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Alex and Emily continue their Recon mission to 1917 Hartford. After which Sand Dollar takes a trip to the North Atlantic. What manner of choas will a will a thirty-five foot rogue wave cause for Alex and her crew? South of Bikini: Onward Episode 9 "To Save an Old Friend" 1310 hours, The Roland Demmit House, Hartford, Connecticut, April 18th, 1917 "That's us!" Amelia gasped and pointed as we reappeared in her greenhouse just behind ourselves. "Yes, let's listen," I replied. "You two are really good at gardening, Andie. I hope you find it as relaxing as I do?" "I always enjoyed helping you out here when we visited," previous Emily admitted. I now could see the fond memories on her contented face. "How about you, Allison? You seem to know your way around a garden." "She should, Amelia, Allie grew up on a farm." "You did? Why am I just finding out about this, Allie?" "We're supposed to be from Albany, Amelia. Ma an Pa have a hundred an eighty-one acres south o' Oak Ridge- some cattle, a few horses, wheat, barley, an' corn. Lotsa wheat, barley, an' corn!" "Allison, have I told you how much I love that accen...did you just put your hand through that flower bed?" "Looks like the Empress just got cleared for departure, Amelia," past Emily said. There was no mistaking the big smile on her face. "Are you in that big of a hurry, Andrea?" "Oh, no...um...well, it has been a little awkward, Grandmother." We looked on as Amelia glared at my sister. "Sorry...Amelia." Both Amelias smiled. "I can only imagine meeting my parents before being conceived, sweetheart." "Would you like to, Amelia? I know this crazy woman that claims she can travel time and space," My previous self laughed. Amelia looked knowingly at me as we continued watching our past selves converse. "No, child, but I would like to see beyond my years- to check on my children and their children, and their..." "Just say how far in the future y'all wanna go, ma'am. All y'all have to do is take my hand- just like ol' Ebenezer Scrooge!" "I beg your pardon, young lady?" "A Christmas Carol, Amelia. Alex has a penchant for quoting literature and movies." "Movies?" "Um...A Nickelodeon. We call them movies in our time." "May I see this wondrous place you call Reilly? I can only imagine the miraculous devices stored there!" We looked on as our past selves placed our pruning snips down on the flowerboxes we had been working on. Each of us knocked the few particles of earth from our aprons, took them off, and placed them beside the cutters. "Let's go then," my past self said offering her hands. As before, Emily grinned ear to ear and she wasted no time taking the offered hand. "Are you serious, Allison?" "Completely." "Won't we be missed?" I heard our Amelia giggle. "Um...time traveler?" past Alex smiled. "I can have you back here so that it appears you've never left." Past Amelia cautiously took the extended hand while our Amelia shook her head in amusement. "It didn't seem so comical at the time," Amelia said, again looking at me. "How about we go to Reilly Research Station in the year 2029?" "You can go that far, Allie?" "Y'all wouldn't believe how far I've gone!" Previous Amelia closed her eyes tightly. "Just like Uncle Rick did his first time," I shook my head and giggled as we continued to watch things unfold. I smiled instinctually knowing what was said next. "Amelia, is that a bird over there? How on Earth did it get in the greenhouse?" "What bird? I don't see any bird over..." I could feel Amelia jump as our previous selves simply vanished! "Take one step forward, please," I asked before I rephased us. To anyone watching we would appear to flicker for an instant and nothing more. "Oh, it must have been a leaf dropping or a reflection from outside- my mistake," I continued the previous conversation as if nothing more had happened. Amelia looked at me in confusion. "So...I think Andrea and I should start our preparations to leave, Amelia." She remained quiet as she looked between Emily and I a few moments. She looked around the greenhouse apparently checking for eavesdroppers. "Is this what it's like for you, Al...Allie- all the adventure...the excitement? Then everything just back to normal...as if nothing ever happened?" Amelia asked after she was satisfied we were still alone. "Amelia, since the arrival of the Empress, nothing has been remotely close to 'normal'." Emily smiled sarcastically. Amelia Demmit thought for a few moments. "So, what am I to do now, Empress?" She whispered loudly. "You do what you usually would as if you never met the Empress, of course, but with the added knowledge that your family will continue- growing strong and healthy- for at least the next few centuries," I told her, shrugging my shoulders. "Just like that? It's that easy for you, Allie?" I lowered my head. "No. It's never that easy, Grandma," I paused to hold back my tears. "It's never that easy with family," I continued solemnly. "In all fairness, your life will never be the same, Amelia. You will continue to live this life- taking care of Ruth and Grandfather Roland, but you will never look at them the same way. At first you will blame your obvious discomfort to them on Andrea and I- possibly distracting them by citing our decision to join the Great War. As time drags on, you will begin to wonder if we were just some hallucination- that we were part of some fantastic dream. Until we come calling again, that is." "So, I'll see my granddaughters again? When?" Amelia's face turned hopeful. I smiled tensely, "When the time warrants it, Grandma. That's all I can say for now." Andrea looked at me, perplexed by my response. I twitched an eyebrow ever so slightly, though I didn't know if Amelia noticed. "Will you at least stay for dinner?" she asked quickly and literally out of nowhere. "Of course we will, Amelia, but don't expect us to eat too much after all we had earlier." Grandma Demmit gave us a devilish grin. "As you said, Empress, appearances must be kept." "We'll do the best we can, Amelia," Emily giggled. "We do have to watch our figures you know!" "After watching you two and your sisters at that buffet table, I hardly believe that, Andrea!" Amelia said knowingly with a giggle of her own. "I hate to say this, Amelia, but Andrea and I should go upstairs and start packing. We should be finished well before dinner and can help with the preparations if ya'll'd allow us." "You will do no such thing, Allie! You are my guests and guests do not help with household duties! Besides, you have to go back and impress me, isn't that right, sweetheart?" "Yes, ma'am, I do have that chore to do. Come on Andrea, we need to pack." 1925 hours, The Roland Demmit House, Hartford, Connecticut, April 18th, 1917 "So you and Allison are leaving. I was beginning to get used to the idea of having a few more women around. I'm assuming there is nothing I can say to delay your departure?" "I'm sorry, but no, Uncle Roland. Allie and I must be in Baltimore by the 20th or we miss our ship and are labeled deserters. The Demmit family name will not be soiled by such fowl accusations," Emily told our 'Uncle'. "So, Allison, you never did tell me how you know so much about guns and other ordinance," Uncle Roland inquired, drudging up the forgotten topic once more. I lowered my head and thought about how I could present this without revealing my true military history. "My fianc?e is in the Navy, Uncle Roland. He made sure that I knew as much about firearms as was possible. The training I received from him was extensive and encompassed all manner of munitions and weaponry. I still look forward to his return some day," I decided to use Emily's version of our previous relationship. "So you still expect him to return, Allie?" Ruth asked as she stopped eating to listen. Uncle Roland stopped