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Resuming their original mission- that of finding Prof. Samuel's missing Time Machine- Alex and company participate in a ghost hunt, where they provide most of the paranormal activity. How much will the Empress allow her fellow 'poltergeists' to enjoy the 'witching hour'? How much will their newest sister, Akane, influence the mission? Later, Alex and Jack attend Prof. Samuels' theoretical science lecture masquerading as her keynote speakers. Episode 9 "Things that go bump..." 0800hrs, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 15th, 2011 "Are you going to go down to the beach for more sunbathing this morning, Alex?" Jack asked as she appeared from one of the three bathrooms in our hotel suite. The President's Suite in this hotel, it turns out, had a standing reservation for the 'Empress'. We had found that out shortly after arriving in Honolulu three days ago. Although different universes, this suite was exactly as I had remembered, but it conjured other memories as well- memories I fought furiously to shield from Jack. "Penny for your thoughts, Alex?" Jack asked as she was suddenly staring at me with a worried look. "I still can't help thinking I've been in this suite before, Jack," I said as I fought another resurgence of those memories. "Maybe Alex Covington reserved it, but still...why would you have a standing reservation here in the first place?" "Excu...me, Alex, but we'll be...our way back t...ho..l...room now," Alice's semi-transparent image informed us from just inside the suite's main door. "It's okay, hun, we're decent," I told the image with a smile as I noticed it fading in and out several times. "I just want...o give you g...s a heads up...lex," the image replied. "That's fine, hun, see y'all soon," I replied to the image. Alice's smiling image wavered then disappeared entirely. "She must be near her projection limit. Where did they go for breakfast this morning anyway?" Jack asked. "Akane said something about a restaurant near the airport that served great omelets and sausage," I responded. "Oh, so what's on the agenda if we aren't going to the beach?" "We do have that little issue of finding Ricky Lynn's toy over at Pearl, Jack." "I had almost forgotten about that. Is it that important we find it immediately?" I paused a moment. "A device from 2035- one capable of allowing the general public to travel through time arrives here in 2011?" I stated as I looked at her seriously. "You can fill in the list of reasons why that would be very bad, Jack." "But if it really does appear in the hangar..." "Rest assured, it will be found, Jack. Then use your imagination as to how busy we'll be. Remember, whoever finds that thing wouldn't be as careful about changing things as we are; let alone not being able to see the repercussions in that new future." Jack glanced down to the floor. "That would be pretty bad, huh? When do we leave?" she asked, looking back up at me. "As soon as Alice gets back. We really do need her on this one." "I take it you intend on scaring the pants off those Spirit Quest guys?" Jack asked with a slight, devious grin. "That's not even a consideration, Jack. We're just going to provide the necessary 'paranormal' activity their investigation must capture to maintain the timeline." "But Alex Covington said this was going to be a fun one," my first officer complained. "Oh ya, it'll be a real riot, hun, you'll see," I said rolling my eyes once. "No one is going to have a heart attack or die are they?" "No, Jack, not unless my foresight has failed me." "Just checking." She paused. "But, we're still going to have a little fun with this one, right?" I waggled my head several times as I retrieved my tiara from my regulation shoulder bag. "You're not going to put that on now are you? Remember, Alex, we left from the OC that night." "I'm well aware of that, Jack. I'm just making sure it's charged up," I growled as I placed it on my head. "Oh," she said as a big smile appeared. "That's good, Alex. Because some people might start thinking the 'Empress' has finally succumbed to her title." I stuck my tongue out at her. While we waited for the others to return, I took the opportunity to browse through the on-line manual for my T.I.A.R.A. "That thing sure has the toys, Alex," Jack said as I finished reading and mentally closed the file. Apparently Jack was being Jack and reading 'over my shoulder'. Our suite's door clicked and opened quickly. Young Alexandra Hikawa ran into the room. She and her two sisters made a beeline straight for us. "Aunt Alex! Aunt Jacki! We saw a whole bunches of air-planes! You think we could ride in one sometime? Not that we don't like travelin with you, but can we...just once, Aunt Alex?" "I wanna ride an air-plane, Aunt Alex," her younger sister, Rebecca, demanded! "I'll see what I can do, but it won't be for a few years; your aunt is very busy right now," I told them with a big smile. Tish's kids were adorable. I thought of my own girls at that age. "Look mommy, Aunt Alex has her crown on!" Rebecca shouted with an excited laugh as she pointed to my head. I noticed Akane's eyes snap to, lock on me, and widen! Tish, Sam, Alice, Keiko, Yoko, Alexandra, Rebecca...even little Yoshi dropped to one knee before me! "Empress!" they all chorused and began laughing. I felt my cheeks ignite from the embarrassment! "That is enough of that!" I growled before shutting down my headpiece and putting it back in my purse. Akane was still staring at me, her mouth still wide open. "Alice, are you ready to go?" I asked as she continued laughing. I resisted asking Akane what she found so mesmerizing about me this time. Instead, I held out both hands and waited for my companions to join me. "You ARE wearing your Reilly, right?" I asked as she wiped her eyes dry and took my offered hand. Alice's shorts, one-piece blue and white- striped swimsuit, and heeled sandals transformed into her modern Navy dress whites in answer to the question. My own blue demin shorts, pink 'T'-shirt, and pink sneakers became my own modern uniform, as did Jack's shorts, bikini top, and sandals. Akane widened her stare to the three of us. This was the first time she had seen our technology. "We call them Reilly suits, hun," I told the mesmerized woman. "They can transform into any clothing we need for any given mission. I take it y'all would like one?" Akane's head nodded slowly, her eyes continuing to stare at us. The suite's doorbell rang. It had a doorbell? "Room service," a familiar voice announced. Sam, being closest, opened the door to reveal my Alexandra and Isabeau- the later woman was holding a garment bag. "Did someone here call for a Reilly suit?" my granddaughter chortled as she and Isabeau entered. The children ran to them immediately. "Alex. I was wondering when you would arrive," I said as I approached and wrapped my arms around her after the girls parted. Next, I welcomed Isabeau in a similar fashion, though without the familiar tingle. I looked back to our newest sister. "Akane Moritsu, I wish to formally introduce to you my Granddaughter, Alexandra, third child of Nathan and Alexis of Terra, Third Grandchild to Grand High Counselor Tibius of Terra and Alexandra Steinert-Fleming of Earth. To her right, I would also be pleased to present to you, Isabeau, daughter of Samuel of Terra and Random Valerian Peltierre of Reilly. Ladies, this is Takashi's sister, Akane Moritsu. Akane-kun, Random Peltierre is Takashi's temporal twin...if we hadn't told you yet." I quickly took a deep breath having expelled the entire contents of my lungs for the formal Terran introduction protocol. "Nice try, Grandmother, but you still abbreviated the formal protocol," Alexandra said in a snobbish tone, but with a wry smile as she wrapped her arms around me again. A slight tingle, as usual, passed between us. "By