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The Empress transmits a special multimedia news report that explained the strange happenings and illnesses around the Homeworld. A 'Welcome to the Universe' party goes awry when Camille's mom and dad have a spat. What strange turn of events will the Empress of Time and Space experience this episode? Copyright: 2016, R.G. Beyer South of Bikini Season 5 Episode 5 "...Lest be Forgot..." 9:30PM, Alexis Reilly Residence, July 4th, 1461AE "What do you mean, 'Welcome to the sisterhood'?" Frances Darough croaked incredulously. "I'd like my second in command to be around for awhile, Franny. Our foundation has a lot of work to do now that Alexandra has so kindly saved our collective butts...er, I mean...ensured our civilization's continuence." Mom explained. "Alexis, I don't intend on going anywhere, anytime soon! I'm only fifty-five!" The elder Darough argued. "And I'm ONLY twelve hundred and fifteen! But thanks to Alexandra, we've all gotten a second chance and I intend to make it count for my remaining years, my friend! I'd like you to be here to see it through with me." Mom countered adamantly. Frances Darough's mouth hit the floor as mom dropped that little gem! "Aunt Alex?" My niece asked to get my attention. "Um...I just thought of something that I was going to bring, but left back on Terra Neuvo. I'll be right back, y'all." Alexandra promptly disappeared. "Young lady, I wish you would warn me before you simply snatch my hand and phase us out to go Lords-know-where! Have you even filled out the proper travel permits your Grandfather requires?" Alex Steinert's daughter, Alexis Fleming, chastised her youngest as she and Alexandra reappeared. Ma gasped in surprise! Frances Darough took another mouthful from her bottle of liquor, then quickly, another. "Hey kid; long time no see." Alex Steinert casually greeted her daughter. "Hey, mom, how y'all doin'?" Her Alexis replied obliviously, but suddenly stopped and slowly turned the hundred and ten degrees to her right. Her eyes grew logarithmically in size as she finally noticed her surroundings. "Aunt Alex?" My niece, Alexis, squeaked as she looked at everyone in the large room. She looked back to her daughter. "Alexandra! Where on Terra have you brought us?" "Welcome to Earth, honey!" I greeted happily. "Earth?!" What am I already doing here? Mother? What's going on?" Alexis asked trying to make sense out of what she saw. "Ma, Ah thought y'all could help us with a small problem. Ya see...we jus' gah'dun movin' the whole outside ah this here planet, an' we...Grandma , Auntie Alex, an' me...we was wonderin' if y'all could reset this here version ah you. She's in dire need ah a resyncin' after twelve hundred years or so. Please, ma?" My mother- Alexis Reilly- broke into tears and sought out my shoulder immediately. "Lady Alexis of this world, please allow me to fully introduce myself. I am Alexis of Terra Nuevo, daughter of Tibius, Grand High Counsel of Terra Nuevo, Legacy Grand High Counsel of Terra, daughter of her most charitable highness, Empress Alexandra Steinert-Fleming of Earth. This introduction is being tendered because of my daughter, her most charitable highn..." "Aw, give it a rest, ma!" Alexandra shouted angrily. "These here folks don' give a rat's ass 'bout no high fulutin' inner-duction protocols! Jus' say 'hi, y'all' an be done with it! Nice, short, an' simple-like." "Wow! Someone needs a nap!" Alex Steinert leaned over and whispered to me as we observed young Alexandra's bluish glow brighten as her anger flared. Mom pushed herself away from me gently, took a deep breath, and stepped toward her temporal twin. "Hello, I'm Alexis...Reilly. Welcome...welcome to Earth, Lady Alexis...my...temporal twin." She greeted ackwardly, offering her hand. "And welcome to you, Alexis Reilly! I bring greetings from Grand High Counsel Tibiu...OUCH! SON OF A BITCH! THAT FUCKIN' HURT!" That response was not completely unexpected as we witnessed a one-inch spark transit between each Alexis. Mom, I decided, had already prepared herself for the massive synchronization. What was unexpected was my niece's foul retort! 'Swears like a sailor' was the response that came to mind. 'Just like her mother', I concluded silently though I laughed when I realized I had never heard my sister swear. "I thank you, sister. It has been a rather long time since we universal twins last sync'ed." Mom said elegantly, only slightly rubbing her hand. "This is the first time for me, Lady Alexis." "Thanks, ma. She done needed it bad." My niece praised with a tired, but satisfied smile. "Excuse me a moment, Lady Alexis, Empresses, and sisters. I believe the future Empress of Time and Space is going to take a much-needed siesta. Come along, Alexandra." Alexis Fleming declared as she forcibly took her daughter's hand and pulled her past us to the guest bedrooms. "Feel any better, mother?" I asked, noticing a very slight change in her hair color and facial features. Frances Darough looked completely flabbergasted as she also noticed the changes starting to take place. She took a couple more swigs from the bottle then finally up-ended it, emptying it completely. It wouldn't be too long before Cami's mom joined our future Empress, though for a slightly longer nap. "It is rather invigorating." Mom replied nonchalantly. "The first time always is, hun. Why'd y'all lie about yer syncin' anyway? Ain't nothin' to be embarrassed about." Alex Steinert remarked. Mom looked like she got caught with her hand in the ol' cookie jar. "How did you know...never mind." She said dejectedly. "Guilty as charged, though I did sync with my earlier self about a thousand years ago...if I remember right...I don't really count that one time though. I barely felt anything." Alexis stared at my sister for thirty seconds before asking the questions that I knew to be on her mind. "Empress? Why didn't you visit us more often? I know mother held out hope that you wouldn't be a stranger. Why did you and my daughter only visit us that one time?" "Hun...we woulda visited more if we coulda..." Alex Steinert began to explain, but mom cut her off. "Are you trying to tell me that we were isolated because this planet was a temporal waypoint? How can a whole planet be...?" "It wasn't just the planet, hun." My sister interrupted to explain. "It was your mother an' you three daughters. Y'all were the temporal waypoint, Lexi. The development of the Empress and her three daughters on the Homeworld had to stay on course...without outside intervention. I'm sorry, honey." "Did mother know that, Empress?" Alex and I nodded. "How many times did you or Sam or Cassie ask to travel to our Earth in the last eleven hundred years, mom?" I asked as example. "And how many times did Peyton harass yer ma to take her home? I'm sure it broke her heart to deny such simple requests." Alex Steinert added. "Mom just kept sighting the universal imbalance that would reoccur if we ever crossed into your universe, Empress. After a while we learned not to question her further. Especially after Aunt Persephone..." Mom explained sadly as she shook her head to the side slowly. "Your Granddaughter went straight to sleep, Mom." Alexis Fleming said as she approached from the guest bedroom hall. "I really wish you three wouldn't drive yourselves so hard, Empress...wait...why are all three of you here at the same time?" My niece stared into each of our eyes as she looked for her answer- hopefully consulting her gift. "Wait...you three really did move an entire planet...AND all the people on it? Alexandra wasn't joking?" "Not the whole planet, honey." I smiled excitedly. "Just everything on and including the outer crust...oh, and its atmosphere." "By the Lords! What possessed you three to do...?" "It was the only way to save the Homeworld, hun!" Alex Steinert interrupted. "Wait! You mean this