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South of Bikini Episode 10 "Conference of the Empress" 1005hrs. Reilly Research Station, Kili Island, May 12th, 2028 "Empress, welcome to Reilly Research Station. It is 1000hrs on May 12th, 2028." My Samantha immediately dropped to one knee to greet us. "Aunt Mina!" Samantha squealed when she saw her. Standing, she ran over, wrapped her arms around the woman, and kissed her several times. When finished she stepped before me. "Mom, I'm so glad you got Uncle Rick to come!" She smiled. "Uncle Rick, we've missed you!" She cried, again repeating her greeting with him, and I. As expected, Randi and her daughter Isabeau suddenly froze in place for a few seconds before announcing they had successfully connected to Reilly's computer interface. Alex and I just shook our heads in amazement. "Lady Alexis, she is your sister!" I heard Isabeau whisper conspiratorially after resuming human operation. Sam heard her also and grinned. "You must be my younger sister." Samantha moved in front of Alexis. "Hi, I'm Samantha Fleming..." Sam didn't wait for an answer though before wrapping her arms around Alexis. Her impulsiveness broke all formal Terran greeting protocols. In their culture, one may only introduce one's self face-to-face if not escorted by a common acquaintance, but under no circumstances must physical contact ever be permitted initially. As a result, Alexis stood stiff and silent. Before the Terrans moved to step two of their 'Breached Introduction Protocol', I stepped in. "Remember girls, you are not on Terra. May I remind you that the people of Earth are more physical, therefore a hug and possibly a kiss on the cheek is proper etiquette here. Say hello to your older sister, Alexis." I gestured to Samantha who was staring at her in confusion. "Did you just try to change my location, sister? Because for a second I thought I was in some hot, dense jungle." "You three better be nice!" I pointed at Alexis, Melanie, and especially Isabeau. "It is a defense mechanism, Sam- one that obviously needs more control." I reprimanded the three women. "Lady Samantha, we beg forgiveness! We were surprised by your unsolicited affection and perceived it as an attack. Our expectations for this protocol have been loosened, M'lady." Isabeau stated most diplomatically. "Well I hope y'all aren't gonna be sticks in the mud, honey." Sam laughed then paused when she got no reaction. "Well, welcome to Earth anyway, ladies. Hope you enjoy your stay." Samantha moved away and pulled me to the side. "Mom, I've seen corpses that aren't this stiff!" She whispered as she looked conspiratorially at Alexis. "Well I'm very happy to meet you, Lady Samantha!" Reilly interrupted. "I'm Reilly Reilly, you can hug and kiss me, if you like!" Sam laughed. "Of course!" She repeated her greeting then moved on to her aunt. "Aunt Alex, I've missed you too!" "As have I dear! I must apologize for Reilly's forwardness; she just turned nineteen last month. So where's the present Empress, dear, I thought she'd be here to welcome us?" "Mom had to take care of something for Aunt Brie. She should be back soon enough. How's everything back on your Kili?" "Wonderfully unpredictable, honey. Billie here is constantly surprised by the things our sisters do." She then pointed to Jack's twin. "She just hates that!" Alex giggled before the blonde next to her cleared her throat. "Oh, I'm sorry, Billie, this is Alexandra Steinert's daughter, Samantha. Sam, Billie Sangiere." "Highness, it's good to finally meet you, ma'am." "The pleasure is all mine, Samantha. I was wondering when someone would get around to introductions." Billie pointed her nose to the sky in mock snobbery and began laughing. I noticed Sam's mouth drop as her attention moved back to me. "Aunt Allie, you...you..." she slowly pointed to me. "You have a fairy standing on your shoulder!" She told me in disbelief. "Oh that thing? Ya know...they are just the hardest things to get rid of! Your Aunt Alex has tried poison, roach traps, fly paper, rudeness, even honey! This one simply just won't go away!" Sam laughed as I felt a hard tug on my earlobe. "What?" Yuuka shouted in my ear. "Honey, Yuuka can't help herself! Her gift makes her disobey orders frequently! Time to grow up and present thyself, pixie!" "That thing? I am a person, Empress! I am not a 'thing'!" Yuuka Sukiro griped as she grew to full size beside Sam. Sam wasted no time putting the squeeze on her! "Welcome, pixie! I guess you've come to visit the others, Yuuka-chan?" "Others?" Yuuka tilted her head in confusion. "Ya, the other pixies! Kili is full of 'em!" Sam laughed. "I do not believe you!" Yuuka grumped like a five-year old. "At last count two hundred seventy-five, Yuuka-chan. Here they come now! You know, word travels fast on a small island, hun!" Sam pointed up at the near tree line to a green swarm that was growing larger as it closed on us from port. "Um...I have to fly now!" Yuuka said quickly as she ran and shrank at the same time. Flying off to the right, the swarm followed her back into the palms. "Mom got your message from Aunt Brie and brought a few...descendants ahead to keep Yuuka...occupied!" Sam giggled. "Told you we would have fun here, Admiral." I looked over to my dumbfounded uncle and winked. "You are so devious, Alexandra Steinert!" Alex Reilly scolded as she and Mina laughed. "That'll teach her to hitchhike." "Where is Cmdr. Cummins? I need to tap her supply of aspirin, Samantha honey." The old man asked while rubbing his forehead. "Aunt Jackie is with mom. They should be back any time now, sir. If you'll follow me, I'll show you to the infirmary. Aunt Emily is still running her inventory." We began to walk toward the airlock, but I stopped us quickly as I remembered its past history with men. "Sam, has Randi reset the airlock security yet? I wouldn't want Uncle Rick to experience any...confusion." "She finished it earlier this morning, Aunt Allie. He's safe to enter. Uncle Spencer and Brandon are already inside." "Alexandra, wonderful to see you again!" Emily's second husband, Spencer greeted us as we turned the corner of the hallway near the station's infirmary. "Admiral Demmit, a pleasure to see you again too, sir!" Spencer stood to attention. "At ease, son, I'm just Uncle Rick for the next couple..." He looked at Alex and I for confirmation and received a nod from each, "for the next couple of days." He concluded, shaking Spencer's hand. Spencer then stuck his head into the open doorway. "Em, there's someone here to see you." "I'm almost done here! I'll meet whomever in a few minutes," Emily's response was barely heard! "Emily, you should get out here, hun! ASAP!" "ASAP? Why? Who could be here that I haven't seen..." Emily cleared the door and stood motionless for a second. "UNCLE RICK!" she screamed. Despite herself, she bolted to the old man and just about knocked him over. She immediately started to cry. "I'm so glad you could make it! I've...we've all missed you terribly! Thanks sis, I knew you could get the old despot here despite his complaints!" For my efforts I received a hug and a kiss on the cheek-, as did Alex Reilly. "Doctor, I trust you have been well?" Mina asked in her regal voice as she stepped out from behind me. Apparently she underestimated Emily's response and expected a greeting similar to mine. Mina's welcome, however, was another scene altogether! Emily put a strangle hold on her and both cried and laughed and cried some more. "I guess it pays to be the queen!" Billie said sadly. "Jack, I thought you were with...your highness, I'm sorry, I thought you..." "Yes, Emily, I've been getting that alot today! How are you, doctor?" After a somewhat more subdued greeting, Emily moved to Alexis. Melanie had stayed with us, but Isabeau stayed with Random outside when they found Randi and started a conversation. "Sis, stop!" I