eating himself and glared at her. "Roland, dear, Allison's fianc?e, Alexander, was sent on a secret mission over nine months ago and hasn't been heard from since. This inquiry must be very stressful on her and Andrea. Both have recently lost someone close," Amelia told him on our behalf. His mouth dropped open slightly as he remained quiet. "Ruthie," I said, looking to my 'cousin', "I can only hope that he is still alive and thinking of me just as much as I of him. As I told you the other day, Andie and I are in a unique position to offer each other comfort" Andrea looked to me with sadness of her own. "Even if he doesn't come back, Allie, I'm sure you'll find someone equally deserving- I just know it," Ruth said confidently. It was time I turned the tables on her. "Are you sure, Ruthie?" I asked, returning her uncertainty from earlier in our visit. "As sure as I look exactly like you, Allie," She replied with a confident smile. I smiled at her and nodded. All too soon dinner ended and Andrea and I excused ourselves from the table. "Thank you for having us, Uncle Roland, Aunt Amelia. When we get back from Europe, we'll be sure to look you up," I said as we stopped by the front door. "I apologize for your cousin's sudden tirade, girls, I think she had hoped to adopt you both." "We understand, Uncle Roland. Andie and I have grown fond of her as well," I admitted. Ruth had become very emotional and ran off to her room as we began our 'good-byes', so it was just Roland and Amelia seeing us off. We both carried new carpetbags filled with new clothing and 'necessaries'- things we really didn't need, but were obliged to take anyway. The doorbell rang, interrupting any more stalling on their part. "Please excuse me a moment, ladies," Uncle Roland opened the door to reveal a young man in a dark blue uniform and hat with 'Western Union" printed on its hatband. "Can I help you young man?" "Um...telegram for Mr. Roland Demmit, sir," he announced while looking over at Emily and I with a big smile. "That's me son, I'm Roland Demmit." "Oh...um...sign here, sir," the young man indicated a line on his clipboard. He barely took his eyes off the two of us. Uncle Roland took the message and dug into his pocket, retrieved a silver dollar and handed it to the messenger. "Thanks, son." "Thank you, Mr. Demmit!" the young man said cheerfully at such a large tip. I slowly reached over and took Emily's hand. I felt bad for what we were about to do. Amelia noticed and looked confused for a second. "Mr. Roland Demmit" Uncle Roland started reading as he unfolded the message. "I regret to inform you that your two nieces, Allison and Andrea Demmit, sole heirs to your brother, Alistair's estate, have met with an unfortunate accident, 11 April, 1917, while traveling from Albany, NY via train. Both have been confirmed deceased and have been interred in Albany Heights Cemetery as per their previously departed father's prescribed wishes." I phased Emily and I out as he continued reading. "As his attorney, but more as a long-time friend, I understand that your relationship with your brother has been strained these many years, but wished to alert you, despite his explicit wishes, and convey my deepest condolences to you and your family. I know personally that you, Amelia, Richard, and especially young Ruth were at the forefront of Allison and Andrea's thoughts as they departed Albany in hopes of reuniting the family they so dearly loved. Again, my sincerest condolences, sir. Signed: William Reginald Ashford III, Attorney-at- law," Uncle Roland finished reading and took a sharp breath. "Allison, please tell me..." Uncle Roland finished re-reading the letter and looked up at us in shock. From his perspective only he and Amelia now stood in the foyer. Both looked completely devastated by our sudden disappearance. "Did it really have to be this way, Alex?" Emily asked in a sad, quivering, voice. I sadly nodded toward Uncle Roland in answer. "How...how could they have been here, when clearly...?" Amelia remained quiet, still stunned by the unsettling message. "Have we just been witness to...?" Roland again failed to finish his question and looked at his wife's face for any possible answers. She had only one answer, but its disclosure promised admission to a sanitarium- possibly for the rest of her life! Instead, she remained silent. Tears ran down both faces as they continued to look at each other. His tears for the lost chance to patch the rift between brothers; her tears for knowing she couldn't tell him our real identities. As one they looked to where we still stood, albeit out of phase with this time slightly and therefore invisible to them. "How could I have been such a stubborn, old fool?" he exclaimed as he rubbed his brow. "More like a stubborn old ass," Amelia muttered to him. "Mother, have they gone already? I wanted to apologize for my childish behavior," Ruthie called down from the second floor balcony. Roland and Amelia Demmit suddenly broke down and full-out cried at their daughter's question. "Time to go, sis," I said sadly as I sniffed my own tears back. My office on Atlantis-Minor replaced the depressing scene in the foyer of Roland and Amelia Demmit. 1314 hours, Atlantis-Minor Base, June 29th, 1944 "Alex! Emily! Come quick, it's the Admiral! Hey, you two look very nice...in an old-time sort of way," Jack actually announced from the door. "Thanks, but what happened, Jack?" I asked as Emily and I looked at each other in horror as our carpet bags dropped. We followed her to Uncle Rick's quarters were we found a very inebriated Admiral Richard Demmit throwing liquor bottles against the walls. "Empress, could you please phase us out before we get any closer?" Jack pleaded. I offered my hands to her and Emily then phased us out. "I almossshtt perposed at my nieth! Ta th...th...think I fell ph...ph...phor her! Whath wong gwith me? Thee trave travels through time! Alexth...how couldya dosuch athing to me?" He ranted, smashing another bottle against the finely detailed woodwork as he did so. "Alex, what's he going on about? He's so pickled I can barely read him," Jack asked as she watched in stunned amazement. "I'm afraid it's something that happened back in 1917, Jack- family business," I replied. "Family business or not, he's going to hurt himself, Cap. You need to do something." "Knock him out, Commander. I'll deal with the consequences when he wakes up." "Alex, I can't strike a superior officer!" "Trust me, you've already done it at least once that I know of, now do it, Commander!" "Aye, Cap," Jack acknowledged with reservation. Uncle Rick immediately dropped to the floor unconscious. "Better get him into bed to sleep it off." I checked the near future. "He's going to sleep for about six hours." "Six hours?" Jack cried out! I shook my head 'no' to her insinuated question. Jack exhaled through her mouth in relief. "Shouldn't we get him ready first, Alex?" Emily asked as she reopened her eyes. My sister had obviously consulted her gift. "Good idea, sis. We might as well confuse him further since we're in so deep already." I giggled in spite of knowing the extent of trouble we were already in. "Alex, right before I knocked him out, he had your image- as you look now, but in a different old style dress. It looked like something my grandmother used to wear to church when I was little." "You mean this dress, Jack?" I asked, selecting my dress from Anna's wedding in 1917 and triggering my uniform to change. "That would be the one, Cap. Gosh, you look great in it- better than grandmother ever did!" I looked at Jack for a second with a raised eyebrow. "I'll take that as a compliment, Miss Cummins," I said cautiously before selecting my everyday uniform instead of my 'travel dress' from 1917. Emily and I had our Reilly suits copy the beautiful dresses Amelia had bought for