is the fabled Homeworld? It really exists?" Alex and I nodded with a smile. "I couldn't- in good conscience- allow so many to die because of a small group's arrogance." I added. "The Homeworld deserves a second chance just like anyone else." "Alex? Mom." Cami said trying to catch my attention. Frances Darough's eyes fluttered and looked to be getting heavy. "Franny? What's wrong?" Mom asked with concern. Like she had never seen the effects of the Mahanilui before? "I'm sorry, Lexi, but I think everything has suddenly hit me- finding the Empress is a reality; the actual experience of jumping across universes; the shear revelation of what has happened today... I'm sorry...would you mind if I lay down for a few minutes?" "Any room but the first on the right, Franny. That one's taken. Take as much time as you need." "Thank you, Lexi. I appreciate this." Frances Darough replied, barely able to keep her eyes open as she disappeared into the guest bedroom hallway. "Apparently, travelling across four universe boundaries tires a body out. I can only imagine how young Alexandra feels doing it three times in one day." Mom commented. "She transited through four universes three separate times today?" Alexis Fleming gasped. "Why would she do that?" "Actually more when you count coming to our Earth first. So, from your universe to here then through four universes to transport us here then back five to get you and five more to bring you back to us. She must be the strongest Empress of all." Mom praised. "M'lady." Alexis Fleming said formally. "I did not experience any universal border crossings during our transit here. Are you sure you are five crossings from my world?" She paused to think a few seconds. "Although I did notice a slight temporal shift and experienced the usual intergalactic transit." Mom's mouth dropped to the floor again as she turned to look at Alex and I. She recovered quickly though, and glared at the two of us. "You said we transited four border crossings!" She quickly looked back to her twin, bewildered. "How could you not have felt that?" Mom demanded of her temporal twin. She glared back at Alex and I again. "Alexandra?!" She hissed in anger. "What did you three actually do? Enough with the confusing diversions, cryptic answers, and teasing! We are way past that point right now!" "We made four border crossings, mom, honest." I answered truthfully. "We went three universes higher then stepped back two universes, hun- that's five universes by anyone's math." Alex Steinert smiled deviously. "But what about the 'unbalancing of the universes' thing?" Mom cried out in anguish. "That paradox and waypoint were satisfied the instant the Homeworld...your Earth exploded into a fusion giant...er...sun, Aunt Alexis." My niece stated as she appeared beside me. "Surprise! Welcome to our universe!" So...where are we...actually?" Mom asked sardonically- her eyes narrowing. "Just a hop, a skip, and a temporal jump away from our Earth or Terra Nuevo, mom." I answered with a bright smile. "Now we have no excuse not to visit." "I'm going to hold you girls to that!" Mom said as she wrapped her arms around me then Alex Steinert, and finally, Alexandra. 10:30PM, Alexis Reilly Residence, July 4th, 1461AE "Randi? Key-up Avalon's media transmitter for a world-wide announcement from the Empress- all bands, all communication devices, please." Alex Steinert requested from my Comptroller. "Skipper?" Randi croaked in surprise. "By now people have had time to realize that something strange has happened- some might start thinking to the extremes: good or bad. The population of this planet- this 'New Earth'- needs to know how close they came to annihilation and how the government plans to continue." My sister explained as she nodded to my comptroller confidently. "Breaking into world-wide comm channels now, Skipper. You'll be live in five...four...three...two..." Randi said as she pointed to my sister instead of announcing 'one'. "My fellow inhabitants of Earth. My name is Alexandra Frances Steinert. Earlier today you may have experienced severe nausea and/or extreme headaches. I am making this announcement tonight to explain." Alex paused a moment. "Today at 11:23:45AM Fleming City Time, Homeland Energy's Core Excitation Project suffered a catastrophic failure of ninety percent of its safety systems. This caused the planetary core to become overexcited, cascading into a super-critical thermal condition. A super-critical condition in this case is defined as an unstoppable chain-reaction that is irreversible. The Homeland Energy Facility was immediately and automatically placed into lockdown. It has been reported to me that all but four planetary government officials found themselves in the facility expecting to witness the momentous, full power-up of the Core Excitation Project." Alex paused again as she solemnly looked to the floor in front of her. "At 5:30PM FCT, sensitive geological sensors around the world detected an exponential enlargement of Earth's molten core area. At precisely 8:30PM FCT, those same geological sensors indicated planetary magma had reached a depth of one hundred and fifty kilometers below the surface and analytical software predicted a surface breach in thirty minutes, at 9:00PM FCT." "At this point in my broadcast I wouldn't blame anyone from turning your devices off or ignoring anything further, but please...everyone needs to understand the circumstances behind our continued existence. Offscreen- to my right- is one of the four surviving government officials. Mrs. Alexis Reilly- Senior Representative for the Greater Fleming City Prefecture and CEO of the Reilly Foundation for Advanced Technologies. Rep. Reilly? If you would join me in-frame?" My sister waited for Mom to stop protesting and step to her side. "Alexandra, why are you doing this?" Mom hissed. "Because the people need to know that I'm not making this up, Representative Reilly!" Alex replied. "What should I tell them, Alexandra?" Mom questioned. "Tell them the truth, ma'am. Tell them what you know...what your Orbiting Research Facility picked up before the people became sickened." Alex advised. "But we don't even know where Reilly Research Station is right now! We don't know if it still exists, Alexandra! How can I tell the planet that we almost destroyed ourselves and that I may have lost two hundred and eighty-three people on that orbiting facility?!" Mom lamented. "You just did, Representative Reilly." Alex Steinert told mom. "This is a live broadcast from Fleming City, remember?" Mom's face blushed immediately. Suddenly I heard my sister's voice as she started a conversation with Cami. 'Cami, I need you, Billie, and Cassi to patch me into everyone on the planet- just like we did back at Avalon, hun.' 'Give me a moment to show Billie and Cassi how we did it, Empress.' After a slight pause, Cami nodded to my sister. 'People of Earth, I am Alexandra Frances Steinert. What you are hearing and seeing is not the usual media as transmitted world-wide by any modern communication device. It is a telepathic transmission from three very special individuals that I call very good friends. I have asked those friends to broadcast my image and words so that everyone...everyone may hear the truth and know just how close we all have come to certain death.' Alex paused to wipe her eyes dry as they had started to moisten. Her mouth hadn't moved since interviewing mom. 'Today at 9:00PM FCT, I, and my two sisters, were forced to intercede with this world and enact it's rescue. Before I go any farther, let me introduce us.' Alex silently motioned Alexandra and I into frame. 