How could this guy stay stationary for such a long time? I had been watching him for about ten minutes now and I was starting to shiver!
Unless he wore some sort of powered, heated underwear, there was no way he could be alive.
But, the thin, barely visible white steam exiting his face through the heavy knit, full-face mask proved otherwise.
Unfortunately.
No wonder Pegasus’ sensors had a hard time picking him up!
I tossed around the idea of how the telephoto lens might freeze over given a little more moisture in the air; an annoyed groan escaped the prone figure.
The figure slowly rolled onto his back into the barren corn furrow he was using to conceal himself from the view of the house and turned the camera with its huge lens assembly around on his chest to examine it.
“Why now of all times? I was getting some very interesting stuff. With this I could finally blow the lid off this old case.” He declared, pondering what to do to clear the large lens of the ice that had suddenly formed.
He hadn’t noticed me yet.
“You look cold. Exactly how long have you been out here taking pictures of my house?” I asked bluntly.
The unknown stalker groaned and began to sit up in defeat.
“Detective Carson Simms, Pennsylvania State Poli...”
“Cut the bullshit. I know just about everyone at the local barracks, pal. Care to try again?” I cut him off.
“Christina?” Mom’s voice echoed through the spent field from a short distance away.
“Over here, mom.” I responded while keeping my eyes on our ‘visitor’.
“You’re their so…daughter. Christina, I presume?”
“Who’s asking?” I demanded as I fought the urge to call my wand.
“You? Again?” Mom sounded exasperated as she finally found and stopped by me. “Will you never give up, Mr. Pollock?”
“Not while there’s an untold story here, Colleen.” He answered as if both knew each other for some time.
“Oh, for God’s sake, Steven! How many times do I have to tell you there was nothing ‘paranormal’ that happened that day?” Mom groaned. “My daughter just vanished. We’ve never found her! And I don’t think aliens or demons were involved!”
“And as I’ve told you at each of our meetings, my instruments told me otherwise.
“Mom, if you want him off the property…” I offered.
“No, Christina. Steven was about to leave, weren’t you, Steven?”
“Of course, but you know I’ll never give up- not until I find it.”
“Mom, say the word and this guy will never bother you ag…”
“I said no, Christina!” Mom urged as she quickly jumped in front of me.
“Now you’ve piqued my interest. Theoretically, Christina, how would you accomplish the threat you’ve just made?”
“Steven, I think it’s time you went home for the day. Christina is still tired from her trip up from Pittsburgh. She gets very irritable when she’s tired.”
“So how are your studies at CMU going, Christina?” This ‘Steven’ guy asked.
“You tell me. You seem to know everything about me already.” I grumbled as I forced back my anger. It was extremely hard keeping my eyes from blazing orange!
He gave a light chuckle.
“A three point nine- nine is very commendable. Keep up the good work, young lady.” He nodded to me then looked back to mom.
“Until you catch me again, Colleen.” ‘Steven’ said wryly as he stood and walked away. He gave us a playful wave over his head as he walked over the barren furrows and disappeared into the tree line.
Mom motioned that we should walk back to the house.
“Who was that guy, mom?”
“He calls himself a ‘Paranormal Investigator’, pumpkin- claims his ‘instruments’ went haywire on your fourteenth birthday.” Mom answered.
“What kind of instruments?” I asked as my eyes narrowed.
“PK and EMI meters, I’m guessing. He suddenly showed up about two days after you and your sister’s merger and started asking some very strange and specific questions. It’s like it’s a game to him. That guy,” Mom motioned back to the field, “could be very dangerous.”
“I didn’t think what happened released that much energy. Well, anyway, he’ll find today was a total loss.” I giggled.
“That might not have been the best move, pumpkin. That’s just what he’s looking for.”
“Hey, the cold weather has a way of doing some very strange things to electronic equipment.” I giggled.
“Of course you would know that, wouldn’t you, pumpkin?” Mom smiled up at me.
“Think he’s open to witchcraft, mom?”
“I’m thinking he investigates anything beyond the norm, Christina.”
“He could be useful you know. We might be able to use him to corroborate you’re upcoming ‘accident’ if we set things up properly. Still…” I suggested, but I had a feeling there was something more about this guy.
“Still?” Mom echoed back in curiosity.
“Still… I get a weird vibe from him, mom. He’s something more than just some paranormal investigator.”
“Aren’t we all? Something more than we appear, I mean?” Mom giggled.
 
 

 
 