warned. Emily did as asked, but looked at me for the reason. "Emily Scott-Rosen, I'd like to present my third daughter, First Daughter of Citadel, Lady Alexis of Terra. Alexis, this is my sister, your aunt, Emily Scott-Rosen." God, these Terran protocols were tiresome! "Alexis, nice to meet you, sweetheart!" Emily put her arms out and gestured for Alexis to approach- which she did and received Emily's embrace and a kiss on the cheek. Melanie took the initiative from Reilly. "I'm Melanie Moritsu, M'lady, nice to meet you!" Much to Alexis' chagrin, Melanie initiated the embrace this time. "Tish is going to be so surprised!" Emily beamed to her. "Emily, I seem to have contracted a headache on our arrival. Could you prescribe some aspirin or whatever the present remedy would be?" Uncle Rick asked kindly. "Alex! Both of you know how confusing your mode of travel can be on us!" "Hey, it wasn't us this time, sis. It was the stow-away pixie!" Alex beat me to the explanation. "I wondered why Alex took Sasha with her last week! When I asked her where she was going, she just said she had to drop back to the dark ages to pick up a friend or two." "Sasha?" Uncle Rick asked. "Sasha is one of Yuuka's kind and helps us out from time to time. She calls herself 'The Fairy Queen'. She's been dying to meet Yuuka though!" Emily giggled. "Pixies- they certainly are a difficult branch of the sisterhood!" "Trying at best would describe them better!" Billie concluded. "Amen to that, sister!" Alex Reilly and I agreed in unison. Changing the subject, I asked Emily how Carroll's baby was doing. "She's doing wonderful, Alex. Turn around." Emily pointed. There stood Carroll with her bundle of joy held tightly in her arms! "Hey, Skipper, want to hold her?" She looked down at the infant. "Does you want Auntie Alexandra to hold you a few minutes, sweetums?" Carroll looked really happy as she spoke to the child in baby talk. I accepted the smiling nine-month-old baby girl into my arms without a thought. Memories of Sam at this age flooded my mind. The hallway lights flickered. "The old place is having some problems with the reactors. Ricky Lynn is down there now, sis." Emily explained quickly. Alexis seemed distracted for a second before her maternal instincts took over and she and Melanie came nearer to fuss over our newest sister. Even Uncle Rick got into the act. "Fine job, Miss Sheldon!" He said proudly. "Thanks, Admiral!" Carroll gushed as I returned Cassie to her. Again the hallway lights flickered. "Ricky Lynn better get that problem fixed before the conference starts, sis!" I groused. "It's been acting this way for a couple months now, Alex, Ricky Lynn's doing her best." "Shouldn't Randi be hardwired and helping her?" "She claims she can do it herself, Alex." For a third time the lights flickered, this time the time off was noticeably longer. In the many times I had been here, this was the first time the reactors had given any hint of failure- strange. I consulted my old friend- Will Ricky Lynn fix the problem before the conference? I got a big response! Wonderful, I thought! Will she get it fixed after the conference? I got another big response! What the? That single, simple fragment of a question provided me with all the information I needed. Quickly, I used my sudden pause as an excuse. "Alexis, I just got a call from your Aunt Brie, she and Alex need our assistance! I need you, Melanie, Mina, and you, Admiral! We have to go now! Sorry, sis, I'll try to make it back as soon as I can. Alex, you and Billie keep an eye on Reilly and the pixie. She may find a way to get into trouble yet! Everyone, take my hands. Bye, sis!" I spouted quickly as I phased us as soon as we were together. The flickering lights of Reilly's hallway faded into the blackness of my private domain. A quick check to my left- to the distant, single, unmoving sun- reassured me that we were indeed in my domain. "I hate this place!" Alexis groaned as she looked around us in confusion. "I concur, Lady Alexis. I also have fond memories of this isolated hell!" Mina also complained. "Where the devil are we, Alex?" Admiral Demmit growled. "This is that private place I told you about, Uncle. I brought us here because something is not right on Kili!" "How can you be so sure, mom?" Alexis asked. "You didn't feel...it, Ally?" "I felt a strange twinge right after you took Aunt Carroll's Cassie, Mom. What does it mean?" Alexis seemed confused for a second then a light went on. "Cassie is my oldest sister! What's going on, mom?" "Melanie, how many people did we leave past Reilly with?" "M'lady, besides yourself and I, Lady Mina, Queen Billie, Lady Alexis, Lord Admiral Demmit, Lady Reilly, Lady Cassi Darough, Lady Camille, Lady Yuuka, and Co-Empress Alex Reilly made up our group- eleven in total, Empress!" "Exactly! By my count, eleven also, yet did you see Camille or Cassi when we arrived?" "You are right, Empress! Lady Camille and her daughter were nowhere to be seen! Where did they go...did they release their hold?" Melanie said as her face began to lose color. "Mind telling the old man what's going on. Alex?" Demmit growled. "When was the last time you made a fuss over a baby, Uncle Rick- exempting Samantha, Cassandra, and James of course- which you haven't done yet?" "Why, I've never made a fuss over any child, Captain!" He seemed to reconsider his answer as if not sure now. "That's my point! Any of us would have and did make a fuss, but you wouldn't, Admiral. A commanding figure like you would show restraint and professionalism. Someone tapped into my mind the second we rephased! As a matter of fact does anyone remember me saying we were about to rephase?" I looked between us after asking. All heads shook to the negative. "I thought not!" "Alexandra, the others, are they in jeopardy?" Mina asked in concern. "From what I saw, they should be fine if they don't suspect anything's wrong." "The pixie! She saw through it! They had to scare Yuuka away so that she wouldn't ruin their plan." Melanie's eyes lit up as she deduced correctly, Yuuka's sudden departure. "That wasn't a horde of pixies chasing her, was it, M'lady?" "I don't think so, Mel- and if you don't start calling me Alex...!" "Understood, Empress." "Mina, do you think you could reach me...Allie from here?" I inquired of her. "Trying, Alexandra." Mina stood quiet a moment. "Nothing, Empress. Might you try Brianna?" "My next move, Mina." I said as I concentrated on my sister. 'Brianna? Alex calling Brie." "Empress HQ Hotline, any time, any place. This is Brianna, how may I direct your call?" "Cute. Brie, we have a little situation here. Can you tell me the date and time where you are, sis?" "Of course, Alex, it's May 9th, 2028. Ma, Freddie, Dee, and Frederick are waiting for you to pop in and transport us to the conference- what's keepin' ya?" "Brie, this is me from 1944. I've got Mina, Alexis, Mel, and Uncle Rick with me. We're here in my private dimension. Something isn't right at the conference. You try to get hold of Alex and tell her to meet me here, got it?" "Aye, Skip! Good as done, I'll try to backdate my call to her...to yesterday. I know she was still reachable then." "Thanks, Brie, I owe ya." "Alex?" "Ya?" "Be careful, Empress, its like somethin' weird's goin' on." "Thanks, sis. Love ya." "Brie says she'll tell Alex to meet us here. It shouldn't take long." I informed everyone. "The Empress of Time and Space never takes 'long'! Please state the nature of your temporal emergency in five hundred words or less." My sister announced as she and Jack appeared in front of us. "Alex!" I shouted in excitement as I wrapped my arms around my twin. The gentle tingle made me feel that much better. "Thanks for the boost, sis, I see we've met the future Empress recently. I forgot what it felt like to meet that precocious eighteen-year old." "Would somebody please