'To my right is Alexandra Frances Reilly, and to my left is Alexandra Frances Fleming. To head off all questions, yes, we all look identical. Each of us is known by another name or title, if you will. We are known as 'The Empress of Time and Space'." Alex paused for twenty seconds- as if to let the laughing die done. "Now, in this modern age of advanced technology, I wouldn't expect anyone to believe a word I say, but look around you. Maybe you see someone that looks like one of us three standing close by...waving.' Immediately I saw where she was heading and promptly lost a week appearing at specific points around my assigned region just to impress the point. Mom must have noticed that the three of us had 'flickered'. "What did you girls just do?" she asked aloud, forgetting she was still on screen. 'What we have just done, Rep. Reilly, is given proof that we do exist. For far too long this planet has relied solely on its technology to answer the questions of the universe. Because this is the case, religions and superstitions have appeared and died out many times throughout the millennia here. The people of this world have grown complacent with their technology and, as such, have dismissed or forgotten the myths and legends that have driven the planet's civilizations to this peaceful and relatively advanced era. They have forgotten completely how that peace was carefully forged over twelve hundred years ago in a small village near where we stand presently ...the people we lost...who the responsible parties were, and how they all came to be gathered there for such significant mediations...how brutal the world was at that time...and how humanity almost destroyed itself then, too!' Mom bowed her head reverently as she remembered that day in history. 'The Empress of Time and Space has long watched this world and hoped history wouldn't repeat itself, but time has once again taken his revenge and doomed this planet...this 'Homeworld' to extinction. And, as we had then, so we did today. At 9:00PM FCT we again invoked the Empress' Triad in order to save this world from its own ignorance and shortcomings...to again give it a second chance." "Timekeepers, you will notice an extra hour in the daily, planetary revolution- twenty-four hours instead of twenty-three. Astronomers...you will instantly notice the foreign star constellations in the heavens. This has been brought about by the trans-positioning of the living portion of this world into a different universe and planetary core entirely. For those of you that feel this cannot be so, I dare you to look up into the night sky and try to locate your favorite constellations. You will fail in any and all attempts." "Our Earth has been moved to a new location...a new 'universal neighborhood'. We- my two sisters and I- advise you, the people of this 'New' Earth, to reach out into this new cosmos and establish peaceful relations with the civilizations of nearby planetary systems- most of which you will find are friendly and neighborly." "Some of you will wish to know the methodology that was used...many will simply continue to denounce any of what has happened or conveyed to you here, tonight, as imaginary or impossible. Whatever will allow you to fall asleep at night will be fine, but if curiosity should get the better of you, go to your local archives and entertain the idea of reading the 'Tomes of The Empress'. More than a few incidents that you have recently experienced may just be explained or prophesized there." "In the end it really does not matter how or by what means any of this has happened; just knowing the 'why' should be enough, my brothers and sisters of this world! That 'why' is that everyone, no matter right or wrong; believer or non believer, Scientist or Theologian, or whatever; The Empress of Time and Space believes in this world- her beloved 'Homeworld'...and we wish it to continue...to continue to be the peaceful, cooperative world it has been...despite any inequalities that still exists. We love this world and everything on it and wish to see it continue to flourish- to become the great society it has been foreseen to be." Alex again wiped the tears from her eyes. "May you all take this second chance and make the most of it in terms of further advancing technology, humanity, civility, and knowledge and know that we will continue our loving vigilance. I thank you all and good night." My sister concluded aloud. "Annnnnd we're out." Randi announced as apparently she discontinued the media transmission while motioning for Billie, Cami, and Cassi to disable their telepathic transmissions by sliding her index finger lightly across her throat. "Empress, I'm picking up a drastic increase in individual communications around the planet. Information Network traffic has also increased exponentially. I think you got their attention, ma'am." Randi added after a minute of silence. "Alexis, I have Representative Quintin Darough requesting communication with you." Ava announced pleasantly. Cami suddenly looked concerned. "Put him through to my livingroom, Ava." The large display in the room activated, showing a slightly familiar man seated behind his desk. To our surprise, Mom was standing quietly, and quite unnoticed, behind him with a huge, evil smile. "Quinn! I'm delighted to see you decided against visiting Homeland's facility." Mom greeted excitedly from beside us here, in the living room. She also continued to grin evilly behind Rep Darrough, too. Obviously, her slightly future self. "Somehow, I don't think my decision whether or not to attend the power- up had anything to do with it, Alexis! Especially since my name and two others mysteriously disappeared from the VIP guest list- AND I found out our security clearances had recently, and conveniently, been revoked! I'm sure you wouldn't know anything about that, would you, Madam Chairwoman?" He growled playfully. "I trust my wife is with you, and if so, could I speak with her?" Mother- the one standing behind Rep. Darough, in his office, winked once. "Oh, she's here, but I'm afraid our transit through the universal barriers has caused several adverse side effects- one being severe fatigue. She decided to lay down for a bit." Mom responded with a bright smile. "I'm not even going to appear to understand what you mean by universal barriers, Alexis. I never did understand Astrometrics." "It's quite simple, Mr. Darough," I said as I moved closer to my mother, "We transported the outer portion of this planet through four sequential universes to arrive at a fifth. The finite limit between one universe and the next bigger or smaller is called the 'Universal Barrier or Border'." Quintin Darough's mouth dropped open and the pen he had been nervously fumbling with fell out from between his fingers. "You're...you're one of those Empresses! I thought I was hallucinating!" "My daughter is not a hallucination, Quinn! She and her sisters saved our collective ass' today!" "Daughter? Lexi...you don't have a daughter!" The man on the screen argued worriedly. Mom vanished from the living room. "And I suppose I didn't just appear behind you either, Quintin Darough!" She said from the monitor with the same evil grin. We giggled as the man practically fell out of his chair. The screen went black. Mom and Mr. Darough appeared back in the room- though closer to the kitchen. "Any further questions, Quinn?" Mom dared ask the piqued-looking gentleman. He silently shook his head slowly a few times. "Dad!" Cami quietly gasped out from where she stood, transfixed by our newest arrival. I suggested, mentally, that she remain quiet for now. "Quinn, meet Alexandra Steinert, Alexandra Fleming, and my daughter, Alexandra Reilly. We refer to them as the Empress of Time and Space." Mom introduced. "So this is your father, Cami?" Yuuka said as she suddenly flew in and hovered before the startled official. "I can definitely see some resemblance." As usual the Pixie was the icing on the cake, this time for Quintin Darough. "You! Full size! Now!" Mom growled to Yuuka. "And help me get him onto the couch." 