Only the best bait will catch the biggest fish (ancient saying).

How could anyone settle near a star that will soon go supernova? How was it possible to convince millions of people to go there and start a new life? Had they no idea that soon nothing but ashes will remain of them?

The story started much earlier, around 2961. And everything was made possible by a single man, Caligula. For more then 400 years, the greatest achievement one could do is to terraform a planet, offer it for future generations with the status of a free state and give the planet his name. Only the richest could afford such a thing. In many cases, terraforming is done by powerful corporations and interstellar empires, who wish to extend their territories. But still, there are many ONGs and religious organizations who managed to terraform their own planets. Finding a planet is not difficult, but most of them are very difficult to terraform. Some of them are too cold and ice covered, while others are hot and lack water. The best planets are in the habitable zones, not too hot and not too cold. They are the most easy to transform, but also the most hunted.

One rich man, in the middle of the 29's was Caligula (or Alfred Maxwell, on his original name). He took his name from a Roman emperor. At that time, most merchants were busy finding gold or diamond ores, which resulted in a drop of gold price by a thousand times. Caligula knew that iron is the basic ingredient for most alloys. He managed to build a steel producing industrial complex near the richest iron ores in Vega system. He started his business with high difficulties and a huge debt, but in only five years, managed to be successful. In 15 years, he became known as King Of Iron. That is the moment when he changed his name from Alfred Maxwell into Caligula.

Little is known about him, except that he was a successful businessman who always made huge profit by selling steel and crude iron. He had no wife and no children. Some people suggested that he was gay, but nobody could ever prove this. He never spent money on parties, as other rich people do. Some people suspected that he was a transgender. It is common for men who have a feminine side to share male names ended with an a. Usually, they take names from ancient times: Catilina, Aquila, Luca and so on. Might Caligula be a hidden transgender or at least a hidden cross-dresser? The truth was found out only when he died. People found woman clothes in his room.

But now, let's return to our story. When Caligula was 57, in 2961, he was very rich. He had the money to buy one of Saturn's icy moons. He could grow his empire further, but decided to terraform a planet. Maybe he wanted to be remembered forever in history. Planets in habitable zones are always chosen by someone richer. Unclaimed planets are very far away, at over 10 000 light years from Earth. Not many people will wish to go that far. There are many nearby planets hard to terraform, some of them only 50 light years away, but transforming them into a new Earth will be too expensive, requesting far more money then Caligula's whole fortune.

However, at 700 light years, there is a star, Betelgeuse. This star hosts a planet right in the habitable zone. The major problem is that Betelgeuse is a red supergiant star. It is near the end of its lifetime and soon it will go supernova. Nobody chosen that planet because nobody wants to live near a star that will soon go boom. However, for a star, soon could mean even a million years. Caligula realized that a human civilization will only last for a few thousand years, which is incredibly small compared to the life of a star.

**********

There is one major obstacle in terraforming a planet, the ISA (Interstellar Agency). This organization is formed in early 2200, when NASA, ESA, Roscosmos, JAXA and other space agencies joined to help terraform Mars, Venus and the moons of Jupiter. Soon after humans stepped foot outside the Solar System, the ISA became the only organization to leave the Solar System. They are the largest provider of terraforming technologies and they do it almost for free. After a planet is terraformed, they build for free an orbital space station and a surface base, to facilitate passenger and cargo traffic. The ISA gains its money from these bases. Also, they provide the most stable currency, accepted anywhere: the credit, or CC. Every state and every planet has its own currency, but all interstellar trades are done in CC. The ISA helps terraforming because with each new inhabited planet and each new base, they earn more money. They never turn inside a planet's policy, just offer services needed for trade to exist, without creating a monopoly.

If you require cheap terraforming service from the ISA, you have first to complete a feasibility study. If you can prove that your planet will remain habitable and attractive for settlers 2000 years after terraforming, you get their help. If you get their help, terraforming will be five times cheaper then if you work with someone else.

So, Caligula asked some experts to make a feasibility study for his planet. Everything looked fine with the planet, but the ISA, knowing that Betelgeuse is a red supergiant, asked for an additional study for the star. This time, Caligula took one of world's leading star scientists, but bribed his employees. After all measurements were done, the experts concluded that Betelgeuse would explode in 400 000 years. With these results, Caligula went to the ISA headquarters in the Solar System and gained the agreement from ISA.

When Caligula died, in his home, some more detailed measurements were found. Not even he knew that the star will die so soon. He believed that supernova will occur in a few millennia. Well, he died in 2988, while the terraforming process was almost completed. Nobody bothered with this, since nobody will live thousands of years.

**********

Most rich people who paid for terraforming, set their names to their planets. They built huge statues for people to remember them. Some believed that this will wash their sins. The most known example is Leo Baroni, who owned the CN Leonis stellar system. He mined about 500 tonnes of gold every second, making gold prices to fall below that of copper. He made a fortune, but at the price of many slaves who perished in his labor camps. Near the end of his life, he terraformed five planets, thinking that this could wash his sins.

Caligula refused to name his planet other then Betelgeuse VII. He refused to have a statue or even a portrait on the planet. What he did, is unique in history so far. He wanted Betelgeuse VII to be an independent state and a democracy. He personally wrote the constitution of the new state. The following paragraphs are those who attracted so many settlers:

Cross-dresser and transgender people are welcome. Sexual minorities of all kinds are also welcome. Religious and ideological freedoms are guaranteed.

However, explicit or obscene actions or behavior, like public nudity and public sex, are forbidden and are strongly prohibited by law. Sexual abuse is punished.

It is accepted without discussion for a man to wear woman clothes or for a women to wear men clothes at any age and in any place. Body transformations that require implants, surgery or the use of hormones are accepted only after the age of 20 and only after a formal request made five years before. People who undergo such transformations before waiting five years will be punished.

All citizens, no matter of their external appearance, sexual orientation, religion or ideology, are considered equals.

Betelgeuse VII is a peaceful state. Disturbing the peace and harmony between citizens is also forbidden and will be punished.

Before Betelgeuse VII, there were states created for sexual minorities. IGPP (Interstellar Gay Paradise Planet) and Planeta Lesbiana are two examples, both orbiting red dwarf stars. Another planet that turned into a sex orgy paradise is Deepthroat, around Mira Ceti. But until now, nobody thought about creating a paradise for transgender people, that will not be just another hole to hell. It is the idea of a place where people will just have a normal life, living as they wish.

On Betelgeuse VII, one would see two girls walking on the road, without knowing that one is a woman and the other a man dressed as a woman. One a bench, one will see two men kissing, without knowing that one of them is actually a girl. And in another place, one would see a guy and a girl, when in fact the guy is a girl and the girl is a guy. All this, in a very natural way, like this is how it should be.

Terraforming ended in 2996. In the same year, ISA opened its orbital station and its surface base. Caligula was buried on the planet in a memorial park. Nobody expected that so many people will come, so that passengers will have to wait even an year to catch a seat. Many passenger ships were cancelled on other routes to bring more people here.

Well, this is now only a page in the history books. We are now approaching Earth year 3000. Still, nobody knows how soon the star will explode.

A large spaceship, carrying 7500 passengers, arrives at Betelgeuse VII Orbital Station. It carries settlers from the Old World: Solar System, Barnard's Star, Sirius, Epsilon Eridani, Vega, CN Leonis, Alpha Centauri and Procyon. After 60 days, their destination is very close. They enter the orbital station, pick their luggage and are token on small ships, towards the surface base.

Then, once they reach the surface, they are further processed. A medical checkout is done to each of them, then they are sent, one by one, to a psychiatric checkout. Finally, each one enters in a room. There, after completing a quiz with 100 questions, a person comes and talks with each one. This way, each newcomer will get to the best place for him or her. Finally, after all this, they receive citizenship, their money are transformed from CC (interstellar credits) into BC (Betelgeuse Credits, the local currency). All this process is exhausting and takes nearly 10 hours. Finally, they get to sleep and their bodies are set to local time. The next day, they are loaded into automated vehicles, to be sent to their new homes.

**********

An automated flying vehicle carries some new settlers to their designed places. The next passenger to depart is a young woman, Eva. The ship lands and a robotic voice advices her to depart. She takes her luggage, her new identity card and the key to her new home. The door opens and she steps out. For the first time, she can see the planet.

As she steps outside, first thing she notices is the fresh air. No pollution. The air is strong, clean, ionized, like something she never breathed before. Immediately, the door closes behind and the vehicle moves further away, to take other settlers to their homes. She doesn't bother to watch the ship going away. She can feel the soft ground, covered with fresh grass, through her boots. It is not hot and not cold. A small wind moves the grass around. She can see little metal poles marking the border of her parcel. In the center, there is a small metal house. That's it! This is her new home.

Beyond the poles, she can see other parcels, some surrounded by fences, trees, buildings and other homes. Many trees have flowers or fruits. Such a lovely place! Birds are singing all around. She can also hear dogs barking and some other animals. "Is this a rural place? I thought I am going to a little town". Further away, she can see hills, covered with forest or pastures. And in one direction, there is a lake, surrounded by hills.

All looks redder then in the Solar System. All nature looks like in the morning or in the evening. But it is not the case. It's noon! Above her head, she can see the sun, Betelgeuse. It is bright red and hot. Eva has seen many suns: The Sun, Sirius, Barnard, UV Ceti, but none of them looks like this. Betelgeuse is not quite spherical. It has brighter and darker spots. Surrounding it, there is some sort of haze, dark-red, like a nebula. On the sky, there are faint lines that change color. Auroras. The clouds appear to be pink, while the sky has a color between dark blue and violet.

Amazed of the landscape, she sits on the grass. She needs to light a cigarette. Her lungs desperately need it. For over a day, she could not see anything beyond the metal walls of the orbital station, of the ships and of the many rooms she went into. She could only see repeating documentaries that were running non-stop in the waiting rooms. She knows that if in 10 days she is unsatisfied, she can return for free. But now, only after seeing the planet with her own eyes and smelling its fresh air, she doesn't want to leave at all.

She goes inside the house. It is a small building, with only one room, with a bed, a closet, a table and a few things. Not much.

"Eva, you have to work and find your way in here", she says to herself.

She moves out of the house, to see more. Now, she can see that in front of the house there is a concrete road. So, she goes there, to see further away, how this town looks like.

"Hi, neighbor!" says someone, with the voice of a man.

"Hi", she answers. "Who are you?"

"My name is Davida", the voice answers.

She can see on the road something that looks like a woman, with a short skirt, with long hair, pantyhose and women shoes.

"Are we neighbors?" asks Eva.

"Yes, I live two homes to left from you".

"Davida?" asks she surprised. "Are you a man or a woman?"

"Well, I am a man. I used to be David before coming here, but now I am Davida".

Eva looks amazed at her new neighbor. She comes closer to him.

"And who are you?" he asks.

"My name is Eva", she says. "I am a real woman".

"Feel welcome, Eva. If you need any help, I will be happy to".

"I just arrived here. A few minutes ago".

"Don't worry", says Davida. "I came two years ago. At first, this place can be disorienting, but you will learn your way around. Don't worry, everyone is friendly here".

"I heard this is a place for transgender people and sexual minorities", she says. "Are you gay?"

"No, I am not. I am just a cross-dresser. Are you a lesbian?"

"No, Davida".

"Then, what brings you here?"

"I am a sfenist".

Hearing that, Davida looks at her. Eva is dressed like a pretty but dangerous girl, with a metal-texture dress, thigh boots and long gloves, so that the only part of her body visible is her face.

"I am sorry", he says.

"Don't worry. I guess I am not the only sfenist on this planet".

"No, by far not", he says. "It is for rare sexual minorities that Betelgeuse VII was made. I know a few sfenists living around".

Eva lights another cigarette and offers one to Davida.

"Do you want one?"

"Yes, thanks", he answers.

"I thought I will find many LGBT people here", she says. "Those people who understood me better are gay".

"No, this is not the place for such people", he answers. "This is what I thought first, too. There are some, of course, but not too many. They prefer to go to IGPP or Planeta Lesbiana instead. Also, I didn't find many BDSM people here, too".

"You know, sadismic and masochists are something a sfenist will never accept or understand".

"I think so, Eva. I am not a sfenist, but I talked with some".

"So, what kind of people live here?"

"I think the best way to learn is to go downtown. You will see there".

They both follow the concrete road, a straight line between parcels. All roads are the same, in straight lines and divide the town in squares with four parcels each... and each parcel is a square 50 meters wide. But what is a sfenist? A sexual minority. Sfenists are victims of a sexual abuse (usually a rape), that could never recover completely. They usually hide this to other people, because people most often make fun of this. Sfenists are psychological impotents. They find hard or even impossible to have sex and if they do, it is all pain, not pleasure. Pain does not come from their bodies, but from their dramas, from their wounded souls. Most sfenists avoid being touched in certain areas or things related somehow to their experiences. For example, one might not support naked people (like on the beach if they were naked when they were abused).

"Hi, Bob", says Davida to something that appears like a man. "This is Eva, our new neighbor".

"Hi Davida! Eva, nice to meet you!" says Bob with a female voice.

"Hi", says Eva, amazed.

"Bob is a woman", says Davida. "She is a transgender too. And a virtualophil".

"A what?" asks Eva.

"A virtualophil. A person who doesn't love a human being, but a virtual character".

"You mean a computer avatar?"

"Yes, Eva. Exactly that".

"I never thought virtualophils exist".

"Neither did I, until I came here".

Eva lights another cigarette and says:

"I heard about transgender people that they go to surgery, body implants and hormones".

"Yes, some do. But not here. You know, Eva, many transgender guys love women, only that they also want to look like a woman. Also, I know many transgender women who dress-up like men, but they have boyfriends. Being a transgender does not mean that you are gay. And if you talk about body transformations, there are a few who went to surgery and implants, but the vast majority prefer only cross-dressing".

"This is amazing", says Eva, blowing a cloud of smoke in the air.

"I know. This is the amazing fact about Betelgeuse VII. Sexy, not porn. Tolerant, but not erotic".

"I thought that sexual minorities are only LGBT and BDSM people, but now... I don't know what to say".

"But you are a sfenist, which is a sexual minority. And there are many other minorities that you will find here".

"What? Zoophils?"

"What?" asks Davida laughing.

"I mean, people that make sex with animals. In the Old World, there are many demonstrations against them".

"Eva, you use a generic term, like asexuals define many sexual minorities, including sfenists. Yes, there are people who have sex with animals, but those animals are artificially made for sex. Well, they are accepted as long as they use only such animals and they treat those animals well. But more often you see furries, which are people that dress-up like animals. Well, both categories are very rare here. I only know two families of furries in our town".

"And the asexuals?"

"Well, perfect asexuals have no attraction for sex at all, even if their body is perfect. There are however many asexuals unable to have sex because of a disease. And also, there are onanists, people who love themselves. They are not into sex, but masturbation. They are attracted by their own bodies".

"Wow! So, here nobody will laugh that I am a sfenist".

"Sure no, Eva", answers Davida, with strict and clear voice. "And there are many other sexual minorities around. Panophils are in love with objects: a tree, a stone, a road, a statue, even a wall. Eterophils are in love with love itself and not with anything material. Nugalophils are in love with toys, I mean sex toys, even sex dolls. Also, you will see fetishophils, people who are not attracted by a person, but by objects worn by someone: hair, shoes, laundry and so on. In many other worlds, such people would be considered sick or mentally degraded, but not here. On Betelgeuse VII, they all have equal rights. Even more interesting, you can find families, made by people from different sexual minorities. What amazes me is that all this comes in such a natural way, that, when I first came here, it shocked me".

They reach the center. It is a large concrete square, with shops around and a fountain in the middle. The town is small and everybody knows everybody. The two take a sit on a bench, watching the landscape. Betelgeuse shines on the sky, big and red, giving to everything the colors of an evening.

