South Of Bikini- The Evil free porn video

EPISODE 9: THE EVIL 0150 HOURS, ATLANTIS-MINOR, NI'IHAU, MAY 10TH, 1944 2 0910 HOURS, KILI ISLAND, MAY 10TH, 1944 5 1100 HOURS, PEARL HARBOR, DECEMBER 5TH, 1941 (SUPPLEMENTAL) 18 EMPRESS' SUITE, 209TH FLOOR, CONSULATE BUILDING, CITADEL SOCIAL CENTER, 11:22, MEDIAN, JUNIA 3RD, 349 OF THE NEW AGE. 22 1323HRS. REILLY RESEARCH STATION, KILI ISLAND, FEBRUARY 10TH, 2026BC 37 0855HRS. REILLY RESEARCH STATION, KILI ISLAND, FEBRUARY 11TH, 2026BC 50 1058 HOURS, 55 SECONDS, PEARL HARBOR, DECEMBER 5TH, 1941 52 1655HRS. REILLY RESEARCH STATION, KILI ISLAND, JUNE 18TH, 2026BC 66 1600 HOURS, PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, DECEMBER 5TH, 1941 70 1811 HOURS, NI'IHAU, HAWAII, DECEMBER 5TH, 1941 77 0756 HOURS, PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, DECEMBER 7TH, 1941 78 0806 HOURS, PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, DECEMBER 7TH, 1941 79 0815 HOURS, PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, DECEMBER 7TH, 1941 80 1035 HOURS, PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII, DECEMBER 7TH, 1941 93 1105 HOURS, NI'IHAU, HAWAII, DECEMBER 7TH, 1941 96 0800 HOURS, ATLANTIS-MINOR, NI'IHAU, MAY 12TH, 1944 102 1005HRS. REILLY RESEARCH STATION, KILI ISLAND, MAY 12TH, 2026BC 108 South of Bikini Episode 9 "The Evil" 0150 hours, Atlantis-Minor, Ni'ihau, May 10th, 1944 Having just settled down for the night, loud knocking sounded out from my quarter's main door. "I was hoping I left that on Kili." I griped to no one in particular as my feet touched the floor beside my bed. The knock sounded again as I got closer. "Just a minute!" Who could be so impatient to see me this time of night? To my surprise, Mina and her daughters forced their way into the building as soon as I turned the knob. "Captain, tell mother she has no right to do this- that it is fool-hardy and self-centered!" Nina, Mina's youngest exclaimed being the first to enter. "Empress, I beg you not to honor our mother's request of you! For everyone's benefit, please!" Mina's second eldest, Kayla, pleaded as she entered. "She is not of her right mind, Captain! Please do not humor her request, ma'am!" Mia, her eldest, warned as she and Lialu pulled Mina into the office. I raised my hand to stop the chaotic ramblings. "Y'all wanna ta tell me what's goin' on here? And why can't it wait 'til mornin'?" I glared at the five women. "Y'all realize it's nearly two in the mornin', right?" "Alexandra, I assure you I had no intention of bringing this to your attention until well after breakfast tomorrow." Mina tried apologizing as her four girls stared back at her. "Mother, this is too important to put off! What you are planning is inexcusable!" "You intend on breaking up our family?" "Why, mother?" Mama, please don't go! Empress, please don't let her go!" "Enough!" I raised both hands this time. All four stopped in mid sentence...or complaint...whatever. "Mina, you wanna tell me what all this hollerin's about? I'd like to try for some sleep sometime tonight." I set my tired eyes to her. Only now did I realize I was standing here in my futuristic medium blue peignoir. I thought I would treat myself after spending seventy-two hours in my 'Kili suit'. "Alexandra, apparently these four have finally deduced that I will be leaving in a matter of days and have decided to inhibit my doing so. Please tell them it is for the best." "I can't do that Mina." I said as I shook my head slowly. "You see...I don't want you to go either- I know I have to- I just don't want to lose you. Not yet." "See! Even the Empress would rather you stay here, Mama!" Nina interjected. "I didn't exactly say that, Nina" It hurt me to say what I had to now. "I must deliver your mother. I have no other choice if this world is to stay the way it is. I'm sorry, Nina." Mina's youngest stood there just blinking her eyes in disbelief of what I said. "But..." "Rest assured that your mother won't leave here for a number of weeks! We have so much left to do; in fact, all of you still have quite a lot to do here! Now I suggest y'all go back to bed." I went to turn for my bedroom. "It's true about Mariah then, isn't it Empress?" Lailu blurted out. That stopped me dead in my tracks! I hadn't been watching our shipwright's future too closely, so I looked quickly. "Damn! How could I have missed it?" "I suppose it is, Lailu. It happens to everyone though, Kakak tiri (half sister)." She looked at me with a half-sad, half-understanding expression. "Maybe, if we could find her twin, then..." "Sedikit adik (Little sister)! That is not an option! Miriah must be given the choice! What did we do in the days before the arrival of the Empress?" Mia chastised her younger sister. "And now it is up to the Empress's charity whether that option is even offered." "My sisters, listen to me! I will do everything in my power to protect our sisters and friends! That is the best I can do- now...can I please get some rest? I have had limited sleep these last three days." "Of course, Alexandra. They don't realize you have been to Kili to welcome two new sisters." Mina said loud enough to catch her daughters' attention. "Two new sisters, Empress?" Lailu caught what was said first. "Wait, what sisters? I have not seen any new sisters in my visions!" Nina looked confused. "Obviously, as it has not happened yet, sisters. Remember the Empress stated she had limited sleep the last three days. She has undoubtedly returned from our near future- three days hence." Mai's evaluation was correct- as usual. "If you must know, my sisters, the past Empress, Alexandra Reilly, has fulfilled her complement of staff at Reilly Research Station in 2026BC. Yuuka Sukiro and Hoshi Takara are about to undergo the Mahanilui in..." I looked at my new wristwatch- the one Tibius had given me. "In ten minutes. Yuuka will become Alex Reilly's resident pixie; Hoshi, Yuuka's partner and handler. Together they will create many legends and myths the world over." I giggled just thinking about the many adventures they would share- the many times Alex would have to 'clean-up' after them. "I thought their existence was pure fantasy, Alexandra?" Kayla giggled. "Alex wishes that right about know, sister, trust me! They will be the reason she is the first Empress driven to gray hair." I covered my mouth as I let out a good laugh. "And that is precisely why I am needed, my daughters! My excellent teaching abilities are required. That is why I must leave." Even without my gift I could see the argument flickering back to life. I decided to quench it before it could. "Sisters, I can assure you that your mother will not leave for another few months, now go back to your quarters and back to bed!" I shooed them toward the door. "Go!" "Thank you, Alexandra, sometimes I wish the family gift had eluded them. Four against one is never good odds." "Only if you're Jack. You knew they would find out eventually, Mina. Why such a ruckus so late at night- you aren't going to leave for another few days?" "They know you have changed our future and wish you to intervene again. They do not understand the danger of multiple paradoxes." "I don't think I even understand them yet, Mina. What are there, ten or so in play right now?" "Far too many for me to comprehend and still remain sane, Alexandra! You are truly the marvel, Empress." "What makes you think I can keep them all straight, Mina?" I smiled. "My point exactly, Empress. It is time to close the circle on a few...before several more open and you risk losing this universe in an unstable time vortex of your own doing!" "A bit melodramatic don't you think, Mina? You and I both know this is the primary universe- the one the other is built from?" "It is now, Alexandra, but that wasn't always the case was it?" I smiled deviously. "Why Mina...y'all mean to insinuate that I traded an entire universe with one that stood to