the way Grandma, thanks, I needed that first one," Alexandra said as she pulled back slightly and smiled. "It's been a long time, Empress?" I asked with a sly grin. I couldn't help but notice the intensity of the tingle at our first embrace. She nodded and smiled devilishly. I noticed Akane Moritsu staring between the two of us. That had gotten old three days ago! "Yes, Akane-kun, this is my granddaughter. Yes, she is the future Empress of Time and Space. Yes, we look identical, and yes, we share the same memories, so..." I said, but stopped abruptly. "Yes, you're staring at us all the time has gotten very old. And yes...I was born on a different planet," Alexandra took over, completing my response. "Now put this garment on, Akane-kun, and don't worry about the fit. We'll take care of that as soon as you come back out with it on," Alexandra ordered as she took and pushed the bag into Akane's arms and pushed her toward the nearest bedroom. I smiled when Akane almost hit the doorframe as she continued to stare back at us instead of looking where she was heading. "So, Isabeau, what's the occasion?" I asked Randi's daughter after we finally stopped laughing at our sister's reaction. "I thought your suits could use a small upgrade, Empress. We recently found some bugs in the firmware and have completed a patch to take care of it. I shouldn't be longer than five minutes per unit, M'lady." "Go for it, hun," I offered with a bright smile. Immediately, my HUD displayed a blue window with white scrolling text. The window suddenly froze and began flashing red for some reason. "What?" Isabeau exclaimed in surprise. "Your suit is three revisions higher than I expected? Empress, you have obviously traveled much farther than I have anticipated. I have detected that External Processor # 3 Omega made the last update in Earth year 2039. Is it permissible to recall the update history for my archives?" Isabeau looked very surprised, and very confused. "If Randi has given permission via valid certificate, then by all means, Lady Comptroller," I responded as I bowed my head slightly. 'Permissions granted' flashed momentarily in a new, smaller window. The background of the original window turned blue as the white text began scrolling again. After a few minutes the text stopped and both windows disappeared. "Thank you, M'lady. It will take a few minutes to decrypt the archived change list...WHAT...IS...THAT?" she started to say, but shouted the last out suddenly in shock. "What's what, hun?" I asked in curiosity. "There is a significantly sized patch here closing several loopholes for something called 'Phrack-EU'," she gasped in horror. "In fact, there is reference to six individual strains of this so-called virus!" Isabeau looked at me in confusion. "Empress, the patch build date is 2025BC, but the initialization date is 2030. What have you been up to, M'lady?" "Oh, just my usual, hun," I said, downplaying and hopefully averting Jack's curiosity. "A while back I ran into a little Polish hacking algorithm. Your Aunts and mother helped immunize us against the little varmint." "Empress, do you realize that this particular virus had the potential of taking over RVP's core processors and causing considerable damage to her peripheral systems?" "Really? I replied, as I played innocent. "Then it's a good thing your mother and aunts sent that thing a'packing, isn't it?" "I've had better fittings from my eight-year-old great-granddaughter, Commander!" Akane complained as she reentered the large living room. I was glad for the diversion from the current topic. "It has to be turned on first, Akane-kun." I smiled, watching the small woman try to pull up the sleeves, waist, and pant legs as she stumbled out of the bedroom. She was absolutely swimming in the thing. Akane's attention quickly turned to my Ex-O as Jack began to mentally guide her through the suit's initialization process. Within minutes, our newest sister looked smart in her very own set of regulation dress whites. "Well now, Ens. Moritsu, that looks much better," I praised as I placed my hand on her shoulder and used my HUD to assign her a rank. "But I have no military experience, Commander," she objected. "I started you out at the bottom of the food chain, hun. Just salute any officer or salute back to any enlisted we happen to run into and you'll be fine, Akane," I reassured her. "Other than that, just follow our lead." "But..." she started to complain. "So...are we finally ready to continue our mission?" I asked as I again offered my hands to my companions, ignoring Akane's protest entirely. Akane glared at me but took a hand anyway. "Until another time then, Grandmother. May the winds of time be in your favor," Alexandra said as she placed a kiss on my cheek. Isabeau did likewise before stepping away. "You both are welcome to stay in our place, hun; we're paid up until Wednesday," I said as I looked around the large living room with a smile. Alexandra and Isabeau looked at each other for only a second. "Our sincere thanks to you, M'lady!" Isabeau gushed. Both women smiled happily. "Momma! Aunt Alex and Aunt Bo are going to stay with us! Isn't that great?" Young Rebecca cried excitedly. Alexandra bent down so that she was eye to eye with the small girl. "So what are we going to do while the Empress is away on her mission?" She looked at all three children for a response. "Swimmin'" "Shoppin'!" "Playin'!" The three shouted almost simultaneously. "All good answers," my granddaughter chirped as she hugged little Rebecca. "See y'all later," I said before making sure Jack, Alice, and Akane were ready. Our hotel suite became the Women's' Lavatory in the OC. "Why are we in here?" Akane complained more than asked. "Here's the plan. Akane, you let go of Jack's hand and position yourself in the last stall. It should be empty, but check. When y'all are ready, let go of Alice's hand. You'll feel a little light headed for a moment, but you'll be fine." "Why will I become light headed?" "Because that's what happens when you re-enter reality without my help, Akane. Please, just trust me?" Our newest sister nodded cautiously, let go of Jack's hand, and disappeared through the next stall's wall. Alice followed and disappeared as well. "I'm releasing now," Akane said thinking she was only being heard by the three of us. "That's nice, sweetie, I hope it all comes out alright for ya!" Another voice, one not in our group, but in the Lavatory, answered in reply. 'Alice just let go,' I thought to Jack as I felt my hand free up. Jack moved through the other stall's wall and I felt her release my other hand. I rephased, flushed the toilet, and exited. Jack and Alice flushed and joined me. Then...we waited for Akane. The three of us began to look at each other, concerned about our sister. 