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South of Bikini Episode 7 "Homeworld" 0800 hours, Ni'ihau, Hawaii, May 8th, 1944 "Good morning, Empress." "Good morning, Corrine." "'Morning, Empress." "Good morning, Jamie." "Good morning, Empress." "Hi, Tish." "Good morning, Empress." "Hi, already! Oh, et too, Alex?" Allie seemed a little upset this morning as I approached on an intercept. We were both on course for breakfast. As usual, the weather on the island was picture perfect- eighty-two wonderful degrees, few clouds and plenty of sunshine. Maybe some sunbathing was in order if I could talk Allie and our daughters into dawning the tiny scraps of cloth considered obscene by today's standards. I thought about it, trying to see the outcome. I was momentarily shocked when nothing came to me. Strange...usually I would get something- no matter how small or far in the future. This morning...nothing. I decided to try again. I asked myself whether today would be a good day to lie out on the beach. My answer came not from my gift, but from all around me! Out of nowhere the wind began to kick up. Clouds I hadn't noticed before quickly surrounded the sun and began to suffocate it. "What's happening, Allie?" I asked in alarm, looking around at the sky. "Is someone getting their gift?" "Not that I know of, sis! I don't remember this happening the last time. We better head indoors." She had that nervous 'uncertain of our timeline' look again. "The Mess Hall is just ahead. Come on." I pulled her toward the mess hall door just as the wind seemed to increase- the familiar tingle reassuring both of us as we touched. Thunder echoed off in the distance. The picture perfect day was quickly turning ugly gray. Was this some kind of freak typhoon developing? "What's going on out there?" Jack asked as we entered the building. "Not sure; Jack, can you sense any unusual mental activity- like someone realizing their gift?" I asked her with more than a little concern in my voice. "I'm not sensing anything, Alex. What's going on?" I just shook my head. Sam and Cassie were next to come running into the Mess Hall. "Where the hell'd this come from, mom?" Cassie growled. "I don't know. You three know the range of talents here better than I do. I'm open for ideas." I asked as another angry clap of thunder echoed- this time, not so far off. "We may appear to use magic, sis, but no one that I know of can affect the weather...not like this!" Allie informed me. "Alex! What the devil is happening?" Mina shouted as she and her four daughters rushed through the door. A crack and thump from somewhere outside was indication that the wind had become strong enough to knock trees down. More thunder reverberated through the building. What ever this was, it was getting closer and building in intensity. Maybe we should make for the grotto, Cap." Jack suggested and added. "Before it gets too strong." "Agreed. Everyone. Head for the grotto, we should be able to ride out the storm there." I shouted to everyone in the building as more thunder sounded and rain could be heard on the metal roof of the building. Allie and I were the last to leave, having made sure the kitchen crew had also left. Outside we met up with Brandon, Spencer, and Amelia. Allie and I motioned for them to follow. I hadn't seen Emily yet, though. "Where's Emily? I shouted to them over the howling wind. The cold, driving rain stung my skin. "She was just behind us, Alex!" Amelia shouted back. "Go! I'll look for her, Emily!" I shouted back before heading up the path to retrace their steps. I felt a hand on my arm and a tingle. "I won't let you do this alone, Alex!" Small tree fronds and other debris started to fly all around us- our hair being blown parallel to the ground. "You get back to the grotto, Admiral! I'll find her!" My hair whipped at my face as I turned to her. I noticed two other people hurrying toward us. "Cassie! Sam! Get back to the grotto! It's not safe out here!" I shouted as I tried to wave them back. "There's safety in numbers, Captain! We're going to help- like it or not!" Sam shouted back at us. Still the weather worsened. The bright daylight had now turned into a dull twilight. We had to find Emily before this got any worse! The four of us began to call for our comrade. "Alexandra! Wait, We can help!" A male voice sounded behind us. I could just barely hear Brandon as he appeared beside Allie and I. Spencer and Amelia were directly behind him. "What are you doing? Get back to the grotto! You'll get hurt!" "Tough! I'm not going to lose you this way, Alex! Let's find Emily and get out of this!" He shouted. We could barely hear each other over the gale. "There she is!" I pointed to the prone figure on the ground several yards ahead of us. A small palm had fallen and pinned Emily's legs. Since my voice couldn't beat the noise of the typhoon, I signaled where I wanted everyone placed and motioned for us to lift the tree. Amelia and Allie gently pulled Emily out while the rest of us lifted the trunk. Brandon and Spencer took Emily into a fireman's carry and we all hurried off to the grotto and safety. As soon as Allie and I entered the yellow brick road, the tunnel started to reverberate and glow! "What's up with this now?" I tried to shout over all the commotion. "Stop using your power, sis!" Allie shouted to me. "I'm not using it! I thought you were?" Allie shook her head. "Keep going!" I shouted, not knowing what else to do. We had just reached the grotto when the ground suddenly trembled below us. The tunnel we had just exited was now glowing and pulsing as profusely as a lighthouse beacon and the rumbling was evident in the quivering walls. "Get the Sand Dollar fired up, Jack! We may need to get out of here quickly!" I ordered as I looked around at the walls and ceiling surrounding us. I could see them shudder as another crash of thunder sounded. "Aye, Cap!" Jack saluted me quickly then turned toward the gathered crowd. "You heard the Captain, Ladies! Let's get the old girl up and running!" Jack shouted as she waved for everyone to follow her. "We won't have enough room for everyone, Captain Steinert!" Mina calmly advised as she moved past me. "Sure we will, Mina. We're smaller than we used to be! That...and we have to!" I motioned her on as Allie and I started past her. Mina started to move, but stopped dead and looked to Allie and I with shear terror in her eyes. "Alexandra, your feet!" She pointed down and gasped. "What about my feet, your highness?" "They're glowing, Empress!" "What?" I looked down to my feet. A faint glow was surrounding them, as well as Allie's. I moved one foot then the other as Allie did the same. Sure enough, our feet were glowing, not the ground. Instinctively, Allie grasped my hand. The tingle we both felt was more of a strong electrical shock instead of a gentle tickle. Allie looked directly into my eyes. I could put no known description to the look I saw on my twin's face. Surprise, confusion, panic, and terror all combined couldn't begin to describe it! Samantha and Cassandra were now next to us looking on just as shocked. "What's going on, Alex?" I asked in horror. "I can't let go, Alex!" She shrieked realizing the dilemma. "Cassie, you grab mom, and I'll grab mom! We have to get them apart! Pull!" Sam cried, almost in tears. The shock I had experienced tripled in intensity as the two took hold of us! "I can't let go, mom!" Sam shrieked as horror overtook both the girl's faces. I noticed Brandon and Spencer coming closer to us. "Stay back! Both of you!" I shouted to them. "If you want to live, for God's sake stay back!" I looked down to Allie's hand. There was now no sign of her fingers- just my hand- as if she were melting into me! Another tremor shook the ground below us. "I'm sorry, Alex!" Allie said to me with tears and a pained expression. My arms felt like they were on fire! "No