tell me what's going on?" Uncle Rick shouted out. His voice seemed to echo endlessly. "Only if you wish to participate in the adventure of your life, Ricky!" A woman's voice echoed back. "Who said that? Show yourself!" Uncle Rick ordered. "Simmer down, Ricky! I'm almost there." The voice giggled and a woman that looked like me only with shorter gray hair, walked into view. "Ruthie? Oh God, I'm dead!" "No, Ricky, you're quite alive- I, on the other hand..." "Mrs. Scott? Emily's told me all about you!" "Alexandra, the dearest daughter I never knew- or gave birth to! You have made quite the stir in the afterlife, Empress. Word has it that you've even resurrected one of us!" "That was Alex Reilly, ma'am, but yes, the story is true. William Sangiere is indeed among the living again- more or less." "Yes, I saw the outcome and thought it poetic...and quite necessary, dear. How can I assist the Empress, her daughter, uncle, and friends, honey? Oh, and 'mom' will work from now on Alexandra, okay?" "Ruth, I don't understand! How can you be here?" Uncle Rick was really having a hard time. "The same way you're here, Ricky! The Empress brought me here." She giggled. "When the Empress calls, we appear- when she's finished, we disappear- simple as that, brother. Why don't you relinquish command for a few minutes and let the Empress state her business?" Left without words, Uncle Rick motioned to me. "Mom, we were just starting to try and make sense of things. A conference of the Empresses is being held in our dimension and, as near as we can tell, someone means to scuttle it. Y'all wouldn't have any idea or heard rumor to that?" "Oh, I love that accent, honey! Unfortunately, we do more watching than listening, dear, but a few things have resurfaced after a few thousand years...rumors really." "Well don't keep us in suspense, dear woman! What have you heard?" Mina rambled out. "Fritz Steinert told me of this woman he entertained on his steamboat one summer. He described her as impulsive and commanding- do we know any one like that, Mina Smith!" "That's Grandpa for ya! He always was good at assessin' a body's character!" Allie whispered as she nudged my elbow. "Girls, that is enough!" Ruth scolded. "The word is that some old acquaintance of yours' has found a way to travel and plans to wreak havoc at your gathering." "Do the rumors place a name to this 'old' acquaintance, mom?" I asked politely. "Hath-something, dear, that's all I know. Calls himself a god though! I can tell you that upper-management isn't too happy about it at all!" Allie and I looked at each other to see our color drain. "Noooo!" We gasped in unison. "Mom? Do you know this person?" Alexis asked in concern to our response. "Hathor!" I said in shock. "Janelle!" Allie added in equal shock. "How?" We asked each other at the same time. "Who's Hathor Janelle?" Melanie asked innocently. "Janelle Hathor, Melanie! She was an original member of Reilly Research Station before I moved it into this universe." I noticed Uncle Rick give me a double take. I ignored him and continued my explanation. "Janelle was engaged in a power play for control of the Station. Unfortunately, she is the reason we all exist, honey. When I was forcibly recalled to Reilly, she felt it her duty to out me as an imposter hoping it would rally our sisters to her. Had she been successful, Reilly, along with you, me, everyone, would've been destroyed. During our transit from a still active Ni'ihau, Janelle and three of her followers disappeared. I feared they had let loose their grip and become lost in time." A tear appeared as I related the incident. "Alexandra, I am not a close follower of archeology, but I knew several professors at Cambridge who participated in several 'digs' in Egypt. If memory serves me, Empress, Hathor is the name given to the Mother of the Egyptian Gods! You don't suppose Janelle Hathor is just that?" Mina looked appalled by her theory. "That's exactly what I'm thinkin', highness! Question is how she would get to our future! I don't think Alex Reilly would knowingly interact with that woman, I happen to know she hated her guts! So if it wasn't one of us..." I pointed a finger between Allie and I. "Rogue Alex!" We both shouted then stopped to search that part of us. "I'm not feeling it, Alex! She has no knowledge of Ancient Egypt." "I felt the same thing, Allie. Who then?" I confirmed with disappointment. Alexis must have noticed Uncle Rick's confusion. "Admiral, the rogue was a latent entity from a dissolved dimension. The Empress of that dimension refused to rejoin our dimension and somehow poisoned mother. She spent three Terran weeks recovering. Tracking the rogue back to her shrinking reality, the three Empresses, past, present, and...and future...mom, you don't think?" Alexis looked terrified by the thought! "Was there any time that Young Alexandra was missing for any extraordinary length of time after I left...after we left to hunt her down? I mean after I...oh, we haven't been back yet, have we?" "No, mom, Melanie, Isabeau, and I have yet to return to Terra since your recovery." "Well, I think it's time to use the family gift, Alexis. All you have to do is ask the right questions! Give it a try, honey." I encouraged her. "Yes, try, my granddaughter, I have absolute faith in your abilities!" Ruth added confidently with a smile I knew all too well... "Of course she can do it, Ruth; she's my grand-niece!" Uncle Rick boasted proudly. "It runs in the family!" "Shhh!" Alexis hissed. "I need to concentrate!" "That clinches it, Cap!" Jack said quietly. "She's your daughter alright!" "Obviously." Mina added, rolling her eyes. "Cap, looking through your recollection of the events, I think I know what the flickering lights were." Jack suggested quietly while Alexis worked. "Go ahead, Jack, I'm all ears." "On the surface they seem just that- flickering lights, but if I freeze- frame and look deeper they seem to be attacks...not attacks, really, but rescue attempts. I think Cami and Cassi are trying to break through the illusion and rescue you. Alex, those two could be in real danger! We have to get back so I can combine our gifts!" "Easy, Jack! Our first step is to figure out the how and when of this. After that we can figure out how to kick ass, Commander!" "Will we get to blow something up, mom?" Alexis joined the conversation with a twinkle in her eyes. "Heavens, not another one!" Mina groaned as she raised her arms in defeat. "Runs in the family, highness, y'all should know that by now." Allie laughed. "One would expect it to skip a generation or two, I should think!" "In this case I'm glad it didn't, Mina. It sounds like a viable solution to me!" Jack vehemently disagreed. "Anyone who would use a child to seek any imagined revenge deserves whatever we throw at her!" I felt my skin start to tingle. "JACK! Stand down!" "What the hell is that, Alex?" Uncle Rick asked in concern as he looked around us for the reason for his extreme gooseflesh. "That was the answer to your question, Ricky! Jacquelyn saves your keester several times using that immensely powerful gift of hers!" "Begging your pardon, Grandmother Ruth, but if Lady Jacquelyn generates too much power on this dimensional plane we may surely be expelled from it...with dire consequences!" Alexis warned. "Jackie dear, hold your temper, young lady- there will come a time- soon now!" Ruth advised. The tingling disappeared immediately. "Sorry, Alex! It just irks me when a child is abused!" Jack apologized. Her anger never disappeared fully though. Alexis looked a little frightened during Jack's power run-up, but then annoyed that she hadn't been able to give the information I asked her for. "Ricky, this is where you impart your vast military experience to the adventure." Ruth Scott giggled changing the subject. "But you already knew that, didn't you Richard Demmit?" She smiled