Living the Dream, Malissa's Academy, 4
By: Malissa Madison
Walking toward the grade school classrooms I heard the clash and ring of
steel on steel. Curious now that there was no music I hurried toward the
sounds to find what looked like a real fight in progress.
There were four of the bodyguards ringing Juliet, all covered in sweat,
their Vershang making Whirring sounds as they spun before the next
strike.
"Try again," Layla said. "You're too angry."
"Let it go or you'll lose this round too," said another.
Suddenly Juliet dropped her Vershang and with just her bare hands she
charged Layla. I gasped in shock as I watched her bare hands close on
the flat edges of the Vershang.
"You mean like this?" she now had Layla's Vershang and turned to block
another. The side of her hand knocking the blade aside before chopping
down on an exposed wrist.
"Halt!" all five stopped in mid motion going to a rest position.
"Juliet, why did you abandon your Vershang?" asked Col Winters.
"It was slowing me down Ma'am. I do better with just my hands and feet,"
she said. "I didn't need anything else to escape that crap ass Helix
Academy either."
"Ladies," I got their attention. "I thought these exercises were being
conducted on the North Quad?"
"I'm sorry Ma'am, they were doing so well in the moving defense, I kind
of let it get out of bounds," apologized Stephanie Winters. "Juliet was
supposed to be the protectee though." She looked around and motioned
forward one of the other bodyguards.
I noticed that she was limping.
"Sorry Ma'am, I let you down. I'll work harder to improve my defense."
I was trying hard to place her, but came up blank. "Gracie," the Col.
pressed a button on a device in her hand. "You didn't let me down, I
chose to take you out of the action on purpose."
Gracie flexed her ankle with a grin then grabbed up the Vershang that
Juliet had dropped.
I realized then that they were wearing their training suits, and that
the Col could pick and choose who to take out, and with what simulated
injury, without tipping off the rest.
"I trust you will keep it out of the class rooms," I grinned. Then
realized they were five minutes into their between class break.
"Stephanie, a word please?" I motioned her to the side.
"Sorry Malissa, Juliet had the first two classes free and she was
watching us, and then she just volunteered."
"I hadn't realized she had those hours free," I admitted. "Wasn't she
running track?"
"That's the thing, she was running with the Spiders. She was taunting
them really.
"Taunting Phase Spiders?" I was concerned now.
"No, the Goths. I had to give her something to divert her attention. She
feels like she isn't living up to her potential here."
The girls had all headed off to the showers now.
"Ok why is that a big thing?" I was getting confused.
"The Goth's she was taunting are the ones that guard the outside of the
Academy. They are young and impressionable."
"They would never harm her," said Scree, the little Queen who had bonded
with Col Winters. "But it would not be good for her to bond with more
than the three she has already bonded with."
"She hasn't been here long enough to bond with any of the ones outside,"
I said confused.
"No they came with her, the crew of the Dreadlock never knew they were
there. How else do you think she has escaped every Facility she's been
sent to as Ariella's Evaluator?"
Looking toward the bodyguards I finally saw the trio as they dropped
their camouflage. "Not bad for having no official training, huh?" asked
Col Winters.
"Actually I'll leave judgment on that to you," I said. "But where do her
Goths sleep? Surely not in her room?"
"No they sleep on the doorsteps."
"They need shelter from the weather. Please be sure they don't get left
outside, they are too valuable to be risked. Not to mention the
devastation to Juliet if anything were to happen to even one of them." I
showed how much I knew about the mental bond between them.
'I wonder if we should introduce them to Tatty Demure's Goth, Neela.' I
asked out loud.
I wondered if there would be this much going on, on Tellday when the
buses from the Kelvin Academy arrived. It was a surprise that I was
keeping to myself. Or so I thought.
The Kelvin Girls Academy was going to give a Cheerleading demonstration.
Then the following week the Chopsticks were going to Kelvin Nine to do
their own demonstration of Tai Chi. Actually our busses would be
following theirs back to their Academy. And the really big surprise was
that Eagle was going along to make sure they all had food for the trip.
The Eagle had already left to be able to travel with the Kelvin's on
their trip here. The First Ship Hub had determined that the Academies
Buses should be given the ability to open the toll booths in Phase
portal mode to shorten their trips for Academic Competitions, and Eagle
was given it as well since they had volunteered to perform as the
traveling dining hall for the schools.
Paula had acted quickly and her cousins back home were even now setting
out a dozen more trucks like Eagle and Hawk. They had agreed to each
serve a different Academy once they had been converted and the kitchens
had been staffed and trained for the different dietary needs of the
students. I saw it as a great step forward in increasing the friendly
competitions between schools.
The rest of the day flowed rather easily with the teachers getting
classes lined out.
Then just before the last class of the day the busses arrived out front
to take students to the Theater. I watched with a bit of excitement as I
saw Sherry with her classmates carrying their dance wear to one of the
busses. It was hard not to make a scene, to just step back and watch. I
knew that Jojo was probably just as anxious as I was to see how the
classes would turn out.
Then I saw CiCi as she walked along the sidewalk toward the Dorms. She
was going to invite Clarita to their house for dinner.
I'd used my time to research Curwen's history earlier this morning and
discovered that he and Curtis were actually twins. What was more
surprising was the fact that their mother had been a Centaur, their
father had been Orion.
Clarita's mother was Half Draconian and Half Orion. But she took after
the Orion side of her lineage. I was more curious by the fact that her
father's race was not listed, nor had there been any pictures of the
man, only the fact that he had been a ships officer who had started the
mutiny. Clarita herself had been born on Creameria during her mother's
first year in the prison. Curtis hadn't found out about her pregnancy
until Clarita was transferred to a Children's Home at the age of five.
But being widowed he wasn't even considered as a Guardian for the girl.
I joined CiCi as she met up with Clarita in front of her Dorm.
Clarita just stood there in shock at seeing her.
"Clarita," she began afraid the girl was going to run.
Run she did, dropping her books on the sidewalk she rushed into CiCi's
arms crying.
"Clarita?" I got her attention as I picked up her books for her. "You
have my permission to visit with them for dinner, and on weekends."
"Thank you Ma'am," she smiled happily. Then asked, "Why are you doing
this for me? I mean I really appreciate it and all, but I don't
understand."
Lifting her face to look into her eyes I answered, "Because your Grandpa
is a very good friend of mine. And because it's how I was raised, to be
nice and accept people for what they do at the present not their past."
She looked confused. "Did you know that I used to be a very 'Un-lady
Like' Rat Racer?"
"No Ma'am, what's that?"
