South Of Bikini 5- Landing The Big One free porn video

With their mission to Celestra completed, Alex and company take time out to 'soar' with the Pixies before tackling their next mission of... "Landing The Big One" Episode 8 South of Bikini Season 5 Copyright 2016: R.G. Beyer E.S. Atlantis, Standard Year 258:01:26 "Hey, mom. You get some rest?" My daughter, Reggie asked, as I walked out into the living area from my bedroom, my hand covering a deep yawn. "How long was I out, honey?" "About eighteen hours," she answered as if it were nothing special. To me it was the longest I had slept in years- six and a half to be exact. Not counting my layover on Terra Nuevo, that is. "So how goes the housing assignments for our newest passengers?" I asked as I sat down beside her. "Everyone has been assigned quarters, mom," Reggie paused ten seconds. "Of course you know we reunited several families...several separated family members that had given up hope of ever seeing they're abandoned loved ones again." I nodded. "It's what we do, honey." "I'm really proud of you, mom," Reggie said as she snuggled up to me. "And I'm so proud of what you did too, young lady! You really helped out back on Celestra." "I really didn't do that much, mom," she replied back, embarrassed. "I only did what I saw was right- what would help the time line." "Exactly, honey!" "But Amy, Lena, Romney, Cami, Cassi, Billie, Gena, Franny, Quinten, and Gram helped too. Even Andie and Reggie helped!" she argued. "Also correct, honey. We all work well together. It's called teamwork and the Empress has a great team to support her. Though..," I smiled as I looked around the room, "You might want to add a few more names to that list you just rattled off." My daughter took the hint and slowly looked around our living area. "That's downright creepy! Don't they have stalking laws on your Earth, girls?" Reggie asked the twenty Pixies sitting about the room, silently watching and listening to our conversation. Trina flew down from one of the lampshades and exited Pixie mode. "Yuuka suggested we keep an eye on you, Alex...in case you decided to go back for more survivors," she said sitting down on the lounge chair opposite Reggie and I. "I'd go back if there were still any winners of the lottery still marooned on Celestra, honey." "You mean the rest are all dead, Empress?" Abigail, one of Allie's original six, asked in shock. "Many people regarded the 'Exodus Lottery' as an attempt to legitimize upper-class priority," I told everyone in the room. "So, only about a sixth of the planet actually participated." "That's so sad! Why would everyone think that, Alexandra?" Allie asked as she grew up and sat next to my Reggie on the couch. "Because it was mostly true, honey," I shook my head several times thinking about several scenarios I had run. "It was decided early on that some intelligent choice needed to be put into action. Starting over on a new planet requires the talents of many trades- mostly skilled professionals like Engineers, Carpenters, Doctors..," I related. "Sending just laborers, skilled or unskilled laypeople, without proper oversight, lowered the chances of survival drastically. So, in essence the lottery was more of a quota system and not an actual game of chance." "So...does Commodore Celeste know about the sham?" Trina asked curiously. "Why not ask her, girls? Time to phase in, sis," I said to the air behind me. "Aunt Andie, you should know better! It's been how many months since meeting the Empress?" Reggie giggled as she turned her head and body almost entirely around next to me. E.S. Atlantis, Standard Year 258:01:28 "How are the new recruits, girls? Andie asked, looking around the room without responding to my Reggie's admonishment. "Simone and Ginger are the most oblivious Pixies I've ever met, Commodore," Allie declared without pause. "I've seen rocks in complete freefall that can grasp the basics of flight a hundred times faster than those two!" "Wow, don't sugar-coat it, honey!" I giggled. "It's true, Alex! Those two couldn't fly a straight line if they were plastered on the windscreen of a fast moving, land-based vehicle going down a straight highway!" "Wow...harsh," Reggie giggled. "They'll get better, honey. We just need to get them drunk," I assured my winged sisters candidly. "Huh? Get them drunk? Why, Alex?" Trina asked, completely confused by what I said. "I thought that's how they got this way, Alex?" Maribelle, one of Mei- Lee's great-granddaughters asked, looking very perplexed as she too grew up. "Nope. Yuuka took them straight into Pixie mode...without any nanos in their system, honey. Virgin humans. Pixie mode is their base-form now. They must complete their Mahanilui in order to receive their gift- to be able to grow into 'human mode'." "No way!" Annibelle, Maribelle's natural- born twin shouted out as she too left Pixie mode. "So...everything about those two is back-assward?" Trixi, Maribelle's daughter, summarized, as she too grew to normal, human proportions and took a seat next to her mother and aunt on the side of the lounge chair. "It happens sometimes, girls," I said raising my hands to shoulder height, palms facing up. "So...you've seen this sort of thing before, right?" Andie asked in a hesitant tone. "Well...no...not really. This is the first time it's happened...actually," I him-hawed. "But I do know that things will work out for your Pixies, sis." Andie's mouth dropped open and her eyes bulged for twenty long seconds. "Mmmmmyyyyy Pixies?" My sister finally gasped out in surprise. "Why would I need any Pixies, Alex? What makes you think I even want any Pixies on Atlantis?" Twenty pairs of eyes- both grown up and Pixie-sized- stared back angrily at my half-sister. Did the room's temperature suddenly fall twenty points? "Present company excluded...of course," she added timidly as she fearfully glanced around the room. "Wow! That was a close one!" My Reggie declared with a slight giggle. "There was almost a canna Pixie whoop-ass opened in here! Good thing you're related to the Empress, Aunt Andie! It coulda got reeeeal uuuugly!" My quarter's door opened and Yuuka walked in slowly, stopping with her hand in the doorway to keep it from closing. "Oh, come on! I haven't got all day, you two! Simone! Keep your attention on where you're going and not where you've been! Ginger, quit playing with your breasts and pay attention to flying straight and level!" Yuuka growled to the yet, unseen new Pixies. She rolled her eyes in annoyance. Our two newest Pixies 'fluttered' aimlessly into the room, awkwardly gained some altitude, and immediately tumbled onto the top of an end table instead of landing gracefully. Trina, Annibelle, Maribelle, and Trixi, as well as our other winged sisters, palmed their faces in embarrassment. "Like I said, Alex, Flight sense worse than a rock! Attention spans' about the same, too!" Allie complained as she pointed to her newest, clumsiest, winged sisters with a 'there's your proof' hand gesture. "Look, lady! This wasn't our idea-oophhh," The brunette Pixie shouted as she flew straight and true, angered by the comment. Allie simply batted the small, flying, woman away without a thought. "You should have been able to avoid that! Rookie!" Allie hissed critically. "Why can't you fly that straight when you're not angry?" Yuuka asked of the two as Simone picked herself up off the floor in front of where I sat on the couch. The redhead, still on the end table, simply and silently shrugged her tiny shoulders. "Sorry you had to see that, Alex," Allie apologized. She set her stare on both new Pixies. "If I could learn to fly at age six, these morons shouldn't have any troubles like they do. They just frustrate the beeswax out of me!" "We can make beeswax? What orifice does that come out of?" Simone questioned obliviously. "I'd shut my mouth if I