'You don't think...' Jack thought to us. "Y'all fall in, or what, hun?" I asked as I knocked at the stall's door. "I'll be right out, Commander," her frantic voice answered. A minute later the toilet flushed and Akane joined us at the sinks. The attendant's eyes grew bigger for a moment before she smiled. Accepting the towel she offered, I dried my hands and took a twenty from my shoulder bag. "Here y'all go," I said as I placed it in her tip basket. "Thanks, Empress. You really should watch that one though," she advised as she motioned to Akane. "She looks like trouble to me, Alex. Here Jacki, on the house." "Thanks Kaylee, I think I'll be able to handle her," I laughed as Jack took the towel and did a double take. "Wow!" Jack exclaimed. "Corrine did a real number on you! I almost didn't recognize you." "Thanks, Commander, how very flattering of you," the attendant deadpanned. "Can't you see she's getting ready to retire, Jack? You can't do that looking like your nineteen, you know!" Alice scolded our Ex-O. As was becoming common practice, Akane's mouth dropped open and she began to stare at us. I sighed. "Yes, Akane, she is one of us. Kaylee Andrews, meet Akane Moritsu. Kaylee is one of my crew," I told her, as I looked her straight in the eyes. "Because we live so long, every so often we must appear to 'retire'." I paused, but decided to explain further when she still didn't look like she was getting it. "As time goes by, we must make ourselves look older, as if actually aging normally, but there comes a point where makeup and Corrine Masterson's handy work can no longer be effective. That is the time when we 'retire' from one life and re-enter society as our true youthful selves to begin a new life. A new life, Akane, can be as 'new' as you'd like but, I can tell you that is the most depressing part of our long life, though." I let out another heavy sigh as I thought about my future husband, Sandy. "Losing or leaving a mate is the worst part of this whole thing. It isn't so upsetting when they choose the Mahanilui, at least you get to keep the friendship, but if they refuse and pass away..." As hard as I tried, I couldn't halt my tears. "Oh Alex, you're going to ruin your makeup. Here," Kaylee said in a motherly tone as she handed me a tissue. I forced a smile. "Thanks." "In this time period, Alex has already lost one husband to old age and just married her second," I heard Jack telling Akane, who apparently was staring again. A minute went by as I composed myself. "Let's get this mission back on track," I declared as I first leaned down to hug Kaylee then reached into my purse and dropped another twenty in the tips basket. "Thank you much, ma'am," she replied as we quickly exited the women's lavatory. 2010hrs, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 9th, 2011 "I see you two found some friends, Alex," Admiral Demmit said looking just a little surprised. "Admiral. It's so good to see you again, sir," Alice bubbled. She leaned over and placed a very non-regulation-like kiss on the old man's cheek. Uncle Rick turned a deep shade of crimson at the unexpected greeting. "It's...it's nice to see you too, Lt. Wesnuski," Demmit stuttered. Realizing her mistake, Alice stepped back and went to attention. "Sorry, sir, I forgot where I was for a moment. "At ease, Lieutenant," Uncle Rick smiled. "Have you and Ensign..." He squinted slightly to read Akane's nameplate. "Moritsu had something to eat?" "We both just ate breakfast, Admiral Demmit," Akane told him shyly then looked around at us in embarrassment. "What? You haven't eaten since breakfast?" he said loud enough for those around us to hear. "That's intolerable!" He declared, covering for the girl's foul-up. "I insist you two sit down at once and at least have some desert." Uncle Rick motioned for our waiter as he stood and borrowed two more chairs from the neighboring, unoccupied table. We all took our seats. "The ladies and I will have some desert. Commanders', what suits your fancy?" he said looking to Jack and I. "Um...I'll just have a single scoop of chocolate ice cream with a little whipped cream and a cherry," I said with a smile. "I think I'll have the same, if you don't mind," Jack requested. "Lt. Wesnuski? What'll it be?" Uncle Rick smiled at Alice. Our waiter looked at Alice attentively. "I'd um...I'd like a small strawberry sundae, please?" The waiter moved his attention to Akane and patiently waited. "Ensign, will you be having desert today?" he asked politely after a few long seconds. Akane cautiously looked around the table. Uncle Rick smiled deviously as he rested his chin on his interlocked fingers, elbows resting on the table. "Um...would it be okay if I..." Akane blushed. "If I...um...ordered a rice pudding and large glass of sake?" she asked the Admiral in a timid voice. Uncle Rick began to chuckle and nodded to the waiter. "I'll have another draft," He added. "I'll have those out in just a few minutes, thank you, sirs," The waiter said politely and hurried off. Admiral Demmit continued to chuckle, wiping his eyes a few times. "Akane, ease up a little," he told the girl, wiping his eyes once more. "We're all grown-ups here and while in that uniform you're an officer in the United States Navy. You're allowed to order anything you want." Uncle Rick paused a moment and looked toward me. "Provided, of course, Admiral Covington is paying," he continued with a wink. It was my turn to blush now. I quickly brought up my HUD and changed my nameplate, but left my rank stand at Commander. Uncle Rick did a double take, noticing the subtle change. His attention moved back to his newest Ensign. "Ens. Moritsu, although quite endearing, being so shy and submissive will not communicate your rank or its authority to the enlisted under your command. I recommend that you cut the frightened little girl act and show some pride in being an officer in this country's military!" he growled. "Yes, Admiral," she replied in a small voice. "How's that again, Ens. Moritsu?" "Ay...aye, sir...Admiral Demmit." "That's better, Ensign. Maybe Lt. Wesnuski can help you with your command voice when you return to your boat?" He said looking at Alice. "Aye, sir. Lt. Cmdr. Moritsu and I will make it our standing priority, Admiral," Alice responded as her eyes quickly targeted our waiter approaching. "Now...who had the rice pudding and sake?" the waiter asked with a smile. "That would be me, young man," Akane announced with more authority than I'd heard since her Mahanilui. She could have done without the 'young man' portion, though. The waiter was well into his thirties I estimated. "Aye, ma'am. Let me know if you need a refill," he said with the same smile and proceeded to serve the rest of us. "Will there be anything else, sirs?" our waiter asked as he began to clear off our table. "I'll take the check over here," I said with a wave of my finger. I pulled my military ID and credit card from my shoulder bag and handed it to him. "I'll take care of this right away, Comm..." He stared at my ID and stopped suddenly. "Admiral? Admiral Covington?" His eyes quickly shot to my collar. "But your rank..." "Have you ever heard of a surprise inspection, sailor?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Y...eesss....yes, ma'am...er Admiral!" "Well, is there some problem with my credit or credentials on this base then?" "No, Admiral. None whatsoever." "Good! I think a twenty-two percent gratuity should suffice for your excellent service, don't you?" I asked with a bright smile. "Aye, ma'am. Thank you, Admiral. I'll take care of this immediately and be right back, Admiral," our flustered waiter said as he scurried off. "I hope you were taking notes, Ens. Moritsu," Uncle Rick asked Akane. "Well done, Alex. Keep that up and one day you WILL make Admiral," he laughed. Jack choked while sipping her glass of water. Only a couple of minutes later I was handed my card and ID and thanked profusely for our patronage. "So, what's the plan for the rest of the night, Alex?" Uncle Rick asked as he helped me then the others from our chairs. "We find a safe place to phase out, Uncle Rick, then we jump over to the Museum," I told him as he held one of the OC's entrance doors open for us. "Just jump, Alex?" Jack asked innocently. "And ahead a few hours. Is that okay with you, Akane-kun?" I asked, answering Jack's question and seeing Akane's now perpetual stare. "And we brought her along for...what exactly?" Jack asked me in confusion. "So we can keep an eye on her, of course," I giggled. "Why? What is to happen to me, Commander?" Akane asked in terrified alarm. I couldn't help but quote an author from Alex Covington's memory- Arthur C. Clark. "Something wonderful." "If that isn't cryptic!" Uncle Rick growled as he shook his head. "Alex, just once I'd like to hear a straight answer from you. Will that ever happen?" "Yes," I replied, watching his expression for a minute. He still looked annoyed. I giggled. "You missed it, sir." "Missed what?" "The straight answer," I giggled. 