you don't!" Her arm was now disappearing into my arm. "You aren't getting out of this that easy, Alex!" I growled to her as our shoulders slowly met and began melding together. I could see Cassie's hand fusing with Allie's other hand. "Mom!" She screamed in terror. "What's happening to us?" I looked back at Sam instinctively knowing the same was happening to her. "Mommy! Make it stop! Please? I don't want to die!" Her frantic pleas made my heart crumble to pieces. Tears streamed down my cheeks as the pain increased exponentially. I started to realize there was nothing I could do to save them! Not far away, Spencer, Brandon, Emily, and Amelia could only watch as, slowly, the four women in front of them were fusing together, becoming one- me! "Get away from me!" I shrieked to them. "Get away while you still can!" The pulsing glow emanating from the tunnel now seemed to accelerate, as if some unseen entity had suddenly increased the power. This all seemed so Frankenstein-esque! Still the three other women melted into me, now at an increased rate. Allie was just a thin sliver on my side- Sam and Cassie little more than two extra, bodiless limbs. The resonance coming from the tunnel now took on a low-pitched thrum, as the pulsing light grew faster and even more intense. Though now one entity, I could still hear the cries of my two daughters and Allie. Their shrill screams of terror echoed through my body as the severe electrical type shocks kept right on coming. Trying to understand or just figure out what was happening; I looked about the grotto, or what was left of it! Gone were my friends and relatives. Gone were most of the equipment and spare parts. The Sand Dollar herself seemed almost transparent, but still floating on the surface. The pulsing light emanating from the tunnel had quickened it's pace once more- the light, now so intense, I could not bare to look into it- in fact I was forced to close my eyes entirely or go blind. Was this what it was like to experience the atomic bomb? Had I inadvertently triggered one of Mina's 'paradoxes'? I really didn't want to know about that! The three voices inside me continued to shriek and wail in pain, confusion, and agony. I had to stop this...whatever it was! But how could I possibly stop any of this? One more high intensity shock rolled through my body. Try as I might to stay lucid, the intense light faded to black; the thrum; the rumble- the chaos of the world around me ebbed and became muted, then went silent. I was able to hear my own thoughts again, a sure confirmation that I was still alive, but a cold reminder of what I had just lost! But, was I really still alive? I would quickly find out. The blackness around me slowly brightened to incoherent smudges of light. Ever so slowly, those increased to tiny, focused pinpricks of light. They reminded me of stars. As I thought about it, I was able to identify constellations, but all too quickly they grew too small and coalesced into clouds. No, maybe they looked more like galaxies- things I had seen in a Planetarium once. One stayed centered in my field of view- a spiral shaped cloud- was that the much talked about Milky Way? Focusing on this galaxy, I had the sensation of movement- could it be that I was traveling farther and farther away from my home? It sure felt like I was moving! Still I traveled, my home galaxy becoming jumbled with other galaxies to form a shapeless cloud of light. Another intense jolt of electricity wracked my body, this time causing me to lose consciousness again. I felt something cold beneath me. Was I lying on a cold floor? Why couldn't I move? Why couldn't I see anything? Had I actually died? It sure felt like it- or rather what I assumed it felt like. "Still nothing! Increase the stimulus! Ready!" I scarcely heard echoing through a thick fog. Another intense shock struck me. "No good! Increase the stimulus again! Now!" I managed to hear before I faded into oblivion again. A blinding flash was the next thing I saw, though I wasn't sure if it was in my mind or through my eyes. "I have cardio-rhythm and her pressure is coming back up, Assistant Director. I think she's going to make it." I was still ice cold and so was whatever I was lying on. The gentle, but excited feminine voice I heard didn't make any sense, but her concern told me she was trying to help me somehow. "Get her to the medical wing and into some coverings before she goes hypothermic." "I want to know what went on here, Darough! Why did she re-materialize in the reaction chamber? How did she even get in there in the first place?" Another female voice, more brusque than the first, told the other. "Yes, ma'am, I'll get right on it as soon as I'm sure Alexandra has stabilized and won't disappear on us again!" "I'll await your report, Darough." "Where am I?" I heard myself say. Had I actually spoken? "Alex, you're safe now." The gentle, concerned voice answered me. "We were so worried about you! You just disappeared and then...and then...you were gone for so long!" I heard the voice sniff back tears. I felt a hand squeeze mine. "Everyone...everyone...wondered where you had gone! Do you remember anything about it, Alex? Where were you?" "Hawaii." "Where?" the concerned voice asked in confusion. "Hawaiian Islands." "Alex, I've never heard of these Hawaiian Islands. Where are they?" "Pacific Ocean." "I don't know that place either, Alex. You must be worse than I realized. Don't worry; I'll stay by you till you're better. We'll get through this!" "Cassandra and Samantha?" There was a noticeable pause. "Cassie and Sam are just as worried about you as I am! They refused their rest periods until you were found and retrieved." I felt my face form a smile. At least my daughters were okay. I felt extremely fatigued, but happy now. The world around me started to fade again. I recognized the need to sleep, and cautiously I let it overtake me. The room my eyes opened upon appeared to be some sort of hospital room, though much more modern than I would have expected. Was I in the future? How did I get here and, more to the point, where exactly was here? I started to scan the room. To my left, a head of long, brown, wavy hair met my sight. As my eyes focused, a woman's upper torso, arms spread out and bent at the elbows to support her head, came into view. She was asleep at the side of my bed; her tresses spread wide covering most of her white sleeved, forearms. Who was she and why was she here? Since I could move my head and eyes, I decided to see if the rest of my body would follow suit. My trials disturbed the sleeping figure. It began to stir. Slowly she twisted and turned trying to shake out the cobwebs, finally reaching above her to stretch her arms, she opened her eyes. A smile flashed onto her unfamiliar face. "Well, hello there, sleepyhead!" "Where am I?" I croaked. My mouth felt like the Mojave. "Facility Medical, Alex. We brought you here after retrieval. We were all worried about you!" "Retrieval?" "Yes, you vanished from the control room and were missing for thirty- two hours! You had us all scrambling to find you!" "Who are you?" "What?" "Who...are...you?" "Oh dear! I had hoped this wouldn't happen! Alex, I'm Camille...Camille Darough? We work together on the Protoverse Reactor. Don't you remember?" I think I shook my head, but wasn't sure. I was too busy processing what she said. "Proto...verse...Reactor?" My eyes caught sight of a pitcher on a stand to her left. Camille picked up on that and poured some water into a glass for me as she tried to answer my question. "The Protoverse Reactor..." She put the glass to my lips and I felt moisture return to my mouth. "You designed the Reactor to prove the Big Bang Theory. It essentially mimics the theoretical formation of the known universe." "What? I have no idea how to design a reactor, nor do I know anything about some 'big