us. We had purposely left the originals behind in Ruth's huge closet earlier in the day prior to our departure. It seemed like a waste of the family's money to bring them forward to a time where they wouldn't be worn. At least everything purchased would fit Ruth...Momma Scott. "So, what's the story, Alex? Why would the Admiral be thinking about you, back then, while in a drunken stupor?" Jack pressed. "Emily and I were pretending to be Uncle Rick's cousins from Albany- Allison and Andrea Demmit." "I already knew that, Alex, but what happened back there?" "Apparently, a young Richard Demmit started to fall for Cousin Allison at the wedding reception we attended. Remember how he reacted before we left? He realized that I was Allison." "Wow! I'd need a drink after learning that one too!" Jack rubbed her head as she blew out her latest breath. "So now what? We wait here for him to wake up and take our lumps?" "Not really, Jack. You make preparations to get Sand Dollar underway. We slip moorings 0700hrs tomorrow morning. Tell Randi I want all hands in Reilly suits programmed with North Atlantic cold weather gear and personal flotation devices circa 2028. I want the command staff to meet in the Mess Hall at 1835hrs tonight, the rest of the boat crew at 1900hrs." "Aye, Cap. She'll be ready," Jack said as she left the Admiral's quarters. "Alex, what about Uncle Rick? He's going to realize we redressed him," Emily asked with concern. "The Admiral will have to make a decision, sis. Either he understands that we were only protecting him from himself or Russell waits for us to be released from prison." "Like any prison on Earth could hold you or Jack, or any of us for that matter, Alex." "We aren't criminals, Emily. Of course we would accept our incarceration." "You mean Uncle Rick is actually..." "I didn't say that, sis." "Good, because that isn't what I saw happening." I reached over to Emily and pulled her to me. "I love you, sis." "So, we're all here now, Alex. Care to begin?" Chief Samuels said with a little too much irritation in her voice. "Are we interrupting something, Ricky Lynn? A beauty shop appointment perhaps?" I asked, slightly disturbed by her demeanor tonight. "Well, no, skip, I just got things to do before we shove off in the morning," she answered, backing down. "Good, cause we're missing two people before I can start," I stated calmly. "Captain Steinert, sorry I'm late, ma'am," Jamie Hilf stopped abruptly and stood to attention as soon as she was inside the Mess Hall door. "That's one of the two," I announced. "Have a seat, Jamie," I motioned to an open seat. "But this is an officer's meeting, Cap," Jamie looked conflicted as she moved to sit down. "Very good observation, Miss Hilf. I believe the Admiral gave everyone assigned to Sand Dollar a commission. Am I right in that assumption?" "Oh ya, that's right. I forgot, Cap." "Sit down, Ensign. We're still minus one person. "Captain Steinert! I want to know how and why I woke up in my quarters with my pj's on? I also want to know why my jaw is sore- as if someone slugged me!" Admiral Demmit growled as he burst through the door in a rage. "That would be him now," I concluded flatly. He stopped abruptly noticing everyone seated with me. "Admiral on deck!" I shouted. We all quickly stood to attention. "At ease, ladies." His tone backed off slightly. "Admiral, if you would care to join us? We were just about to start our mission briefing. Miss Peterson one batch of your patented hangover tonic for the Admiral, please?" "That won't be necessary, Captain, I'd like to suffer though this one if you don't mind!" Uncle Rick said in his commanding voice. "But I insist, Admiral." Instead of nodding to Ricki Peterson, I instead nodded to Jamie Hilf. "Admiral Demmit, you really should take something for that nasty hangover," She looked to him and concentrated. "Perhaps I can assist in your recovery, sir?" The pain and some of the anger left Uncle Rick's face. "A body can't even suffer from self inflicted misery around you girls!" he huffed, sitting down to my immediate right in defeat. We all looked at each other around the table for a moment before I took charge of the meeting. "Alright, the first order of business." I paused. "I take full responsibility for your condition when you woke up a few minutes ago, sir. When Dr. Scott and I returned from our reconnaissance, you had been drinking uncharacteristically heavy and taking it out on almost every bottle in your private bar. In order to protect you from further harm I ordered Miss Cummins to incapacitate you. We then tried to make you comfortable before taking your alcohol reeking uniform to our base laundry for cleaning. Is there anything else before we move on to the next topic on our meeting agenda, Admiral?" I explained looking directly at him. I kept my voice as level and as commanding as Amelia would have. Uncle Rick's jaw dropped open and he remained silent. "No? Moving along to the second item then. Lieutenant Scott and I were able to ascertain and research the circumstances regarding our next mission. While back in 1917, we were able to determine the appropriate course of action to rescue the lost survivors of U103, a German U-boat struck by the Olympic and mortally damaged. As Admiral Demmit's initial brief stated, one member of the USS Davis entered the water when one of the German prisoners made an abrupt attempt at escape. Both men were abandoned due to a rogue wave spotted approaching the Davis at an unusually high rate of speed. Both men, along with twenty others were thought to have perished until an exhaustive investigation of Reilly Research Station's historic archives by Admiral Demmit revealed several discrepancies. One being the missing Davis crewman, one Russell Brackenridge, he is listed as dying in 2020 at the ripe old age of one hundred and twenty-three. Another discrepancy is that he appears in no census, credit, or similar reports between 1920 and May of 1983. Admiral Demmit has requested that Sand Dollar journey back to 12 May 1918 to attempt rescue of Mr. Brackenridge and the twenty other men from the cold North Atlantic off the coast of Ireland," I paused to sip some coffee from my cup. "As you all know, I have ordered Sand Dollar made ready for a 0700 departure tomorrow. All crew are required to wear their assigned Reilly suits. Lieutenant Van Pelt you will see to it that all suits are programmed with cold weather gear appropriate for North Atlantic operations and personal floatation devices as they would pertain to 2028. I don't want to take a chance with our current 'May Wests' because of the large wave and severe sea conditions involved. I will transport Admiral Demmit back to Pearl to either drop him off or retrieve his own Reilly suit, if he decides on accompanying us on this mission. Are there any questions?" "So you bring Rusty up to 1944, Alex?" "Admiral, please don't skip to the last few pages of the book, sir. Enjoy the read as it progresses," I replied to his chagrin. "You are interested in coming along then, Admiral?" I asked. He simply nodded in astonishment. "Good. Ladies, I'll be right back. Admiral, if you would stand and take my hand?" Uncle Rick and I stood and took each other's hand. Our Mess Hall became Uncle Rick's quarters at Pearl Harbor. "So, you've obviously met mother," he stated as I released his hand. "We had many a pleasant and informative conversation, Uncle. Mostly though, the topic was Grandfather." "He was a hard one to please, Alex- almost disowned me for joining the Navy! I heard from mother when I returned stateside that my cousin 'Allison' had ripped him a new one at dinner a couple nights before I arrived for the wedding." "We had a detailed tete-a-tete about the comprehension levels females of our species possessed in comparison to males, yes," I replied feeling my