'He just called you a 'smart ass', Alex.' Jack thought to me. 'It was all in good fun anyway, Jack.' I thought back as I giggled some more. 'So what is going to happen to Akane, Alex?' 'She receives her gift.' I thought back to her. 'So soon? And that would be what...precisely?' 'It comes in two parts, Jack.' "Got it, Cap, I won't ask anymore," she said out loud in frustration. Our companions stopped and looked at the two of us in confusion- well, everyone but Akane. She just continued staring at us. Finding a nice, quiet alcove, we joined hands. The inside of the Pacific Aviation Museum- Hangar 37- appeared around us. "Remain holding hands, please. This mission is about to really start," I announced as I glanced casually at 'Kramer' standing a few paces away. As much as I wanted 'Kramer' to animate tonight, I knew that couldn't happen. "The dummy stays as such tonight, Jack," I said sternly. "Aw, come on!" "No, Jack, hands off Kramer! I have something even more spooky in store for my Mind Warrior," I said as I guided our party around the Mitchell bomber. "Alice, have you ever sat in the pilot's seat of one of these?" I asked. "Actually, yes. I've been in the cockpit of a B25 at an air show once with a boyfriend, Alex. Why?" She replied. "It's co-pilot might appear to be looking out at his surroundings tonight," I stated cryptically before turning us around and moving us further back into the museum. "So where is this toy of Ricky Lynn's going to appear, Alex?" Uncle Rick asked impatiently. "Oh, that will be on the second floor in Hangar 79," I answered. "So why are we in here?" We have to give proof that ghosts might really exist, Uncle," I giggled. "And just how do we do that?" "Ya, won't Mrs. Scott get upset with us?" Uncle Rick's mouth opened in response to Jack's question. "Jack, see that bench over there?" I asked my first officer. "Yes." "When we return to this hangar later tonight, there will be three flashlights set up on it." "Ya...so?" "So, Miss Cummins, I'd like you to play with them for the camera," I told her before tugging gently on the two hands holding mine and walking our group to another location within the smaller of the two buildings. "Akane, see that hanger door over there?" She took time out from staring at me to nod her head. "I want you to bang on it later on when I tell you, okay?" "How am I going to do that if we are...um...phased out, Commander?" She asked in doubt. "I guess you'll just have to make use of your gift, hun," I replied flatly. "What gift?" "The one brewin' inside just waitin' to split y'all apart, hun," I answered in a slightly sarcastic tone. "I'm sorry I asked, Commander!" she groused. "Akane-kun?" I asked nicely. "What did I do now?" Her tone hadn't changed. "I would appreciate it if y'all called me 'Alex', hun." My newest sister scowled at me. At least it was a change from her continual staring or jaw dropping! "Akane-kun?" I asked again. "What now?" she snapped. "I'm not kidding, hun," I said seriously. "That was your hint...the only one you'll get. You figure the rest out for yourself." Akane's expression lightened as she thought about what I'd just said. "So...am I to split into a good half and a bad half? Is that it?" she asked sarcastically. "Let's try for two halves of the same good, hun," I said with a smile as I nodded a few times. Uncle Rick, Alice, and Jack all looked at me like I was crazy. "What? Like that should really surprise any of you?" I asked them in amazement. "Gemini," Uncle Rick mumbled to himself. I now knew how much of Reilly's archives the old man had scanned through- not that I hadn't already known. "Let's move on to the next location," I announced, indicating the topic closed. Hangar 79 appeared around us. The absence of any light through the huge, multi-paned windows confirmed that it was dark outside. All lights in the place suddenly extinguished save for the red emergency exit signs at the doors. "Why did the lights just go out?" Akane asked in surprise. "All the better to hunt ghosts, Akane-kun," I said with a grin. "Didn't you know that paranormals, poltergeists, and the lot only come out at night?" I continued with a giggle. "So how are we going to see anything around here, Alex?" Uncle Rick grumbled. "Our Reilly's should start to compensate in a few seconds, sir. We'll be able to see as if a drab, colorless day," I reassured my uncle...and Akane. "Oh." True to my word, after a moment we could once again see our surroundings, albeit slightly washed out and gray-tinged. Like a faded, black and white movie, I thought to myself. 2200hrs, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 9th, 2011 "In three, two, one. This is Keith, Brian, and Rob starting our investigation here in hangar 79," Keith Fox said, speaking into a small device of some sort as the three men and accompanying camera crew entered the huge hanger. We had just ported over from hangar 37 several minutes ago to explain what I needed done here and were walking up the steps to the storage area on the second floor. Our Reilly suits were functioning perfectly allowing us to see the many obstructions and aircraft in the darkness of the very large space. "We'll stand here and allow them to go past," I informed my group. The paranormal investigators were starting up the stairs we had just topped. "Hey...anyone in here?" the heavier man, Brian, asked, as he appeared first on the second floor. I motioned us off to the side some more so they wouldn't walk through any of us. The three men walked the length of the floor making comments about all the miscellaneous parts and items that had been stored here over the years. All three took up position at the window-sized openings in the wall that looked out over the main hangar floor. "Hey, its December 9th, 2011. Does someone remember what happened here on December 7th, 1941?" The blonde-haired guy, Keith Fox, asked loudly as he, Rob, and Brian looked around then approached a waist-high wall. They all leaned on it and looked down onto the main hangar floor. "Son, we all remember what happened that morning! None of us could ever forget!" Uncle Rick groused loudly. Akane stared at him with eyes as round as saucers! "They can't hear you, sir," I reminded... more for her benefit. "Sorry- an automatic response, Alex," he apologized. "Jack, we need them somewhere else so we can look around up here." "Aye, Cap," she responded as I felt two of her fingers loosen their grip and extend to walk in the air. "Wait! What's going on down there? Did you hear that, guys?" Rob asked from where the three men stood a short distance away. "It sounded like somebody running away from us," Keith confirmed. "What? Up here with us? Where is there to run?" Brian asked. "No, it sounded like someone running away from us down there," Keith answered, pointing down to the main floor. "Yo, guys, this K2 device just went crazy. It's been quiet since we came in here and it just went crazy as we heard the footsteps!" "Holy shit, Keith!" Brian replied in astonishment. Jack did her little finger walking thing again. "There it is again!" Keith said suddenly as he pointed down. "This thing just went crazy again, guys," Rob said as the cameraman pointed the unit's lens at the small device the short, heavy-set man was holding. "Rob, you and Brian stay up here. I'm going down there to see what's going on here." "Be careful and watch the steps, Keith." "Good job, Jack," I praised. "Great improvisation, Alice," I added. "But I didn't do anything, Alex," Alice informed me. "They're just imagining a shadow or two, Cap," Jack explained, almost with a giggle. "It just doesn't seem right to be teasing these guys, Alex. I mean, they really take the paranormal seriously and treat each investigation professionally and scientifically. I've watched their