South Of Bikini 2- Out Of The Fire, A New Hero free porn video

Continuing her mission to 1945 Poland, Alex must find a way to safely secret the Meridian Spacecraft and her team out of the heavily defended Wonderwerks facility and preserve the precious timeline. Will she be able to rescue the hundreds of lost souls locked away in the Wenceslas Mine? Can Alex rescue one very lost, very confused soul in particular? South of Bikini: Onward Episode 6 "Out of the fire, a hero" Wenceslas Mina, Poland, March 31st, 1945 "Herr Major, wie Sie alle sehen k?nnen, bin ich nicht bewaffnet. (I'm not armed as y'all can see, major.)" I said as I followed his order and turned very slowly, the barrel of his pistol didn't move and I came face to face with it. The Luger now rested gently against my forehead. Trying to remain calm, I mentally brought up my tiara controls on my HUD. I selected Randi's repulsion shield, but did not finish by mentally 'selecting' 'OK'. "Ich bin v?llig anderer Meinung, mein Fr?ulein! Tatsache ist, Sie sind mit der t?tlichsten Waffe, die je erdacht wurde, bewaffnet! (I disagree completely, Fraulein! In fact, you are armed with the most lethal weapons ever conceived!)" The major leered at me. What an ass! "Wie chavinistisch von Ihnen, Herr Major! (How very chauvinistic of you, Major!)" I shot back as I continued to feel the tingle throughout my body. Meridian's bright shield had dissipated to half its brightness now so I slowly reached to my glasses and removed them from my face. "Blondes Haar UND blaue Augen! (Blonde hair AND blue eyes!)" The major suddenly seemed shocked by my appearance. "Verzeihung Fr?ulein. Ich wusste das nicht. (Forgive me Fraulein, I did not know.)" "Know what, major?" I asked, feigning ignorance. "That you were one of the ancestors, Fraulein!" He lowered his weapon and quickly turned back to the twelve men holding rifles on me. "I want Colonel Mueller and the Commandant here immediately!" He shouted. "This woman, why is she here against her will, major?" I asked and pointed to Peyton as two of the soldiers hurried from the chamber. "I was told she was with you, Fraulein?" "Why would I have an inferior being travel with me, major?" I asked as I rubbed my chin with my finger and thumb. "Though, she would make an acceptable servant." I thought out loud. Peyton glared at me as if suddenly facing the ultimate betrayal! 'Jack, I need you to untie Peyton when I snap my fingers.' I thought to her. 'Aye, Cap.' She replied. "I shall release you if...if you will serve me, Persephone, there apparently is no place to run, their technology is too strong. If I am not able to transit time in this chamber nor can you!" I told my angered friend. Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she realized my game. "As you wish, my Empress, you have beaten me...this time." She acknowledged sheepishly. "Good, then there is no longer a need for these primitive restraints." I said quickly as I snapped my fingers. Peyton's bonds fell to the floor in pieces. The major stood dumbstruck as he looked down to the tattered ropes lying before him. "Herr Major, they travel together! She said as much in my officer no more than five minutes ago!" Wilhelm protested as he quickly ventured closer. 'Wilhelm goes flying on my mark, Commander.' 'Aye.' "Who is this insolent, inferior creature to accuse me of anything? Away from me, bug!" I ordered calmly, making a nonchalant flicking motion with my finger and thumb. Wilhelm flew away from us and hit the rock wall of the chamber with a rib-cracking thud! It was a good twenty-yard flight and many mouths fell open in the huge chamber as he slumped to the floor. I turned my attention back to the major. "Herr Major," I smiled before reaching for his chin and raising his face slightly to look into his eyes, "You have acceptable hair, but not the proper tint of the eyes! How dare you display the noble symbols of our elite warrior when you are nothing but a commoner- I suspect a half-breed, or less?" An evil grin appeared on my face. A very audible gulp escaped the SS Officer as the patented Demmit stare bore into his cold-hearted, soul. "I have been placed in this position by the F?hrer, Fraulein!" He replied proudly. I could see him quivering slightly though. "Is that so, Major? And who appointed him to the position, one of my brothers perhaps?" My evil grin became a predatory smile. "The people of our Fatherland appointed Hitler, Fuhrer!" He answered in cautious pride. "The people of Deutschland or the people of the Homeland, major?" I asked as my smile became even more dangerous. 'Alex, Wilhelm has a pistol and intends to use it.' Jack informed me. I accessed my tiara and brought up my protective shield immediately. "She is not Aryan! She is a fraud! I shall prove it!" Wilhelm screamed as he pulled the trigger of his Luger until emptying the magazine. The reports from the shots echoed throughout the chamber as fast as the bullets ricocheted off my shield. Several of Wilhelm's fellow scientists fell to the floor dead, or grabbed at newly inflicted bullet wounds. One of the ten soldiers left guarding us made a gurgling sound as blood foamed from his mouth. We watched his eyes roll back before he slowly crumbled to the floor. Nine SS soldiers looked extremely worried as they cautiously looked to their fallen comrade. "Such primitive weapons." I laughed evilly as I tried not to let the soldier's slow death turn my stomach. "You dared eliminate me like your fellow commoners?" I asked Wilhelm as he grabbed at his own blood stained, lab coat sleeve. I noticed that the major was just finishing his own self-examination. He had been lucky enough to be just inside my shield as it came on. That hadn't been my plan so now I had to improvise. "Do not count yourself lucky, Major; I am not done with you yet." I warned. "This man, however..." I angrily pointed to Wilhelm, as I was interrupted. "Empress, Herr Wilhelm does not understand, M'lady!" Peyton caught my attention just as the major pulled his own gun. "Maj. Klingenschmidt! You will not harm this human! Holster that primitive weapon now!" I ordered. "The Gypsy tried to kill you, Fraulein!" He replied in confusion that I knew his name. 'Bring him to me, Jack.' 'Aye.' "I will take care of this annoying pest, Major!" I ordered as I giggled deviously and stared angrily at the wounded man. Wilhelm flew to within ten feet of me, paused in mid-air a moment then dropped to the floor with a groan. It was not one of this man's better days! "How dare you instigate my wrath, Gypsy?" I asked with a sneer. "Not even my sister, Hathor, had the means or courage to defeat me! What makes you think any of you weak, pathetic, humans would fare better?" "Empress, I beg of you, spare the man, Wilhelm! He is one of our people- a commoner with limited ability, but one of our people nonetheless, M'lady." Peyton pleaded with me as if scripted. "I spare your life and you dare make demands of me, Persephone? Pledging one's servitude does not usually include an appeal for a life to be saved!" "He has obviously been misled by the writings of your conquests, M'lady, or he would not willingly serve these charlatans!" "Charlatans? We are the Third Reich- the chosen ones! We are the re- emergence of the Aryan race!" Maj. Klingenschmidt spat as he proudly argued the misguided teachings of this terroristic regime. The tingling in my body had subsided somewhat more as I carefully, deviously, made myself look like the exact opposite of the idealized Empress of legend. The longer I BS'ed these Nazis, the better chance I stood of phasing Peyton and I out of harm's way. "Major, how can you claim Aryan status- how can any of you claim that standing, if you are but simple commoners?" I raised an eyebrow. "Do you claim abilities high above your fellow humans? Can you see into the mortal mind with vivid clarity? Can you transit time, dimension, and space as Persephone or I can? Are you even able to see that your beloved Fuhrer is, at this moment, cowering in a subterranean shelter in some place called Berlin, contemplating suicide with another commoner, one Eva Braun?" I questioned- lectured. 