at him- a smile that held all the love, hope, and best wishes a sister could have for her brother. "Empress, I believe I will take my leave of you. Tell Emily that I'm still watching over her and her sisters. I'm also watching you, Ricky!" She gave Uncle Rick a wicked glare. "Good hunting, Empress and good bye." Ruth Scott stepped back from us and faded away into the blackness. "Ruthie wait!" "Uncle Rick, its okay- let her go." I said calmly. "Where did she go?" "Back, sir." "Back where, Alex?" "Just back, Admiral. We need to focus on our problem now, sir!" "Will I see her again, Alex?" With a tear in my eye, I changed the subject without answering his question. "So let's start with what we know. Apparently Jack has seen the answer in Alexis' mind, am I right, honey?" Alexis nodded. "It would appear my little Alexandra went time traveling shortly after we left Terra, mom. I don't think she remembers doing it though. What deviant would do this to an eight-year old girl?" "Someone who thinks she holds all the cards, honey." I tried my best to look understanding to reassure her, but knowing who had done this... "Someone who is about to find out she's dead wrong!" I hissed thinking about my granddaughter being taken advantage of like that. To hell with the Japanese and the Nazis! This was a real war! "Admiral, we need a plan- one that is decisive, bold, and workable! We have to assume Janelle has new friends in concealed places so we cannot afford to be caught off guard. If you have an idea that you think is too crazy, run it past Allie, Alexis, or I before crossing it off, okay?" I nervously rattled off my words. "If you want Allie or I to run through a scenario or two just ask." "Great! We'll be here for an eternity then!" Alexis griped. "Y'all could help, young lady! Sam and Cassie have learned- so you should too! So stow that strict Terran princess routine and help yer Ma!" Allie scolded, angered by her rudeness. "I agree with Alexandra, Love! Those of the royal Kili bloodline all have the capacity to work through temporal scenarios. I would consider it an honor to tutor you, Lady Alexis." "Can we start, Captain? Or are you three going to play nanny to my great niece?" Admiral Demmit growled in frustration. "Sorry, Richard, please continue." Mina apologized on our behalf. Uncle Rick eyed us all for a minute or two before continuing. "The first problem I see is returning unseen. When we arrived before, you said you didn't remember doing your...ah, rephase...thing, right?" I acknowledged his question with a nod. "So therefore they must employ some sort of amnesia device...or someone erased it from everyone's memory on our arrival." "Easily done, Uncle, Lady Jacquelyn, Melanie, and myself- or anyone from Terra- can do that." Alexis admitted. "Alex, you said that this Hathor woman was part of the original Reilly staff?" Allie and I nodded together. "We need to know who else disappeared with her on your arrival to Kili." "Allie and I will sift through Alex Reilly's memories, Admiral. One minute." I offered. "You have her memories in there too? Busy place, Captain!" "You have no idea, Richard!" Mina winked at him. "Alex is scary in general, ma'am!" I heard Jack add with a giggle. "I find you the scariest of all, Aunt Jackie!" Alexis admitted with a shiver. "Sis, I only found mention of two lost with Janelle. Natalie and Isabelle Cabot." "I'm finding the same thing, Alex. Nat and Izzy were friends of Janelle. Brother and sister researchers before the change." "I find it hard to believe she had any friends at all." "Ya, she had a real good report with people in general, didn't she?" "Made me a fan right away, sis." "Pardon the interruption, Empress, but what were the two nicknames you used?" Mina asked us with interest- and a little sarcasm. "Nat and Izzy...why Mina?" Allie replied curiously. "Nat, or Nut, was rumored to be the mother of Osiris and Izzy could be mispronounced Ey-zee or even Isis according to some Egyptian creation myths!" "On Terra the accepted pet name for Isabelle is Isis. Isabeau frequently advises me of her disgust for its use!" Alexis informed us with surprise in her voice. "These 'Egyptians', did they construct large geometric structures, pyramoids, I think they were called?" She continued. "Pyramids, Love, grand, four-sided, triangular structures of stone constructed as tombs for their dead pharaoh. I'll picture one in my mind." Mina offered. Alexis' eyes went wide! "How could they be on both our planets when clearly they had no form of space...travel? MOTHER? You or Alex Reilly wouldn't have anything to do with that, would you?" "I find only one memory of Alex ever visiting Alexandria, Egypt, but that was during the First Century BC." I informed her. "She's right, honey. Alex has been to Ancient Rome several times, but only once to the Nile Delta." "Then how did they get to Terra?" "Or, how did they get to Earth? Both ways are technically possible." I tossed that one in just for thought. Alexis remained silent and confused. "Okay, so Janelle and her cronies procreated. We can expect a wide selection of powers and abilities then, I assume." Uncle Rick said, setting us back on course. "Empress, I have succeeded in receiving a visual transmission from Yuuka!" Melanie said barely able to contain her excitement. "Great! Jack, patch us through, please. Let's see what we missed!" Instantly, a view of Kili filled my mind- Kili from some distance above. "Why is she flying so high?" Mina inquired. "She must be at about five thousand feet! The thin air must be draining her quickly. We have to get back there before she's too exhausted to land safely, sis!" Allie said distressed. "Poor thing could definitely use help! Too bad I can't send a plane to pick her up." Uncle Rick said off-handedly. "Maybe not a plane, but how about another pixie?" I suggested. "Sis, is Sasha really on Kili already or is that something we were expected to believe?" "As far as I know, Sasha is still on Ni'ihau, Alex! She chose not to attend for some reason. I would have thought her curiosity would subconsciously draw her there." "Who is this Sasha, ladies? I don't recall meeting any pixie other than Yuuka Sukiro." Uncle Rick asked. "Sasha Trent, Admiral. A member of my crew who hasn't received her gift yet, back in 1944, I mean. Machinist Mate Stephen Trent, sir. She chose Sasha instead of Stephanie claiming she didn't look like a 'Stephanie'- whatever that meant. By your perspective, Sasha will receive her gift in about six months- just after Terry Galetti finds she can outrun any Olympic athlete, Admiral." "Little Terry? She can't be more than five-one! How could that girl outrun anyone with those short legs?" "Sir?" Jack asked. "How can any of us do the things we can do?" "Good point, Commander." "Sis, do you think our friends will notice my return if I pop in to Ni'ihau for a few?" "Jack and I were at Pearl and everything seemed fine, Ni'ihau isn't that much closer, so I say go for it, sis/" "Alex, you want me to come along...for protection?" Jack implied more than asked. "Um..." I saw the old man nod my way. "Ya, sure, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Allie you hold the fort, we'll be back in a flash." Our domain brightened into the tropical landscape of Ni'ihau. In this time, our base had long been decommissioned and all buildings removed. The island had reclaimed Atlantis-Minor nicely. "Is she still here, Jack?" I asked sentimentally. "Sand Dollar? Ya, she's still in the grotto, Alex." "I guess time has been hard on the old girl, huh?" "Actually...let's go see her, Alex." Jack's smile widened at my confusion. "Wait. Before I rephase I'd like you to erect a psionic shield around us. I know Tibius showed you how." "I remember, Alex. Your shield is up." Thanks, Jack. Rephasing in three, two, one." I looked first at Jack then at her hand holding mine. We were