show on occasion and they've never jumped to assumptions or faked anything for publicity like some of the other 'investigative' shows," Alice argued. "I don't think we should be here either, Commander," Akane whispered conspiratorially. "I'd rather be someplace else." Jack suddenly giggled quietly to herself. "Keith! What was that in the window over there! I saw a shadow of a man's head! It totally filled one whole pane on the bottom row," the young man named Rob called out suddenly. "Which one," Keith asked from down on the main floor? "Over in those windows. The shadow filled the entire pane on the bottom- most row," Rob repeated, shining his flashlight beam toward the mentioned window. "Don't do that. You'll scare whoever away or at the least alert them," Brian warned. "Sorry, I forgot. I just got so excited," Rob apologized. Both he and Brian hurried down the metal stairs and rejoined Keith. "Good job, Jack. Let's look around up here," I said as I tried to turn the group around. "From what I've foreseen, Ricky Lynn's toy should appear over here somewhere," I continued once we were all facing the right direction. "Something's different though." I paused, looking around us to make sure we were indeed in the right spot. "It doesn't look cluttered enough...like only half of the stuff I saw is here." "Maybe this is the wrong day or year?" Jack asked cautiously. "No Jack, I'm quite certain its tonight." "Sorry, it was just a thought, Cap." "Commander, I...IIII don't feel so good," Akane said quietly. Her grip on my hand tightened significantly. "You'll be fine, hun. Alice, I need you to take the Admiral's hand so that Akane is on the end. She's going to need some room," I told them calmly as four pairs of eyes suddenly targeted on me. "Jack, where are the boys?" "Ma'am, I REALLY don't feel right!" Akane complained weakly. I felt her hand start to shake as she tightened her grip even more. "They just went outside to check out the shadow in the window, Alex. Why?" She asked as Alice and Uncle Rick completed rearranging themselves. "Arrrrgh!" Akane screamed out in extreme pain as she double over, become fuzzy and out of focus for a moment then double in width. "What in blazes?" Uncle Rick gasped out in disbelief. "What just happened to me?" Akane asked in stereo. She turned to the sound of her own voice- to the Akane suddenly standing right next to her. "Who are you," they both asked at exactly the same time? "Hey...Why are you copying me?" "I'm not copying you; you're copying me." "No I'm not, you started this!" "No I didn't, you started it." "I did not!" "Yes, you did." "Stop that!" "No, you stop it." The bickering went on like that for another minute- still much too long, if you ask me- neither girl gaining an edge or word otherwise. "Both of you stop it!" I shouted, shaking my head to clear out the migraine I knew to be building. "This is your gift, Akane. You can be in two places at one time...without my help, hun." "I can?" both Akane's asked in unison as both stared at me slack-jawed. "Yes you can, hun, and more...provided you two aren't too far apart," I told them both. "But how is this possible, Commander?" they both asked. "What if we can't get back to normal?" "Just pull yourself together, hun," I stated evenly. "I am far from hysterical, Commander Steinert!" both answered. "No, hun, you just pull yourself back together. That's how you return to a single entity. Try it." "It's just that easy? Just pull myself together and I become one again? Real..." Both Akane's blurred a second and when she refocused her doppelganger was nowhere to be found. "I'm warnin' ya now, hun, stop starin' at me like I have two heads!" I warned as my newest sister stared incredulously up at me. A smile came to my face as I thought about that. Akane now fit the bill better than any of us in that respect. Akane's eyes lowered to the floor. "Did I...did I just...just kill her?" I rolled my eyes. "No, hun, she's here whenever you want her to be. You never have to be alone again, Akane-kun." "Can I have her back, please, Empress?" Her manner of address made her sound about eight years old. I glared at her. "Just think of splitting yourself up, hun." Again the woman's form blurred and two Akane's again stood side by side, holding each other's hand. Akane, both of them, looked relieved as they stared at each other. "So now what do we do- stand here and hold hands, Commander?" they both asked together. "Akane-kun...the Akane on the end...let go of your sister's hand, please," I requested calmly. "Why should I release my hand? They'll see me when I phase back in. You, yourself, claim that will happen," the outermost Akane complained. "Trust me, hun, just let go of your twin and trust me," I told them with just a hint of annoyance. I had already given them more information about their gift than I did any other member of my crew to date. With trepidation, the two Akanes parted and continued to stare at each other. Neither did it for too long before nervously looking away from the other. "Now you both know how I feel about the constant staring," I growled in triumph, but continued. "Akune, try to hold onto the stair railing, please." "Who is Akune?" they both asked in unison. "You," I nodded to the freestanding woman. When separate, you are Akune and the one holding my hand, the original Akane, is Akane. Please try to grab the railing and the concept, Akune," I asked again. The twin passed her hand through the steel railing cleanly and began marveling at her hand. "She's like me!" Alice Wesnuski announced proudly. "Not quite, hun. While one of you, Akane, is phased, the other also remains phased, whereas Alice can only project her image phased or not. Akune will be tangible when Akane is tangible." "So what use is this?" Akane asked rudely as Akune just looked over to me in amazement. "Akune, come over and take the Admiral's hand," I asked. Uncle Rick gently extended his hand and took the twin's. He quietly observed the woman's hand with interest. "Alice, release the Admiral's hand please," I requested. She complied cautiously. "Uncle, could you try to grab the rail too?" "It went right through. Alex, this is amazing," he exclaimed. "So, what this means, Akane, is that we can split our group in two and cover twice the ground as before," I said happily as I glared at the girl still holding my hand. Before she had a chance to gripe anymore, I gave my orders. "Admiral, you, Alice, and Akune stay with the three gentlemen. They will be heading over to Hangar 37. Jack will keep in constant communication with you. Jack? You and I will stay here to watch for the CDA's arrival. Alice, you can do your thing in the Mitchell's cockpit, but don't overdo it." The old man nodded as he and Akune came back and took Alice's hand. Alice seemed reluctant to release Jack's hand. "You'll be fine, hun. As long as Akane holds my hand y'all'll stay phased out." "Aye, skip." Jack, Akane, and I watched as the threesome disappeared down the stairs. "You never told me about all the things my gift would let me do, Alex," Jack said in a somewhat catty tone. "I still don't know what our limits are, Miss Cummins," I admitted quietly. "Any of us." "Oh." We continued to look around the second level for a few minutes...despite Akane's continuous staring, before we were rejoined in the huge building. "Alright, let's get this started. This is Angela and Neil investigating Hangar 79," a female voice announced from the far end of the main hangar floor. A young man and young woman, again with an accompanying film crew, walked toward the center of the hangar using only their two flashlights to avoid the equipment. The entourage stopped about thirty yards away from us down on the main floor. I instinctively moved us back a step. "Hey, who's up there? Did you hear that, Ang?" Neil asked excitedly. "Sorry, Alex, I accidently