wipe out an entire civilization...just to save that said civilization?" I covered my mouth in faux shock. "And almost destroyed yourself in the process, yes, that is exactly what I speak of! Should Random ever chose to carry out an in depth inspection of that chamber, she would be very unhappy with you!" I looked conspiratorially to either side of the office. "You won't tell her or Cami will you? Randi would be crushed to find out I did something she correctly deduced theoretically impossible." I tried to hide the pride in my smile. "Your humility is overwhelming, Empress. Still, it is time to conclude several of the temporal loops you have previously set in motion." "Mina, you know as well as I that the Sand Dollars' saga is still far from through. It will be another thirty years before her design is declassified. And it will be several weeks until I meet with Eleanor for the first time." "I do not refer to those two loops specifically, Alexandra. You know the paradox to which I refer! Do not take me for the fool, Empress; we've both seen its conclusion!" It was time to get serious. My playful smile left my face. "We leave in the morning, Mina. Say nothing to Emily about this..." I looked around the room quickly. "That includes you, Jacquelyn Cummins!" Mina looked around the room in response to my warning. "How did you know?" I heard the question audibly from Mina and mentally from Jack. "A good captain always knows her crew!" I said to the ceiling. Returning my attention to Mina, I continued. "We shove off at 0900. Wear your 'Reilly' whites and be ready to take fire when we arrive. Now can I get some sleep?" "Aye, Captain!" I again heard audibly and mentally as Mina stiffened to attention. Somehow I didn't feel so commanding dressed in a blue nightie! 0910 hours, Kili Island, May 10th, 1944 "Mina, nice of you to join us." "My apologies, Empress, your four half-sisters received their second wind shortly after my return from your office. They proved...trying!" "Daughters can certainly do that, Mina. Mine have certainly been difficult." I said with a raised brow. "Doesn't it ever bother you that you haven't had your children yet, Alex?" Jack sounded exasperated. I paused a minute then shook my head a few times. "No." I looked around the compound to make sure we were alone- out of sight to Emily. "Ready to go?" I asked as I offered my hands. Pearl Harbor Naval Base replaced our small compound. Having yet to rephase, we had appeared close to the women's dormitory. "Ladies, don't let go yet. We have to check some things out before we actually get here." "When is here, Alex?" Jack asked with some confusion. "If I'm right, 0900 Friday, December, 5th, 1941, Jack." "Oh, shit!" She exclaimed. "Such language, Jacquelyn!" "In this case, Mina, it is warranted- trust me! I wouldn't want to relive Sunday morning over and over if I could help it." "Yet that is exactly what you keep doing, my dear." She looked at me with both eyebrows raised slightly and a devious smile. "So why do we have to stay hidden, Alex?" Jack innocently inquired. I pointed just ahead of us. Not twenty yards from our position was Admiral Demmit. Fast approaching from the rear and on an intercept course, was Emily! Motioning us closer, we listened to the conversation. "Admiral Demmit? A minute if you could?" Emily's voice was loud and pleasant, but slightly out of breath. The old man turned and scowled until he saw who was calling him. His scowl eased somewhat. "What is it Ensign, I'm very busy at the moment." He growled. "Sir, I was wondering if I might talk to you about one of my fellow nurses...if I may." She looked very uncomfortable, looking around them constantly as she posed her question. Demmit, too, looked around nervously. Seeing the general area was devoid of personnel, he seemed to relax, but only slightly. "Emily, what have I told you about us being seen together out of the privacy of my office? The last thing I...we need, is to be recognized as family!" "I'm getting sick of all the cloak and dagger, Uncle Rick. Why can't you just admit that I'm your niece and take it from there?" "Because I refuse to have my only niece used as a promotional stepping stone, young lady!" Demmit animatedly pointed at his niece. "If anyone is going to get promoted around here it's you- and for the right reasons! I do not have tolerance for any young officers engaging you in order to enhance their military standing. If someone wants a promotion, let them do the required time and work." "But how am I going to get promoted if all I do is check blood pressure and change bedpans? I want to finish medical school, uncle!" Emily stomped her foot in frustration. "Emily, you know how hard it is to get into medical school! I told you that I'm doing everything I can to get you in at Norfolk. You have to be patient, honey." "I'm trying to, Uncle Rick, but working with those pompous jerks at the hospital makes me wish I was their superior! Then there wouldn't be anyone in that place free-loading to get out of active duty!" The old man laughed at Emily's remark. "It can't be that bad, honey!" "It's worse! Most of us girls have little or nothing to do. The 'doctors' have us fixing coffee, filling out their requisition forms, filing their reports, and sitting on their desks with our legs crossed for their entertainment most of the time! Real good use of our talents, huh?" "Do you want me to talk to the base commander, Emily? You know I'm only in charge of the Submariner's here and have only a slight influence on how that side of the base operates." "What I'd like from you, uncle, is for you to try and arrange a discharge for one of the nurses, Cynthia Riggby. Cindy has been here so long that she's doomed to be an old maid and therefore is about to go AWOL if she gets turned down for another transfer state-side!" "I see. Well maybe this will lift her spirits, my dear." Uncle Rick reached into his back pocket and removed a folded, brown envelope. Handing it to Emily, he smiled. "Make sure Lt. Riggby gets this, Ensign. She leaves for San Diego in two weeks." Emily wrapped her arms around Uncle Rick and kissed him on the cheek. "You're the greatest, Uncle Rick! Thanks!" She chirped then quickly headed back the way she came. A wide satisfied smile developed on Demmit's face, but quickly submerged as the sound of something metal hitting the ground echoed through the air. A moment later, two sailors rounded a building a short distance away. "No wonder the broads don't want nothin' to do with ya, Jimmie! I betcha dance just as graceful too!" The one said to the other. "I swear that trash can jumped right out at me, Chuck!" I immediately looked at Jack, who smiled. "Hey, Maybe it was ol' King Kamehameha!" "Of course it was." I grinned back hoping she didn't notice my tears. "Hey, maybe one of them cute nurses could teach ya how to be charming, Jimmie!" "I'd like to charm one of them cute nurses right out of her..." "What was that about cute nurses, boys?" Both men froze, stood to attention, and saluted as they almost ran into the old man. "Nothing, sir! Just dreaming, sir!" Both said together. "You will treat the enlisted and commissioned women of this base with respect and not like real estate! Is that clear?" "Aye-aye, sir! Both answered. Demmit used his patented 'eye' to look the two up and down for a long minute. "Hmmm..." He returned their salute. "If I hear of either one of you in trouble with this base's female staff, you'll both be spending time in the Aleutians- got that? Now get out of here!" "Aye, sir!" They replied once more before hurrying off at an angle from the Admiral. "Richard certainly has his moments!" Mina commented as we watched the Admiral start to walk away. "Thank you for the transit, Empress! It is now time for me to do my part in this paradox." Mina released my hand knowing that she would immediately become visible. "Mina, wait!" It