'Jack, relay everything he's thinking to Peyton and I until I say otherwise.' 'Aye.' 'This woman cannot be Aryan even though she matches the ancient, prescribed profile!' "I assure you, major, I am exactly who I say I am!" The major's expression became befuddled. 'Her appearance here has to be some Gypsy trick- something learned from the magicians!' "I am no illusionist, Maj. Klingenschmidt! My abilities flow from my obvious superiority and proper breeding! I am no Gypsy!" 'Is she reading my mind? What other magic does she possess?' "Does it bother you that I so easily read a commoner's mind, Major? Oh, you wish to see what other magic's I possess? Allow me to show you." I said calmly and with the same predatory smile. 'Jack, I'm going to hand this little show over to Peyton for a few minutes.' 'Aye, Cap.' I began laughing. "Persephone, would you care to have some fun?" I looked in her direction, my smile never faded. "Sister?" Peyton began to smile. Klingenschmidt looked between us in puzzlement. "You...you just made her your servant!" "A game, herr major! Thousands of years ago we tired of simply crushing and enslaving the inferior peoples of this planet! Persephone and I decided to play the ultimate game of the hunt, one going after the other through the ages in an attempt to entertain ourselves. Immortality has become so boring since you commoners decided to wrench the planet from us." I feigned a yawn. "I yearn for the old days when Persephone, myself, and our brothers drew lots and placed bets on the lives of your ancestors!" I made my last statement sound heartless- despicable! "Alexandra, it has been so long since I have wracked a commoner's mind, may I indulge?" Peyton now sported a predatory grin and a similar vocal tone. I answered by raising my hand toward Klingenschmidt. "Have you noticed, Herr Major," She asked with a gleam in her eyes and an evil hiss, "that all your soldiers are of African origins?" Peyton simply nodded to the nine remaining guards. "That is not possible; they have all been hand picked by me!" "Herr Major, what is your Fuhrer's edict on Afrikaners?" I pressed. Klingenschmidt turned around and gasped at the sight of nine dark- skinned SS soldiers. Staring at them a moment, he drew his gun and shot every one of them! "Your Fuhrer would be proud, major!" I congratulated him sarcastically. "What is going on here?" An older male voice demanded from the chamber's entrance. "Herr Commandant, why was I assigned African soldiers? You know the Fuhrer's rules on such things!" Klingenschmidt cried as he casually changed the clip and re-holstered his pistol. "What are you talking about, Major, I see no black skins!" The older officer asked in confusion. "Major, what is the meaning of this? Why are these women in this test chamber?" Colonel Mueller asked. My brother-in-law was playing his part well. "These men, they have the dark skin of Africans!" Klingenschmidt turned around to look at the ten dead men- ten dead white men. He turned back and stared at Peyton, perplexed. "These women! They made me kill my men!" He immediately pointed to us. Feeling the tingling in my body finally fade, I tried passing my hand through the chair Peyton had been tied to. "How would mere women convince an SS Major that his own men were not his men?" Chuck...Col. Mueller questioned. "Commandant, these women are our ancestors- true Arians!" Klingenschmidt argued as he turned to survey his handywork again. 'We're done here, Jack. Peyton and I need to disappear from the Commandant's memory, though. Let Chuck know Peyton and I are going to phase out.' 'Aye.' I phased us out. "What women, Major? I see no women in this chamber!" Mueller asked, slightly angered. "The Empress and her sis..." The major stopped midsentence after turning back around to see that the two of us were gone. "Colonel, you will see to it that the major remains in his quarters until his court marshal?" The Commandant requested of Chuck. "Yes, sir, Commandant. Major, if you will come with me?" My brother-in- law ordered with a sneer. He drew and waved his pistol in the direction of the entrance door. Peyton and I watched as Chuck...Col. Mueller disarmed then escorted the severely rattled major out of the huge test chamber. Wilhelm stood off to our left holding his shoulder and looking around at the carnage left by his and Maj. Klingenschmidt's actions. I tightened my grip on Peyton's hand and led her over to the shocked scientist. "Do you need further proof of my existence and my reason for being here, Lusius?" I asked, leaning close to his ear. All color drained from his face again as he slowly shook his head in response. "Are you willing to allow Persephone to assist you with Meridian now?" He nodded. "We will meet you in your office, Lusius, and do come alone!" We didn't wait for any acknowledgement as Peyton and I casually walked through the desks and monitoring equipment and back the short hallway to his office. "Alex, you really had me wondering whose side you were on." Peyton informed me as our hands parted. "You can be very frightening when you want to be." "I was actually terrifying myself, sweetheart. It is all too easy to embrace the dark side." I admitted. "Alex, why didn't you just phase out when that officer held his weapon to you?" "I was trying to. There's something about Meridian's protective shield that nullified my phase shift. I felt a tingling running through my whole body as Lusius ramped up the power. It took several minutes to subside enough that I could reactivate my gift. Thanks, Peyton, for playing along. Altering his perspective gave me the time I needed to recover." I noticed a tear roll down her cheek. "Honey, what is it? I thought you would be happy to get away from that arrogant SS major?" "Ma'am," She sniffed, "I made a man kill today." I saw where this was going. "Hun, you didn't make him do anything like that! You changed his visual perception of those men. You didn't make him kill them!" "I did! I used his racial discrimination to make him kill!" No! His own brainwashing left him no other choice but to pull the trigger, Peyton! These Nazis, they consider every race of people other than their own inferior! Sweetheart, the shelling that we heard on our arrival? That was the Allies liberating the work and prison camps scattered throughout Poland! Work camps that unquestioningly carried out Hitler's order of a 'Final Solution'- mass annihilation of the Jewish people! Think about how many Terrans lost their lives at Hathor's hand, Peyton, now take that to the third power! They are monsters! Klingenschmidt is a product of this regime! He had every chance, every opportunity to renounce the sadistic beliefs of this 'Third Reich'. He didn't, instead he embraced them- practiced them! He knowingly acted on his false perception!" "Empress, is what you say true?" Lusius asked from beside us. Neither one of us had heard him enter. "I had heard mention of this 'final solution', but heard no specifics." "Sit down, Lusius, you are not going to like what you hear, I'm afraid." I lowered my head slightly as I thought about all the wasted lives. "I heard you say that the Allies were just starting to liberate the work camps, but you gave details that only someone from the future would know. How?" "Lusius, Alex really is the Empress of Time and Space. She has the ability to not only see the future, but to travel there too." Peyton told the man. "Let's not forget the ability to travel to the past also, sweetheart." I added. "My family..." He mumbled as he looked to either side of the room. "As