South Of Bikini- Travel For Friends And Family free porn video

South of Bikini Episode 5 "Travel for Friends and Family" 1301hrs, Five miles west of Tuba City, Arizona, August 10th, 2026 The banner stretched across the two-lane pavement in the distance read 'DARPA 20th Annual Fully Autonomous Solar Vehicle Ecological Challenge 2026'. "We're here! Welcome to the next millennium!" I said with excitement. "Where are we, Alex?" Ma said confused by the instantaneous scenery change. "As I recall, we're five miles west of Tuba City, Arizona. It's Monday the 10th of August, 2026, Ma, see?" I pointed to the banner about two hundred yards up the road. "This is real?" Ma asked. "Yep, feel the sand, Ma. It's real and you're really in the future! You believe me now, Pa?" He remained quiet and just looked around. I noticed two women approaching from the crowd gathered at the finish line. I recognized their clothes and their faces. Bri was already facing them. "Aunt Brie! You made it after all!" My daughter Samantha shouted as she ran the last few yards to us. "Hi..." "Samantha, Aunt Brie. Mom, is she okay?" My daughter asked as she stared in confusion at me. I saw her squint at me slightly; a look of realization then filled her beautiful face. She immediately knelt on one knee. "Empress! Welcome to 2026! It is August 10th, Empress." She bowed her head. "How many times have I told you people? My name is Alexandra!" I growled in annoyance. "Sorry mom, but you asked us to address you that way when you brought other people along." She rose from her knee and hugged me, kissing me on the cheek as she did so. "Sam, I'd like you to meet your grandparents, Fredrick and Dolores Steinert. Ma? Pa? This is my second daughter Samantha. I have no idea when she was born because I haven't got that far yet. Sorry Sam." I nodded to her as I apologized. "May 19th, 1952, mom! Geez, talk about CRS!" "Aunt Brie!" Cassandra greeted Bri. "Welcome to 2026, Aunt Brie!" "Hi..." "I'm Cassandra!" Cassie hugged Bri enthusiastically. She moved over to me. "Hi mom, good to see you again, and again, and again! You do know that two of you are over there in the crowd with Aunt Emily already, don't you, Empress?" "Yes I know I'm over there!" I stuck out my tongue. "Grandma and Grandpa, I'm Cassandra Steinert. It's nice to see you again. Oh, March 12th, 1950, mom. In case you forgot...again." Again I stuck out my tongue. "That'd make ya seventy-six years old and you seventy-four if this really is 2026! Ya don't look a day over twenty-one! How's that possible?" Pa was truly dumbfounded as he pointed to his two granddaughters. "Y'all both look so much like your mother, you could be sisters!" Ma complimented them both. "You could say that Grandma." Cassie giggled as she shared a knowing glance with her sister, Sam and I. "You two should go back with your Aunt Emily. I'll see you shortly, but don't tell your Aunt that I was here." I pointed to where I was standing. "But I want to stay here with grandma and grandpa a little longer, mom!" Sam complained. "Alright you can stay a few minutes more, until Ricky Lynn's car appears, Sam. Cassie you better go help Aunt Emily, honey." "Okay, but she still won't tell me how you do it!" "How I do what, Honey?' "How you keep multiple you's from completely driving you crazy! How do you keep them all straight?" "When I figure that out I'll be sure to tell you Cassie, now go- shoo!" I waved my hand toward the crowd. When my oldest was out of earshot, Sam started asking questions. "Aunt Brie, what's it feel like to be a boy? Did it hurt when you changed? How are Dee and little Fred doing? I haven't seen them in like four years! Dee should be about eighty-two now, right?" "Sam! Aunt Bri just underwent her Mahanilui seven days ago, time relative that is. Grandma and Grandpa have just found out about your Aunt and I, honey. Ease up with the questions, you'll overwhelm them." "I know, mom, I saw this day ten years ago, remember...oh, you probably don't remember do you? Hey, I see Ricky Lynn's car coming!" "Yes, Sam, I remember. I'm right over there with Emily, which is where you're supposed to be as I recollect- now scat!" "Sometimes you're too pushy, mom!" Sam embraced Ma and Pa. "Later Grandma! Bye, Grandpa! I love ya both! Don't be strangers, especially you Aunt Brie!" After hugging Bri, she embraced me and kissed me on my cheek. "I love you mom!" She then bowed her head to me again. "Until another time, Empress." Sam smiled, turned, and jogged back to the crowd. "Mind tellin' me what that was all about, Empress?" Ma asked with a raised eyebrow. "When I found out I could travel through time and change locations at will, the women we rescued from Kili Island started to call me the 'Empress of Time and Space'. They claim I'm some sort of Deity that their ancestors' prophesized about a thousand or so years ago. Believe me, I'm no one special, Ma!" "That's hogwash, Alex! Look around us! Look at that strange automobile comin' down the road!" We all watched as the 'Sand Dollar 4' passed by us in silence. "You're far from 'nothin special', child!" Ma hugged me tight. "You're both very special to us, Alex!" Her eyes were wet as she looked over to Bri as well. "Ya did us proud, Alex! I'm sorry I ever doubted ya, honey!" Pa gave me a hug too. It surprised me how strong he was. He also kissed my forehead- something he had never done before. "Alex, did she say I got two kids? One of 'em's eighty-somethin' years old?" "That's what Sam said, Bri or is it Brie now. I think Brie sounds better. Don't you, Ma?" "If that's what your nieces call you in the future it must be so, Brianna." "Great! Alex goes an 'girlies' up my name and her daughters who ain't been born yet give me a 'girly' nickname!" "You'll get used to it, sis!" I suddenly had one of my feelings. 'We should stay longer?' I asked myself. I got a big response. "Time to leave! Everyone hold on to me." "We have to go so soon, Alex?" Ma asked. "'Fraid so, Ma, I just got one of my feelin's. They kinda warn me as to something bad about to happen, so, ya, we gotta go now. Don't forget we can come back later. I know this really crazy blonde who can travel through time ya know!" "At first I thought you was crazy, I don't anymore, darlin'!" Pa mumbled. I felt better knowing he had accepted me. I made sure all three had a good hold before I jumped. The open desert and heat instantly became my bedroom again. The instant we arrived, I heard a knock at the door downstairs. "Freddy? Dee? Anybody home?" If memory served me, that was the Sheriff's voice. Brie recognized it too. "Alex, it's the Sheriff! He must be looking for us!" "Let him look Brie! Pa, we have to be going now. If the Sheriff asks, you haven't seen us, alright?" "Anyone home?" The Sheriff knocked a few more times then I heard the screen door spring groan as he opened it up to come in. "We have to go, Ma!" I turned and kissed her on the cheek. "Alex, put her back in the jail cell, honey." Pa said in a calm, controlled voice. "What?" Brie and I both exclaimed. "Put her back in the cell and yer Ma and I will drive up and get the charges dropped. I won't have either my daughter's runnin' afoul of the law. Now, please, put her back, Alex! You kin come by later an' take her back to the future. She kin stay here for awhile- sides, yer Ma could use the help with the chores!" The sound of footsteps on the wood stairs forced my decision. I grabbed Brie's hand and phased out just as the Sheriff appeared in my doorway. "Oh, sorry to interrupt, but I was just comin' to tell ya that... We were back inside the jail cell. "You behave yourself now you hear me, sis?" "Yes, oh mighty and mysterious Empress!" Brie bowed before me with a mischievous grin. "I mean it! A girl could find herself in a whole lot of trouble if she ain't careful!" "I'll be careful, big sister!" She smiled. "I'll be back in two months to check on you! Welcome home Brianna!" "You better go. Ol' Roger's comin'." "Hey! Who's back here?" The door opened and in rushed Deputy Kincaide. "You!" He reached for his gun. "Yes, Roger, I brought Brianna back to face the human judicial system. Our Council has decided this will teach her a lesson!" I turned to face my sister and gave her a hug. "I...I...I shot you the other day!" "You must have missed, or maybe, just maybe I can't be killed! You decide! Speaking of decisions, you should decide whether I was actually here or not, Roger. Your employment depends on it! Oh, by the way, it's not polite to shot someone in the back, Mr. Kincaide! If I can walk through these bars, just think what I can do to you. Now re-holster your sidearm, sir!" "How'd ya know I pulled my weapon?" "Really? Roger, if I can appear and disappear, walk through steel bars, and not be killed, would it not be possible for me to foresee the future also? Oh, Mary's pregnant. It's gonna be a boy, Roger!" While the deputy pondered what I had said, I said goodbye to Brie. "Until another time, sister." "Travel safe, Empress." I disappeared. 