“Tell me you got the upload from that guy’s memory cards before I nixed them.” I said to Charli as Mom and I came in the kitchen door. It had started snowing lightly outside as we crossed the road from the field.
She gave me a ‘thumbs up’; eyes still closed.
“Processing as we speak, Christina. Hmmmmm. Interesting.”
“Yeah?” I asked, my interest piqued.
“Chance’s decoy field is very effective, though your mother’s protective spell seems to have one minor flaw.”
“What ‘flaw’?” Mom demanded, sounding insulted.
“Your spell seems to have a resistance toward snow.” Charli answered as she used her right thumb and index finger to virtually grasp and ‘fling’ a picture over to Chance’s DataTab. The image of a light coating of snow highlighting mom’s transparent, protective hemisphere was quiet evident. “He also captured your confrontation with those four men earlier.”
A media file played for us.
“So that’s what it looks like to the camera; interesting.” Mom commented.
“Too bad he doesn’t have any proof to back up what he’s seen.” I smiled in satisfaction.
“Just witnessing what happened is enough to make him redouble his efforts to find something out.” Mom warned.
“I take it you did a dozen wipes on the flash memories like I suggested, Christina?” Charli confirmed.
“That and I severed the comm. lines to each chip internally. So… if he wants and can do nano-surgery to the silicon wafer… he still won’t get anything.” I giggled.
Charli nodded to me with a smile.
“That’s putting that high tech education to work, sister!” She praised.
“He is more than he seems, sisters. Steven Pollock is a resource and not a liability.” Savanna informed from out of the blue.
“That’s wonderful, pumpkin, but can we get back to planning our Earthly demise?” Mom boldly changed the subject as she glared at Savanna.
“Wow, that wasn’t direct.” Keats chuckled.
“Can’t tell at all she’s Antarran.” He added sarcastically.
“So what vehicle they find us in, sweetie.” Daddy asked seriously.
“The Audi.” I answered as my heart dropped at the thought.
“WHAT? My Audi?!”
“I’ll never forget that… that… smell.” I added as I wiped tears from my cheeks.
“Easy, pumpkin. You now know we won’t be in there…” Mom said placing her hand on my shoulder.
“That doesn’t make it any better, mom! Just the remembrance of having to go into town and identify…” I said but couldn’t finish. I broke down into sobs.
“So who are they?” Daddy asked as I continued to cry.
“According to the records I’ve been able to find, all dental records and DNA testing prove the corpses to be Louis and Colleen Everhardt.” Charli answered.
“But…but that’s impossible!” I choked out.
“With what I saw you do back in Webb City, sis, your statement has no basis.” Link argued.
“Why, what did she do at this Webb City place?” Daddy inquired cautiously.
“She reconstituted a local woman from the slightest trace of her code array- most recent memories and all.” Link gushed proudly.
“She what now?” Daddy goggled- his eyes going wide and mouth falling open.
“Near as we can tell, Christina somehow located a fallen hair follicle or stray hair from the woman she had just melted with her vaccine and reconstructed her from that slight sample of DNA, Louis. That’s something I’ve only ever seen the Olympians do.” Hope answered.
“Geez! I’m in one of those psychological horror flicks, aren’t I? I mean… Witches, I can handle, but bringing somebody back from the dead… more or less…”
“I don’t know how I can do all this stuff, Daddy. It just seems to come to me when I need it.” I explained- pleaded.
“Honey, don’t get me wrong. I think that you’re absolutely amazing, but with everything that’s happened these last few days…”
“It feels like you fell down the rabbit hole?”
Daddy’s worried expression changed to one of surprise.
“Yeah! Exactly, honey!”
“Welcome to my world, Daddy.” I said as I rolled my eyes knowingly.
“So, you’re able to make a doppelganger of us both. I take it driving the car remotely isn’t out of the question either?” Mom pushed to get back on topic.
“The car can and would drive itself if I didn’t like to drive it manually. But the A6, dear? Why does it have to be the A6?” Daddy groaned. “I like that car.”
“It’s just a car, Louis. We can get another when we get to Antarra; right Cora?” Mom asked.
“The Antarra we’ll be travelling to will be somewhat barbaric, I’m afraid. It is written that the Matriarch subdued, disarmed, and realigned control of settlements and hamlets scattered across Antarra into what we all know as the Norge Dynasty. Colleen Norge basically unified the planet and ultimately the whole of the Antarran System.” Aunt Cora answered.
“Yeah, no pressure there.” Keats teased.
“Obviously, I’m very successful, Keaton Yates! Even I know of the Norge hierarchy and its history. Mother was very insistent that I learn about my Homeworld; even though we were stuck here.”
“Hey! What’s wrong with ‘here’?” Daddy defended.
Mom walked over to Daddy and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Nothing is ‘wrong’ with here, Louis! As long as we’re together, nothing will ever be ‘wrong’- no matter where ‘here’ is.”
I felt my heart swell with love and caught myself ‘ahhh-ing’.
“Christina? When was the last time you visited your shrink?” Charli asked thereby breaking the romantic rapport between Mom and Daddy.
“Thank you.” Keats groaned in relief.
“You should knock it off for a while, Wrench!” Hope glared at him. “I remember many times when you almost orgasmed while working on our brooms’ main emitters and flight systems. Give the snide comments a rest.”
“Why do you want to know about my last visit to my therapist, Charli?” I asked trying to ignore Keats and Hope’s little tiff.
“Apparently, Pollock is also investigating the Clinic you go to. I’ve found both images and surveillance footage files.”
“Christina’s last appointment was about four weeks ago. She was home on winter break.” Mom answered on my behalf realizing it was fresher in her mind than mine.
“Hmmm. Maybe it’s time to pay the ‘Diana Prince Physical and Psychological Wellness Group’ a visit?” Charli proposed.
 
 

 
 