8:00AM, Alexis Reilly Residence, July 5th, 1461AE "How did you sleep, Frances?" I asked pleasantly as Cami's mother padded out of the guest bedroom hallway, across the living room, and approached me at the small kitchen table- her eyes intensely focused on the carpeted floor. "What happened to me? I don't look the same as I did last night." "We call it the Mahanilui and it's what happens when the nanobots I designed activate." I replied. "You made me into a machine?" she exclaimed in horror. "What? No! You are still Frances Darough, honey. The nanos just restored your body to a younger condition." I responded slightly surprised by her outburst. "Younger?" "Yes, younger. I would guess this is how you looked at...oh...nineteen or twenty?" Darough thought about that for about thirty seconds. "Yes. That's about what I remember...I think." Mom opened her bedroom door at that moment and walked out to the table. "Has Quinn come back up yet, Alexandra?" She asked as she regarded the new and improved Frances Darough critically. "How are you feeling this morning, Frances?" "Better than I've felt in years, Lexi. Wait. That you, Lexi? You got younger too? Did I hear you right; Quintin is here?" "I went and brought him back here after you went to bed. He had called to see how you were." Mom said casually. "You brought him...here? He lives halfway across the prefecture! Does that mean what I think it means, Lexi?" Mom giggled. It was so nice to see her looking young again. "What do you think it means, Franny?" She asked with a devious grin. "Weeeell...if the Alexandras' can appear and disappear, I venture to say that you can do a similar trick. Am I close?" "She's very perceptive, mother." I giggled. "I wonder how that will change when her gift develops." I added, wondering out loud as I took another sip of my coffee. "Alexandra, we've already seen the answer to that question, haven't we?" I nodded ever so slightly. "Good morning, sisters!" Alexis Fleming greeted as she and my great niece, Alexandra, walked across the living room holding hands. Both were fully dressed and ready to depart, I presumed. "By the Goddess, I thought I was seeing things last night!" Frances Darough groaned in surprise. "Frances, this is my 'temporal twin', Alexis Fleming, from Terra Nuevo." Mom introduced. "Temporal Twin? Terra Nuevo?" Frances groaned in confused disbelief. "Temporal twin is what we call two identical people but from completely different universes, dimensions, planets, or time periods." Alexandra replied. "It's just one of the encountered subtleties of time and space travel." "Oh...sooooo...do I have one of these twins too?" Frances asked cautiously. "One or two, honey." I giggled before taking another sip from my cup. The apartment's entrance door opened. Alex Steinert and Quintin Darough walked in- still conversing. "So you say the three of you moved...us...from universe to universe with your minds'? That's simply stupendous, Capt. Steinert!" "I've already told y'all to call me Alex, hun. At present, I'm not on my Earth, and certainly nowhere near a United States military installation." My sister urged with a pleasant smile. "Oh, hey sis! Sleep well?" Alex greeted as the two entered the kitchen. Wow, yer up early, Cami." Frances Darough, still with her back to her estranged husband, looked up at my sister. "I'm Frances Darough, Alexandra." Her mouth suddenly dropped open as she looked toward me. She had finally figured out my previous cryptic answer. "I...I look like my daughter?" "Oh, not you too!" Quintin Darough moaned. "What is it about this new universe that makes the women around me think they have daughters instead of sons?" Frances Darough turned around silently- a disappointed frown on her face. "Oh. Please excuse me ma'am. I thought you were my wife. I also thought there to be only one France Darough in the Prefecture. Alexis, my wife hasn't left already, has she?" "Quintin Darough! Have you gone blind AND senile?" Franny exclaimed. "I'm right here!" Quintin Darough's eyes popped wide open. "Good Morning, sisters!" Cami chimed as her and Cassi's feet gently touched the carpeted, living room floor. Both had elected to sleep up in the loft last night. "Dad!" Camille Darough gasped as she stopped dead in her tracks halfway across the living room after noticing our male guest. Apparently, she hadn't expected to see him again. Quintin Darough looked between the two, identical, young women- one sitting before him and one standing ten meters away in a racy, red lace nightie. "Dad?" He choked out in amazement. "Come on over Camille, I'll make another pot of coffee while you two reacquaint yourselves." Mom said calmly as she motioned for me to get up and help. "Have a seat, hun." "Good morning, mother. I hope you feel better this morning." Cami started the conversation. "Thanks to the Empress, I feel better than I have in years, sweetheart." Frances answered. "Thanks to the Empress? Capt. Steinert? What did you do to my wife? Why do these two look like twins?" Quintin Darough demanded. "We look like twins? Dad, I don't look anything like mother." Cami maintained as she looked at her mother repeatedly. "You look the same to me." A tiny voice said as it barely caught my attention. Mom turned around quickly. "Yuuka! I swear if you don't remain grown-up around here, I'm going to...oh...Allie...it's you." "No, I'm over here, Alexis. And what are you going to threaten me with today?" A fully-grown Yuuka dared from the couch in the living room. She quickly went to Pixie mode and flew into the kitchen. "Well, Alexis? What are you going to do?" Yuuka paused a few seconds for the nonexistent answer. "You know, I've held my tongue our entire visit, but...but I'm about up to here," the hovering Pixie raised her tiny hand up over her head as indication, "with the assumptions that I'm the only Pixie in this apartment!" Yuuka quickly left Pixie mode, and looked into mom's eyes. "I think you owe me an apology!" "What kind of nightmare have I slipped into?" Quintin Darough asked himself quietly. Wanting to defuse the situation, I quickly poured a cup of freshly steeped tea for the agitated Pixie. "Have some tea, Yuuka. I sweetened it up with some honey as per your specifications." "Bribery will get you everywhere, Empress." She giggled through narrowed eyes before nodding to me and taking a sip of the beverage. "Aaah...Domo." She sighed wistfully with eyes closed then stepped over to the table, and pulled out a chair. "You're welcome. Allie? Would you also like some tea?" I inquired. "Nah, I'll just grab a cup of coffee. I'm really not into that 'refined' stuff." She said as she too left Pixie mode to stand beside me. Pouring out the last of the pot into a clean cup, I handed it to her with a bright smile. "How about anyone else? You girls prefer coffee or tea?" I asked as I looked around the room- to all the cabinet tops, the top of the microwave and refrigerator, the shade of the hanging light over the table, Quintin and Frances Darough's shoulders... "So, are you two sure I can't talk you into staying longer?" Mom asked Alexis and Alexandra Fleming. "Quite sure, Aunt Alexis. I have a strict, four faint maximum for my stays." My niece giggled. "You really should work on your fright responses, Mr. and Mrs. Darough." "I think they'll have plenty of time to callus themselves, Alexandra." Mom said with a sad smile as she looked to her twin. "Re-sync one more time, sis?" Mom and Alexis Fleming embraced each other one last time before Alexis took Alexandra's hand again. A blur and slight breeze indicated that Hoshi had arrived to say her goodbyes. "Travel safely, Empress and Alexis." She was gone in another blur and 'swoosh'. "My sentiment as well Empress and Princess Alexis." Fay offered, lowering herself from overhead. She stayed on the ground only long enough to embrace both women before silently floating to the ceiling again. "I've transferred as much