2100 hours, Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 24th, 1944 "Empreth of Time 'n Thpath, take me home!" "My word they disappeared again!" "Jack, did you get any hint to where they went?" "Sorry Emily, they just went silent like before!" "Mina, do you have any idea where they went?" "Not the foggiest, Emily! I don't think they went to the future, though. I would see that." "Mina, will she be doing this constantly? I think I would feel safer if I were back in the Sand Dollar's brig!" "Ensign, keep that attitude up and I will personally return you to the brig!" "I'm sorry, Miss Cummins!" "Mina!" "Yes doctor?" "Mina, I found them. I found Alex and Bri...Brianna. They're at the DARPA Competition! "Ah. Yet another item to tick off my list!" "You knew about Brianna?" "Only when she appeared in our future, doctor" "Excuse me, Lt. Scott, but who is Brianna?" "That's Alex's brother, Tish. She must have had some of Sand Dollar's water when Alex brought her forward in time. The last drink she had tonight must have been tequila or something just as strong. She underwent the Mahanilui. Alex calls her Brianna now." "Wonderful, we're going to need a bigger base!" "In my wildest dreams, I could never have seen our society expanding as it has lately, Jacquelyn!" "I find that implausible, Mina." "So do I Jack," I said as I rephased. "Where the hell have you been, Alex?" "Nice to see you too, Jack!" "Alex, why did you go back to 2026? Can't more than one of you in any given time cause problems?" Emily questioned. "Apparently I'm a special case. Does anyone have the correct time? I've been jumping back and forth too much to keep up." "April 24th, 1944. 2107hrs, Empress." Jack answered. "Would you like to see how far back in time I really could travel, Lt. Commander?" I grabbed her shoulder. "Sorry, but I thought it best to give you the whole deal, Alex. You did say you jumped so many times you lost track! With all due respect, ma'am, I wouldn't be a good first officer if I didn't keep my captain informed!" She said, immediately jumping to attention. Still glaring at her, I decided to have some fun. "You know... they fall to one knee and bow before me in the future, Jack. Do I not garner the same respect here?" I tried to keep from laughing. "That was Samantha's idea, Alexandra, after Cassandra called you an over controlling tyrant! Cassie was infuriated that you wouldn't let her go out with a boy from school. What was she, fifteen?" Mina scolded. "And just how could I know that, Mina? I just meet them last week!" "So we have a new sister, Alex?" Emily laughed and changed the subject. "Ya, Brie got into Sand Dollar's drinking water," I had to stop and think what day it was, "this morning, er afternoon. I found 'her' about fifty yards away from my tree house after we jumped back to Missouri." "What is a tree house, Alexandra-sensei?" "In my case, Tish, it was a wooden floor constructed around the trunk of a tree, maybe ten feet off the ground with a few boards nailed to the trunk to serve as a ladder. It was my private place while growing up." "The Imperial Army has something similar; they call them 'Watch Towers'." "Did I make a mistake putting that uniform on you Tish?" "Is the 'Empress' the only one allowed frivolity, Alexandra-sensei?" "How is it they treated young, homeless girls back in feudal Japan, Tish?" "Alex, lighten up! I think Jack's idea to inform you of the date and time when you appear to us is genius. It could serve as an official greeting identifying one of our sisters to you and help you get your bearings all at once. Leave Tish be; she's been worried sick that you wouldn't return and that she would somehow end up in the base brig!" "I know she has, Emily. I wanted to see what I looked like when I disappeared, so I stayed out of phase until after Brian and I jumped." "Why can't I hear you when you're 'phased out', Alex?" "I'm not sure, Jack, Brie is the only one I know that can hear me when I'm phased so far. She couldn't see me back in the jail cell, but she could hear me." A thought struck me suddenly. "She also knew the deputy was coming before he opened the holding area door! She can see the future too!" "Of course, Alexandra, you are all sisters! What did you expect?" "What jail cell, Alex? "I'll debrief in a few minutes. Just let me rest my feet." 'Alex! It's a girl!' "What was that, Emily?" "Excuse me?" "Didn't you just call my name and say 'it's a girl'?" "Why would I say that, Alex?" Of course she wouldn't say that! If Emily didn't say anything, then... "Brie! It was Brianna! If I heard right she just gave birth to a baby girl! Hell, I'm an aunt!" "Correction, we are Aunts, Alex!" Emily closed her eyes and shook slightly. "She named her after your mother, Alex- Dolores. A healthy baby girl, thirteen inches, seven and a quarter pounds, she's beautiful, Alex!" "You can see her, Emily? I didn't know you could see the past too!" "I can't Alex. We'll see Brie and her baby some time in the future." "You two...you three are frightening, you know that?" Jack shook her head. "Who lifted two men two stories in the air and threw them down an alley with just her mind, Jack? You tell me who's frightening!" My Ex-O began looking randomly around the ceiling, a forced, uncertain smile on her face. "Alex, can we go see our new niece? Please?" Emily pleaded. "For some reason I'd like to see your new niece too, Alex. I don't know why I would want to- some stranger desire, I can't explain it!" "It is your maternal instinct, Jacquelyn, and one of evolution's strongest! I would like to go along also, Alexandra, if you'll permit it." "I, too would like to join you, Alexandra- sensei." "Alex, Carroll's on her way up. I told her we were waiting for her report." Jack interrupted as she walked over to the suite's door and opened it- just as Carroll was going to knock. "You know, Jack, that is very disturbing!" I noticed the wide smile immediately. "So?" "So, what?" Carroll asked as she entered the room. "Report, Miss Sheldon! Your date...how was it?" Carroll's eyes took on a far away gaze. "It was wonderful. We sat together in a booth. He ordered for me. We talked. We held hands across the table. Our meal came. We ate. I couldn't take my eyes off him, Skip! He paid for dinner! We walked along the beach. When he held me I felt so safe! Oh Alex, I feel so strange! In a good way, I think! He asked me to dinner again tomorrow!" Carroll finished with excitement. "Alexandra-sensei is an Aunt!" Tish blurted out suddenly. "Emily-Chan is also an Aunt, Tish" Emily sounded annoyed. "Forgive me, doctor." "Wait. You don't have any sister other than Emily, so how can you both be aunts?" "My brother just gave birth to a girl, Carroll! Isn't that wonderful?" I