were you, Simone. I know for a fact she pulled that slap. The next one will probably do damage- a lot of it," Yuuka warned. "And that one didn't?" Simone complained as she rubbed her tiny buttocks with both hands. "Not as much as it could have, toots..," Yuuka's eyes shot instantly to the other Pixie. "Ginger! Stop that this instant! You'll go blind!" Yuuka growled angrily, appalled by what the mute Pixie was doing in 'public'. Again the older Pixies in the room palmed their faces in embarrassment. "Yuuka, Trina, and Allie?" I asked to get their attention. "Please take me to Pixie mode. I think I might be able to help them." The room hushed as all eyes locked on me. "Fly, that is," I specified. "You can't be serious, Alex?" Andie gasped after ten seconds. "Mom? Do you really think this is wise? I mean...you haven't done this before, have you?" Reggie's eyes were wide with concern. "Alex Steinert had me take her to Pixie mode on our mission to 1942 Burma. Both shared memories so your mother should do fine, Reggie," Yuuka responded as she took the few steps needed to stand before me. "I can do it alone if you two object." "Then take me to Pixie mode too, Yuuka!" Reggie demanded. "If ma insists on doing somethin' stupid, I'm goin' along to make sure she's alright!" "Would it work on me, I wonder," Andie debated just above a whisper. "I've been curious..." "Use your gift, sis. That should answer your question," I advised with a smile. After Andie's eyes reopened, she grinned deviously as she nodded to me, but her smile waned a moment. "What else did you see, sis?" I asked as I stood up. "Regina's on her way here...in three, two, one." "Andromeda Celeste! I forbid you to enter Pixie mode unless I am able to be by your side!" My half-sister shouted as she stormed into my quarters. "No," Andie exclaimed holding her hand up to stop our sister. "You can't do it because of the baby, Reg. Stay back. I'll be alright...promise." "Alex? Tell her she's crazy!" Regina Celeste urged. "She'll be fine, Reg," I reassured my younger half-sister. "Ladies? Anyone else want to be a Pixie? Mom? Cami? Franny? ...Cassi?" I added, staring at the right side wall. Those people named appeared right where I stared. "Is it anything like going to 'Mermaid mode?" Mom...Alexis, asked with a giggle. "I would imagine it to be similar, yes," I answered, though I really didn't know since I'd never gone swimming with Rommie yet. "Quinn? You want to come along?" I asked while trying to keep the devilish smile I felt surfacing in check. "Wouldn't I end up like those two geniuses?" he asked, pointing to Simone and Ginger, now both on the end table again. "No, not necessarily," I giggled as my restrained smile burst forth. "IIIIIIII...I think I'll pass on this one, girls. Thanks, but no thanks." I noticed Franny snap her fingers in disappointment. "Ladies? Take us to Pixie mode, please. We'll need three of you," I announced as I offered my hands to those willing. Trina, Allie and Yuuka joined our circle. "Ready Squadron Leader. " Allie and Trina chorused simultaneously. Alex Steinert's memories of this transformation were very detailed and concise. I felt every nerve in my body fire in perfect synchronization as the process initiated. At last my Reilly initiated a system diagnostic and recalibration before automatically selecting the appropriate covering. The hands on either side of me released and I immediately heard Andie cry out. "OOOUCH! That hurt!" I was suddenly looking down at Andie, my Reggie, Mom, Cami, Franny, and Cassi. Andie had fallen backwards on her buttocks. She sported a pair of light pink wings with small splashes of pastel blue. Cami, Franny, and Cassi's wings were a darker purple than Yuuka's and all three had differing shades of red splashed in. My daughter and mom's wings...they looked almost like Alex' memories of ours- translucent wings only with powdery pink splashes instead of the bright pink 'smudges'I knew mine had. Reggie's smudges, however, were much closer in shade to mine. "Showing off already, Empress?" Quinn gloated with a forced smile. "I've sync'ed with my temporal twin, Quinn. She's already done this, remember?" I answered as I flew up closer to his face. "Hey! How did you do that so fast?" Simone asked as she was suddenly hovering unsteadily off to my right. 'She's the Empress, you twit! Even I know that she can do some really amazing things.' An unfamiliar voice thought into my head. "Who said that?" I asked, looking around the room where a single male human and a single female human stood in astonishment. Reggie Celeste had to have seen this, but from the gaping hole where her mouth was supposed to be, maybe not. 'Forgive my friend for not grasping such a simple concept, Empress. Though I'm as guilty about my grace in precision flying as she, I am not as oblivious.' Looking to my left, I saw Ginger hovering, but wavering slightly, with a smile on her face. "I didn't know you could talk, honey," I told her out loud. 'Though borne mute, Yuuka's wonderful 'accident' has given me a way, exclusive as it is, to have my voice heard. Though, I was afraid to let my older sisters know of this miracle for fear of extended ridicule. Still, I thank you both with all my heart, Empress!" The redheaded Pixie thought back as she bowed to me. A single tear rolled down her cheek. "OOOOUUUUCH!" Andie's cry of pain caught my attention again. Flying down and landing gracefully next to my troubled sister, I offered my hand. "How can you just up and fly as if you've done it all your life?" Andie asked as she finally stood next to me. "Don't over think it, sis," I said as I held her arms in mine and started to hover a few centimeters off the ground. Andie became shorter then was looking me in the eyes again. I increased my altitude with Andie keeping stride. I smiled deviously as I released my sister's arms and hovered back from her. Andie's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. I motioned with a nod for her to follow me and flew back down to the others. Reggie was nowhere to be seen, Mom had a frown on her face, and the three Daroughs were hovering cross-legged a few millimeters above the floor. Their wings weren't moving. "What is the use of going to Pixie mode if you three won't use your wings?" I asked with a raised eyebrow and my arms crossed. "We're working on it, Alex," Cami remarked. "Some of us aren't as quick as you, Reggie, or even Andie." Cassi suddenly shot off toward the ceiling, 'whooping' excitedly. "Excuse her, Alex. Apparently my daughter grew restless while waiting for Alexis to figure things out." "You two go have some fun. I'll handle mom," I said with a smile. Cami and her mom shot toward the ceiling to join Cassi... I just happened to catch a dusty pink blur streak across the living area wall adjoining our bedrooms and lavatory. 'You better slow down, honey. Atlantis' stock of honey is limited.' I focused and thought to my daughter. Reggie was suddenly in my face and jabbed her finger into my shoulder. "Tag! You're it!" she shouted and sped away. Without thinking, the urge hit me and I found myself catching up to her with my hand and pointer finger extended out to tag her. Goddess! This was fun! "Ummmm, Alex?" Yuuka said pulling up beside me as I banked around the couch for the...umm...twentieth or thirtieth time. "Wasn't the whole point of this to teach Simone and Ginger how to fly?" I slowed down realizing that I was having waaay too much fun. "Slipped my mind, honey. Sorry." Yuuka began shaking her head with an amused smile. "It's okay, Alex. The Skipper did the exact same thing on our mission to Burma. Can we attend our two new sisters now?" I nodded sadly, broke off my chase of Reggie, and flew over to Simone and Ginger. The two were patiently standing on the end table. Settling gracefully and lightly next to them, Yuuka and I smiled. "So, Ginger, questions?" I asked as Yuuka looked over at me in surprise. 