From the outside the four-story building looked very unassuming. Tan brick walls with white painted wood door and window trim. It looked right at home with the other, older buildings in the business district located along Route 322 between Meadville and Conneaut Lake.
“There’s a protective ward around the whole building.” Chance said.
I had observed it as well as we neared and pulled into the parking lot.
“Looks passive enough, but I think our masking spells will null as soon as we enter the building.”
“We can pretty much count on that, Chance.” I confirmed as I stared deeply into the protective ward. “Still, traffic is pretty heavy out on the road so we might as well keep our spells up until we get inside and they null out.”
“Good assessment, Christina. You’re getting better at deciphering other peoples’ incantations.”
I smiled.
“You girls mind if I stay out here?” Daddy asked as Chance, Link, Aunt Cora, Mom, and I got out of the old Suburban.
“We might be a while. Won’t you get cold, Louis?” Mom asked in concern.
“I’ll start it back up if I get cold, honey. Go ask lots of questions.” Daddy smiled.
The building, front doors, and even the foyer looked exactly as I remembered them. But as I reached for and began opening the inner foyer door, I felt a tingle flow over my body.
Turning to Chance, “My cloaking spell is dispersing.” I advised, but continued through the door into the reception area noticing that my Antarran features had reverted to their real proportions.
A reception desk was straight ahead of us. The name: ‘Diana Prince Physical and Psychological Wellness Group’ was proudly displayed in large white, three-dimensional letters on the wall behind it.
Several steps closed the gap and I stood before the twenty-something brunette receptionist.
“Hi! Welcome to the Prince Medical Pavilion, how can I direct yo-?” The receptionist greeted before looking up. When she did, she gasped as her eyes opened wide.
Several other staff members walking from one place or another around me also stopped and gasped in surprise. My extra sensitive hearing began to pick up mutterings of ‘Oh God, she’s here!’ ‘The Boss is here!’ ‘What’s she doing here?’ ‘Ms. Prince is here!’
It didn’t take a second before the receptionist composed herself.
“I’m so sorry, Ms. Prince. We weren’t expecting you today. I’ll show you to your office, ma’am. Please follow me.”
Her nameplate said ‘Constance’.
“First, allow me to introduce my constituents, Connie. Chance and Hope Summers, Colleen Everhardt, Caroline and Coraline Norge.”
“Welcome to the Medical Pavilion, ladies. This way, please.” Constance greeted with a pleasant smile and motioned for us to follow.
 
 

 
 
“I’ll let Dr. Bloise know you’re here, Ms. Prince. Can I get you ladies anything before I go back downstairs?”
“I think we’re all good, Constance, thank you.”
The receptionist nodded silently and saw herself out, closing the office door behind her.
“Nice digs, pumpkin! I hope this little enterprise of yours doesn’t interfere with your grades.” Mom smiled teasingly as she looked around the spacious office.
I glared at her.
“So…Wonder Woman? How’s it feel to have all this and not even know it?” Aunt Cora giggled.
“Apparently I make several trips back here in the previous years.” I groaned.
 
 

 
 