bang' thing! I'm just a regular Submarine Captain in the United States Navy. Y'all got the wrong girl, Camille!" "Sub...marine? Allie quit fooling around. I've never heard of such a thing as this United...States...um...Navy. What are 'united states' any way?" She looked at me perplexed. Then and there I came to the only viable conclusion. I had somehow been taken prisoner! "Alexandra Steinert, Commander, United States Navy, four-one-one-six- three-two-seven-three-two-two. By order of the Geneva convention that's all I'm required to tell y'all." I stated with a shaky voice. I tried to move ahead in time, move back in time- nothing. "What are you talking about, Alex? Your phylum name isn't Steinert, it's Reilly!" "Alexandra Steinert, Commander, United States Navy, four-one-one-six- three-two-seven-three-two-two." I tried again to move through time. Not even a phase out! "Come on Allie, we've been friends since entering adolescent education! Why can't you remember me?" I noticed her expression take on a more pained look as if she really believed me to be this Alex Reilly she claimed I was. "Alexandra Steinert, Commander, United States Navy, four-one-one-six- three-two-seven-three-two-two." I noticed tears forming in the corners of her eyes before she abruptly stood up and headed for the door. She paused and turned around looking very disappointed. "I'll go get the physician, Alex. I may have missed something when I pulled you out of the chamber. Try not to worry, we'll figure this out!" What kind of place was this? Camille, if that really was her name, seemed to get genuinely upset when I invoked the Geneva accords. Could I really be on some other planet or in some other dimension? Moreover, should I trust these people, after all they hadn't tried to hurt me yet? No, I was going to play this one by the book. Trust no one until convinced otherwise. I heard her...Camille's and a second voice, coming back. "Welcome back, Miss Reilly! Camille tells me you're suffering from some variant of post trauma, delusional amnesia." A woman of about twenty- five greeted as the two walked into the room. "Alexandra Steinert, Commander, United States Navy, four-one-one-six- three-two-seven-three-two-two." "I see...look, Allie, whatever that all means, I'm not here to harm you, I'm here to help! You've just been through a terrible trauma and I'd like to help you recover from that. Won't you at least let me help you, Allie?" "Alexandra Steinert, Commander, United States Navy, four-one-one-six- three-two-seven-three-two-two." "What's the matter with her, doctor? Why doesn't she recognize me?" Tears streamed down this woman's...Camille's face. It made me feel terrible to be doing this to someone who had just saved my life, but all my training told me this could be some elaborate interrogation technique. Since my gift didn't seem to be working, I had to fight this as best I could, no matter how convincing they were! "My guess would be she has somehow created a new personality- one that overrides the pain, confusion, and trauma she has no doubt experienced. This new persona wouldn't know you, Cami- unless you two met- in her imagined world that is." The doctor rubbed her chin while thinking out loud. I decided to remain quiet. If I just listened carefully, maybe I could find a weakness and use it to my advantage. "But why make up those places and names? Where did she get them from?" "The mind often invents places as well as people to fill them, I'm afraid. Allie believes she is this Commander Steinert in her world's Navy- a place called United States, I presume." "What's a Navy? I've never heard of such a thing!" "It sounds like it has to do with water!" "Sounds more like an orange...naval orange?" "You might be right, Cami." "But who would name a planet United States?" "I've heard of changing states- like in the reactor...and uniting protomatter..." I couldn't take it any more! "No, you idiots!" How stupid did they think I was! The lights blinked quickly. "I...am...a...Commander- a commissioned officer...in the United States Navy- as in big boats...they float on water? The United States is a country in the Northern Hemisphere on the planet Earth! You two must be very new to interrogation!" I hissed having broken my vow of silence and patience. "I'm sorry, ma'am! We didn't mean to offend you! We've just never heard of these things you speak of!" The as yet unnamed doctor apologized. "Something as large as three thousand miles by two-thousand miles and you've never heard of it? What kind of crazy, mixed-up world is this?" I was so angry I sat straight up in the bed. Two confused faces looked back at me. I noticed an older woman, maybe fifty with gray-streaked, honey-brown hair looking in through a window not too far right from the door. "What the hell you want lady?" I snarled at the woman, noticing that she looked as angry as I felt. Strangely, her mouth moved in time with my own. Looking to the two women by my bed, I growled. "Why is she out there mocking me?" "Who, Alex?" Camille asked, looking even more confused. "That woman in the window there!" I pointed. "Ma'am, that's not a window, but a reflector." The doctor informed me with disbelief. To illustrate, she moved her hand closer to my head. It was a mirror! "Oh, God, I'm old!" My own hands reached for my face- my reflection did the same. "How long was I out? What year is this?" "Year, Alex?" Camille asked, again perplexed. "You were only gone for thirty-two hours, Miss Reilly." "What year is this?" I shouted in frustration. Both women looked to each other trying to understand my question. I decided to try something I had seen on a television show back in 2026 Arizona. "What cycle around the sun are we in? What is the season we're in?" Again they looked at each other and said nothing. I thought again. "How many times have we traveled around the local star?" I held my right pointer finger up straight and circled it several times with my left pointer. "Oh! It is said Reilly has gone many billion revolutions around the hot elemental, fusion giant. No one knows for sure, Alex." Camille admitted, finally understanding. "Wait, Reilly is the name of this planet? You said my name was Reilly!" "That it is, ma'am! The satellite of Reilly was renamed after our supreme leader! The one who saved us from total annihilation when our home could no longer sustain life!" The doctor said looking at me strangely. "You mean me? I'm this supreme leader? Ma and Pa will never believe this!" "Who? I don't know who you are referring to, Alex?" "My parents! The people who produced me!" "I'm afraid we don't have parents, Allie! Not in the old tradition, anyway. "Huh?" "We are the newest revisions of our species. In time, we will be required to donate a portion of our beings to the next revision. It has been the way for hundreds of revolutions- since the fusion giant was awakened." "That's it, I'm getting out of this nuthouse!" I shouted as I pulled the covers back and scrambled off the opposite side of the bed. As soon as my feet hit the floor, I made for that door! Two women standing to either side of the doorframe, just outside of it straightened as I passed and entered the brightly lit hallway. Left, right, or straight- it didn't matter which way I went at the moment. I just wanted out! I decided to turn right. No one seemed to be chasing me as I turned the next corner heading down that corridor. Why? Ahead I could see a break in the wall of doors- a way out? I decided to check. It turned out to be just a small waiting area, but one with a window! The light filtering through looked strangely dim. Was it nighttime? Curiosity got the better of me and I decided to stop and look. Before me a dim landscape of trees and bushes fanned out a few hundred yards and abruptly stopped with a definite curved demarcation. Beyond lay a rugged, desolate expanse that