I actually giggled. "It is a Sport that has gained a lot of popularity
for settling disputes. Perhaps your Grandpa will tell you about it." I
changed the subject then, "I'll let your Dorm Mother know that you are
not going to be at dinner tonight. But please remember to sign out in
the book beside the door."
Her eyes grew wide. "You mean I can sign out like the rest?"
"Absolutely," I answered.
As I wandered on over to the dining facility someone stepped up next to
me out of nowhere.
"You have a request of me concerning a special case I believe," said
Astrid.
"Yes Ma'am," I answered still a bit intimidated by her.
"If she asks me personally, then she will have my permission to attend
your Momma's school. But I think we should give her a little incentive
to work for it so it doesn't seem like we are just giving it to her,
don't you?"
"Yes Ma'am."
"Perhaps an Essay on what she hopes to learn now that she is not
restricted by Detention. I'll let you decide on its length."
"Thank You Ma'am."
"Now about another matter entirely," she changed the subject.
"Yes Ma'am?"
"Do you think I could possibly join you for Dinner? I haven't had a
decent Blood patty since the beginning of summer vacation."
"Oh, of course. I'm sure the girls would love to make some extras for
you," I was relieved that it wasn't something serious.
As we entered she said, "I see Juliet has found some new friends."
"Yes Ma'am. Col Winters seems very impressed with how well she's doing."
"Yes but she will need a pass this weekend to take Tar, Mint, and
Scraggly hunting. Perhaps she could go with the guardians who are going
to go Friday to the western continent?"
I knew she was waiting for my answer as I thought it over.
"Who else is going along Ma'am?"
"General Cling will be here visiting and they are going to show him the
quality of the Prey here."
I looked up and saw her watching us, then made a motion for her to join
us as we headed for the dining hall.
"Yes Ma'am?" she looked worried.
"Show yourselves please," said Astrid.
The three Goths dropped their camouflage instantly.
"It is as I thought, they need to hunt and soon."
"Ma'am, could they join us on our hunt this Friday?" asked Col Winters
stepping up to us. "I am sending one trio of bodyguards each Friday so
that their young ones may hunt with the larger Spiders."
"Yes of course, she may go." I answered seeing the three up close for
the first time, "But until then I think they need to join the rest for
blood patties in the side kitchen." They all showed signs of hunger and
long stretches between hunts. Mint was beginning to show signs of what I
now knew was the beginning of Molting.
"Juliet, please be sure that Mint knows she is permitted to use the
attic for her molting. I would not want her exposed to the weather in
that condition."
"She says thank you Ma'am," Juliet told me.
As they rushed off to the dining hall I smiled to myself at having
correctly recognized Mint's condition.
After lunch I wandered over to the grade school and listened in to a
First Grade class.
"Who can tell me how many Species of Phase spiders there are?" asked the
teacher and I realized it was Miss Ginger's class.
"Yes Tatty, you have an answer?"
"Yes Ma'am, there are three. The Black Widow, the Brown Widow, and the
Red Widow." I was shocked that Tatty of all people would have gotten the
answer wrong.
"That's correct," said Miss Ginger. "And which species is the rarest?" I
think I actually blinked several times.
"The Red Ma'am," answered another student.
"And why is that?" no one had an answer.
"They were hunted nearly into extinction by the Rogue First Queen,"
answered Ginger.
"Because they were the ones who created the builders of the freeway?"
the answer was more of a question.
"No, because they tried to help the Bio Ships during the Great War that
saw the disappearance of the Ancients."
"I thought they were extinct," said a student.
"No they are not. In fact they are about to submit their first Queen to
the Council of Queens when it holds its special session within the next
month." silence met her announcement.
I wanted to hear more but class was interrupted by the recess bell, and
I stepped quickly to the side as children rushed the door to get to the
playground.
"Ginger?" she turned her body to face me. "I didn't know that, thank you
for teaching it to the girls," I said when she looked frightened.
"I know it wasn't really in today's lesson plan, but some of the girls
were curious as to why there were so many hive Queens in the area," she
explained.
"You sound as if you've seen one of the Red Widows," I said.
"I grew up on one of the only two hive planets," she sounded excited.
Ginger was Terrellian, and I remembered that she had grown up on
Terrellia Four. The planet where the Goth's had originated.
"Do you know the one they are going to present as Queen?"
"Oh Miss Malissa, Falla is so beautiful, so regal and graceful, so, so,"
"Queenly?" I finished for her with a warm smile.
"Exactly."
My lapel pin chimed. "Excuse me Ginger." I stepped away to find out what
Nona needed. "Yes Nona?"
"The Blade is inbound and wishes permission to use the parking lot for a
special delegation."
I chuckled, "Nona, Queen Tarriana always has permission to land in the
parking lot." I began walking that direction Miss Ginger right beside
me, knowing that they would not be far behind the request. Suddenly I
found myself in the midst of Phase Spider Queens standing at the edge
waiting.
"Isn't it exciting?" asked Leila, Queen of the Sol Quadrant.
Suddenly it dawned on me, I was about to meet Falla, the first Red Queen
to be declared in gods only knew how long. For some reason I had assumed
that she would Phase Jump.
There hasn't been this many new Queens declared since Ruby's great
betrayal. She had them all slaughtered and appointed her own choices in
each quadrant," Leila informed me. "But perhaps it's a bit too soon in
the Phase Spider History classes for that information."
I had to giggle now. "I think perhaps we are seeing more History written
as we breathe."
Looking around I saw it was not just students watching the Blade as it
landed. Ariella had joined us in front of the Admin building. The little
queens had come to stand in welcome with their mothers.
Astrid who held the title of First Queen was over the Omega Quadrant,
her Daughter and chosen successor was Nessie.
Queen Quadrant Successor
Zillah Kaidran Ariel
Lilith Iridani Mink
Leila Sol Moshi
Sheena Draconian Ziah
Willow Orion Fancy
Sythera Rixian Grace
Nyolah Delphi Dorrah
Elayah Avalonian Sutrah
We each stood watching in anticipation as the blade settled gently into
place. Before the engines were even shut down a phalanx of Terrellian
guardians fanned out from the open door.
I watched with anticipation knowing that the Cameras along the front of
the Admin building were recording the event as it happened.
Tarriana stepped gracefully to the ground then turned to await the next
visitor. Queen Falla was easy to spot as she phased through the narrow
doorway. But before she moved to join the rest she turned to watch as
eleven much younger Red Widows emerged behind her.
"Remember, no fighting, no biting, and no Phase Jumping while you are
here," she said to her young. I watched as one in particular stepped out
beside her as she made her way toward Astrid.
"Astrid, First Queen of the Universes," began Tarriana. "May I present
Falla, Queen of the Terrellian Hives."