expression turn angry at the recall of that night. "Ruthie told me that you out stared him- that he backed down in just under five minutes." "I didn't know it was that long, sir. He just made me sooo angry! I guess she mentioned about my pulling my service piece, too?" "No. She never mentioned that incident! Why would you do something like that to my father, Alex?" Uncle Rick looked surprised and also a little concerned. "Oh, it was nothing, Uncle Rick, just an impulse to a statement he made, nothing to worry about, sir. We should just forget it- not important," I shook my head. "You should get changed, sir, I still have the enlisted to brief when we get back." "Mother and father never talked about your visit, Alex. I hope it went well?" He asked from the next room- his bedroom. "Amelia is a very intuitive woman, sir." "She saw through your cover, Alex?" "You could say that, sir. You could say that." "She knows about you, I take it?" I didn't reply. Uncle Rick let out a grunt in understanding. "So how far did you take her, Alex?" "2029. July 4th, 2029." "Oh? Why 2029?" "Because that was the only July 4th celebration that she wasn't already in attendence, sir," I felt my face warm considerably. His head popped into the open doorway. "What do you mean that was the only celebration she wasn't there for...?" His eyes grew large. "You mean she...? When, Alex?" "1937," I replied. "'37? That was the year she... That was you?" "Not exactly, Uncle Rick. Amelia drank Kili's water while we were at the celebration in 2029, sir. I tried to stop her but Carrol's Alexis and Randi's Delilah were soo cute the way they were playing together, and..." "You took your eyes off her for more than a minute, right?" "Yes, sir, it may have been a little longer." "How did it happen, Alex? I want to know how it happened." From the look on his face, he was serious. I waited until he came back into the living room. "Amelia was heading home from one of her political meetings. A drunk crossed into her lane and ran her Chevrolet off the road and into a ditch. She was trapped, semi-conscious, under the car when it rolled over. The drunk actually had the sense to stop. Seeing her dilemma, being scared, and realizing that she probably wouldn't make it, he poured the remains of his whiskey bottle into her mouth, thinking it would help her final pain." I paused to prepare myself for the worst part of the story. "She woke up on the autopsy table at Hartford General just before the medical examiner applied his scalpel to her chest. Nearly gave the man a coronary. That's where I come into the story." "So you saw this all happen when you were back in 1917? Why didn't you arrive earlier and save her before she went to the morgue?" "I had issues of my own to contend with, Admiral- girl issues. On top of that we were in the middle of a cat and mouse game with a Japanese destroyer that just had to expend all of her ash cans on us! I've never transported the Sand Dollar and her crew from a depth of three-fifty before. I hope I never have to try." "I'm sure Jack wanted to help things along?" "I won't let her, sir. With the power build up she can produce, I don't want to take a chance at her frying every electrical circuit onboard- especially at that depth!" "I see your point, but why did you arrive so late, Alex?" "I just misjudged the time of the accident, Uncle Rick, it was my mistake. Amelia said she understood, but I suspect she still has nightmares from it," I finished by looking down to the floor. A few tears hit the floor. "I'm sorry I was late, sir." "Alex, I was at Reilly for your Empress Conference, why didn't I see her there? I mean I thought I met everyone that week." "You met her, Uncle Rick...Amy Kleis." "She uses her maiden name now? Why?" "Amy didn't want you to know at the conference. That was your first trip to the future and she wanted to tell you in private after I had a chance to explain what happened." "So when can I see and talk to her, Alex?" "After Germany surrenders next year, sir- that's all I can reveal at this time, I'm sorry." "That possibility to change our future again, Empress?" he asked with a serious expression. "Again, I'm sorry, Admiral. We better get back to Atlantis-Minor now," I apologized as I extended my hand to him. Instead, Uncle Rick pulled me close and hugged me tight. "Alex, I think I understand your reasoning for withholding certain things from me," He tightened his arms around me a little more. "I also understand why Jacki Cummins knocked me out earlier today. You took a large gamble by giving that order, young lady! You know I could court marshal all officers involved!" "Yes, sir. I understood the risks, Admiral," I admitted as more tears ran down my cheeks. "I insist on taking full responsibility for the incident." "I want to thank you, Alex." He paused as I pushed back from him a little to look him in the eyes. "I remember parts of what happened. I was out of control over something I didn't understand. Alex, I fell in love with Allison that night at the wedding reception. I knew she was my cousin, but...I apologize for my behavior at your base today," He paused again. "An Admiral should never let himself be seen out of control, inebriated, or incapacitated in any way other than wounded in action. Although, what you did went against military conduct, I appreciate your concern for my wellbeing and you're protecting my integrity. If I were in your position, I would have done pretty much the same thing, Alex. Thank Miss Cummins for not leaving a mark, for me." "You can thank her yourself, sir." I wrapped my arms back around him and held on tight. We were back in Atlantis-Minor's Mess Hall. The room erupted in a huge "Ahhhh!" as the two of us rephased. My boat crew was assembled and waiting for my return. Admiral Demmit immediately released me and looked around with an ashen face. "If the other brass ever gets wind of this, I'll have all of you brought up on charges!" He growled. Giggles now filled the room. Admiral Demmit shook his head in surrender. After he was seated, I briefed the full crew on our new mission. 1104 hours, 235 Nautical miles S-SW of Ireland, May 12th, 1918 "Cmdr. Cummin's take the boat to battle stations, please." "Aye, Cap, Battle Stations." The horn sounded as Jack made the announcement and a flurry of activity filled Sand Dollar's pressure hull. Several voices echoed through the Con as they came across the squawk. "All stations manned and ready, Alex." "Thanks, Jack. Good job." Jack smiled as she looked around to the forward hatch where Admiral Demmit had appeared. He nodded his head in approval. We had arrived back in 1918 a few hours prior to the recorded start of the incident involving the Olympic, U103, and the Sampson-class Destroyer, Davis. I wanted to make sure we arrived unseen by either side in this conflict for obvious reasons. Foremost of which was the very existence of Sand Dollar- technology that could be misunderstood as the Allies' new secret weapon, and misinterpreted as the German's new secret weapon at the same time. Hands down, my Sand Dollar was the largest submersible craft in the Atlantic Ocean at this time in history. I wanted as few people to know about us as was conceivably possible. "Periscope depth, Miss Cummins." "Aye, Cap. Diving control, three, five feet." "Three, five feet, aye, Commander." "Alex, I haven't been this cold since I was on the Sandshark. I almost forgot how good we have it working out of Pearl," Carrol exclaimed as she buttoned up her woolen sweater all the way. "You should feel it topside, Lieutenant- with the wind ripping into your face at twenty knots!" Admiral Demmit commented. Carrol visibly shuddered. "Aye, sir." "Three, five feet, Miss Cummins." "Aye, periscope depth, Alex," Jack repeated. "Up periscope, Jack." "Aye, ma'am." Looking through the eyepiece, I