still together. "Jack, slowly decrease your shield strength and let's see what happens. Let me know when its down." "I don't think I've seen you this cautious or edgy in a long time, Cap.Shield at seventy-five, sixty, fifty, forty, thirty..." I kept looking between her face and our hands expecting to see her disappear any second. "Shield is off, Alex." She said softly. "Everything looks cool. Let's head to the grotto." I motioned for her to lead. Although the entrance was overgrown and well hidden, the yellow brick road was just as clean and well kept as if I never left. "Every year a group of us spend a few weeks keeping her battle ready. If we had the crew, I'd say we take her to Kili and exercise the three- inch! That would sure shake up those bitches!" "How are her batteries, Jack?" "Oh, we replaced those a few decades ago. She has her own Fusion Reactor, courtesy of Reilly technology. Ricky Lynn put it in a few years ago- great little unit, Alex! Tons of reserve power! She also replaced the air scrubbers and automated the weapons control. Why?" "I have an idea." Reaching the grotto, I was amazed that the place looked exactly the same. "One second while I get the lights on, Alex." Jack said as she clapped twice in quick succession. Instantly the lights came on to reveal...nothing! "I swear she was here last week, Alex! Jamie was here to re-align the RADAR! No one told me she was shipping out Cap, honest!" "I think I know where she went, Jack. Let's go find Sasha." "Good luck with that, Alex, I have no idea where she is. You know I can't see her when she's in pixie mode." "Well I guess I'll have to use the old tried and true method for finding a pixie, Jack. Sasha!" I shouted into the large, open grotto. Between the echoes I heard what sounded like a far away scream. "Ya, why didn't I think of that." Jack said sarcastically as she looked at me with a quirky smile. Within a minute a woman grew to full size about twenty yards away. "You didn't have to shout so loud, Alex, you knew I was here- you always know!" Sasha shouted as she walked along the water's edge and weaved in and out of the well-preserved, antiquated equipment still residing here. "I wasn't sure where in the grotto you were. How y'all doin' girl?" I asked as she walked closer. "Something's wrong at the conference, isn't there?" She got straight to the point. "Why can't Yuuka be so intuitive? I said looking to Jack. "Because I didn't let my gifts go to my head, Alex!" "Noooooo! You didn't let your gifts go to your head? Heaven forbid!" Jack's sarcasm was way over the top this time. After rolling my eyes, I got to the point. "Sasha, Yuuka's in trouble. We estimate she's flying at five thousand feet above Kili. She's tiring as we speak. How long would it take you to get there?" I asked with as much concern as I could. "I can't risk getting any closer to the island right now or I'd try to get her myself." "At top speed, I could get there in just under an hour, but I might be just as tired as her, Alex. We'd never make it back; it's just too far a round trip, Empress." "Oh." I said in disappointment. "If we were able to get closer...say about a hundred miles from Kili, I could have her out of there in nothin' flat. "Jack, what is the range of the three-inch gun now? I know Scotti's been playing with the shell loads." "Full accuracy at almost two miles. What are you thinking, Alex?" "And if the shell had some help, Jack?" "Weeeell, Let me think..." Jack put her hand and pointer to her face as she did the math. "I'd find a way to put it right up ol' Janelle's ass from thirty miles out, Cap! Maybe more if I had someone to back me up!" "Let me run some simulations." I told her and Sasha as I went into deep thinking mode. "How much longer is she going to...oh, look, Jack, she's coming out of it?" Sasha's voice said as I began to rub my eyes. "Four hours. Not bad for such a large problem, Alex!" Jack smiled at me after I got some tears going. "So have you figured out what to do yet?" "For the most part, Jack. Sasha, have you been on Ni'ihau for the last four days?" "Of course, Alex. I live here, remember?" "So, I haven't been here or taken you with me in that time?" "No, Cap, I've spent the better half of two quiet weeks topside at the house with Dennis and the girls. Why?" Sasha looked at me quizzically. "Did you notice Sand Dollar departing the grotto in that time?" "Didn't see or hear a thing, usually you or some of the sisters come up and let us know so we don't go pixie on their asses." "What are you planning, Alex, I know that look?" Instead of answering Jack's question, I looked at Sasha. "Sasha, I think it's time to get the boat wet again. You up for a little time travel?" I asked with excitement. "Just give me fifteen to tell Dennis...could I bring the girls, Alex? They've been fully trained on the propulsion and I'm thinking we're going to be light on crew for this." "They must stay full-sized, Sasha. I don't think we have enough honey stored for everyone." I told her as I saw her eyes begin to twinkle. "Be back in a flash, Cap!" Sasha was already half-size and running toward the yellow brick road as she shouted. Jack and I walked out of the grotto to await her return. Twenty minutes later, tiny laughter could be heard overhead. Sasha and her four daughters, Dahlia, Rose, Petunia, and Peony, appeared above our position and flew spirals down to us. Once close enough to the ground, all five women began to increase in size. "I thought I said fifteen minutes, sailor?" I said somewhat annoyed. "Empress, mom isn't in the Navy anymore, don't be so strict!" Dahlia waved her finger at me. At least I thought it was Dahlia. All four girls were almost perfect copies of Sasha when full-sized. I could only tell the difference between them when in 'pixie mode' as Sasha called it. Then, each girl had different color tinges to their wingtips. Dahlia had light blue tinged tips, Rose had pink tinges, and the twins, Petunia and Peony had purple tinged wingtips. As a comparison, Sasha had crimson tinged wings and Yuuka, dark blue tinged wings. "Rose, don't be so critical of the Empress. If you hadn't stopped to do your face, we would have been on time!" "It's okay, Sasha, I knew y'all would be late- Empress, remember?" I smiled as I pointed to myself. "What's up, Empress?" One of the twins asked. "Well, all seven of us are going to make a stop to my private domain then we're all going back four days." "Is that all? Why just four days?" She cried. "Well, we need a little time to power-up Sand Dollar and..." "You're going to take out the sub? Oh boy!" One of the girls shouted with excitement. "Then what?" Her sister asked. "Then we head for Kili Island to rescue my dear friend, Yuuka Sukiro, from the clutches of the evil Janelle Hathor, Mother of the Egyptian Gods!" I tried to make it sound melodramatic. "Awwwe! I knew it was a secret mission. Empress, why not just say it's a secret mission?" "Girls, Alex is telling you the truth! We are going to rescue another pixie- Yuuka Sukiro- who should be so tired by now that her wings will fail and she will fall almost a mile to her death if we're not there to help her! Now let's let Alex do what she needs to do," Jack stressed! "Ladies, please take my hands and no pixie mode while in my private domain, please." "Well it's about time you got back! I was beginning to think I'd have to do this alone!" Allie complained as we appeared in our private dimension. "Sasha, glad you decided to join us. Girls, I trust you've been good since my last visit? You haven't been bothering the villagers have you?" Allie raised an eyebrow. Melanie looked to me and mouthed the word 'pixies'. I nodded and smiled. "So, who else is available, sis? I could still use a navigator and a planes and rudder crew." Jamie Hilf is in between...modeling...jobs; Corrine Masterson is about ready to retire for the