seared into my mind for use later. Later Momma, Vicky, Ginger and I met in the officer's conference room. "Momma I had no idea she was planning this, I swear." "I believe you. So what do we do until we regain control of the ship?" she asked us. "Patricia was the pilot on duty when they took over. I think we need her in this." I said. "Senior Pilot to the Captains conference room please," Momma requested. "You asked to see me Ma'am?" Patricia asked. "Do you remember the plot settings just before the Star drive kicked in?" With a wicked grin Patricia sat down on the edge of the conference table and lifted her skirt, spreading her thighs. "V24976, A39542, G341" was written just below the crease of her thigh. "So assuming there were no changes made at the last second we can reverse that for five hours, thirty three seconds from the drop out, and be right back where we started." I said out loud. "Take a closer look Calista," grinned Patricia as she lifted her leg so that her foot rested on the edge of the table. '40, 39, 38, 37, 36'. "That's where we went into actual jump blackout." "Crap we were in a steady glide path roll," "Exactly," Patricia said. "Spend the night with me and I'll tell you when the roll stopped." "Keep those numbers to yourself, and don't forget," I said scrunching my forehead as I blocked out Ruby. "I don't want to know them until we drop off our Queen and her Guardians." Ruby knew better than to try and engage me in polite conversation. She had betrayed not only me, but everyone aboard. She had used her link with me to learn to program the jump she needed. If she had only asked, talked with the rest of us. But she didn't, she seized control of the ship and forced her way upon us all. "I would have brought her here myself," Momma had said after I explained why she had done it. Suddenly an alarm from engineering got our attention. Jet was at the door in an instant to get Ginger. "Cling says the Starboard Engine is fluctuating." Two hours later she called the bridge. "Captain, we lost four Drive Crystals. We have enough to run both Engines in star drive, but there's no way to achieve a Hyper Jump. Not without new Crystals." The news was bad. Not only did we not know where we were. We couldn't jump out of here on our own power. I stayed on the bridge as much as possible, watching as we drew nearer to one of the planets. "Is that our destination?" I finally asked Ruby. "Yes that is the new home." Jet, Cling, and Jump became hyper active as they began work in one of the holds with the largest of the ships, three remaining shuttle craft. Ruby did something at the Com station and soon we were broadcasting a message toward the planet. "This is the Federation Cruise ship Equinox to anyone on the planet surface." It repeated itself over and over. "Equinox, this is the Fathom, State your business." "Fathom, do you have visual?" Momma asked. "Why yes, I almost forgot," came the answer. And then a still seeming middle aged version of myself came into view. "Commander Riggs, how nice to see you are still alive. I am Captain Alice Dalton." "Yes, yes," she dismissed Momma. "Ruby we have everything ready. We'd almost given up hope." "Janet, how is Torig?" A youngish looking spider with an almost human face came into view briefly. "Carisata, not while Mommy is busy. Sorry the young are anxious to meet you." "So yours and Torig's mating's were successful. And did I hear you named that beautiful one after Carisata?" We made orbit a day later and Janet Riggs insisted on meeting me in person. She made the short flight up to our ship. And the young Carisata accompanied her, seeing the nearly human face was a bit intriguing. But Carisata was more interested in the ship. Wanting to know why it could not land on the surface. I caught something between the spiders before I was blocked out of their mental loop. "Yes it will take many trips to get them all to the surface." I shot Momma a glance that told her something was up. "Ruby, Capt Riggs, if you would excuse us we need to see to checking the engines. But I would love to visit your lovely planet, perhaps tomorrow?" "Yes Captain Dalton, perhaps you and your lovely first officer," Riggs offered. "We'd be delighted," Momma answered. "Very well then. Ruby, My queen, shall we go for a hunt on the surface? I'm sure your Guardians would love to be off the ship." At the shuttle air lock however Cling stated he would stay behind. I barely caught a snippet of his excuse. "Someone needs to be sure they do not leave with the breeding stock." The moment they broke free to return to the planet Cling opened his mind to me again. "Quickly, we haven't much time." "You're right about that," Momma said, and Vicky and her contingent of security surrounded him. "Take him to the secure detention," Momma said. "Captain, Please. Tell Miss Ginger it is time to use the reserve crystals, but she needs to hurry before the shuttle touches down." Just then Ginger called from Engineering, "Captain, did they take Cling with them?" "No he remained to ensure we do not leave." "Good I need him fast. He's the only one who can align the Drive Crystals as quickly as we need." "Out of the question, Ginger." "Ma'am, it wasn't a request. He and I have been working this plan out for a long time. we have to jump before it's too late." Cling extended a feeler toward me and I made contact with him. Suddenly