beamed. "It would be if your brother was a gir...oh, I get it. You went back for him didn't you?" I nodded. "You showed him the boat?" I nodded again. "He drank some water while onboard?" "Yep!" "Let me guess, you all went out to celebrate?" "Unfortunately." I yawned. She looked around at all the excited faces and sighed. "When do we leave?" "How about in the morning, 0800hrs? I think the time changes have finally caught up to me?" I looked to everyone for approval. "Sounds okay to me, but you better have me back in time for my date with Philip, Alex!" "I think that can be arranged. See, I know this crazy blonde that can travel through time. I'll talk to her, Carroll." Lt. Sheldon fell to one knee and bowed her head. "As you wish, Empress!" "Did you ever go to the museum to see the dinosaurs, Carroll? Would you like to meet one in person?" She got a worried look on her face and swallowed hard. "I was just...never mind. I'm going back to the room, Commander. See you in the morning everybody!" she waved with a big smile on her face as she headed for the door. "I'm gonna take a bath and go ta bed. Goodnight everybody." I turned and headed for my bedroom to retrieve my nightgown and a clean pair of drawers, then went into the bathroom. It felt like I hadn't bathed in days. 1300hrs, Fredrick W. Steinert Farm, Oak Ridge, Missouri April 25th, 1944 "Welcome to Missouri, y'all." I exclaimed as soon as the farmhouse appeared in front of us. We all wore our dress whites for the occasion. "That was fantastic, Alexandra-sensei! Let's do it again!" "Later Tish." I heard a familiar noise behind us. "Pa, put the damn shotgun down! It's me, Alex!" I raised my voice in annoyance. "Hey! What in Sam Hill?" I heard a rustling sound and two distinct clicks. "Gimme that back! How'd ya do that, Alex?" I looked back at Pa to see his favorite shotgun silently hanging in mid- air in front of him. Both hammers were cocked back and he was two feet from its twin bore business end. "Jack, give him back his gun, please. I promise he won't hurt us." Both hammers slowly relaxed. The gun split at the breach and two shells popped out and fell to the ground, the breach then closed and the gun went muzzle up. It turned around and presented itself to Pa. He looked left then right for wires or some such apparatus then quickly grabbed the floating weapon. "My word, Alexandra, is that how you greet each other in this part of the colonies?" I just rolled my eyes at Mina. "Thought you told Brie you would be back in a couple months?" "I had just got back to Hawaii when I heard her call me, Pa! I didn't have time to get back ta 1942!" I felt five...no, six pairs of eyes staring at me. "I'm still new at this, y'all give me a break!" "Yes, Empress!" came back in unison from five of those pairs. "I can make a side trip you know!" I looked at my friends individually. "Pa, I'd like you to meet my friends." We walked closer. I pointed each out as I introduced them. "Lt. Philamina Smith, Lt. Carroll Sheldon, Lt. Cmdr. Jac...Jacquelyn Cummins, Ensign Takashi Moritsu..." Pa tensed up a little. "Pa, Tish is okay! She grew up in Hannibal!" I hoped she got my hint. "Howdy, Mr. Steinert! Congrats on the new 'rival!" Pa seemed to relax and cautiously shook her hand. "Ma'am." "Pa, I'd like to introduce my sister, Emily." "Nice to finally meet you Mr. Steinert, although, I had hoped it would be under very different circumstances." Pa looked at the two of us for a few minutes and shook his head. "Since when does my daughter call me Mr. Steinert? Ya pay me the same respect my other two daughters does, Emmy, ya hear?" "Whatever you say, Pa!" Emily giggled as Pa gave her a hug. "Welcome ta the fam'ly, Emmy!" He kissed her forehead. "Pa, how's Brie doin'?" I inquired. "She's restin' up, now. Somehow she know'd y'all was comin'. I didn't believe her...guess I was wrong again. You women folk give me the shivers!" "We get that a lot, Pa!" "So, how'd ya do tha...?" He pointed at his shotgun and let the question drop. "Short version? We each have our own abilities, Pa. Mina calls them our gifts. You've seen some of my gift in action already. Emily, Brie, and Mina can see into the future as well. Carroll is a wiz at mathematics. Tish can learn a foreign language in just a few hours, and Jack...well you seen what she can do just now!" "Fritz, you gonna keep flirtin' with them young ladies or you gonna let 'em come inside an' see little Dee 'fore she needs nursin' agin?" "You heard yer Ma! Y'all sachet right into the house, Alex knows the way! I'll be along presently." Ma greeted us at the door. I introduced her to everyone leaving Emily for last. "An' you must be my new daughter, Emily! Welcome to the family, child. Alex must think highly of you- she kept callin' yer name when she was on the mend from that bullet back in '42." "You were shot again? Why didn't you tell me you got shot again, Alex?" "I didn't have the chance, sis!" "The high an' mighty Empress of Time 'n Space don't have the chance?" Ma ridiculed. "Aw, not you too, Ma!" Laughter erupted from the living room. "Um serious, Alex! Someone who can move like you ought to have all the time in the world, child!" "Sometimes it doesn't work out that way, Ma! I had been back in 1944 for what, five minutes?" I looked around at everyone. "Before I heard Brie tellin' me I was an Aunt!" "Mrs. Steinert, I can vouch for our captain. She had just returned from this very house, and within five minutes she started hearing Brianna's voice in her hotel suite." Mina informed her. Our conversation was interrupted by little Dee letting everyone in the house know she was hungry. I immediately felt the urge to go to her. The sudden feeling or need caught me completely off guard. Looking around, I could tell the newborn's crying had the same effect on all of us. I guess my expression mirrored those thoughts as Mina met my eyes with a slight nod. "Land sakes! Hasn't even been two hours! Poor Brie's gonna go dry if this keeps up! Alex, go fetch little Dee for yer sister. Doc Miller wants her to stay off her feet fer a few days." "Mrs. Steinert?" Emily received Ma's patented 'What'd you just call me?' glare. "Sorry...Ma, I'm a Physician. If you don't mind, I'd like to examine Brie and the baby?" "Hey, Pa! We got us a doctor in the family!" Ma shouted at the door. "Quit yer bellerin', woman, you'll wake the baby!" Pa scolded as he immediately opened the screen door. "I was just comin' in, Dee!" He looked up at the ceiling hearing little Dee cry then looked to the floor and shook his head a few times. "Dee woke up not a minute ago, so don't be complainin' bout me bellerin'! Emily here is a full-blown doctor, Fritz, what ya think of that?" "Woman doctor, eh- well don't that beat all?" "Emily is an excellent surgeon, Pa. I trust her with my life!" I declared. "After I've seen our new mom and daughter, I'd like to look at that left hand of yours, Pa. Your index finger has a hairline crack that isn't going to heal unless I splint it for you." Pa just raised his hand and looked between that and Emily. "How'd you know'd I hurt my finger the other day?" "The same way I know Ma has been having pain in her right foot every time she puts weight on it! I could have that spur out in a matter of minutes, Ma, if you would like. You would be up and around again in a month, tops!" "Child, that foot's been painin' me for years. I've learned to ignore it. So, y'all can see people's diseases? Handy talent, child! Now get along up the stairs, the baby's waitin'!" As Emily and I ascended the stairs, her eyes kept alternating between me and the steps in front of her. "What's wrong with Ma, Emily?" "She should get that spur removed, Alex." She answered too quickly. "There's something else! I know that look, sis!" We stopped at the top of the staircase. "Alex, Ma has a lump on her breast. It's still quite small, but I'm