was greeted with an image I had seen years ahead in Flagstaff while watching a historical documentary on World War I. Even as I witnessed it first hand, in natural color and light, it lacked anything but medium to dark shades of gray! What a dismal place, I thought, even nature seemed to have abandoned this period in time! "Contact! Bearing...one, zero, six, degrees!" Amy Reynolds announced from Sonar, as I spotted the ship several thousand yards away. "One of ours, Alex?" Admiral Demmit asked. "You're the expert, Admiral," I moved away from the periscope and offered him a look. "It's Olympic," he confirmed. "Skipper, I'm picking up screws just ahead of the first contact at one, zero, four. I think it's a sub- sounds similar to a German U-boat only smaller," Jamie Hilf exclaimed from her station. The Admiral moved aside so that I could take a look. Clicking up the magnification, I barely saw the enemy periscope break the surface. "Admiral, what was periscope depth for the early U-boats?" "I really don't remember, Alex. They were only half the size of Sand Dollar as I recall, though." "That makes periscope depth around eighteen to twenty-one feet, Alex," Carrol informed me after some quick math. "Do you remember what damage the Olympic caused her, Admiral?" "No, Alex, by the time we arrived all hands were already in lifeboats. We weren't allowed to talk to the prisoners." "Well, from what I'm seeing, the Olympic isn't going to cause any damage whatsoever. The U-boat has the lead as they cross paths, you sure they collided?" "That's what the official report stated and that's what we were told at the time, Alex." "Helm, bring us around to one, zero, six!" "Aye, Cap, one, zero, six," Kayla Langford responded. "Alex?" Admiral Demmit looked at me with a questioning glare. "If Mohammad won't come to the mountain, make the mountain come to Mohammad!" I winked. "Jack, ready tube one for firing!" "Alex?" she responded. "Won't that give away our position?" "Exactly!" "I thought that was a big no-no, Cap?" "We're almost as fast as the Olympic and we can dive deeper than any known boat of the time- twice as deep, as I recall. I plan on sending one past her stern to get her to speed up and turn toward us." "Like shoving a stick into a hornet's nest, Alex?" Admiral Demmit successfully concluded. I nodded. "Should be enough to get her to change course and 'collide' with U103." "Captain, may I remind you that engagement rules of the time required the attacking boat to surface and alert the target vessel to lessen the lose of life?" "We aren't from this time, Admiral, and I'd rather not surface, thereby putting Sand Dollar on display to either side. This has to happen, sir. We have to make this happen," I said evenly. "And why wasn't I briefed on this, Captain?" "Would you have believed it, sir?" I asked with a slight smirk. "Believed that a submarine from 1944 purposely caused a friendly ship to collide with a German U-boat? Having met the Empress and witnessing your...unorthodox attack strategies, yes!" "You would have tried to stop me, sir. This has to happen though," I repeated, looking to the deck. "Another stationary waypoint in time, Alex?" "I'm afraid so, sir," I replied quietly. The Admiral shook his head in resignation. "Carry on, Captain Steinert." "Aye, sir." "Heading one, zero, six!" Kayla Langford announced from rudder control. "Alex, forward torpedo room answers ready and waiting. Fire control board is green," Jack informed me. "Firing control, tube one on my mark!" I took another look through the scope and took my bearing. "Bearing one, zero, six! Two thousand yards- mark!" "One, zero, six, two thousand yards, aye." "Fire tube one." We felt the familiar shudder and the faint hiss of compressed air as the fish took to the open sea. With any luck it wouldn't hit anything and never be seen again. "Torpedo one away, Skipper." "Down scope and take us to two, five, zero feet, adjust course two degrees to starboard, ahead two-thirds, Jack." "Aye, Cap," she said as she passed the orders along. "Now what, Skipper? Carrol asked. "We wait," I said as I watched the chronometer intently. Roughly five minutes had passed before Jamie Hilf broke the silence in the Con. "Skipper, I just heard a metallic collision topside and one set of screws has stopped- the U-boat, ma'am." "Thank you, Miss Hilf. No explosion though from two degrees off port?" "Nothing, Skip." "What about Olympic?" "She hasn't stopped, Skip. Heavy cavitations now! She's reversed her screws- probably trying to back away. Alex, there's more metallic groaning in the water now! Sounds like Olympic is scraping her keel on the U-boat! I, as well as everyone in the Con, winced in reaction to that information. We could only imagine what U 103's crew must be going through or the nightmare they would soon experience. Olympic's massive screws reportedly opened the U-boat up like a can of sardines! They never stood a chance when they decided to crash dive- should have actually stopped and backed away. History proved valid a few seconds later. "More metallic growning, Skip. Sounds like she's still going!" I noticed Uncle Rick close his eyes tightly. "Bring us around, Jack, and take us back up to periscope depth." "Aye, Cap." "Admiral, how long until the Davis arrives?" "Olympic continued moving away from the scene after spotting another periscope...off...to the...south..." The old man glared at me in a way similar to when he realized I was actually his cousin Allison. "You really do enjoy giving your commanding officer heart attacks, don't you Capt. Steinert?" He growled. "That was never my intention, Admiral. Adjust course to two, eight, eight, and maintain speed." "Aye, Cap. Passing five zero feet." "Thanks, Jack. Admiral? How long until the Davis arrives?" "What? Oh...twenty minutes. We arrived twenty minutes after receiving Olympic's transmission." "Three, five feet." "Three, five feet, Alex." "Thanks, Jack. Up periscope, let's continue repairing this spot in time," I said, but instead of reaching for the scope, I picked up the microphone of the squawk. "Chief Van Pelt to the Con," I announced. Admiral Demmit gave me a confused look. "What's up, Skip? "Randi, how long would it take to rig the radio shack for simple wireless telegraphy?" "I don't understand, Alex. Wireless telegraph?" "I believe it was referred to as 'Spark Gap' Wireless or just plain Wireless- like the Titanic used," I explained. "Alex, what have you neglected to tell me now?" The old man glared at me again. "Someone has to point out that rogue wave, Admiral," I told him calmly. "Somehow I just knew you would say that, Alex." He looked to Randi. "Fleet signaling frequency is five hundred cycles, Miss Van Pelt." "I wasn't aware radio went that low, Admiral," she replied. "This is 1918, lieutenant, not the stone-age!" Uncle Rick growled. "Randi, the Detroit uses Ultra-Low Frequency to communicate with CINCPAC while submerged don't forget," I reminded her. "But that's digital, Skip!" "Digital, telegraphy- what's the difference, it's still on-off- ones and zeros- just with a different protocol." "I never thought about it that way before, Alex." I rolled my eyes in amazement that she wouldn't make the connection. "How long, Chief?" "About ten minutes, but we have to surface to transmit." "I realize that Chief. Get to work. Have Josie help you if necessary. I want a transmission made in twelve minutes!" "Aye, ma'am!" Randi acknowledged as she hurried back to her equipment. "Jack, the message won't be acted on quick enough so you'll need to persuade the lookouts on the Davis to look to the northeast." "I'd have better success if I could see one or the other, Alex." "Would full magnification on the scope be good enough?" "It will have to be, Cap." "Cap, Josie and I are ready for that transmission," Randi informed me a few minutes