I saw the plan unfold. They were going to populate the planet with people to be used as food for the next generations. "I cannot allow this to happen." "Momma, Captain. We need him, we can trust him." Vicky go with him, Calista to the bridge now." Momma hit the intercom. "All hands prepare for immediate departure. "Pilot, plot us a reverse course but do not engage the star drive until you have the all clear from Engineering." "Aye Captain. Disengaging Orbit, and reversing course in five, four, three, two, one, engaging Impulse power, full reverse." Though we were ready for it the force of the sudden engagement of the impulse engines threw us against the bulkheads. Now that there was no more pretense I was suddenly inside Cling and Gingers conversation. "I already aligned the Crystals. As soon as we make the turn we have to jump." "We're too close to the planet, the gravity will throw off the jump coordinates." "We do not have the time to be nice, or would you prefer to become food?" "Captain, the star drive is coming online, what should I do?" asked Patricia. "Lay in the reverse course Damnit. Do it now!" We made the bridge as Patricia was inputting the last set of coordinates. "Captain, we have multiple craft leaving the planet surface," reported Roberts. "All hands Strap in. Prepare for emergency Jump." The stars became a blur as we were pressed into the jump seats. The sudden thrust of the engines as they reached Jump speed faster than anyone thought possible and then the blackout as we entered Hyper Space. My head was pounding. "Short slow breathes Calista. I need you now Sweetie." "Momma, oh gods what happened?" I was quickly trying to find a star that I could identify. The ships engines were silent, as we coasted on the momentum. "We're in trouble Sweetie. We were too close to the planets, they pulled us off course as we jumped." I was busy scanning all the Jump Data, when something caught my eye. "Oh shit," I gasped as I saw the energy readings going off the chart. "What is it?" Momma was on her way to the Navigators station. "Black," I gulped. "Black Hole. We got pulled off course into the Circes Black Hole." As I named the stellar navigation point the computer adjusted the charts to compare against those around us. "Hey that's Terrell's' Cross, We're home," shouted our junior Navigator. I quickly began cross referencing other stellar formations. They all checked out except for one thing, they were backwards. Our communications officer was busy sending out distress calls as the ships systems slowly began to come back online. "Captain, we need a med team in Engineering Stat," called a strange voice over the intercom. "Chief Engineer Ginger has a nasty head wound." "I told you I'm fine Cling, don't disturb the flight crew. Right now we have to get these engines back online," Ginger stated in the background. "All hands, damage report. I need to know about any damages." Momma told everyone over the intercom. "Ginger, if you are sure you're ok I'm going to send the med Team to check on the passengers." "I'm Fine Ma'am. But the engines are toast. All we have is the starboard engine running on impulse power." "Ma'am, if you let us shut it down we may be able to salvage enough undamaged Drive crystals to get the central engine to give us light speed." Said the strange voice again. "Who is this?" asked Momma. "Ma'am?" Captain, something really crazy is going on here," Ginger said. "Cling is speaking 'Universal'." Momma made the trip to Engineering to assess the damages herself. Fleet Starliner Equinox, Navigators Log, entry Twenty Four dash One, Senior Navigator Dalton, Calista 4. After an emergency near blind jump to escape 'New Arachnia' the ship was pulled off course and it is believed that we passed through the Circes Black Hole. However, though the stellar constellations match up, they are all in reverse. In addition Sub Chief Engineer Cling has suddenly begun speaking 'Universal'. Our forward sensors have detected what can only be traces of Pulse Frequency Energy, but no response has been received to our distress signals. I have plotted and laid in a course to what should take us to Helconia Station, but under only Impulse power that will take some weeks. Momma, the Captain, has decided to begin reviving certain of the passengers who might be helpful in solving our current dilemma. End entry. "It's good to see you're keeping up the Navigators Log Calista. Can I see you at the command station a moment?" "Yes Captain," I hurried as Roberts took over my station for his watch. She had out her Captains Log and handing me her stylus said, "Please sign this entry." "I Dalton, Calista Four do here by accept the rank and title of First Officer Chief Navigator, First Class." I was stunned, but quickly signed it. "Patricia, You and Vicky are next," Momma announced. Patricia quickly signed as the Chief Pilot and Vicky signed accepting the rank of Chief Master at Arms. Looking at the three of us Momma then said, "You have four hours, I think it's time you two completed the bargain with our Pilot." "Ma'am, you might want to see this," called the communications officer. "What is it?" "It appears to be some sort of wavelength fluctuation based signal Ma'am, coming from the direction of what should be Helconia." Suddenly our agreement with Patricia was forgotten as we began trying to refine and interpret the