After about ten minutes there came a very slight, almost imperceptible, knock at the office door. I sat down behind the desk- my desk- and pointed at the door.
It unlocked and opened on its own.
“Ms. Prince? Sorry to leave you waiting for so long, but I was with a patient. Forgive my tardiness.” An auburn-haired woman I recognized as ‘Dr. Marla Bloise’ apologized as she entered. She quickly assessed my coven sisters and me.
“Not a problem. The patients better deserve your time. Do you have a few minutes, Marla?” I said with a smile. She actually seemed to be cautiously frightened by us.
“I have about thirty minutes until I prepare to see my next patient, ma’am.”
I motioned for her to have a seat. She chose the couch directly opposite of where Chance, Hope, Link, and Aunt Cora sat on a matching couch, and mom next to them on an overstuffed chair.
“First off, Chance and Hope Summers, Coraline and Caroline Norge, and Colleen Everhardt.” I introduced.
Dr. Bloise’s mouth dropped open when I said mom’s last name.
A bead of sweat appeared on her forehead and she seemed unsure what to do or how to respond.
“Is something wrong, Marla?” I asked with my right eyebrow raised.
“I thought you all were sisters…” Dr. Bloise replied cautiously.
“In a way we are sisters, Marla.” I narrowed my eyes to gauge her next reaction. “Coven sisters. We’re here to have some questions answered. Could you possibly help us by answering them, Dr. Marla Bloise?”
Dr. Bloise twitched.
Instantly, all five of us were uniformed and pointing our wands at the doctor- who, suddenly standing- was defending with a wand of her own.
“Mom? You have a Corps uniform? Since when?” I asked without taking my eyes off our startled opponent.
“I just figured I’d blend in, pumpkin.” She replied in a mirth-filled tone.
“Who are you people?” Marla Bloise demanded cautiously.
“We’re part of a ‘Black Ops’ unit that won’t be formed for another ten years, ‘Marla’. Or should we call you by your real name, Morgana?” Chance answered.
“Travelers? Why come here…to this time?” Morgana asked as she dispelled her wand and sat back down.
“And why are you here, Mrs. Everhardt?” She added curiously.
She obviously hadn’t heard me ask mom about her uniform.
“Because I asked mom to come with me today, Dr. Bloise.” I said as I stepped in front of her. “I’m Christina…Christina Everhardt.”
That’s impossible! Even for our kind! I just saw you four weeks ago and you looked nothing like you do now!” Dr. Blois… Morgana declared.
“I’m quite a bit older than the last time you saw me. Trust me…quite a bit older.” I told her with a slightly devilish smile.
“Are you Amazon?” Morgana asked us, as a group, in confusion. She was staring at our blue hair.
“We’re Antarran, Plum Pie.” Aunt Cora answered with a devious smile of her own.
“Except our High Priestess and her mother there.” She nodded to Chance and Hope.
“Antarran? I’ve never heard of that race. Where are you from?”
“Well, ‘Plum Pie’, we’re from a very long way away; the opposite side of the Milky Way to be more specific.” Link answered before Aunt Cora could.
Morgana’s mouth dropped open and she paled noticeably.
“Problem, Morgana?” Chance questioned.
Morgana looked to Mom.
“I remember you told me you were from Antarra, Colleen. But that was decades ago. And I don’t think I ever asked where Antarra was…I just assumed it was someplace in Europe.”
“And I remember you having blazing red hair back then, too.” Mom countered with a discriminating stare.
“I change my looks from time to time as you may well do the same?” Morgana answered as she gestured to mom’s new blue hair. “The mortals are more accepting of me as a completely different looking person. Though they can be very oblivious to the common characteristics between our alternate, older, and younger personas as you’ve no doubt experienced.”
“You’ve obviously had more experience than me, Sensei. I didn’t even make the connection until our High Priestess mentioned your real name. How can you keep your disguise in place while our concealment spells dissipated at the door?” Mom replied.
“Hair dye and actual cosmetics, Colleen. With the wards on this place, you have to go old school.” Morgana explained as she nodded to me. “Good job on the warding by the way, Christina ‘Diana Prince’ Everhardt. I haven’t been able to see a seam, tear, hole, or flaw to exploit in the twenty-two years I’ve worked here. Thank you by the way. I was beginning to wonder how I would support myself for my next life when you offered me this position.”
“And I thank you for treating my ailment and starting me on my new life path, sister.” I smiled and bowed slightly to her.
She bowed back courteously.
“So how do you all know me? I can honestly say we’ve never met in the past.” Morgana asked curiously.
“We meet and work together many times in your future. Obviously you’ve met Christin…Diana here, in the past.” Chance answered.
Morgana nodded.
“So why Christina? Why watch and even interact with her since she turned fourteen?” Chance continued.
“Because I asked her to observe and guide her as she progressed toward her destiny, High Priestess.” A familiar voice answered from over by the office door.
“Hey, Demi. Imagine meeting you here…and in this day and age.” Chance greeted sarcastically. “And looking all serious, too!”
“Chance Summers. Just as irreverent as the Oracles’ prophesized.”
“I take it this is the first time we’ve met, Lady Demeter? Not a temporal traveler, huh?”
“Hardly, Lady Nike. We, in fact, have met many times in this planet and other systems’ past. Though only you and the Scion travel both directions without obstruction.”
“So I make more ventures into the past… Good thing to know.” Chance continued her sarcasm.
“All in support of the Scion, my dear niece.” Demeter said cryptically.
“Support will always be available and freely given to all sisters- Olympian, Merlinian, or otherwise, Lady Demeter.” Chance said as she looked to each of us.
“Well, at this meeting, the future Scion needs support from the only members of the subspecies capable.” Demi said, continuing in her strange serious character. “Every effort must be made to assure her present circumstance.”
“So that is your mysterious way of hinting that Chance and I should be on our way?” I asked to clear up her very uncharacteristic statement.
“Needs work, and is totally out of character for you, dear lady ‘D’.” I teasingly added.
“Out of character or not, I’m afraid ‘Christina Everhardt’ must endure the trials and suffering of the upcoming months in order to fulfill your present level of enlightenment.” Demeter admitted. “As much as I wish that would not be the case, the universes are cruel and barbaric, sisters.”
I looked toward Morgana.
“Since Hope and Charli have already identified you as Anna McCorkle, we already know your choice, but the option is still yours, Lady Morgana. We all know at least one concealment spell.”
“What would be my role, Lady Chance?” Morgana inquired.
“I believe Anna McCorkle was the new lead project engineer on the Orion launch system for our mission in early 2107.” Hope answered instead.
“And Marta Green was our lead propulsion systems engineer. Because of the budget cuts enabled…” Hope thought a moment as she continued, “last year in May, the higher echelon of design staff changed. Both women arrived in mid-May, and on the same day- the 14th. At least, that’s the way I remember it.”
“So it seems you have your destination, complete with date and location. As you can assume, I and my brothers and sisters were watching. Good luck and safe travels, my sisters.”
Demi vanished.
“We both going to drive or do you want me to try solo?” I asked Chance. “I don’t want to cause you any further injury, High Priestess.”
“Who’s going to be ‘Marta’?” Chance asked.
“Sisters? May I accompany you to the near future and portray the character of Marta Green? I have her parameters and speech patterns in memory from your share of several weeks ago.” Link volunteered.
“Plus, I have studied the ancient propulsion systems of this time period. Pegasus’ library is very well versed on the subject.”
That statement proved beyond a shadow of a doubt this was Link asking because I had never heard Aunt Cora use the term ‘library’ in a serious sentence since meeting her.
“This mission will take over nine Terran years to complete, sis. You sure you still want to do this?” I reminded.
Link walked over and took my hand in answer.
“Whenever you’re ready, sis.”
 
 

 
 
“Next stop, JPL- Houston, Texas; May 14th, 2100.” I announced after I kissed mom, Hope, and Aunt Cora, and offered Chance my hand.
She looked to our hands then to me and silently repeated the actions a few times.
“Look, I know this may not be necessary, but I’d like us all to end up in the same place in case it doesn’t, okay?”
Morgana seemed unsure of her participation and cautiously took Chance’s other hand just before I began concentrating on our new destination.
 
 

 
 