later. "Miss Sheldon, distance from the Davis' last location?" "Ten miles, Skip, if she remained stationery." "Jack raise the periscope." "Aye, Cap." Quickly, I checked in the direction I knew the destroyer to be located. "Good job, Carrol," I praised her math. "Ex-O, surface the boat!" "Randi, escort Admiral Demmit back to the radio shack and transmit whatever he tells you." Uncle Rick nodded to me as he followed my radio operator. "We're topside, Alex," Jack informed me. "Thanks, Jack," I said as I took the few steps back to the aft hatch. "Miss Van Pelt, you're on!" I shouted. "Aye, Skipper, sending now," came her reply. "Jack, you're with me on the bridge, spare the lookouts," I told her as my uniform changed into the most advanced cold weather gear we had access to. The wind and cold stabbed at us as soon as we opened the hatch despite our high-tech gear! "I never remembered it being this cold when I was stationed out here," I told Jack as we put binoculars to our eyes and began searching the horizon for the mysterious wave destined to doom twenty-one men this day. "Bridge, Radio Shack, Skip, message is sent," Randi's voice said over the squawk's loudspeaker. "Radio, Bridge, thanks Randi. Con, Bridge, ahead two thirds steady on this course." "Aye, Skip," Carrol's voice replied. "Time to go below, Jack," I told her. "But I didn't see anything, Alex! Is there going to be a twenty-five foot wave or is that something Amy Reynolds whips up?" She asked as I motioned for her to go down the hatch first. "Oh, it's out there, Jack. These things have been clocked at over 170 knots!" Jack stopped halfway down the ladder, looked back up at me, and whistled. Several minutes later Jack was clicking through the different stages of magnification available in the periscope's eyepiece control. "I can barely see the port lookout, Alex." "You think you can work your magic, Jack?" "Sorting out his thoughts now, Cap," She said as she moved back from the scope and smiled at me. "One thing is for certain, his mind really isn't on his job, Alex," She giggled. "I'm drawing his attention now." "Admiral, what time did the wave hit the Davis?" I asked. "1252hrs, Alex." I looked at the chronometer. 1245 it read. "Captain, the Davis' screws have started!" "The captain was trying to head her into the wave. We were still trying to rescue the U-boat crew when we received his orders to stow everything and get below," Admiral Demmit reminisced. "Alex, how are we going to save those men and stay alive? A twenty-five foot wave is sure to give us problems," Jack asked the question for the rest of the crew. I looked to the deck as I thought about the answer. A sudden sadness came over me. "They don't all make it, do they, Alex?" Jack quickly joined me in disappointment. "Maybe half, Jack, I'm sorry." "Well, like you say, we can't save them all," She admitted sadly, still staring at the deck. "I know, Jack, but that doesn't mean we can't try," I said quietly before glancing back at the chronometer. 1250hrs. I picked up the squawk. "All hands, brace for impact! Damage control teams stand by!" "Dive control, take us down to one hundred feet as quick as possible." "Aye, Cap." "This is going to feel like the dips at Coney Island, ladies, so hang on," I told everyone within the sound of my voice. "We get hit ten seconds after the Davis." "You've ridden one of these out before, Skip?" Carroll asked innocently. "Not yet, but I remember it well," I told her. "Coming from anybody but you, that would sound ridiculous, Alex!" "I remember it well enough too, Lieutenant! It was less fun topside!" The old man growled. "Wait..." Carroll said as she held up her hand. "We're almost ten miles from her! That would mean that thing is moving..." "Fast!" I interrupted. We all took hold of something stationary and waited. Peyton's crash landing of Meridian back in 1965 was far smoother than what we had just experienced! It was a good thing I had asked her to remain behind on Ni'ihau. No telling what her reaction to this might have been so soon after that mission. Damage though, was limited to a few pipe leaks and a control valve blowout or two. Some of the crew had sustained superficial cuts and bruises, but would be fine in a few minutes. I, on the other hand, received the full brunt of our turbulent ride as Admiral Demmit lost his grip at one point and ended up knocking me to the floor. As Uncle Rick pushed himself off of me, the sudden and sharp pain in my chest told me that at least two of my ribs had fractured. Emily was immediately at my side as Uncle Rick and Carroll gently picked me up. It was then that I noticed Jack still lying on the deck! "Jack," I gasped as the pain rocketed through me, "Is she okay?" I gasped again as tears caused by the intense pain streamed down my face. "She just bumped her head, sis. She'll wake up in a minute or two," Emily said in her professional voice. "You, on the other hand... Alex, you have four broken ribs and a slight concussion!" She chastised me as if my mother. "You saw this coming so why didn't you hold on tighter?" I simply looked to our uncle who in turn, stared back at me with almost no color in his face. Emily nodded to me in understanding. "I want you to select the 1880's corset, Alex. Exhale as much as possible and substitute it for your bra. This is going to hurt, but will support your ribcage until you heal," Emily prescribed. Stars filled my vision as the new undergarment formed then tightened around my midsection. A shriek of pain and obscenities surged from my mouth all on their own! More tears burst forth from my eyes. My vision started to narrow and darken. "Don't you dare, Alex Steinert! Don't you dare!" Emily growled as she slapped my cheek hard several times. "Thanks, sis," I waved off her offered hand as I steadied myself against the bulkhead. "Oww, what did I miss?" Jack groaned as she slowly picked herself off the deck. She rubbed gently at the knot on her crown. "Nothing," I gasped out. This time the pain wasn't so bad and I stood up straight. "Are you wearing a corset again, Alex? I thought you hated those things?" "In lieu of a body cast, Miss Cummins, a tight corset is the next best thing." "Alex, things will be fine so please relax and take things easy," Jamie Hilf suggested as she left her seat and moved the few feet towards me. I could see she was concentrating very hard. "It's okay, Jamie. Unfortunately, I'm not affected by your gift. Thank you for trying though," I thanked her. "I suppose I should thank you, Alex," Uncle Rick said finally. "I guess you know what would have happened had you not cushioned my fall?" "I wouldn't have gotten four broken ribs, Admiral," I exclaimed as best I could. You mean I wouldn't have suffered any life threatening injury if you hadn't broken my fall?" I shook my head side to side twice. "Then why, Alex? Why injure yourself if it wasn't necessary?" "Because it was the right thing to do, Uncle Rick," I said sheepishly. The Con was eerily silent for a few moments. "Miss Cummins, all stop, surface the boat, and prepare to take on survivors." Aye, Cap. Maneuvering, all stop. Dive control, take us topside. General quarters, lookouts to the Con," Jack announced over the squawk. Off to our port, floated an overturned life raft- well, what was left of a life raft anyway! "I count four men in the water to port, Alex," Jack said as we each looked in separate directions. "There's another six to starboard, Jack," I added. Usually, my first officer would've repeated my information. I looked over to see her concentrating on something intently. Admiral Demmit joined us on the freezing, wind-swept bridge. "Jack?" I asked, looking to Uncle Rick and placing a gloved finger to my mouth. Two men appeared from the water and floated over and onto Sand Dollar's foredeck and into our rescue party's waiting