"Thank you Tarriana, Welcome Queen Falla. It has been far too long since
a Red Queen sat as a member of the Queens Council."
"You are most welcome First Queen, and thank you for receiving Me." she
motioned toward the young one beside her. "May I present Tilly, who will
take my place when it is time?"
The little Spider made a curtsey, "Ma'am."
Astrid seemed to do a second count of the young ones then reaching
forward to the one on Falla's left she asked, "And to whom does this
little lady belong?"
"This is Fina, my sister Zoe's next eldest, and my fosterling."
"Zoe of the Lycan Quadrant?" asked Astrid.
"Yes your Majesty, she is on her way and begs forgiveness for being
late," stated Falla.
"Yes she has more young ones to choose from. But we will not begin the
Queens Council until she arrives and has a chance to get her chosen one
Enrolled here with the rest. And does Tilly have her guardian with her?"
"Please forgive me your Majesty, I wasn't aware that one would be
permitted. This is a girl's school."
"Yes and they train Female guardians for our young ones here," Astrid
said a bit puzzled that she hadn't gotten the information.
"I am sorry, I didn't fully believe Tarriana. But then I should have
trusted her word, she has never been less than truthful." After that the
other young ones all went to join the Queen who would foster them as a
sign of peace between the hives.
Falla was welcomed by the other queens and then stood in front of me.
"Welcome Queen Falla, Princess Tilly," I began only to have another Red
Widow Queenling appear next to us.
"This is Norah," Tilly said. I saw that the two shared a much closer
bond like that between the other young queens and their guardians.
"Come along then, and we'll get you enrolled." I spoke into the thin
air, "Col Winters, there is a new bodyguard, could you send," I never
got the chance to finish.
"Yes Ma'am, I will help Norah get set up with the rest," began Crystal
as she stepped out of thin air in her human form.
"I heard that you were most impressive as well as beautiful," said
Falla. "And obviously quite deadly to have succeeded in,"
"Falla, we do not discuss such matters outside of the Queens Council,"
said Astrid. "Crystal is an instructor for the bodyguards."
"Then I am most pleased to see that Norah will have the best in
training," she smiled.
Together we walked them through enrollment, and getting their uniforms
and Dorm assignments. The rest had returned to classes already and as
Crystal took Norah with her, I led Falla and Tilly to her Classroom.
Tapping on the door I said, "Deborah, Miss Tilly is here to join your
class."
Falla seemed surprised to see Deborah, another of the Centaurs who had
taken a teaching position. Then she saw that Mink and Sutrah were in
class and realized that her daughter would indeed be educated like all
the rest. Since it was still the first week Deborah let the others talk
and get to know each other as they helped Tilly set up her new Laptop
for school.
Before leaving I led Falla across the hall to Tessie's room. "Miss
Tessie, I just wanted to let you know that you will have a new student
arriving soon." I also wanted the other seventh graders to get used to
the idea of there being a Red Widow in their class as well.
"Never fear Miss Malissa, Meezy of the Lycan Quadrant will be welcomed."
Looking at the blackboard I saw that the names of the Phase Spider
Queens were written down along with their chosen. This was Phase Spider
Culture week, and I smiled as she added Falla and Zoe to the list. We
stood near the door as she resumed her lesson.
Then after a few moments Astrid surprised me by going to the board and
taking up the chalk. "Excuse me but your list is incomplete Tessie," she
scrawled another name at the bottom. 'Tilliani' next to it she wrote
'Crystal Sage'.
Several students gasped in shock, Tilliani was the Drider Queen, and she
wasn't able to Phase Jump. But Astrid made no effort to explain, she
simply stepped back outside.
As we walked across the quad she giggled seeing Lilith coming toward us.
When Lilith was before us she said, "I'm about to upset things a trifle.
But it has been something that should have happened Centuries ago.
Please say nothing until the official announcement."
"Astrid, what are you playing at?"
"Lilith, we've already discussed this, and now with it unofficially out
there, what else could the Council decide?"
"Have you warned Tilliani?"
"No but I think she suspects the true reason for this special Council
being held here instead of Omega." I saw Lilith as she tried to read
what else was on Astrid's mind, but could not.
I began to realize that Astrid had been pitching her plans individually
to at least a few of the queens on the side.
It wasn't until Wednesday that Zoe and Meezy arrived aboard Queen
Natani's ship, 'Fang II'. By then the rumors had spread concerning the
Drider Queen.
Tellday arrived and with it the busses from the Kelvin Academy, followed
closely by a delegation from Iridani Three.
I was surprised when there were no Hive Queens on hand to welcome
Tilliani though. I would have expected at least one to be here.
After the first demonstration by the Cheerleaders of what to expect
during competitions Astrid finally arrived.
"Tilliani, please forgive me for not being here. We were watching your
chosen one teaching the guardians to track," she explained. "Also it
kept her busy so that she wasn't fretting about tomorrow."
"You know that I cannot Phase Jump, so why am I being made a member of
the Queens Council?" demanded Tilliani. "I have never sought to become
one."
"No you cannot, but your chosen one can and does Phase Jump. And so will
her other offspring," Astrid let that sink in. "This way she will be
better prepared to take your place when the time comes."
"You know that Moyra will be vexed about this."
"The scorpions are still groveling in the dark ages, even after all our
efforts to bring them into the present. She holds her seat by force and
fear alone, and if they hold true to their nature she will be replaced
soon by the next who is more cunning."
"But she has fought her sisters as well as her cousins and secured safe
passage for those who travel through their Realms. She is doing
everything she can to bring peace," stated Tilliani.
"Then Perhaps," Astrid touched one feeler to Tilliani's and suddenly she
giggled. "I know just the one to send."
Shortly after that I excused myself. I needed to get ready for my
sisters belated birthday celebration. The fact she already knew what she
was getting made no difference, we were celebrating it anyway.
It would also be the first time that I had been to their home, though
Danny knew where it was. He was going to lead the rest of us there. We
agreed to all meet up at the Brightfeather's Diner and go together.
I watched as the bitch drove herself into the parking lot, of course she
would want to be there too. Soon all my girls were ready, and we drove
out the gate together. Denise behind the wheel of her Charger Anna and
Maleeza rode with me. Anna holding Cora in her lap looked in the rear
view mirror then asked. "Why is Julie following us?"
"Because I know two young ladies who are old enough to begin learning to
drive," I said. I was pleased that Rachel and Erika had decided to drive
their 'Old Stangs' this evening.
We were soon joined by others who were heading out to the Wyoming's. It
was going to be a traditional feast, and I think the entire planet had
been invited.