information as I could about this world and its unique culture into the unused memory of your Reilly as you asked, M'lady. Though not a complete archive it should prove sufficient for your needs until I can completely back up my local archives to Reilly." Randi Peltierre informed her. "I thank you, Lady Comptroller." Alexis Fleming bowed courteously. "Travel well, Empress." Randi said as she quickly hugged my niece. Alexis Fleming looked around the room cautiously. "So, are we ready to go, Alexandra?" She asked, but quickly added in an annoyed tone, "Before the Pixies decide to line up for another round of 'hugs and kisses'?" "Yes, mother, we're leaving now." Alexandra answered in a slightly amused, but annoyed tone. Alex Steinert, Billie, Cami, Cassi, Samantha, Cassandra, Mom, and I immediately dropped to one knee. "May the temporal winds blow favorably, Empress!" We chorused. My niece simply rolled her eyes before she and her mother disappeared. "I would have never believed this had I not seen it with my own eyes!" Quintin Darough whispered in awe. "What are you saying, Quintin? You were just thinking 'what a bunch of crazy, eccentric, women I'm in the presence of'!" Frances Darough complained. "No, I am not the craziest of the bunch, Quintin Darough! How dare you even accuse me of losing my mental functions?" Frances continued. "No! I am not reading your mind! If you don't want to be here then I suggest you ask Alexis, Billie, Cassandra, Samantha, or one of the Alexandra's to transport you home! Don't tell me you haven't said a word!" Cami and Cassi looked up at me, only slight surprise on their faces. I nodded with a smile. "Will y'all give it a rest, Franny? 'Fore the furniture starts flyin' 'round the apartment?" Alex Steinert implored calmly. "And just why would the furniture start 'flyin' 'round the apartment', Alexandra?" Frances asked sharply. There was a subtle set of 'thuds' from the living room as the couch, love seat, and four upholstered chairs dropped back to the carpet. I noticed twenty Pixies suddenly swarming the apartment's entry door trying frantically to find a way out. They were so terrified that none of them had thought to grow up and try the knob. "Because you can do that, Frances." I said as I nodded at Cami and Cassi Darough. "Because you can do what your daughter and granddaughter can do." "Mom, perhaps it would be better if we could talk. I'm sure you have many questions for us." Cami suggested, placing a hand on her mother's shoulder. "First though, Billie, could you take us someplace we can 'demonstrate' our gift- and perhaps allow mother some practice?" "Any place in particular?" Billie asked as she closed her eyes momentarily. "The place you have just foreseen will work." Cami smiled as she, Frances Darough, and Cassi joined hands with my Assistant Director. "We'll be back in a little bit, Alex." Billie advised just before her small group disappeared. Quintin Darough looked on in complete disbelief of what he had just seen. "I thought the Empress was the only one that could vanish?" "All members of the royal family- as it's termed- can phase out of reality and travel- both to a location and temporally- to a limited extent, but only the Empress can do what she does, Quinn." I informed him. "Royal family, huh? In case you didn't notice, we have no royalty on this world, Alexandra." "That wasn't always the case, Quinn." Alex Steinert smiled mischievously. "Have you ever paid close attention to the walls downstairs in the Banquet Hall?" "I have seen them many, many times, Alex." "So what do they reflect, hun?" She asked, maintaining the impish smile. "They depict the Empress in various scenes from the imaginary Avalon, of course. Everyone knows those myths." "Am I not...Are we not the Empress, hun?" Alex asked as we nodded to each other and keyed our Reillys' clothing feature. Quintin Darough's eyes popped out of his head- literally, as our medieval dresses appeared on us. "I think he finally recognizes us, sis!" Alex laughed playfully as Allie and Trina landed on my sister's shoulders to complete the image. "Maybe we should take him back to meet Lord Darough, Alex." I said with a wink. "No, no, no. That will not be necessary, Empress. You have made your point, so no further demonstration will be required. A good Politian knows when to admit defeat...or at least when to regroup and re- evaluate." I raised a single eyebrow to that statement. "Isn't that almost exactly what Lord Darough said when we all arrived at Willow's Glen, sis?" Alex grinned as she looked to me. Allie took to the air slowly and flew away sadly. Trina followed, but at a much quicker pace. "I don't really recall, Alex, You were busy with 'his royal hard-ass', Lord Hathor, at the time and I was answering questions for Lord Sangiere. Maybe Grandma could..." I couldn't finish before tears filled my eyes. "Why can't this get any easier?" I asked no one in particular. "It's still too new to us, Alex. Only been about six years, ya know. A little more for you." My sister reminded. "Still, she may have a few tricks up her sleeve," Alex grinned again. "Remember, y'all sync'ed last year." She winked. "I remember, sis." I winked back. "Wonder when she'll play that trump card?" "Haven't seen it- haven't even looked, yet." I replied with a smirk. "Neither have I." Alex smiled tensely as she shook her head twice. "We never foresaw Andora or Ma Scott either." I added. "Kinda' blows the whole 'omnipotence' thing right out of the water, huh." So what now, girls?" Quintin Darough asked, breaking Alex and I out of our semi-private conversation. "Now," I paused, "You, mom, and Frances travel the world to refill the various government positions. Earth still requires representation and the Empress WILL NOT engage in politics as we did the first time." Quintin Darough's mouth dropped open again. "I actually can't believe that I can do all that, Camille!" Frances' voice chimed out as the foursome of Mind Warriors reappeared in mom's living room forty-five minutes later. "Grandmother, we still urge extreme caution when using our gifts! Many people and things can be destroyed if not vigilant." Cassiopeia Darough cautioned. "I understand, sweetheart, and thank you all for showing me the 'ropes', as it were. I will do my best to honor the legendary Mind Warriors of the Empress on this Earth." "Ease up, Mrs. Darough! Just protect Alexis and the Pixies. Leave the Empress for us to protect. That's our job." Billie smiled warmly. Alex Steinert and I looked at each other in amazement. "Y'all heard that, right, Alex?" My sister asked. "Ah did an' Ah still don't believe it, Alex." I whispered. "We in the right time line?" Billie glared at us both for several seconds before turning her attention back to Frances. Mom suddenly looked at my sister. "You have to leave so soon, Alexandra?" "Afraid so, hun, but I'll be back in a few months." Mom nodded. "God, I know I'm going to regret this." Alex Steinert lamented under her breath, but quickly smiled. "All Pixies going to my Earth to meet your counterparts please exit Pixie mode and join me." She announced holding her faux smile. Allie, Trina, and Yuuka quickly joined my sister. I cleared my throat. Yuuka glanced my way timidly then slowly walked to my side. A slight breeze indicated that Hoshi had arrived from wherever she had been and now stood beside Yuuka. "No. I don't think she found that funny, Yuuka." Hoshi whispered with a serious expression. "Besides, I'd miss you." After twenty minutes of 'goodbyes' twenty women joined hands with my sister. "Trina. Say hi to Sunni for me, will you?" Yuuka asked brightly. "I will, Yuuka, but how will I know her?" Mei Lee's second oldest asked innocently. "Oh, you'll know, hun." Alex giggled with a knowing smile. "Will this hurt as bad as yesterday, Empress?" Trina inquired. "This one's a piece of cake, hun, but I do need