'My actual name is Grange, but I suppose 'Ginger' fits my new predicament much better, Empress.' The redheaded Pixie thought to me... "You can talk?" Yuuka gasped. And apparently Yuuka, too. A silent giggle escaped Ginger's mouth, but we both heard it in our minds. 'As I told the Empress, I was borne mute, Yuuka. Though an accident, I thank you for granting me the privilege of finally having a voice." Yuuka wrapped her arms around the girl for a full minute. 'Ginger?' I thought to her and Yuuka. 'Yes, Empress?' 'My name is Alexandra or Alex, honey. I'd be honored if you called me that instead of 'Empress' all the time.' 'I'll try to remember that, Alex, thank you.' Ginger's face turned to a frown. 'So. How do you do it, Alex? How do you fly straight and true?' 'Don't try to over think it, honey. You noticed how Simone flew much better when she had her mind focused on her anger instead of her wings? Try to clear your mind and think about where you want to go. Don't focus on the how or why. You have the ability to fly anywhere you want, Ginger, so don't dwell on the mechanics.' I instructed our novice Pixie. I also thought of mom while I did. From the corner of my eye, I saw another pinkish blur shoot ceiling- ward. 'Thank you, Alexandra,' Mom thought her thanks. Ginger noticed too and slowly began to hover off the tabletop. 'I think I have it figured out, Alex. What do you think?' She smiled outwardly. Trina hovered over between Ginger and I. "Tag! You're it!" she shouted as she poked the redhead in the shoulder before shooting off in a blur of yellow. Ginger was gone instantly! 'By the Seven Worlds! This is Amazing!' Ginger shouted in my mind, excitedly. "How do you make it look so easy, Alex?" Yuuka asked as I landed next to her and we both tracked the red-haired Pixie's flight path around the room. "Not a clue, honey. All I did was restate what you said back in the subway station. Maybe there's a difference coming from the Empress?" I answered with a shrug. "Okay, so...will it work on the 'hard case'?" Yuuka asked skeptically. "We'll find out now. Ready?" I asked as I hovered over to a very discontented Simone. "I never knew he could speak. He never said anything- ever. Not in the fifty years I've known him. Empress, I never knew he was born without a voice!" Simone shook her head in shame. "And...and I guess I never thought to ask." I wondered if she realized what she was saying, and about who? I decided not to correct the ditzy brunette. "So what? Before a few days ago you didn't know any of us existed- I was just an old wives tale. Maybe you just need to think more openly, Simone," I challenged as I took her hands and began to pull gently. "I've never been open-minded, Empress. I've always stuck to what was known and fixed. This flying thing it's...it's so different! It scares me tremendously," Simone admitted sadly. "What's to be frightened of, honey? I mean, you have wings, so, unless something catastrophic occurs, you shouldn't fall, right?" I inquired as I hovered slightly off the side table's flat, smooth, top. "But what if I forget to use them? What if I wake up and I'm actually standing on the ledge of some tall building?" she countered as tears lazily rolled down her cheeks. "Look, honey, this is no dream; that, I can assure you. You really are a Pixie and this really is your reality," I said as I looked directly into her teary eyes. If I could hold her attention for a few more moments... "Simone, you are as much gifted as Ginger. My advice to her and also to you is to stop thinking too hard about using those beautiful wings of yours and just use them." "Don't use doubletalk on a confirmed panhandler, Empress. I've heard and practiced it all," she advised me sadly. "Really?" I asked with a devious grin. "So, earlier when you got so upset at Allie, you intentionally concentrated on flying straight at her face to punch her, right?" "She didn't have to say those things about us, Empress! We're trying our hardest to master these things! Ginger and I aren't as adept as you and the others at flying or hov-ver-ing. EEEEEK!" Simone squeaked as she finally noticed that we had slowly hovered almost a meter away from the safety of the side table. Her wings sputtered and stopped. Simone dropped to the floor instantly. I did, however, notice that her wings began to beat in order to slow her decent. As a result she hit the tightly looped, textile floor much slower than expected. I decided to try a different method. "What a loser!" I shouted, laughed, and pointed to her as she picked herself off the floor. Simone looked up to where I hovered, perplexed; tears now streaming down her face in embarrassment. "Allie is right! You really are the dumbest Pixie in the histories of the infinite universes! I'm sorry I even had the vision to help you and Ginger escape you're fate. I should've left you to the apocalyptic thugs that were only minutes away from that subway station. They would have turned you into bitches like I did, but not in a way you'd enjoy," I goaded. "Please...don't say that, Empress! I'm trying..." "Trying isn't the word, Simon! You've more than tried everyone's patience! I've killed insects that have been less of a pestilence; less of a one man plague!" I continued to accuse. "Shut up! I said I'm trying!" "And I'm saying you are way worse than that, Simon!" I continued to prod. I was counting on her anger to snowball out of control very soon. "Really? I demean you and call you stupid and the best you can do is order me to shut up? Not only are you a loser, but you're a coward too!" "I told you to shut up!" she shouted. "A lowly, stupid, loser of a coward! How do you even live knowing that such a useless, poor excuse for a human being exists? What's the use in trying to teach you anything? You're nothing but a waste of wings, Simon!" "I said, SHUT UP!" she barked in full fury! "Why should I? It's not like you could fly up here, let alone actually catch me, to stop me!" I shouted and took one last dig. "What a Loser!" I laughed hysterically as I pointed to her. Simone had closed the gap between us by half before I reacted and took off at fleet speed away from her. She continued to close on me, flying straight and true! "You won't catch me you pathetic loser!" I shouted as I increased my speed slightly. Simone was right on my tail and continued to gain on me. I increased my speed again. I still had a little more before I'd need to cheat. "Catch me if you can, loser!" I goaded as I went to full speed. Still Simone gained on me. I wondered if she even realized she was flying faster than even Allie could. I decided to go for broke. "Oh, come on! Is that all you've got; how absolutely pitiable!?" I laughed as I went to 'warp'- as Alex Steinert called it. I slowed time down slightly for everyone but me. Simone remained oblivious, but still gained on me! I could feel her trying to grab my feet. Just as I thought she might grasp my ankle, she began to slow and drop back. I restored time to normal around me and began to slow also, matching her velocity exactly. 'Alex? What did you just do?' Allie asked in thought. 'It's like the two of you were flying almost at the speed of light! I've never seen any Pixie fly that fast before- ever!' 'Simone? Have y'all burn't out that anger of yours yet, or are y'all still hell-bent on knocking mah teeth out?' I asked as I focused my thoughts to her. 'You're right, Empress. I AM a total loser.' She thought back sadly. 'I'll just space myself and end this wretched nightmare I've entered. Let me say goodbye to Ginger." Simone slowed to a stop and hovered, with her head slumped forward. 