Following Danny along the winding road through the low mountains I was
glad to have someone who already knew the way.
The house sat just below the peak of a hill on a gentle slope the field
across from it had been recently mowed and there was plenty of room for
everyone to park. A flatbed sat in front with a tarp covering, the ramps
already lowered to the ground ready.
"Isn't it exciting?" Missy greeted us in the front yard. "Tim won't let
me see it until everyone is here," she pouted.
"I told you love, there is still one special surprise coming," Tim
winked at me. We followed them around back where there was a fire pit
and a steer roasting over it. People were scattered out, some holding
plates of food, others just mingling.
"Malissa," I found myself being hugged first by BJ, then Jill.
The Lightfeather's were there, and I saw Maddie and her Associates. I
was trying to figure out who might be missing when we heard the sounds
of a shuttle flying in low over the mountain tops.
"Excuse me," said Tim as he stepped to the edge of the barn and
activated a small strobe light.
I grinned seeing that it was Paula's husband Trader. The biggest
surprise of all though was the person whose hand he held as he helped
her out of the little craft.
"Momma!" cried the three of us together and I realized that Stephanie
was here as well. I let my two older sisters run to her, they hadn't
gotten as much time with her as I had. Daddy escorted Mai Ling and Darla
into our midst, and Charlene rushed to join her cousins.
I felt a little sad that Jennifer and Connie weren't here, but they had
to stay behind at the school. Daddy being here meant that Chad was
filling in for him at MMA.
Then I thought to ask, "Momma, when we talked the other day, where were
you. You couldn't have been in your office."
"I never said that I was now, did I?" she grinned as she looked around
at all of us. "So where are they? I want to see my newest
Granddaughters."
"Anna, Maleeza come say hello to your Grandma Vandine's," I said.
They looked around from where they were talking with Darla and Mai Ling.
"Yes you have four Grandma's," I told them. "But you won't get to meet
Grandma Pierce until Christmas."
They frowned at that.
"Girls," Daddy said. "It's a four week trip by freeway, and a week by
space ship."
And we had a four week Christmas vacation, I hadn't told Daddy and my
Momma's that part yet. The longer days, and weeks made it possible.
Sophie was especially clingy with Momma and Daddy, and I wondered if it
was just because she missed them or if it had to do with the new
information in her Genealogy file.
Finally the time arrived and the cover was lifted off the car with a
flourish. The car it revealed was bright and sparkled just like the rest
of our cars. Except that it was hot pink, a perfect match to her truck
Beauty.
We sisters joined in driving our cars together, long into the night. I
paused long enough to teach Anna, then Maleeza to drive on the back
roads. My sisters joining us, it was the first time I'd seen 'Stang',
Darlene's Mustang as she taught Sugar to drive it.
We had an unofficial Rat Race between us sisters with nothing but fun
for stakes. Trading the lead back and forth, I expected competition from
Stephanie, but Missy really surprised me with how well she did.
As the sun began peaking above the hill tops we all realized how tired
we were. I was relieved that Corra hadn't jumped into my lap once while
I was driving. She had done enough of that once I turned my girls loose.
We used the truck stop as a changing stop for the drivers.
"So Bitch, I see you've been teaching again," said Momma as she slipped
behind the wheel. Then it hit me why the Bitch kept showing up, she'd
been going between the three of us. But always coming home to me, whom
she had the most history with.
As Momma pulled out onto the highway I saw the other Bitch, the one that
had come from a Parallel Universe. We sat and listened to them chatting
back and forth on the radio as they drove together.
We'd long fallen asleep by the time they returned. But before I fell
asleep I heard what I had suspected, Missy had two other sisters out
there, Stefra who was a transport operator, and Maliza who was a leader
with the Resistance Fighters.
But I never got to find out who they were resisting, I think maybe Momma
realized there were people listening, and changed the subject.
The girls and the rest were slowly waking up, and I heard Maleeza in the
kitchen with Donnie and Erika. They had the coffee made, and Erika was
giving her pointers.
"You just want to give it two shakes over the grounds before you start,
then after the grounds are good and soaked put one slice of Jalapeno
pepper into the basket. After a night like last night they'll need the
kick to get going," Erika giggled.
"Oh thank the gods there's coffee," giggled Danny. "Got any bacon
grease. Rose and Longreach are in the shower."
"Bacon Grease?" asked Maleeza.
"It's an acquired taste," I said as I stepped into the kitchen. She
poured and handed me a cup. I added two squirts of honey and stirred
before taking my first sip. As the flavor burst over my taste buds
waking me up fully.
"Did, did I do it right?" she asked with a hopeful look on her face.
"Yes you certainly did," I grinned.
"Please tell me that's Erika's coffee," moaned Sophie.
Maleeza quickly handed her a cup.
After her third sip Donnie said, "You were the last awake, you're on
kitchen duty."
"Donnie please," I said. "She spends all week fixing meals for the
little ones. I don't mind,"
"Mommy, we makin oat meal," Becca carried me a bowl and I looked to see
that Tiffany and Sherry had been busy while everyone else talked. Sherry
was busy at the toaster, Tiffany was stirring the oatmeal and scrambling
eggs.
"Can I help?" asked Maleeza and Anna.
"Yes, by all means. Do either of you know how to make biscuits?"
"I do," chimed in Anna.
"Rachel you help Anna with the biscuits. Maleeza we need to start the
sausage, turn the stove on under that big skillet."
We started off in the teaching mode, and I had her doing most of the
work. Erika had the potatoes and Turnips peeled and sliced into bite
size chunks and we added them in. next Erika added the chopped onions.
When everything was fried up together and ready I had Maleeza scoop it
out into a bowl with a strainer spoon.
Getting out the flour I had her turn up the heat under the grease.
Anna had come over hovering close watching, "Now just start sprinkling
in about a quarter cup of flour," I instructed. "That's good keep
stirring it with the fork. You want to be sure it stays thick but not
too thick. That's good, keep stirring it."
"It's burning," she said.
"No it's browning. Let it get a bit more color," Sophie added her
opinion. She set the jug of fresh whole milk beside the stove and
twisted off the lid.
She'd just begun pouring in the milk a bit at a time when the sound of a
car outside caught my attention and as much as I wanted to I stayed with
Maleeza and Anna as Maleeza made her first batch of gravy.
When it had thickened as we'd added in the salt and pepper I had her
begin adding the other ingredients.
"That smells wonderful," I heard from the doorway.
"Your," I began and she held her finger up in front of her lips.
"Tarriana, will be just fine," she said with a giggle.
"Miss Malissa, you're cooking?" exclaimed Shasstine beside her.