"This is where you need to go if you want to buy something", says Davida. "Also, here you can find out about jobs and opportunities. There is plenty to do in our town. You have been allocated here because you know to do something that is needed here".

"I worked in textile industry", says Eva.

Then, Eva decides to buy a few things. Then, she returns home. Davida comes with her back to the parcel border, then goes back to his home.

**********

Later in evening, Eva decides to go back on a walk through the town. Davida told her that many people use to hangout near the lake. Well, if the roads are all in straight lines, it should be easy to get there. After walking 2 km, she manages to get there. The road ends with a small platform for boats. The landscape is really amazing. This lake is surrounded by hills, by forest and pastures along all its shores. A stream flows from the lake, then, after two short waterfalls, it flows into another lake, which actually is a reservoir. Eva crosses the river on a concrete bridge and finds herself like in wonderland.

She sees trees that have both flowers and fruits. Everything is green. She walks on a path, through the forest. "This is normal in monoclime", she says to herself. "Without seasons, plants blush and grow fruits all year around". She experienced this type of climate on planets that are tidal locked, where there is an eternal day on one side and an eternal night on the other. Also, planets that don't have their orbit tilted experience the same type of climate. But there is something different with Betelgeuse. Because the star is variable, one week might be hot and one week might be cold. Plants are exposed to various temperatures within 20 days. Sometimes it gets cold and plants think it is spring... and flowers start to grow. "Only a red supergiant can support this", thinks Eva. "No other star changes brightness so fast".

She sees all insects flying around. There is a lizard hiding in the grass. Not far, a few birds are flying. It doesn't take much and she sees a squirrel. As she continues walking, she finds large stones, covered with lichens. "This is a clear sign that the air is very clean", she says to herself again. "I never seen lichens on Mars or Venus".

She finds a small stream and walks along it. Not far, she sees a lake, about 40 meters long and probably deep enough to swim in it. Fishes are swimming inside. What a clear, transparent water! She drinks water from a spring. It tastes so different then bottle water she used to drink for all her life. "Is this how clean water tastes like?" she whispers. Without following any trail, she gets deeper inside the forest, until she sees an animal. Could it be dangerous? She has never seen a wild pig before and has no idea what this creature might be. Well, she decides to return, not knowing what to do, when the animal moves away.

While walking in the forest, she slips on wet grass and falls with one foot into a pond. Water gets inside her boot. But, this is different, unlike the dirty and polluted water she was used to see on most rivers. So, she goes to the lake and stops on a stone near the shore. The water is clean, with some fish. She can clearly see the bottom of the lake, with sand and small stones. So, she takes her boots out and touches the water with her pantyhosed feet.

Sfenists usually avoid to expose their skin, but here, she feels perfectly safe. With all these sexual minorities around, nobody will bother her. The water is a bit cold, but so relaxing for her feet. She lights a cigarette and enjoys the smoke. Then, she puts her thigh boots back and returns to the shore, where she can see more people.

It is getting dark. The sky gets dark red, a bloody color, which the Sun could not produce in the Solar System. Betelgeuse is vanishing behind the hills, behind the town. The sky is filled with auroras, large and bright. It by far not a dark night. Betelgeuse, like any red supergiant, produces a huge solar wind, which impacts any planet's magnetosphere, producing giant auroras. What a view! There is not so much light even in the largest city. Huge bright lines move, twist, break apart and are reunited, changing color. They are white, then green, blue or red, then pink.

Eva decides to go back home. She puts on her thigh boots and walks. She sees two men walking hand by hand. One might think they are gay, but they are not. One has a male voice, the other a female voice. Then, she encounters two women, talking and sitting on a bench in front of a house... but they are both men, if you think about their voice. What is more amazing then everything, is the fact that all this happens so natural. They all behave like this, as this is how things should be.

Finally, she returns home. This small metal building, with a single room, is what she got as a home. She closes the door, then takes off her long gloves, her thigh boots and her dress. She gets in her bed, but her eyes are looking at the window, at the lights in the sky and at the trees and hills she cannot see clearly. She lights another cigarette, thinking about what an amazing place she found.

**********

The next day, Eva goes to the center, trying to find something to work and she immediately finds something, at a nearby factory. She will be doing purses. In the Old World, industrial megacorporations employ almost all working force, but on Betelgeuse VII, things are different. Because of the huge distance and transport costs, almost everything has to be produced here. So, small factories are everywhere. Also, many people are employed in agriculture, producing natural food.

After a few days, she meets Davida again.

"How are you?" he asks.

"I am fine".

"Do you like it here?"

"Yes, it is an amazing place, neighbor. I never imagined such a world can exist".

"Everyone will be polite to you", says Davida. "And everyone will understand you as you are. Nobody will abuse you or force you in any way. Believe me, before coming here, I went to many other places".

"I never imagined that there will be a place in this world where people will understand me".

"I loved cross-dressing since I was a child. I always dreamed of a place where I could be dressed like a woman, without everyone looking at me like if I am crazy and without people thinking that I am gay".

"You found that place, Davida".

"I visited IGPP, not because I were gay, but because I wanted to find a place to be tolerated. What I've seen there, is gay people, sometimes dirty, sometimes stinky and many times obscene. I never liked that planet. Then, I went to EZ Aquarii IV, where transgender people are welcome... but it was too porn. I don't look for sex. All I wanted is to be a man in women's clothes. On EZ Aquarii IV, I found many orgies, like public masturbation places. And don't ask me about Deepthroat, where people have sex on the streets in public, in the bus or even in churches. There are many worlds like those".

"You know that if I don't like Betelgeuse VII within 10 days, I can return", says Eva. "But I won't. There is no place like here. No guy tried to seduce me and everyone accepted me as I am. I found a job so fast that it left me without words. And there is something else. The nature. Believe me, wherever I've been, nature is not like this".

"Welcome to paradise, Eva".

The 10 trial days passed. An automated flying vehicle came, to ask Eva if she wants to remain or leave. She clearly said "I will remain here until I die".

Eva made many new friends. All of them are strange people for those outside Betelgeuse VII, but here, they are all normal. Then, after a few days, on a nearby parcel, an automated vehicle brought a new metal house. The next day, a newcomer was left there. Eva went to him and said:

"Welcome to paradise!"

**********

With every day, at least one ship with 7500 new settlers arrive to Betelgeuse VII. Population is growing with nearly 3 millions each Earth year. The economy is booming, as people are enjoying a happy life in one of the less corrupted states in the galaxy. They know that their star is a red supergiant and one day will go supernova, but they think it will be hundreds of thousands years in the future.

But is it so? Caligula, the one who sponsored terraforming for this planet, knew that the star will only last thousands of years. He bribed the experts who measured what is going on inside the star and they made false measurements. Even his own data were not correct. The clock is ticking and nobody has any idea about this.

It takes a little fire to ignite, to burn a whole forest (ancient saying).

The terraforming of Betelgeuse VII was financed by Caligula, also known as King Of Iron. In 2961, he paid the ISA with all money needed to terraform. Work started in two years and ended in 2996, eight years after Caligula died. He did not live to see his work done. He had no wife and no children, so there was nobody expected to take his legacy. However, surprisingly, two years before his death, he donated all he had to a teen, a girl named Giulia. Very little is known about what reason Caligula had to give her all his fortune and the leadership of the new planet. After all, they've been together for only an year. More shocking was that Giulia took the name Caligula II after Caligula's death and the title of queen of Betelgeuse VII.

It took a few years after Betelgeuse VII was terraformed until Giulia told the world who she was. In fact, she could not tell this to the world, because people would reject her without mercy.

Giulia was born in 2967 on a planet in Sirius. She was very smart and very good at school, a cute and polite girl, always trying to help others. As she grew-up, she was influenced by her father who was a merchant into thinking about starting a business. Even at 15, she managed part of her dad's shops and cargo ships.

Not known to anyone, even to her parents, she was a panophile (a rare sexual minority, a person attracted to objects). She was in love with a tree and used to spend many hours there. She tried the best to hide her sexual orientation, knowing that people will laugh at her. She knew about a guy who felt in love with a stone in a natural park and was arrested for this. However, her friends noticed that she loves to go for hours in the forest and followed her. They secretly spotted her near her tree, when she was singing to it. The next day, they decided to cut the tree down and burned it. When she arrived, she cried for hours. She sat near the fire and cried, just like her best friend has died. Her friends were watching in secret, but, seeing her crying like this, was too much for them.

Night had fallen and she still was sitting hear the ashes. She moved above them and the remaining smoke entered her nose. She tried to breath the smoke.

"Come with me. I will take you in my body", she whispered.

She tried to breath in the remaining smoke, to take a part of the tree with her. At that time, she was not a smoker and her body just couldn't handle this. She felt dizzy and needed to lie down. Still, she felt some attraction to this and found it somehow exiting. Despite the fact that she hardly managed to walk, intoxicated with smoke, she decided to start smoking. So, the next day she both her first pack of cigarettes.

Everyone at the high school was shocked to see her smoking. Her parents were so mad that they started to beat her. From that point, her life turned into a nightmare. But, despite all this, she continued to smoke more and more. She switched to cigars and pipe.

Then, at some point, her parents forced her to get into a relationship with a guy which was a rich businessman. She did not like that at all. It all worked until at some point he tried to force her have sex. At that point, she ran away. This thing made her have an anger for men with an excess of testosterone all her life.

She went to the surface base and from there to the space station. She took the first ship that accepted her... and that ship was carrying workers to Vega. At that time, Caligula just sold his last iron mine. It was just pure luck that Giulia managed to meet Caligula there. When they met, she was willing to do anything to get a job and not return to Sirius. So, he hired her to do paperwork.

It was Caligula who, in only an year, changed her life completely. He told her about Betelgeuse VII, the planet that will be a paradise for those rejected by the world. He told Giulia that: "If you hate men with too much testosterone, try to prove you are superior to them". Also, he said "Nobody else can understand you then someone from a sexual minority. Let's build a paradise where people like you can live in harmony together. There, everyone will understand everyone".

When Caligula died, she took all his remaining fortune and invested it in infrastructure for the new planet. But she was no longer Giulia. She was Caligula II. The day when the planet opened for settlers, she threw away her women clothes and dressed-up like a man, more exactly like a general, with soldier boots and an army uniform. She glued a mustache on her face and cut her hair short, painting it black. She took an iron crown and started work very fast. She wanted to respect everything that Caligula started and managed to do so. She dedicated all her life to the new planet, trying her best to make this a paradise for those rejected elsewhere.

As Caligula I wrote in the constitution, Betelgeuse VII will be something between a democracy and a dictatorship. There will be a single leader, with nearly absolute power, elected at every 5 Earth years and without the right to be re-elected. After the 5 years, the leader will answer in a public trial for all good and bad things done, risking to be executed or all its fortune to be sold. Caligula II knows that her power will end in 3001, so she tried her best to do anything possible to make the planet a paradise.

**********

But how is a day of her life?

Every day, during her 7 hours of official activity, she can be seen by anyone. She stays in her palace, which is just a simple building, on an iron throne, symbolizing iron, the element that made Caligula I rich. All what she does is public and anyone can enter the throne room. Everything is transmitted live from there.

She appears dressed as a tough guy. Her daily clothing include mountain boots, trousers tied with a chain instead of a belt and a leather jacket. Her black hair is cut short and partially covered with a simple iron crown. With no earrings, a piercing in her nose, male sunglasses and a glued mustache, at a first look, you would say she is a man. She uses to smoke cigars all the time. Her voice is affected by long time smoking, but still is that of a woman... and if you look closer, you can see the silhouette of her breasts behind the jacket.

From her throne, she watches and controls everything through drones and online connections. She respects everything written by Caligula I in his constitution and never accepts anything else. Betelgeuse VII is an almost tax-free state, with a tax of 0.4% applied to any transaction, big or small. For example, if you buy a pack of cigarettes, 0.4% of the price is instantly diverted to the state budget. The number of state employees is limited to 0.1% of the population. External politics are turned towards independence and neutrality.

Much of her time is spent on audiences, from various people who want to do business or anything inside her state. Each time something is against Caligula I's constitution, she stops the conversation and invites that person out.

Someone comes to her, from a bank:

"Your highness, I represent the ICB, Interstellar Credit Bank. We would like to build a few banks on Betelgeuse VII".

"You can personally come and build banks here at your own will, once you gain citizenship, but not owned by someone from the outside", she answers. "This is what the constitution says".

"If you accept my offer, the ICB agrees to give your state a loan of seven billion CC".

"According to constitution, the state is not allowed to have any debt. Dismissed!"

Then, comes someone else:

"Your highness, I am the ambassador of IGPP".

"Interstellar Gay Paradise Planet? How can I help you?"

"I am here for the incident in the town of Meteora. Four gay people were punished with a 500 BC fee for obscene behavior. I ask you, in the name of freedom, to cancel that fee".

"I know the incident. You know that Betelgeuse VII has 100% tolerance for sexual minorities, but each town has its own elected sheriff, but explicit, obscene behavior is punished. I could cancel the fee, but that sheriff was elected by the people in that town so it is their own decision".

"I don't think it is correct".

"An online referendum was started. Here are the results. 72% of the residents in Meteora gave a similar punishment".

"I suggest extending the referendum to the whole planet".

"Sorry, the constitution limits the act of referendum to the jurisdiction of the sheriff".

"But..."

"Dismissed".

Then, comes a woman:

"Your highness, I am Roma Gemini from UV Ceti. I speak in the name of 1500 women who have been abused in our system".

"I know UV Ceti. How can I help you?"

"We settled to Betelgeuse VII. We come from the body farms".

Caligula II takes a deep inhale from her cigar, thinking with much sadness. How much pain is in this world? Many rough dictatorships, to increase their population, started this practice. They sent women into body farms, where they were kept in cages and forced to become pregnant again and again. They took the babies and indoctrinated them from a very young age.

"My friend, she says, just tell me what you need".

"We would like to live together in a town. And help others come here".

"Well, that is easy", says Caligula II, making a big cloud of smoke. "I will contact an engineer and set a town for you. But if you want to help others come, I cannot do it. It is against the constitution to interfere into others' politics. If you want, you can pay for their ticket here".

"Thank you".

She calls a settlement technician and gives the woman to him.

Then she checks the budget: tax incomes and money spending, helped by two experts and other five persons from the press. Most of the money is spent for building new towns. In order not to harm the environment, large cities are not to be built. Each new town must have small metal houses, concrete roads, a small source of electricity and a rail connection. The town of New Bremen is not finished, but all the funds have been used. She calls the technician in charge, who appears on a large screen. He is a man, dressed in a woman.

"Minerva, why is not New Bremen finished?" she asks.

"Your highness, let me explain. We must have electricity and the dam needed to be much larger, so we no longer have funds for the houses".

"I have images of the dam and it does not look that much".

"Yes, but the foundation..."

"My drones watched you building the foundation. You lied".

"No! I did not lie!"

"I don't believe you. You have 40 days to finish work with your own money".

"But I..."

"Listen, Minerva! The next Earth year there will be elections. It's my head that will fall if someone finds out about this. And I prefer to save my head and cut yours. I will check back in 40 days. Dismissed!"

This is how her daily life looks like at work. In the rest of time, she is a simple citizen. She goes to a shop and buys food and lives in a small metal house surrounded by trees. She never hides that she is a panophile. People on the streets salute her like anyone else. Only in the throne hall she is treated like a dictator.

There is, however, a part of her life not much known. She built a memorial park in remember of Caligula I, with her own money. The park, which forms a square of 400/400 m, is full with vegetation. Along the alleys, there are cubes made of glass, hosting many items that belonged to him. Other founders who terraformed planets wanted huge statues placed everywhere. There are some who customized a continent to look like themselves. Caligula I was much different, he didn't want anything like that.