'Cami, or Cassi, could you replay what y'all observed of our lil' competition?' I thought to my Mind Warriors. "Huh?" Simone gasped as she apparently was receiving the archive. "That was me? How?" "That's what we were wondering, girl!" Allie asked as she flew up and hovered next to the rookie. Everyone with wings came to hover around the newest brunette Pixie. All wanted to know how such incredible speed was possible. Mom, Andie, and Reggie flew over to me. "I noticed that you and the rest of the family started to glow, Alexandra. Did you actually cheat by slowing time around you?" Mom accused politely as Andie's mouth dropped open. "Ah had to show her what she's capable of, ma. Simone's the kinda person that needs physical proof to believe." "Alex! That was possibly the most fantastic thing I've ever seen!" Quintin Darough bubbled over. "I didn't realize Pixies could fly so fast!" "Normally they cain't, but that'un does, an' quite well, Ah might add. Ah had ta slow time 'round me to keep 'heada her." Simone's mouth dropped open as she realized what I meant. "That was a dirty trick- pushing my anger like that, Empress!" Simone hissed as she stomped her foot while hovering towards me. "Normal techniques didn't seem ta be workin', hun. Ah had ta try somethin' a might risky to prove y'all ain't never gonna be no loser," I looked to Trina and Allie. "She pass muster now, gals?" I asked. They both answered by way of a smile. Simone frowned as she considered something. "Empress. While poking my anger you called me 'Simon' several times. I request you call me Simone from here on." "An' Ah request y'all call me Alex or Alexandra from here on, hun. We square?" I asked as I offered my hand. "Weren't you afraid of what would've happened if I had caught you, Alex?" she asked as we shook hands. "Nope. Seen it all happen when Ah run the scenarios, hun. Even if'n y'all did manage ta grasp mah foot, Ah'da just stopped time completely, freed mahself, an' ported away. Mah sister calls it a tactical retreat." "Speaking of sisters, Alex, you're starting to sound like her, sweetie. You might consider resting a spell," Mom suggested as she placed a hand on my shoulder. I woke up with a start. Everything looked incredibly huge! Was I really awake or was I having a multilayered dream like I remembered Alex Steinert had when she suffered from Hathor's strange genetic sickness. I finally worked out, using my gift that I was laying on my pillow. And I was still in Pixie mode! With a loud growl, my stomach let me know it wanted food. The urge to eat was suddenly very strong. I wanted something sweet and needed it now! I thought about how Yuuka dove into a container of honey...my mouth started to water ferociously at just the thought of the word! Goddess! I wanted honey! I needed honey! I ported out to the living area and found everyone except Quinn still in Pixie mode. "Welcome back, Alex. Have a good snooze?" Quinn asked pleasantly. "Hungry!" Quinn grimaced and nodded. "Got it all ready for you, Empress," he said as he pointed to the coffee table where a huge- to me at the present- bowl sat containing a golden tinted, thick, viscous fluid. I was past drooling as my first handful emptied into my mouth. I'd never realized how good this stuff tasted when eaten out of your own hand. Of course, I was so ravenously hungry I might have forgotten and started eating my own hand if I wasn't careful! "Wow, mom, that's a scary sight," Reggie whistled as she kept her distance from me. I fought the urge to climb into the container and start licking it clean. "Alexandra! I thought I taught you better!" Alexis growled as she stood across the bowl from me with her arms crossed and a disappointed scowl. "As Empress of Time and Space, you need to keep up your royal appearance, young lady! What would the commoners think should they see you like this?" "They'd think Ah's hungry, Ma!" I sassed as I found a spot I missed and quickly used my index finger to wipe it up. "Alexandra. I think its time you grew up. You're starting to act 'barbaric', and no daughter of mine should act so ill-mannered and rude," Ma chastised. I decided to savor the film of honey a while longer as I stuck my finger in my mouth and slowly ran my tongue over it. "I'm not even going to ask where you learned that, Alexandra. Now exit Pixie mode, please," Ma growled as she watched me in disgust. Slowly, I flew off the coffee table and landed softly on the textile flooring. I willed myself to grow up and felt the tingle of my body transforming, gaining height and mass. As before, my Reilly went through a series of diagnostics and a required covering change automatically. "Welcome back to the grown-up world, Empress," Quintin Darough greeted pleasantly. One by one, my sisters all left Pixie mode. "Now that...that was fun!" Reggie giggled uncontrollably as she hugged each of our Pixie sisters. "We'll have to do that again!" Simone and Ginger hovered up to me. "Thank you very much, Empress," Simone started then looked to her new sister. "What? Oh, okay," she nodded and continued. "Ginger would like to know if we really are part of the Commodore's 'Royal Court' now." "If Andie gives her approval, AND y'all promise to behave yerselves," I smiled and looked over to my half-sister. "And I'll ask again, Alex. What am I going to do with two Pixies of my very own?" Andie glared at me in contempt. "Well, the school kids'll never have to wonder when Yuuka or the other Pixies are coming for a visit. You can also have 'em provide reconnaissance after landing on Earth. And...and they kin get inta the smallest places around the ship to inspect otherwise unreachable components," I offered as the sucrose started to infuse into my bloodstream. Andie thought a minute then sighed heavily. "Alright. Welcome to the staff here on Atlantis, girls." "Great!" I giggled. "Now let's celebrate!" I walked over to the food and beverage dispenser. "Two, ten milliliter containers and eight, two hundred-fifty milliliter containers of Pa Steinert's Blue Ribbon Recipe, please," I ordered. In English. Andie, Mom, Reggie, Cassi, Cami, and Yuuka quickly stared at me as I carefully took the two 'thimbles' of Pa's Blue Ribbon Moonshine out of the machine and set them down on the end table. "Here, ladies. Hold off though, until we all get ours, please," I said as I passed the other, much larger glasses to my mission sisters. "Twenty, two hundred-fifty milliliter containers of Pa's Blue Ribbon Recipe, please," I again ordered from the food dispenser. I passed one out to all our Pixie sisters. "To Simone and Ginger! Welcome to the family!" I offered via a toast before downing the smooth, yet potent, liquor. Within five minutes of downing their drinks, both new Pixies were fast asleep. They would remain asleep for about three hours while the Mahanilui worked its 'magic'. E.S. Atlantis, Standard Year 258:01:29 I had foreseen the tall, lithe, and athletic, brunette cautiously entering my living area with her head slumped forward. "Alex?" "Ya, honey," I answered without even looking toward the voice. "Um...it's...iiiiit's me? Simone?" "What's the problem, hun?" I asked as I turned the page of my book, a Celestrian science-fiction composition entitled 'Escaping Metropolis'. It was publicized as predicting the exodus from the planet via a spacecraft similar to Atlantis. I found it surprising that the author, one Andruth Scotto, had been so accurate and precise. The book even had an appendix of conceptual drawings that looked remarkably...eerily reminiscent...of the ship we currently inhabited. "IIIIIIIII...I need your advice, Empress," The woman's voice wavered. "Sorry, but it's the Empress' day off, Simone. Can I help you instead?" I replied, turning my attention from the top of the right page to the bottom of the left as I continued to read. "Ma'am...um...Alex? I..," my newest sister paused ten seconds. I heard her swallow hard. "Alex? Am I...supposed to look like this? I...I thought Ginger and I were to be Pixies for the rest