was too late for her to hear me. After a slight stumble, a slightly disoriented Mina called out to Admiral Demmit. "Admiral? I say Admiral, please allow me to catch you up, sir!" "What is it now..." he turned toward Mina's voice. Shock filled his face as he strained to make out her rank. "Yes, lieutenant, what can I do for you?" From where we stood, we could make out Demmit sizing her up. "I just arrived, Admiral. Lt. Philamina Smith, sir." She saluted. Admiral Demmit returned salute with a weak smile. "Lt. Smith, what can I do for you?" "Admiral, I was wondering if there was some place to talk...privately, sir? I have been engaged to deliver to you, a most secret parcel." Mina told him softly, tapping her purse a few times. Seeing his reaction, she added, "You have been informed as to my arrival, Adm. Richard Demmit?" "Matter of fact I haven't, Lieutenant!" Uncle Rick stared at her intently. I knew what that felt like! "Judging from the accent though, I gather Washington just neglected to tell me. Please, allow me to show you to my office, Lt. Smith." "Of course, Admiral." Mina flashed her best smile. "First time they've met, huh?" Jack winked at me. "Him, yes- Mina, no, Jack." "Any idea what's in her bag, Alex?" "Our futures, Jack. The start of them anyway." "Cap?" "Mina carries a time sensitive dossier containing a request from the royalty of Kili Island for relocation to a safe area if the Japanese decide to occupy the island. There is also a file containing the specific hull number and potential list of crewmembers for Sand Dollar, Jack. She will convince Uncle Rick that he open it only after receiving notice directly from the White House." I pointed to the two walking away arm in arm. "What we have just witnessed is the start of the rest of our lives, Jack. This is the defining moment of our sisterhood...our society." "So...let me get this straight. Okay...Mina started this whole paradox thing?" I nodded. "Then why does she blame you for it?" Jack raised a confused eyebrow. "Because I did start this, Jack." "Say that again? I thought I heard you just say that you started all this!" "By traveling back to this point in time, I have set in motion the device for my own change- for our change. Had I not already become the Empress, I would never have provided a means for Mina to deliver that package. If Uncle Rick hadn't received that list with our names, we would never have undergone the Mahanilui, thus never traveled back in time to close this paradox, thereby completing it and moving forward." "So...if we hadn't changed, we would have been going around in circles?" "No, as Mina stated several weeks ago, we would have all died, Jack." "But, in order to do that we would have had to have been selected as the crew of Sand Dollar in the first place, right?" "Only Mina could tell you the possible outcomes that would entail, Jack. I wasn't there at the time to foresee that." "But you...we...are here, Alex! A whole two years before we were picked for this!"Jack stopped talking for a minute and rubbed her forehead. She then made a sweeping stop gesture with her free hand. "You know? I'm just going to stop thinking about all this time paradox crap and do what I'm told! Empress, tell me what is to be done next!" She said, annoyed and confused. "We go to the base hospital, Jack! Where else would we go to find headache medication?" I giggled. "Really? It was that simple, Alex? Couldn't it be more in keeping with the general FUBAR everyone seems to feel when accompanying you on these little adventures?" "You love these 'little' adventures, Jacquelyn Cummins!" I smiled at her and we both giggled. "I wonder how Constance is doing?" Jack said out of the blue. That stopped me dead in our tracks- unfortunately it also took my mind off holding us out of phase. A sailor that we had just passed stumbled and looked back at us- probably wondering how he could have just walked by two very cute girls and not noticed. "Who's Constance, Jack?" I tried to cover. "Oh, like you don't know!" She glared at me. "Constance, my forty-year old daughter, Alex! The one we left back in Citadel with your daughter Alexis, Randi's Isabeau, and Tish's Melanie? Tibius can try as hard as he wants to erase those memories, Alex, but if I don't want them erased..." She left the statement hang and just winked. I was quiet while we walked the street leading out to hospital point. "It didn't work on Cami either. She remembers giving birth to Cassiopeia like it was yesterday." I think everyone in Citadel will remember that birth for a long time! I wonder if they ever found the ceiling to the delivery room yet?" "Pffft! That thing is halfway to this galaxy by now, Jack! The ceiling from Constance's delivery room is due to splash down sometime next fall, by the way!" I laughed and winked. Arriving at the hospital around 1000hrs, we entered and I led us to the office I had seen Cynthia explode from two mornings from now. As Emily's memory indicated, the place was almost deserted. We entered the outer office to find it empty, but our ears quickly picked up two people conversing in the next room. "Doctor, I don't think it's standard practice to check my pulse from my thigh." "But you seem a little flush this morning, Lieutenant. I'm just making sure you're all right." "I'm fine, Doctor." "You certainly are from what I see, Lt. Riggby." "You know there's an SP just down the hall. What if I were to scream?" "Well...I suppose he would come in and join us." "That's quite enough." Jack whispered in an angry tone. We then heard something hard hit a table or something wooden within the room. "Wow, I never had that happen before- serves you right though. I would suggest a cool compress to the forehead when you wake up though...doctor." A woman's voice giggled. The clicking of heeled shoes grew closer to the door we were standing before. "Jack!" I whispered loudly as I looked at her with distain. "The pig's hand was moving farther up her thigh, Cap. I had to do something." She whispered back. "This is supposed to be a low-key mission, Jack! One with limited use of gifts, remember?" "Ewwww, a low-key mission! Count me in ma'am!" A third whispering voice joined in making us jump. "Lt. Riggby, we didn't hear you open the door." I tried to cover our apparent eavesdropping. "Did we arrive at a bad time?" "Not at all Commanders. The doctor decided to give me the rest of my shift off today. He said something about taking a well-earned snooze." She put a finger to her mouth as she quietly closed the inter-office door. "So, what can I do for you girls?" She asked with a genuine smile. "Well, since you have the rest of the day off, let's go for a nice walk, Lieutenant. We need your advice on some very...sensitive matters." I smiled back at her. "Do I know you, Commander?" She stepped behind her desk and looked Jack and I over carefully. "Oh, how rude of me. Lt. Riggby, I am Commander Alexandra Steinert and this is Lt. Commander Jacquelyn Cummins, We need advice on some very...um, important issues and were told you were the one to see." "Who told you to ask for me?" She partially closed one eye and cocked her head slightly. "An Ensign Scott, Lieutenant. She claims that you have been here forever and that you would give us a straight answer. If you would rather us leave..." "No! If Emily thought I could be of assistance to you then I'll try my best. Let's go, I could use a nice walk about now anyway." "Wonderful! Let's walk around the point then head for the OC. I'll buy." I suggested with my best smile. When we were clear of the immediate hospital grounds, I got down to business. "Lt. Riggby, I'm going to ask you a few hypothetical questions and I'd like you to think them through very carefully before answering. I must warn you, they may seem delusional and maybe a bit strange." "How 'dilusional and strange' Commander Steinert?" "Bordering