"No I'm watching my daughters cook," I corrected. "Have you two had
breakfast yet?"
"No Ma'am," she answered.
"We've enough for everyone. Please say you'll join us," I said.
"Oh umm we have Marra with us," offered Tarriana.
"She can pull up a plate as well," I said motioning her to come and get
a plate. "We usually eat out on the patio when we have such a large
number of guests."
"Did you see what Momma bought me? She says I can have it when I take
drivers Education in January." Stated Shasstine.
"It's a replica '1968' Mercury, Cougar," said Marra. "We brought it with
us, and they are going to store it at Fender Skirts until she gets her
Learners permit."
"Excuse me a moment," Shasstine said. She sat her plate down and walked
a short distance away. Marra followed behind her.
"Marra, did I ask you to follow me?"
"No your,"
"Finish that title and I will fatten your lip. You are not supposed to
say things like that unless you are asked. Did I or anyone else ask
you?"
"No but,"
"That's right. So stop volunteering information that in the wrong hands
could get me hurt or kidnapped." She spun on her heel and marched back
to us. Marra stood there near tears.
"Shasstine?"
"Momma she was,"
"She is still learning her job. Now go apologize," Tarriana said.
Marra was in tears now, and I caught Shasstine's arm gently before
speaking. "Shasstine, I know that you aren't used to having a body
guard. And I know this is a huge thing for Marra, especially at her age.
But I think you two really need to spend more time together as friends.
If you treat her like a bodyguard all the time that is all she will ever
know. Do you want that?"
"No Ma'am. But I don't know why I need one here anyway," she admitted.
Now it was Tarriana's turn. "Because when you get older you are going to
find yourself at the center of things, and you will better appreciate a
bodyguard who is also your friend. Someone you can confide in the way I
did your father. But it took us a long time to reach that point, and
still there were things that we couldn't talk about comfortably because
he was male. Do you understand where this is going?"
She hugged her Momma and said, "I think so." Then rushed over to Marra.
"So how do you like having a Hive Queen in your Quadrant?" I finally
asked Tarriana.
"It's nice. She is so wonderful and she's been a hive Queen her whole
life, just never publicly recognized." She answered. "Of course when
Astrid came and asked me to be the official presenter for her I was
stunned, but so happy. Falla has been watching out for the young Goth's
since I can remember."
We talked a bit then she asked, "What is it like, being there at a
Queens Council? I understand that you were at last year's council, one
of the first outside persons ever."
"It was about like being at one of your own council meetings I suppose.
Only less yelling," I giggled. "They remain very civilized. Of course
there's no telling what goes on in there silent mental discussions."
"I think we're both supposed to go to this one. Well You, Me and Natani
at least," She said. "What are your thoughts on Tilliani being made a
member of the Queens Council?"
"I think it's a very wise move. And not only are the queens going to be
there, but their chosen successors will be there as well." Astrid had
given me a heads up on the meeting. "They can get a bit of firsthand
experience for later in life."
"I wonder if I might make a small request."
"Of course Ma'am," I answered.
"Lilith, has asked me to ask you if they could use your Auditorium for
the council meeting," she looked nervous about asking.
"Oh, Wow," I said. "Of course they can use it."
"They can?"
"Yes, on one condition," I grinned. "They let the girls who are not in
class, sit in the bleachers and watch. It will be good for them to see
how things work."
Now it was her turn to grin. She reached her hand out and caressed thin
air, but suddenly there was a Goth there in front of her.
"Peaches, will you tell Lilith everything is arranged?" she caressed the
Female Goth with much affection. "Then you may find Shore and play."
"Shore? As in Natani's Goth?" I asked. And the yard fell silent. "Sorry
I whispered." And then everyone began talking again after nothing else
was said.
I was one of the few people who knew that the Lycan Queen Natani was
bonded with a Goth. He never showed himself around anyone else, and had
been given to her by Tarriana shortly after the two had graduated from
the Kitten Academy.
Natani had accepted an invitation to visit with another friend from her
former school years, she was out at Erika Tyler's learning to ride
horses.
"Natira and Shasstine seem to be getting along really well, they both
have a lot of friends in the Dorm," I told her.
We visited a while longer and then my curiosity got the better of me and
I had to see the car. It wasn't a replica at all, it was a real XR-7. My
hands were almost shaking as I pulled the lynch pins and raised the hood
to look upon the engine, a 302, 4V Windsor. The chrome was a bit
tarnished, and it ran a little rough. But it hadn't ever been converted,
this car would never transit the Intergalactic Freeway in its present
condition. But it was beautiful to look at in all its glory.
I knew that they could do wonders at Fender Skirts, but could they keep
her in her original engine configuration? Or would that have to be
converted.
We followed Tarriana with Shasstine driving, to Fender Skirts.
As Brandi Ferris opened the big garage door to the drive in garage,
Rachel walked over to her. "Has it arrived yet?" I could hear the
excitement in her voice.
"Oh yeah, it's here, but I think we're going to be doing more than just
a tune-up," called Kiki as she directed Shasstine inside to an empty
work bay.
Walking behind the car as they pulled inside, I was impressed by the set
up. It was the first time I'd been inside Fender Skirts since the
relocation, and I saw the Storage Lift Racks about half full of cars
either waiting to be worked on or stored by owners who liked having
climate controlled storage for their cars.
Backed into the stall next to where Shasstine was parking I saw a flash
of front fender and had to have a closer look.
My jaw dropped open as I took in the '73' Lamborghini, Miura, P 400 S.
the hood up exposing the 9.3L, V12 engine. It looked just like the one
I'd seen being chased by Cops when I was in second grade, with the
heavily tinted almost blacked out windows. The front plate read 'Kitty
1', with MO in the upper left corner and 73 in the upper right.
Hearing a familiar giggle behind me I turned to see Queen Natani
standing there with her daughter Natira. "I take it you know what you're
looking at," she stated.
"If by that you mean the car that first sparked my interest in Rat
Racing? Hell yes. I remember this car, and the 3 days and nine state,
police chase broadcast on the evening news, followed by the offers of
rewards for information as to the identity of the driver or the
whereabouts of the car." I answered.
"God we got into so much trouble over that," giggled Tarriana. "I was
afraid it had long been scrapped."
"Oh no, not this baby. They no longer make it, and the parts it needs
are going to be a real bitch to get. That's why I bought the Diablo,"
explained Natani. "Once this one is fixed I'm giving it to Natira as
incentive to excel in her schooling."
"W, wait," I said. "I have to know how you got hold of this thing."