promised no chance of life. Looking up to the sky reminded me of my private domain- a single, yellow star. This one appeared to be moving ever so slightly, though. "There you are, Alex! You know you shouldn't be out of bed yet!" I heard Camille's voice behind me. "Where am I? What is this place?" "I told you, this is Reilly- a satellite revolving around the Fusion Giant." "That...that up there...that's the fusion giant?" I pointed to the small yellow star. "Oh no, Alex, that is the Fusion Giant that our Fusion Giant revolves around! No one here remembers if it has or had a name." "I've seen that sun before!" I mumbled. "Wonderful, Alex, you are regaining your memory!" Her voice sounded happier. "Why is there nothing after that delimiter?" I pointed. "Nothing can live outside the transparent wall. You of all people should know that, Alex!" "Why's that?" "Why, you constructed it before the rest of us arrived! You saved us all, Alex! Please remember, please?" "Welcome back, Alexandra, it is the fifty-sixth hour of the third quadrant past the Fusion Giant's hibernation, my Director." Another familiar voice greeted me from behind. The way it pronounced 'Director' left nothing unclear as to its hatred of the term. "Assistant director, I am not yet satisfied as to our leader's safety and well being, my report remains open and unfinished." Camille apologized to her. Hearing this woman's voice more clearly than before, I recognized it as one of the two I had heard when Cassie and I found ourselves in the presence of the three, self-proclaimed, 'gods'. Cassie! How I missed her and Sam! I felt a tear run down my face. "Assistant director! Do you have a name, woman?" I said taking a page from Mina's royalty book. "I am Assistant Director, Janelle Hathor, Alexandra Reilly." The dark skinned, raven-haired women introduced her self, obviously annoyed by my ignorance. "Now you, I remember!" I pointed to her. "When last we spoke, you tried to pass yourself off as a goddess, I recall! Tell me, Janelle, Juno, Hera, or Jupiter, if you are a goddess, what would that make me?" I growled to her with a wicked smile. I heard Camille gasp next to me. "My Supreme Leader, ma'am." I noticed a sneer form at the corner of her mouth. I felt a small victory and maybe a little payback had been won. I decided to push harder. "Cami has stated that her report is not completed due to the fact that she is not yet convinced of my safety and well being, is this correct, Assistant Director Janelle?" "It is, ma'am." "Then why are you still here bothering me?" "As you wish, ma'am." The Assistant Director turned in a huff and marched down the hall, disappearing around the far corner. "Praise the goddess, Allie, you're back!" Camille sounded overjoyed. "It's called bluffing, Camille...or should I call you Cassiopeia, Goddess of beauty and love?" I raised an eyebrow to her. "I am truly sorry about that, Allie. The Assistant Director thought it would help jog random archives when we first triangulated on your bio- emissions within the Protoverse." "How did you know to call me 'Empress'?" I asked as I put a finger under her lowered chin and gently raised it up to see her face. "That is our pet name for you, ma'am. You are the closest thing we have to the old royal bloodlines. That, and sometimes you actually act like the Empress written of in the old legends. I'm afraid you do not like it much, so we use it sparingly." "I appreciate that, Cami. I thought it was because I was all old and matronly looking!" "Oh no, Alex! You only look that way because of the retrieval process. As we speak your hair and facial features recover. Soon, you will look no older than I." "Nice to know some things are the same!" "Ma'am?" "Nothing, sweetheart." "Oh, you remembered!" I rolled my eyes and looked back out the window. "It's about time you found your way back to us!" Samantha's voice sounded from behind me. Her voice caused a surge of emotions that resulted in immediate tears. "Sam, I'm so glad to see..." I turned to see Cassie smiling at me. In that instant, I decided it didn't matter and wrapped my arms around my daughter. "Ease up, ma'am, it's only been thirty-some hours!" "For me it's been an eternity, honey!" I bawled over her shoulder. "Where's my other daughter?" "Daughter? I know we're close, Allie, but we're colleagues, not phylum members- at least not through the last hundred revisions!" I lifted my head from her shoulder. "It doesn't matter, Sam! It doesn't matter!" It didn't either. This place was so FUBAR, I felt like Alice in Wonderland. Hopefully this odyssey I was on would dissolve back into reality just as with Alice- before any white rabbits appeared! "Why didn't anyone tell me she was up and walking around?" Cassie's voice cried out from down the hall. Samantha appeared turning the corner from the hall. "Cassie!" "Welcome back ma'am! You had us all frightened that you might have deleted!" "Well, as you can see, I'm still here, dear!" "Thank the goddess, ma'am." "Yes, Deirdre, Goddess of all knowledge and the sciences! Thank the goddess, indeed!" "You remember that, do you? I had hoped you wouldn't." The girl cringed. "Please don't punish me, ma'am! It wasn't my idea!" "I know whose idea it was, honey! Tell me though, why the ancient robes?" "The assistant director thought you might relate the vision of the goddesses to home and stir your desire to return to us. She did not count on the Empress surfacing, ma'am." She looked unsure as she giggled. "You are not the one requiring punishment, child. Janelle strikes me as the one needing the switch!" The girl gave me a confused look. "A form of punishment on my world, sweetheart." "But this...is...your world, ma'am." Even more confusion issued forth from her. "Ladies, I'd like to see this 'Protoverse Chamber'...after you give me back my clothes." "Clothes?" "Do you mean coverings?" I nodded. "But ma'am, you wore no coverings when you reappeared in the chamber! We must visit your residence for proper attire." Camille informed me. "Then lead on, Ms. Livingston!" Three women looked at me in total oblivion. "Escort me to my room, ladies!" I growled in mock anger. "Yes, my Empress!" All three giggled. "Some get-up this is!" I complained, appraising my reflection. The blue trimmed, red one-piece garment felt like cellophane and conformed to my every curve. Apparently underwear was not a prerequisite on this world! As a result, certain parts of my anatomy felt...shall we say...uncomfortable. I had to admit, though, I did look enticing! "Now could we go to the Proto-whatsit chamber?" I said as I checked out my bottom in the mirror one last time. "I shall take you wherever you like, Alex, but Sam and Cassie are overdue for their rest period and cannot join us. Why did you call them your daughters? I have heard the term, but am unfamiliar with its usage in this case." "Daughters...referring to my children...um...new revisions I have given birth to." I tried to put it in terms she could understand. I knew I had failed when she returned a blank look. "Never mind, let's go!" I pointed out the door. "So this is the chamber, huh?" I looked around the room filled with computer and various unknown equipment along three white walls. I deduced that the console in the center was the unseen object blocking the three goddess' lower bodies in our last meeting. Directly in front of it, about twenty feet away was a fourth white wall with a large plate glass window in the center. Only darkness could be seen through it from just inside the doorway. "This is where you found me?" I turned my head slightly to ask. "This is where you disappeared from, Alex. We found you on the floor in there." Camille pointed to the window. I started to walk over to the large window, curious to see what it contained. A hand gently snagged my arm and tried to stop my approach. "Alex, we just got you back! I