of this date, your adapted family is no longer alive...I'm sorry. All have been euthanized because they filled no useful purpose." "They promised my family would be unharmed if I cooperated." "I'm sorry that you believed them- though I can understand why." "Lusius, help us take Meridian away from them- before they use it for more terrifying deeds than have been done here." Peyton pleaded with him. "I must continue my experiments. If I do not discover the secret of Meridian, they will kill me and everyone working with me!" "Lusius, they intend to kill everyone in this complex in a few days! The unofficial history states that sixty scientists and an unknown amount of civilians' parish when the SS detonates every shaft, every tunnel, and every chamber of this mine! That is why we are here- to make sure that does not happen- we are here to save lives." "But the secret of Meridian?" "Must stay a secret! The Nazis must never obtain access to the Meridian 12, Deep Space Explorer. This world is not ready for knowledge of an alien race crash landing and surviving alongside the people of Earth. There will be a time- several decades into the future, where information begins to surface about us, but until that time arrives, all this must stay buried!" "How do you intend to suppress such information, Empress? There are hundreds of people in these tunnels. The odds that someone will slip are high." "We have our ways, Lusius." "Why not just slip into the cavern and take the craft, Empress? Why the cloak and dagger?" "Because the Nazis must think this Wunderwaffen project is a failure- a dead end. That somehow the experiment caused some catastrophic accident and that everything- everyone was lost!" Peyton explained for me. "Well put, sister." I congratulated. "But you do intend on taking the craft?" Lusius asked. "We do, indeed." "When?" "At the time of my choosing. Certain details must fall into place before Meridian again departs a planet for the stars." I said cryptically. "Right now, though, Persephone and I must talk in private." "So you want me to leave my office?" "Nothing of the sort, hun, we'll be right back." I told him as I took Peyton's hand and we phased out. "You don't trust him, Alex." Peyton declared as soon as the scientist began looking around the room for us. "Not as far as I can throw him, sweetheart. I could never trust a man that continually tries to read my mind. Even Tibius asked before doing it. I believe the Terrans have a law to that effect?" I looked at my young companion and smiled. She nodded. "So what do we do?" She asked, watching the man move shelves and tap at various places along the walls. "Are you able to read him, sweetheart?" I inquired. "When his concentration is broken, yes, but mostly I can feel his emotions and predict what he will do all the time. "I see." I re-examined the images of the coming day in my mind. "Do you know how to gain access to Meridian?" "My mother told me that its commander ordered Meridian be set to open at the request of the Empress, Alex, so you are the only one it will recognize." I leaned over and kissed her forehead. "What was that for, Alex?" She asked, looking at me strangely. "For confirming that I'm doing the right thing, sweetheart. You see, I've known since we left Pearl that you were holding out on us." I smiled. "What? How did you know about that?" "I talked to your mother when Tibius and I took Anna-Beth back home. Your mom talked for hours about their arrival here and how, fearing the indigenous people of Earth would find other uses for Meridian and possibly use it to conquer Terra, set the controls to only accept the Empress's voice pattern. It was silly, really- just a last ditch effort to lock out all possibility of misuse or theft of technology. They were surprised when a voice print file was found by the flight computer and enabled." "You talked with momma?" "Sure did, sweetheart. I told her how you stowed away with Hathor's raiding party and helped defeat her at Kili Island. She was overjoyed that you chose to fight on the Empress's side- mentioning that you fought for the liberation of both upper and lower kingdoms during her imprisonment. I believe they may even have erected a statue to you in Memphis, hun!" "I don't want a statue of me. Many of my friends died to free the kingdom; they each deserve that honor instead." "Yes." I said quietly, brushing a few stray hairs from her face with my free hand. "You'll do nicely." I smiled at her before rephasing us. Peyton continued staring at me, wondering what I meant as we reappeared. Lusius jumped with a start. "It is settled then. Persephone will assist you in your efforts to gain access to Meridian. I am to be alerted to any discoveries before the SS, is that understood, 'Wilhelm'?" "You do not know how it works, Empress?" "Of course I know how it works, hun." I giggled. "Then tell me so that we can escape this prison!" He replied impatiently. "Must you skip to the last few pages of a good book, Lusius?" I laughed. "You will take good care of my sister, Lusius. See that no harm comes to her." I phased out than back in again. Lusius jumped higher this time. "Oh, almost forgot. Meridian's external shield is meant for protection against intense solar radiation, asteroids, micro meteors, and nulling the crushing effects of black holes, not triggering the door lock, Herr Scientist! My advice would be to try something else that does not melt test subjects into smoking puddles, comprende?" I phased out and walked out of the room. Wenceslas Mina, Poland, April 1st, 1945 'Jack, today's the day.' 'About time! I don't think I can take any more of these Nazi assholes!' 'Just hold it back for a few hours more, Commander. Let it build within you.' 'Then all hell is unleashed?' She thought to me with a certain amount of excitement. 'No, not quite, Jack, but it will certainly make you feel better, I guarantee it.' 'You mean I don't get to blow anything up like you promised?' Jack sounded disappointed. 'I didn't say that, Jack. You'll get to blow things up. I'd never take that from you.' I told her as I physically smiled. 'Oh, okay.' 'How's Brie and Randi doing?' 'Chuck came down late last evening and took Brie to do his personal cooking and cleaning. I think she spent the night in his quarters. Randi is climbing the walls and occasionally I catch her talking to herself...I mean, not really talking to herself- more like talking to her Reilly suit. She can't wait to access Meridian's computers!' 'So Brie spent the night with an SS Colonel. I wonder if this is that...nope, oh good!' 'Alex?' 'Nothing, Jack, I just thought that maybe...never mind. I'll let you know when to start rounding people up, okay?' 'Aye, Cap. It shouldn't be much of a problem. The Krauts seem to be busy with other things this morning- if it is morning that is.' 'It's quiet because they received orders from Himmler yesterday to destroy this base and everyone in it- no exceptions. You and Peyton can start putting a bug in the locals' ears about meeting in the test chamber, but wait for my order to trigger it.' 