People come to the park and watch the items inside the cubes of glass. On each cube, there is a description written: Caligula's personal computer, his working table, the iron mining authorization, his first steel contract, his personal clothes and others. Many of his plans for Betelgeuse VII are shown here too, including data from geological prospects and reports from terraforming operations.

In center of the park, there is Caligula I's tomb with his real size statue. Behind it, there is a statue of the Roman emperor Caligula, from which he took the name.

Visiting the park is free, however people can donate. Behind it, there is a second place, but where you have to pay 4 BC to enter, which is expensive enough. Taking photos or filming might cost up to 1000 BC. There is no vegetation, but statues representing trees and bushes, while grass is replaced with gravel. There, inside glass cubes, are the items showing that Caligula I was a hidden transgender. One can see skirts, fake breasts and even wigs, together with make-up and lots of lots of photos made by himself. All his life, nobody knew about this, but now, on his planet, his secret life is known.

Still, there is a place that nobody can enter. This place is a metal building. Caligula II said that this building is to be opened after her death, saying that it contains some personal objects. Many people thought that the two were in love, however, by the time Caligula I employed Giulia, he already was too old and sick, while she was a teen. The truth is that he was an asexual.

Whenever she comes to the metal building, she makes sure that nobody can see anything, locking the door from the inside. There, she keeps a carbonized fragment from her tree. She stays there for a few minutes.

The building has a second room, containing plasticized sheets of paper listed from Caligula I's computer, together with the original files stored on a CPU inside a vault. Since Betelgeuse is a red supergiant, the ISA wanted an additional study to make sure that the star will not explode in the nearby future. However, Caligula I bribed the technicians who made the measurements. Everyone knows that Betelgeuse will survive 400 thousands of years. These data show something different: that the star will only last a few thousands of years.

A red supergiant fuses helium into carbon and oxygen for a million years. Near the end of this process, the core is inert, filled with carbon and oxygen, surrounded by a shell where remaining helium is fused. Then, when the inert core reaches a critical mass, carbon starts to be fused into neon, magnesium, sodium and oxygen, a process that lasts only 600 years. Then neon is fused, then oxygen, then magnesium, until all is transformed into silicon, in a multitude of reactions that last at maximum 20 years. Finally, during a single day, silicon is fused into iron. And then, when the core contains only iron, it collapses and the whole star explodes into a supernova.

The data shows that Betelgeuse has an inert core. It appears that the star is fusing helium. For how long will that core survive until carbon will start fusing? It appears that for 2000 to 5000 years, we are all safe. However, there is no data that surrounding the core, helium is fused. What if carbon is fused in fact? What if carbon fusion is coming to an end? Is everyone going to die?

Thinking about this, Caligula II feels scared. She feels the need to get out of the building. There is nobody outside. She carefully locks the door and looks up in the sky, where Betelgeuse is shining, big and red, like always.

"No, he couldn't be that wrong", she whispers. "You are fusing helium into carbon and you will last long enough for us".

She walks through the park and goes to the tomb where Caligula I is buried. She takes her iron crown and puts it on the tomb, not caring that some people are taking photos of this. For a few seconds, she thinks again: "What if Betelgeuse is fusing carbon and is at the end of its lifetime?" Then, she looks at the crown and thinks: "Hydrogen is fused into helium, then helium into carbon and oxygen, then carbon into neon and magnesium, then neon into oxygen and magnesium, then oxygen into silicon, then magnesium into silicon and finally silicon into iron. And iron is death to any star. Iron, the metal that made us rich and helped us terraform this world, is the metal that will kill us".

She takes the crown back and puts it on her head, then thinks: "But not now. It will happen in thousands of years... or even more, I think. The stellar study was done by one leading experts in stellar physics. He couldn't be that wrong. I don't think Betelgeuse will last 400000 years, but not 3000 years for sure. The truth must be something between. Maybe 100000 years. But for and as long as I live, nobody must know. After a few thousands of years, we will colonize additional planets".

She puts some tobacco in a pipe and starts smoking, watching the red fire, something common with Betelgeuse. After a while, there is no smoke coming out, just some ashes. She holds the iron pipe, watching some red rays of light entering the window through the smoke.

"Iron. The metal that helped us come here and the metal that will kill this place".

A day in freedom weights more then a million lives in slavery (memories of a priosner).

What is the most important thing in the galaxy? Is it gold? Around 2200, it was. After a few hyperinflation episodes, everything was linked back to gold. But later, when Leo Baroni discovered the huge gold deposits in CN Leonis and started mining them, the value of gold had fallen below that of copper. Is it diamonds? For a while, it was, until the first carbon planet was discovered; from that point, a diamond was sold for a melon. Is there anything that is worth everything?

Along time, prices rise and fall. Money gained and lost value, while new currencies were used. The ISA (Interstellar Agency), starting from 2400, inserted a new currency, called cosmic credit or CC for interstellar transactions. For over 500 years, this was (and still is) the most stable form of money. Each planet and state has its own currency, with a value connected to the CC. The ISA needed something that has not changed value over time and would look stable for the future. Surprisingly, that item is not gold, jewelry or a highly valuable metal. It is not food or something related to real estate. It is tobacco. For over a millennia, people have been smoking and they still do now. No smoking ban and no prohibition period could ever stop this. In the end, world governments and health organizations realized that the only way to handle this is to improve human genetics and make the lung stronger. The ISA fixed its currency at a parity of one CC for 1000 average cigarette packs. We are now in the year 3000 and this still works.

But is tobacco the most important thing in the galaxy? By far, no. Not even the CC, it is just a currency fixed to help interstellar transactions. Then, what is it?

The most important thing of all is the human life, more precisely, the human as a living creature. This is the truth.

Since terraforming became cheaper, mankind entered a new era, of cosmic bloom colonization. New planets are transformed into new Earths, habitable and awaiting settlers. Each is owned by a federation, a space empire, a megacorporation, but still a large part are free states. All are fighting to attract people. On the other hand, in other places, depopulation has reached alarming levels. It looks like every state is doing anything possible to help its population growing.

In these conditions, a new form of slavery has appeared: the body farms. There, people are grown like animals. Women are forced to make children. Then, those children are grown and receive a special type of education, to become the best slaves. In some states, embryos are grown in incubators, to become children. All this is done on an industrial scale. Pirates are the best dealers, connecting body farms with depopulated stellar systems. But, since all slaves are shipped frozen into liquid helium, pirates often attack passenger ships and poor states, to steal people.

What is UV Ceti? It is a binary star, located not far from the Solar System. Both stars blow huge flares, that make terraforming impossible on any of their planets. Soon after the first colonists arrived there, they started to fight for power and they know what else. The system went fast into anarchy, where everyone tries to kill everyone. This is the paradise for pirates and traffickers. Mafia factions gather there, together with paramilitary groups. Mercenaries and fugitives call that place home. The inhabitants have no mercy, no souls and no value for human life.

One warrior from UV Ceti was Victoribus. He was pushed away from his planet there and ran to Proxima Centauri. There, he destroyed the only terraformed planet, Centarina. He killed almost everyone. His greatest pleasure was to slaughter children in front of their crying mothers. It was the worst genocide in the cosmic era.

For the rest of the world, UV Ceti means terror, death and horror.

What is HH Andromedae? It is a dim red star in the constellation of Andromeda. With two terraformed planets, in the 2500's, it attracted settlers and became a free state. However, its economy went wrong. Hyperinflation and poverty followed. Desperate to save the economy, the government gave freedom to industrial corporations, which polluted the planets beyond recovery. Now, HH Andromedae is a poor and depopulated state... and one of the targets for UV Ceti pirates.

And here starts our story.

**********

An University teacher, an old woman, was going to an asteroid with two of her students, a girl, Laisa and a guy, Ivan. They know how hard has became to travel. Space police often looks for bribery, while UV Ceti pirates make deeper and deeper incursions. They were attacked by a lonely pirate. The old woman was tortured and the students raped. Badly injured, the teacher took a knife and cut the pirate's neck, killing him. With their ship damaged, they could only take the pirate's. However, pirates were on their left side and police on their right. They knew that both will attack and kill without asking more questions. The only solution they had was to fly far away, to another star system, beyond 300 light years, where nobody will attack them. But where? It was no time to think. The teacher chosen Betelgeuse, because it was the first thing she had in mind. She managed to set the onboard computer for flying and automated emergency docking, then died.

Sixty days later, the ship reaches the orbital station of Betelgeuse VII. The students wake-up from cryogenic sleep. They placed her in sleep too, hoping that doctors might resuscitate her, but it is too late. Now, they realize that there is no way they can return home. They are stocked here. The only chance they have is to gain citizenship. So, they go to the planet. Willing to stay together, they say they are married, even if, in fact, there is nothing between them.

After medical and psychological checkout, they gain citizenship and are transported to their new home.

As they are deployed, they see the planet with their own eyes. It is so different from their former home. Betelgeuse is a red supergiant, but the light is similar to what their red dwarf star used to produce. Even if it appears at the same size, it is different, with lighter and darker spots and surrounded by a red, crimson haze. Auroras are so strong that they can be seen in the day.

The air is incredibly clean. On their former home, you can hardly breath the air outside and the sky had a yellow color because of all the pollution. People were walking with air masks on the street. Buildings were covered with a thick black layer of ash and dust. Their lungs find it difficult even to breath such a clean and ionized air. They need to sit down.

But down, means on the grass. How amazing. On their former planet, there is almost nothing growing, except for some genetically modified algae, who grow on ground, forming a dark green, dirty goo. They are so amazed to see grass, that they cannot stop touching it with their hands. They even taste a leaf of grass.

It is not silence. They hear birds singing. Real birds? Wow! It is for the first time in their lives to hear and see one. Also, some insects are here, flying in the air. And on the ground, they see ants. What an amazing place!

Amazed, they keep watching and see trees. Real trees, with green leaves, with flowers and fruits at the same time.

"Is this how a tree should look like?" asks Ivan amazed.

"I don't know, but I think so", answers Laisa.

Until now, they only seen dead trees, in the former forests of their homeland. All are dead, most have fallen, but still, some were holding on, remnants of the past. They both try to get there and touch a tree. Amazingly, it is not covered with the black stinky, slimy layer they are used to find on anything. By far no. They touch the brown stem. It is so amazing!

And then, they see a squirrel.

"What is that?" asks Laisa.

"I don't know", answers Ivan. "Some sort of animal, I guess".

On HH Andromedae II, people used to have pets for a while, but since food became more scarce and pollution killed everything, most pets died. People gave up growing animals before the two were born.

Suddenly, a man appears and says with a woman voice:

"Hey, what are you doing on my parcel?"

"We are sorry", answers Ivan fast. "We didn't know this is your land".

Then comes a woman, with a knee-long skirt and says with a male voice:

"Is there any problem, honey?"

"We just arrived here", says Laisa. "We don't know yet our way around".

"So, we are neighbors", says the woman with a male voice. "Welcome to Betelgeuse! When did you arrive?"

"An hour ago, I guess", says Laisa.

The two neighbors invite the students on a table near their house and give them cookies. A new friendship is starting to form. However, it does not last long until the students ask:

"So, you are a man in women's clothes and you are a woman in men's clothes".

"Yes", they answer.

"And you feel comfortable this way?"

"Yes, we do".

"What are the neighbors saying to this?"

"Nothing. Here, this is something natural".

"Wow!" says Laisa. "On our homeland, everyone would laugh to see this".

"Not here", answer some of them. "Betelgeuse VII is a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities".

"You mean, people like you, are common?" asks Ivan surprised.

"Nearly all our neighbors are like this".

So surprised, the two students are left without words for minutes.

**********

Helped by their neighbors, they learn their way around. Then, they return home, to the small metal home that everyone receives when arriving here. Both have learned about so strange people, that they never imagined to exist: sfenists, panophiles, virtualophiles, etherophiles and lots of transgender people. All are living in harmony, each one tolerates the other one. There are not many homosexuals in the area, but by far, this is the strangest place they have ever heard about.

"Getting dressed as a woman is horrible", says Ivan in the end.

"I don't know", says Laisa. "It might be so, but people here are extremely friendly. I have nothing against if they let us live as we are".

"Doesn't it make you throw-up?"

"Me? Yes, a bit".

"But this is our home, now. We have to get used to it".

**********

Then, they decide to go to the town center. There, you can get a job. Not far, there is a factory that produces spare parts for floating cars. After all, they came with no money. The HHC (HH Andromedae credit) is not accepted anywhere here and they did not have a chance to exchange it for CC. The local currency is BC (Betelgeuse credit) which is exchanged at a parity of 1 CC for 100 BC. That would make 1 BC for nearly 10 million HHC, if their money could be accepted.

First thing they notice is that there are no elders here. All settlers are at maximum 50 years old. Also, they see children. The second thing they notice is that a vast part of the population is dressed to the opposite sex. This works even for small children. For adults and teens, you can guess their real gender based on their voice, but for children, it is impossible. For example, they see a little boy playing with other children... but the others call that boy Amanda. So, she is a girl? Another child, which looks like a girl, is named Jerry. Both are playing with some sticks. At some point, Jerry says:

"I can carry more sticks in my skirt, it has many pockets".

"Tomorrow, I will come with my skirt too", answers Amanda.

What a place! You can be a man, tomorrow change to a woman, then again a man! Where in the Universe you can see this? And all is done such in a natural way, like if this is how things should be.

The third thing that amazes them, is that almost everyone is smoking, even small children. Also, all this comes so natural. To see children smoking here is like to see them eating candy or other sweets elsewhere. Adults smoke together with children. In HH Andromedae, the state started a strong campaign against smoking, but allowed on a large scale commerce of light drugs like cannabis.

Finally, they reach to the central square, where they easy find a job. Tomorrow, they will come for a test day at work.

**********

Laisa and Ivan are from a planet that is tidal locked. So, one side of that planet is in eternal day, while the other side is in darkness. People live in the illuminated part. They are used to see the sun in the same place on the sky. Here, on Betelgeuse VII, the sun rises and sets. During the night, they cannot sleep. Amazed, they watch the sky, where huge auroras dance. It is much brighter then all the fireworks combined at a large celebration.

Almost no stars are visible on the sky. From this distance, the Sun should not be visible, but Sirius and Vega should. When the auroras are not glowing that much, there is something else visible: dark red clouds. Like all supergiant stars, Betelgeuse is losing matter, creating giant but slow solar winds. The star is surrounded by clouds of matter, moving away to the interstellar medium. Planets are orbiting right through these clouds. The planet has a small moon, which is too far and small and appears as a bright red star.

Finally, when the day comes, Ivan and Laisa go to work. The factory owner takes them to their places and explains to them what they should do. It doesn't take much until they understand the basics, but they will need much more time to learn all. They are building small parts for hovering cars.

Because of the huge distance, a passenger ship needs 60 days to reach Betelgeuse VII. A cargo ship will require an Earth year. So, interstellar trade is very expensive. Everything needs to be built here.

The economy of Betelgeuse VII is self-sufficient, because it has to. Imports are limited to high-tech products, while exports are also limited to exotic natural products. Because settlers are coming in, they also bring some CC with them. Since population is rapidly growing, there is a higher number of clients for all products, so all factories are growing. Newcomers have a place to work as soon as they get here. They work, earn money, then comes the time when they start a business on their own. Only that, when this happens, they have to go to a new place, to avoid creating large cities, which are not friendly for the environment.

Because the population is increasing, there is an increasing need for money. The total amount of money must grow, or it will produce deflation. So, the state can print money without creating inflation. This money is used to build homes for newcomers. By contrast, in a depopulating state, like HH Andromedae, the amount of money per resident is decreasing, creating inflation. There is less collected to the budget, so the state needs to increase taxes, destroying the economy and forcing more people to go away.

**********

But, let's leave these problems to an economist. Let's return to Laisa and Ivan. They have to work in a team with all the others. After they finish work, they buy something to eat and return home.