afraid it's cancerous." Tears had started to form in her eyes. It felt like someone kicked me in the gut. "How long, sis?" "I don't know, Alex, I can't see it. Maybe I don't want to see it! I just met the woman, Alex!" She leaned into me as her tears began to run. As I comforted her, I used my own gift to foresee the outcome. "It'll be okay, sis! It doesn't end the way you think- not for a long time. Trust the Empress on that. Remember, she protects the ones she loves, Emily." My sister's head pulled back from my shoulder. I could see a slight smile emerging, as she looked me in the eyes. "The Mahanilui!" "If she'll go for it, yes." "What if she declines, Alex, you said she's twice as stubborn as you!" "I can only help her if she accepts, sis. Otherwise..." I let it drop. "Let's get Dee to her mom. I can't fight the impulse to go to her too much longer!" "That's your maternal instinct kicking in, Alex. We all feel it." There she was, Dolores, a red-faced squirming bundle of joy, crying for her ma. I swept down and picked her up like I had been doing it for years. It was the strangest feeling! The infant settled right down as I held her and walked into Brie's room. "Motherhood looks good on you, Alex." Brie teased as Emily and I approached her bed. She was sitting up waiting patiently for me to hand her daughter over. "Sis, I'd like to look you both over if you don't mind?" Emily said in her soothing, professional voice as I presented Dee to her ma. Brie immediately moved her pajama top to one side and moved little Dee close. The child knew exactly what to do and lunged. Brie gave a squeak and grimaced then let out a sigh. "Sure, but Doc Miller says I should keep off my feet fer a few days. Tell the truth, I feel fine, sis." Brie's voice had this unusual calm, satiated tone to it. "Doctor Miller doesn't know you like I do, Brie! Mind if I move the covers?" "Go ahead, sis, just don't do anything to make me jump! Dee's latched on for dear life!" "I'll let you know before I do anything to make you move suddenly." Emily reassured our sister. After several minutes, Emily determined that Brie was completely healed- not a surprise to either of us. "Do you need to examine Dee now, Doc?" "Nope I did that while I was examining you, Brie. She's as healthy as we are." "How'd ya do that, sis?" "Alex isn't the only one with a gift, you know. We all have a gift or two...or three." Emily glanced back at me with a smile. "Speaking of that, why didn't you come back in two months like you promised, Alex? You see what happens when you make me wait around?" Brie nodded to her sleeping daughter and gently placed her finger in the infant's mouth to break the suction. "I'm sorry, Brie, but I had just gotten back to the hotel room in Honolulu when I heard your voice tell me you had a girl. Once Dee was born, I couldn't come back. Remember what I told you about changing the future of those I care for? If I had come back two months after I had initially left, Dee here might not be. Can I ask who the father is? Anyone we know?" "You heard my voice? Way up in 1944? How is that even possible, Alex?" "I'm not sure, sis, but I heard you loud and clear. You said 'Alex, it's a girl'! We traveled here the following morning. Do you remember what you were thinking yesterday when the baby was born?" "I was kinda busy, Alex. I really don't remember too much 'cept Ma tellin' me ta push. Then it was over. After that Doc Miller arrived. That was pretty much it." Her face lit up as she thought of something. "I do remember wishin' you were here though, and I might have been thinking 'bout how to introduce you to Dee when you finally showed up again, I can't be sure, sis. It all happened so fast!" "Fifteen hours of labor, and it happened too fast? Child, you sure you didn't jump ahead in time like yer sister?" Ma said as she and the others entered the now crowded room. Little Dee never flinched. Brie slowly slid her legs out away from the bed and stood up. "Child, Doc Miller said to stay in bed!" Ma scolded her. "Ma, I just examined her. She's completely healed." Emily interrupted. Ma looked at Emily in disbelief. "Took me four days 'fore I was able to stand! What makes y'all think she's ready?" "Ma, there is something special about everyone that underwent Mina's Mahanilui." "Ya, I kinda got that figured out when Alex took us out to Arizona!" She said sarcastically. "What Emily is trying to say, Mrs. Steinert, is that we not only have received individual gifts, but that we have other common abilities as well." Mina explained for Emily. It was Jack's turn. "You see, ma'am, we can heal faster than normal people and we don't get sick either. Not only that, we live longer, too." "Live longer? What, a few years longer?" "Actually a few hundred years longer, Mrs. Steinert, three or four hundred to be sure." Ma started to tilt and reached for something to hold her up. Being closest, I caught her with Carroll's help. "So that's where you get it from?" Emily smiled at me. I ignored the comment and attended to Ma. "Ma." I tapped her face gently. "Ma, come on you got visitors! Ma!" She started to come around. "I must have been dreamin', thought you said y'all would live for four hundred years!" "It's true Ma! This Mahanilui that we all went through changed us in more ways than you can imagine- just ask Pa! He found out when we arrived not to mess with Jack here." I pointed to her. Ma gave her a confused look- one that dared demonstration. "Jacquelyn Cummins, put me down!" Pa's voice echoed through the house from downstairs. I immediately looked over to her. "Jack put him down before he wakes the baby." My finger went to my lips. "Oh, all right! Your mother dared me to demonstrate, though!" "You could have just told her, Jacquelyn!" "What fun would that be, Mina?" Lt. Smith just shook her head. "Mrs. Steinert, there are many advantages the Mahanilui affords us, longevity being only one. For instance, how you see us today is how we will appear three hundred years from now. We are also capable of procreating for just as long." Brie's mouth dropped at Mina's statement. Mina smiled at her in amusement. "Brianna Steinert that does not mean you must procreate for the next four hundred years, young lady! Please restrain yourself, dear. Mrs. Steinert, you are most welcome to participate in the Mahanilui should you wish to join us. I guarantee you shall suffer no ill effect. You will simply sleep while it works its magic, mum." Hearing Mina's offer, Emily and I looked at each other. We both shrugged our shoulders and resigned ourselves to her well-developed foresight. "What would become of my Fritz? Would he continue to grow old while I stay like this?" She motioned to her body. "Unfortunately, yes, mum, unless he decides to undergo the Mahanilui also." I lurched forward, a movement that both Mina and Ma picked up on immediately. Both stared at me- but for different reasons. "There is one small side effect to that option though, Mrs. Steinert. Mr. Steinert would have to remain celibate to any liquor for the rest of his very long life." "Why, what would happen to him?" Ma looked at her with contempt. "Ma?" I asked to get her attention. "This is what would happen." I motioned to us all. "You mean he'd..." She let the question drop. Mina nodded and continued. "But you would not look like you do now, mum! Your physical age would be returned to a youthful eighteen to twenty. You would look like you did when you first met your husband, and you would be cured from any or all ailments." Ma proved she was more insightful than she let on. "So yer sayin' I got some serious ailment, Lt. Smith?" I recognized Ma's tone. Her and Mina weren't getting off to a good start. "I said nothing of the sort, mum! I was simply illustrating the benefits of..." "Sounds to me like yer tryin' to sway me to take this mahayayho thing cause I'm dyin' or