care. As they lay on deck, both looked like their chests were being pushed slightly. Water spilled from the two men's mouths'. Both began coughing as they rolled over on their stomachs. Four, more animated, men then joined them on deck. Admiral Demmit and I looked at my first officer in silence. After the six men from starboard had been floated to safety, Jack finally noticed our stares. "I couldn't just let them drown, now could I?" she said with a little growl. "Get those men below with plenty of blankets!" Admiral Demmit shouted to the crew on the foredeck against the howling wind. 1424 hours, 190 Nautical miles S-SW of Ireland, May 12th, 1918 "Alex, all survivors have been shown to the wardroom per your orders." "Thanks, Jack." I had ordered everyone into cold weather gear and to remain that way until all survivors were blanketed and seated in our wardroom. Admiral Demmit posted himself in the doorway with his pistol in hand. Seaman 1st Class Rachael Morris, our fire elemental, stood directly behind him. Her task was to concentrate on raising the small compartment's temperature without cooking everyone and everything within. This was the first real test of her gift, which she had received three days prior to our leaving Atlantis-Minor as six full grown palm trees would attest to- if they were still trees and not ash! "Rachael, how are you holding up?" I asked quietly from beside her in the passageway. "As long as I don't let my feelings toward the Germans influence me, fine, Skip. It's getting easier to control. I barely have to concentrate now," She told me with a guarded smile. The five-foot-five redhead had been very apprehensive when I had asked her to use her new gift. "Miss Cummins reassured me that you would know when it was the right time to use my gift," She admitted sheepishly. "What, you didn't trust me, Ensign?" I asked with a hurt pout. Part of that look was still my four partially mended ribs. "I trust you explicitly, ma'am," she quickly replied. "Never trust anyone 'explicitly', Ensign. Always think things through carefully and then use your gut to determine if you should do something or not. Never run blindly into anything- ever!" I preached as images of her future came to mind. Why were redheads always so hot-headed, I asked as another redhead entered my thoughts...and my field of view? "Skipper," Chief Samuels started, being careful to show the proper respect to me in front of the Admiral. "All repairs have been finished. We can get underway on your order." "Thanks, chief, we'll be doing just that in about half an hour." "Aye, Skipper," she responded and headed aft. "Skip, the survivors' clothing should be pretty much dry. I decided that would be the best use of my gift in this case, ma'am," Rachael said nervously to me. "Great job, Ensign. Please resume your station. Admiral Demmit and I will take it from here," I praised her. She headed forward with a confident smile. "Ready, Admiral?" I asked. "I'll follow your lead, sir." "Somehow I seriously doubt that, Alex." "Which one is Brackenridge, sir?" "Second from the left, back against the hull, Alex," Uncle Rick said, looking back at me questioningly. I nodded as I brought up my suit's translator. I also mentally told Jack to be on guard. 'You really didn't have to tell me that, Alex,' I heard in my mind. I decided to retrieve something from my quarters. Hopefully it would help reinforce our cover story. "Gentlemen, anyone here speak English?" Uncle Rick asked as he officially entered the wardroom after stepping out of view to revert his Reilly suit to its futuristic looking default. We had agreed to use them in lieu of our naval apparel. I waited in the passageway. No one answered him, but all eyes were surely staring at him in frightened confusion. Admiral Demmit repeated his question in German, Polish, French, Italian, and Spanish. My Uncle was definitely a show off! No reply came. "Well then, Mr. Brackenridge, would you please tell me why an American is hiding amongst his enemy?" the old man asked, staring directly at the man. "You both are still at war, are you not?" He added. "All twelve men remained silent, although they were now exchanging glances. "Come now, Rusty, I asked you a perfectly valid question." "How do you know me? I've never seen you before in my life!" he finally responded. "Oh, I know you, Mr. Brackenridge. Happy belated twenty-first birthday, by the way." The man's eyes went wide! It was time to make my entrance. "Admiral, I trust the survivors are not presenting you much of a problem?" I asked him in my regal voice as I appeared in the doorway. A collective gasp sounded throughout the small room. Rightly so since I had modified my default uniform, making it lower cut in the bosom than normal, or was it because of the tiara I had placed on my head just seconds ago? Looking around the room and following the stares, it was definitely my chest that caused the reaction. "Empress, I wasn't expecting you so soon. I had just started to ask these men questions not a minute ago." "Have you found the one called Brackenridge yet? I am anxious to hear his report on this..." I paused for effect. "'incident'." Now the other men glared at Russell Brackenridge. "Who are you?" he blurted out in confusion. "You will not address the Empress in that manner, commoner!" Uncle Rick growled in anger. I raised my hand to stop the Admiral. "They have a right to know who offered them rescue, Admiral," I said with a regal smile. "First, I would like to know which of the archaic tongues to use in answer. Is there a common tongue among you?" "Most of us speak English, frauline," one of the other men finally spoke- apparently he was the U-boat's captain. "Bitta, Herr Captain. English it is then," I said putting on my best smile. "Starting with the introductions: I am called Alexandra, Empress of Time and Space. This distinguished gentleman is Royal Admiral Richard Demmit, commander of my Temporal Fleet. Together, we welcome y'all aboard my flagship, Sand Dollar." "I've never heard of this 'Temporal Fleet', ma'am. What country are you from?" Russell asked cautiously as he seemed to recognize Uncle Rick's name. Again I raised my hand to stop Uncle Rick. "We hail from no country in particular, Mr. Brackenridge; we are only visiting this time period for research purposes." "Research, ma'am?" "Yes, Mr. Brackenridge, research! In order for our civilization to move forward, we must look back to the past in order to see what went wrong and why. Only then do we stand any chance of not repeating it." 'He's going to ask where we are from, Alex.' Jack thought to me. "As I said, Russell Brackenridge, we do not belong to any country on this backwards planet. It should not surprise me that you have never heard of the 'Empress of Time and Space'- a name heralded throughout the known universes-" I glared at him in contempt- "this planet, so single-minded, its inhabitants having concluded that theirs is the only civilization in all the cosmos! How conceited y'all are!" Uncle Rick chuckled at my scolding. "Empress, Admiral," Jack interrupted from the passageway, "Sand Dollar is ready for temporal transit at your pleasure." "Temporal transit?" "Yes, Rusty, temporal as in time transit! Surely the people of this small insignificant sphere understand the concept of time travel?" I asked, looking around the small, crowded room. "Miss Cummins, alert the crew that we will commence transit on the Admiral's order. "Yes, my Empress." 'All hands, prepare for temporal transit. Please secure yourself to Sand Dollar. Transit will commence on Admiral Demmit's mark!' Jack's voice boomed in our heads, yet she remained in the doorway quietly smiling the whole time. To say the men before me were stunned was an understatement! "Commander Jacquelyn Cummins is from the system you call Cygnus. She has the ability to read thoughts among other talents, and can be very persuasive- and very dangerous if provoked!" 