"It is so strange", says Ivan. "Bob wanted me to help him fix some wires, but working with a man dressed as a woman, it was very hard".

"But he tried to be very polite to you", says Laisa.

"I know, but to see a man with lipstick and make-up, makes me throw-up".

"You should see Denver".

"Ah, that guy with a short dress? And fake boobs?"

"Yes, that one. I did not know what to say. It made me laugh".

"To see a man dressed like a woman is so pathetic", says Ivan. "I wish we could return somehow or at least to go to some other place".

"Wait. Have you ever seen people so kind like here? Ivan, they are so friendly, like nobody I've ever seen".

"You're right, but... but... I don't know if I will make it here".

"For now, we are stocked here. There is no turning back".

"I know, Laisa. We were the best students. We lost all and we're stocked on this rock. But don't worry. I will work hard and buy you a ticket back".

"To where?"

"To HH Andromedae".

"Ivan, just look around!" says Laisa, surprised of his words. "Just look at all this vegetation! Have we ever seen grass before? Or a flower? Could we even breath air? Can anyone there open a window to let clean air enter? Don't give away this".

"And what do you want? To live here, with mentally degraded people? You heard that woman, Shelia? She is in love with a stone".

"And she is also dressed like a man".

"You see? People here are crazy. This is insane!"

In the end, they go to sleep. People might think that they are a couple, but in fact, they stay in bed like a brother and a sister.

**********

The next day, it is the same at work. All coworkers are friendly with them and willing to help. Still, the two are shocked to see even more. One worker invites them to a bar after work. There, they watch surprised the way people behave. Two girls are kissing, but in fact one is a girl and one is a boy. Two guys are hugging each other, but one of them is actually a girl.

The same continues in the following days. Well, finally, Sunday comes and they go to the church. There, people come, also dressed as they like.

"Oh mine!" says Ivan while living the church. "I don't believe that they behave in the same way here too".

"I don't know for you, but I am started to get used to them. After all, people in here are so friendly!"

"Isn't it a sin?"

"What? Cross dressing?"

"Yes, it is a sin, Laisa. But people seem here not to bother".

"I'll tell you what a sin is: to steal, to hurt, to kill, to lie. In HH Andromedae, thieves are on all the roads. Remember? You need to keep everything in interior pockets. Here, we don't lock the house".

More days pass. All new residents stay 10 days to chose if they want to stay or if they want to return for free. An automated flying vehicle comes to their house. A robotic voice asks the two, to chose what they want.

"I want to remain", says Laisa, sharp.

"I don't know", says Ivan.

He would want to return, but Laisa insists. She holds her arm and begs him to stay. So, he answers:

"I will stay here".

What actually made him stay, is the fact that in HH Andromedae, he has no future. After graduating the University, his only chances would be to emigrate. But how could he get back to school? He should be considered dead by now. How could he be accepted back? There are so many state employees that need to be bribed. It is impossible. So, he is stocked here, with or without his will.

**********

At work, Laisa became friend with Sheila. They use to spend some time together. Close to the town, there is a reservoir surrounded by stones. There, teens use to come and hangout.

"Have you adapted to our world?" asks Sheila, lighting a cigarette.

"I think yes. But still, I need time to get used to all the people here".

"You know, when I came here, I felt like jumping from purgatory to paradise".

"You talk about the landscapes, Shelia?"

"No, my friend. I talk about the freedom of this place. You know, at first, I didn't dress as a man. I do this now because most people do so. It is a sign of respect for the people here".

"You ran here because you are a panophile", says Laisa.

"Yes, but not quite because of that. I came here because people hated me. They rejected me because I am different. Just like everyone else. If people would have understood me, I wouldn't be here".

"But me? I am not different from where I came. I am very different from you".

"People here will not bother. Just try to feel happy the way you are".

"Thank you".

"Laisa, Betelgeuse VII is built as a paradise of freedom. Here, you can be whatever you are. Just like I am a woman and I dress as a man".

"I've seen that. But still, there is a limit. I've read about transgender people that they take hormones, have implants or surgery. But here, no. Here, all is limited to cross-dressing. And about sexual minorities, all I knew is about gay people. Never imagined that people like you do exist at all. Where I come from, people against gay communities because they use obscene clothes or make obscene gestures in public".

"No, Laisa. Betelgeuse VII is not the place for that. We are humans, like you are. If you talk about cross dressing, there is a point of no return. Once you cross that barrier, some things will never be the same. If you want to go to extreme body transformations, you have to submit a request and wait five Earth years. This is to make sure that you do understand the consequences. As a man, you can wear fake breasts. If you want to stop, you just take them down. As a woman, you can glue a mustache, which can be removed at anytime. But once you go to the doctor, things change. If you were a woman, you won't be able to have children. If you were a man, you won't be able to produce healthy sperm. So, there is no children. This is the idea, that there is no turning back. This is why, using hormones or surgery, before request, is punished with a fee of 10 thousand BC".

"I get the point".

"And about what you said about obscene gestures and behavior, you must know that many people don't like to behave like that. I personally don't like what is obscene. A kiss is a kiss, but beyond a certain limit, things must be done behind closed doors".

"You are right about that too".

"You know that public nudity or public sex are punished".

"I know, Shelia".

"But still, remember that this is a place of freedom. Maybe, there are things you were not allowed in your world, but here you can do them".

"What do you mean?"

"For example, maybe you wanted to wear some clothes that in your world would look too provocative. Or maybe you wanted... I don't know. Something else. I know a guy who was never allowed to smoke on the planet he came, so he started smoking here".

"I don't know", answers Laisa. "I wanted to be dressed somehow different. I was one of the best students. I am sick of wearing a uniform all time".

"That should be your starting point. Try to be yourself. Try to look at want you never had and you can have here".

"Yes. For an example, more different clothes. But I don't have the money yet. I need to wait for my next salary".

"I have some money, if this helps".

"And I still don't know how to shop here".

"No problem. Just come with me".

Shelia takes Laisa to the town center. There are a few online panels, touch screens specially made for this kind of work. There, you can order many products and pay for them in advance. All goods will be shipped by train in a few days. The two girls look at a brand variety of clothes and other items. Shelia insists each time, trying to open Laisa's mind. It doesn't take much until she choses the stuff she wanted. All goods will be delivered in four days, just when she will receive her salary.

**********

Just when Laisa's salary comes, her new clothes are here. On Betelgeuse VII, things are different. A global railway network of automated trains ships goods throughout the planet. Money don't exist as plastic banknotes, but only as a virtual currency. Each resident has an identity card that also holds money on. All transactions are done with the help of online panels and terminals, which automatically divert 0.4% as the state tax. She pays Shelia back the money, then goes home.

Ivan is not there yet. He uses to go to the forest, to watch nature. So, Laisa has plenty of time. She opens the boxes and watches the new clothes and make-up. First, she undresses completely, knowing that nobody will bother her. She shaves her feet, then paints her nails in black. Until now, at best, she could have her nails in a light pink or white color. When they dry-up, she puts on black pants and a black bra. Then she takes demi-opaque pantyhose, with a shiny, metallic color. "Wow!" she whispers, admiring her feet. "I never worn colored pantyhose in my whole life! From a book grinder and a library mouse, now I became a bitch. Well, this is how people would think about me at school". Then, she takes on a blouse made of the same material, elastic, translucent and shiny.

All this time, she worn flat shoes. She never worn boots. Now, it is time to put on thigh boots with high heels. So smooth! She feels her feet warm and comfortable, as they vanish inside the long, dark boots. She takes off the school dress uniform that she had been wearing all this time and replaces it with a knee-long, shiny, metallic dress. Red rays of light from Betelgeuse reflect in the new dress. She watches and realizes how amazing she must be. Then, she puts on long, dark gloves, that are as long as her arms, reaching nearly to her shoulders. She never worn gloves in her life. Her hands feel warm and start to sweat, but she likes it. "It was considered a lack of respect to wear gloves at school", she whispers. "Here, behaving like that is considered a lack of respect". Finally, she puts on a shiny, metallic jacket, with sleeves that reach her elbows and lets the stomach uncovered, exposing the dress. She admires her breasts, as they are seen hidden behind the jacket. She has no large mirror in the house to see herself, but she realizes her new look is amazing.

Next, she needs to take off the jacket and the gloves. Time to paint her hair. It is the first time in her life to do this. The color she chosen is also shiny, metallic. Carefully, she prepares the paint in a bowl and applies it on her long hair. "Goodbye, curls", she whispers. "I am no longer a student at all". Then, she carefully applies some make-up. Not too much, not too little. She then applies a shiny, metal lipstick on her lips. Then, with the same lipstick, she draws a heart on her right chick and on the left chick, an exclamation and a question sign. She removes her small earrings and replaces them with the new, big, black and metallic ones. Also, she adds black sun glasses.

Then comes the last part of her new outfit: horns. She glues them at the top, left and right corners of her forehead. Both horns are black, about five cm long and look like those of a calf. "On HH Andromedae, people will say that I worship the devil. Here, people will not say anything. I can even enter the church with this", she whispers.

Waiting for her hair to get dried, she puts on her jacket and gloves, takes a chair and goes outside. Now, it is time for the last piece of her new outfit. She takes a pack of cigarettes and lights one. It is the first time in her life that she smokes. Her virgin lungs refuse the smoke and she coughs badly. "Come on, Laisa! You can do it!" she whispers and tries again, resulting in another nasty cough. She tries for the third time, but coughs again and feels dizzy, but her ambition is great. She takes small drags, trying to get used to get used to it.

Finishing her cigarette, she returns to the house and starts preparing food. Ivan will come soon.

And just as she finishes cooking, the door opens.

"Hi", he says, but remains with his mouth opened. "Laisa?"

"Yes", she answers. "You were in the forest?"

"What in the galaxy is this?"

"My new outfit".

Ivan looks at her, shocked. He never seen her like this.

"Wow! What happened to you?"

"Ivan, since we are stocked on this planet, shouldn't we try to behave like the inhabitants?"

He looks again. Where is her uniform? Now, she wears shiny metallic dress and jacket. He looks at her feet, that usually were covered with smooth pantyhose, now are covered by these long boots that seem to not end. Then, he looks at her face. His face turns from shocked to anger, looking at her painted hair and the signs on her cheeks. Wow!

"And what are those on your forehead?"

"Horns", answers Laisa with a small smile.

"Horns? Have you lost your mind?"

"No, by far not".

"Laisa, not even the worst delinquents were wearing horns. What's wrong with you? You were the most polite girl in school... and now, look at you. I cannot believe that you sit here like that. Think about your parents. What would they say?"

"My parents think I am dead. Your parents think the same. And tell me, Ivan, is there any way we could return to HH Andromedae? The answer is no. Even if we could afford to pay for a flight back, sure you realize that we are both considered dead. There is no way to go back to school. And where can you find a job there? More even, there is no way you can immigrate to Sirius, to Barnard's Star, to Epsilon Eridani or any other rich system as we are now. You need a passport to go there. And how can you gain a passport if you are dead?"

"I know, but you did not have to do all this", he says with a sad voice.

"Yes, I didn't have to, but why not? Do you think that what you do is better? You behave like a hermit, finish work and go to forest. Everyone is so friendly here, but you seem to avoid everyone and hide yourself. I try to integrate to their society. Isn't it better what I do? Sooner or later, you will realize that there is no turning back for both of us".

"Perhaps you are right".

"Ivan, do you remember Mrs. Evangelista?"

"Yes, how could I not remember her? She killed that pirate. She sacrificed her life to save ours. May she rest in peace".

"There must be a reason why she chosen Betelgeuse and not another system. Just think about it. Why did she do it?"

Ivan has no answer to that question. He looks down, where he sees his shoes and her boots with high heels. He knows Mrs. Evangelista very well. She was a good teacher, very intelligent and most important a teacher that appreciates good students. She took them to an asteroid to learn about things they will find in practice, after finishing school. From all students, she chosen them... and she sacrificed her life for them. Now, as her dead body have reached Betelgeuse, she was buried here, on the planet. All this time, he never went to her tomb. Such a lack of respect from him. He hugs Laisa and says:

"You know what you have to do. You are smart, you were in the elite. But I cannot walk the same path you do. At least not now. I need time. Anyway, people will not consider me weird in here".

**********

The next day, when Laisa goes to work in her new outfit, people are impressed.

"Hi, Laisa!"

"Nice clothes you have!"

"Oh, you look so good!"

"Your hair color is assorted with your clothes! Wow, you even have horns! So cute".

They like the way she dresses. They appreciate her. Not the same can be said about Ivan. At least, he no longer has a repulsion to work with a man dressed as a woman, as he had in the first days. Laisa is very communicative and friendly to anyone, while Ivan is quiet. He works, talks only on rare occasions and when work is done goes to the forest, to meditate.

After a few days, at the church, they both sit in their places. Laisa is dressed in her new uniform, while Ivan is in his school uniforms. After praying, Laisa goes home and he remains in the chapel. He kneels in front of an icon and prays for a few minutes. The priest comes to him and puts his hand on his shoulder.

"What is wrong, Ivan?" he asks.

"I was praying for Mrs. Evangelista, the teacher who saved our lives".

"I remember, she killed that pirate from UV Ceti".

"She sacrificed her life to save ours. Since that time, I was thinking over and over. Why here? Why Betelgeuse?"

"I think she had a reason, son. She sent you here for a reason. Believe me, all people I see here are rejected from their worlds. They all come here for freedom".

"I've seen that, father, but I am not like them. I am not a transgender and I don't belong to a sexual minority".

"Let me tell you something, son. Saint Paul, the Apostle, anywhere he went, he dressed like the people he encountered, he cut his hair as they did, he talked like the people he found. He tried to be like them, not to force them be like him. He was a Jew, but he ate what people used to eat. You know, Jews don't eat any type of meat, but he did".

"But isn't it a sin what people do here?"

"The church, not only this one, but every church, has adapted to each planet and each place. No planet has the same year length as Earth, no planet has the same day length as Earth. Still, the church has chosen to use a different calendar to each planet, fixing different days for saints and holidays. Each planet has its own Christmas day and its own Easter day. And this works everywhere. Even before the space age. On the old Earth, people of Siberia, a frozen land, ate almost only meat, since no crops grow there. You know that the Orthodox Church requires fasting before Christmas and Easter. But there, in Siberia, people had no vegetables. So, they ate meat, a thing that in other places would be considered a sin. Rules are made for people, not people are made for the rules. Remember what Jesus said to the bigoted Jews? That the Saturday was made for mankind, not the mankind was made for Saturday. This is how things actually are".

"I see..." says Ivan, with a sad voice, realizing that the priest will not give him the answer he expected.

"Now, Ivan, tell me how your life would have looked like if you were not kidnapped?"

"I would have finished school. Then, since HH Andromedae is a poor state, I would have tried to immigrate to Sirius or Barnard. There, I would have gained a job. That's all".

"So, you would have become a piece of the system and nothing else. Alone?"

"Yes, father. Alone. With who else?"

"You had no plans to make a family?"

"No. Just to sustain myself and that's all".

"No, son. That is not good. You see, God made Adam and Eve. They made people both male and female. And as I know you, you would never have accepted to commit a sin, like having sex with a girl before marriage. No girl would accept that".

"I know, that's why I said that I've seen my life alone".

"I think there is something else in this. You say you don't belong to a sexual minority, but in fact you do. You are an asexual. People would have rejected you. Had you any girlfriends at school?"

"Only once, but she left me for a rich guy".

"I can tell you that Laisa is also an asexual. I've never seen her looking for someone. Even more, she loves you. Yes, she does, but she doesn't say it. Just think. Why did she accept to stay in the same house with you and even in the same bed? You did not have money when you came, but now, you have. She could have her own house by now".

Ivan looks amazed to this. "You mean she loves me?"

"Yes, but not a sensual love. It is a spiritual love, like the one found among asexuals and sfenists".