to make a slight detour for a pick-up." "Alex? Thanks again, sis." I said, smiling brightly. "Anytime, hun! We'll see y'all later." Alex winked just before her group disappeared. Mom looked at me with narrowed eyes. I gazed back at her with a devious grin just to tease. That response caused mother's eyes to widen. "What are you planning, Alexandra?" She asked cautiously. "Something...wonderful." I replied impishly. Mom stared at me intensely as I paused a full thirty seconds. Finally I offered my hands to our remaining sisters. "Ya know...with all the work we've been doin' these last few years, Ah think we all could use a vay-kayshun!" I said using my sister's accent. "y'all wonna go home fer a spell?" Mom quickly grabbed my hand and I pull the trigger. Stars passed quickly in my sight. Reilly's main auditorium appeared before us and loud applause began as soon as I rephased us. I had transported us to the raised stage and we now found ourselves on display to a packed house of our sisters and brothers. Mom, Quintin, and Frances Darrough immediately blushed and stared directly at me. "Sisters and brothers of Kili, let's give it up for Alexis Reilly, Quintin Darrough, and Frances Darrough! Our Homeworld contingent!" Alex Steinert announced over the audio transdu...PA system as she motioned over to our newly arrived group. Wild applause and enthusiastic whistling filled the auditorium! Mom instantly released my hand and phased out! "OH no you don't!" I growled as I stopped time in Reilly. The result was that all members of the 'Royal' family began to glow blue. I quickly found Alexis Reilly, matched her phasing, and grasped her hand. She turned and glared at me in complete surprise! Alex Steinert laughed loudly as did her sisters Emily and Brianna; daughters Samantha, Cassandra, and Alexis; her son Alexander; as well as Billie, and my Sam and Cassie. I also noticed a bluish glow from up behind the top row of seats at the very back of the auditorium, but I couldn't make out who it was- though I did have a theory. I restarted time around us. "Why?" "Why, what, Mother?" I asked. "Welcome to Reilly Research Station, home base of the Sisters of Kili, Sisters and brothers of the Empress of Time and Space!" Alex Steinert again announced resulting in more applause. "Why are you two doing this? Frances and I, and certainly Quintin, don't deserve any of this! We could have stopped the Homeworld from destroying itself and we didn't! None of us deserve this welcome!" Mom cried over the continuing applause. "Why condemn yourselves for something you had no control over, mother?" I asked as I stared directly into her eyes. "There was no way to stop it. You, Cassie, Sam, and Grandma had no choice but to let it happen. Grandma knew she wouldn't be around...or at least be strong enough to do what Alex, Alexandra, and I had to do." I explained. "Therefore, why be so humbled now?" Ma grabbed my opposite shoulder and pulled me to her. She immediately wrapped her arms around me and tried to squeeze the breath from my lungs. I could hear her crying even over the increasing applause. Looking over to Cami, I noticed Frances taking similar advantage of her and Cassi. I felt another presence arrive behind me. "It's about time you brought them back for a visit, mom!" My daughter Reilly growled as she stared at me expectantly. I noticed a young man my shared memories told me was David Cummins standing slightly behind her. "Do I get to say hi to grandma sometime today?" She added before trying to cut in. I raised my hand and indicated for her to wait. "Hey, y'all! How 'bout we all go out and get this 'Welcome to the Universe' shindig started? Everthin's setup and just waitin' for the guests! See y'all outside!" Alex Steinert announced just before she and a good third of the audience vanished. What was left of the audience began to exit the hall. "Shall we? I asked as I pushed mom back from me slightly. Again I triggered my gift and we found ourselves out in the large clearing just outside the airlock's detection range. Mom, Frances, and Quintin's mouths dropped open as they took in the beautiful, tropical scenery. Quintin turned around and stared at the outside of Reilly. "Is this the fabled Avalon?" "Reilly?" Frances Darrough asked as she turned to see what her ex had seen, as if she hadn't heard my sister's welcome announcement. "But how?" "That was my doing, Frances." Alex Steinert said with a smile as she approached. "When what was left of the Homeworld again threatened our sisters, I took it upon myself to move both Reilly Station and its universe here to ours." "You did this all by yourself, Alexandra?" Quintin Darrough asked, flabbergasted. "Well, I did have a hundred and three helpers to lend a hand." She admitted. Mom suddenly stared at me in fear. I rolled my eyes in regard to the question that was about to escape her lips. "Alexandra, when we transited just now, the only hand you took..." "Was yours, mom? How did I transport everyone around us without making contact?" I interrupted. "How did Alex transport one third of our attending sisters and brothers out here without physical contact?" She nodded as her eyes narrowed. "There are many things about the Empress of Time and Space that even Alex, Alexandra, or I don't yet know, mom. That was just one of the things we recently discovered." "Grandmother. I am Reilly Reilly and this is my husband, David Cummins." Reilly interjected aggressively. "Hello, ma'am." The young man said shyly. "I know who you are, Reilly! I also see your Terran education has still not been well assimilated. "Ah shit! She's already synced with her!" Reilly cursed as she stomped the ground with her foot. "Well that screws THAT plan!" Mom reached out and quickly wrapped her arms around my aggravated daughter. They embraced for a minute before she wrapped her arms around David. Mom quickly looked to her right, broke free from her grandson- in-law suddenly, and dashed off in the same direction. "AUNT JACKI!" She shouted excitedly! Mom suddenly flew a couple meters into the air and did several summersaults before landing feet-first in front of my sister's Ex-O. They immediately embraced and I could hear mom crying again. I immediately recalled grandma's memories. That was something that Jacki Cummins did when Alexis was a child. "I wonder if she's happy to see her?" Quintin Darrough asked sarcastically from behind me. "They haven't seen each other since we left Avalon six years ago." Alex Steinert replied. Quintin Darrough grasped the bridge of his nose, closed his eyes and shook his head a few times. Jacki and mom walked back toward us. Several flower lei appeared- hovering- from the treeline. As they grew closer, we noticed each required four Pixies to stay aloft. Quintin and Frances gasped as each of us 'Guests of Honor' received a flower necklace. The pink Plumeria smelled wonderful and were very pleasing to the eye. Emily appeared and approached our male guest. "Hello Mr. Darrough, I'm Alex' sister, Emily. I am the resident doctor, in my time period, here at Reilly and I am required to inform you that an isolated water reservoir has been conveniently located at the end of the buffet table in the blue, insulated, water cooler. Unless you wish to join the sisterhood, I strongly suggest you drink from only that reservoir." "Join the 'sisterhood'? I don't understand." "I'll tell him, Emily. Thank you, sister." Frances Darrough responded as she stepped up and gently took her ex's arm then led him a short distance away. Emily nodded before coming over to me. "Hey, sis. I heard you had SOME adventure! Wish I could have been there to see it." "We did what we had to do, Em." I replied. "I was just following our sister's motto- 'no one left behind'." "I'm familiar with it, sis, though I don't think its originator ever thought anyone would take it to such an extreme." We both