'Got it, Cap. I'll be waiting...just slaving away in this rat infested, kitchen...' I phased out and left my second hiding place and walked through a few solid rock walls to find myself in 'Wilhelm's' office. "I just cannot seem to find the right sequence!" His voice whined as I emerged from the rock wall of his office. "Are you sure it is not a homing beacon, Lusius?" Peyton asked calmly. I noticed the slight grin on her face as I appeared in front of her. I stopped right behind Wilhelm's chair- his elbows firmly planted on the desk before him, his hands holding his head in consternation. "Why a homing beacon? Wouldn't they have come for us several millennia ago if they were coming at all?" His voice sounded very despondent. "Well, it looks like we've made no progress at all." I said loudly, making Wilhelm jump. "If some useful hints were given, there might have been progress!" He whined. "If I had given you any useful hints at all, you and the SS storm troopers stationed here would be out there somewhere corrupting another peaceful planet!" I growled in anger as I swept my hand overhead. "I told you that I despise these barbarians. Why do you continue to doubt that, Empress?" "Haven't you been able to read my mind yet, Herr Wilhelm?" I smiled as I asked. "I cannot see your thoughts, no." "But I can see yours, Lusius. Not only that, but I can see many outcomes to many different scenarios in your future. Only one of which, by the way, has you playing on the right side!" "And which specific fate would that be, Empress?" "First off, fate has nothing to do with which way your allegiance sways. It is a conscious decision on your part as to what is right or wrong. Secondly, I am not here to influence your future. You still disappear completely from this world- most likely killed in the collapse of the complex. Our mission is to recover Meridian and return it to those who understand its purpose and use." "But the Empress is kind and understanding, the stories convey that explicitly!" "So now you've read the stories, how convenient! They also tell of how the Empress punishes those that have done evil, Lusius! Tell me, how many innocent people have stood before Meridian 12's shield and paid the ultimate price? How many people have you sacrificed in order to give Hitler his ultimate weapon and save your ass? I don't think that is something to be rewarded for, do you?" "But it was only to protect my family, Empress!" "To quote a phrase from back home, hun, 'Horseshit'!" I said seriously as I glared at him. I felt Peyton gently take my hand. "You've never had a real family here, Lusius. The Mossbergs...they only supplied you with authenticity! I doubt you even know what a meaningful relationship is- though, you are quite resourceful at saving your own butt! Did the Nazi's promise to take you along with them, Lusius? Did you really think that would happen- that they would actually honor that agreement? Seriously?" Wilhelm's face turned beat red and he abruptly jumped from his chair for the door. "Jack, our friend needs a thump to the head, please." I said aloud. The scientist's head noticeably jerked and Lusius...Wilhelm...whoever he was, dropped to the floor unconscious. "It's time, Jack. Round up everyone you know to be innocent and meet us in the test chamber. Either carefully avoid the demolition crews or disable them. I don't care which; let them decide." 'Aye, Cap, we'll be right there.' "Alex, what will we do with him?" Peyton pointed to the motionless man on the floor. "We bring him along, of course! Did you think the Empress would ruin her hard earned reputation for this bilge?" "Of course not, ma'am, but there is always a first time- especially if it were warranted- like it is here." "That time will arrive all too soon, sweetheart." I looked down for a moment. "Come on; let's get down to stealing us a spacecraft!" 'Alex, they've begun setting charges at the mouth of the mine!' Jack's voice sounded excited. 'Where's Chuck and Brie, Commander?' 'Brie is helping Chuck to the Test chamber as we think.' 'He took one for the team?' 'Aye, Klingenschmidt, hit him pretty hard and escaped, Alex.' 'Hurry and get everyone here, Jack, they intend to corral everyone in the center of the mine.' 'What about the major?' 'He's going to stow away on Meridian, Jack.' 'But, I thought the major was a bad guy, Cap?' 'Sometimes we have to save the bad guys as well, Commander.' 'In that case, I'd like to lodge a formal complaint, Capt. Steinert!' 'Duely noted, Commander Cummins. Now y'all get those people here, pronto!' 'Aye, Ma'am!' 'Jack?' "Ya, Alex?' 'Start your power-up when y'all reach the chamber door.' 'Aye! Hey, just met up with Brie and Chuck, Alex!' ''Is Chuck okay?' 'He's a little shaky on his feet yet, but Brie did good! I'll help her out from here on.' 'Let me know when you get to the door.' 'Here now, Alex. No sign of Klingenschmidt though.' 'He's here already, Jack. Just get those people in here.' A loud groan echoed through the chamber as the camouflaged, reinforced steel door yielded to Jack's mind. All eyes and weapons turned to see the door fly halfway across the cavern. It narrowly missed Meridian! Now it was my turn to surprise the enemy! I rephased Peyton, a still unconscious Lusius, and me behind the main control console. "Can I have everyone's attention, please?" I shouted out through the huge cavern. "Allied forces are just fifty miles from this facility! The SS has been ordered to conceal any and all evidence that this complex ever existed! In a few short minutes this chamber will be flooded with soldiers with only one order- kill everyone!" 'Jack, I need all the guards disarmed now!' The sound of weapons hitting the floor in pieces filled the chamber. Several uniformed men ran for the door. "You soldiers! I strongly suggest you surrender and offer no resistance! My sisters will not harm you unless provoked!" Several uniformed soldiers flew from the door and landed several feet behind us- the solid rock wall stopping them hard. The shocked scientists in the chamber eyed their flight path with opened mouths and frightened expressions. "Resistance is futile!" Brie shouted out with a smile as she and the rest of my team started to lead over three hundred refugees into Meridian's test chamber. "The Nazis' aren't that far behind, Alex." Jack advised as she drew closer. "It would be nice if we could get Meridian's hatch open now." She pointed to the dislodged hanger type door. It again took to the air and hovered overhead until everyone was inside before ramming itself back against its original doorframe, which miraculously bent itself against the large door, effectively sealing the chamber once more. "Ask and you shall receive, Commander." I smiled. Making my way through the gathered crowd down to the spacecraft, I touched its metallic skin. The material felt smooth and maybe even a little slippery- as if having a thin sheen of oil spread on it. Several people had made comments about my clothing and several more even tried to touch me to see if I was real. Someone even pinched my ass! I smiled at all of them and assured the ones that asked if I was indeed the Empress. Jack lifted Wilhelm off the floor beside a struggling Peyton and levitated him nearby. A hush quickly fell over the crowd. "Meridian Twelve, please open your outer hatch so that the Empress of Time and Space may enter." I said loudly in ancient Terran. There was some mumbling from the remaining scientists in the room. "Specify password for voice print verification, please." A female voice that sounded similar to my own Alexis' responded. It echoed throughout the cavern. "OakridgeEmpress8716." I replied, again in ancient Terran. "Password accepted. Welcome aboard, Empress." The voice acknowledged. A rectangular seam became visible on the craft's smooth hull and the resulting door slid open revealing a dark, inner room. No other door was visible. A gasp escaped the scientists and most of the crowd. "Commander, put our sleeping guest in the airlock, please then prepare to start boarding these people immediately! Randi and I will exit and reseal the inner airlock door. That should reopen the outer door! Randi, are you ready to acquaint yourself with Meridian 12?" "I've been holding my breath for three long days, Alex- can't wait!" The two of us entered Meridian's airlock chamber and the outer hatch closed automatically as suspected. "Bridge." I commanded. The vastly larger-than-expected airlock immediately started moving like an elevator. If the pulsing light directly in front of us was any indication, we traveled up about four floors before coming to a stop. "Time to get out of this dress." I said as my suit took on its default form. "The standard Reilly suit, Alex?" Randi questioned. "It is a spacesuit after all, hun." I replied casually. The comfortable garment felt wonderful after wearing the sheer, revealing dress and heels for almost three days straight. My tiara remained on my head though. "Didn't realize it was, Skip, but good idea." 