on the realm of pure fantasy, Cynthia Riggby." Jack answered calmly. The lieutenant stopped abruptly and looked at us. "You mean like witches, trolls, fairies, and such?" Her voice raised an octave. "Something like that, yes." I admitted before pausing. "But I can see we've already taken up too much of your time, Cindy. Jack and I will be on our way now, thank you for being truthful." I said as Jack and I started to walk back toward the hospital building. "Wait! I didn't say anything, Commander, come back!" Riggby shouted to us as she ran to catch up. "You did, Miss Riggby. You declared us clinically insane, Lieutenant." Jack informed her. "How did you...I said nothing of the kind, Cmdr. Cummins." "Not verbally, no, but you thought it, Lt. Riggby." Jack answered then stared at her a moment. "The same way you can hear me now." Cynthia Riggby jumped with a start as her eyes widened. Jack just closed her eyes and gently nodded in answer to an unheard question. Cindy looked toward me- her face asking the same question. I phased out and quickly walked around her, re-phasing with my mouth close to her ear. "No, Miss Riggby, I have my own gifts. Would you like to hear about them?" "Cap, must you do that? She's on the border of hysteria as it is!" "I see no reason to be blunt, Jack. I'm running out of time and we still haven't asked her the important questions yet!" "You...run out of time? Pfft!" Jack laughed. I just glared at her. "Cindy, I suggest we find a place to sit down before we reveal anything further..." I saw the skepticism on her face, "or...Jack and I can leave and you can go get drunk and forget we were even here." I opened my purse and placed a few dollars in her hand. I gestured to Jack and we turned to walk away. "Did you just do what I thought you did, ma'am?" Lt. Riggby asked quietly as she continued to stare. "What? What is it you think I just did, Lieutenant?" "You..." She pointed to where I had been. "And then you..." She pointed at me. "I don't know, Cindy. Maybe you should take a good look at the currency I just gave you. It may help to explain things better. Lt. Riggby looked to her hand, the money still clinched in her closed palm. Slowly she began to unravel a bill and examine it. Turning it a few times to inspect it, her eyes again began to bug out. "Series 2024?" She stared at me. "But...how?" "How indeed, Miss Riggby. I would think the answer obvious- especially to someone as intelligent as you- someone capable of thinking outside the normal- someone who is not afraid to confront the commonplace. By the way, Cindy, I wouldn't go spending that around here! Someone might think you were a crazed counterfeiter." "What's it like?" "Excuse me?" "The future, what's it like, ma'am?" I thought about it a minute with my finger resting against my cheek and one eye closed. "Well...it's not much different than today. The price of everything is astronomical; Cars don't run on gasoline any more, and everyone dresses provocatively. Things have become much easier since the invention of the Internet though. Would you like to see it, Cindy- while you still can?" "The way you say that...what happens to me? Tell me!" Her face grew scared. "For God's sake, Alex, stop fooling around!" Jack growled at me. "She has the right to know, Jack- before she dismisses us as certifiable lunatics." "Yes she does, Cap, but right now she would make her decision out of fright instead of knowledge. She deserves to hear the whole package." "Lt. Riggby, do you believe that there are things out there," I motioned to the horizon, "that simply cannot be explained? Forget what you have just witnessed and think it through, hun." "She's running it, Cap." Jack whispered leaning closer to me. "The things you refer to, I trust you have seen your fair share, Captain Steinert?" I nodded and immediately noticed she picked up on Jack's address of me. She looked at Jack, who also gave a nod. "There are more of you...out there?" She glanced and nodded to the horizon. "Worlds full, Lieutenant." I smiled. "Adventure; Danger; Intrigue; Romance?" She clicked off rapid fire. "Ooooh ya!" Jack interjected with a silly grin. Lt. Riggby paused to consider those things. "You..." looking down in thought, she continued, "You are human, aren't you?" "Yes." I laughed. "Barring the fact that we have these special gifts...and we live almost four hundred years." I added seriously as my smile went tight. "Oh, good. I thought for a minu...what? Four hundred years?" Her octave again changed. "One of the side effects of being us, Cindy. Oh...we heal very fast too." I casually added. "How fast is fast, ma'am?" She asked cautiously. I leaned over and pointed to my calf. "Two months ago I was shot by a Japanese soldier trying to board our boat. I had an inch-wide slash right here. Emily stitched and bandaged it. The next day it was completely healed. That's how fast, Lieutenant." "Japanese soldier? I knew it! I had a feeling about that! When? Wait...Emily? As in Emily Scott?" I nodded. "Emily is one of you? I would have never guessed." Cindy shook her head in disbelief. "Not yet, Lt. Riggby- not until 1944. None of us before then." Jack answered candidly. "1944? You do realize that your being here creates a paradox? According to what I've heard and read that can be disastrous." She watched to see my reaction. "The captain has been here before, Lieutenant- she saves her brother the day after tomorrow." "Jack! That has no bearing on this mission! What I do here on Sunday is reckless and selfish- nothing shy of pure greed!" I growled, quickly growing angry that she even mentioned it. Riggby stared intently at my sudden change of temperament. "How can saving someone- especially your brother- be considered greedy, Captain?" "Because ten other men died in the process." I fought to hold back the tears I felt forming. "Alex! They all would have died if you hadn't tried!" Jack scolded. "You don't know that!" "Um...ya, I do, Alex- Brie can attest to that, remember?" "Sir's? Can we get on with the questions you want my opinion on?" Cindy interrupted. We both stopped, realizing we were ignoring our guest. I took a minute to compose myself before asking the main question- the one that would allow me to terminate one of many paradoxes- one of the most important ones. "Cynthia Jane Riggby, do you sometimes wonder if you have been overlooked- that you were meant for better things other than just filing paperwork and emptying bedpans-" I paused a second, "that you just don't belong here, but in a different place or time?" I noticed Jack suddenly shift her attention to me as she obviously read my mind and the scenes playing out there. "Where do I sign, ma'am!" Riggby said excitedly, her face quickly displaying a smile. "Not even the slightest hesitation, Lt. Riggby? I would've at least had a few." I raised a brow to her. "I figure it this way, ma'am- if you traveled all the way back here a second time...just for me...to offer me the chance to join you, then how could I decline? I'd be crazy not to accept!" The twinkle in her eyes was infectious. She looked down a moment, "besides, I'm probably going to die on Sunday, aren't I?" 