For the first time in his life, Ivan realizes that a girl loves him. This never happened. Blood rushes to his face. Could this be possible? Looking in the priest's eyes, he realizes that he is serious.

"What should I do?" he asks.

"Just accept her as she is and appreciate her. And let her transform yourself".

**********

From church, Ivan returns home. He walks on the concrete streets, looking at everyone. "Why should I look at them like this? After all, what would my life have looked like? Back in HH Andromedae, people were wearing air masks on the street. People were laughing at me sometimes. I was attacked by thieves at least twenty times. Once, in a train, they came with a knife and took my air mask... I could hardly breath all the way to home... and nobody gave me a mouth of oxygen. I could die, surrounded by 'normal' people. But here, if you ask for a glass of water, everyone will give you". He is no longer looking at them as before. He looks at a man with a long dress and says:

"Hi, Alex!"

"Hi, Ivan!" answers that man.

They are all polite. nobody has laughed at him ever. Even at work, when he was in fact nervous to work with men looking like women, they always were polite to him. Nobody said something like "Hey, newcomer, if you don't like us, go back home". Nobody.

He stops and buys flowers, then he slowly returns home, thinking about what to say. The small, single room, metal house, is waiting him, near the road, surrounded by grass and vegetation. He opens the door.

"Hi, Laisa!" he says, with much happiness in his voice.

"Welcome, Ivan! You stayed at the church until now?"

"I both you these flowers", he says. "I want to say you two things. First, that I am sorry for judging you. And second, that you look amazing in this outfit".

Laisa looks at him surprised, then curious, then smiling.

"Judging me for what?"

"For your new outfit. For the fact that you try to integrate in their society".

"We have no choice, Ivan", she says, with a big smile on her face. "We cannot return. And even if we could, we cannot have what we have here".

"I know. And for now on, I am no longer opposing you. Even more, I think that you should try to transform me too".

Laisa looks even more surprised then before.

"Why? What changed your mind?"

"Mrs. Evangelista. She had a reason to send us here. She wanted us out from the Old World. So, if her desire was to bring us here, she meant that we must live here. So, I am going to fulfill her last wish. We are to remain here for the rest of our lives. And since that is clear, I have to change myself and become like the other people around us".

Laisa is so amazed to hear this, that she rolls her skirt up, until she reaches the top of her thigh boots. She takes the pack of cigarettes and lights one. Ivan had no idea that she started to smoke. He watches amazed how she puts the cigarette between her shiny lips and lights it. She inhales. As she takes the cigarette out of her mouth, a little smoke gets out too. Then, she inhales more air, keeps the smoke in her body and exhales a powerful jet of smoke. It doesn't take much and she moves the cigarette back to her mouth and inhales again. This time, it is not that powerful, but a much softer exhale, with some smoke getting out of her nostrils too.

"You smoke?" asks Ivan. "This is amazing".

"Thank you. I thought you would kill me if you find out".

"When did you started?"

"When I changed my outfit. At that day, Laisa the schoolgirl has died and a new woman was born in her body".

"Help me change too".

Laisa takes another inhale. Smoke from her cigarette dance in the air between them. She lets her smoke out gently, through her smiling mouth, through her teeth. Ivan watches all this amazed, like hypnotized. It is like Laisa is the most lovely girl he ever seen.

"What would you like your new outfit to be?" she asks.

"Well, I don't know. What do you think?"

"If you ask me, I know you hate men in women's clothes. I would like to transform you in a woman".

Ivan remains still. Laisa takes another drag and blows the smoke in his face.

"Ivan?" she asks with another smile on her face.

"I let myself in your hands. Do with me what you think. I will be your woman from now!"

Amazed by his words, Laisa gives him a kiss. He feels the touch of her lips and a smell of smoke. But this is too much for the moment. His body moves a bit back.

"Why did you do that?" he asks.

"I don't know. Why were you watching me like hypnotized?"

"I don't know".

Laisa takes another inhale, then stands up and goes to the back of the room, blowing a cloud of smoke on the way. She searches for her former school uniform and brings them to Ivan.

"I never kissed a guy until now", she says, giving him her old clothes.

Well, it is not easy to do this. Her dress is too tight and he hardly manages to put it on. Then, they realize that his feet are a mess. Too hairy. Ivan has to shave his feet. Then, she insists that he needs to paint his nails. Add a pair of pantyhose and her flats and he looks like a woman from half down.

**********

The next day, they go to the online panel and command women clothes for him, which arrive in a few days. Laisa helps him get dressed in this new way.

First, she glues him fake breasts. Then, he puts on pantyhose and an elastic blouse, both demi-opaque and with the same color as hers: shiny metallic. Then, he puts on a black, shiny skirt, with a short black jacket. He has shoes with high heels and short gloves, both black. Laisa paints his hair in shiny metallic, then applies the same metallic lipstick she has. She also glues him horns, the same kind she wears. With the lipstick, she paints him a heart on his left chick and a flower on his right one. Finally, Ivan takes on black sun glasses.

When everything is done, Laisa lights a cigarette and examines him.

"You look great. I never imagined that you will agree this".

"I guess so", he answers.

The next day, the both go to work dressed like this. People are very happy to see them this way:

"Hi, Ivan! You look amazing".

"What a change!"

"You two look very good together!"

"Yes, they are in love".

For Ivan, it was a nightmare to walk in high heels, but he will get used to. He felt disoriented and without confidence in himself at first, but, thinking that this makes Laisa happy is more important then everything. He is very happy. Now, he has nothing against his coworkers which were dressed as women. It is the opposite, he feels better around them.

Still, one of them, after work, takes him apart and says:

"Well done, buddy! you took the right step. If not, Laisa would have abandoned you. She was very patient with you".

Finally, they return home. They are both very happy and they enjoy how the red rays of light from Betelgeuse reflect on their shiny clothes. Laisa lights a cigarette on the way. Ivan asks her to stop on a bench near an intersection.

"There is one thing that I need to do", he says.

"What?"

"Give me a cigarette. This is the last thing I need to make my transformation complete".

It doesn't take much and both become chain smokers. Their love grow stronger by the day. Their former lives in HH Andromedae seem far, far away, like the memories of another person.

**********

Betelgeuse shines on the sky, surrounded by its haze of ejected gasses. Down, on the planet, Ivan and Laisa found love and a happy life. They sit down on the grass, smoking each one a cigarette which creates around a haze of ejected smoke. They are happy and in paradise. Only that, at some point, any cigarette finishes its own fuel and dies. Since mankind realized that a red supergiant is a star near the end of its life, Betelgeuse was suspected to die at anytime. Since the 2000's, many suggested that its explosion is imminent... but the star remained there, shining on the sky. It did not die. Now, humans have reached this star and are living on one of its planets.

Ivan and Laisa lean on their back, on grass, looking at the giant star. It appears on the sky nearly at the same size and color as HH Andromedae from their former planet, only that Betelgeuse is far more complex, with bright and dark areas. They both look up and smoke, just as Betelgeuse is ejecting plumes of gas all around. The star struggles to survive, to produce energy and not collapse. It is like the star itself is trying to tell them: "Get out of here, I won't hold for much longer"... only that nobody hears its cry...

...at least for now.

This story might be too sad. Dedicated to all who during Christmas are lonely, hungry, ill or suffering.

This story starts far away from the paradise of Betelgeuse, in the Old World, on a planet orbiting the binary star Sirius. It is a rich place, with a long-lived powerful economy and one of the first places where humans came, outside the Solar System. The planet benefits from an Earth-like climate with long seasons, illuminated by its blue-white sun. Here, some people live a very rich and happy life, while the others are living in poverty. It is a world of contrasts. In one part, you see luxurious buildings, but not far, people are starving.

On planet Sirius A VI, at 80 km from the rich city of Tyras, there is a rural area. There are a few villages that sustain themselves by agriculture. All the goods they produce, are sold in the city: vegetables, fruits, milk products and meat. Everything looked very good. Except for a few alcoholics, everyone is working in agriculture. Then, other people, also from these villages, take the goods and sell them in the city, in Farmers' Market. Everything worked this way for generations. The elders remember that, when they were children, their grandparents also worked in agriculture. It is a tradition that lasted for over 300 years.

It all worked this way, until came a rich man, with dirty interests. His name does not matter. Everyone calls him Boss. He is the son of a rich senator, who now is in jail for life, for bribery. Well, Boss also wanted to be someone important in the government, but he was much worse then his father. He was offered a chance: go to a remote part o the state or face the same sentence as his dad. So, he went to the city of Tyras, willing to make more money.

Boss came to Tyras as a local governor, willing to make more money, to bribe his way up to power. First, he received bribery from some companies, to allow construction of supermarkets inside the city. Until now, this was forbidden, to protect the local farmers. More even, until then, farmers and merchants were tolerated in all markets. From this point on, state employees started to force them out. Slowly, they could no longer sell their products. Then, supermarkets started to open where former free markets were. Desperate, farmers started to sell their goods on the streets, online or from their villages. Boss decided to stop this form of commerce.

It took only two Earth years until farmers were ruined. They started to sell their land for nothing. More and more of them, started to go to work to the city. Realizing that this is a new source of money, Boss started something even more horrible. He cancelled nearly all trains on the railways, then forced a transport monopoly. He created a bus company, the only one allowed to carry people to Tyras and back. Busses became overcrowded and very expensive, also very rare. People had to wait even five hours. Boss then increased transport taxes, so that nobody would travel without his busses.

Boss started to rule the city. The only thing that matters for him is how much money he can make. As a result, by the time the rural areas were ruined, in the city, some people were extremely rich and the largest part were in poverty.

**********

And here comes the story. A poor girl, named Natalia, was trying to find her way in life. She is about 17. Her dad was a farmer for all his life. He then ran out of business. Unable to pay land fees, he had to sell the land his family owned for generations... then he became an alcoholic... and an aggressive one. Her mother tried to work in the village, taking care of an old woman. But, she could not sustain the whole family and especially her alcoholic husband.

The planet is in the habitable zone, but Sirius is a much brighter star then the Sun. So, its orbit is much further. A local year lasts for about six Earth years. Each season is much longer. Winter lasts for over an Earth year. This is the worst time, mainly if you have no job. Natalia's parents had to sell their cows because they ran out of food. Then, they started to cut down wooden things, when they ran out of wood. Natalia also has two younger brothers, who were at school. But, without much heat in the house and without enough food, both went sick.

To make things worse, Natalia had a grandma that became very sick. Doctors requested 47 thousand SC (Sirius credits) to operate her. Even before the crisis, this was too much. Now, it is impossible. Grandma is struggling between life and death.

**********

Natalia wakes-up in morning. She lies, telling her parents that she will go to school, but she is not going there anyway. Her dad is in a hangover, while her mom has her head wounded. Dad was again aggressive. She does not want to eat, knowing that a few slices of bread are all they have. She jumps out of the house and takes the overcrowded hovering bus. She travels eighty km in 3 hours, standing on her feet, with only little space to breath. It is dark outside and cold. All is covered by ice and snow.

As she arrives, she jumps out of the bus and goes to the supermarket, where only five Earth years ago her mother was selling their own products. She buys some biscuits and a pack of cigarettes, then eats and smokes.

She should go to high school, but she ceased going there. How could she stay there and learn, when her brothers are both sick? Last night, they were coughing and having fever. She is here to make some money, even if her parents don't know. There is a place where she can make money: the subway. There, it is always warm, even if outside it is freezing. There are many small shops at the subway. She helps sellers to carry goods from surface to the shops, to clean-up and to take out the garbage. But not today. Nobody asks her for help. Boss increased the fee for all small shops along the subway. Saying that the shops are selling illegal staff, he wants to take them out. All sellers are very sad of this.

Desperate, she goes out. She starts begging people for some money on the streets, but nobody gives her anything. It is day already. People rush to work, nobody cares about her. Then, she goes back to the subway and enters a metro train. She sings carols in the train. A few people give her some money. This is good, but by far not enough. Too little for what she needs.

Evening comes. She goes back to the street and begs for money. Then, a police officer spots her and takes her to the station.

"Why do you do that?" they ask. "You know it is forbidden".

"I need money, my brothers are sick", she answers.

One officer gives a punch in her head. She starts crying.

"Shut up, bitch! The fee for begging on the streets is 500 SC".

"This is all I have", she says, giving them all she made: 25 SC.

The officer gives her a punch in the abdomen. She falls down, crying of pain. All she ate today are those biscuits. They hit her again, with a boot in the stomach. She does not give them any money. One officer takes her out, by hair, then throws her in the dirty snow.

She has to return. There is only one bus in the evening. So, she goes to a small shop in the subway, to an old woman that knows her very well.

"Camilla, please help me", she says. "I made no money. I need 30 SC to go back home and return tomorrow. It's for the bus".

"My boss will be very angry", says Camilla. I give you, but tomorrow morning, you pay me the money".

Natalia takes the money and goes back to the bus. It is very crowded and the heating system does not work. Freezing air enters through a window that is not closing. Hungry and hurt by the police guys, she would cry... but there is nobody to help.

At home, it is cold, almost freezing. Her brothers are ill. Nobody has money for their medicine. Her dad is drunk again. She gets fast into her cold room, jumping in bed, as she is, dressed. She can hear her mother crying, as her dad is beating her. He curses and screams, while she begs for mercy. He just sold the front fence for alcohol... here goes the wood that could heat their house for two weeks. She puts a pillow on her head and tries to sleep.

**********

Then, she wakes-up. It's the day before Christmas. Maybe she will find something to work today. She takes the bus and goes to the city.

Once she is in the town, she goes to the supermarkets. People are buying goods, over and over: food, presents, Christmas trees, all sort of staff. Someone asks her for help, to load goods in his car. She finds some food, dropped by someone: a frozen pretzel. Not much, but still good for her stomach. It is the first time in her life when she eats junk food. Another customer wants help with a large tree and a lot of cookies, but doesn't pay her anything. She begs for mercy... The first person spits on her. Someone else says: "For alcohol? Go to brothel, bitch!" Another guy says: "If you don't go away, I will call the police". Finally, someone hits her... and she moves away.

She goes back to the subway and starts singing carols. An old woman gives her 20 SC and an old man gives 10 SC. Enough to pay her debt to Camilla. So, she goes to her shop... But there, two officers are shouting to her:

"The fee for selling goods in subway is 1000 SC a day, you did not pay it!"

"What? I don't have that money. Nobody makes that much".

"I don't care, woman! This is the law. You pay now or we will take you to the section".

Officers take her cuffed. Then, they serve themselves for free with anything they want. They also see her. She recognizes them, from last evening.

"It's that bitch", says one. "So, where is the money?"

They give Natalia a punch in her head. She gives them all money she has: 40 SC. Taking the money, one officer hits her with a hard punch in her face. She falls down. People spit her. Someone hits her too. Crying, she manages to stand and moves away.

All day, she hangs around, trying to find something to do. Everyone is happy. Nobody cares about her. She does not make money even for the bus. How can she return? Who can give her 15 SC? She goes back to the street and begs for help. Then, comes a couple. A woman wants to give her 5 SC, but her husband says:

"Stop! You see that wound on her face? She was drunk! That's where your money go! Street rats like this one should go to UV Ceti and be sold as slaves".

"But darling, she is just a kid!"

"No! I will not let you give her anything. Oh, here is a policeman".

He grabs Natalia and brings her to the cop. Dead end. The policeman takes her to the station. Hungry, scared and tired, she cries. She remains in arrest, in a small, cold room. It's freezing. The bus has gone by now. She thinks about her parents. About her mother. In old days, she could bring 50 SC home each day, plus her food. Now, it is a nightmare. She corners herself in the cell, waiting. Then comes one cop. She recognizes him. It's the guy who bitten her and took her money.

"Hi, bitch!" he smiles. "It looks like we are together this night. I am here to watch you, in case you do anything bad".