cannot lose you again!" Camille said in a frightened voice. "I'll be all right. Hold my hand if you'd like." I offered. Carefully making my way closer, I noticed a small luminescent vapor was the only thing visible in the room beyond. I also felt a strange force building on my skin. Taking one more step closer, I noticed the feeling build slightly. What was this glowing cloud they had detained in there? Images started to flash into my mind- images of this place; images of Kili Island; images of my friends and family! My gift was back, for how long I didn't know. What did all these images mean? How did they fit together? I had to solve this puzzle if I ever wanted to see my friends and family again! "Alex! Your hand! Get back!" Camille shouted while quickly jerking me back. My hand, which I had unconsciously moved out in front of me, seemed to be glowing, just as our feet had back on base! Was this a clue of some kind? Another image flashed in- an image of this room... "Time to go, Allie! It's too dangerous for you here!" Camille broke my attention as she forcibly pulled me from the room. I suddenly felt extremely tired. Looking to her, I saw the concentration on her face. "Cami, stop that! I don't need to rest right now, so just...just stop it!" Her concentration turned to surprise- surprise that I knew what she was doing. I immediately felt more aware. "How did you know, ma'am?" "Because I know someone else that has the same gift as you, sweetheart!" Jack's image immediately popped into my mind. "Who is she, Alex? What kind of strange coverings does she wear?" "Her name is Jacquelyn, and she is my first officer back on Earth. That is the uniform we are required to wear. She has a gift similar to yours." "She is very pretty, Alex. Your mind...it can make up some very real looking people." "She's very real, Camille, and I miss her somethin' awful! I miss them all!" I began to flood her with images of my family and crew. In the despair this caused me, I let slip with the big one! She jumped! Camille's face immediately lost all color, tears gushed from her eyes, as her hand shot to her mouth. Despite her best efforts, she emptied the contents of her stomach on the floor before us. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Camille!" "I understand the people, but what was that last..." "That." I paused. "That was the deadliest weapon known to man. A weapon so devastating that every country on Earth will try to use its existence as a bargaining chip to gain power and importance around the world. Yet, in a different form, provides energy in the form of electricity for billions of people- making life comfortable and convenient. I'll find something to clean this up." I looked down at the puddle only to see it dissipate into the floor! Hey, why not? "But, how do you make up such things, Alex? We have nothing like that here. Where do these thoughts come from?" Her voice sounded troubled. "The people, the atomic bomb, they're all real! I've been trying to tell y'all that all along!" "How can they be real? You saw for yourself, there is nothing outside this facility- there hasn't been for hundreds of revolutions, Alex. We are alone out here! We are what is left of our kind- one hundred of us- that is all!" "I refuse to accept that, Camille! Somewhere out there...beyond the transparent wall... is my planet- my solar system- my...Earth! I am willing to use everything at my disposal to find it and get back there! If possible, I'll take y'all back with me!" "Brave words from someone who cannot even remember her status or the fictional reason for this experiment, Empress!" "Wow...Janelle...you're here." I deadpanned hearing her voice, but not turning to see her immediately. "I guess every world- every dimension- needs a villain, huh?" "I am no more villain than you are rightful leader of this facility!" She fired back. "That's right, I'm not the leader of this place! I'm not even qualified to be a janitor here!" I turned and glared at her. "But then again, neither are you, Janelle! When I look at you, I see only wanton jealousy...greed...contempt, and a desperate need for power! All the makings of a proper tyrant! We were fighting a few of those when I left Earth- when I was suddenly pulled back here against my will!" Admiral Demmit's stare tactic still worked. Janelle first just glared back, but quickly began blinking and finally lowered her eyes. "I was wrong, ma'am, it is you. One cannot dispute the power of those eyes, Director." Janelle quickly turned and walked back the way she had come. I waited till she turned the next corner. "Glad we had this little conversation, Janelle! Stop back any time you feel you need a shoulder!" I made a feeble attempt to wave in her direction. Her arrogance reminded me of Cassie's Greg. His image came to mind. "That is a strange looking person, Alex. Who is she?" "He's even stranger if you were to meet him in person, Camille." I gave her a slight smile. "He?" "A male of our kind; a man." Now that I thought about it...I had seen no men here since waking. "There are men here right?" "According to legend, the last males of our species departed when the Fusion Giant awakened, Alex. Revisions began to be produced as a way of continuing thereafter. "So, you've all been manufactured?" I looked at her in amazement. "A revision consists of the previous revision with refinements added for better performance. I don't know what manu...factured means, Alex. You should know all of this though; you are a revision, too- like me!" "I beg to differ, sweetheart, I have fond memories of my mother and father back in Missouri! In fact, I was a man not too long ago- before I inadvertently mixed water with alcohol, that is. Here I was before my change." I found it much more difficult to recall that image. Mina's observation must have been right on; I had completely accepted my new form! Camille's mouth dropped. "Yes, Camille, that was me not even a fraction of a revolution ago. It seems so long ago now. To think water did this to me." I waved a hand down my body. "Then the story is true!" I gave her a puzzled look. "One story tells of a few males arriving on Reilly just after the awakening. The airlock is said to have become angry and resisted their entrance, but the males were persistent and, after reaching the inner doors, were welcomed. The story tells how a celebration ensued. Food and drink was consumed and within a rest period the males had disappeared." "It continues by relating how two unfamiliar women were found crying and protesting in the male's room- that they claimed to be the males. The tale claims our water system not only purifies, but also protects us using molecular sentinels programmed to assure our continuation as a species. The sentinels are claimed to awaken when introduced to strong spirits." Another piece of the puzzle had appeared and slid neatly into place. A flashing light on my left breast and a barely audible beeping caught my attention. "What's that?" I asked as I tried to figure out why I couldn't feel any heat from the bulb, or where they had hidden the loudspeaker in this garment. "Your rest period, Alex. It is your scheduled rest period. You should return to your room and recline for eight hours. I'll walk you back to your room." Once back in my room, I looked around for someplace resembling a lavatory. "Camille, could you tell me where the lavatory is?" "Lavatory?" "Yes, lavatory, bathroom, water closet, loo, head, throne, privy, necessary, outhouse, I don't care what you call it! I need to relieve myself, sweetheart!" The woman cocked her head slightly. "I have to pee! If I don't go soon, there's gonna be a puddle on the floor, darlin'!" "Oh." She giggled. "Your covering takes care of that, Alex. It is fully integrated with the recovery system." She kept giggling. "You mean I can soil myself and this get-up will take