something! You found something more than a spur didn't ya, Emmy?" Mina dropped her eyes like a kid caught with her hands in a cookie jar, as did my sister and I. "Listen girls, I may notta made it past the third grade, but I kin still tell when I'm being swindled, Lt. Smith." Ma over-emphasized her name and rank- I had heard that before and I could see the fur risin' on her back- not good. "Yer not the only ones with special gifts, gals! I can spot when things ain't right a mile away! Now fess up, Emmy!" Emily took a minute to figure what to say then took a big breath and began her answer. "When I scanned you downstairs, I picked up a very small lump in your right breast. I'm afraid it will develop into cancer at some point in the future." Her eyes grew wet. "Look, Ma, I just met you! I'm in no hurry to lose you, or Pa!" Emily sniffed. "Why, what's gonna happen to Pa, Emmy?" her question was laced in contempt. I knew what lay next. Ma was getting' ready to blow any second. Mina suddenly looked like she was going into one of her trances. Slowly she repeated what sounded like an obituary. "Fredrick Steinert was found unconscious at the family barn outside of Oak Ridge, Missouri on Tuesday. Efforts to resuscitate Mr. Steinert proved unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead of heart attack by Dr. Theodore K. Miller, GP at 3:24PM. Mr. Steinert leaves behind his wife of twenty-nine years, Dolores Marie Steinert, an adopted daughter, Emily Scott, two daughters-in-law, Brianna and Alexandra. He also leaves four beloved grandchildren, Dee, Cassandra, Samantha, and Fredrick. Friends and relations will be received at the family farm through Thursday. Burial services to follow Friday morning at Oak Ridge Cemetery." Tears filled Mina's eyes as she snapped out of it. That did it! "Dear God, what are you people?" Ma choked out. "We're people just like you, Ma! Mina can see the future, as can Emily and I- and to some extent Brianna. I'm sure you noticed that by now, sis." Brie was still wiping her eyes with her free hand and nodded. "I need to put Dee down in her crib, excuse me a moment y'all." Brie knew what was coming next and wanted Dee out of firing range. Ma surprised me by taking a few steps back from exploding- maybe because she had been exposed to my gift previously? "All yer Pa has to do is stop drinkin'? This mahellabaalew will cure both us?" "As it has many of our sisters, mum!" Mina guaranteed. "Ensign Banes is a prime example, ma'am. She was dying of the plague until she went through it. She has never been sick since." Carroll added. "No, ma'am, we are in no way, shape, or form, related to or in league with, the devil, Mrs. Steinert! We are all God fearing women like yourself." Jack unexpectedly stated firmly to Ma's unvoiced question. The anger gauge just stepped back up a step. "You kin read minds, Jac'lyn?" "Yes, ma'am, that is also part of my gift." "What can you do, Tish, melt iron with yer eyes?" Ma asked sarcastically through her latent tears. "No, ma'am! I kin learn languages just by talkin' ta people. So far I learnt twelve different languages includin' four variants. Would y'all like to hear a few of 'em?" "Not really. An' you, Miss Sheldon, what kin you do?" "Nothing near as impressive as Mina, Jack, Emily, or even Alex, Ma'am. I'm good with numbers. I can calculate complex equations in my head, Mrs. Steinert." "Fine, next time we go to the bank for a loan, I'll call ya!" Ma's sarcasm began overflowin' the room. I gently nudged Emily away from Ma in case I had to intervene and slowly moved between Ma and Mina. "Mrs. Steinert! The Mahanilui bestows individual gifts that enhance us, not make us monsters! Some of our sisters develop extra-sensitive hearing; others can adjust the size of objects. Still others excel at the sciences: Hydraulics, Electrics, Mechanics, Physics, and so on. We are a very diverse group, mum! I can assure you none of us has declared allegiance to Beelzebub or any of the other downcast Seraphim!" Mina had switched to her regal voice. "Neither will I permit or condone such alignments in our society, Dolores Marie Steinert of Oak Ridge, Missouri, United States of America! Either you choose to believe that or I will have your eldest daughter return us from whence we came. I give you that choice, mum!" If Pa had heard this, he'd openly announce that the feathers were about to fly. "Look out! The feather's is about ta fly, ladies. Best move back an' giv 'em room to squabble!" Pa always did have poor timing. "Pa, keep yer nose outta this! Me an' Miss British hoity-toity, I got a better education than y'all, is havin' a dis'greement!" Quickly, I placed myself between Ma and Mina and put a hand on each one's shoulder. Brie's bedroom disappeared to be replaced by a complete void with a single dim sun providing the only light. "Where are we, Alexandra?" "I knew it! Y'all are hell-spawn!" "Shut up, Mother!" I screamed. There was no echo whatsoever. "Wha'd you say ta me, child?" "I told you to shut up, mother! We're tryin' ta save yer life here an' you just keep goin' on 'bout the damn'd devil! Y'all want ta meet him in person, Ma? 'Cause I'm just the girl to make that happen, though I still don't know how far I kin go back in time, Ma! Keep this up an' we find out! Now hear Mina out!" Ma just started crying. Mina looked to me in disbelief. I didn't care; Ma had to understand that we loved her too much to lose her. Not when there were still options. "Alexandra! How dare you address the woman who brought you into this world in such a manner! Tell me where this place is or take me back to Honolulu, this instant!" "I call the shots here, your highness! We leave after this spat gets resolved, not a second before." "Yer highness? What, you some British royalty?" Ma spat. "Ma, enough! Mina is the queen of Kili Island- she's also older than you by about thirty years! I suggest you listen to her! She is trying to give you all the information she can about the Mahanilui. Now shut up and listen!" I growled. "Fine I'm lis'nen! Yer...Highness!" "Alexandra, could you please tell us where this place is first?" I took a breath to settle my anger. "This is the place I came to when y'all were houndin' me 'bout bein' the Empress. I have no idea where here is, Mina. I think it's an alternate universe, though 'cause I talked with Brian here. At the time, Brian was still dead." I couldn't help sob as I looked at Ma and continued my explanation. "Brian convinced me that I really was this Empress that everyone insisted I was. He told me that only the Empress could call him here from...I don't know...heaven? He said that only I had the power to reach this place. I had no idea how long I was here, but I don't think time has any meaning here. That sun..." I pointed to it. "That sun never changes; never moves." "Listen to za girl, Dee! She's special, zis vone!" A figure slowly materialized not far from us. "Grandpa!" I shouted out. "I was just thinking about you, Grandpa!" "Precisely zee reason I'm here, Alex! Acht, aren't you zee beauty!" The figure looked to my left. "Been a long time, Miss Mina!" "Entirely too long, Captain Steinert." "Wait!" I pointed between Mina and my newest guest. "You two know each other?" "She's za real spitfire, ay, Mina?" "To which do you refer, captain?" "Like muzer, like daughter!" He replied, shrugging his shoulders while tilting his head to the left. "Both are frustrating at times, I suppose, but let us get on with this, shall we, Alexandra?" Mina answered Grandpa then looked over to me. "Yes, Alex, I vould like to get back to resting if you do not mind. Like I zed before, Dee, don't be such a hardhead all your life. Try accepting new zings. Not everything you do not understand is zee vork of zee devil, Leibshen!" "How can you be here, dad? You been dead goin' on ten years now!" The older gentleman waved his hand