'Jack, flight crew to default Reilly suits.' 'Aye, Cap.' "Welcome to the Command Level, Empress." The woman's voice greeted as an unseen door opened in front of us. We had more than a few yards to walk before exiting into the compartment! The room before us measured about forty to forty-five feet in diameter, its sides filled with equipment consoles or cabinets with readouts and blinking indicator lights of all colors. Several seats were distributed about those consoles as well as several in the middle of the room. "Meridian hun, are you equipped with an external processor interface port?" I asked the craft. "Affirmative." "Could you direct my companion to it, please?" "Is external device compatible with Meridian interface protocols?" "I speak over seven thousand different OS Protocols and am fluent in Binary!" Randi told the computer in an indignant tone. "I think I'm compatible!" "It's okay, hun, she's part of my rescue team. Let her interface with you." "Device will proceed to station Alpha-zero-four." A light started flashing to indicate the location in the room. I motioned for Randi to go have fun. "Meridian, what is your crew capacity?" "Three hundred with four months of supplies, three hundred and twenty without supplies." "I don't think so! I am not THAT old school, Meridian!" Randi exclaimed, her voice raising an octave as well as in volume. It drew my attention momentarily. "I absolutely refuse to connect to a wired interface!" She paused and angrily stared at a cable of some sort in her hand. "We're going to do this my way, old girl!" "Problems, Lieutenant?" I asked Randi. "Establishing wireless communication with Meridian A.I., Alex! She wanted me to connect through my physical network port!" "So what's wrong with that?" "You would know what was wrong with that if you knew where my network port is located, skip!" "I would imagine it's real close to your reset, right?" "How did you know that, skip?" Randi blushed profusely as her mouth dropped open. "Experience with a previous revision, hun. Mind your console, Lieutenant." I motioned her to turn around toward the console. Randi silently, slowly, turned back to her control panel, her eyes continued to stare at me with deep concern until she had to turn her head away. I returned my attention to the problem at hand. 'Jack, we have a problem. Meridian can only hold three-twenty, max. How many did you count?' 'I lost count at three-fifty. Rough guess...three-seventy-five, Alex.' "Meridian, we have to rescue three hundred and seventy-six. Is there any way to accomplish that?" "Gravitational thrusters cannot manage equilibrium or sufficient repulsion with requested payload." "She's right, Alex." Randi confirmed. "Meridian's fuel cells are at four-five percent. I doubt she would have the power to lift off with just us six onboard." 'Cap, the main tunnel entrance just collapsed. Are we ready to go yet?' Jack suddenly interrupted. "Meridian, we need to squeeze everyone in here. I'll leave it to you to distribute them to all habitable levels." "Acknowledged, Empress." 'Stuff those people into the airlock, Jack, you, and Brie get up here now! Let Chuck and Peyton handle loading. I want to know when everyone is aboard.' 'Aye Cap, we're on our way.' "Meridian, if you had an additional power source, could we achieve takeoff?" "Only if gravitational balance can be achieved, Empress." "She means if we were already in space, Alex." Randi translated. "I know just the person, Miss Van Pelt." "You mean you're going to transport this whole ship out into open space, Skip?" "I've done it before, hun." I replied nonchalantly. "But we're inside a mountain, Alex!" "I was in the middle of a volcano the last time- shouldn't be any different." "It's a freakin' Tardis!" Brie shouted excitedly as the airlock door opened to our compartment. "What's a Tardis, Brie?" Jack asked in complete confusion. "Nothing you'd understand until the mid sixties, Jack." She told her with a roll of her eyes. "Time And Relative Dimension In Space." I deadpanned. I really didn't know how I knew that though. "Huh?" Jack responded. I simply shrugged my shoulders. "Jack, how's your energy buildup coming?" I asked, but then I noticed the sweet smell of ozone in the air as she neared. "Never mind, Commander, it was a dumb question. How're Chuck and Peyton doing outside?" "Meridian reports six of ten levels are filled to capacity, Captain." Randi informed us. "She estimates another ten minutes before payload is secure and recommends we start our preflight." "Is she capable of taking power from the mine, Randi?" "Asking right now, Alex." Randi sounded a bit rushed. "The electricity from the mine is incompatible without conversion, Alex, so no. She HAS located a source of compatible power however." Randi turned from her console and nodded over to Jack. "Me? How am I a power source?" I just stared at her a minute with one raised eyebrow. "Let her pull power from you, Jack. Meridian?" "Yes, Empress?" "Hun, Cmdr. Cummins here is going to release some of her energy. Don't take more than she can release or you both may malfunction." "Acknowledged." I nodded to Jack to proceed and she closed her eyes to concentrate. "It's working, Skip. Meridian's fuel cells are starting to recharge." "Good, Miss Van Pelt. How's the preflight going?" "System checks are proceeding, but I'm not able to access flight systems, Alex." "Any idea why, Lieutenant?" I asked flatly. "We need a pilot, Alex. I'd recommend a Terran pilot." Randi sounded a bit worried now. "Payload status, Randi." I ordered, already knowing the perfect candidate. "Eight-five percent, Alex." "Jack, have Peyton get up here on the double! Chuck can handle the rest on his own. Have him check in once he's got the outer airlock closed." "Aye, Cap." "Alex, systems preflight is completed and Meridian is go for thruster warm-up once our pilot arrives." Randi informed me. "Brie, you take environmental controls and make sure all levels have fresh air, heat and light. Oh, and make sure all the heads are online too, there is going to be reason to use them." "Aye, Skipper...um, where would they be located?" She replied. "The control console is right next to me, Brie." Randi motioned to the station to her left and patted the seat. "The nearest head is over there." She pointed to a door with the figures of a man and woman on it. "What about me, Cap?" Jack asked sounding slighted. "Where do you think you should be, Jacquelyn Cummins?" I exclaimed in disbelief. "Did you really have to ask that- unless, of course, you need to use the head?" "No, I just wasn't sure if the supplemental power source had a designated seat, Alex!" "You're next to me, Commander." I pointed to the leftmost of three seats in the center of the room. "You needed to see me, Alex?" Peyton asked as she exited the airlock and looked around in amazement. "Wow, you would never guess she was this big from the outside!" She gushed. "Peyton, Meridian needs a pilot. Think you can handle it?" "Momma was the pilot, Alex, not me!" She replied in distress. "I know she taught you how to fly her, hun, I talked with her, remember?" "I have simulator time on the Meridian series, Empress, it's not the same!" She emphasized. "It's better than nothing, hun, besides, I know you can do it. Take the seat." I pointed to the empty console in front of the three Command seats. "Take the helm, subcommander!" I used her mother's rank deliberately. "Meridian, please start flight system preflight." Peyton