care of everything?" "Your covering will process all the waste; transferring liquids to the reclamation system, purify, and return it into the water system. Solid wastes are also processed and returned to materials storage and converted into food, fertilizer, or other solid materials." Note to self: Don't eat the local cuisine, or drink the water! Yuk! Too late! "That is just disgusting!" Camille turned and moved back toward my doorway shaking her head and giggling the whole time. "I will see you after your rest period, Alex. Rest well, my Empress!" My door closed and the lights started to dim by themselves. If I wanted to get any sleep I would have to do the unthinkable. I felt both relief and disgust as I let loose. Unbelievably, my clothing stayed dry! "Mommy! Mommy, help us! Where are you, Mommy? We need you!" Sam, I'm right here! I can't see you though! Where are you?" "Here! Mommy, we need you! Why won't you help us?" "Your mother can't help you now, my pretties! You're all mine!" An old woman cackled. "Mommy, please, we need you! We'll behave! We promise!" "Your time is running out! Soon you both will be mine- and you're little aunt too!" Again the old woman cackled. "What?" I woke with a start. The room's lighting slowly increased as I looked around it. What kind of dream was that? My Cassie and Samantha were being held in some castle. The sand in the hourglass had almost run up? What did it all mean? Was I really running out of time- and for what? "I think I'll do some scouting around this place." I said aloud to no one in particular. A chime called my attention to a panel opening up on the wall. In the revealed alcove was a white laboratory coat. I took it and put it on, then approached my door. It opened for me and I walked into the hall. Already knowing where the Protoverse Chamber was, I decided to head in the opposite direction. Maybe, I thought, I could find this storied airlock Camille told me of. "Now to find the airlock." I said quietly aloud. Green arrows lit up along the left wall. Convenient. The airlock proved easy to find and placed one more piece of the puzzle into place as I looked into the long, slightly curved chamber. I decided to try something. "Please show me the outside of this complex." I stated to the wall. A technical drawing of a large, multistoried building appeared. "Thank you. Please show me where the water system is located in the building." The wall panned and zoomed in on a portion of the building. "Great! Now zoom back out, but keep water system circled." I asked and was rewarded with the information I requested. "Can you rotate drawing to place the water system at two hundred- seventy degrees." Surprisingly the drawing turned, placing the water system to the west. Yet another puzzle piece fell neatly into place. Time to ask the hard question that I assumed my nightmare hinted at. I figured I'd take the shot. "If you could, show me the estimated time to failure of this complex." A countdown appeared on the wall starting with ten, zero, zero, zero, nine. The right most digits moved like seconds. That made the middle digits minutes, and the left digits, hours. Just great! "Can you give me the reason for failure?" I asked not really wanting to know the answer. Text started to scroll down the wall, much to fast for me to make any sense of. I remembered Samantha telling me about her computer. She had called the operating system a GUI- Graphical User Interface. It was worth a try. "Show graphical representation of failure, please." An image of the 'Fusion Giant' and Reilly appeared. The Fusion Giant expanded to envelope Reilly. Wonderful! I was on a world scheduled to be dinner for its sun! Even better, I had less then ten hours to either stop it- highly impossible- or evacuate the facility! Equally impossible! "This is terrible! I have to get everyone out of here." "That would be highly recommended, Alexandra!' The wall spoke to me! I recognized the voice. "Mina? Is that you, your highness?" "Why waste time calling me unfamiliar names, Alexandra, you have your race to save!" "I don't know how yet!" I cried toward the wall. "Of course you do! Follow my direction, Alexandra." It told me sounding a bit annoyed. Green arrows appeared on the wall leading away from the airlock and back the way I had come. They lead me straight to the Protoverse Chamber. "But, I was told this is a dangerous place for me! I shouldn't be here!" "The effects of the chamber will not reach to the control station. Please step over to it, Alexandra." "Okay, I'm here. Now what?" I looked at the large window before me. I could see the glowing cloud much better now. From my new vantage point, it appeared maybe fifteen to twenty inches across and fifteen inches high. If it was indeed a cubical mass- I couldn't tell. "Please watch the vid screen on the station." A recording flashed to life on the smooth surface of the station in front of me. "This experiment will test the possibility of dimensional travel through the Protoverse Chamber. Since I can neither trust my assistant director nor ask anyone else to depart in my stead, I must be the one to venture closer to the chamber." "Our readings show a massive buildup of energy- the likes of which are not explainable. Drawing closer to the chamber, I experience strange visions! Visions I cannot comprehend or understand. These visions, some of which are very much pleasing and enticing, taunt me ever closer to the viewport. As I move closer, I notice some of the strange energy dissipate into my outstretched fingers..." "That's me!" I screeched as I noticed my face flash on the screen. The recording suddenly froze. "Please continue your observation, Alexandra. It is important to understand the concepts." "Sorry. Please continue." "What does it mean? Will it be possible for us to find and safely travel to a new home? As of yet, I am the only one to know of our impending departure. I fear panic and chaos could disrupt my efforts to secure a portal into the chamber should news of our demise become public!" "That is a very good summation, Alexandra." The disembodied voice agreed with me on the recording. "Thanks, RVP. In that regard, I want these files locked and only made accessible by my voice pattern." "Acknowledged, Alexandra." "Thank you, RVP. Now where was I...oh, yes! Alex, I know you will be here to review these files. On one of my closer ventures to the chamber, I have seen your arrival...my arrival...our arrival back here to Reilly. You must finish and confirm the experiment before our time runs down! RVP will help with calculations, but theoretical, psychological, and philosophical inspirations must be yours alone. RVP is not capable of multidimensional temporal paradoxes. Only our biology allows us the freedom to move between our reality and those of the implied multitude of others." My face then came on screen again. "Alexandra, I know you are still in denial of your existence here, it must seem a dire rest period fantasy, but you must finish the work I have started! For the continuance of our race and yours! Yes, I have seen small segments of your history in my visions. With your help they will become as great a race as we before the awakening of the Fusion Giant! As you have no doubt learned, everyone on Reilly has developed 'talents'- evolutionary refinements applied to each progressive revision. I also have no doubt that Camille is listening in at this very minute and will arrive at your side momentarily. She is trustworthy, as is everyone except maybe Janelle. Alexandra, trust your training and experience, but most of all, trust your intuition!" "It is now time for me to prove my hypothesis. RVP, make sure Alex reviews all of my files and help her as much as you can. Also, enable proximity alerts for Janelle Hathor. Alert Alex of her movements as they relate to the Protoverse