'She's very perceptive, Alex.' Jack thought to me. I ignored her and spoke my prepared half-truth. "It has been rumored that you disappeared during Sunday's attack, but it was never confirmed. Of course, since you have unanimously agreed to join us that became a mote point- and an advantage." "How bad is it?" "It's pretty bad- death, destruction, chaos, horrible loss of life!" "No, how bad is it? Do you have to operate or bite me- drain me of blood or something?" I looked at her thinking she couldn't be serious! "Been reading Mary Shelly and Bram Stoker, eh? Have we ever heard that one before, Jack?" I tilted my head slightly in Jack's direction while keeping my eyes fixed on our candidate. "Some enemy soldiers thought that you, Alex, Cami, and Scotti were demons." "Of course you heard that, didn't you? Jack, you just keep surprising me. Do I need to go off-planet for some privacy?" I rolled my eyes. "You could try, Alex, you could try!" She gave me a devious smile and a wink. "Um...you still haven't answered my question, ma'am!" Cindy again caught our attention. "Jack, would you care to do the honors?" "Aye, Cap." "Lt. Riggby, there is no bloodletting- no anatomical or internal surgery of any kind..." I opened my purse and a small, normal looking, metal flask floated out and moved through the air unfettered, to Cindy. Her eyes again opened wide with astonishment. "You just have to drink this elixir, add to it any high octane booze, and take about a six hour nap. That's it- simple and painless! You'll wake up feeling no different than you do now." I giggled in spite of trying to be serious. "That's it? No lightning; no scary organ music- just drink this, get drunk, and sleep it off?" "Sorry it's not more melodramatic, honey." I shrugged. Taking the flask out of the air, she unscrewed the cap and quickly took a slug. "This tastes like water!" She looked confused. "It is, hun, that's the only flavor people seem to like." I laughed. "Don't drink the whole thing, I'm a little thirsty." I winked as she handed me back the container. "Jack?" I offered it to her after taking enough to wet my whistle. "Thanks, Cap." She put the flask to her lips and her eyes went wide! I felt something sting my neck. "Alex!" Jack spit water from her mouth as she screamed out my name. I reached back and felt something stuck in my neck. Pulling it out, I observed that it was a small blue, fletched dart of some kind. An intense burning started to radiate from the wound. "What the hell is this? I gasped out as I continued to look at the thing. The intense burning seemed to be spreading fast. I started to feel nauseous and my sight began to blur. A high-pitched buzzing filled my ears. Losing my balance, I fell to the ground and whatever was left of breakfast spilled out. "Alex! Jack screamed out again as she reached for me. I could barely see her now- my head was spinning wildly and I felt on the verge of passing out. "Jack...help...me." I managed to get out as things started to get dark. "Alex...bravo...tango...emerg...reset," was all I heard before everything went black. Opening my eyes, I'm looking up to the sky. It was very warm and the surface on which I lay is coarse and somewhat yielding. I think I see a cactus before everything goes dark again. I'm looking up at the sky again. The air feels humid and hot- palm tree fronds shade my eyes from the bright sun. Darkness follows quickly. I'm looking up at the sky. Enemy aircraft are flying overhead. The sound of all hell breaking loose fills my ears. I can feel the concussive vibration of explosives. Everything goes black once more. I'm looking at...at a single yellow sun surrounded by blackness. I can't tell if I'm sitting, laying, or standing. There is a calming feeling about this place. It is neither cold nor hot here. Again blackness consumes me. My vision slowly brightens then begins to focus on some shapes I assume are close to me. I want to rub my eyes to clear them, but my arms feel so heavy...so terribly...heavy. I think something is touching my hand- maybe rubbing my forehead? I try again to focus on the shapes above me. People! The shapes appear to be people. I try to call out for help. Why can't I speak? The effort makes the darkness return. My vision slowly brightens again, this time the shapes are easily recognizable as people. I try to rub my eyes but feel resistance as something touches my arm. I try again to focus on the mysterious figures above me and am rewarded with four women coming into sharper focus. All are dressed in tight fitting shimmery dresses. I try to speak and am rewarded. "Where...where am I?" My voice sounds horrible- as if full of gravel. "Welcome back, mother! We did not expect your return so soon." The voice is familiar, but I can't put a name to it. "Who?" "Alexis, mother. You are back on Terra- in Citadel." "How?" "Your garments. The personal protection system in your clothing was activated. You appeared here in the park unresponsive and near termination two weeks ago. As near as we can tell you had been injected with an unknown toxin. Father was able to isolate it and administer a counteragent." "I closed my eyes and began to slip back into darkness once again. I felt someone shake me and I re-opened them having to refocus. "Who did this to you, mother?" "Please tell us, Empress!" I tried to recall the events leading up to pulling the dart from my neck. Jack had just started to take a drink from my water flask when her eyes flew wide open. She was so startled by whatever she saw that she spit out the water. Cindy screamed? No, Cindy and Jack screamed! What did they see? Was someone behind me? Who could have snuck up without Jack hearing something? I heard Alexis' voice in the background. She was relaying what she saw. "My mother could not react fast enough to protect you?" Another familiar voice asked. "Constance?" "Here, M'lady, as are Melanie, Isabeau, Reilly, and Cassiopeia." "Welcome Empress." The girls said in unison. At the moment I was more concerned about me then the two unfamiliar names last listed. "Why can't I move? I feel so heavy!" "You are still very weak from the toxin, mother. Your practitioner feels it will take a few more days for your nanos to return to large enough numbers to start your physical regeneration." "I want to see! Get me a mirror at once!" "I would not advise that right now, mother. The toxin has taken an adverse toll on your appearance. Trust me, you do not look your best at the moment, Empress." Alexis shook her head slowly. "You mean I look old right- white hair, saggy jowls, sunken eyes, and wrinkles galore?" "That would start the list, yes, mother. At present you look more like the previously terminated, I'm afraid." "You mean I look like a corpse- is that it?" "That is a crude way of describing your current condition, M'lady. We will now leave you to rest and gather your strength. I will be back with you tomorrow, mother- sleep well." The room and women darkened as I felt myself forcibly entering unconsciousness. 1100 hours, Pearl Harbor, December 5th, 1941 (Supplemental Log- Lt. Cmdr. Jacquelyn Cummins) "Alex!" I screamed the second I saw her. Alex reached back and produced a small blue, fletched dart of some kind. "What the hell is this?" She gasped out. The woman that had appeared behind Alex had vanished as fast as she had appeared. "Alex! Cindy and I screamed again as she fell to the ground and upchucked. "Jack...help...me," was all she could get out before collapsing entirely. It was immediately apparent she needed better help than what we could offer! Without hesitation, I began to recite the activation code that Tibius had given me before leaving Terra. All he had said was to use it in the direst of emergencies. This certainly fit the bill! "Alex," I tried to get a reaction, but she was already unconscious. I went straight into the activation code. "Bravo-Tango-Echo-Sam-Three- twelve. Empress Emergency Reset- activate!" A flashing red light started blinking on her right collar. Alex promptly vanished, leaving the two of us alone. "Cindy, did you catch a glimpse of her face? "What happened? Where did Capt. Steinert go?" She said in panic not answering my question. "I activated her uniform's emergency protocol! I haven't a clue what it does, Cindy. Apparently it makes her phase out or transport somewhere! Did you see who did this to her?" "She did!" "What?" "It looked like she appeared behind herself, ma'am!" "Are you sure?" "Hey, I may be your new recruit, but my eyes have always worked fine, Commander! I saw the captain behind herself- like twins! Does she have a twin?" This was not