“Dr. Green? I have those component drawings you asked for. What is it you think is wrong with the LOX turbine pump design again?” Clyde Reddick- one of ‘my’ design team engineers- informed me as I exited my office.
“I’m still concerned that that model pump won’t survive the service life we intend for the Kuiper mission, Clyde.”
“Oh? But we’ve used that model on previous flights with no malfunctions, ma’am. What still has you concerned?”
“The longevity of the mission and possible extension of it if things veer off plan, Clyde. Worst case scenarios, remember? Also, there is the other concern of a zero ‘K’ condition in the storage tanks that far out from any usable solar radiation.”
“But previous probes out that far haven’t had any problems…”
“Would you be willing to test that assumption with six of our finest and bravest, Clyde? I’d rather lean solidly on the side of caution and good engineering. That’s what we’re being paid for, by the way.” I argued back somewhat heatedly as I went back into my office and began reviewing the pages of drawings and specifications for the turbine pump in question.
“No, ma’am, of course you’re right. What was I thinking?” He replied, backing down at my logic.
“Hey, Marta? You got a minute?” Dr. Anna McCorkle asked from my doorway. “I might’ve found an answer to your turbine pump dilemma.”
“I’m all ears since we,” I motioned to Clyde and I, “haven’t been able to completely satisfy my concerns for the possible zero Kelvin effect the last two probes have indicated they might experience out there.”
Anna smiled.
“I’ve heard that the DOD has granted some professor back east in Pittsburgh- CMU- a grant to develop a new, but highly theoretical, propulsion system.”
“And we’ve heard that one how many times in the last few decades?” I asked skeptically.
“I asked for an advanced copy of the prelims. See for yourself.” She said as she handed me a memory stick.
Plugging it into the 110in wall display, I located and brought up the new proposed design drawings and in a separate window the proposal document.
“So where are the fuel reservoirs and the feed pumps?” I asked as I looked over the design.
“There are none, Marta. That’s what is so intriguing. It’s all electronic; no moving parts except for the nozzle and its accompanying steering servo mechanisms. No pumps to freeze or self-destruct.”
“Really?” Clyde and I looked skeptically at our boss.
“Really, really. Interested?” Anna smiled excitedly, and I completely forgot about my subordinate being in the office.
“Did I overhear something about a new high-octane thruster design for our Pegasus, doctors?”
“I just received this tantalizing project proposal from the DOD, Col. Armstrong. In theory it seems promising.” Anna informed Col. Charles Armstrong, the Kuiper Mission Science Specialist.
“How far along?” He asked.
“From what I’ve been told, Dr. …,” Anna quickly scanned her folder of hard copy for the name, “um… Dr. Phynnias Smithe hasn’t reached his goal of continuous operation in a vacuum. So far he’s smoked one and unintentionally launched two others. His latest report to the DOD claims he and a new assistant have ‘ironed out’ the ‘bugs’ and are just preparing to test the newest version.”
“Oh one and two, eh? Doesn’t sound like good odds to me, Doc.”
“His theory is sound, Colonel, being based off the old Deep Space 1 and Dawn probes’ Ion Drive which used xenon ions accelerated by an electrified grid system to produce thrust. It was a ground-breaking development for the time.” Clyde donated to reassure him as he continued browsing the newly obtained design files.
“It’s worth a look.” I nodded as I looked around the room for opinions.
“I agree, Marta. I’ll see if the head office can get us invited to the fireworks.” Anna giggled as she turned and left my office. Col. Armstrong approached the wall display and carefully looked over the theoretical design and read the proposal.
“It seems plausible given the use of such exotic materials. I wonder if Anna could work me and the major into the festivities.” He said as he hurriedly, but politely excused himself and exited my office to catch up with Anna.
“Dr. Green? From what I’ve studied about that particular engine, it wasn’t very powerful and the mission made use of several ‘sling-shots’ around the planets to gain enough velocity. I’d be afraid of lengthening this mission because of its impotency.”
“Noted. I’ve read the same papers on that system, Clyde, but it couldn’t hurt to see what they came up with. CMU has been out-thinking and surprising us for years in regards to space-related equipment- besides, aren’t we employing several gravity assists ourselves?”
 
 

 
 
“Hey, Anna. What brings you here tonight?” I asked as my undercover sister appeared and approached my location at the counter of our local food and beverage distribution center… the local bar.
Even after eighteen months, I still slipped back into my real character from time to time, but at least I finally got away from calling Anna: ‘Morgana’.
“Your ‘guys’ said you and ol’ Clyde had another disagreement. I figured you would end up here at some point tonight.
“Yeah, right after you and Col. Armstrong left! He keeps hitting on me despite me having told him ‘No’ multiple times and on many different occasions. I’m really trying to resist the urge, sister.”
“He’s a very intelligent guy, Marta. You would think he would ‘get it’.”
“Yeah! You would think.” I rubbed my nose in frustration. “I mean I’m six… thirty-six for crying out loud!”
Our bartender had been looking right at us as I started to slip up.
“Hey! Changing the subject! I got approval for the four of us to go on a ‘road trip’!” Anna said excitedly.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. We leave for Pittsburgh in five days. Smithe and his people apparently just succeeded in a continuous, thrust-producing test of their new ‘IPD’ system. As we speak they are making some small design changes and have scheduled another test for 10AM, April 27th, 2102. The DOD, NSA, some Pentagon guy, and us- NASA- are invited.”
I gulped. Loudly.
“Yeah, I feel the same way, kid.” Anna admitted solemnly. “But we have to follow through. Our futures depend on it. Christina is counting on us!”
“Where is she these days? I haven’t seen her around for a few weeks; Chance, way longer than that.” I asked out of curiosity.
“Well, I know Christina went back a few…um East… to establish her clinic. I imagine she’ll be there until I’m… Dr. Bloise is hired and knows enough to run the place. That took about six months.”
“And Chance? Where’s she been? I’ve seen next to nothing of her since we got here.”
“CMU.” Anna smiled.
“Huh?”
“The illustrious Dr. Phynnias Smithe.” Anna giggled.
“I didn’t know she could transform back into a guy! When did she find that out?” I asked, completely flabbergasted.
Anna just shrugged. “All I know is that she popped into my office a few months ago and said she couldn’t hold the form for more than eight hours.”
“Glenn? Chardonnay if you please.” She asked of the bartender to get his attention.
He nodded. “Comin’ right up, Doc!”
We waited for her drink to arrive then continued our conversation.
“So, you find a ‘Mr. Green’ to help scratch that itch of yours yet, Marta?” Anna grinned evilly.
“Yeah, I have a few ‘Mr. Greens’. In varying sizes, shapes, colors, and functionality, wise-ass!” I giggled.
“Oh, that ‘hot’ Antarran blood!” Anna saw my giggle and raised a laugh.
I noticed ‘Glenn’ shake his head with his eyes closed and a slight smile several feet down the bar.
“So what time’s our flight?” I asked after composing myself.
“9AM from Bush Intercontinental on the 26th. I booked us into a king-size hotel room in a place called ‘The Waterfront’ in Homestead, Pennsylvania.” Anna detailed. “Supposedly its not too far away from the Uni.”
“What about Charles and the Major?”
“Same place. We’ll be ride-sharing. The director would only spring for one vehicle.”
“Cheapskate!” I growled.
“Lean times, Dr. Green! Lean times.” Anna laughed.
“Yeah! Right!” I replied sarcastically.
We were silent after that until I finished my drink.
“Well. I better be getting home. I’ve got a diagnostic design meeting at 7AM. I need some sleep in order to cope or the department may get a little more diverse- subspecies-wise. Good night, Anna.”
“Night, Marta. Sleep well and do resist the temptation, Sweetie.”
“No guarantees.” I laughed as I walked away.
 