bumped something on the floor," Jack apologized. "I heard, what was that?" Angela replied as she looked around. "And just how did you do that, Jack, we're still phased out?" I asked with contempt. "I was just seeing if I could move something like this..." "We're the only ones in here, so what was that?" The young woman asked again. "I'm not sure, but it sounded like it came from up there," Neil replied as he pointed his flashlight up past us into the rafters. I felt Akane's grip tighten. "Am I going to have to take you home, Jack?" I growled. "Sorry," She whispered as down below, the young woman, Angela began to speak. "Keith suggested I try to inform...them...what year it really is. I'm not sure that's needed in this case though. You would think whoever remains knows full well what happened," Angela debated with her partner. "Wouldn't hurt to try, Ang. Maybe, since it was a surprise attack, whoever is here with us was surprised also and telling the current date or reminding them of what happened might release them?" Neil suggested. There was no reply from below us for a moment. "If you didn't know, the year is now 2011." She paused. "It's been seventy years since the surprise attack; a lot of time has passed," she paused again, "but we...our country still remembers what happened here. A lot of good men died here...many never realized what was going on before they died. We beat the attackers and we thank you for everything you did for us...and sacrificed for us." In the dim illumination of their flashlights, I could see the two turning around, looking intently about the large hangar for some indication or reason for the noises they heard. I glared at Jack. A flash of light went off somewhere to our left. Had the CDA made its appearance? We turned back in time to see the man, Neil, turned toward us, but pointing off to our left. Angela followed his arm and pointed too. "Did you see that? That's the first time I've seen anything like that, Ang!" Neil asked. "Ya. It was like a flash of light from somewhere," Angela replied as both stood looking perplexed for a moment. "What the hell is go..." Angela said, but stopped as they both started to walk toward us and out of our line of sight. "Angela for Driscoll and Baker," we heard from below us. "Go for Tony...and Driscoll," a man's voice responded from the radio she carried. "Hey, are you guys out in the trailer right now?" "Ya, whatcha need?" "Can you guys shine a flashlight, out one of the windows toward the hangar from the trailer?" "We'd have to go outside, Ang, there's no windows on the hangar side of this trailer," came the response. "Huh?" Neil asked in alarm. "Are they serious?" he asked again quickly, visibly excited. "How long ago did you guys go out there?" "Twenty minutes or so...why." "You shittin' me?" Neil asked yet again with even more excitement. "What did we just see?" "Exactly twenty-three minutes ago. That's according to our digital recorder." "Daaaamn," Angela replied slowly. "Its incredible!" Neil exclaimed, now barely able to contain his excitement. "What the hell did we just see?" Angela asked. "No idea, Angela," Neil admitted. "What could be up there? Maybe a smoke detector or some other flashing device?" Angela asked, her volume increasing slightly. "I've been looking up there, and I haven't seen any other flashes since, Angela! This is sick!" Neil added. "Tony's going to go outside and shine his flashlight around," the radio announced. "Great idea, Drisk. Have him shine it at the hangar windows and we'll watch," Angela said to the radio as Neil nodded excitedly. "Okay, we're pointing both our flashlights but we can't see any windows on this side of the building." "That's what we're seeing in here, there's no windows! We have no idea how there could be a flash of light up there," Angela replied back. "We'll shine our lights up there but increase our sweep. Maybe there's a little hole that is aligned just right to the airport's flight path. We're doing it now, do you see anything?" the voice on the radio asked. "Nothing." "Looks like you got a good one, Ang," the radio responded. "I don't 'F-in' believe it. What the hell is up there?" Angela groused. The two investigators continued to look around the hangar for several minutes. "Baker for Angela and Neil," the radio called out. "You got us, Tony." "Angela, Driscoll and I are going to go get the new Full Spectrum camera and bring it in. Hopefully we'll be able to catch what you saw if it happens again. Give us a few minutes to get that and a clamshell and we'll be right in to set it up." "Okay, sounds like a good idea. We'll be waiting." "Don't just wait, keep looking around." "So why did you do that, Alex?" Jack asked. "I didn't do a thing, hun," I admitted. "Then who did it? There's not that many people in here, so if not you or them," Jack pointed down to the man and woman standing fifty feet in front and twenty below us, "...then who?" "Could it have been the CDA?" Jack submitted after a slight pause. "It probably was, Jack," I confirmed. "Apparently Ricky Lynn's toy is slightly unstable. I think it just blinked in for a split- second...undoubtedly it will make its true appearance in a few minutes," I told her as I nudged us back over to the suspected location for its appearance. "I knew this was the spot," I announced as Jack, Akane, and I stopped and looked to the floor. A circular, 'clean' spot about ten feet across revealed the true shades of colors, washed out as they were by our night vision, of the debris before us. "That's why I wasn't sure about the location earlier." Jack and Akane looked at me expecting me to continue. "Remember when I said the place didn't look cluttered enough?" I paused. Jack nodded. "It's because the CDA hadn't picked up the other debris yet. Apparently, Ricky Lynn's toy is part packrat." "Packrat, Alex?" Jack asked raising an eyebrow to my declaration. "When it appeared it takes things with it...like it has flypaper on its bottom, but left everything here. It's dimensionally dirty as well, Jack!" "I take it that picking up dimensional dust isn't a good thing, right?" "It wasn't just dust, Jack, it copied some things, and does the phrase 'contaminating the timeline' make any sense?" "You mean like if it picked something important up from this time or another dimension and dropped it in say...the dark ages or something?" "Astute as usual, hun," I winced at that thought. Imagine a fifty cal. machine gun or a plasma rifle showing up in some ancient village somewhere in Europe! "You are talking about possibly changing history, Alex?" Akane asked incredulously. "Or the future, hun. Things aren't always going to get more technical, you know. Civilizations tend to devolve into simpler societies after they fall apart." "And just how would we know that, Empress?" "You'll just have to trust me on that, Akane-kun." "Alex, the Admiral, Alice, and Akune are on their way back. Alice reports two of the three investigators are returning." 