second time; Amy Reynolds is between lives for the next year; Tammy Richards is back at Pearl on vacation for two weeks; Ricky Lynn's semester just finished up at CMU; Carroll is still a stay at home; Brie, Dee, Frederick, Ma and Freddie are still home waiting for me." Allie listed all available crewmembers. "Alice, Gerry, and Michelle are free too. They've been fully checked out on Sand Dollar's systems, Alex. Romney is on the hill for another term, and we both know that Abby won't get into anything smaller than a Cadillac." "Emily claimed Ricky Lynn was on Kili working on the reactors and we all saw Carroll with the baby too!" "Sis, this is 2028, Carroll's Alexis is almost two! She started walkin' an' talkin' almost six months ago!" Allie corrected me. "Janelle assumed that was a newer memory! She hasn't accessed the station's A.I.! Where is Randi? Is she on Kili as we were lead to believe?" I asked. "Randi is with Ricky Lynn. She talked her into teaching a few computer classes. The two were going to be late to the conference. You want me to fetch her too, sis?" "If she wouldn't mind reliving the action-packed, glory days onboard a World War Two submarine!" I asked sardonically. "You know Ricky Lynn will jump at the chance, but you know how useless Randi feels when she isn't interfacing with something electronic!" Allie reminded me. "If she wants she can talk to our uniforms when she feels lonely! I think we'll need more than twenty-six crew members to get the old girl wet." "You know what you have to do, Empress." Allie raised a brow to punctuate her statement. "So I wasn't the only one working the problem!" I smiled at Allie. She gestured to Alexis. "I'm proud of you honey!" I smiled and gave her a hug. "So, Alexis, whom shall I take with me and who should go with Allie?" "First things first, mom. Uncle Rick, I need you to let me control you for a minute. Some options of your uniform are not set correctly." Alexis looked at the Admiral with pleading eyes. "I will not hurt you, sir." "Do your worst, honey." Uncle Rick chuckled. "Okay, that's better. You should see a new icon on your HUD, Uncle Rick. When it flashes red just focus on it and that will open up a jam-proof comm link to the rest of us. Its range is useful over ten kilometers- free-air or submerged." "So to think to the rest of you, I push the little red thing with my mind." Uncle Rick tried not to look confused. My daughter nodded. "Mom, you and Lady Mina need to enable Psionic Communications too." Alexis said to the three of us. "If we need to use it that means Melanie or I have been compromised." "It won't come to that, honey. Your mother, Mina and I wouldn't let that happen." Admiral Demmit assumed command. "So can we get things moving, I want to blow something...or someone up?" "We'll," Alexis motioned to everyone but me, "See you at the rendezvous point at 1100hrs, May 9th, 2028, Captain. Mom, care to do the honors?" She looked at Allie and everyone took my twin's hand. I was alone in my domain. Looking around, I took a moment to prepare for my latest battle. Several things would come to light if all went as foreseen. A few were wonderful but one in particular would forever change our future. I prayed it wouldn't be as bad as I had seen. 1000 hours, Atlantis-Minor, Ni'ihau, May 12th, 1944 "So, how was the conference, Cap?" Jack asked as I emerged from my office. "It hasn't happened yet, Jack, we ran into a small snafu." I tried to keep my mind off the details. "I'll spread the word, Alex." She immediately headed for the enlisted quarters. Why did I even bother to hide things from her? Instead of worrying about that, I headed for the officer's quarters. Within ten minutes everyone on base was gathered before me. Uncle Rick would be proud of the quick muster. "Everyone!" I shouted to get the group's attention. "I need Sand Dollar's crew to go to the grotto and prepare for immediate departure." "Hustle!" Jack shouted and three-quarters of the girls before me broke rank and hurried away. "Now, as for the rest of you, I need thirty volunteers. Submarine experience is acceptable but not required. We will be joining our sister boat for a very dangerous mission." Thirty-four women stepped forward- the rest of Atlantis-Minor's staff. I started to point to those I considered appropriate and capable. Romney, Alice, Abby, and Gerri were not among my picks. As usual, Michelle Simonetti had to know exactly what we were going to do. "Skipper, What do you mean we're going to meet up with our sister boat?" "I'm afraid I can't divulge that quite yet, Michelle, you'll just have to trust me. Now those of you I picked report to Cmdr. Cummins immediately for rack assignments. Everyone else I want to thank you for your courage and generosity! I guarantee you will be given first consideration the next time we have this type of mission! Dismissed." I turned and made for the yellow brick road as everyone dispersed. Once inside the grotto, it became clear how much my Ex-O had actually seen. "Captain, we'll be ready to depart in another twelve minutes. I just need to finish duty and rack assignments. True to Jack's word, Ricky Lynn had the diesels running and our moorings slipped at exactly 1100hrs! Once clear of the entrance, I ordered us to general quarters then to stop and surface a half mile southwest of Ni'ihau. "Alex, what's this I hear about us meeting our sister boat?" Emily asked as she cleared the Bridge ladder. "You'll see in a minute, sis." I said as Jack joined us. "Ready, Alex." "Okay, here we go, Jack." I confirmed as I reached for the squawk. "All hands, this is the captain. Ladies, I want everyone to grab a piece of the boat. Take a good firm hold of anything attached to Sand Dollar's pressure hull. All stations report status." "Aft torpedo, holding on, Skipper." "Maneuvering, holding on, Skip." "Engine room two, holding on for dear life, Cap!" "Engine room one, ready, skipper." "Con ready." "Forward torpedo, holding on, Skip!" "Bridge ready." I finished. Holding onto the mic, I too grabbed Sand Dollar's thick metal skin. "Hold on, ladies, transit in three, two, one." Fifty yards off to our port, another submarine appeared. "Alex, that's Sand Dollar over there!" Emily sounded surprised and confused. "I know, sis. Welcome to May 9th, 2028." "You moved the whole boat?" "Ya, I've done bigger before, remember?" I picked up the mic again. "Stand down from general quarters, we've arrived everyone. Welcome to May 9th, 2028!" I released the button. "Jack, take us over to her and rig the gangplank. We need to complete their crew." "Aye, Cap." "What took you so long, Captain? We've been waiting," Admiral Demmit looked at his watch as we crossed from one Sand Dollar to the other, "Two minutes! Even though we aren't still at war, I expect punctuality!" "Nice to see you again too, sir!" I rolled my eyes. I turned my attention to Allie. "How's it feel to be back in the saddle, sis?" "Like I never left, Empress. I've taken the liberty to call CINCPAC and file our course and destination. I even cleared us for 'fireworks' at Kili." "But will we be on Candid Camera, sis?" I looked up to the heavens. "Not unless they want to lose more satellites!" Jackie answered smugly. A commotion behind us drew our attention. "Melanie!" Tish squealed as she quickly crossed the gangplank and embraced her daughter. The two jumped around like long lost schoolgirls! "Ladies, we need to shove off!" Admiral Demmit said as he quenched more than one reunion, but backed down slightly as both Jacks gave him a devilish smile. Within fifteen minutes we had completed phase one of my plan and set our course for Kili Island. I called my command staff into the Wardroom. "Okay, here's the situation." I looked at Jack, daring her to cut in. When she didn't, I continued. "On our arrival at Kili three days from now, we were greeted by my