 

 
 
“Nice place.” Col Armstrong commented as we pulled into the hotel whose back faced the local river- the Monongahela.
“Not bad.” Major Summers admitted after apparently eating a whole lemon.
“Can we help you two with your bags, ladies?” Charles asked as Major Summers nodded and automatically grabbed our luggage from the hatch of our rented SUV.
Somehow, we (Maj. Summers) had ended up with a black, full-sized SUV instead of a small, compact crossover.
“So Oakland is just ten minutes from here?” Anna asked for confirmation.
“Just on the other side of the 376, Doc.” Charles acknowledged as we entered the lobby.
“So what can we expect to see tomorrow morning, Doc?” Maj. Hopewell Summers asked. Despite his rough and ‘no nonsense’ exterior, there was a boyish excitement bubbling away inside.
“I’m assured that the demonstration will be simply breath-taking, Major. The results Dr. Smithe and his associates have reported seem beyond our expectations.” Anna smiled excitedly.
“And if what I learned from their design files is actual truth, it will solve all my team’s problems concerning the Zero Kelvin phenomenon.” I added enthusiastically.
“That’s great, doc. Just as long as it gets our butts back home, I’m all for it.” Maj. Summers replied.
 
 

 
 
“Pretty nice room, though the water looks kind of muddy.” I observed out our room’s window as I began emptying my luggage into the supplied chest of drawers.
“Reminds me of the Thames, only narrower. I remember when it used to flood every spring and clear out all the beached sceptic material the crowded population and the back tides often left behind.”
“Wonderful picture you just drew for me, sister. Might you have any ‘fond’ memories?” I asked sarcastically.
“Not since the Saxons decided to invade.” Anna shook her head in sorrow. “I mean…even the bloody Romans weren’t that big of a pain in the arse!”
I wondered how long ago her statement referenced for a few minutes as I finished unpacking.
“Drink?” I asked Anna as I conjured a chilled bottle of white wine and two glasses.
Anna looked over at the small table near our room’s window and shook her head.
“Christina taught me this trick while on our mission to Tarantis.” I told her as I poured myself a glass and sat down.
My cell rang.
“Green.” I answered.
“Marta. Charles Armstrong. Hopewell and I were wondering if you two felt up for dinner. We noticed a few places within walking distance and thought you ladies would like to join us?”
“Anna? The boys want to know if we’d like to join them for dinner.” I asked my roommate.
“Give me about an hour. I’d like to try out the facilities.”
That was a good idea.
“Sure, but could you guys give us a few hours to freshen up? Anna just claimed first dibs on the shower.”
Charles chuckled. “Yeah, that works. Meet you in the lobby at 1600hrs… um, four o’clock. Okay?”
“Roger that, Colonel. Until then.” I giggled then cancelled the call.
“Dinner with the guys at four, Anna.” I informed my ‘roomie’ after lightly knocking on the bathroom door.
 
 

 
 
“Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Carnegie Mellon University. I’m Dr. Phynnias Smithe, Professor of Advanced Aerospace Engineering…” Dr. Smithe began his introduction. We had all met and were now seated in one of the smaller theater-style classrooms.
“We all met just before you got here, Smithe. Skip the pleasantries and get to the meat and potatoes!” Army General Phillip W. Mann interrupted rudely.
I despised this man immediately!
Smithe glared at the General for a second before calmly continuing.
“Today we have prepared a secondary demonstration for you.” He paused and took a clandestine glance toward the General. “Having solved the problematic operation of the previous version of the IPD- our exo-atmospheric propulsion system, my team suggested and I approved development of an emergency egress system we propose might be included for use on the next Orion-based mission…”
“Do get on with it, Smithe! I am not accustomed to wasting my time on useless blather!”
Smithe’s eyes glowed orange for the briefest of seconds!
“I assure you, General Mann, that we are not wasting your valuable tax-payer supplied dollars! This Emergency Egress System could be detrimental to the safe recovery of any astronauts from this date on! Please, hear me out!”
I have no idea how Chance was holding her temper in check with this guy!
“Fine, but make it quick, Smithe!”
Dr. Smithe nodded and a tall, lithe young woman with substantial streaks of the most beautiful blue hair, enabled a display to the doctor’s left. It showed a capsule-like apparatus with the title ‘Lifeboat’ as the header.
“What my assistant’s have lovingly titled the ‘Lifeboat’ is an Emergency Egress System that utilizes our new IPD propulsion system to quickly and effectively evacuate a crew member from a distressed space vehicle and expedite them away to the nearest station or settlement and safety. This system utilizes an automated cryogenic stasis system developed and approved by our nuclear medicine partnership with UPMC/AHN at the University of Pittsburgh across town. It also incorporates an advanced Astral-navigation computer designed and developed here at CMU. At this time I would ask you all to follow me down into our garage and out to our test facility.”
 