"I was homesick, and had like fifty demerits, and Tarriana was homesick
too. But she was too afraid to drive." Said Natani. "I hotwired it from
right in front of the Admin building and no one ever questioned it when
we got to the gate. They just opened up and let us out."
"Yeah we were just so sure it was capable of transiting the portals onto
the Freeway since it belonged to the Headmistress," giggled Tarriana.
"We didn't know there wasn't an onramp. Or that the car only ran on gas
which we were very lucky to have a full tank of in the beginning. Did
you know this thing only gets twelve miles to the gallon?"
"Yes the news reported that, they were speculating as to how you were
managing to get gas for it," I said.
"Oh we hit gas stations, but never let them see who was driving. There
were a lot of people I guess who just wanted to see the chase continue."
"Yeah I just cracked the window enough to slide the money out."
continued Natani. "I almost freaked out when the 'Fang' dropped in front
of us and we couldn't stop before we were up the ramp into the rear
hold."
"Our Momma's were so pissed off, not to mention Mistress Gwendolyn,"
Tarriana rubbed her bottom as if remembering the spanking.
"Is that my old car young ladies?" asked Mistress Gwendolyn stepping
into the shop. But she was smiling. "Who would have ever thought that
simple car could solidify the uneasy peace between two Empires?" my eyes
shot open wide at her calling it a 'Simple Car'.
"Ma'am, we have a present for you," said Natani linking her arm in
Tarriana's.
"Not that pretty little Diablo? You know I will not drive something that
has been driven by anyone but the factory test driver."
"Oh No Ma'am we know you like silver," answered Tarriana.
The cover was removed from another stall, to reveal a silver
Lamborghini, Diablo. The short girl standing next to it I recognized
instantly as one of my recent transfers from earth. I knew she was
seventeen, and Italian. Her name was Mia, and she was the sole heir to
the Lamborghini Automotive Corporation. More importantly her father and
mother had been the last legal test drivers of the sports car. Each one
was test driven three hundred miles by the test drivers to break in the
engine properly and prevent mishaps with inexperienced owners not
knowing how, or not taking time to break the engines in properly. But
then Chrysler had bought into the corporation after a tragic accident
involving two cars being test driven, and now they were shipped with
barely ten miles on the odometer.
Mistress Gwendolyn leaned in the window and looked at the odometer, it
read 000024.3. She smiled looking around, "Where is the test driver to
break in the engine?"
"Ma'am," asked Mia, "Would you care to ride along for the break in?"
"I would be delighted," she practically skipped around to the passenger
side. She had recognized the young teen instantly and even I knew that I
didn't stand a chance in hell against her in a straight up Rat Race,
especially if she was behind the wheel of one of the Sports cars she'd
grown up driving since she could reach the pedals.
The car practically idled its way out of the garage in first gear, then
sat waiting to make sure there was nothing coming for three miles in
either direction. That Mia was a pro, there was no doubt as the rear
squatted, tires spinning. There was almost no change in engine pitch as
she shifted to second then third with the tires still smoking. When she
let off the gas enough for the front end to raise up, it shot forward
going into a flat sideways slide out across the five lanes of freeway to
the farthest lane. The rear end pointed at the opposite ditch, the front
wheels cut to the right, then suddenly the rear wheels caught and it
shot forward straightening out.
Brandi Ferris stood there holding her radar gun, flashing one hundred
forty seven MPH as it passed the north entrance to the strip mall. It
was out of sight in five seconds.
"She'll be back for the first oil change in about forty minutes," said
Kiki. "They change the oil every hundred during the break in driving."
"Yeah and they'll need new tires too if she keeps spinning them like
that," added Rachel.
"Oh hey Your, I mean Miss Tarriana, guess what we scored on our return
trip to Earth?" said Brandi.
"Is it one of the parts for the Miura?" the back ramp was down on Chop
Shop and we followed the teen inside to a tarp covered mound.
"We'll need the little fork lift to pull it out, but the engine is
almost like new. But thanks to Mia we have two new Clutch Plates, and we
can rebuild the old ones." Once the tarp was off it was apparent the car
had been totaled in a serious accident. Most of the front end was gone
along with half the passenger side. It was barely recognizable as having
been a Miura.
But it wasn't the car that really caught my attention, it was Rachel.
She stood in front of it and touched her forehead then completed the
cross before saying, 'Rest in Peace." The other two followed suit.
I'd never thought of her as religious before. Seeing me looking at her
she said, "What? We can't be respectful to a deceased Automobile?" then
it hit me, they hadn't said 'Peace', they had said 'Pieces'.
"Excuse me," Natani got our attention. "I have seen many humans do that
with their hand, what is it for?"
"Oh," Kiki giggled. "It's Catholic. "The sign of the cross to ward off
evil and show respect to the dead." She looked around sheepishly at
first then added, "Most school girls learn to do it correctly by saying,
Spectacles, testicles, wallet, and watch." She moved her hand to the
appropriate positions as she said it.
"Kiki Lenore Ferris," I heard her mother, Judge Agnes as she stepped out
of the front of the trailer. "There may not be a Priest here but I can
sure assign a few Hail Mary's and Our Fathers if I need to."
She stepped up to Tarriana and Natani giving them a hug, "Sorry I was
away when you were here last spring. But I did get to meet your lovely
daughters."
"Yes they said you spoke about the importance of understanding
Interstellar Laws as well as Customs." Said Natani. "Would you like to
come to Lyconia Three and speak to our legal system about Earths Laws?
There are quite a few in the Universes anxious to visit now that there
is easier access."
"Yes I was doing just that on Omega Seven most of the summer. Count
Correll seemed intrigued that they had quite a few wrong." She
snickered.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I was watching as four large busses followed by Eagle and one of the
wreckers turned to make their way towards the Academy. Eagle pulled off
at the diner as the wrecker turned off at Sunrise and Prairie Dog's
Garage. I excused myself to go greet the Cheerleaders and staff from the
Draconian Academy. They had called ahead to say they had had trouble
with one of the busses but were still coming for the demonstration.
Calling Nona I said, "Get the guesthouse ready, the Draconian Academy
girls are almost there." They had come with their own feeders, to my
relief. And we had plenty of room, the Draconian Academy was a surprise
when they announced they were coming. I guess having heard that the
Kelvin's were visiting they didn't want to be left out. As a way of
keeping peace we'd agreed to wait until Millday. Of course I was
surprised to have Mistress Gwendolyn ask if her Kittens could come and
see how the Intergalactic Competitions varied from those on Earth. I
knew Clara's hadn't competed before, but we had provided Cheerleaders
for MMA's competitions. In fact I hadn't even given them any attention
until I'd joined the fencing team and we'd restarted Tai Chi. I had been
guilty of stereotyping them as most people did.