daughter, Samantha. Everything looked ship-shape until we met Carroll and her baby..." "I have a kid?" Carroll interrupted. "Yes, a beautiful eighteen month old daughter, Carroll, can I continue?" She nodded, but her mouth still hung open. "She had me hold little Cassandra for a few minutes then the lights started to flicker on and off. It was at that point that..." "I named my daughter after your daughter, skip? I think I could be less of a copycat!" "You and little Alexis weren't really there, Carroll! Can we move along?" I glared at her. "That's when I asked my gift what was going on. I was rewarded by a flood of images and conflicting information and we immediately traveled to my private dimension to sort things out." "Alex, who's the woman in the shorter gray hair? She looks just like you, only older." Jack interrupted this time. "You saw mom?" Emily gasped. "What did she tell you? Did she ask how I was, Alex?" "She told me to tell you that she's watching, sis. She seemed more intent on keeping her Ricky focused on our problem." I confided. "Oh ya, she told me to call her 'Mom'." "I guess our moms aren't that much different, are they, Alex?" "I guess not- they just have different ways about them, Emily. Anyway, our first order of business is to rescue Yuuka whom we believe to be hovering about five thousand feet above Kili- three days from now- May 12th. I'm still not sure how close we'll be able to get to the island before being discovered though. These people seem to be very good at creating illusion. I didn't even remember rephasing when we arrived." I paused a moment to dampen my anxiety from the recalled visions. "Captain, why would this Yuuka be hovering that high over Kili?" Tish stopped and asked as she walked by in the passageway. "Because Yuuka is a pixie, Tish, she does that...you know, fly...don't you have something to do?" "Yuuka means little flower in Japanese, Sensei. Pixies are thought to be very sensitive and insightful. It has been said that a pixie can see through your very soul." "Have a seat, Tish." I motioned her into the crowded Wardroom. "You stated that the little flower was hovering above the island. Why would she even consider doing something like that, Sensei?" she asked. "Because she stowed away on my shoulder when we left Kili BC. The Samantha that greeted us said future me had collected around two hundred other pixies and they sort of formed a swarm and Yuuka flew off to escape them. Later we figured that she could see through the illusion. If we don't get there she will tire and fall to her death." I felt a tear form in my eyes. "If you were in the Empress' domain, how could you know where she was or what she was doing, Sensei?" "Your daughter, Melanie, can see what Yuuka sees. Apparently it is a trait of the Terrans. Jack...sorry, Joss relayed the received images to the rest of us, Tish." "Amazing, Sensei! Tell me...does Yuuka know about my daughter's gift, Captain?" Tish looked deep in thought. "Yes, why?" I narrowed my eyes at her. "Could it be that she was trying to tell you something, Sensei?" A flashbulb went off in my mind! "I think you're right, Alex!" Jack broke in. I glared at her once more. "Sorry, Cap." "Can I, for once, present my own thoughts, Commander?" I waited for a response and only received silence. "She might be indicating the limit of their power!" "You could be right, Captain." Jack agreed with unusual formality. I gave her a quick glare. "Alex, you might be on to something! If the range of whoever's power is limited to one mile in altitude, one can presume that the field of that power may be hemispherical in coverage. One could therefore draw a conclusion from that presumption that we can approach unseen if we stay outside that one mile boundary." Randi deduced with all the authority of a college professor. "Extraordinary!" I gasped as I willed my mouth to close. I looked to Jack and gestured to Randi with my eyes. "You have some serious competition for being scary, Jack!" "Lt. Sheldon," Randi continued, "Here is the theoretical formula for psionic field strength. Given that distance and circumference are equal to one mile...care to solve and plot a field strength graph?" Randi had written down what I recognized as a fairly complicated calculus equation. Carroll looked at the formula for a minute then began to draw a somewhat distorted circle by first plotting out over a hundred points. After finishing, she thought a moment and drew in an arrow to indicate north. I looked to Jack again. "The competition's heating up, Jack!" I laughed. "Fffffft!" She said as another piece of paper rose from the table and began to tear itself to tiny pieces. The paper was reduced to a pile in the center of the table. We watched in awe as the pile began to rise and spin into a circle. As the pile continued to spin quickly, it took on the form of a three dimensional, slightly deformed, hemisphere with a small, funneled depression in the middle. "That's it exactly, Commander!" Carroll cried out with excitement. "Skip, this is the field's pattern and range. If we stay outside its limits, we should remain unobserved. Thank you, Commander Cummins, well done!" Randi complimented my show-off Ex-O, who had a triumphant smile on her face. "I wonder if Neanderthal man would find this humorous." I said seriously as I glared back at Jack. "Ease up, sis! She's just having a little fun!" Emily reprimanded me with a giggle or two. "A little friendly competition is good for moral! Or...oh, I get it now- you're jealous!" "I am not!" I flatly denied. "I'm just worried about Random, Isabeau, Cami, Cassi, Alex, Billie, and especially Yuuka!" I admitted. "They'll be fine, sis. All are very resourceful- especially Cami. If anybody can take these people on single-handedly, she and Cassi are the girls to do it!" Emily said trying to raise my spirits. "If they don't blowup the Earth in the process." I said grimly. "Like we can really do that, Alex!" Jack chortled. "Really, Jack? Can you really tell me what your limitations are? I have no idea what my limits are and I can see the future! How can you be so sure you won't go all nuclear on this or any other planet! How?" I snapped. "You know, if we could get the location of whoever is generating that field, it may help us target her weak spot." Carroll changed the subject back to our original topic and pointed to the slight depression. "If we take out the field, we gain the advantage." She continued, ignoring my glare. "Lieutenant's right, skipper. The whole thing could come crashing down on 'em." Ricky Lynn voiced her opinion. "Jack, have you been keeping your sister in the loop?" "We've been in constant contact since we arrived in the future, Alex, why?" "Have her discuss Carroll's idea with Admiral's Demmit and Steinert- see what they think." "Done, Alex." "And?" "They're discussing it as we speak." "Alex, Allie wants to know what you think about using...um, GPS?" "What is it?" "GPS or Global Positioning System, Skipper. Accurate to three feet in military applications." Randi explained for us antiques. "A GPS receiver can pinpoint a location by receiving signals from three or more satellites in specific orbits around the globe. "How do we get it there? Does Ricky Lynn have some robotic airplane to fly over the island?" I asked off-handedly. ""Pixie, Alex. Allie says she has five in the hanger, gassed up and ready for the flight line!" Jack giggled. "Sounds good to me, Jack. Tell her to thank Sasha and her girls for me." "Allie wants to know if we have any honey in the stores, and if so, how much." I knew they wouldn't do it for free, I thought. Jack just smiled. "Chief?" I looked at Ricki Peterson. "Last inventory we still had three, two pound cans, Skip." "Pass it on, Jack." "Aye, Cap." "That's about all I have right now ladies. I hope y'all didn't mind me asking Tish to join us. I think her information helped. Thanks Tish." "I only provided background on Japanese mythology, Sensei, but I am glad I helped." 