She looks scared. The officer hits her with a palm on face. Then another one. Then, he gives her a boot in the stomach.

"Come on, sweetie", he says. "Or you want to be sold as a slave in UV Ceti".

She heard about UV Ceti. Who hasn't? Nobody wants to be there. Those pirates, lurking for slaves, go deeper and deeper. They even attacked the empires of Sirius. Anytime they come, they show no mercy to anyone.

"Or, you want to pay your debt now. Two days for begging on the streets, that's 1000 SC".

"I have no money", she scries.

"Oh yes, you do", says the officer, unzipping his pants. "You do have something that is more valuable then this".

"No!" she screams.

"If you make any noise, you will only make it worse. My colleagues are here and they want a piece of you, too".

The officer forces her to undress. He rips some of her clothes, giving her more punches and another boot in the stomach. Then, he rapes her. Natalia cries, shouts of pain, while the officer shows no mercy. It all takes about five minutes. When he is done, he looks. Blood. Natalia was a virgin. He then calls another cop:

"Here you are! Take advantage as she is still hot!"

The new guy rapes her too. Then comes another one, who hits her hard in the stomach again, saying:

"Open wide! And don't bite".

Finally, this cop finishes too, letting her mouth full with his sticky fluid. He gives her a boot in her face, then takes her out and throws her in the snow, with another boot in her mouth.

Natalia is out, in the bitter cold night. She spits blood. She tries to clean the mouth of this horrible taste. Hungry, cold, tired, bitten, she hardly can walk. Near the door, she finds a pack of cigarettes. Little she knows, this pack belonged to Camilla, as she was also bitten here.

**********

Natalia slowly walks on the empty streets. Nobody is here. All her body hurts. She goes to a park surrounded by apartment blocks. She leans on a bench and looks inside. Through one window, she can see people. They are happy and enjoy the Christmas meal. They eat. She can hear carols singing. On another window, she sees a big tree, full with lights. A man comes late in night from the subway, with many boxes. She watches him, as he enters a building and goes to his apartment. There, his wife and his children come and hug him. They are all happy. One of the children opens a box and finds a small guitar. The other one, finds a toy car. Another man comes to the building carrying flowers. She looks through other windows and sees another family. They eat. It is hot in there.

Natalia remembers her family. Dad is probably drunk again, shouting and breaking staff in the house. He sold something else from the house for alcohol. Her brothers are both sick and starving. The youngest had a strong fever. Is he still alive? She sees her mother crying. How cold is in the house? Freezing? She has a bottle with water in her room... and last night, it had some ice inside. How could her brothers heal? And her mom... Did she ate anything today? They have no electricity, since they did not pay the bill.

She needs to do something to survive. So, she corners inside a trash box. She lights one of the cigarettes she found near the police station. At least, this can cheat hunger. She dreams with opened eyes, about the times when everything was well, when her parents were farmers. Dad grew animals and vegetables, mom sold them at the market. Santa used to come every Christmas. One time, he brought her a new dress. Another time, it was a big doll. She remembers the time she was at school. Second in class.

She cries, slowly smoking the cigarette. Then, she falls asleep. But, this is worse then everything. She has a nightmare. Worms and snakes are devouring her body, blowing slimy staff. She screams and wakes-up. She lights another cigarette and relaxes, falling again to sleep. Oh no! Again, she dreams snakes and worms. They all taste and smell like the sperm of those cops.

Waking up again, she cries slowly. She finds some food in the trash and eats it, but all she can feel is the taste of sperm. She lights another cigarette, trying anything to remove the taste. Anything. Everyone is sleeping. It is a silent night. She remembers the song: Silent Night. Christ was born this night, over 3000 years ago.

She walks on the streets, trying to survive the freezing cold. Then, she returns to the bus station. She waits and smokes, crying helpless. Then, luck strikes. She finds 15 SC on the street. Her bus ticket home! Anything, but leave this nightmare place.

When she arrives home, the door is open. So strange! She enters. Just close to the door, she finds her dad, surrounded by bottles of alcohol. He lies in the middle of the room, cold. She checks out, but he is already dead. Too drunk, he fallen on the floor, with the door open. Killed by hypothermia. She continues to the kitchen... but there, her mother is dead too, with foam at the mouth. Frozen. On the table, she can see insecticides. She committed suicide. Natalia hurries to her brothers. She finds one of them dead too, in bed. The other one is paralyzed, crying in bed.

"What happened?" she asks.

"He didn't wake up".

"He will never wake-up".

"Natalia, do you have something to eat?"

She looks around, but nothing. There is nothing to eat in the whole house. She goes out, to look around. There still might be some corn from when they had cows. Maybe she could make some cornmeal. But, when she comes back, she finds her brother on the floor, screaming of pain and with foam at his mouth. He drank the same insecticides his mother did. Too late.

Poor Natalia. What can she do now? With all her family dead, now she needs to sell the house only to get money to burry all four. She sits in the middle of the house and lights a cigarette. It is the first time she smokes here. Like in a dream, she sees the house when they were all happy. Christmas day was so different. They all came together in evening, celebrating. Santa used to come. Then, in morning, it was time for children to make a surprise for their parents. All walls were freshly painted. The whole house was clean. They had animals, they had gardens, trees and vegetables. And now, there is nothing to eat around. Death and starvation.

Her cigarette ends and she lights another one. A cloud of smoke gets out from her hungry body. She slowly smokes, remembering the old days. All until she feels her body losing power. Then, she remembers an old story: The Little Match Girl. Isn't her story the same? No. It is far worse. At least, that girl was not abused. Or was she... and the narrator forgot to tell us.

"I want to die too", whispers Natalia, as she leans on her cold bed.

But, just as she feels asleep, she has again nightmares. Oh no! She wakes-up and goes to a neighbor, to tell someone what is going on. They immediately call the police.

**********

One might think that the story will end like this: Police came and arrested Natalia. She was raped again. Unable to take this any longer, she went suicide.

But, things are not like this. As police comes, they arrest her. Another cop is there, who wants to take over the cop who raped her. He remembers her and says: "If you confess, I will take you out of here". And things go exactly this way. Natalia confesses (and even lies), saying that the cop abused her many times, that her dad went on alcohol because of him, that this cop also abused her mother, that he took a protection tax... until her bothers died because they had no money for food, wood and medicine. The trial takes only a few days, because it is Christmas and the judge wants to return to vacation.

As promised, the cop asks Natalia where does she want to go and she answers short: "Betelgeuse". She realized that she became a sfenist. The cop buys her a one-way ticket, because he knows that if she remains around, she can confess something else. And just as Natalia departs from Sirius, he takes what remained from her house, to build a holiday house... built on the bones of her parents and her brothers.

Natalia arrives at Betelgeuse VII. She starts there a new life, much happier then before, but with deep scars in her soul. She is instantly accepted as a sfenist and finds out that she is not the only one. She gives away her former name and identity and choses the name Nick, getting dressed as a man from now on. Only close friends know who she really was: The Little Girl With Matches of the 31st century.

This episode is about 3 rare sexual minorities, two transgenders and one unconventional family.

Betelgeuse. A red supergiant near the end of its lifetime. The star tries to fuse heavier and heavier elements, losing more and more heat and energy. It had devoured its inner planets long time ago. Now, all that survived are the outer planets and the Kuiper Belt. It is there that a planet, easy to terraform, was detected, transformed and inhabited by a rare community. It is this place in the galaxy, that many people, rejected from their homelands, call home. Each passenger carrier brings here 7500 people and they keep coming almost daily. The vast majority remain here and call this new place their home. To make room for everyone, the state builds new towns and gives a small metal house for each new resident. There is enough for everyone to work, so, newcomers get a new job fast and easy.

Being so far away from the Old World, interstellar trade almost does not exist, so the planet, Free State Of Betelgeuse VII, has to produce everything it needs. This is why, in many places, many towns are employed in agriculture. They might be considered villages, but still people call them towns, because they don't differ at all from other towns. Each town has parallel concrete roads, who intersect with other parallel roads, forming squares. Each square holds four house plots, each one forming a square of 50/50 meters. Each town has a central concrete square, a railway station, a dam to provide water and electricity and each town has between 1500 and 9900 inhabitants. Above that number, taxes increase, forcing people to relocate. This is important, because large cities will harm the environment.

**********

Albert is a new town whose economy is based on agriculture. Settlers sent here have worked in this domain. One of the first to arrive here is Natalia, a girl escaped from Sirius. Her family died in strange conditions. She was sexually abused by a cop. All these events affected her beyond recovery. She is now a sfenist, a person unable to have sexual relations because of her trauma. For a few months, she was close to madness, sometimes screaming, sometimes crying. Then, slowly, she managed to reach a state of equilibrium. As she arrived, other sfenists helped her with advices and money. Now, she has a small vegetable farm close to the town. Soon after arriving here, she changed her name in Nick and decided to transform herself into a man. She both men clothes, glued herself a mustache and a beard and submitted a request for the use of surgery and hormones. She has to wait five Earth years for approval. This is the law in Betelgeuse VII, to make sure that her desire, to change gender, is really her... and to make sure that she understands that, once she makes this step, there is no turning back. She is now named Nick by everyone around.

Nearly an Earth year has passed and two newcomers settled around. One is a girl named Angela, also from Sirius. Behind her, there is another drama. She is a virtualophile. She is in love with a virtual character, an avatar made by herself to represent her dreams. When her parents realized that, they decided to burn her computer in front of her. She cried and ran away, but returned. She went to the university, where all her colleagues laughed at her when they found out her secret love. They managed to get her password and destroyed her virtual lover. The story continued until she finished school and returned home. There, her parents forced her to get married with a rich guy that she rejected. When he forced her to have sex, she hit him and ran away again... only that this time, as she was a major, she emigrated to Betelgeuse. Why here? Because she heard that sexual minorities are welcome there.

Only a few days after Angela, came a guy, from Sirius too. He is Edmond. He is a fetishophile. All what turns him on are lips and feet, nothing else. His story also is a drama. From a young age, he had a passion to watch women's feet, as well as their lips. He used to spend hours in a park doing this. His strange behavior brought him in police custody a few times. Secretly, in his house, he used to paint his toes and wear pantyhose. He loved to use lipstick and admire himself in front of a mirror. His parents found out about this and sent him to a psychiatric treatment. He was punished dearly, but never ceased having this fetish. He was not into women or into men. No. All he wanted is to watch women's feet and lips and to cross-dress in his own room, when nobody could watch him. All this lasted until he graduated the University. Then, after he earned some money, he decided to emigrate to Betelgeuse VII.

Both Angela and Edmond live close to Natalia - Nick. Thinking about how others helped her when she arrived, Nick decided to help the two with food, money and all what they needed until they gained their first money. Then, they remained close friends and spent much time together. What was forbidden on their homeland, here is allowed. Nobody will judge them here for what they are. And all around, there are many others like them, rejected by the worlds they came from.

On Betelgeuse VII, cross-dressing is common. Some people have submitted the request for body modifications with the help of implants, surgery or hormones and are waiting to pass five Earth years, to get an approval. Still, the vast majority don’t want to go that far. They only prefer cross-dressing. The use of fake breasts, make-up, fake mustaches and other add-ons is common. The identity card that each one receives once getting citizenship only contains an identity number, a DNA sample and some other biological identification coded data: finger prints, an eye scan and a bioenergy scan. Also, it has your current address. It contains no name, no data about where you come from and no details about gender. Everyone can use any name or anytime or can change its gender appearence at any moment. There is no official marriage certificate, but unofficial certificates exist and can be purchased easy.

In these conditions, sometimes it is hard to know the real gender of a person you talk with. Everyone is born with a specified gender, but any transgender will prefer to look like the opposite sex and will like to be called that way. A man should be called he, but when is dressed as a woman, will like to be addressed with she. However, for friends and relatives, this might not be easy, since they are used with him as a male. Even if the outfit represents a woman, they know him as a man. Many times, the former gender is still visible. The good thing is that the English language still has a word, it. In this general confusion, many people prefer to replace he or she with the more simple 'it'. Even if talking about a human as 'it' is impolite, this practice has become widely used.

**********

After work, all 3 are in Nick's house, where they eat together. Nick loves to cook. She may look like a man now, except for her female voice and the breasts that can be seen through the jacket... but in many aspects, behaves like a girl. The reason it decided to dress as a man is to keep guys away. After its experiences, only being touched by a man makes her nervous. It wears men trousers, but, between its feet, one can see a small bulge. It is not an artificial, functional penis, but a small fake one, with the size of a pack of cigarettes. It wears a men jacket, with a pillow attacked to its belly. Doing this, she appears more fat and the breasts are not so visible. The hair is short and she wear a men hat. Adding the glued mustache and beard, it looks like a man. But still, if someone looks very careful, can see that the lips are too slim for a man. As it is polite to take off shoes when you enter someone’s house, Nick wears black socks.

Angela is not willing to be a transgender at all. She wears a red blouse and black trousers. Without shoes, her feet are covered with nearly opaque, shiny and skin-colored tights. Her toe nails are hardly visible, painted in red. She has a long, dark-red hair.

Edmond is dressed like a man, with a black sweater and blue trousers. There is nothing that can show his fetish. Still, hidden behind his white socks, his toe nails are painted red. He knows that on Betelgeuse VII this is not a problem. He knows that he can change clothes to those of a woman, but he never had the courage to do that.

Since they arrived here, Nick convinced both to smoke. With no smoking ban, on Betelgeuse VII almost everyone smokes. So, they all smoke a cigarette before starting to eat. Then, after eating, they do the same.

"We should plant more tomatoes", says Nick. "Some merchants asked me today for more".

"No problem", answers Angela. "Do you think Jenny has more seedlings?"

"It had when I last came to her".

"Then, this is what we have to do tomorrow", continues Angela.

"Population is increasing", observes Nick. "We should increase production too".

"Edmond is very good at planting", continues Angela. "Aren't you, Edmond?"

"No problem", he says.

Well, Edmond was not actually listening to them. He is looking at something else. He noticed Angela's feet. Her nails are hardly visible through the pantyhose fabric. Usually, he wanted to see toes uncovered by anything, but now, this is something that boosts his fetish to a new level.

"Well, then", says Nick. "I will contact Jenny right now".

The old time of cell phones is long gone. Now, there are other, very small devices. Receivers can fit well between teeth, microphones smaller then a millimeter fit well inside earrings, contact lens can produce directly a display on your retina and a keyboard is replaced by fake nails. Many people opted for implants, but science has confirmed that radiation is dangerous for health. So, most people prefer much larger devices, less harmful. More, there are devices that can be activated with the power of thinking. They are able to analyze the electromagnetic currents inside the brain and know what you think or what you say in your mind. However, these devices often have errors. You want to call your boss and... you think about getting drunk... and you tell the boss about a late night party, without thinking about it. Nick has glasses able to create an image, with a microphone and a receiver... and a glove that works as a keyboard.

As Nick talks, Edmond watches. Nick might have been a woman, but looks close to a man. Its lips offer little interest to him. Not the same can be said about Angela. Her pink, shiny lips are amazing. Edmond watches amazed how she takes the cigarette to her mouth, between her lips. She slowly inhales, then moves the cigarette away. Her white teeth are visible, with a little haze of smoke. Then she opens her mouth a bit, to take air and closes her lips. A few seconds later, she lets a trail of smoke out. As she takes the cigarette again to her mouth, Edmond can see some lipstick on the filter. He watches her taking another inhale.

"Done!" says Nick. It has tomato seedlings. "Tomorrow morning I go and pick some. We meet at the field and plant them".

As Nick takes the glove and glasses out, Edmond takes a final look at Angela and her lips. He moves his eyes down to her feet, still fascinated by those toes hidden by a layer of opaque pantyhose.

"Ok then", says Angela, letting smoke out of her mouth as she speaks. "Tomorrow we meet at the fields and wait you with the seedlings".