laughed at that. "Hey! Sis! Y'all ferget 'bout me?" Brianna shouted as she ran over to us and quickly wrapped her arms around me. Wow, was that girl strong! "How y'all been, sis?" I asked after getting my breath back. "By the way, this is my mom, Alexis Reilly, Cami's ma an' pa, Frances an' Quintin Darrough." "Nice ta meet y'all. Ah'm Alex' sister, Brianna. Welcome ta the neighborhood! If y'all need anything, I'm the one that kin contact our Empress anywhere she goes." "Anywhere?" Frances asked skeptically. "Yep! Any place, any time, any universe, any die-men-shun!" Brie bubbled. "We share a special link, me an' the Empress." "So where's Chuck, Brie?" I asked. "Him an' Brittany decided ta stay home. Brit's got finals an' Charles got a backlog at work that needs tendin'. Ah cain't stay long neither. Dee an' Freddy was gonna visit fer a spell- Ah'm ahopin' they stay a few weeks this here time." "So...you found another facet of your gift, I take it." I asked with a smile. A gigantic smile filled Brie's face. "Saves a ton a money on plane fare. An no TSA gropin' neither! Don't know how Ah done survived it before." "So how far can you transport these days, sis?" I inquired. "Y'all don't know a'ready? Boy sis, y'all slippin' er sometin'?" Brie laughed as she appraised me. "All 'round this here planet and a few months either way. But ah hope, with more practice, ah kin jump a whole year soon. Ah got some slip-ups that needs fixin' 'round last Christmas." I smiled as my sister's memories of that event came to mind. Brittany's new boyfriend's surprise appearance at the Mason residence couldn't have been more awkward. Brie should have used her gift to see that one coming! "Quintin! What the hell are you thinking!" Frances Darough's voice rang through our heads and echoed through the tropical palms and bushes. The entire gathering silenced. "Frances, I didn't say a thing! How dare you infringe on my thoughts anyway?" "How could anyone miss those lewd thoughts, Quintin! Delilah is only fifteen! Do you WANT Randi to financially ruin you because you can't keep it in your pants? What kind of a pervert did I marry? To think I had thoughts of us getting back together!" "Frances, take it easy! I'm sorry! It was one stray thought- a thought I could have with any of these women. How can any breathing man not admire them?" "Admiring is one thing, but what you intended vastly usurped admiration! It was...pornographic!" A glass of water flew in from my right and poured itself on Quintin Darough's head. "I think it's time that you understood the consequences of your thoughts, Quintin, dear!" Frances shouted angrily with a satisfied, but evil smile. "Now Frances! I think you should settle down! This is not the time nor place for such hostilities." The elder Darough calmly replied hoping to defuse the worsening situation. "No, Quintin! I will not calm down! Never tell me to 'Calm Down'! You want to think lewd thoughts about the sisters, why not try them out on yourself!" Frances Darough spat. I decided to take action. I hadn't seen this in any of my scenarios! "Francis! Please don't do something you'll regret in six hours!" I urged as I hurried over to our newest sister. As I drew near, her arm shot out in my direction. I turned my head just in time to see an unopened bottle of twenty-year old Kentucky Bourbon inches from my face. I turned my head quickly. Everything went black. "My Queen, a foreign woman in strange attire seeks audience with you. What would you have me do?" My trusted Vizier asked as he approached respectfully. "Does this woman have a name and affiliation, Jal'aj?" I inquired- annoyed that someone had the audacity to interrupt my allotted entertainment period. "She only refers to herself as 'Aleck-sandra, my queen and I cannot place the region she hails from- the realm of Mizzurra. She refuses to leave the palace and I have no idea how she got past the sentries, our security is flawless." "Does she seem to pose an imminent threat, Jal'aj?" "She carries no weapons, traps, or elixirs whatsoever, my Queen." "Tell her to return tomorrow during court." I ordered. His face went white and his mouth dropped open. "What is wrong, Jal'aj? Did you not understand my command? Did my voice or anything I have said sound indigestible to your ears?" I asked angrily. "No, my queen!" He answered immediately as he looked to the throne room floor. "It is just that...the woman...she...she told me...told me word for word...that that is what you would say, my queen. I have no thoughts on how that be possible!" He stuttered awkwardly. "She is a seer, Jal'aj! That is the only true explanation. Tell her to leave! She will 'see' that she should come back while I hold court." "But, my queen..." Jal'aj paused, unsure of his next statement. "But what, Jal'aj? Loosen your tongue before I order it done for you." "My queen, her face...her voice...her endowments...lest the hair color and some extra time in the sun, she could be your double! I am completely at a loss as to how someone could imitate you so well! Surely there cannot be another woman of such outstanding beauty in all of Saba!" I thought about what he said of this foreigner's description. That coupled with his facial expressions, enticed me. "Dismiss the artisans and bring this doppelganger before me at once, Jal'aj." I growled with even more annoyance in my voice. "I shall dispel her myself." "At once, my queen." Jal'aj said as he clapped his hands and hurried my entertainment out the servant's door on my right. I noticed one of them- a brown-haired girl of above average beauty momentarily glance back to me. How dare she look upon me without my explicit approval! Jal'aj hurried back over to me, bowed to me, and exited the throne room's main doors. I waited. And waited. Jal'aj re-entered slowly and approached me cautiously. "My queen...I regret to inform you that the foreign woman, Aleck- sandra, appears to have taken her leave." "WHAT?" I shouted, infuriated. "How dare she demand audience then rebuke my exceptional kindness?" "On my exit from your royal presence, the woman was nowhere to be found. She had simply vanished, my queen. The guards remember nothing, not even her arrival." I was incensed! "Leave me, Jal'aj! If she should return, she is to be seized and taken straight to the prison and put to work in the brothel! How dare some foreigner rebuff my charity!" "By your order, my queen." Jal'aj bowed, turned, and let himself out. A high-pitched, drawn out whistle sounded from my right as soon as the door closed completely. "Wow, y'all got some setup here, sister." My voice said, also from my right. I turned suddenly and stared eye to eye with my own face- be it somewhat pale! "GUARDS!" I shouted immediately. "It'll do ya no good, sis. Nobody kin hear us." "GUARDS!" "Ah said nobody kin hear us. Ah got us outta phase with this here reality. Ah assume you cain't 'member who ya are, right?" The impersonator stated calmly. "My name is Bilkis! How dare you even think about calling me 'sister'? I am no relation to you in any regard!" I exclaimed testily. "Wow, we got us one swelled head don't we? Guess the old adage ' power corrupts an' absolute power corrupts absolutely' still's alive an well. Relax, hun, We ain't here ta harm ya. We're here ta help." My insolent twin informed me. That impish smirk on her face was intolerable! "How dare you address me in such a casual manner! GUARDS!" I shouted. "Ah wouldn't waste mah breath, hun. Ain't nobody kin hear ya." "My guards and servants are at my beckoned call! They will be here shortly. Nothing can keep them from their pledged service!" "Ah'll repeat what ah said before...they cain't see us, yer highness. Plain an' simple...we no longer fully exist in this here reality." "That is impossible! Of course I exist here! I am Bilkis, Queen of all Saba!" "Well now, that's real nice, hun." She replied flatly. That only incensed me more. "While we're doin' inner-ductions, ah'm Alexandra, Empress a Time an' Space. Even in this day 'n age, Empress trumps queen, hun, so shouldn't y'all be bowin' ta me?" "You insolent! How dare you talk to me in that manner! How dare you claim to be something of myth and legend!" "She certainly IS full of herself, Alex." Another woman- this one shorter and golden-haired- said as she appeared beside my counterfeit. "If memory serves, y'all have first-hand knowledge, Billie Sangiere." The one called 'Billie' sneered at my fake. "Alex, her Vizier is approaching." "Not gonna be a problem, Billie." My double said nonchalantly. Jal'aj opened the large, wooden double doors and stopped in surprised fear a few feet into my throne room. "My queen?" He asked cautiously as he looked around my eloquently decorated throne room. "Jal'aj! Have these intruders apprehended and thrown into the prison!