1400hrs, 100 miles South of the Southern Marshall Islands, May 11th, 2028 "It's still strange to look over and see her a hundred yards away, Alex." Emily commented as we looked starboard from the bridge. "What's stranger still is no sound of the diesels or their smoky exhaust!" Chief Samuels added. "That would be the fusion reactor that you installed in her, Chief. No need for the diesels to ever run again." I saw her mouth open to argue the point. "Don't worry, Ricky Lynn, they still run, it's just that fuel is so expensive these days!" "I know skipper, my sister took me out clubbin' on our last visit. Them hydrogen cars is somethin' ain't they? And who woulda' thought ya would have to pay to listen to the radio?" "Chief, how are your engines holding out, we've been running them pretty hard since we left Ni'ihau?" "They ain't even breathin' hard, Skipper! When do you plan to submerge?" "Like we discussed, we'll submerge tonight at 2300hrs. We'll stop just outside that one mile range limit from Kili until 1030hrs- then we launch the pixies." "Alex?" Jack appeared in the hatchway. "Alex, Allie wants to borrow Randi. She and her sister need her to access some surveillance satellites and want us to come along side. "The sea is smooth enough. Tell her we'll be right over, Jack." Within minutes the two boats gently bumped hulls and mooring lines were exchanged. "So, sis, what's your idea?" I asked as I reached the future Sand Dollar's bridge. "I figured we could use a little heads up before we storm the island, sis. I asked Randi to patch into one of the Navy's satellites and do a little twenty-first century reconnaissance. I still have a few favors at Norfolk- not that we would need them with two Randi's here." "Do you think that will work? Won't Janelle be expecting something like that?" "I'm betting her knowledge of modern technology is minimal. She is more expecting of our gifts then conventional weaponry." "I saw that the three-inch gun does the trick, sis, but I couldn't get specifics like trajectory, windage, or accuracy." "Neither could Alexis or I! I guess we just have to do things the old fashioned way- rely on our gun crews." "Speaking of crew, how's Alexis taking to the silent service?" "Like she was born on the boat, sis. Melanie, well, she's not doin' so good. I assigned the forward head to her specifically. She's a little better today- so far." "Do you want Emily to have a look?" "It wouldn't hurt, I guess." "She'll be right over, Alex." Jack echoed in my head. "It never ends, sis." Allie confided with a smile and a wink. "This is called Dramamine; it will help settle your nerves, dear." Emily said to her Terran patient as Tish and I looked on. "I'm sorry, mother. I thought my continence would equal yours. I am an embarrassment to my lineage." Melanie declared sadly as tears ran down her cheeks. "You have made me nothing but proud, love! Remember, I was practically born on the water. You, on the other hand, have only seen it in a glass, fountain, or reflecting pool before coming to Earth. You have not dishonored me in the least, sweet Melanie." Tish consoled her daughter. "Um, Alex, can I have a word with both of you...in private?" Emily said mysteriously. "Sure. Tish, stay here with Melanie, we'll be right back. Emily, Allie and I went topside while Admiral Demmit and Jack stayed in the Con. "What's the problem, sis?" I asked as we stopped by the breach of the deck gun. "Alex, we should have left her at base!" Emily said cryptically. "Why, sis?" Allie asked. "She doesn't have sea-sickness, sis." "Get outta here!" Allie exclaimed with a smile. "You're kidding!" I choked. Emily nodded. "Almost a month along." "So, how do we tell Tish- or Melanie for that matter?" "My guess is that Mel already knows, but is trying to keep it secret. What I have prescribed isn't Dramamine, but a placebo. I wouldn't risk giving her anything in her condition." "Sensei, a word if you please?" Tish's voice asked quietly from behind us. Turning around, I immediately noticed the loss of color in her petite face. "Are you okay, Tish?" The three of us gasped. "Sensei, I wish to inform you that something quite amazing has come to pass!" She paused and swallowed hard. "I am to be a grandmother!" At this point Tish began to waver and shake- her head dipped to each side in confusion. "Sensei, I fear I am at a loss for words, ma'am. I look to you for your guidance on this issue- I also fear I am in danger of losing consciousness!" Carefully Allie, Emily, and I, lowered the motionless women into Sand Dollar's pressure hull after carefully crossing the gangway, and gently placed her onto her awaiting rack. "Bet you didn't see that one coming!" Allie giggled quietly as we turned to head topside again. "I did, sis. I'm the medical seer, remember?" Emily answered seriously. "You!" Allie pointed to her, "You...need to be less serious, Emily Scott!" "Sis, until this mission...and this war, are finished, I will stay serious and attend my patients- both of whom now require my attention!" Emily abruptly closed the door to Tish's quarters on us. "What'd I say?" Allie looked confused as we stood in the narrow passageway. "In case you don't remember, sis, Emily takes her profession very seriously. It's like she has this switch that she flicks on..." I confided. "I know that, but..." "No buts, sis! When Emily is working you leave her alone if you aren't her patient. That's just the way she is- always has been." I reminded her. "Especially when so much is riding on the success of a mission." "I'm sorry, sis. It's just that she hasn't been so focused since the fall of Saigon! I really did forget how she could be." Allie admitted. "Well you two can make up and get reacquainted. I'm requesting she stay with Melanie and Tish over here until we secure Kili." I suggested. "I wouldn't have it any other way, sis." Allie smiled. "We better get underway if we want to get to Yuuka in time. I take it you'll be surfacing just after sundown tonight? Just like old times?" "Unless you know where I can get one of those fusion reactor things, yes. If you want to run ahead and take up position, feel free, sis, I don't have the luxury of higher power output like you do." "Hey, I never said my Sand Dollar was any faster than yours! We still have the same hull and electrics- just a better power source. I'll see you on the surface tonight, sis." Our embrace tingled as usual and I returned to my Sand Dollar. Once Randi and I were aboard, I ordered our moorings released and moved us away from our sister boat. With just a nod from me, Jack recalled the lookouts. After securing the hatch, I gave the order to submerge the boat. "Clearing fifty feet, Skip." Carroll informed me from my doorway. "Thanks, Carroll. Inform the next watch that we surface at..." I looked at my wristwatch, "At 2150hrs to recharge." "Aye, Skip." Carroll went to leave, but turned back to face me. "Skip, a word if you don't mind?" She asked quietly. "Lieutenant?" "Skip, why..." she paused. "Why did I wait so long?" "Wait so long for what, Carroll?" "Why did I wait so long to have a baby?" She blushed. "As near as I can remember, the Navy has a reg that forces female officers to resign should they become pregnant." I couldn't reveal the true reason- that she was just too frightened to get married and have children. I would be changing the timeline if I did. "But you are still commissioned when Cassie and Sam are born!" "But I can be in two places at once, Carroll!" I smiled as she caught my statement's meaning. "So that's how you do it!" "Don't tell anyone, Carroll, especially, Admiral Demmit." I put a finger to my smiling lips and raised an eyebrow. "Your secret's safe with me, Alex." I didn't have the heart to tell her that, being the niece of an Admiral