at Ma. "A mere flash in time, Leibshen! I am here because zee Empress of Space und Time has called me here! She is zee only Deity capable of doing such zings!" "I'm not any kind of Deity or Goddess, Grandpa!" I felt my face blush. "Not from vere I'm schtanding, Lieben!" He readjusted his glasses and I felt my face really start to burn "Dad, come on back with us, Fritz would be tickled!" "Alas, Leibshen, I only exist here for as long as zee Empress requires! Therefore, I cannot follow you into your vorld. Her vill alone holds me to this dimension. Vhy is it you called me here, Empress?" "Grandpa, I was thinking how you got Ma here to settle down when you were still alive. She repeatedly accuses Mina and I of being demons and such!" "Acht! I believe I have already handled zhat, Empress." "Grandpa!" "Dee, have you not taught your children to pay zee proper respect? I do not mean any disrespect, Alex. You are zee Empress und should be addressed as such. As for you, Leibshen, Alex und Mina are no more demons zen you. You see Mina has seen zee future- a future zhat had Alex and his crew suffer a terrible fate. In addition, an entire race would now be extinct had Mina not taken measures to change zee future. Now, thanks to zee Mahanilui, zair race is growing in number. Dee, zee sings you vill learn from zees vimen, zee sings you vill see! Think of zem not as demons, but as angels, Leibshen. Zhey certainly dress zee part, do zhey not?" He pointed to me again with a proud smile. Grandpa moved closer to Mina and lifted her chin slightly with the side of his finger so that their eyes met. "Mina, Lieben, I have missed you immensely since your departure from my steamboat zat summer. I enjoyed our talks und your company in mine off-duty hours." "As did I, captain. Our conversations were entertaining and I miss them also. Had I the choice, I would have made more trips on your Mississippi!" Grandpa turned his head slightly in Ma's direction, his eyes still locked with Mina's. "Leibshen, promise me you vill listen vith zee open mind und heart to zee Empress, her lady und zisters." Ma didn't reply, instead she nodded as she wiped tears away. "Thank you, Empress, for allowing to see mine daughter und spectacular granddaughter! Also accept mine thanks for allowing zee honor of seeing mine Lieben, Mina." "Grandpa, no thanks are necessary, but thank you for coming." "If ve are finished here, I ask for your release, mine Empress." I nodded once and Grandpa faded. My attention now turned to Ma. "Ma, now will you listen to Mina?" "You really are this Empress, ain't ya, Alex?" "Yes, apparently I am, Ma. I'm the Empress, Ma, not the devil! Now are ya ready ta hear us out?" "I'll hear y'all out, but I'm reservin' my decision for later." "That's all Mina, Emily, and the rest of us wanted, Ma. We want you to know we care about you- that we would do anything to keep you around and healthy." "I'm ready ta listen, but could we go home? This place gives me the chills." Placing my hands on their shoulders we were immediately back in Brie's bedroom. Ma shaded her eyes from the bright light of the room. "Welcome back, Alex! I trust you two got things ironed out?" Emily looked to Ma, then Mina. "Alexandra can be quite persuasive when she needs to be, doctor. Isn't that right, Mrs. Steinert?" Ma ran to Pa and wrapped her arms around him. "I talked to yer dad, Fritz! He was there and talkin' as if nothin' happened!" She broke down and cried. Mina caught my attention. "Empress, never take me to that...that place ever again, I beg you." She shivered. "How can you stand to be out of touch with the world like that? I was unable to see any future whatsoever, but I believe you are right; time does not exist there. I found it disheartening at best." "I didn't know what else to do Mina, I'm sorry. Ma had to be shown I mean business. I needed us to be on neutral ground and that's the only place I knew that fit the bill. Please forgive me?" "You have achieved your goal, Empress." Mina whispered to me as Ma released Pa from her bear hug and wiped her eyes. "I want to apologize to y'all for my behavior. I let my fears blind me of who I was talkin' to. Though I have ta admit you folks can scare the life outta me!" She wiped her eyes again. "I want y'all to stay for dinner if ya can." She looked directly at me. "Land sakes what am I sayin'! 'Course you got time to stay for dinner! Brie, since yer all healed, you, Emmy 'n Alex can fix dinner. Mina 'n me are gonna have us that chat. Pa you entertain the other three ladies there- an no funny stuff, ya hear?" As Emily and I cut potatoes, we discussed my unexpected disappearance. "So you actually told her to shut up? That must have taken her by surprise. How did she respond to that, Alex?" "Ma cried. Mina reprimanded me for talking to Ma that way! She looked pretty shaken when Grandpa showed up though! Get this, Grandpa Steinert knew Mina!" "You're kidding! Your Grandfather knew Mina?" "Yep. He called her Lieben. I think that means love in German." "That woman really gets around. Were you able to narrow down a year or date?" "No, just that she spent time, maybe traveled, on his steamboat during the summer. They shared conversation and..." I stopped at the sudden realization. "No! Mina and Grandpa Steinert? What are the odds?" "I'd rather not think about it, Emily. There, that's the last spud. Brie, what else can we do?" "You do know Grandpa wasn't really there, Alex. He was only a representation, nothing more!" "You saw him, Brie? How?" "I didn't see him as much as hear him, Alex. I also heard you go off on Ma too! Relax I think she was bein' unreasonable too. You had to prove to her that we ain't evil creatures." You heard me...wherever I was, you heard me?" "Don't ask how. I'm not sure myself. Maybe Mina has the answer. All's I know is that I could hear everything the four of you said!" "Could you turn around, sis, I'd like to see your back if you don't mind." "Sure, but I should tell you I got this tattoo on the small of my back- don't know how though. Ma brought it to my attention shortly after I met Dee's father. She accused me of defiling myself. Let me guess, y'all got one too." I nodded and lifted the back of my sister's blouse. "Emily, she has the family symbol, but I've never seen the second mark before. What do you suppose it means?" Emily looked over at it. "It looks similar to your second symbol, Alex." She pulled up the back of my blouse. "In fact, it looks like your second and third symbols superimposed." "You got three tattoos, Alex?" Brianna said in surprise and leaned back to look. "Alex is the only one of us that has three symbols, Brie. Mina says that's what identifies her as the Empress." "So my sister really is special? Sorry, Emily, our sister...our sister really is special!" For some odd reason, I felt like sticking my tongue out at her. "Any idea what my second, what'd ya call it, a symbol, means?" "My guess would be you are the only one capable of following Alex on her travels- not really following, but listening, communicating with her no matter where she goes." "Kinda like a bloodhound follows a scent, eh?" Brie inferred looking a little disgusted. In order to avoid any more disagreements today, I gave another simile. "More like the radio station at the base, Brie. Listening to reports and giving orders." "I'm your H.Q.?" "Sort of, I guess." "I'm H.Q. for the Empress of Time 'n Space! An' Ma didn't think I'd amount to much!" Brie gloated. "'Never said that, child! I always hoped you'd become an officer like Alex! I never figured you'd give us our first grandbaby! Not like this anyway." Ma gestured to her body. Brie blushed as she wiped her hands on the dishtowel and picked up some potholders to check on the meatloaf. "Sisters, Dolores has decided to wait until her malady becomes more pronounced, at which time she has chosen to undergo