good! One of them- a past or future Empress had gone rouge! I had my idea as to which one, but speculation at this moment was not a luxury! "Commander?" Cindy caught my attention, "Does she have a twin?" I was at a loss to how I wanted to tell her, so I just rambled out what I knew. "She can be in the same place as many times as she wants...I think!" I started. "Once, there were four of her standing right next to each other having a normal conversation- laughing, joking, touching, everything! I didn't understand it then- I don't expect you to believe me now! What I do know is that I've got to get you inducted before any temporal shifts develop from this attack! We need to find Mina," I explained trying to keep my composure. "Who's Mina?" Cindy asked, but she would have to be patient for her answer as I was busy informing Mina what happened. She sounded horrified as she asked where she should meet us. "Philamina Smith is the third person in your rescue party. She was taking care of some paradoxical details with Admiral Demmit. Is there any place we can meet her that would be private enough to discuss what needs to be done? "Emily's uncle is one of you too? It kinda all makes sense now!" "You knew? I didn't think anyone knew?" "Are you kidding? I saw through that one a mile away! I just never let on. Emily is a hard-working girl that deserves to go as far as she can- maybe even become a surgeon someday!" "Alex was right about you, lady! You certainly are a horse of a different color!" "I hope that was a compliment, Commander!" "It was, now do you know a place we can meet up with Mina, or not?" "Tell her to meet us at the OC in twenty minutes; I'll take us to some place safe." "Thank you, Cindy." "When do I get drunk, Commander?" "As soon as possible, Lieutenant!" I told her as we started out for the Officer's Club. "Mina, have you been able to contact Alex?" I asked as she took a seat on Cindy's bed. The room was comfortable for one person, but cramped with three. "Jacquelyn, are you sure this room is secure? Can we be certain the walls are sufficiently insulated?" She cautiously looked around the small room. "I have a dampening field up around the perimeter walls and the door and window have been immobilized. This is as safe as it gets, your highness." "Highness? You're our Queen or something?" Cindy's mouth dropped in surprise. "Only figuratively, Love." Her attention came back to me. "I have not been able to reach Alexandra since hearing of her assault. I fear the worst, Commander." Mina shook her head. "My God, we won't be able to leave, Mina." I realized. "I didn't ship to Pearl until July of last year...um...of 1943. Before that I was stationed out of Norfolk. I haven't a clue where we would be safe come Sunday morning!" I felt myself start to panic. "She'll be alright, Cmdr. Cummins. I have a feeling she'll return before the attack starts." Cindy advised in a cheery voice. "Has she undergone the Mahanilui yet, Jacquelyn?" "Not yet, no." I answered. "How can you be so certain, Cynthia Riggby? I was not informed you possessed any natural gift that would allow you to see our Empress any clearer than I?" "It's called optimism, highness. And where I come from that's all some people got, aside from hope! Those two characteristics are what keep the human race going, you know!" The authority carried in that statement must have impressed Mina because she just nodded her agreement and went silent. "The question remains where and what do we do. We still don't know which Empress is behind all this. Mina, have you tried to contact Brianna? Maybe she can get through." "I've been trying, Jacquelyn! There simply is no one at the other end!" "Alex Reilly! Try Alex Reilly, see if she can help!" I listened to Mina's attempt to contact Alex Reilly. A very groggy Alex finally answered. Mina informed her of what had happened and asked if there was any way she could help us. Unfortunately, the reach of Alex's travel abilities would land her four hundred years shy of us! Instead, Alex checked to make sure our time and dimension were still intact by asking us various questions about current events and cross referencing them with Random's archive. Relieved that we hadn't taken a temporal tangent, Mina and I bid Alex Reilly a good night and terminated the connection. With our temporal security safe at the moment, we set about planning for our security during the attack. Mina and I were still reluctant to shed light on Cindy's whereabouts Sunday morning though. "I suggest we stay away from all airfields and barracks. I remember hearing about Schofield's barracks taking a direct hit. Of course it makes sense to stay away from the harbor as the main target is the fleet." I thought for a minute. "That leaves the civilian areas like Honolulu, and the mountains." "How about the hospital? Do they hit the hospital?" Cindy asked with concern. "I don't know for certain, Cindy. Alex is the one to ask about that- though I do know that Emily was on duty there that morning and she escaped injury!" I hated to lie to her, but if I told her that she was at the center of the explosion, she might refuse to go there and cause a tangent. "Why? I asked instead. "Well, I go on duty 0600 Sunday morning. When does the attack start, Commander?" "0800, I believe." "But I still die on Sunday? In the attack?" Mina gasped as I nodded my head. "You told her? Jacquelyn, we are here to save her! Why would you tell her that? Do you have no scruples?" "Lt. Smith, Cmdr. Cummins and Capt. Steinert did not have to tell me what lay ahead. When you said that Captain Steinert was here before to rescue her brother, I put two and two together. The only logical reason you were here, talking to me, was that I was to be rescued also- that I somehow don't make it past Sunday. I am obviously part of her grand plan to help mankind survive!" "Emily was right about you, Lieutenant, you are very special! I can see why she tried her best to save you!" Mina praised the girl. Cindy broke eye contact with Mina and stared at me. "I thought the Captain told you about me?" "No, when Alex returned to 1944 with Brian by her side, she was upset that she could only save Brian- that ten of his shipmates still died after she rescued them from the Arizona." Cindy audibly gasped. "She did however tell of a kind Lieutenant that offered her a place to stay for the night. Someone that made sure she had food, a bath, and a bed. This Lieutenant even gave her some clean clothes! Alex was surprised that she was so hospitable and caring to a complete stranger." "Me?" She asked. Mina and I both nodded. "Emily asked if Alex had gotten her name. When she said your name, Emily broke out in tears. She told us that you had died in the attack- that you had less than two weeks before shipping stateside. Alex has spent the better part of three weeks trying to devise a plan to get you out safely." "Why so long? Someone with her talents could just appear and take me! Why make a plan?" I really didn't want to say any more, but felt it necessary for her to understand. "Because Emily saw you die, Cindy! She was the first on the scene- the first to check for...for a pulse!" I had to stop a second to compose myself. " If Emily doesn't see you die, she might not decide to transfer to a forward hospital- then she might not be aboard a submarine to load the torpedo that sinks an attacking Japanese destroyer which, in turn, gets her a silver medal and the opportunity to become a doctor and be assigned to the mission that ultimately changes us all! The future might very well change for every one of us if she does not think you are dead! Do you understand?" We remained quiet for a long time before Cindy's tears stopped. I was still wiping mine away when she broke the silence. "I mean that much to the Empress? Why?" Mina took over now. "Cynthia, the Empress has vowed to help save the world from