 

 
 
“You certainly didn’t spare much change to build this place, Smithe!” The General complained.
“Unfortunately, the DOD only provided enough funding to allow us design and fabrication of our prototypes, General. I’m sure, after this morning’s demonstration, you and the DOD will see fit to release more of that guaranteed funding?”
“Prove to me that you and your people,” Mann looked over to the young woman- Christina Everhardt- and scoffed, “actually have something viable and maybe I’ll sign the release, Smithe!”
“Initialize propulsion and attitude emitters.” Smithe ordered.
“Propulsion and attitude ‘emitters’?” Anna questioned.
“Our new designs utilize a completely new propulsion system that consists of several small exotic material ion generators, or what we call Ion Propulsion Drives. We’ve eliminated the cumbersome bell nozzles and control servomechanisms to make the system lighter, more compact, and more reliable. Everhardt here came up with the idea and I urged her to refine it. Although, the emitters used on our lifeboat are actually the spares from our previous IPDs4 prototype that we have already tested for proof of concept. You’ll see Everhardt’s real genius incorporated into the IPDs5 prototype in the test chamber tomorrow, ma’am.”
“Lifeboat external power enabled.” Christina Everhardt announced with a noticeable blush. “Power bus stable at 1% load.”
“Flight and Cryo control system booting, Dr. Smithe.” Chen Ito, the other member of Smithe’s team, reported. “Flight and cryo computer online.” He added two seconds later.
“Emitter startup successful. Receiving 35% usable positive feedback. Switching to main battery power bus. Modulating positive feedback into battery charging circuit.” Christina reported with a smile. “Charging system is online and requesting only a 0.3% charge level from external power buss. Battery bus load holding at 5%”
“What’s this ‘positive feedback thing I keep hearing?’ Charles asked. I noticed him staring at Christina’s hair until she noticed. He quickly looked back toward Smithe.
“Our initial tests of the IPDs4 indicated that the unit actually fed back a noticeable potential into the main supply. We decided to use the power and not waste it. Our power conversion efficiency jumped to over eighty percent.
“Astounding. Continue.” Charles Armstrong requested sounding very pleased.
Smithe nodded to Chen Ito.
“Enabling Cryo system start.” He announced.
“MPB load jumped to 10%. BCS requesting 5% charge level.” Christina announced with a smile.
“Start the Cryo stasis sequence. This is the critical point in our test, ladies and gentlemen. The Cryo stasis procedure requires the heaviest power demand from the onboard supply. The higher the load we see, the shorter the occupant will stay in Cryo-sleep.
“MPB up to 25%; BCS requesting 25% charging level. Positive feedback holding at…” Christina announced as she rechecked her reading to be certain. “Holding at 35%!”
“What?” Chen looked over at Christina’s display screen and his mouth dropped open slightly. “Damn.”
“Is something wrong, Doctor? Was the feedback not supposed to hold steady?” I questioned worriedly.
“No. The data is even better than we presumed.” Smithe answered with a bright, enthusiastic smile.
I gently touched Christina’s shoulder as I leaned down to look over her shoulder. I found it extremely frustrating that I had to withhold my pride in my forthcoming sister.
“Cryo-stasis sequence at 50%.” Chen alerted.
“MPB and BCS loads are still holding.” Christina said gleefully.
“Better than expected, I take it, Christina?” I whispered.
She nodded and kept her eyes on her display.
“Love the blue hair by the way. Very daring and exotic.” I added in a whisper, hoping I didn’t sound overly creepy.
“Thank you, ma’am.” She answered shyly.
“Cryo stasis achieved. 100%. Cryo system switching to maintenance mode.”
“MPB and BCS loads dropping back to 12% and 10% respectively.” Christina reported.
“Okay, Everhardt. Give it 1% control signal on the positive attitude emitters. Station-keeping mode.” Smithe requested as his face went serious.
She made the adjustment to the slide control and clicked ‘Set’.
“Test cradle load cells are indicating one thousand pounds of thrust, Doctor.” Chen said with a very big smile.
“Positive feedback jumped to 40%; MPB up to 12.6%; BCS to 10.1%” Christina announced in disbelief.
“Is that even possible? Basically pulling power out of the vacuum of space, I mean?” I gasped. “and at only one percent?”
To have seen it through her eyes was one thing, but to actually be witnessing it…! I truly was impressed!
“Everhardt. Open the external power bus breaker to remove it from the lifeboat power buss.” Smithe ordered.
Christina tripped the power breaker and I watched monitor 4 over her shoulder to see it rack out.
“External power is disconnected, doctor. The lifeboat is sustaining itself.”
“Any change to the loads?”
“MPB and BCS loads are holding steady.” She reported.
“Bravo, Christina. Bravo.” I congratulated and patted her shoulder softly several times as my pride in my sister overflowed.
 
 

 
 
“So? What do you think, Maj. Summers?” Anna asked as we arrived back at the hotel.
“Girl’s got some balls to be able to rock that blue hair!” He answered.
“The demonstration, Hopewell! The Demo.” Charles Armstrong chuckled as he focused his mission commander and friend. Anna and I had watched their friendship develop over the past several months and knew- better than even they did- that it would last.
“I think it would be the best thing since the Internet. Up, until this point, there has never been a way off or away from a failing or disabled spacecraft in the depths of space. All previous escape systems were only viable in atmosphere or near-Earth orbit- discounting Apollo13, of course. Now those guys had the balls! We’ll need six. Is that possible, Doc?” Maj. Summers professed.
“If what I saw in their ‘garage’ is real, we’d have room for more supplies. That new IPD of theirs supposedly weighs in at only eighty-five pounds.” I told them. “That young lady, Christina Everhardt? She’s got a head on her shoulders. I can see her going far, and I’d like first dibs!”
“I didn’t get the chance to look around. What are you talking about, Doc?” Charles asked.
“She designed their new IPD to use a ‘phased’ ‘Emitter’. Similar to the tried and true phased RADAR system we’ve been using for decades. It has no moving parts to freeze up or fail! No vectoring servos or associated hardware. No weighty nozzle, Colonel.”
Col. Armstrong’s eyes got very big!
“I want one! I don’t care if it needs a good solar wind to get us out there, I want one!” He announced.
 