As I pulled into my parking space I saw the busses were being directed
over to the Guest house next to the Kelvinian busses. I heard a giggle
behind me and turned to see two more groups of Cheerleaders. The
Lyconian and Terrellian Academies had arrived unannounced as a surprise.
Saffrella stepped off the lead bus rushing to the other Cheer Coaches,
they linked arms and turned towards me.
Sheepishly she said, "I really hope you don't mind. We kind of decided
that we might hold this year's Cheer Camp here?" it was more of a plea
after the fact.
Crossing my arms under my breasts I cocked my head sideways and tried to
look stern. But was having trouble keeping my face straight. "Just how
many Academies are going to attend? And how long is it supposed to
last?"
"Oh, only a week. But the other Academies are only sending their 'B'
Squads. We hold it at a different Academy each year," said Lucinda of
the Kelvin Academy.
"Well there is one little matter that must take priority, the Phase
Spider Queens are holding a Special Council Session here in the
Auditorium." I said.
"What? Here? They're holding the Council session here?" from a surprised
Saffrella Correll.
"I don't think they planned to announce were it was going to be held," I
told her. I still didn't know what day it would be held on, or if one
day was all it would take.
They were still walking toward Admin when the storm came up out of
nowhere.
"Nona, why weren't we warned about a storm?" I asked my assistant.
"Malissa this is not a controlled storm. The Enviroscapers have no idea
how it happened," she told me.
We hurried to the office and then Nona asked, "Why is Sophie so upset,
she ran through here in tears." As if summoned Corra chose that moment
to jump into my arms.
The storm was still raging out of control at midnight when Night Bird
showed up.
"Grandma what are you doing out in this weather?" I was worried.
"I've come for Sophie, she needs to come with me now."
"What? In this storm? Grandma it's too dangerous for her to go on some
Spirit Walk," I reasoned.
"Look around you child, this is no ordinary storm," she said. "This is a
Spirit Storm, or haven't you been listening to the reports?"
"What reports?"
"Momma, the Storm is centered over town none of the schools are getting
anything heavier than a light sprinkle," said Rachel.
"Please Malissa I need to take her to her Mother or this will not end."
"G, Gramma, I don't care." Said Sophie even as Grandma was guiding her
to the door. I saw the other Spirit Women out on the front lawn ringed
around something on the ground.
"Mommy there's a strange lady in the yard," said Sherry.
"You must stay here, all of you. This is between Sophia and her Mother,
Luna."
Suddenly Donnie was there with us as we watched. The figure was so
frail, heart wrenchingly sad. Between claps of thunder and gusts of wind
I could hear her weeping. And then Sophie slowly knelt in front of the
woman. I don't know how I knew it but I just did that no one else could
touch her. And then I saw as fire tried to help Sophie lift the woman
off the ground, her hand passed right through her form.
But slowly the storm began to calm, the rain becoming a drizzle as the
wind slowed to a soft breeze. And Sophie finally hugged the woman in her
arms.
I still couldn't hear what was said. But finally the storm stopped
altogether and the clouds cleared away to show the three moons riding
high in the night sky. We all stood watching as a lone warrior rode up
leading a White mare. I caught my breath seeing the strip of blue paint
across his eyes.
Suddenly I realized who the woman was, who Sophie's birth mother was.
As she returned to the house Donnie said, "Sophie that was,"
"My Mother and Uncle, I need to rest," she went to our room and lay
down.
"Kids, we'll be alright, but call us if anything happens." I told them.
No way were Donnie and I going to leave her alone, she needed us now
whether she knew it or not. She was crying silently her tears soaking
the pillows as I pressed myself to her, wrapping my arms around her.
Then Donnie joined us as we held her until she slowly lifted her head to
look at us.
"Is, is, are Momma and Daddy still here?" she finally asked.
"Yes they're out visiting Stephanie," I told her.
"I, I'm going to South Dakota, I have to," she looked into my eyes as if
she expected me to say no.
"Of course you're going, do you want Momma and Daddy to go with you?" I
asked.
"I, Donnie I need to know so much that only one person can tell me," she
said.
Donnie looked at me. "I'll have Rachel make sure that Cinderella is
ready to make the trip. Are you going to travel with one of the
convoys?" she hugged me hard. "Hey, she's your mother, Momma will
understand."
"W, what about the little ones? I can't leave you to run the school and
care for four toddlers," she said.
I saw the grin as it spread across Donnie's face.
"Rachel," he called.
"Yes Daddy?" she was there in an instant. Her worried eyes settling on
Sophie.
"Take Arvee to the Tomahawk and tell them he needs a pre-trip check," he
said. Arvee was what the kids had named the R V.
"Are we going on a road trip Daddy?" she asked.
"No young Lady, but Momma Sophie is, and if I know your grandma's and
Grandpa Vandine, they're going to go with her so they can visit with
your younger brother and sisters," he told her. "Then when she returns
your Grandma and grandpa pierce can join her for the return trip."
I called Momma and she said they would love to make the trip with
Sophie.
It was late the next evening when Sophie stepped out into the back yard.
Everyone was gathered at the windows watching as she stood in the middle
of the back yard.
"Mother, Mother Luna I want to talk to you," she said, her eyes raised
up toward one of the moons.
"I'm here Sophia," came the answer as she stepped out of the Gazebo.
Beside me Momma hugged me tight, watching everything.
"I want to see where my father is buried. And I want you to meet my
Momma and Daddy too. But I have to take our three youngest with me, I
can't leave my sister to do that and run her school too."
"And we are going to travel in that big Motor Coach? I've never gotten
to travel that way. It should give us all time to know each other," she
hugged Sophie. Then their arms around each other they turned toward the
house.
"Donnie, Malissa, Everyone, this is my Mother, Luna. She is going to
show me where my father is buried. And she wants to get to know
everyone," Sophie said.
Luna had long beautiful hair in braids like any Indian maiden, and she
wore a soft Doe skin dress and beaded moccasins. She hugged and greeted
everyone in turn, her skin as soft as velvet. Her dark brown eyes
sparkled with love and intelligence.
"I can only stay there for about a month, I hope that's long enough,"
she said. "I am still trying to regain my strength." She didn't need to
explain that Sophie's birth and the time she'd spent on earth trying to
make sure that she would survive had nearly cost her, her own life.
"Gamma Luna," giggled Dotty as she climbed into her lap. I'd never
thought about an immortal crying, and even though the tears were from
happiness, still a light soft rain began fall outside as she held her
grandchildren in her arms.