itself. In the process, she has made it her duty to protect her friends and family- no matter the cost. She is the personification of the legendary Empress from two universes, maybe more! What she has in mind for you has not been revealed to me, but I can tell you it is far into the future, so far in fact that I cannot see you in it. Take no offence to what I say because my time here is severely limited. "You're dying, highness?" "Let's just say I am 'going away' and leave it, Cynthia." "As you wish, ma'am." "And I will have none of that, Miss Riggby! Our society does not require homage to nobility! We are equal- even the Empress! Is that understood?" "Yes, ma'am. So...what do we do now?" I opened my bag and removed an unopened bottle of whiskey I had purchased while at the Officer's Club. "You...get drunk!" I floated the bottle to her as I willed the top to unscrew. "That is unless you've changed your mind, Lieutenant?" "No ma'am! I could use a good stiff one right about now! Care to join me?" Empress' Suite, 209th floor, Consulate Building, Citadel Social Center, 11:22, Median, Junia 3rd, 349 of the New Age. My eyes opened and immediately focused on Alexis at my bedside watching me. A huge smile developed on her face seeing my eyes open. "Oh, mother, I'm so glad you're feeling better." She said as she leaned over and kissed me on my cheek. "You had us all worried when you first arrived." "How long have I been here?" I asked, noticing that my voice had returned to normal. "Three Terran weeks, mother. It is good to see you back in good health, Empress. Father has been here every day since you arrived and has stayed your bedside every night after finding your cure. I have never seen him more protective of anyone since my coming of age forty years ago!" I took a good look around the room and recognized my personal bedroom suite at the Consulate Building. Everything looked the same as the day we left! It made me wonder... "When is here, honey?" I smiled back at her. "My apologies, Empress." Alexis blushed as she realized what I meant. She immediately bowed her head. "Welcome to Citadel, Terra, Empress. Today is Median, Junia, 3rd, 349 of the New Age." "Fifteen years from when we left." Alexis nodded. "That would explain the two unfamiliar voices I heard earlier!" "Reilly and Cassi are just dying to finally meet you, mother! They go on and on about..." "I am truly sorry I was not here at your awakening, Empress Alexandra! I got here as fast as the transport system could handle!" Tibius explained as he burst into the room. "Thank you, Tibius! Our daughter tells me you are the one to whom I owe my life." I gave him my best smile. I felt a tear from each eye dance down my face. "I should take my leave, mother." Alexis said as she turned for the door. "Stay. I wish to spend some time with my family of this world- with the people responsible for saving me." I insisted as more tears came. Alexis made an attempt to lean over me again, but I waved her off and carefully pushed myself up to sitting. Everything about me felt stiff and sore! Both Alexis and her father, Tibius, stared in fascination as I then touched my feet to the floor and stood for the first time in three Terran weeks! It was at this time that I noticed I was in a very smooth, silky feeling- very short- pink sleeping gown. "After fifty-five years you still have this? Tibius, I didn't think you were that sentimental?" That got him to blush! "Forgive me, M'lady, but when you arrived your protective clothing was all but destroyed. Its neuro-circuitry proved difficult to disengage from your synapses, drawing precious energy from your body. I'm afraid we will have to modify and construct a replacement." "As long as it brought me here to the one person that could save my life, Tibius! I should give you and your engineers a medal if I was really that kind of Empress!" "Ah, but you truly are that 'kind' of Empress, M'lady! You are nobler than any royalty here or on any other world!" Tibius took my hand and kissed it. I felt myself blush. This was how it all started in Citadel fifty-five years ago. And just like fifteen years ago, I had to resist his extensive charms yet again! "Tibius, would it be too much to ask if I could get dressed? I fear you may be in trouble should I wear this any longer- and I may get into trouble because of you." Alexis covered her mouth as a giggle escaped it and looked away. "I should go now." She implied. "Don't you dare, young lady! You are the only thing keeping your father from his intended duty! And I am still saving myself for my future Earth husband!" "If I may, Empress, from whence did thou remove when thoust emergency reset did activate?" Tibius inquired. "Again with the Shakespearian talk, Tibius? I'll tell you this just once! We had only been back on Earth for a few days...before...scratch that, I'd been back seven days before setting about my plan to rescue Cindy Riggby. Jack, Mina and I had just arrived at Pearl Harbor on Friday, December 5th, 1941" I paused to do the math. "That's thirteen years before I come here the first time, Tibius! Now please allow me to dress. I'll join y'all shortly." Both Alexis and Tibius turned to exit the room. "My daughter can stay if she wants to." It was a request not a suggestion. Alexis stopped and returned to my side. We waited for the door to close fully. "You wished to talk with me, mother?" "Your father said my uniform was almost destroyed? How much longer until I would have been-?" "In all truthfulness, we could not believe you were still alive, Mother Empress- the internal and external damage to your body was so severe and extensive! It was as though the toxin was slowly digesting you from within. The practitioner attending you archived all available information because he could not understand how you survived such devastation. During your treatment he kept reprising your strength to live. I can only hope I have your fortitude when the time comes, mother." "I believe all my girls have it in them, Alexis. My son will too." I said as I walked over to the closet to find something to wear. "I have a half-brother, Empress?" She looked surprised for a moment. "Oh yes, James isn't it?" "No, Alexander, born December 21st, 2012- Earth time. James is your Aunt Emily's boy born May 6th, 2002- Earth time." "Forgive me, mother, I should have remembered that." "Alexis! It's been fifteen years! No one expects you to remember the names of people you've never met- especially if you have other things on your mind! Now who is Nathan?" "Mother! For someone that claims to have no telepathic talent your hyper-cognitive skills continue to astonish me! When did your foresight return?" "I guess today. Although I do recall seeing several different places after the reset was activated. They looked very familiar to me- did you see them when you looked into my mind earlier?" "That was the recall system's basic protocol, mother. The first place visited was some area called Arizona. I believe the year recorded was 2027AD. The next place you traveled was dated 2027BC- quite the range extreme, mother!" "Ancient Kili Island and the Reilly Research Facility." "I believe you are correct, mother. The third place..." "I know where the third place was, Alexis. 