asked the ship quietly as she took her seat and looked at the console before her in wide-eyed amazement. "Valid rank accepted. Valid pilot login is required." "Um...Persephone." Peyton said timidly as she looked around on the console for something. "Valid pilot recognition failed, please specify credentials." "Empress, this isn't working!" Peyton cried. "This wasn't part of the simulation!" "Peyton, state your parental lineage," I told her calmly. "Meridian, I am Persephone, daughter of Natalia and Ahm-Shu- niece of Anna-Beth, Commander of Meridian 12. I am certified with one thousand hours on the Meridian series flight trainer, version epsilon, delta, six." Jack, Brie, and Randi immediately looked over at the girl in disbelief. "Credentials meet recommended criteria. Flight system preflight checklist will commence, Subcommander." Peyton looked back at me with a frightened smile. I simply smiled back at her. She quickly turned around and began to touch the console at different points, nodding as she mentally stepped through the checklist. "So she's Anna-Beth's niece? Is that the reason you let her stay in 2028, Alex?" "Partially, Jack. Her mother and aunt asked me to teach her some responsibility. They considered her plan to take on Hathor independently, irresponsible and reckless." "And they wanted you to teach her the proper techniques? Did Anna-Beth even remember how you took Hathor on, Alex?" Jack asked with a slight smirk and a single raised brow. "Skipper, Meridian reports that all hands are aboard and the outer hatch has been secured. Chuck was the last through it." "Thank you, Miss Van Pelt. Peyton, how soon until we can launch?" I shifted my attention to our pilot. "Almost finished, Skipper, another minute or two!" She replied in a very nervous tone. "Jack, tell Chuck to get up here and strap in. This is not going to be a smooth trip!" "Skipper, Meridian's fuel cells are only at eighty-five percent. We don't have enough power to break Earth's gravity!" "Let me handle that, Miss Van Pelt." I told her. The ship suddenly shook violently. "Peyton, we're out of time. Unless I miss my guess, the Nazi's just blew the rest of the side tunnels. This chamber is last on the list." "Starting thrusters, Skipper." She said, quickly touching a dozen sequential points on the panel in quick succession. "What the hell was that?" Chuck shouted as the airlock door opened. "Holy shit, it's a bleedin' Tardis!" He exclaimed in an exaggerated British accent as he looked around the compartment. "Meridian, this is Maj. Charles Mason, Earth Defense Force. Sit down and fasten your seatbelt, Charles." "Aye, Captain." "Welcome aboard, major." "Thanks, ma'am." Chuck answered, looking around. A high pitched whine began to fill the compartment- like a whole group of jet engines winding up, my shared memories told me. Several alarms sounded from Peyton's console. "Skipper! Thruster banks five, eight, and twelve refuse to start, what should I do?" "Keep trying them, Peyton. I know they'll start." "Alex, the Nazis' are about to breach the test chamber!" Jack shouted in excitement. "Can you throw them a little roadblock, Jack?" "Only if I get to blow something up, Alex." The air around us grew sweeter and began to crackle! "Let out your frustrations, my friend." I said calmly with a wide smile. The ship shook and vibrated even more severely than before! "Outer shields holding at ninety-five percent, Skipper. Proximity sensors indicate no sign of previous life forms in the immediate vicinity around Meridian." Randi announced as she again turned from her console, this time staring silently at Jack. She looked disappointed. The volume of the thruster whine increased three-fold in the compartment. "All thrusters are now online, Skipper." Peyton announced sounding relieved. "Awaiting your orders." "Where am I? What is this place?" Wilhelm drunkenly asked as he started to come to. "Jack, I don't need him awake right now." "Aye." Wilhelm's head immediately jerked back again as if taking another roundhouse to the chin. "Problem averted, Alex." Jack smiled brightly. "Meridian, I need all-hands on the squawk." "Please repeat request, Empress." "I want to make an announcement to everyone onboard, hun." "All level hail is operative, Empress. Proceed." "Thanks, hun. Attention, all hands. You are requested to find a handhold on any main structure of this craft. If unable to personally touch some part of the craft, take the empty hand of someone close to you that has. Do not let go until I make another announcement to that effect!" I announced in Ancient Terran. "Jack let me know when you sense everyone is ready." "Aye, Cap." I repeated the announcement in Polish, German, Czech, and English before ending the hail. "Skipper, thrusters are hot and waiting." Peyton said impatiently. "Randi, I need an exterior visual." "Aye, Skipper." A wall-sized, holographic screen in front of Peyton came on and displayed the still swirling, smoke and dust laden, air of the test chamber. "We're good to go, Alex. All hands are in contact with the hull." "Thank you, Commander. Helm, thrusters to maximum." I commanded as I stood from my seat and approached her console. The whine of the thrusters tripled in volume again making it harder to hear. "Spatial transit in three," I shouted, placing my hand on the console's metallic side panel. "Two," I shouted again and began to concentrate on a point in orbit high above Earth. "One!" I shouted and pulled the virtual trigger in my mind. The view screen immediately went black. Slowly, small pinpoints of light began to show, but seemed to be moving in a circular pattern. I immediately felt slightly dizzy and quickly checked my nose and ears for blood. There was only a trace from my nose this time. Either I had grown more powerful or Meridian wasn't as hard to move as Reilly. "Alex, we're in a spiral! I'm trying to compensate!" Peyton sounded even more stressed as her hands moved franticly across the controls. "Remember to go easy on the quads, Peyton. A gentle, calm, touch on the controls will settle her down quicker than slamming gimble to gimble." I advised her in a calm, level tone. "How in the world did you know that, Alex?" Chuck asked in amazement. "An American Astronaut once gave me that advice." I admitted. "I helped him and his crew out of a jam." Charles Mason looked at me like I had a third eye! "You were on Apollo Thirteen?" He asked, sounding stunned. "Briefly, why?" "You...were on...Apollo Thirteen!" "Give it a rest, Charles. We did what was needed and left. Unlike this craft, NASA has a way to go in the amenities department!" The whine of the thrusters died down to a whisper. "Captain, I've gotten her stabilized, but we have a bigger problem now." Peyton interrupted. "Let me guess, we're caught in Earth's gravity and lack the power to escape it, right?" "Um...ya, how did you know?" "Um, Empress?" "Sorry." "Welcome to 1965, everyone." I announced sarcastically. "I kind of thought you were going to say that, Alex." Jack returned my sarcasm. "Fifty minutes to re-entry, Alex." Randi alerted us. "Peyton, keep us steady and on target, if you can." "Easier said than done, Skipper! Um...what target?" What target indeed, I asked myself? Once again, the proper question, placed at the proper time, told me everything. "We're aiming for a splashdown in the Chesapeake, Peyton, out of the North-northwest." "That will take us directly over DC, Alex." Jack needlessly informed me. "We'll never make it that far, remember?" "Oh ya, right." "Skipper, I'm showing a slight loss of atmosphere on level six. Full decom in forty-five minutes." Brie announced from her station. "Perfect!" I exclaimed in disgust. "How is the heat shield, Randi?" "Ninety percent, Alex, I'm showing a slight decrease in hull integrity at section crimson-alpha-three." "Schematic, Miss Van Pelt." The