The two go to their homes. Watching Angela's lips and feet made Edmond's penis hard. He wants nobody to see that, so he gently moves with his back to the girls. His house is not far and he should make it unnoticed. Nick, as a sfenist, has a repulsion for men with too much testosterone. She observed Nick, even if he didn't realize this. When a guy tries to seduce a girl, Nick feels disgusted, even repulsion. But with Edmond, there is something else. It is not that he wants to be with Angela. By far, no. Edmond just wants to watch her and that's all. They all know that Nick - Natalia is a sfenist and that she decided to transform into a man because of this. Also, they know that Angela is a virtualophile and she is not attracted to a real person. But, so far, Edmond has not told anyone his orientation. He is too shy to tell.

Edmond moves fast outside Nick's house, followed by Angela.

"Can you come later and customize Wolfy?" she asks Edmond, who tries to hide his still erected penis from her view.

Wolfy is her cybernetic lover.

"Yes", answers Edmond. "I will be at your place later".

*********

Just as promised, Edmond comes to her house. Angela likes to keep anything clean and in a good order in her house. She still has only the single room, metal house that any newcomer receives at arrival to Betelgeuse. There is not much in the room: a bed, a closet, a table with her computer on and a carpet. Everything is clean and in a good order.

In Sirius, it is polite to take off your shoes when you enter someone's house. In other places, people use to wear shoes or slippers in the house, but in Sirius, people don't. Angela keeps this tradition. For Edmond, this is something he likes, to see her feet covered with the same opaque layer of pantyhose, while her painted nails are hardly visible.

Angela invites him to the computer.

"This is Wolfy", she says, smiling. "You told me that you are good at this. I want to improve his gestures".

Wolfy is not a wolf at all. It is a man, full with muscles, tattooed and with a provocative haircut. He has a big earring. His feet and toes look like those of a wolf, but his hands are those of a man, even if much larger and stronger. He is active, listening to you and giving answers, with the vocabulary of a bad boy. And there is one more thing: Wolfy has the teeth of a vampire.

"You can make him a hologram", says Angela.

She only needs to push a button and Wolfy appears in the room, close to the computer, as a hologram, translucent and glowing.

"I prefer to keep him inside", says Edmond, a bit scared by the sudden appearance.

"No problem".

Edmond works with Wolfy, improving his movements. Now, when Wolfy is on, he will give greetings to anyone who enters, with a military salute. He also improves the program to play with a gun, in an aggressive but still pleasant way. He then updates the environment Wolfy lives in. In his virtual world, he has a palace with marble rooms, with a dungeon, a gym and a garage. In each area, he must change outfit.

As Wolfy is upgraded, Angela lights a cigarette. Edmond looks at her, from time to time. He likes to admire her lips and her smoking actions. At one point, Angela takes her hands to the keyboard, to command Wolfy to sit. Edmond can see her cigarette between her fingers, with lipstick on the filter. It is like a piece of her lips remained on the filter. He twitches. Angela notices it, but keeps it quiet. She also notices a bulge in his trousers. "What turned him on like this?" she asks herself.

"What do you think Wolfy needs now?" she asks.

"Well, I don't know. He is yours, not mine", he answers, trying to return to ground, but still fascinated by the lipstick he seen on the filter.

"Come on, you are a guy. What would you like if you were him?"

Edmond looks down, but there he sees her toes covered with opaque pantyhose. He is like on fire. Angela, thinking what to do, takes his face between her hands. But, as Edmond sees the cigarette, with lipstick on, between her fingers, he is almost without control. He moves his head and instantly takes a drag. Angela gives him the cigarette and lights another one.

"Well, I think I know what Wolfy needs", she says. "You should make him smoke".

"I can try", says Edmond.

He works hard, to make Wolfy smoke. To do this, he needs to upload getsures. The best way to do this is to go where Wolfy appears as a hologram and scan himself as he smokes, as he inhales and exhales. All this time, Angela watches him amazed, how he works very happy and fast. "There is something that turned him on like this", she says in her mind. "It seems that he has a smoking fetish. But it is not me that he wants. It is the gesture that I do".

**********

As Edmond goes back home, he falls on bed. What a day! He feels shame that Angela might have seen him like this. He needs a few minutes to recover. Then, he looks around. On the walls, there are pictures with lips and feet, his fetishes. Knowing that nobody will come here, he takes off his trousers and exposes his painted toe nails. Then, he puts on an old, ripped pair of pantyhose that he took from Sirius, before coming here. He takes lipstick and applies on his lips, a thick layer. He lights a cigarette and watches as lipstick remains on the filter.

All he has in mind is Angela's lips as she was smoking and her toes. He tries to smoke as she did. While doing this, he feels his penis getting hard, even twitching. Then, he masturbates in a frenzy. It takes only a few seconds and he is done, filling an empty pack of cigarettes with his fluid. Then, he stays, enjoying the feel of pantyhose on his feet and the look of lipstick on his cigarette. Later in night, he masturbates for a second time.

**********

The next day, Edmond is very quiet in the garden. Nick is more interested in planting the tomato seedlings then in what is going on. Edmond is working very good, but very quiet all the time, while Angela seems to be less active. She invites Edmond back, to further improve Wolfy. He promises that he will come later.

And this is just what happens. Edmond works with Wolfy for an hour, upgrading his palace. Angela lights a cigarette and Edmond watches her amazed. Again, she notices a bulge in his trousers. She blows a cloud of smoke in Edmond's face.

"You like to see me smoking", she says.

Edmond is quiet, caught by surprise. He tries to hide his bulge, thinking that she might have seen it.

"You do... Or, do you?" she asks again. "It looks like Wolfy likes it too".

"Sorry", he says.

They don't stay more. Angela remains alone in the house, watching Wolfy as he gets to the gym, works his muscles and smokes. She lights a cigarette too and blows smoke in the screen. She feels horny watching this.

"Smoking", she whispers. "For 1500 years, people have smoked. I never thought I will smoke one day, but here I am", she whispers, blowing again smoke in the screen.

"I like to smoke", answers Wolfy. "My lungs are happy. Can you blow smoke again in me?"

"Sure thing", she answers, blowing again a cloud of smoke in the computer.

"Well done, my nicotine princess. I love you".

"Me too".

Later, Angela turns Wolfy off. She gets to bed and lights a cigarette. She is thinking how sexy was wolfy now. A bad boy smoking. This is just what he needed. She remembers the old times, when she was in Sirius. There, instead of this large, red star, they had two small, blue stars, but much more shiny. Those stars had such a strong light that, if you look at them for long, it will burn your retina. Everything was less colorful. At dawn, the light was still whiter then what is here at noon. Betelgeuse appears so big in the sky... and so red. It is like a giant cigarette burning. Amazing.

She thinks about all people who used to smoke all these centuries. So many fought against this addiction, saying that it harms your health. She never wanted to smoke until she came here. And after only a short time, she became addicted. But what turns Edmond on so strong? He doesn't seem to be attracted by herself. He is attracted by her smoking. And there is something else: her feet, which he always watches. "You can watch me as long as you want", she whispers. "But I am not yours. I am Wolfy's".

She wakes again and opens the computer. Wolfy appears back. She feels horny and opens a control box that she didn't want Edmond to see. She lights a cigarette and watches how Wolfy takes off his pants, exposing a big, dark and hairy penis. He starts masturbating with his huge muscle arms. As watching this, Angela also starts fingering herself. Then, she takes toys from her closet and masturbates herself. She talks with Wolfy, who is also mad, as he throws his fluid out. He reaches a second orgasm and throws fire, then a third orgasm, when he blows blood. The fourth time, it is sulfuric acid.

"No guy can do this", she says for herself. "And no guy can give you an orgasm as powerful as these toys do".

**********

Two days pass. All this time, both Angela and Edmond are quiet. But then, Angela decides to go to Edmond's house. She never entered his place, even if they are so close. She wants to say 'thank you' for the upgrades she done to Wolfy.

So, she goes. The one-room metal house that he has is just like hers, placed in the center of a parcel covered with grass. The only difference is that Edmond planted two trees in front and two in the back. It is true that she never been there, but she knows Edmond very well. There are places in the galaxy where people don't even talk to neighbors, where you must submit a request before visiting someone. Not in Sirius. There, people are used to come one to another, to eat cookies together and to talk. So, without any problem, she goes to the door, knocks and enters.

As she enters, she sees Edmond in a way she never seen him before. He has no trousers on. His hairy feet are covered with ripped pantyhose. Also, she can see a thick layer of lipstick on his face. This image shocks her, but she calms down. In Betelgeuse, there are so many transgender people, after all.

More then this, she looks on the walls. There are pictures depicting women feet and mouths. As she looks at the images, she realized that this is his fetish.

Edmond covers his genital area with a pillow, then tries to take off his lipstick with his hand.

"Don't need to", she says, as his hands and face became dirty by the excess of lipstick he tries to remove. "Why are you hiding?"

"I am sorry", answers Edmond. "I didn't expect you to come in".

"I always suspected something", continues Angela.

"You did?"

"Yes. By the way you look at me. By the way my feet turned you on and by the way you watch me smoking".

"Please, let me put some trousers on".

"Ok, I will turn my back", says Angela, moving to the window.

Edmond takes off his pantyhose fast, then puts on trousers and a sweater. As he finished and sits on his bed, she turns back. Angela looks at him again. She can see his toes are painted red, but the pantyhose is gone.

"All this time, you were hiding from the world", she says, surprised. "Why?"

"I don't know", he answers, almost whispering. "I thought... I am glad this doesn't make you angry. When I was living in Sirius, everyone who found out about this, rejected me".

Angela feels the need of a cigarette. She stops, knowing that this will stimulate his fetishes. She is still not getting the whole picture. After all, cross-dressing comes natural in here. Nobody would reject such a thing at all. So, why is he hiding?

"You know I am a virtualophile", she answers. "I am not into men or into women. Wolfy is my lover, even if he lives in a virtual world".

"I am not trying to seduce you or to be with you, Angela", he says. "All I say is that I love to watch women's feet and lips. I tried to cure myself. My parents took me to a psychological treatment, but with almost no result. It is only this".

"I understand you", she says, taking a cigarette from her pack, but not lighting it.

"I am sorry that you see me this way".

Edmond has a strong feeling of guiltiness and humiliation, but Angela feels pity. She wants to help. She sits on the bed, near him. It is not that she feels any attraction for him as a woman would feel for a man, it is just that she wants to help. She looks at his bare feet, at his painted toe nails, thinking for how long he kept this a secret. Her feet are near, with her toes also painted, but covered by her opaque pantyhose, with the same color as the skin. She gives him a cigarette, as she lights another one. They both take a deep inhale and blow the smoke in the air.

"Look", she says. "Sirius is a different place, but we are now on Betelgeuse. Here, you don't need to hide. You see how many transgender people are on the streets".

He doesn't answer anything, just looks at her.

"Now, why did you take your pantyhose off? I see they are ripped and old... and I bet they are also stinky. You need some new ones. And you need to shave your legs too".

Edmond looks so amazed and confused. "Why do you do this?" he asks.

Angela needs an answer. Why is she helping him? She realizes that, since they arrived to Betelgeuse VII, all ties with her parents, friends and brothers, are all gone. She is here completely alone, only with Nick and Edmond. This is now her family.

"Angela, why do you help me?" he asks again.

"Because you helped me with Wolfy", she answers.

This answer is the best she could find. Yes, he helped her with Wolfy. This underlines that she is a virtualophile and not interested into men. It is true, she wants to help him, but not go to bed with him. By far, no.

"For how long have you been painting your nails?" she asks him.

"Since I was much younger, I don't remember. I used to sit in a park and watch women's lips and toes for hours. At some point, police caught me. I got punished by my parents, then punished at school... and all my colleagues laughed at me. So, I decided to hide this from anyone".

"Why didn't you try to find a girlfriend? I mean, girls love make-up".

"It is not a girlfriend that I want", he continues. "It is that I have an addiction for feet and lips".

"So, you decided to paint your nails, wear ripped pantyhose and use lipstick", says Angela, with a smile. "Maybe, you want to become a transgender".

"No, not like that", he defends himself. "I mean, to have surgery and implants, this is too much for me. I am afraid even of an injection".

"But what about wearing a skirt and a female blouse?" she asks. "Isn't it better?"

"In public?"

"First, let's try in my or in your house, then in public, if you like it".

Edmond listens, amazed. Yes, there is a part of him that wants to, but another part is against, saying that it is bad for a man to be a woman. But, this is something he long wanted, only that, he never had the courage to purchase women clothes. He wanted to do this in his room, but he was never completely alone.

"Can you help me buy women's clothes?" he says.

"Not a problem. We do this tomorrow, but with one condition, that you will help me with Wolfy".

"Deal", answers Edmond, very surprised.

**********

The next day, they go to work at the garden. They plant more tomato seedlings. Nick works in the garden dressed as a man, without any problem. It looks like the old Natalia is gone, only her voice remained. Angela watches how she it works, dressed as a man, even if her birth gender is that of a woman.

"You see?" she whispers to Edmond. "Do you find anything bad with Nick? The same will be if you dress as a woman".

"I don't know", he says. "Maybe this is too much or too far for me".

"What do you two talk about?" asks Nick.

"Nothing important", answers Edmond.

"About how you transformed yourself from Natalia to Nick", says Angela. "If someone looks at you, even in Sirius, will say you are a man".

"Well, yes", says Nick. "Still, I need to make my breasts smaller, but using a tight bra does the trick. And in an Earth year, I noticed my breasts really are smaller. But still I need to wear a pillow, to look fatter".

"Or you should just try to get fat", suggests Edmond.

"No, much of the fat goes to the breasts and this is exactly what I don't want to do. But yes, I do want to get fatter. Well, I need to wait until my request for surgery and the use of hormones is accepted".

"There is one thing that makes you look like a man", says Angela with a laugh, looking at her trousers.

"Ah, yes", answers Nick, laughing. "I know it is not too polite, but it sure is convincing. This new one has a sensor and I can make it hard or shrink as I want".

"How is that possible?" asks Angela, surprised.

"When you want to make it hard, you squeeze it and release it fast. When you want to make it shrink, just let it alone or squeeze it continuously".

"Can you stroke it?" asks Edmond, laughing.

"Guess I can", answers Nick.

"I want to see that", says Angela, very interested.

Nick accepts and sits down, while the others are watching. She zips off her trousers, revealing men underwear, hiding a bulge. She shows them.

"It looks closely like the real thing", says Edmond.

Nick takes the 'thing' in its hand and squeezes it several times. It starts growing, slowly and continuously. While growing, it also pulsates. She zips her trousers back, allowing anyone to see the large bulge.

"Can it ejaculate?" asks Angela.

"Yes, but you have to fill it with some goo. Then, you have to squeeze its balls or use its remote".

Both Angela and Edmond look at the bulge that, as Nick waits nearly a minute, starts to shrink.

"Do you want one, Angela?" asks nick.

"Me? No. I am not into this".

"Edmond, you have one, the natural thing", continues Nick. "I don't ask you".

"Maybe he wants the female organ", says Angela, with a little smile.

Edmond opens big eyes. Is she going to tell Nick?

"There is one device", answers Nick. "It is called 'tutu' and covers a man's genitals, looking like a vagina. With it, a man can piss like a woman. But still, there is not enough space inside for an intercourse. There are larger ones, suitable for that job, but being large enough, they are visible. Wearing a tutu is a good idea for a man who wants to become a woman transgender".

Edmond watches this with large, opened eyes. Is Angela going to tell Nick the whole story? What is she up to now?

"I never knew", answers Edmond. "But isn't it too much?"

"Do you want one?" asks Nick.

"No", says Angela for him. "For the moment, he would like just to try some women clothes".

"Angela?" says Edmond, surprised and frustrated.

"That's simple", answers Nick. "You can use the online panels, but some staff might be in the shops around the town center".