0035hrs, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 10th, 2011 "Jack, make it sound like some kind of animal is trying to get in the hangar door. Hopefully that will draw them away long enough for the rest of our group to join up with us." Immediately it sounded like something was scratching or digging at the huge door. Keith and Brian's group moved away from the stairs. "Thanks, Miss Cummins, but if we're still phased out that really wasn't necessary," Alice said as they rejoined us on the second floor. "I'm not sure if that device they're holding can see us or not, hun. Best not to take chances," I told her, still not sure if their 'K-2' meter had actually picked up on Jack's gift at close range. "Aye, skip." There was a loud commotion at the huge hangar door again. "Going a bit overboard aren't we, Commander?" I asked off-handedly. "If I had done that, Cap, but I didn't," Jack replied. Akane's head drooped as if caught at something. "I think I did it, Commander," she admitted timidly. "Akane Moritsu, as you are well aware, I'm the only one here that can affect things with her mind." "That isn't...quite...the case, Jack," I said slowly as I winced. Akane was ahead of schedule, I realized. "Akane's secondary gift is that of mimicry, meaning she can emulate whomever she is in contact with; my gift of phasing...your gift of telekinesis..." I felt a temporal shift and quickly compensated. The others apparently noticed too. I continued. "My gift of temporal relocation." Akane's mouth dropped open. "Did I just do what it felt like I did, Empress?" she asked in awe, as she slowly looked up at me in sheer fright. "You tell me, hun, what did it feel like to you?" She remained quiet for a few moments as she considered her new talents. "Please take me back to the hotel suite, Empress. I do not wish to jeopardize your mission. I do not deserve the gifts given me." Immediately there was only one of her. "Please take me home, I beg you, mighty Empress!" "Since when am I 'The Mighty Empress', hun?" I asked in amusement. "I don't recall ever introducing myself in that most regal of context." I noticed Uncle Rick staring at the hand now holding Akane's and not Akune's. He looked somewhat pale after he and Alice were forcibly pulled closer to the right by one person. "Empress, this...this power I have just felt, even for such a brief instant...it's...it is much more dangerous than any normal woman can ever hope to control...or comprehend! How do you contain it all?" Akane asked- her voice shaking terribly. I was at a loss for words. I had, on occasion, wondered just that myself. Images of a not too distant mission surged up from the padlocked depths of my mind. "Cap? Who's Andora and what relation is she to you?" Jack asked in confusion. "The image I just saw looks like you to a tee." "Who, Jack?" I asked, caught off guard by the strange name, only vaguely recalling it. I quickly pushed the memories of that mission back into the super- fortified, maximum security, prison from whence they escaped! "It was such a peaceful looking place, Empress. Was it another planet?" Akane asked, not quite sure she was actually seeing the visions. Keith and Brian interrupted us as they came up the stairs to the second level. "If there's some kind of animal up here we'll flush it out," Brian whispered. "I'm not getting anything at all on the thermal camera up here," Keith whispered in disappointment to his partner a minute or two later. "Now that we've came up here there's..." Brian began, still whispering. "Nothing! No sound or anything!" Keith interrupted, still looking around. "I think we should probably head back down to the main floor and see if its just playing games with us- taunting us," he continued. "Ya...got it...see if it happens again." Let's go back over to Hangar 37. I think its time Jack had some fun," I suggested and our location changed around us. Two men were now with the young woman, Angela, standing in front of a wooden bench. The second man I recognized as Rob, from Keith and Brian's group earlier. They must switch their team members around, I thought. "So...I don't know if you've seen us do this flashlight thing...um...technique, we like to use multiple flashlights instead of just one. It tends to validate that something or someone is actually trying to communicate with us. Also, we can be more specific in our requests and say 'if yes, turn on the one on the left; if no, turn on the one on the right," Angela said, apparently to Rob. He must have been the newest member of the crew. Jack's face broke out in a huge, evil smile. "Don't go overboard, Commander," I warned with an equally evil grin. Angela's group stepped back and began staring intently at the three flashlights. She then unknowingly, personally, invited Jack to play. "Um...If there's someone in here with us, we have an easy way for you to talk to us? We brought some flashlights here...maybe you call them torches? The way you turn them on is by twisting the top ever so slightly? Can you try to do that for us?" The flashlight on their left immediately came on. The three jumped with a start! "Oh...my...God! That was crazy! I've never seen that happen so quick before," One of the men, Rob, exclaimed. "Okay. I think we got someone's attention," Angela said. "That's textbook," one of the men said quietly. Angela laughed slightly. "That WAS pretty fast." "Can you turn it off now? Just turn it the opposite way," The same man asked. "Is that all they want?" Jack scoffed. "Jack, humor them, please?" I begged her. "Can you turn the flashlight back off for us? Just twist it the other direction." Jack scoffed again. "Impatient, aren't they? These are parlor tricks, Cap," She complained. The flashlight turned off. "Yes!" Angela said calmly rubbing another flashlight in her hands excitedly. "That's...wow...that's pretty wild...You really think someone's doing that? "Rob commented. "Ya...I think they are," Angela giggled gleefully. "Now that we know you can turn these on, we can start asking you questions. Would you be willing to answer some questions for us?" The flashlight on the left lit momentarily. "Who are you? Are you one of the men who died here?" "This is silly, Alex," Jack protested. "Are you the one people say they see sitting on this ben..." Angela continued but stopped abruptly as the left flashlight began to roll toward the middle one. The flashlight audibly clicked against its neighbor. "Holy shit, it just moved!" "Jack!" I barked. "Akane! The Captain said not to go overboard!" Jack growled. "I just wanted to see if..." "That's not the point, Akane! The Empress sees and tells us to do things for a specific reason...reasons that protect the time line and our futures." "Its okay, Jack. That was one of those specifics that could have gone either way. Akane, please refrain from anymore 'urges'." "As you wish, Commander, but it was fun." "I'm sure it was, but may I remind you that it's not polite to upstage the reigning Mind Warrior," I giggled slightly as Jack glared first at me then back at Akane. The man, whom we found out was named Driscoll, went to the bench and reset the flashlight to its original position. This time Jack giggled evilly. "Hey! It just did it again!" Angela laughed excitedly as she moved her flashlight beam to the bench. "It moved again?" Rob interrupted. "Okaaayyy? Are you playing games...with us?" Driscoll asked. "Sir...you have no idea what fun we could have!" Jack answered with an evil laugh. "It did it twice in a row," Angela said sounding a bit awed. "Was there just a mild earthquake or something? Something we didn't feel...unless," She paused. "Unless there really is someone playing games here. Let me try something that seemed to work over in the other hangar, guys." "You know we're aware of what happened here...and we want you to know we're very respectful of everything that's in this room...everything it represents...everything you've done." "Jack...Akane, don't do it!" I warned the two seeing the challenge coming. "Don't do what, Alex?" Jack asked. "I wonder if he...they can move this mannequin?" Rob asked as he turned around toward Kramer, who was posed with both hands holding one of the B-25's starboard propeller blades. "That, Jack. Don't do it- no matter how much you're tempted," I warned again. Angela and Driscoll turned around and all three waited for a moment. I could feel Jack and Akane's hands tighten as they both fought the urge. All three paranormal investigators waited a moment before turning back toward the bench. To my dismay, the mannequin's head started to turn toward the investigators. "Jack!" I hissed. The head reached its original position just as Rob looked back. I hoped against all hope that the camera crew hadn't caught it in frame. Jack huffed her disapproval. I rolled my eyes. "Kramer...dude, so help me God, if you walk up behind me...turn your head around in full circles...or even smile at me..." Rob warned. "I'm warning you Jack!" I growled. "That goes double for you, Akane!" The three investigators turned around to look at Kramer again Angela laughed. "You...you really don't like that thing standing back there." "Are you crazy? No! I don't...I do not like standing here in the dark with a haunted mannequin behind me! I mean...who would like that?" Rob replied looking a little shaken. 