the Mahanilui!" "Alex and Emmy, I know it's not what y'all wanted, but me an' Mina talked a spell an' we agreed it's the best way ta go. Maybe by that time Pa would be ready to give up on his still. If not, I'll make 'em some lemonade with the special water from that submarine of yours. Then I'll sit back and watch the show! It'd teach him right!" "Mina, you told her when it would happen?" Emily spoke out. "I gave her a general idea, doctor, yes." Mina nodded. "What ever happened to 'people should not be told too much about their future', your highness?" I asked with more than a bit of sarcasm. "I wasn't the one who took my parents and sister into the future, Empress- one I might add was well beyond their years!" Mina saw my sarcasm and raised it. "I didn't have your guidance, my queen!" "Stop it! I swear you two sound like a couple teenaged girls!" I looked at Ma in disbelief! The room erupted in laughter. "Ma, tell our guests dinner'll be ready in twenty. As soon as the potatoes is ready." Brie said as our laughter died. "My, ain't you the bossy one! Give the girl a title 'n she thinks she's top hen in the roost! Come on, Mina, let's leave the youngin's to dinner!" Ma said feigning insult as she pointed her thumb at Brie. "Those two seem to have finally hit it off!" Emily commented as soon as the three of us were alone again in the kitchen. "I wonder how they'll get along after?" I wondered. "Well, I don't see any serious medical emergencies for either of them, sisters." Emily giggled. The three of us laughed again. Dinner was uneventful with the exception of Pa nervously glancing over and over at Tish as we ate. Of course he denied doing it when I called him on it. "Pa, not every Oriental is the enemy! Don't forget the Chinese are on our side." "I told you I wasn't looking at her, Alex!" "Pa, I kept count! Do I have to take you back a few minutes and point it out?" Pa's eye's widened at my threat. He took a breath, looked at Ma at the other end of the table, and took another deep breath. "She reminds me of someone! I seen her somewhere before is all." "Pa, Tish may have some Oriental in her, but she's half Navajo too. You can't get more American than that!" "That's were I seen her! When you two was young! Remember, we took the train up ta St. Louie? We walked through that museum 'n seen all them paintin's? That's where I seen you, Tish! You was one of them paintin's!" "Mr. Steinert, that couldn't be me. I saw the same portrait at the Tokyo art museum in 1927. Oops." Tish had dropped the southern drawl for her natural, Japanese accent. Pa looked at her with renewed concern. "Okay. You win, Pa, I lied!" I dropped my fork to the plate and raised my hands above my head in defeat. "We rescued Tish after we torpedoed her ship! Takashi Moritsu was badly broken up when we brought him aboard the Sand Dollar. Emily administered to his wounds as best she could and we confined him to our brig. He became Tish after one of the girls on guard duty gave him some Mexican liquor to help with the pain. Having changed like us, she couldn't really be kept in confinement back at Pearl now could she?" I looked him straight in the eye. "Instead of subjecting her to possible violence, I elected to make her part of the crew. My decision was strengthened by her response to an incident involving a disabled PT boat and a dishonorable enemy sub commander waiting for the cover of night to attack! Tish was appalled by the act as were the rest of us. She deemed it cowardly. Pa, he was just the ship's senior cook- conscripted into the Imperial Navy against his will. I..." I looked around the table. "We trust her as much as any other member of our crew. Furthermore, the girls love her and treat her no different." I paused. "Pa, Tish is a valued member of my crew and I will not stand for any prejudice toward her from anyone...is that clear, father?" Pa's expression grew angry. Thoughts of rare visits out to the woodshed jumped into my mind. Instead of continuing to scowl at me though, he looked down the table to Ma. She shook her head slightly, as her eyebrow raised and she looked in my direction. Pa let out a sigh. "Well if you say she's alright, I can't argue with that, Alex! Tish, you're welcome in this house anytime, darlin'." Tish looked across the table at me. Her eyes spoke volumes. I noticed wetness in their corners. "I thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Steinert. I understand the resentment displayed toward my people and ask for your forgiveness on their behalf, sir." Tish spoke in her perfect British accent. "I like that voice better, Tish. That other one reminded me of this girl Alex courted a year before he graduated. She come 'cross the river from Tennessee. Nice girl, dumber than a stump though!" "Pa!" "Well, she was, Alex. You know I call a spade a spade, honey! When it come to bright, she was missin' the wick." "That's enough, Fritz! Let the poor girl alone! She couldn't help her upbringin'! 'N can't ya see yer embarrassin' poor Alex?" "Humph!" Pa set his attention back to his plate. After dinner, Dee made her presence known and Brie brought her down to the living room where she made the rounds of her 'Aunts'. While I was holding the little pixie she made several attempts at my bosom. Ma just smiled at my response, as did Mina, Emily, and Brie. I felt strangely disappointed she hadn't succeeded. The mantle clock chimed ten and we decided our visit should come to an end. Everyone thanked Ma and Pa for they're hospitality and complimented Brie on dinner. Little Dee had long since fallen asleep in Brie's arms. I swear my sister had this glow about her! I asked Brie to keep me up to date via our newly discovered connection- to let me know if the four of them needed anything. After a long round of hugs, the six of us held tightly to each other. Ma and Pa's living room became the living room of our suite back in Honolulu. The sun was centered in the window. We all separated. 1900 hours, Ala Moana Hotel, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 25th, 1944 Carroll looked at the wall clock. "I have to get ready for my date, Alex. You have a wonderful family and a wonderful niece. Thank you for inviting me. Until another time, Empress." There was a devious smile on her face as she turned for the door. "I'll go make our nightly report to Admiral Demmit. I'll be back in a flash, literally." "There, that didn't take long. I think it's time for a hot bath. Wait, where did Tish go?" I heard the bathroom door shut. "Looks like Tish had the same idea, sis!" "Well, I guess I won't take a hot bath yet. So, Mina, how did you finally persuade Ma?" "Your mother is a very strong-willed individual, Alexandra. Convincing her of the numerous benefits was the easy part. You, my dear, handled the hardest part in your usual diplomatic manner. Had it not been for your intervention and a visit to your personal void," Mina visibly shivered, "Dolores might not have been so receptive." "I'm sorry you had to witness Ma at her worst, Mina. When she flies off like that I just get so angry! I could see she was starting that with you- I just couldn't let it happen. You didn't deserve that, Mina." I paused to fight back the anger that started to bubble up from just thinking about it. "You may have noticed that Ma carries a chip on her shoulder. She feels those of us that finished college...or university, look down on her third grade education with distain. Mina, I think she is one of the most intelligent people I know. She may not have book smarts, as she calls it, but she uses the brains God's given her for their intended purpose. In many ways she's smarter than most of my instructors at Annapolis and it hurts me when she goes on the defensive like she did with you!" Mina shook her head slightly and giggled. "The two of you are more alike than you realize, Alexandra. During our