 

 
 
“Christina here yet?” I asked as I saw her associate, Chen Ito walk into what they affectionately called the garage. I had seen immediately why Christina fell for him!
“No ma’am, not yet. She should be here in a minute or two though.”
“When you see her, please inform her that Dr. McCorkle and I would like to speak with her before today’s demonstration begins.”
“I’ll do that, ma’am. Um…ma’am? Are you going to take Christina away from me…I-I-I mean us?”
I smiled. He really did love her.
“Hopefully after she graduates, why, Mr. Ito?” Anna smiled devilishly.
“OH. Um…no reason. Hey, Christina and I put the Lifeboat prototype outside by the Control Building. Smithe suggested we set it up vertical and leave it open so you guys can really have a look inside and out. Think we may have a chance to see it on the next Orion?”
“I’ve received favorable comments, and think it a necessity if we intend on expanding our missions past Sol’s system boundary, Mr. Chen.”
The young man’s smile out grew his face and I expected him to fist pump into the air in victory!
“Please let Christina know Dr. McCorkle and I will be waiting out by the Control Building to talk to her.” I reminded with a pleasant smile.
“Will do, ma’am. Hope you and the others like our demo today.” Chen said as he gave a little nod to Anna and I.
“He’s really fallen for her, hasn’t he?” Anna giggled once we were outside, standing by the ‘Lifeboat’.
“Gods, I really hate what we have to do now.” I sighed. “Just when it seems like she has everything starting to go her way…”
“We have to shit on her parade!” Anna finished my statement. “I know, but knowing how she turns out, I think, makes it not as diabolical…”
“And us seem less sadistic?” I added.
Anna nodded and sighed loudly in answer.
“You best append the Navigational Computer’s star map file, Marta.”
I again sighed deeply as I touched the screen of my ‘slightly’ modified cell phone. “Gotcha. It’ll only take a moment to reload the file into the memory.”
“Christina’s coming!” Anna hissed quietly.
“Done.” I announced, as I appeared to disconnect from a call.
“Ah, Miss Everhardt. Thank you for seeing us. Marta and I would like to ask you a few questions. First, How do you do that? Your hair, I mean. Do you add some every night?” Anna greeted with a wide, warm smile.
“Actually, I’m participating in a gene therapy study over at Pitt. This,” She said grabbing a handful to illustrate, “seems to be an unseen side effect.”
“Well don’t change it! Marta and I both agree it sets you apart.”
“Like nobility.” I added quickly. I couldn’t resist!
She suddenly froze and looked stunned!
“Miss Everhardt?” Anna probed to get her attention.
“Yeah, sorry. I sometimes get flashes of ideas at the oddest times. You were saying?” She apologized.
“I hadn’t said anything else. You just froze when Marta added her two-cents. Anyway, we’d like to talk to you about your radical new propulsion system. What made you decide to use a phased ion ‘emitter’ and forego the thrust bell?” Anna assured her and continued.
“Dr. Smithe’s prototype already utilized the ion generator before I joined the project. After I found a tiny math mistake, we retested his version of the IPD. All three of us were stunned by the output of that thing.” She answered with a smile.
“How much output are we talking, Miss Everhardt?” I asked.
“Twenty-four thousand pounds at only five percent control signal.”
Again, hearing it from Christina’s mouth in real time made it so much more unbelievable!
“You did say twenty-four ‘K’ at only five percent, right?” Anna asked to make sure we had heard right.
She nodded.
“Mother of God! How can that even be possible, Christina? I can call you Christina, right?” Anna balked.
She nodded.
“Will it work in an atmosphere?” I questioned.
“Maybe? Dr. Smithe didn’t discuss any tests within normal atmospheric conditions.” She answered.
“I’ll go talk to him, Marta. Be right back.” Anna said as she turned and headed to Smithe’s office.
I smiled as we waited. “Have you started to think about your post grad career, Christina?” I’m certain there’s a place for you at NASA. With what I’ve seen so far, I’d gladly recommend you. You could be our ‘princess in the rough’ at JPL.” I chirped excitedly as I playfully motioned to her hair.
She narrowed her eyes at me. Had I gone a little too far with that statement?
“Look, just think about our offer, but please remember this phrase that I use as a mantra to null the day to day stress.” I said to distract her away from my apparent minor slip up.
“Deorum protegas me, et custodiet me donec inventa est.” I continued without pause.
“What’s it mean?”
“Just a little prayer for protection, calm, and luck. Commit it to memory, Christina. It might come in handy one day.”
“Um…okay.” She acknowledged, unsure, but seeming to commit it to memory.
Dr. Smithe and the rest of our group appeared in the doorway with Ito Chen leading the way and we followed them into the small control building.
 
 

 
 
“Ladies and Gentlemen. Today’s test firing of our latest version of our Ion Propulsion Drive System or IPDs5 as we call it has been modified somewhat. I have been asked… challenged, actually… by Dr. Anna McCorkle to conduct the IPDs5 tests in Earth normal atmosphere.” Smithe paused to address any blatant negative statements.
“So… Everhardt? Start re-pressurizing the test chamber.”
“Certainly, Doctor,” She answered and enabled the sequence that would gradually let air back into the chamber.
“Re-pressurization in ten minutes.” She announced.