0335hrs, Honolulu, Hawaii, December 10th, 2011 "This is Keith, Brian, Rob...Pacific Aviation Museum...This is thirty- seven, right?" "Hangar...37?" "Yep, Hangar 37. Are you getting tired already, K?" Brian confirmed as they walked. His partner jerked his head to the side quickly as if shaking off some fatigue. "It's the six hour time difference. Its like early morning back home in Florida. Hey, we're already getting a lot of K-2 fluctuation, just so you know. So I think we're not alone in here," Keith said "Ya, if I remember right this is where they say that soldier walks through- this lobby," Rob informed the other two. "Let me get behind the desk over there for a better vantage point...oh, wow...the first thing I notice is that huge glass wall there," Brian pointed across the briefing table. Oh ya," Rob agreed. "With that much glass, it could...it could be reflections making them see apparition in the gift shop, but Anne said he was specifically seen in this area, right?" "Ya, according to her, he was seen walking right through this lobby," Rob replied. "I couldn't...I can't see how you could mistake that. Wait! Did you hear that?" Alice, I know we're out of phase, but try not to walk partially in the wall?" I asked as we left the three investigators in the lobby and proceeded out and past the display of a crashed Zero. I was trying to pinpoint the temporal disruption my tiara had been picking up for the last minute or so. "Shhh!" Keith interrupted from the lobby just as Akane, I think, moved a palm frond out of Alice's way. It brushed back against another frond making a sound similar to petticoats brushing together. "It just sounded like somebody walked...like clothes rubbing together, fffff, fffff," he said, his voice getting slightly louder as he appeared checking the hallway to this part of the museum. "Anybody here?" "Let's walk around the exhibit one more time," Brian suggested and we waited and followed along at a comfortable distance. "Are these the actual remains of a Zero?" Rob asked as their flashlights illuminated the display. "That's what the plaque says...it's actually debris from a crashed Japanese Zero," Brian acknowledged. I decided we should skirt the investigators and stopped our group by the display of a restored Zero fronted by a low bamboo fence. We waited while our Spirit hunting friends checked out the Zero wreckage. "Commander, do you think that might be my father's over there?" "I can't tell you, because I don't know, hun. As miraculous as it is, my gift doesn't allow me to walk on water. The battle of Midway, where your father supposedly got shot down, was an air battle fought mostly over the open ocean. Anything shot down most likely sank and was not recovered. "Oh...so you really don't know if father really died there?" she asked sadly. "I'm sorry, hun, but there are limits to my precognitive ability. I wouldn't hesitate to let you know...or even nudge things a little..." "Please, Empress...let the dead rest. I have accepted father's disappearance and moved on a long time ago." I nodded my understanding. "Akane, time to split up again, hun," I told her after a few moments. She nodded. Immediately, Akane shimmered and Akune sprung from her left side, bumping Uncle Rick and Alice over one person. "Whoa!" Brian exclaimed from not far off. "It looked like somethin' just moved over there. "Where?" Keith asked. "Right...right in front of that bamboo fence." My entire group turned slightly to see the mentioned bamboo railing behind us. "Woops, gotta move, people!" I ordered as I pulled and pushed my entourage smartly to port. "What...like an animal?" we heard Rob ask. "No, taller than it! Humaniod...I think," Brian answered as they hurried over to the display we now quickly moved away from. "Right here...looked like it just went wooop, at about that high," Brian indicated to the spot where Akane was previously standing, motioning at the height of our newest sister. "They saw us, Commander!" Akane and Akune cried together. "Your split must partially disrupt my phasing," I theorized. "You three best get over to Hangar 79. Jack, Akane and I will be over in a few minutes," I suggested then added. "Watch out for the QDA. I've seen that it will disrupt our phasing a few times before it actually arrives, Akune. When that happens, all or a portion of each of you will become visible. Uncle Rick, Alice, halt any conversation if Akune says she feels the slightest twinge of a phase shift. Your voices might be recorded on that sensitive equipment these people use. Remember, right now Akune shares Jack's telepathic ability- so use your minds to keep in communication. And you, young lady," I glared and pointed to the Moritsu twins, "try to fight the urge to move things! That just might present unwanted evidence." "Aye, Alex. Maintain silence unless necessary," Uncle Rick repeated before either girl could argue...or even stare back in defiance. Akune looked at me for a moment or two after cautiously releasing her twin's hand. "Um, Empress?" she began. "Um, could I port us over to the other hangar just this once? I...I promise I won't ever ask to do it again." I rolled my eyes. "Just minutes ago you almost went into a panic when you found out you could borrow my gift, now you want to try it?" I asked in amazement. "Yes, ma'am...just this once," she answered sheepishly. "Just don't jump universes, hun. I can't guarantee the borrowing effect goes that far." I watched as her mouth dropped open. She quickly recovered though. "Thank you, Empress," she said quietly as a smile came to her face and immediately fell. Nothing happened. "Well? I thought you were so eager to use my gift?" "Um," She started, looking to the floor, "I'm...I'm not quite sure how, sensei." Again I rolled my eyes, but then really thought about it. Did I really know how I did it? As far as I knew, I just thought about going someplace and pulled the trigger. Simple...right? Would she accept that explanation as viable? A memory of Alex Reilly explaining the process to me surfaced. I dispatched that immediately. "Think of the place and time you want to go then think of pushing a button to activate it, Akune," I told her, not quite believing my own words and hoping Jack wasn't paying attention. "Oh," she said before she, Alice, and Uncle Rick disappeared. "Why would Alex Reilly need to explain to you how to transit time and space, Alex?" I cringed slightly. "Long story for another time, Commander Cummins." "Aye, ma'am. So...what do we do now?" "You instruct Akane about your shields and how to use them when we get back by the hangar door, Jack." "Here? With those three in the same building?" She exclaimed as she turned to look at me- her mouth hanging wide open. "I thought we were going to keep the Empress secret?" "I also said certain things had to happen to provide them proof of the paranormal, Jack." 'But if Akane mistakenly pushes too much power into her shield, they might...!' Jack though to me. 'They might hear us, Jack?' I thought back as I smiled deviously. I felt Akane's grip tighten as we remained silent. Jack squinted at me a moment. "Aye, cap," she responded, finally understanding. A similar devious grin washed over her face. "So, Akane, I want you to think about shielding our conversation from the rest of the world," Jack