of our lives? How can I be like this again?" "The liquor I gave you last night triggered the nanobots in your body. You and Ginger have gone through a process we sisters call the Mahanilui. Everyone that goes through the Mahanilui receives a specific, individual set of, what we call 'gifts', honey. That is yours." "Nan...nanobots? How did they, whatever they are, get into me?" "They were suspended in the water I offered you and Ginger back in the subway station, hun. Welcome to the sisterhood," I revealed as I turned another page. "Ummmm?" "So where is your sister, hun? If I'm to answer any more questions, you both should be here so I don't repeat myself," I inquired, still not looking toward my guest. My quarter's door opened again. "Thank you very much for the assistance, Camille. Things look very different at this size and I didn't want to find myself lost in my new home. Empress? May I enter your residence?" Ginger asked kindly. She had a beautiful voice thanks to her Mahanilui. "Like Ah told yer sister, honey. It's the Empress' day off. Take a seat," I patted the cushion next to me on the couch. "What brings y'all by?" "But are you not the Empress, Alexandra?" Ginger asked in confusion. "Sure am, but Ah needed some 'me' time away from all the time travel, royal stuff, an all." "Oh. Pardon me for intruding then. I will come back at a more convenient time, when the Empress once again holds court. Forgive me, Alexandra. Good day," she apologized. That got me to look up at the red-haired beauty standing next to her new brunette sister. Both were almost the same height and build, and both continued staring at the floor. "Ah said come an sit a spell, y'all. Ah assume y'all wanna know what happened an why?" "Please. If you would be kind enough to indulge me...um...us?" Ginger replied. I marked my page, closed the book, and sat it on the end table. "First off. You two have just gone through what we sisters call the Mahanilui, a process whereby very small biomachines recently introduced into your body have activated to modify your genetic code and initiated other small repairs as needed. In regard to modifying your genetic code, you have received what we refer to as our 'gifts'- specific abilities individual to each of us. As an added benefit, your Mahanilui, Ginger, has manufactured the vocal structure you were originally born without." Tears quickly appeared in the redhead's eyes. "As y'all found out precisely two hours ago, your 'gift' is the ability to exit Pixie mode and become human again- quite the reverse of your sister Pixies. Unfortunately, the Mahanilui has imprinted on your female base images and cannot be changed, unless by one of our shapeshifters...but only temporarily, and only with their assistance. But now that you have undergone the Mahanilui, you'll find your gender change easier to accept. I specifically programmed that vital subroutine in during the earlier project trials." Ginger stared at me for fifty-three point four seconds. "You designed and developed those tiny machines, Alexandra? Why, if I may be so bold?" "Our race had been condemned when our planet imploded into a solar reactor. My research facility- on an orbiting planetoid- was thrown clear in the initial reaction. Only two hundred odd people were left. But to answer your question, we had been monitoring the planet previous to that and predicted months in advance the possible outcome. Camille, Billie, and I decided to design a defense against complete annihilation. The nanobots traveling throughout your body- through all our bodies- are the result of that defensive program of over nine hundred years ago." Simone and Ginger stared at me in awe for over a minute. Simone gulped loudly. "You're over nine...nine hundred years old?" she squeaked. "More or less, yes. Closer to a millennia now, but mah mother is over twelve hundred to answer your impending question," I said calmly. "Would we live that long also?" Ginger asked herself, just above a whisper. "Don't see why not, honey," I answered frankly. "What would I do if I lived that long?" Simone asked herself. "Anythin' y'all want, honey! Many of our sisters take advantage of the higher educational offerings. Some have almost a dozen master's degrees or doctorates. All depends on whatever y'all decide to do. Ah only require that whatever it is, ain't illegal, ain't prostitution, or ain't massively destructive...so you might want to consider retiring from panhandlin', girls. We try to keep the sisterhood respectable." "But how will we provide for ourselves?" Ginger pressed. "Ah believe Andie put y'all on the staff?" "That I did, and at your urging, Alex," Andie said as she appeared in the lounge chair opposite us. Both girls popped into Pixie mode and their emptied clothing dropped to the seat cushions. "Good idea, sis. Let's see if they can re-initiate 'human mode'," I said with a wink as I carefully picked up the abandoned clothes, walked into my bedroom, and placed them on my bed. "When y'all feel like growin' back up, your clothes is in mah room, gals." Both Pixies flew into the other room and the door closed seemingly on it's own. "So why the accent, sis?" Andie asked curiously. "Have you been moonlighting again? And for how long this time?" "I'm actually feeling very rested, Andie. I just decided to let my sister's drawl out for a nice long walk." "Oh. Just wondering." "Day after tomorrow," I said out of the blue. "What? Oh. Ya. I saw we'd be landing then too, Alex. How bad will it be?" "Way easier than liftoff, sis. Ricky Lynn improved the reliability and performance of the thrusters. The Daroughs and the Sangieres are still going to be needed, though." Andie nodded as her two fully grown...and fully dressed, Pixies re- entered the living area. "Will this become a habit, Commodore?" Ginger asked cautiously as she gracefully sat down next to me again. "You'll get used to it, honey," I giggled. "You have the most melodious voice I've ever heard, Ginger!" Andie smiled. "Perhaps I can talk you into joining the ship's choral society?" "I think I would like that, Commodore, thank you," Ginger replied excitedly. "Please, call me Andie when I'm not on duty." "Of course. Thank you. Alexandra, I think it is time we leave you and Andie to the obvious conversation she wishes to initiate. Good day, sisters," Ginger said as she stood and motioned Simone to follow her to the door. "Talk about your hundred and eighty degree change, sis!" Andie giggled. "She is one very educated individual, Andie. I think we'll be hearing a lot from her in the coming days and months...and years...and..." "I get it, Alex! What I'm wondering is... have they even noticed that they now look like biological sisters...possibly even fraternal twins?" I shrugged my shoulders. "So what sort of duties will you assign them, Commodore?" I asked with a big smile. "Crew/passenger liasons. I asked their sisters to mentor them when they join their rounds of the schools. "Wow. Talk about performing under fire," I giggled. "I've foreseen them handling it quite well, Alex." "With some intervention," I added, causing her to roll her eyes. "Yes...with SOME intervention, Alex." "So...you should be getting close to starting your de-orbit procedures right?" I asked to change the subject. "The conversion alerts will start to go out to the rings at three bells today and sequence from Epsilon ring inward at two hour intervals. By the time we transition to de-orbit mode, all quarters and vender establishments should be secured and ready to encounter natural gravity," Andie answered using her professional tone. "I'll have our Mind Warriors positioned and standing by where needed as you begin to light the thrusters, sis. Atlantis will settle onto her new home gentle as a feather." "I've already seen that not to be so true, Alex," Andie smiled confidently. "Good girl," I said