signal. The strength was definitely growing stronger, but we had no clue how to decipher it. Fleet Starliner Equinox, Navigators log, twenty four dash two. The star scanner picked up what might possibly be other ships headed in our direction two hours ago. They continue to grow closer and have begun transmitting the same message as before. A partial examination of Sub Chief Engineer Cling has determined that due to some sort of radiation flux he has been given the power of humanoid speech. Doc thinks it is the result of passing into a parallel dimension. The star scans strongly support his theory, and the Captain has ordered the passengers to be revived slowly. I sat on the bridge, on the edge of my seat watching as three of the strange craft began to take on more shape. They appeared to be some sort of deep space war craft. Though we have yet to see any signs of hostility. Suddenly we felt the Equinox lurch to a full stop. "Captain of the Ship trying to impersonate the Fleet Destroyer Equinox, please activate your visual screen," came a deep almost growling voice in Universal. "Uhh, listen, this is Captain Alice Dalton of the Fleet 'Starliner' Equinox. We are not trying to impersonate anyone. We made an emergency jump and were caught in the Circes Black Hole. More than that I can't tell you." We waited almost four minutes for a reply. "Please be sure the space between the Nav Station and Pilots Console are clear." "It's clear," Momma replied. We saw a shimmering field grow, then a shape begin to form and finally solidify. "Pardon me Admiral." The figure saluted Momma looking around excitedly. His eyes finally coming to rest on me. I saw his face twitch as his whiskered vibrated. "Callie, oh thank the Star Givers." "Excuse me, you would be?" asked Momma. He looked dumb struck for a Half Cheetah, Half Human as he turned his attention back to her. "Forgive me Madam but don't you recognize me. I'm your Son in Law, Churl." "Churl was the family cat back on Calista Four," I blurted out. It took us about thirty minutes to convince him that we really were who we claimed to be. During that time we discovered he was a Cheetah Furry, also known as a Kaidran in this universe. In our own universe Furries were just a myth "So what exactly is the story about the Destroyer Equinox?" asked Momma finally. "I'm sorry I'm not at liberty to say, just know that she was lost with all hands in heavy combat." He looked as if his life had been destroyed along with the ship. "We are towing you to dry dock at Helconia, perhaps Fleet will give you the answers that I cannot. But I suspect that all depends on Admiral Callidor." Churl's ship was named the Falcon, her crew consisted of himself and thirty two others. He stayed aboard the equinox with us as we were towed toward Helconia. When he first saw Cling his initial reaction was to growl a challenge. "Oh, so this is where we are?" responded Cling. "I assure you I am no threat to you or anyone else." "Cling what do, you mean, 'So this is where we are?' What do you know?" I demanded. "It also explains why I can talk now as well, Navigator Dalton." "Then by all Means, please explain it," Momma said exasperated over the intercom. "I would sure love to hear it." "Please Captain, it was purely an accident I assure you." He began. "When we accelerated to jump speed I was thrown back against the Port Crystal Chamber. I felt it happening but couldn't stop it. Honest captain." "What are you talking about?" I was confused. "Your friend here is a Phase Spider. Before transporters and interstellar craft they would have to form a link with where ever they wanted to go. Only this time he managed to link you all along with him into this universe," Churl explained. "What? How?" I was determined to find out. We had all these passengers depending on us. "If we got the Engines fixed could you do it again?" "I, I, I'm sorry, no. I cannot control a Phase Jump of that Magnitude. That is why there were three of us here with the queen when we did it the first time. Only we came out in the midst of the Skecksies. We lost Hektre getting away." "Wait, so you're telling me that New Arachnia is in another parallel universe?" "A Queen can draw on a Black Hole to create a portal that she can control between universes, to move entire colonies." "So why would she need to use a ship?" asked Momma. "She couldn't take the humans, they lack the ability to Phase between places." He lowered himself in the full submissive posture. "My true Queen sent me to find out what her mother was up to in having this ship built with the Colonies Money." "So you can pull up this portal to take us back, right?" I and Momma both asked at the same time. "Oh no, only a queen can control where a portal of that size would go." "And we don't have a Queen." It was a statement of dread. "I might be able to teach a new Queen. But it would take time," Cling said. "Absolutely not!" Churl stated. "We cannot have a Queen knowing this ability." "But what if she were human?" "A human Phase Spider Queen?" "Did you not realize that Janet Riggs is a Sub Queen?" Cling actually chuckled as the other ships officers began looking at me. "Why do you think she wanted you on the surface? You are a danger to her so long as you are alive." "The Lessor Queens of each generation kill each other off, it is instinctual and written into our DNA. Only the strong survive