0815hrs Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941!" "Such useless barbarism on an antique scale, though I would love to safely observe that specific event, Empress." That was a very dark day in American history, Alexis. Our president summed it up perfectly when he said 'it would be a day that lived in infamy'." "He sounds like a very wise man. Your fourth and final stop was an unknown, unnamed place devoid of any and all life except you, mother. It sends shivers down my spine every time I picture it." "That would be my private dimension, honey. On that plane, I can call upon the dead for advice and conversation. The people I've met there have been fundamental in my education as Empress. I can take you there if you wish." I said as I carefully shucked off the short, delicate, pink gown. "With all due respect, Empress, I would just assume not." "I understand." I said as I began to pull up my britches. "Mother, you may consider this first." She said as she handed me a small cylindrical device. "Terran weeks are eight of your Earth days long, and Terran days are twenty-six Earth hours long. I can sense you are about to start your cycle." "Aren't you the considerate one?" I gave her a mock smile before turning and inserting the Terran equivalent of a tampon. Finding out who had poisoned me would have to wait another week...another Earth week. Once finished dressing, Alexis and I went to the large meeting room where Tibius, Constance, Melanie, Isabeau, and two younger women greeted us. "Mother, I'd like to introduce two more members of our society, Reilly, and Cassiopeia." Both girls took their turn bowing to me, greeting me properly as was the custom here on Terra. Reilly, for the most part, looked like a younger version of Alexis. Cassi, on the other hand looked like a younger version of Mariah Banes, our Shipwright. "Greetings, Empress!" Reilly sang out. "I have been so excited to meet you. I had hoped that my own mother had been the one to arrive- not that I wanted her to be near death like you, but I so hoped it would have been her and not you, so you can imagine my surprise when Alexis confirmed to us that you were her mother instead of my mother, but you both are my mother in the relative scheme of things, which is confusing as well, but if you really think about all the parameters and logically evaluate them you two are not so much alike yet you both share the same genetic structure and programming, except you have lived in way different eras and had different experiences, but since you share memories you're more like twins instead of temporal copies of one another- so you must be the same person or not...I get so confused, Empress!" She finished in exasperation. "You're about sixteen, right honey?" I asked, hoping I followed half of everything this teenager had just babbled to me. "Sixteen this Saturian, Empress." She blushed. "Thought so! Honey, don't be so afraid of me, I hardly bite! Don't forget, I was here at your birth and share all your mother's memories. It would honor me to act on behalf of your mother while I'm here, Reilly!" She ran over to Alexis and wrapped her arms around her. "Did you hear that? The Empress says she would be my mother while here! She really is as nice as you say, Lady Alexis!" "Greetings Empress! Is it possible to take me with you in order to visit my mother, Camille Darough? I long to speak with her about a great many things!" Cassi wasted no time with her inquiry- exactly as her mother would! "That is not the way you have been taught to welcome our Empress, young lady!" Isabeau reprimanded the young woman. "In case you've all forgotten, I do not stand on any strict protocol, my sisters! Cassi has left no doubt as to who her birth mother is!" I looked down the few inches to her face. "You remind me so much of her, sweetheart!" She looked at the others. "You all hear that? She called me 'Sweetheart', that's what she calls my mom!" She announced proudly. We all laughed. "Have you two received your gifts yet?" I asked the two after things had settled down. "You brought us gifts too?" Cassi asked as her eyes widened. Yep, there was Cami! "The Empress wants to know if you and Reilly have grown into your abilities yet, Cassiopeia!" Constance corrected her. "Oh...not yet, Empress. I have not currently found my talent and am worried it may never arrive." Cassi's excitement drained as her face saddened. I carefully leaned toward her. "You will find your gift, Sweetheart. Your mother was well over one hundred and twenty-one years old before she noticed and began developing her gift. You must be patient, young one." "Do you see when I get my talent, Empress?" "Oh yes. It will arrive soon, in fact." "Tell me! Tell me what it is...please?" "That would spoil the surprise, sweetheart! You must wait." "Awwww!" "Well I've gotten my talent and I saw when Cassi gets hers too!" Reilly sniped. "But I'm not going to ruin the surprise either!" She ran a finger across her mouth like a zipper and crossed her arms in front of her. I half expected her to stick out her tongue too! They reminded me so much of my two at that age! "That is enough of that, Reilly! Your father did not raise you to be so rude!" Alexis growled. "What a show you've put on for the Empress! Now apologize to her and to Cassi!" "But I didn't do anything wrong, Alexis! Why should I say I'm sorry for something I didn't do?" I made my way over to Tibius who was standing at a distance from us women. Leaning in closer to him I whispered, "Reilly reminds me of Alex Reilly so much! You do know that is how she got the nickname 'Empress', right?" "M'lady, I spotted the similarities as soon as she was born. Quite a handful, that one! I hope she out grows it soon though. Her father is at wits end with her, I fear!" "Inform Gaillan and Timus that I will be taking their daughters for a visit with their mothers as soon as I clear up the mystery of who tried to kill me." "They will forever be in your debt, my love." "I could have them back in under an hour you know!" "I think they will agree you should take your time with their return, M'lady." We both started laughing as Constance continued to read Reilly the riot act. My week on Terra passed quickly and turned into two weeks as I pondered the identity of my assailant and how I would track down and capture said villain. Alexis and the other girls tried to help, but achieved nothing concrete. Eight days after waking up in Citadel, I was reminded of one aspect of time travel and such a long life! "Mother, you should keep this door locked! Secure building or not, someone could enter and do you harm!" Alexis warned as she opened the suite's door. For some odd reason I felt she was not alone, even though that looked the case. I searched my feelings as she walked over and kissed me on the cheek. Momentarily shocked, I realized that I knew this feeling- very well, in fact! Alexis apparently noticed my expression toggle and raised an eyebrow. Standing still, she rolled her eyes once and started scanning the room. "Alright you little pixies, I thought I told you to stay home? Show your selves!" "Grandma!" A child's voice shouted as a girl of about eleven appeared on the couch to the right of me- I jumped slightly. Her hair was two shades darker than mine. "Gramma!" A second child's voice echoed the first's greeting as she materialized on my left side. The eight-year-old's hair was much lighter than her older sister's- the same color as mine, in fact. "Hi, Grandmother!" The third child's voice sounded much different and I jumped in surprise. A third child appeared right in front of me. The boy of about ten had medium brown hair and looked at me with large, blue eyes. This one reminded me of Brian at that age. "I'm sorry, mother, but they have been so anxious to meet you! When they heard you had arrived, it took everything I had to keep them away until you recovered. I'll take them home if you wish. I was still in such shock to be a grandmother that Alexis started to gather her children and direct them to the door. "How long were you going to keep this quiet, my daughter? Didn't you know I had foreseen them before my previous departure? Come here, kids! Let Grandma have a proper look at you!" All three broke from their mother and ran back to me. A three-way mugging ensued as my grandchildren wrapped their arms around me like tentacles! "I should have known you had seen my future, mother. In some ways you remind me of Aunt Cami. She can never mind her own business." Alexis laughed as