Chamber." "Acknowledged, Alexandra." "Hopefully, I'll see you on the other side, RVP. Good bye." I noticed tears running down my face on the screen. "Until another time, Empress!" "Until another dimension, RVP!" The recording faded out as I saw the other Alex walk toward the Protoverse 'viewport' and begin to glow. As Alexandra had predicted on the recording, Camille joined me immediately after I finished reviewing the next file. "My Jacquelyn has a problem with privacy too. I guess you heard everything, Camille?" "Yes, ma'am, you do an excellent job of transmitting. So what should we do first?" "First? First we finish learning as much as we can from these files, then I take a closer look through that window." I pointed to the portal. "If I can get close enough, my gift could allow me to foresee different scenarios and possibly find the right sequence of events and a solution." "What is a...a gift, Alex?" "You're reading my mind for starters, Camille! I'll bet you can move things with you mind also." "I'm sorry ma'am, but I have not tried. Is this something you wish of me?" "It's not necessary, Camille. You try it when you feel you should. For now though, I need your help. We're going to look at these files. I have to know what your Alex was thinking about when she walked nearer to that chamber. I need to know where she intended to go...and how! RVP how long do we have?" "Nine hours, thirteen minutes, and fifty-one seconds, Alexandra." "Thank you. Could you display the next file please?" "Acknowledged, Alexandra." One hour later, I was feeling worn out and disappointed. The remainder of the files contained the inception, construction, and startup of the Protoverse Chamber. It also contained previous failed attempts to open a portal to the newly formed Protoverse, which now existed in the chamber. I was nowhere nearer a solution to this puzzle than earlier! "Now what, Alex?" Camille looked more tired than I did. "Now we try things my way! I want you to hold onto me as tight as you can, Camille. I'm going to get as close as I can to the chamber. I'm counting on you to pull me back, got it?" With just a nod she took my hand and I inched closer to the unknown force enveloping the chamber. Like the previous day, I could feel the surge of power flow into my body. Images began to appear in my mind as my gift slowly returned. I stopped my forward trek when I felt my gift was responding properly and began running the scenarios. Nothing was conclusive. Each and every scenario ended with some or all dying. One even resulted in the total collapse of the Protoverse. A logical solution seemed impossible! "Camille, please pull me away." "What will we do now, Alex? Everything you tried ended in departure." "I know, Jack." I said forgetting where I was for an instant. "Every logical situation failed." "Alexandra, did you not recommend trying the illogical? You recommended using your intuition." RVP's bodiless voice proposed. "My intuition only works in my world, Mina- my universe! Apparently that is my universe in there!" I pointed to the window and at the small swirling cloud through it. "That's where y'all pulled me from. Wait!" I looked at the countdown on the control panel. Less than eight hours to go. "That's it! Camille, get Samantha and Cassandra in here on the double!" "What is...on the double, Alex?" "Just get those two here as fast as their feet can carry them!" Camille pressed a few controls then smiled. "RVP, what are the odds of a total reversal of universes?" "According to my calculations, total erasure of both our universe and the Protoverse. Such an impulsive action is nonproductive, Alex. I have no data or reference for such an event- please elaborate." "Are you able to see me, RVP?" "I should think so!" "Good." I removed my lab coat. "This coat, it is what I call right side out- the way we normally wear such garments...um, coverings, correct?" "Yes, Alex, I understand that this is the correct implementation of such coverings." "Alright, I'm proposin' doin' this." I reached through both sleeves and pulled them inside out. The rest of the coat was soon reversed. "Do you understand what just happened?" I asked the computer. "That does not make any difference, Alexandra! The covering is still a covering!" "Yes! And...and no, RVP! The coat is still a coat, yes, but it has been turned inside out. If you look at it from the other side, the opposite happens- like this." I again turned the coat inside out, restoring it to its original condition. "What if we could use the portal in the exact same way? Would the result not be an exchange of universes?" "The theory has relevance in the older texts, but this facility's power generation capabilities are far too minimal to achieve total universal exchange as you have theorized." "Then let's not exchange the whole universe! Would we be capable of exchanging the galaxy or solar system?" "Computing. No, neither is possible given current power capabilities." I looked at the countdown again. I missed my gift of time travel, and my ability to phase out. Raising a fist against the control panel only proved one thing. My fist passed straight through the console! "Yes!" I shouted in triumph! A few more passes proved more of my gift was back. "Alexandra, where are you?" "I'm here, RVP. Apparently more of my gift has returned. This could give us an edge!" "I missed it, Alex, what did you just do?" Camille had been busy checking a bank of equipment in the far corner of the room and had her back turned. "This." I simply said as I phased myself out once more. "Alex! No, not again! Alex!" She cried in horror. "I didn't go anywhere, Camille! I was right here the whole time. It's okay, sweetheart!" I took her into my arms to consol her. "How did you do that, ma'am?" Another voice asked from the doorway. Sam and Cassie had arrived. "It's part of my gift! Its slowly returning the longer I stay here- in this room!" To demonstrate, I continued to hold Camille and phased us both out. "Hold onto my hand, Camille. Walk with me and be enlightened." Her face showed no comprehension. "It's a quote from a nineteenth century book- oh, never mind! Now don't panic, this won't hurt." I informed her as we walked right through the two women just entering the room. Once clear of them we turned around and I re-phased us. "Back here ladies!" Both turned with a start. "Must we waste precious minutes with this slight of hand, Alexandra? I fail to see how becoming transparent can possibly leverage any advantage!" "We...we walked right through them! Not around them...through them!" Camille was so excited, I thought she would pop! "How did you do that, ma'am?" Sam asked in astonishment. "Like I said, ladies, it's part of my gift. I call it 'phasing out'. It allows me to be here- to see and hear what is going on, but to be unseen until I decide otherwise. Somehow, when phased out, I can pass through objects and people- it's gotten me out of many difficult situations since acquiring it." All the jaw dropping was starting to get old. "RVP, if it were possible to phase this whole complex out then enter the portal, could our survival projections improve?" "Unknown, Alex, trans-dimensional probability contains too many variables to ascertain definite results." "Just say you don't know, Mina...sorry, RVP! I guess we'll have to guess!" "Janelle is approaching with four others, Alexandra." "Understood. Sam and Cassie take our hands and hold on tight. RVP, lock the console- my voice print only!" "Acknowledged, Alexandra." I phased out after the two had taken hold of Camille and I. "Whatever you do don't...repeat, don't let go. Understand?" "What are you doing, ma'am, she'll see us!" Cassie cried. "No, she won't. I phased us all out." Five women entered the room to find it empty. "I thought you said you saw them enter Chamber Control?" "I did, Director, I saw Cassandra and Samantha standing in