as we both stood and I gave her a sisterly hug- proud she had used her gift. E.S. Atlantis, Standard Year 258:01:30 "Welcome to the bridge, Empress," Andie greeted with a bright smile and a wink. Billie, Yuuka, Simone, Ginger, Mom, and my Reggie accompanied me. EMPRESS ON THE BRIDGE!" Ian roared as everyone stood, turned toward me, and went to attention. I've never felt so embarrassed in all my life! "HONORS!" he ordered and the huge room erupted in applause! "Why?!" I demanded as I stopped time and looked at Andie and Regina Celeste. The room was eerily quiet and my question echoed for several seconds. As usual all members of the 'royal' family gave off a bluish glow. I also noticed that Regina and Ian were holding hands. He was aglow as well. "On behalf of my staff, Alexandra, I'd like to thank you and our sisters for your continued assistance in the successful completion of Atlantis' mission to ensure the continuance of our race- our society. We ask your permission to enter into our de-orbiting phase, my Empress." I didn't know what to say, other than 'stop this royal horseshit at once'. That wouldn't have been acceptable in this case, though. A glowing Artemus Celeste paraded over to me, stopped, turned, and stood to attention. He saluted me. "Ohhhhh, shit!" My daughter and mom gasped simultaneously. "Empress Alexandra. We await your permissions," he stated rigidly. Billie nodded her approval despite my momentary glare towards her. "My permissions?" I restated questioningly, raising an eyebrow. "Alright! My first is permission ta stop this here horseshit! Second. Let's get this mission back on track! Third! Let's get this old girl on the ground safe an' gentle-like! Those are my permissions, Commander, Commodore, and Sub Commander Celeste!" I growled. I noticed my illumination pulsating to punctuate my every word. My Reggie and mom looked over at me. I noticed a slight tinge of amazement in their eyes. I released time and the applause resumed. "ORDER GIVEN!" Ian roared. Everyone stopped applauding, turned, and quickly manned his or her stations. Artie displayed a quirky grin as he dropped his salute, turned, and marched smartly back to his seat. "Conversion status!" Andie barked. "All rings report ready for de-orbit, Commodore. All passengers have reported to designated re-entry facilities and await further instructions." "LZ status!" "LZ status is reported as nominal with a slight weather event...hold on. Commodore! LZ status is clear with ideal conditions!" Andie looked back at me. Her eyebrow 'twitched' ever so slightly before she continued. "Alert all sections. De-orbit thrusters in ten minutes. Begin MTP&I. All passengers are requested to take seats and buckle in securely." "Beginning Main Thruster Priming and Ignition." "Alerting all re-entry shelters." "Main thrusters alive and idling, Commodore," Regina Celeste relayed to Andie after eight minutes. "Transition burn should commence in one hundred-three seconds." "Axial thrusters to null rotation, Subcommander," Andie commanded. "Axials firing, Commodore. Ship rotation slowing." The feeling of breaking inertia and lessening gravity was an odd mix and my stomach complained momentarily. "Axial rotation stopped." "On your order, subcommander," Andie said handing off to our sister. Regina Celeste's fingers flew over her console for several seconds. "Sectors one through sixty, prepare for a ten second burn at twenty percent on my mark. Three, two, one, mark!" Reggie commanded and we felt the attitude of the gargantuan ship start to change smoothly. "De-orbit translation burn complete." "Compensory burn, Subcommander," Andie ordered. "Two second burn on sectors two-fifty through two-ninety now," Reggie commanded. "Burn complete. Attitude stable, subcommander." "Take us down, subcommander," Andie ordered as she turned and nodded to me. "You're on, Alex." "Miss Sangiere. All MARE stations enable and standby. Acknowledge status," I said to Billie. "Stations Camille, Cassieopiea, Francis, Iphegenia, and Billie, ready. All MARE stations ready and awaiting orders, Alex." Artemus Celeste looked over at me. "MARE?" he mouth silently. I smiled. "Commodore. We're ready with Mind warrior Assisted Re-Entry. On your order, ma'am." "Full power to the grav-generators. De-orbit sequence in five, four, three, fifty percent power to the thrusters, now," Reggie ordered excitedly. Atlantis began shaking and we could feel our momentum change. I felt my body weight increase slightly. "Engage heat shields, Subcommander," Andie said calmly. "Heat shields to maximum," Reggie relayed the order. "REHS to max," Someone responded. "Commodore! We're slowing faster than expected," Another voice warned. "Ricky Lynn's modifications, sis. Back off to twenty-seven percent," I suggested quietly. "Main thrusters to twenty-seven percent," Andie ordered as her eyes went wide with surprise. Again Reggie relayed the order. "Re-entry velocity back within specified curve tolerances." "Secondary and backup power sources to all MARE stations, Miss Sangiere," I said as I nodded to mom, Yuuka, and my Reggie. Yuuka flew over to Billie's shoulder and gently grasped her earlobe. Mom and Reg took Billie's offered hands. "All secondary and back-up power sources are engaged, Cap," Billie confirmed. "Are we going to start this again...commander?" I asked in response. "Seemed to fit the situation, ma'am," Billie replied with a grin. "Acknowledged," I responded coolly. Atlantis began to buffet as well as shake harder. "Miss Sangiere. Fifty percent to all MARE stations. Compensate for outer atmospheric turbulence." "Aye, Cap. Fifty percent. Compensation enabled." The shaking and buffeting smoothed, but not entirely. "Decent velocity increasing." "Main thrusters to seventy-five percent," Andie ordered. "Main thrusters at seven-five percent." "Velocity still increasing, Commodore." "Mains to one hundred," Andie ordered- a slight tenseness in her voice. "MARE stations to seventy-five, Miss Sangiere," I too, ordered. "Aye, cap! All stations to seventy-five." "Velocity still increasing, but only slightly, Commodore." "Full power to all thrusters!" Andie shouted in alarm. "Engage secondary power sources, Miss Sangiere, and supplement with backups as necessary." "Aye, cap," Billie acknowledged and I walked over to her and took mom's hand. "Miss Sangiere. Eighty percent to all MARE stations. Prepare to modulate stations for attitude adjustments." "Aye, cap." "Commodore, could you bring up your artificial horizon readout on the large display in combination with an actual view of LZ?" I asked. Andie nodded. "Split the gyro'd horizon and realtime LZ on the large display for the Empress." The large display over the center of the Bridge came to life with two side-by-side images; one, a two dimensional representation of Atlantis in relation to a solid horizontal line, the other, an enlarged view of the ocean waves. "Too close," Billie complained. "Please zoom out on the LZ?" I asked loudly. The ocean zoomed out and Billie nodded her head that she was satisfied. "Velocity slowing, but still above recommended decent rate." "Full power to all MARE stations. Discontinue turbulence compensation." "Aye, cap. I'm opening your reserve," Billie replied as I felt her start to draw ever-so-slightly from me. Mom suddenly stared at me as she quickly looked at our joined hands. "Decent velocity now within acceptable limits on the curve, Commodore." "Wind shear is picking up, Commodore. Measuring seventy knots and climbing." "We're crossing through the jet stream, Billie. Compensate for wind shear to keep us on target." "Already on it, cap." "Winds at one-zero-five knots and holding." "Subcommander, are we still on target to LZ?" Andie inquired. Regina Celeste turned to her sister and gave her a thumbs up. "Wind shear decreasing. Down to two-nine knots." "Dixie? Could you