'Cygnus, Alex?' She asked in my mind. 'The Swan galaxy, Jack, as in 'pretty as a swan',' I thought back. The twelve remained silent and unmoving. "Gentlemen, I suggest you take hold of the table in front of you as time travel can be bumpy at times," I advised. It was a good way to make sure we left no one behind. 'Alex, we're on the surface,' Jack thought to me. 'Thanks, Jack. Is everybody holding on?' I thought back. 'Aye.' "Gentlemen, I really think y'all should hold on to something, we've done this a few times," I advised as I reached for the nearest bulkhead and the table. Uncle Rick did the same. That seemed to persuade the sailors with us to grasp the table they sat around. I nodded to Admiral Demmit. Nodding back, he took the microphone from the squawk and made his announcement. "All hands, Temporal transit on my mark, commencing in five...four...three...two...one, mark." I nodded casually. From our guests' perspective, absolutely nothing happened. A few of them began looking at me as if I were some fraud. 'Temporal transit complete! All hands will please stand down and return to normal stations.' Jack again announced in our minds. 'Welcome to 2029.' "Time travel is impossible!" One of the men shouted out in broken English. He was U103's first officer- a man that would change his way of thinking in the matter of a day. "Time travel is indeed possible, Herr Wolmacher, but I will leave that fact for you to decide." I smiled deviously at the man. "Where are my manners, Admiral? I neglected to offer our guests refreshment. Surely after such a harrowing experience they could use something?" "I, personally, could use a bottle of the strongest stuff ya got!" Russell Brackenridge commented, awestruck by what he had witnessed so far today. I nodded to Uncle Rick. "Miss Cummins, would you have the galley bring some refreshments for our guests?" "As you wish, Admiral!" she acknowledged before disappearing down the passageway. 'As we planned it, Alex?' she thought to me. 'Unfortunately, yes,' I thought back to her. "Admiral, we'll arrive at the island in thirty minutes," Carroll's voice announced through the squawk's loudspeaker. "Thank you, Miss Sheldon. Alert the mooring crew when ready to dock," Uncle Rick responded. "As you wish, Admiral." Eleven glasses of water, an empty glass, and one full whiskey bottle floated into the wardroom and placed themselves before each guest- the empty glass and liquor bottle in front of Mr. Brackenridge. Again, twelve mouths dropped wide open- in terror this time. "As I mentioned before, gentlemen, Miss Cummins is not to be trifled with. Her sight both visually and telepathically is superb." Admiral Demmit chuckled again. Russell Brackenridge wasted no time or the clean glass, preferring to drink straight from the bottle after smelling its contents! "If all you have told us is true, why bring us to the future...'Empress'?" 103's captain asked with hesitation. "Would you have liked us to leave you at the nearest seaport, Manfred Heinz?" I asked and waited for him to react. Ireland would have been the closest land, as he well knew. Heinz sniffed the liquid in his glass. Satisfied that it was water and nothing more, he took a swig. His men followed suit. Only Jack and I knew which water each man drank. Rusty continued to take tug after tug of his whiskey. "Why us? He asked, coming up for air. "Why are we the lucky ones- the ones you decided to rescue?" "What would have been your fate if we had not appeared, Russell?" I asked calmly. His eyes reflected understanding as to his previous future. I nodded. "Yes, Mr. Brackenridge, you and the men beside you would be dead. Amazing how you humans suddenly find understanding when faced with your own mortality." "You mean you are not human?" the captain asked in surprise. I smiled deviously. "We were once like you, but we have...evolved- we have made ourselves better. We seek to improve our race and not destroy it." "So we are part of your race?" "Only because this pathetic planet resides in the same universe, yes. Outside of that, you are very primitive. You will only reach equality among the neighboring stars after much more individual development." If they only knew how much development it would take, I thought! Another bottle of whiskey floated into the room and placed itself in front of Russell. The empty hovered off the table then floated out. Brackenridge wasted no time opening the new bottle! "You might want to go easy on the liquor, Mr. Brackenridge, some people, those of certain species, find time travel physically and mentally altering. I have witnessed many of these arbitrary changes- some being deadly," I warned. As he sat the bottle down, U103's first mate snatched the bottle and gulped the remainder of its contents- almost full- down! If I had seen things right, he would wander away from us and fall asleep just off the beach. She would awaken to her new life around midnight. "Admiral, we have arrived at the island and will be fully docked in ten minutes," Jack announced again appearing at the doorway. "Thank you, Miss Cummins that will be all," Admiral Demmit responded. "Mr. Brackenridge?" Jack smiled brightly. "I hope the whiskey helped warm you up. Let me know if you need something more warming." My first officer disappeared from view as she headed back to the Con. 'What is wrong with you, Jack?' I thought to her. I was amazed that she was actually flirting with him. Amazed, but not surprised. 'That's what you wanted me to do, right? I mean, when you were laying out the plan, you were thinking that I should seduce him...keep him interested in me and not what was happening to the others, well that's what I'm doing.' 'I'm going to have to be more careful and not think about how the future will pan out next time I lay out a plan,' I thought to myself. 'What kind of a first officer would I be if I didn't anticipate my commander's actions? Besides, he is kind of handsome...not that I'm...not that I'm interested!' If it were possible to see Jack blush telepathically, I couldn't see a better opportunity. I giggled. "Gentlemen, if y'all would behave yourselves and accompany the Admiral and I topside?" I motioned for them to follow me out of the room. "But it has to be all of ten degrees out there! Where are our coats?" Captain Heinz asked excitedly. "Unfortunately, we have no resources onboard to effectively dry them, but I think y'all will find that the weather has changed for the better." I winked as I backed into the passageway and headed for the Con. I waited at the bridge ladder for our guests. "This is impossible!" Heinz and each of his men in turn gasped as they exited Sand Dollar's bridge hatch and looked around. We were docked at Kili Island. It was a wonderful, sunny, ninety degrees with a pleasant breeze blowing onto shore- not bad for high noon. That wasn't the only pleasant feeling I got. 1215 hours, Reilly Research Station, Kili Island, July 10th, 2029 "Welcome to our island," I announced to our guests. "For reasons of security, I cannot tell you exactly where we are- you understand." "From the inclination of the sun I presume we are somewhere near the equator. The local fauna and composition of the beach would indicate the Pacific region." "An avid geographer and climatologist, Herr Meyer?" I asked as I stopped to look back at U103's navigator. The five-foot-nine, brown- haired, twenty-three year-old smiled confidently. "If we were still on Earth you would be quite correct," I added. His smile disappeared from his face immediately! "You see, gentlemen, we have the ability to go anywhere or time in the known universes. We could be on Earth, only in a different universe," I said matter-of-factly. "You mean we are still on Earth then? I