Looking up at Daddy, Luna said, "You even look like Running Horse." Her
fingers gently caressed his face and she bit back her sad tears. It was
then that I realized with her jet black hair in braids, Momma might even
look a bit like Luna.
We all turned out to see them off. My sister Missy was herself making a
return run to earth with her co-wife BJ, and the RV and Cinderella were
riding in their rocking chair.
They'd been gone a week when Corra disappeared without a trace from the
day care. Frantically I called Sophie.
"Malissa I figured you were going to call," she said.
"She's there? Please tell me Corra is with you."
"Calm down Malissa, Momma's got her at the moment trying to convince her
that she needs to go home to you," said Sophie.
"Sophia, is that Malissa?" I heard Luna ask. Still not believing that
Sophie was allowing anyone to call her Sophia.
"Yes Mom, she's worried about Corra. She's never jumped this far
before." I could hear Arvee's engine in the background. She had to be
able to picture where she was jumping to and I had no idea she had ever
been inside Arvee. As if anticipating my question Sophie answered it.
"She jumped to me not Arvee, but now that she's been here."
"Yes she can go there any time she wants. Corra please come home,
Mommy's worried," I told her when I heard her near the phone.
"No!" she said.
"Please," I pleaded. "I'll make you strawberry pancakes." Suddenly she
was in my arms.
She was resenting me for weaning her, and I knew it. She was jumping to
Sophie because Sophie always gave in to her demands.
Feeling nostalgic I pulled up Becca's pictures on my laptop, looking at
her face, remembering the last time I saw her alive I began to cry.
"Tanty Becca," said Corra as she looked at the picture and touched the
keyboard. The screen jumped to a slideshow of images. Pictures from home
began streaming across the screen changing every few seconds. Then a
picture of Connie popped up and she was gone again. Frantically I
reached for my phone and called her.
"Malissa, what a nice surprise. Are Momma and,"
"Please tell me Corra is with you," I said frantically.
"Malissa, that's a long way for her to jump. Does she even know how to
get here?" asked Connie.
"Connie, could you come here a minute please?" I heard Chad ask.
"What the hell? Malissa Corra's here. How did she manage that? She's
never been here before."
I tried everything I could think of to get her to jump back home, but
she wouldn't. I decided to let her have about an hour then I'd try
again.
I opened my drawer to find my car keys in case I had to after her, and
there it was, the 'Jump Inhibitor' that Crystal had been wearing when
she first came to Stephanie and me. I sat there turning it around and
around in my hands, could I bring myself to use this thing? And what
would she think of me if I did?
I began to cry, I hated the thoughts I was having. Inhibiting her
ability to jump, was like pulling the wings off a butterfly. But what if
she jumped into danger, or got lost? What if she jumped and there wasn't
anything there? I could never forgive myself if I lost her, when I had a
means to keep her safe.
I wanted to get in Julie and go after her, but what if she tried to jump
to me at home and I wasn't here? Then I remembered, Julie couldn't run
on the Intergalactic Freeway, she still ran on gasoline. But the Bitch
could run on anything. I looked out my window and saw Julie sitting
there in the parking lot waiting for me.
Standing up I went to my closet and said 'Home' as I turned the knob. I
would stop and let Donnie know where I was going, but first I needed to
pack some things in the Bitch. Only she wasn't there. Her space in the
garage was empty.
I called Nona, 'no she hadn't shown up at school. Donnie confirmed she
wasn't there either.
A phone call from Missy confirmed my suspicions, the Bitch was following
them. But why?
"I don't know Malissa," Sophie told me. "She just showed up following
us. You don't think she's following Corra do you?"
"I don't know, you said it yourself, Corra spends a lot of time playing
in her with Dotty and DD," I said.
"Maybe they have a connection, just like you had with her," said Momma.
I know it was supposed to make me feel better but hell we were talking
about my baby.
I sat there in a daze, silently pleading for her to please come home.
Donnie called me twenty minutes later to tell me she was there in his
office. I know I was distraught, but this was my baby.
I twisted the knob on the closet door, "Donnie" I said and stepped
through into his office.
I held her tightly my tears running down my cheeks.
"Oh god Baby don't do that to me again. You had Mommy so worried."
Before I realized it, I clicked the inhibitor around her little ankle.
"Malissa?" I looked up at Donnie's question.
"It's a jump inhibitor. It will stop her from jumping until we can teach
her to be safe." She started kicking her leg, and crying.
"Malissa is that really necessary? She's just a baby, what are you going
to do when she starts dating? Put her in a chastity belt?" asked Donnie.
"That's not funny," I was still crying. "You don't understand."
"You think I don't understand? Malissa do you have any idea what," he
was interrupted.
"Colonel, Yarrish says he'll be happy to have Crystal go after your, oh
she's home." Said his aid/secretary.
"Sir, Ma'am," began Crystal as she materialized in the outer office. "Oh
my god, no, please don't do that to her," she said seeing the jump
inhibitor.
"Crystal it's only until she learns," I started.
"No you don't understand. That thing it's, it's horrible not being able
to jump. Please I'd spend every waking moment following her than let her
be stuck unable to jump." Crystal was frantic. "I'll work with her, I'll
teach her not to jump off planet without you. I'll, I'll,"
Seeing how it affected Crystal I started trying to punch in the unlock
code. It wasn't working.
"Oh shit," I muttered in a panic as Corra just kicked and screamed
louder as I kept trying to put in the unlock code. It just got me to
crying again.
"Get Stephanie, get me Col Winters, she was there when we were given the
code," I said.
Donnie held Corra and she calmed down a bit. "Please tell me you
remember the unlock code on that Jump inhibitor," I said.
"No I don't it was on your computer, remember we were given the code in
an Email." After a second she asked, "Why do you need the code?"
"Oh god I'm a horrible mother, I, I, I got scared and, and I put it on
her. She hates me now," I wailed. She wouldn't even let me hold her now.
A moment later crystal was back with my laptop.
My hands shaking I searched for the Email praying it hadn't been erased
yet.
Then carefully I punched in the numbers, 777, it clicked but nothing
happened. Oh crap could it have reset or something?
Now tears blurring my vision I pushed the numbers slower. This time it
clicked open and fell to the floor. She finally let me hold her, burying
her face between my breasts
"I'm sorry baby please forgive me. I was just so scared, please forgive
me," she pulled herself tighter into my cleavage. Still wiping my eyes I
kissed Donnie then both Crystal and Stephanie Winters before going back
to my office.
Nona sat there looking at me. "Are you ok Ma'am?"
"Yes, yes I am now," I said cuddling Corra, my hand straying up to the
buttons on my blouse. Nona just smiled knowingly as she turned closing
the door behind her.