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. My double simply rolled her eyes. "Hey queenie? Kin y'all do this?" My twin asked serenely as she snapped her fingers. Jal'aj stopped in mid-stride! All outside noise- all motion around us, stopped! The two intruding women began to glow in a bluish light. As I looked behind the two I suddenly noticed two more glowing figures, both appeared to be women. "What is this magic?" I demanded, noticing as I raised my hand to point, that my own hand was emitting a similar bluish light. I took a moment to examine this strange phenomenon. "Alex. I wish you would've alerted me to the fact you were going to freeze time. I almost knocked over half the troop when they all froze in front of me!" Another woman exclaimed irritably as she entered through the side entrance she had just recently exited. "Relax, Jamie. You knew we were working off script on this one." "Aunt Alex, what's wrong with momma?" The younger looking woman asked as she stepped from behind the golden-haired wench and pointed to me. "She done lost her memory after getting' conked in the head by that flyin' booze bottle at the party, Reggie. Yer momma don't know who she is." My double explained. "I am virgin! I have never bore a child!" I argued adamantly setting their minds straight. "I kind of like her like this, Aunt Alex." The other, older, newly arrived woman stated with a devious smile. She held up a strange rectangular thing that produced a flash of lightning once and made a 'click' noise. "This will make the perfect blackmail material." She mumbled quietly. "Reilly!" My twin hissed. "No can do, Aunt Alex! This one's going into the album." The woman declared while laughing maniacally. My double rolled her eyes. "Bilkis, may I introduce Reilly Reilly and her younger sister Regina Reilly." I tried ignoring the casual introduction- it was too far below me. "Momma! Don't be rude! The youngest woman declared. "We came here to bring you back home." The teenager disappeared and was suddenly standing beside me and took hold of my left arm. I quickly, roughly, brushed her hand off me. "You shall not lay hand to my royal presence, foreigner!" "Stick the attitude, momma! I'll touch your arm if I want to!" I quickly drew my dagger and placed it to her neck. Her eyes widen considerably! "Touch me again and forfeit your life, you insolent child!" I hissed. My knife ripped from my hand and flew to the golden-haired one. "That wasn't too wise, dear." She said as the dagger hovered magically then shot to the ceiling and embedded itself to the hilt! "Momma! How could you? How could you attack your own daughter?" "I do not have a daughter, young one! Leave me and this palace at once! All of you!" I commanded. "Billie, why don't y'all help Jal'aj there back out the door an' have him forget he ever' seen us?" My counterfeit asked of her golden-haired cohort. With just a nod, the one called Billie turned and gracefully walked back to my loyal Vizier and twirled her right pointer finger in the air. As if a puppet or doll, he turned and both disappeared. The golden-hair reappeared instantly next to my twin. "Jamie? Y'all wanna get back to your group, hun? I'm turnin' time loose again. Y'all got two minutes." This person calling herself Aleck-sandra advised. I scoffed at the very idea she could stop time. "You would be amazed by what we can do, Ale...Bilkis. We will be going for now, but we'll be back. An' y'all can place money on that!" She said after waiting silently for a time. With that threat, all four remaining women vanished into thin air! Instantly all ambient noise and motion resumed. Had I been in the presence of demons? Gods? The things they did were simply astounding- miraculous even. I doubted even the court mage could replicate such incredible feats. "Guards!" I shouted. There was no hesitation on their arrival this time. "There are four women, one average golden-hair, two that could be my younger sisters, and one looking identical to me except in hair color and pallor. Search the palace and grounds for them! I want them found and imprisoned immediately!" My eyes panned to my right- to the exit my entertainers left by. "Find the medium build brunette dancer of superior beauty and do likewise with her! No one disregards the queen of all Saba!" With a confused nod by their captain, my guards were off to scour the palace and grounds for these arrogant interlopers. "My queen, what has happened? I heard one of the guards say something about intruders. Have you been harmed?" Jal'aj anxiously inquired as he rushed into my throne room. "I am unharmed. Give assistance to the search since you have seen the one called Aleck-sandra, Jal'aj. I want those women found and punished!" "Women, my queen? What women?" He asked obliviously. "There were just five women in this room, Jal'aj. You met the one called Aleck-sandra just moments ago. She is my close double. With her were two younger women that could have been my younger sisters had I had any. They were joined by one of the dancers- a ravishing brunette. There was also a golden-haired woman with them. Be extremely careful as that one has powers even Ta'kuk would pay handsomely for!" "As you wish, my queen." He said quickly before turning and hurrying out. Left alone, I began to ponder the recent events. 'Don't think too hard on it, hun. Y'all'll get a headache.' Those ghostly words whispered into my ear produced several waves of tremors that moved, several times, along my spine. Mahram, Saba, July 7th, 720BC "Why can't momma remember me, Aunt Alex? What did I do to make her forget?" My fifteen year old niece asked innocently as we appeared in a quiet alley just outside the palace walls of Mahram, Saba- or what the bible called Sheba. "Sometimes when someone receives a severe concussion, they forget who they are, sis. Mom got hit pretty hard by that whiskey bottle. I'm surprised she transited instead of dropping like a brick." My niece, Reilly, tried to explain to her sister. "I believe mom developed another persona based on where she rephased, in this case ancient Arabia in what is now Yemen." "We're in Arabia?" Reggie asked excitedly. "Momma was teaching me about the Syrians, Samarians, and the Assyrians before she left for Reilly and her Homeworld mission two and a half years ago. Can we do some exploring, Aunt Alex?" "Maybe after we restore your ma's memories and she calls off the goons, honey." I replied. "Alex! Someone is coming." Billie alerted as she suddenly looked toward the open end of the alley. She relaxed immediately. "It's just Jamie." She said with a sigh. "Ya, its just me...run of the mill, normal ol' Jamie." Our sister groused as she turned the corner and joined us. "Lest we forget who's been stuck here for six months scoping out her royal badass." "Ah haven't forgotten, hun, an' Ah thank y'all fer keepin' an eye on mah sister all that time." I said in thanks. "Skipper, when was the last time you slept? Your drawl is