affected hull section became highlighted on the displayed drawing. "Damn Nazis! They just had to brand her!" Chuck cursed. "Just enough to weaken hull integrity. It's why we're losing pressure on level six, too." I added. "What else did those morons do?" Jack asked needlessly. "Ask Wilhelm, he should be waking up right...about...now." I pointed over my shoulder to where the unconscious scientist lay. As if on cue the man began moaning in pain. "Miss Cummins, would you bring our reluctant friend here please?" "Sure, Cap." The man floated over our heads and stood before us about two feet off the deck. "Well hello, Lusius. Or is it really Wilhelm?" I eyed the woozy man curiously. "Where am I?" He slurred. "A better set of questions would be: Where and when am I?" "I...I don't...don't understand." "Lieutenant Van Pelt, put our objective on the display, please. Commander Cummins, turn him if you will." Wilhelm made a slow one-eighty. "This is where you are, Lusius. Take a good look because this is the closest you'll ever get to your Homeworld." "What planet is that?" He mumbled- his jaw stiff and lips swollen. "Earth from about one hundred and ten miles up. Isn't she beautiful from up here?" I asked him as I got up and walked between him and the screen. He seemed to be taking hovering above the deck surprisingly well for someone who never met a Mind Warrior before. "So, Lusius, who are you really?" I asked with a giggle- I already knew more about this man than he did himself. 'Chuck wants to space him, Alex- whatever that means.' 'It means he wants to throw him out the airlock, Jack.' 'It would lighten the load a little, Cap.' 'I have other plans for this one, Commander.' 'You're going to play with him, I take it?' 'Oh ya.' 'Can I help?' 'Yep.' Jack smiled mentally and physically. "Cmdr. Cummins, have you zeroed in on our other guest yet?" I asked Jack as I stared up at Lusius. "Level two, section gamma." "Can you persuade him into the elevator, Commander?" "Aye, Captain." She giggled. "He's on his way- ouch, that's gonna leave a mark." "What will, Commander?" I asked. "Seems our other guest forgot to duck, Cap." Chuck tried, but failed to stifle his laugh as he shook his head. "Elevator's on its way, Captain." Jack informed me. "Wellll now, it seems like you have company, Lusius. Let's wait until he arrives to continue our chat, shall we?" I didn't care if I got a response from him or not. The airlock door opened to reveal our second guest. Instead of being dressed in the Black uniform of the SS, Klingenschmidt was wearing torn gray trousers and an old tattered shirt. His hair was no longer slicked and combed neatly, but dirty and disheveled. No longer was there a smug arrogance on his face either, only fear. "Welcome to the party, Herr Major." I hissed the last part in disgust. "I trust you know Herr Wilhelm?" "Who is this major? I know no major." Klingenschmidt cried. Jack moved the man over beside his comrade. "Do y'all really think we'd be fooled just 'cause y'all changed your clothes, Major?" I eyed him up and down. "We may be women, but we sure ain't stupid, hun!" I blew him a kiss and winked. "Altitude has decreased to one hundred miles, Captain." Randi informed me. "Skipper, I need to do a ten second thruster burn to keep us on course." Peyton added. "By all means, subcommander." The whine of the thrusters increased tenfold in volume again. Meridian shuddered slightly as she wrestled with Earth's gravity. "It is just a rocket?" Klingenschmidt questioned over the noise. The thrusters quieted down again. "Meridian 12 is far more than just a 'rocket', Herr Major. She is an interplanetary spacecraft that arrived here over five thousand years ago. Not only that, but she is the only craft from her planet to ever transcend time and space through a wormhole...and survive." "What is a wormhole?" Lusius asked boldly. "Are you really that clueless, Wilhelm?" I asked. "Surely a learned man such as you would know of one of the most horrifying creations in the known universes?" I laughed. "Charles, would you mind explaining what a wormhole is?" "Of course, Empress. A wormhole is a theoretical shortcut thought to connect two separate regions of space, the presence of which allows instantaneous transit thereby cutting millions of light-years off travel between the two points. It is sometimes referred to as a 'Black Hole' in my century." "Thank you, dear brother-in-law that was an excellent description. Might I add though, that it can not only provide a shortcut between two points in space, but time also as in the case of this spacecraft." I applauded him. Both Lusius and Klingenschmidt looked confused by what Brie's husband said. "You both look confused? Has my brother-in-law talked over your supposed superior intellect, Herr Major? Herr Wilhelm?" "He said his 'century'?" "Yes, I said century, mine Herr. As in the twenty-first century. My wife and I are from the year 2010. Does that frighten you?" Chuck stood up and walked over to the two hovering men. As he did, his Reilly suit changed back into his SS Colonel's uniform. Both men's eyes widened considerably! "Col. Mueller!" Klingenschmidt gasped. Lusius just looked between the two men and me. "No, Herr Major, Charles Mason, Springfield, Missouri, United States of America!" Chuck replied proudly as his Reilly suit changed back to its red and blue default. "So we conquered the United States." His voice sounded hopeful. "Try again, asshole! Germany surrendered in April 1945! Hitler committed suicide in his concrete bunker under Berlin just before the Soviets entered the city! All High command officers committed suicide or were found guilty of war crimes, hanged, and or shot! Now give me one good reason why I don't ask the Empress to throw your sorry-assed, pathetic, bigoted carcass out into the vacuum of space!" "Charles!" Brie gasped from her station. "I'm sorry darlin', but reading about them is nothin' like havin' firsthand experience with 'em! I'm embarrassed to have even considered studying that sociological nightmare!" Chuck admitted in anger. "Chuck, the major would be the first one to tell you that he had absolutely nothing to do with that- he was just following orders. Weren't you, Rudolf Goebel Klingenschmidt?" I purred evilly. "I will see to it that you all are severely punished!" He suddenly roared, severely breaking character. "Jacquelyn, could you show the major he's in absolutely no position to threaten anyone?" "With pleasure, Empress." Jack smiled brightly then her face took on a very ominous, very dark expression! The air around us sparked and crackled with energy. A wicked grin appeared on Jack's lips and the major's neck started to compress inward ever so slightly. He began to choke and gasp for air, his eyes opening wide in fear! Jack then stood up from her chair and approached him. "Herr Major, if you haven't yet guessed, the Empress is not the one you should fear. I am your worst nightmare. I am the avenging angel for all those souls deemed 'inferior' by your Fuhrer and I wonder if you have any idea how your victims felt as you tortured them- as you pistol whipped them senseless...as you lead them to slaughter!" She growled in a very dark voice. Chills actually shot up my spine! His face violently shuddered from side to side a half dozen times in quick succession. Blood began pouring from his nose and side of his mouth. "Or how they wished for the sweet release of death as you savagely beat and whipped them as if worthless, unruly service animals!" Klingenschmidt's tattered shirt ripped away from his body and he lurched forward as if a real whip were thrashing at his back! Blood sprayed from his back several times. "How does it feel, Herr Major? How does it feel to be the recipient of such cruel punishments?" Klingenschmidt's arms suddenly flew out perpendicular to his body and he began to cry