the doorway just a minute ago!" "Then why are they not here? I assign you one, simple task! I shall lobby for your removal from the revisional database myself if you do not find that alien and her three conscripts! Go! Find them!" The Mediterranean woman hissed in anger. "I knew I didn't like her the moment I saw her!" I said to no one in particular. "Shhhh! The assistant director will hear you!" Sam whispered loudly. "I don't think so, Sam, watch!" I swung a fist at my assistant director. As expected, it passed straight through her. "See, she can't see, hear, or feel us, so just relax and enjoy the fun, ladies!" "RVP, grant me access to the control center! Access Ident, Janelle- Goddess-Majesty-six-six-six- Hathor-Revision thirteen." "Control has been locked out pending specific voice verification! Access denied." "What? You dare deny me anything? I am the director of this facility and demand access to this equipment!" She fumed. "For the record, Janelle Hathor, you are not the director! Reilly is still under the control of Alexandra Reilly. Access denied! Please exit this area before containment protocols are enacted and social control representatives are requested!" "Ahhhh!" Janelle screamed. "You poor excuse for an A.I.! I will return, and when I do, I will have the means to permanently shut you down!" "Good day to you too, assistant director, Janelle Hathor!" RVP replied as the irate woman stormed out of the room. "That was enlightening, wasn't it?" I asked as the four of us reappeared in the room. "So you do have a personality, RVP?" "I also have a body, Empress! Please do not forget that when the time comes!" "We Americans took an oath to leave no one behind, Mina...RVP! Can you function outside this facility though?" "I can re-upload and be ready for mobility in under ten minutes, Alexandra!" "Fantastic! Don't wait that long though. I want you here, bodily, no later than ten minutes before we try to open the portal- got it?" "Acknowledged, Alexandra." "Now, how can we get everyone loyal to us to assemble without Miss Hathor mucking up the proceedings?" "Alex, we can't leave anyone behind! You said that yourself...just a minute ago! Janelle may be politically aggressive and conspiratorial, but she is still one of us! She deserves to continue." "You remind me so much of them, Camille! Of course we'll take everyone away from here! I don't believe in smite." "Who?" I looked to Cassie and Sam trying to ignore Camille's clueless stare. "You two...I want you to verbally pass the word around to meet here in..." I looked at the countdown. "In three hours. Tell them to pack personal items into one personal bag, container, whatever. Try to bring along as many mobile personal/diagnostic devices as can be carried comfortably- as long as you can carry everything on your shoulders. Everyone will be holding each other's hand in daisy chain fashion like we did just now. Tell Janelle and her four minions' last- I don't want them trying to sabotage our chance of escape." I motioned them out the door. "So what do we do now, Alex," Camille asked when we were alone once more? "Well, we figure out how much of this complex will fit comfortably through the rabbit hole!" "Um...I think I followed that one, Empress. We see how much of Reilly we can take with us." "You're catching on, Cami. If only Ricki Lynn were here!" I rubbed my forehead trying to think of a substitute. "How would she be able to help, Alex?" "Sweetheart, Chief Samuels has this uncanny talent to fit fifty pounds of manure into a two pound bag! Her gift allows her to concentrate, or shrink objects like equipment, tools, coverings, furniture, and those sorts of things, to fit into small containers. If it were possible for her to shrink this complex, we would use less power, thus enabling us to take more of it with us!" "Please state the composition of manure." I rolled my eyes at her request. "Forget about that for now, RVP, do we have anyone able to reduce the mass of objects, people, space itself?" "Alexandra, I have no files pertaining to the sort of abilities you require. Personal privacy sometimes prohibits attributes from being entered into my database." "That's okay, RVP, we'll make do." "Fabrication equipment is online and ready, Alexandra." "Fabrication equipment? For what?" "To make this "do" you speak of! But first, I require the formula or mechanical design for said product." I rolled my eyes yet again. "It's just an Earth expression, RVP." "How strange." I noticed Camille concentrating on a small green button on one of the cabinets against the back wall. "Cami, I don't think it's going to change color! What are you trying to do?" "I was hoping I could push it in!" "Why would you want to do that? What does it do?" "Nothing, the equipment is offline, but I wanted to push it with my mind like your Jack can do! I guess I just don't have that gift." "Never stop trying, Cami! I know one day you'll get it." "I know I should be able to do it, Alex! I just can't figure what I'm doing wrong." "Well, I know that Jack does this little flourish with her finger." I twirled my finger at her to demonstrate. "I never tried that!" She stared at that green button for a few long minutes more before imitating the finger movement. The button gave way slowly at first, then, not only did the button depress, its cover shattered and the whole cabinet slammed against the wall with a loud crunch. "I hope we didn't need that to open the portal, Camille! Are you happy now?" I hadn't seen such a large smile develop on her face since I first woke up here. "Use the force, you will, but beware the dark side!" I giggled as I pointed to her and imitated a strange character I had seen in a movie while in Arizona. "You are so unorthodox, Alex!" She giggled back. "Likewise, I'm sure. Now, can we get back to saving our collective asses?" "Move out of the way! Who ordered this gathering? Why am I the last to receive invitation?" Janelle's harsh voice could be heard over the noise one hundred and two voices produced when in close proximity. "Nice of you to show, Assistant Director, Janelle Hathor! I have requested this gathering. Is that a problem?" I confronted her as she entered the room and drew nearer to the Control console. "You have no authority here, Alien!" She turned to face the gathered crowd. "This woman is an imposter! She means to take control of Reilly and enslave us all! She is not one of us, she emerged from the Chamber!" "The Assistant Director is absolutely correct!" I shouted as the noise level rose slightly. The crowd around me quickly focused their attention to me instead of Janelle. I had to quell this now! Phasing out, I quickly passed through the crowd to the opposite side of the corridor where I rephased in an opening left in the crowd. "Like Janelle has stated, I'm an alien and I don't belong here!" As one, everyone turned completely around, refocusing on me- including Janelle. Like I said, the jaw dropping was getting really old! "Yet, here I am! For whatever reason, I have been brought here to help you escape the terrible event about to befall this facility and your race! RVP, please open an audio channel so everyone can hear me. Oh, and display the graphic of our dilemma." "Acknowledged, Alexandra." "Thank you, RVP." Within seconds, I was back in front of them again. As before, the whole crowd turned around. "What has been hidden from you is the real reason for the creation of the Protoverse Chamber. Reilly is about to be destroyed by the Fusion Giant!" A hushed gasp escaped the crowd. "In two hours this planetoid and complex will be completely devoured by the sudden expansion of your sun...Fusion Giant! Everything will be incinerated in an instant. Nothing shall remain of Reilly or us! I have observed this occurrence before in my travels and will share what I have seen with you now." I nodded to Camille. Eve