conversation, Dolores repeatedly confided to me how impressed she was with you. She was frightened at first by your threat to meet Lucifer and rightly so!" I noticed Emily's brows raise and mouth open. "Yet she was impressed with the way you took control of the situation. You proved to her how committed you were to her welfare and she understands that you're driving force is your unconditional love for her, Alexandra." "As our conversation continued, she revealed her phobia toward those with higher education. I confessed to her that, though I had completed university, most of my education came from traveling the world- experiencing other cultures. New Yorkers, I think, call it street smart. I indeed agree with you, Alexandra, your mother is a very intelligent individual, your father, likewise. In order to illustrate how the Mahanilui could help her, I used Ricky Lynn's continuing affiliation with Carnegie Tech to prove that she did not have to stand for an elementary education- that she could in essence continue where she left off. I believe that is what swayed her decision." "Alex, I agree with Mina's assessment. I wasn't picking up hatred, but envy. Your mother envied all of us for our educations. She felt embarrassed- unworthy of our attention, but, did you notice how fast her mind works? Within a minute of your return from...wherever, she had come to terms and understood that we wanted nothing but the best for her. A minute later she had compiled a list of things she could do with her life. She even planned out your father's future and how she could deter him from consuming alcohol. Your mother had everything planned out to the finest detail in under two minutes! I had a hard time keeping up with her, Alex. Her mind is very impressive." Jack said it so fast I had a hard time following. "Mina, that obituary you repeated to us about Pa, did you happen to notice the date?" Emily inquired with a dead serious look. "Insert your own date, doctor. The whole thing was improvisation on my part. As far as I can see, Fredrick Steinert lives a very normal existence dying at ninety years of age, in 1983. Of course, that is if the Empress does not intervene prior." Mina flashed a devilish smile at me. Emily looked at me for a response. "The Empress might be so inclined to intervene, provided her advisors could construct and agree to a viable proposal that would be acceptable to all parties involved." "Is there to be monetary compensation for such appointments, Empress?" Mina couldn't help giggling. "No, but the travel benefits are outstanding, Mina." We laughed. 1005 hours, Oahu, Hawaii, April 27th, 1944 "So tell me again why the CO of the boat ain't here to oversee the munitions reload, Chief?" "Honestly, Wesnuski, I haven't got a clue. The Lieutenant ordered us to reload SS353 with modified mark 14's and fifty cals! His orders were to do it regardless of the CO being here or not. I was ordered not to touch anything- just do the job and leave. Now, get back to work before I have you thrown back in the brig." "Wesnuski, what'd he say?" "He said get back ta work, Simonetti! Be careful with those fish, you guys want to get us all killed?" "I've been handling high explosives since I could walk, Wesnuski!" "You keep fumbling around with them and you won't be! Now let's get these things strapped down, we got the aft room racks to fill yet." "There! You happy now, Chief?" "About time! Come on you lunkheads, let's head aft. Everyone up the ladder!" The five men waited until their boss was up on the deck. "Hell with that! I'm taking the cooler route!" "The chief's going to be pissed, Simonetti!" "What's he gonna do throw me back in jail? We go back there after we're done here anyway, Wesnuski!" "You have a good point! After you." He gestured up the ladder to the compartment's bulkhead hatch. "Why does it smell like perfume in here, Wesnuski?" "How should I know? Hey, I'm thirsty, wonder if they left the water pump on...Oh ya! Hey you wanna drink, Simonetti?" "Ya, I'm feeling a bit dry, thanks." "Any of you other guys want a cup?" "Ya, sure." "Why not." "I'll have some." "Mind the catwalk guys sometimes the grease and fuel gets on the grating and makes it slippery...Hello? What's this?" One of the five picked up, opened, and sniffed a glass bottle filled with a clear liquid. "Wow, that's some strong hooch!" Another grabbed the bottle and took a sniff. "That's straight alcohol, idiot! They use it to clean off the grease!" The sailor grabbed the bottle back. "Well, they won't mind if I borrow some then! I'll just fill up my trusty flask and..." "Come on! The chief is waitin'!" 2005 hours, Oahu, Hawaii, April 27th, 1944 "So what are we going to do tomorrow, Alexandra-sensei?" "Whatever you want to do, Tish." "Maybe we could go to the volcano." "Been there." "Go to the beach again?" "We were there Saturday. I'm still not ready to be ogled at again, sorry." "Shopping?" "I spent most of my money at the bar and in St. Louis the other night, Tish." "I wish I had found a boyfriend like Lt. Sheldon! Then I would have no problem finding something to do!" "Look, Tish, I have done more than my share of traveling this shore leave! Can't we just stay...in...aw, what the hell?" "What's wrong, Alex?" "Oh, I just got one of my feelings again. Let me check." Our room phone came alive. Its ringing was a rare occurrence. "Hello?" "Emily, Is Alex there?" "This is Commander Steinert, Admiral." "Oh...sorry, Alex. You two sound alike over the phone. Alex, we have a situation. I'm sending a car over for you, Emily, and Lt. Smith. It should be there in fifteen minutes." "What kind of situation, sir?" "I'd rather not say on an open line, Alex." "Is it too late to call back the car, Admiral? We can get there a lot faster." "Sorry, I forgot about that, Alex. I'll cancel the car. We'll meet in my office. Hurry, Alex!" The line went dead. "What did Uncle Rick want, Alex?" "Grab your kit, Emily. Something has happened back at the base. Tish here's your chance to travel again." I paused a second anticipating the knock on our door. "Ok, Alex, I'm ready. Did Uncle say what happened?" "No, but I have an idea. We just...have...to...wait...for..." There was a knock at our door. "Beware ye, all who enter!" I shouted to the door. "Wow, I never heard that greeting before!" Jack entered the room followed closely by Mina. "So what's the situation, Lieutenant?" "New recruits, Captain." Jack looked back at Mina in surprise. "More mouths to feed? Wonderful!" "Everyone hold on." I advised. Our suite became Admiral Demmit's office. "Don't let go yet, I haven't phased us in yet. Let's all move to the right a foot or two." I said when I noticed Tish was partially in the Admiral's desk. Once she was standing in the open, I rephased us. "What took you so long, Captain?" The old man growled with a smirk. "I can only move so fast, Admiral!" I responded. The Admiral just shook his head and laughed. "What's the situation, Admiral?" "You already know the situation, Alex." He nodded to Mina. "Ya, I guess we do. Who were they, Admiral?" "A work detail from the brig. They were loading ordinance to Sand Dollar and just had to drink your water!" "Um, if they were in the brig, where'd they get the liquor?" Jack asked. "One of them liberated some degreaser from Chief Samuel's engine room supply." "But that's straight ethyl alcohol! They should have been dead, blind at least!" Emily burst out stunned. "How many, sir?" "Five." I just rubbed my forehead in frustration. "Have you told them anything?" "No, we've accused them of helping their boyfriends' escape, who then got them dunk, and double-crossed them. I thought it best to play it that way until you all had arrived." "Are they dangerous, Admiral? Why were prisoners loading munitions onto our sub?" "Ensign Moritsu, I'm surprised you would even dare ask questions! But, to be fair, I autho