out in intense pain. His legs stretched closer to the floor. "Lady Jacquelyn, please stop?" Our pilot asked quietly. The dark, half smiling, expression with which Jack looked back at her was one I had never seen before. Genuine terror filled my soul. Peyton stayed focused and continued her plea. "If continued, you would be no better than him and his Nazi brethren! Oh please, mighty Mind Warrior, I beg you to show charity." Peyton requested. "Peyton's right, Jack. He will pay for his crimes- the same way as his fellow officers did- through courtroom trial. Stand down, my friend- please?" I said trying to appear calm and not show the obvious fear I had for her at the moment. "Ninety-five miles and decreasing, Skipper." Randi broke the thick, tense, air around us. Jack shook her head to clear her dark thoughts. Tears began streaming down her cheeks. Both men dropped to the deck in a heap as my first officer turned around slowly and walked back to her seat. Chuck got up and pulled her to his shoulder and held her there tightly as loud sobs began to wrack her body. Klingenschmidt lay on the floor in the fetal position clutching his throat and crying profusely. Lusius sat up and looked at me then Jack- shear terror etched on his face. "How easy it would have been for her to destroy you both! You are nothing more than common houseflies to my Mind Warrior and you have no idea how close you both came to suddenly exploding into microscopic bits!" I hissed, still shaken as I turned my attention to Maj. Klingenschmidt. "I was set to just stand by and do nothing." I admitted. Peyton looked back at me in surprise. "You owe your lives to my pilot, Subcommander Persephone." I nodded to Peyton. "You see, she has seen her fill of tyranny and torture in her own time and she had absolutely no reason to speak up on your behalf." "Was Pharaoh that barbaric, Empress?" Lusius asked with a noticeable quiver in his voice. "The Great leaders of Egypt were never the problem. Most Pharaoh ruled with equality and fairness. The so-called Gods of Egypt, however, were not so forgiving! One in particular, Hathor, brought slavery, chaos, and disparity to the land of Pharaoh! Persephone, her mother, and her aunt- the original pilot and commander of this vessel, both fought and succumbed to Hathor's heartless oppression. So, she has absolutely no cause to show any charity whatsoever to monsters whose deeds are several magnitudes worse than what she has already faced." I paused to let what I said sink in- not that it would. "Tell me, Lusius, how many decades have passed beneath your feet since birth?" Klingenschmidt's crying was starting to subside and he sat up slightly and wiped the blood from his mouth and nose, his eyes immediately locked onto our conversation, but he wisely remained silent. Lusius, likewise, remained silent. "Come now, Lusius, we all know that 'Egyptians' live a long time. Persephone, for instance, looks absolutely marvelous for just celebrating her ninety-second birthday." Peyton gasped that I knew exactly how old she was. "I, myself, have seen almost four decades. So tell us, Lusius, how old are you?" "Six." "Louder, hun, I don't think the others heard you." "SIX!" "Six what, hun?" "Six! Six decades! Are you happy now?" "Not quite, hun." I smiled and raised one eyebrow. "You know you can't lie to me- I can read your mind, just as Jacquelyn can and I would place your age precisely at two and a half." Both men lying on the deck looked confused. "Two hundred and fifty years you've been on this planet! I should think any descendant of Janelle Hathor would've learned which side was the right side by now, but apparently there is a learning error built into her and all her future revisions! "How do you think you know so much about me, Empress?" "Haven't your ancestors passed on the stories of Reilly Research Station, Lusius?" I asked, grinning at him. "The story of how Grandmother Hathor was illegitimately deposed by you has been kept throughout time!" He spat. I started laughing! "Please, dear Lusius," I looked to my sisters and brother-in-law, "relate to us the story of how Grandmother Hathor saved the people of Reilly from the expanding fusion giant." "What expanding fusion giant? What is a fusion giant?" "It's the sun, moron!" Chuck snarled, as he continued to lend comfort to Jack. "Anyone with half a brain knows that!" I shook my head at the misinformed man. "Jack are you up to setting up a relay link between me and these two?" Slowly she moved her head away from Chuck's shoulder and looked at me in confusion. "Two, Alex? Isn't it a bad idea to show the Nazi more than he needs to know about us?" "I can assure you, Jack, that he will take the knowledge to his grave." I closed my eyes a moment and lowered my head. "As you wish, Empress." She replied with a look that questioned the validity of my request. She nodded to Chuck, who begrudgingly retook his seat. "Start when you're ready." "Eight-five miles and still dropping, Skipper." Randi informed me as I finished my remembrance of Reilly's passage through universes. "How do I know that truly happened?" An unimpressed Lusius questioned. "Believe what you like, hun. I'm not in the habit of lying to anyone and I really don't care at this point what you think to be true." "Fraulein how is it possible to do all these things? Only Gods and Goddesses are capable of such miracles? Greek, Norse, and Roman mythology tell us this." "Major, a myth or legend is only an explanation or description for something or someone that is not understood. This ship," I raised my arm and twirled, pointing around the room, "How would you describe it had you no knowledge of a 'rocket'?" I waited a moment. "Your sidearm- to early man it would have appeared to be a magical fire stick, yes? The simple dynamics that allow an airplane to fly could be described as angels from heaven. In short, major, some myths and legends exist because of misunderstood technology." "What we can do as you have witnessed, is a result of advanced technology- this craft, our uniforms- all technology." "How was she able to hold me above the floor and physically abuse me without laying a hand to me? That was not any technology I could recognize." "That answer is simple, major. Have you ever heard of Darwin?" "I had read about his theories on evolution before the Fuhrer ordered it banned from our shelves." "Darwin's theory simply states that any given organism, over time can change and adapt to its environment, and given even more time can become a different organism all together. My sisters and I are what you could call the next step in human evolution. We have developed abilities...abilities, which allow us to help all life forms on this and many other worlds. You have already experienced Jacquelyn's abilities first hand." I told him before phasing out and walking through him and Lusius. "This is but one of my gifts." I said as I rephased. Both men jumped at the sound of my voice. "Major, this ship is a prime example of advanced technology by an advanced people. From the outside, did you expect the inside to be this vast? The race of people that built Meridian, the Terrans, perfected something called 'Spatial Compression' hundreds of years ago. They use it for things as common as warehouse storage, apartment buildings, even birthday and Christmas presents. For them it is as common a technology as the light bulb." "But how did you..." Klingenschmidt pointed from where I had been to where I was now. "I'll show you. Can you stand, major?" Very slowly the man stood up, his legs shaky and unsure. Jack had really given him a beating! "Take my hand, major." I offered. "Meridian, hun, I'll be right back." I informed our ship. Meridian's command level did not become anything but the Command level. "Interesting. Apparently, I can't transit while inside Meridian." I noted. Wrinklin