display Atlantis' altitude on the display nearest us? In metric, please," I asked the A.I. The display came to life and indicated we were seven kilometers above sea level. "Fuel status!" Andie shouted as she looked back at me. "Sixty percent and full reserves." Andie seemed to calm slightly with that information. "Commodore! I'm reading above redline temperatures on thrusters ninety- nine through one eleven and twenty-one, thiry-five, forty, and seventy- four! Shutdown imminent! We just lost them, ma'am!" "Another two kilometers, Miss Sangiere. Add two more Pixies to the secondaries and increase your own power draw on me. Take us to one-ten and settle us gently into the waves, please," I ordered. Again I felt a very slight increase in her power drain on me. Yet again mom looked at me and our connection in disbelief. "Alexandra? Where is all that energy coming from? I never thought you so..," Mom began before I interrupted. "Ma, we can talk later. Right now Atlantis is our main concern." Ginger and Simone flew over to Billie. Ginger landing on Billie's empty shoulder to take her earlobe, and Simone gently landing next to Yuuka, taking her hand. "How's Gena doin, hun?" I asked. "Ffffffft," she's laughing hysterically, Alex- claims she's having the time of her life." "How's Franny?" "She lists her status as nominal, Alex. She reports that Quinn isn't helping very much so she has six Pixies as well as Rommie with her." Billie frowned a moment. "Franny wants to know when we're actually going to start." I shook my head in amazement of mom's Mind Warrior. She seemed to be a real trooper. It amazed me how similar the Darough women were. "Tell her to be patient and that the real test is coming in..," I looked at the altimeter. "In thirty seconds, commander." "Aye, cap. Stations Camille, Cassi, Gena, Francis, and Billie appreciate the heads-up," Billie answered with a cocked eyebrow. "One kilometer under the keel, Miss Sangiere, don't make her bob too much," I informed ten seconds later. "Aye. Relaying repulsion field blending percentages to all stations, cap. All MAREs report ready." I intently watched the altimeter for another ten seconds. "Miss Sangiere, begin blending repulsion field at twenty percent then ramp up as necessary," I ordered. "Blending complete. Ramping up now. Thirty, thirty-five, forty, fifty..." "Commodore! Keel telemetric antennae are awash and structural integrity on our Alpha Long-Range dish has been compromised!" One of Andie's bridge crew shouted out. "Full power to the repulsion field, commander! Ease us in, we're still a little too hot." "Aye, cap! Increasing power draw now," Billie responded as she closed her eyes in concentration. Simone and Ginger moaned loudly- even Mom's hand tensed in mine. "By the Goddess, this thing is heavy!" Billie commented as her face flushed. "Captain! Stations Gena and Francis have tapped backups. We have four Pixies down!" Billie alerted as her eyes shot open. "Widening my field, ma'am!" The noticeable increase in her energy draw told me that Billie was on the verge of overloading herself. Ma's hand was crushing mine and started to shake moderately. "By the Goddess, Alex!" she groaned as she continued to stare at me. I reached out and took Billie's arm with my free hand in order to shunt around Alexis. That seemed to help, but now, Ma was staring intently into my eyes. She gasped as she blinked a few times, looking confused. Billie nodded to me- her eyes also lingering on mine in wonder, closing them, she began to concentrate even harder. "Velocity slowing to ten cubits per second." "Three cubits per second! Alpha keel is awash! One cubit per second! "Fifty cubit a minute, Commodore!" "All ring keels awash, Commander! Two cubits a minute!" "One cubit a minute!" "Shutdown all thrusters!" Atlantis shook violently as we watched water wash up over the outer Bridge observation windows. Everything became silent, except for the chatter of fingers tapping frantically on the various consoles around the bridge. Billie's power draw decreased substantially. "All MARE stations report station-keeping, cap," she informed me with a huge smile. "Commodore. Alpha Telemetric antenna reports eighty-five cubits under the sensor and stationary!" "Atlantis buoyancy confirmed, we're down, Commodore!" Regina Celeste shouted excitedly. The bridge erupted in shouts, applause, and 'whoops' of joy! Artemus Celeste unbuckled, stood up, and walked over to Andie. "Well done, Commodore! I've never been prouder of this crew!" he said in a proud voice as he shook her hand enthusiastically. "Secure all sections. Activate water detection teams," Andie ordered as she smiled tensely. Billie's arm began shaking violently as her complexion began to drain. "Will!" I shouted as I quickly transported everyone still in contact with us to her quarters. "Dixie! I need Dr. Mintaka to room Beta thirty-seven on the double!" "The doctor is on her way, Alex. She asks for some insight." "Billie over did it and passed out," I said as ma and I gently placed our sister on her bed. "Message received and understood. ETA, five minutes, Mintaka out," Belle's voice announced from all around us, but she was suddenly standing next to me. Reggie had her arm and was looking all too serious at Billie. "Or less," Belle added as she looked around at us then to my daughter. Dr. Mintaka produced her hand-held scanning device and began passing it over my Assistant Director. Ten seconds later, Gena stumbled into the bedroom- her face looking paler than usual. "Mom gonna be okay, Alex?" she asked. "She overdid a might, honey. Y'all needn't worry," I replied with a guarded smile. "So...why did you even call me here, Alex?" Belle asked sarcastically as she looked up from her scanner. "Just wanted to make sure. Mah sister, Emily's the doctor in the family." "Sorry, Empress. I let all of you down," Gena sighed as she dropped her eyes to the deck. "I got a little too confident and wasn't paying attention to how much I was pulling from Shuania and Violet." "How are they, hun?" I asked. "Both got really light-headed so I had them tag out. I'm really sorry, Alexis, for overdrawing from two of your Pixies." 'Cami? Status on all stations?' I thought to her. 'Billie and Gena you already know about. Cassi and I, as well as our 'secondary's', are fine. Mom has a migraine the size of Atlantis, but she'll survive. Lavi, Peri, Daisy, and Piper are awake now and demanding an extra portion of honey, director.' 'Stand down from MARE stations, girls. Good job!'I thought back as I physically nodded my head. "You three wanna fetch the others?" I said to Ma, Reggie, and Gena. "Ah'll watch yer ma, honey." "Roger that, ma," Reggie said before she and Ma disappeared. Gena hesitated so I motioned her to go by waving my hand a few times. "Alex?" Andie cried as she, Artie, and Regina appeared. "Is Billie alright?" "I'll live," My Assistant Director moaned as she reached for her head. "Sorry, cap, I over did it a little." "Ya crazy blonde! What were y'all thinkin'?" I demanded in relief. Billie giggled a few times. "Subcommander Alnilam to Commodore Celeste." "Celeste. Go ahead, Ian," Andie answered her page. "Commodore, Section two-thirty in Gamma ring reports minor seeping of sea water. Repairs are underway on that airlock seal. Fifty percent of the inspection crews have reported in favorably." "Keep me up to date, Subcommander." "How is Cmdr. Sangiere, Commodore?" he inquired. "She's fine, Ian. Pass the word, please, that all ladies of the Empress' court are well." "Thanks, ma'am. Alnilam out," Ian replied almost being drown out by applause, hoots, and holerin' in the background. "Well, let's get Atlantis secured," Billie said as she attempted to sit up. Belle assertively pushed her back down. "Oh no you don't! I've been called to check you out, and you will not move until I'm satisfied, your highness!" Belle growled. "Even though you can blow me to tiny pieces, as chief medical officer on this ship, I still have the last say as to whether you are fit for duty, Cmdr. Billie Sangiere!" Billie glared at her a moment then looked away from us. "Yyyyyes...mmmma'am," she acknowledged submissively. "Simone and Ginger? I need you girls to visit the individual Re-entry shelters and make sure our passenger's needs are being met. Once satisfied with the well-being of each facility, you may dismiss the attendees to their quarters. Understood?" "Perfectly, Commodore Celeste. And thank you for putting your trust in Simone and I." Both Pixies flew out of the room. "I wonder if she even realizes she was talking aloud in Pixie mode, Alex," Andie giggled to me. "She knows, but I don't think Simone likes it very much," I answered as I shook my head and laughed. E.S. Atlantis, Standard Year 258:02:01 "So how are you two feeling today?" I asked as Billie's door slid open. She and Gena were sitting on their couch looking extremely bored. "Alex, isn't Dr. Mintaka being overly cautious? Mom's vitals have been stable for sixteen hours." "She just wants to be thorough. She put Francis Darough on wavers too, sweetie." "But why? Belle knows we heal faster than she does, doesn't she?" I nodded as a tense smile began showing though. "Gena's eyes narrowed. "What did you do, Alex?" she asked accusingly. "Not important, sweetie." "Enter into our graced and noble presence, humble practitioner of the healing arts," I said loudly at the door. "You drouging royals are all alike," Belle mumbled under her breath as she entered. "Girls, I'm releasing you back into the wilds of active duty. Don't make me regret my decision," she said irritably at full volume. "What did I ever do to you?" Billie asked innocently as she began looking around the room sheepishly. "That I haven't already seen in your mind, that is." "Nothing yet..," Belle growled, stunned by the admission, "but you girls must have some kind of death wish! Why do you all insist on doing damage to yourselves instead of letting others help?" Belle demanded, looking specifically at me. "New Babylon Class Riots, 226:10:07," Billie interrupted rudely. "Excuse me?" Belle asked quickly turning to look at her. "From the Empress Mother's readable personal memories, Ruth Scott remembered you spending over eight months in a severe trauma unit after running headlong into a crowd of angry protestors that had started and continued beating on an adolescent male you had no connection to," Billie paused. "228:05:26: You singlehandedly subdued and then sedated an armed and violent patient after being stabbed by him three times in the abdomen. 233:12:12: while attending to a power station reactor accident, you..." "Alright already! I get it! I'm just as guilty as the rest of you!" Belle Mintaka steamed. "The point is I know what drives you girls and I'm going to do my best to make sure you stay as safe as can be humanly expected!" "That still doesn't explain being overly cautious...or the attitude, Doc," I said with the slightest hint of a smile. "Like any of you don't already know!" Belle suddenly snarled furiously. "Fine!" she growled impatiently as we sisters, Billie, Gena, and I remained silent, playing innocent. "After finding out about your little Bio-Mechs, Alex, I finally decided to run a sample test on myself yesterday. Just to ensure that your father, Louis, hadn't compromised me accidentally during his surgery," Belle glared at me specifically, though I knew she had just lied about her reason for the test. Billie and Gena glanced over to me also knowing the real reason. "Turns out that my 'K' cell count, as you call it...which I shouldn't even have," she paused to inhale sharply, "Is through the roof! One thousand-twenty parts per million! When did you do it, Alexandra? More specifically, why, Alex? Is my life suddenly going to take a turn for the worse and you wanted to save me? Are things in Atlantis going to suddenly fall apart? Infection, pestilence, disease, something like that going to run rampant? What? Why, Alex?" Belle shouted angrily as tears ran down her cheeks. "I...I asked for her input and then her permission, Bellatrix," Andie said calmly as she appeared standing behind Billie's couch. Belle jumped then stared at her friend and superior. "Andie? But why?" "Does it really need explaining, Belle?" Andie asked as she walked around the long piece of furniture and took the doctor's still- trembling hands in hers. Belle looked at my sister, completely baffled. "Short answer is...well...we need you. Reggie, Father, Ian...everyone here, in this city, needs your experience, your talent...and especially your companionship." Dr. Mintaka continued staring blankly at her longtime friend. "While practicing with my gift- something Alex has strongly recommended- I found you to be a principal player in our future here on Earth. Every scene...every...every day, you were there, Belle! So...so who am I to disrupt Alex' precious time line? Our...timeline." "So what now, Commodore?" Mintaka pulled free and raised her hands in defeat. "Do I simply go to my favorite Bistro and order the strongest drink they stock, or...or do I place myself flat on a gurney and have one of my staff infuse me with medical grade alcohol intravenously? Am I to have any choice in this at all?" "You definitely do have a choice, Belle," I argued. "Right now the nanobots in your body are only repairing you- strictly station-keeping. They are maintaining your health so that you can keep doing your job. One thousand parts per million only means that triggering the Mahanilui is possible. Even if triggered, you aren't going to change genders like we did. It doesn't work like that." "Then how DOES 'it' work, Empress?" she shouted in frustration. "If you decide you want to join the sisterhood, by all means, please, go get stinkin' drunk! Trigger the nanos' primary function and sleep the three odd hours natural females take for the process to complete." "If not, then don't get loaded and simply allow the nanos to continue maintaining your body so you can still live just as long as Andie, Regina, Ginger or Simone, or even Artie," Andie instantly gasped as I continued, "but without the self-denied, ever-cumbersome, gift of medical foresight and telepathic scanning. That's your choice, Belle! You make the decision...you, alone, make that call!" "Impossible! I don't believe it!" Mom cried out, stunned. "And what don't you believe, ma?" I snapped angrily, looking to where she and my Reggie had just appeared! "I can't believe that my daughter actually went straight to the truth about someone's gift! Are you feeling okay, Alexandra?" "Peachy, ma. Just peachy! Never in mah career as Empress have Ah found a sister so staunchly opposed to activating, let along accepting such a miraculous opportunity- such a useful talent! Whatever happened to the Hippocratic oath you doctors take?" I replied angrily as I looked Belle directly in the eyes with several quick glances to Billie. Andie took my hand gently and suddenly we were in a private domain. I hadn't brought us here so that could only mean... "Yes, Alex, I found my little pocket dimension a week ago while I was experimenting with my gift. I couldn't help thinking about it after our desperate visit to your sister's two months ago. Welcome to MY private domain, Empress," Andie declared proudly. "What are you...really, Andromeda Celeste? I thought I knew everything about you... I delivered you into this life, Andromeda! I knew your mother!" Belle cried and shook with fear, as she looked around- at the darkness surrounding us on all sides. At the small, yellow sun behind us- and the slightly larger one in front of us! Two suns? In one domain? Okay...this was different. "That's right, Belle, you knew my mother. Ruth Scott. The wom