"Angela, what the hell?" says Edmond, again.

"Please", answers Angela, "we are just trying to help you".

**********

After they finish work, Angela takes Edmond to the town center and choses a few clothes and accessories, then orders something from the online panels. They return to her home. She insists that Edmond must first shave his legs. Then, she personally paints his toe and finger nails in pink. Then, Edmond puts on a pair of opaque, shiny, skin colored pantyhose, the same type Angela is wearing. He puts on some knee-long trousers, exposing his pantyhosed feet. Then, as Angela insists, he takes fake breasts and glues them to his chest. And then, he adds a pink blouse. Good enough to look like a woman.

Angela also changes to knee-long trousers, letting him see her pantyhosed feet. Then, she applies him a thick layer of lipstick and she does the same to herself. And then, they both light a cigarette.

Edmond watches how his own filter gets colored by his lipstick, just as Angela's. He feels so excited to see this. His 'organ' also gets hard, as he gets horny watching this. He is also amazed to see his painted finger nails.

"I think you like this", she says.

"Yeah", he answers.

Angela looks at him and analyzes his body, from head to toes.

"One last thing you need", she says. "You need your hair painted. But before that, it must grow longer, so that you will properly look like a girl. But, I've seen many women with short hair. It's your decision. Mine, is losing color, so, I will need to paint my hair soon".

"I don't know what to say", he whispers. "Maybe it is too much for me".

"Maybe tomorrow. Now, can you help me with Wolfy?"

Edmond accepts and starts working. Only that, this time, he is too excited. He makes several errors in programming. Most then everything, he is confused by his fake breasts. Unused to them, he feels like something is stuck to his body. He wants to remove them, but, on the other hand, he likes it. He likes to be partially a woman.

**********

The next day, Edmond comes to work dressed like this. He looks scared, thinking about what others would say about this, but nobody looks like at something unusual. Only one man looks closely at his feet, as his pantyhosed feet shine in the red rays of light that Betelgeuse radiates everywhere. Angela is walking near him, dressed just like he is.

Nick sees Edmond like this, but it does not comment anything at first. Nick is more interested in its garden then in their outfits. But, when they decide to stop and have a cigarette break, Nick looks closer and says:

"You look close to what a woman should look like. If you feel comfortable this way, there is one more step to complete: Let your hair grow, then paint it".

"You like me dressed like this?" he asks.

"For me, the only thing that matters is that you feel well. So, if you want to be a woman, it's fine for me. Only one thing you have to keep in mind: that neither Angela, nor me, are interested in a relationship with you".

"I am not", says Edmond. "I have no plan to do that".

**********

After work, Edmond goes back to Angela's house, where he tries again to improve Wolfy. He now checks other functions, until he can see a hidden button: masturbation. Angela wanted to hide this, but Edmond managed to reach this function before she had a chance to do something. Wolfy kneels in the center of his gym and takes his pants off. Then, he starts stroking a giant 'organ' saying: "You like it? Do the same".

"This is not how guys do it", says Edmond. "First of all, the 'thing' is not as rigid as iron. You have to be more gentle".

"There is no way I could know exactly", answers Angela.

She likes watching Wolfy doing this, but on the other hand, she does not like Edmond to find out what she is doing in her intimacy. We are on Betelgeuse, but, however, there must be a limit to everything. Edmond improves the way Wolfy moves, making Angela horny. Well, Edmond makes some things that are impossible in nature. For example, now, Wolfy is able to inhale some smoke from a cigarette through his 'organ' and blow it like an ejaculation. Edmond improves his movement, speed and amplitude, creating complex gestures. More even, he makes Wolfy to also change his way of looking.

Angela looks so amazed, her eyes are wide-open and she feels more and more horny, looking at this. She lights a cigarette, as Wolfy is also smoking hard. But Edmond is also amazed, watching Angela as she holds the cigarette in her mouth and takes fast drags of smoke. Her feet are very close to his, so that, at some point, they touch. Edmond stops working on Wolfy and is looking more at himself and at Angela. Again, his 'organ' is hard and twitches.

Angela realizes this. She can see the bulge in his short trousers, but she is too impressed to see her Wolfy. She needs nothing more.

"One extra thing is needed", she says. "Can you make Wolfy have a bulge in his pants, that sometimes grows and sometimes shrinks? Like the toy Nick has?"

Edmond remains like after an electroshock. She seen his bulge? He tries to hide it, but his short trousers are skinny, girly style, elastic. There is no way to hide it. Well, he re-programs Wolfy and makes this possible. Even more, he makes Wolfy to touch himself from time to time. The truth is that Angela clearly observed the bulge, but she was too excited to see her lover like this.

She comes closer to the computer and moves Wolfy to another room of his castle, where she makes him smoke a huge, giant cigarette, so large that it hardly fits in his mouth. She also lights two cigarettes and inhales both at the same time. For Edmond, this is too much. He also tries to smoke two at a time, but at the same time, he wants to keep a hand above his 'organ' hoping that Angela will not see. The thinking that he does what a woman does, that he looks like a woman and the fact that he can see her lips and her toes, is just beyond any limit.

"I never imagined I will be so addicted to smoke", whispers Angela, keeping one cigarette in each hand.

Then, watching Edmond, how he tries to keep one hand above his things, she says:

"Stop hiding. Just make yourself comfortable!"

"What do you mean?" he asks.

"Do what Wolfy did before".

Edmond listens to her and pulls his trousers, revealing his pantyhosed crotch. Then, he starts stroking. Unable to resist, Angela does the same thing. She uses her fingers. She hasn't enough time to pick any toys. Both reach an orgasm in only a few seconds, a very powerful one, so that they need a minute to recover.

**********

The next day, the two go each one to its own home, after work. Edmond is so fascinated by his new female outfit, that he goes directly to an online panel in the center and commands a dress and paint for his hair. He starts to get used with his fake breasts and buys a bra. But, most then everything, he is so delighted to have his toes and his lips painted and exposed in public. He wears open-toe shoes and often looks down to his own feet. About his lips, he starts to make an obsession about adding lipstick and looking in a mirror.

About Angela, her life also changes. A woman in all aspects, but a virtualophile, she is happy that she made Edmond make a happy turn in his life. Only that, she also becomes a chain smoker. Her addiction grows because of Wolfy.

As time passes, the two move together and live together. Even if in others' eyes they seem to be a family, things are far more different. They are the closest friends, but not in love one with each other. It is only a very powerful friendship. Still, after some time, they decide to have sex together... and they find out that the pleasure is less then one percent of what they feel when using their toys.

**********

After four more Earth years, things change further. Natalia no longer exists. Nick receives an approval to its request and undergoes surgery. Its breasts are removed and its vagina closed, replaced with a penis made from skin and tissue of himself, applied over a hardened silicone structure. Nick starts using hormones and this transforms its voice into that of a man.

Edmond is now called Eda and looks like a woman. He refused to submit a request for surgery and use of hormones, so his body remains that of a man. But, with glued fake breasts and a tutu, he is a she. Edmond - Eda lives in the same house with Angela and people consider themselves a family. They even have a small child, made artificial. They are planning another one. Wolfy is still in the computer and has received many upgrades.

For people in other parts of the galaxy, the stories of Natalia - Nick, Edmond - Eda, Angela and Wolfy would look very strange and unacceptable. Well, on Betelgeuse VII, everyone has a similar story to tell, of a world that rejected them before and then of a world where they found themselves.

The only problem is that, even if nobody knows it yet, Betelgeuse is going to die. Soon, things will change. But for now, everyone is enjoying this paradise, under the red light of a supergiant.

A trip of a diplomatic mission to Betelgeuse VII.

Who is the ISTC? It is the Interstellar Transgender Consortium, the largest and most powerful transgender organization in the galaxy. Their history starts in the early 2000's, before the space era. At that time, there was an organization, created by LGBT people, to fight for their rights. But soon, transgender people found out that the organization does not clearly represent them. And yes, it was not quite for them. It represented only the interests of homosexual people, not that of transgender people or other rare sexual minorities, who were considered mental illness.

The point is that, in 2100, when space colonization started, the ISTC was formed and had an embassy on Moon, one on Mars and one in Jupiter System. From that point, the ISTC existed on its own, as an independent organization, unassociated but friendly to other associations. So, ISTC exists for over 900 Earth years. All this time, it fought for the rights of transgender people, for their integration in local societies and for equal rights to other citizen. From all transgender organizations, it is the strongest, the longest lived and the only one that has coverage in the whole galaxy.

Since 2977, the head of ISTC is Samantha Orleans. Her life is entirely dedicated to transgender people. She was born as a man, Abdullah, as the son of a very rich Muslim dictator. that ruled his planet in an extremist way. Abdullah went to a very good university on Barnard's Star, where he abandoned everything. He cut all ties with his former family and took a new name, quitting school and starting to work in buildings, interior decorations. At that time, he was Sam Orleans.

His father wanted to kill him, but, miraculously, he survived 3 assassination attempts. Then, once he earned some money, he decided to go further. First with cross-dressing, then with the use of hormones, he started to look like a woman, but still had the identity of a man. He lost his job and started to work in a night club. Falling from the son of a sultan to a sissy was very hard. People rejected him/her and laughed. Sam was bitten often by his former coworkers. Nevertheless, the decision to become a woman was stronger then anything. So, slowly, he managed to earn enough money for surgery. Getting breast implants was the first step. The second, a surgery to reverse gender, was illegal in Barnard's Star, but like anywhere in the Universe, bribery does miracles. Only that, the operation was not quite successful, it infected and was very painful.

Without any money, Sam, now a woman in all aspects but still with the name of a man, had no choice then to prostitute, to get some money to survive. It was very hard. Still, after some time, she managed to emigrate to Lacille, a star system where papers are not required. She presented herself as Samantha Orleans... and got an identity card with this name. This is the moment when Samantha was officially recognized as a woman.

However, her story does not end here. She worked in a factory, earned some money and built her own factory, producing silicone implants for breasts. She joined the ISTC as a formality, to increase sells for her implants, but soon, she became an active member. She then became an ambassador, or more exactly a person that actively goes to dictators and governments and fights for the rights of transgender people.

During one trip, she was kidnapped by the pirates in UV Ceti, who raped and tortured her. They placed her in a body farm, but soon found out that she is sterile and sold her as a slave to Proxima Centauri. She managed to escape and returned to the organization. For her efforts to help transgender people, which in some places were forced to emigrate and in others were subjects to public execution, she was awarded the Galactic Prize Of Peace.

Now, she is 70 Earth years old and very active.

The ISTC was surprised by the new terraformed planet Betelgeuse VII and the fact that so many people go there. Even more, the organization has no embassy there. So, Samantha Orleans decides to make a visit personally. She does not know what to expect, only is surprised that a whole planet, dedicated to transgender people and rare sexual minorities, can exist, without the ISTC or any organization getting implied. It all happened so natural, that the whole world was shocked.

She arrives to Betelgeuse VII and asks for an audition to the elected dictator, Caligula IV, who owns the title as Queen Of Betelgeuse, like the dictators who were before her. On the way here, she had plenty of time to read the constitution, personally written by Caligula I. She had also time to visit the memorial park, built in his memory. Now, she enters the palace, which is the only government building. It is in fact just a large house. At the entrance, there are small statues of dictators who reigned before: Caligula 2nd which was a transgender man and Caligula 3rd which was a transgender woman. The building holds only a few desks and those who work there don't seem busy.

Samantha, waiting for her audience, writes on her notes: Betelgeuse. A star near the end of its life and a civilization that is just getting born. Unlike other planets, I don't see huge statues built in remember of their founders, just a small park, built after Caligula I's death. The government is extremely small, like an embassy. There is no parliament, there is no ministry and I seen no other institutions. In the capital city, there is even no town hall, no mayor, just the elected sheriff living in its own house. The state is ruled by an elected dictator with nearly absolute powers, but, after its five Earth years of power, is judged in public for all its actions. The law, Caligula 1st's constitution, is respected and all what de dictator decides is made public. Everything done here is filmed live, so that anyone can see. Even more, two dictators were transgender people. It is probably the first time in history when a transgender got such a powerful role.

The door opens and Samantha gets face in face with the dictator. She can see, before her eyes, a woman, at the age of 30, wearing a simple dress, sitting on an iron throne and with an iron crown on her head. There are two other people in the room, which is not large. Cameras film everything. There are online panels.

"How can I help you?" says Caligula IV.

"Your highness, I am Samantha Orleans, president of the ISTC".

"Interstellar Transgender Consortium, I heard a lot of things about you. Feel welcome", the dictator answers with a smile on her face.

"We are pleasantly surprised by your new state and the fact that so many new settlers come here every day".

"Well, this is because people live happy here", she says, lighting a cigarette.

"We would like to open an embassy here, if you like".

The dictator looks a bit puzzled, then answers:

"According to the constitution, Betelgeuse VII is a free state. We have a neutral position and we will never get implied in external policy. However, we are friendly with anyone. Your request does not violate any law in our constitution, so, feel welcome".

"I heard that transgender people enjoy the same liberty as anyone else", says Samantha.

"Yes, that is true. You can see that two of our dictators were transgender people".

"But I also heard that you don't allow them to use hormones, have implants or undergone surgery".

"This is limited by the constitution", answers Caligula IV. "As you might know already, such transformations might have irreversible results, like the inability to have children, dependence of hormones and also the risks of cancer and infections. Anyone willing to transform its body, needs to subscribe a request, then wait for five Earth years for approval. This is to make sure that that person understands the consequences. There have been cases when a person wants to change back to its former gender, a thing that is very hard to do".

"I see", says Samantha, thinking about this subject. "I also know some cases, people willing to reverse transformation".

"Also, this is limited to a minimum age", continues Caligula IV. "You can see on our streets that even little children practice cross-dressing on a daily basis".

"Well, I didn't know that, but that is something I am here to do".

"If you want to visit our planet, feel welcome. I will give you a guide to help you. Feel welcome to go anywhere you want".

"Thank you, that will be very kind".

"If there is anything you need during your visit, please tell me. I will be happy to help".

"You are so kind... Thank you again".

"I will contact Astana, a close friend of mine. She will be your guide. Please, wait outside the room until she comes, I have many audiences today. Dismissed!"

Samantha moves on the short hall, waiting. She looks around. People come and go. It only takes half an hour until her guide comes. It's a small, young woman, with blonde hair, a yellow dress and flip-flops, emanating an unexplained joy. She looks and says, lighting a cigarette:

"Samantha Orleans? I am Astana East. I will be your guide".

"You?" she asks, very amazed. "Where are we going, child?"

"Anywhere you want".

"Are you instructed to take me on a tour?"

"No. I was expecting you to tell me what you want to see. The queen told me to let you decide and if not, told me to chose something at random".

"Now, that is something I never seen anywhere I were", says Samantha, amazed. "Usually, someone takes me on a tour, to avoid seeing certain things".

"We have nothing to hide", says Astana. "So, where should we go?"

"I would like to see the life of a family, to see people, to talk with them".

"Well, that is very easy. First, I will take you to my family. Then, we will take the first train we see and go to whatever town it goes to".

"Sounds fun to me".

Astana takes the old woman to her house. As they walk on the streets, Samantha notes: It took me only a few minutes to realize how amazing this place is. First, I seen two girls sitting on a bench, but it was clear that one of them was a guy. I could see the glued fake breasts rising from its dress. Then, I seen a woman talking on phone with someone else, but her voice was that of a man. It took me another minute to see a woman dressed in a men's costume, with glued mustache. It was so obvious that beneath the clothes it was a woman and not a man. And all this looks so natural. They are not hiding and others are not laughing about this. And there is something else. As it looks, every parcel is equal and all roads are identical. They intersect, forming perfect squares. It is a sign of egality between people.

They go to Astana's home, a yellow building with nothing special, surrounded by some vegetation. She opens the door and does the presentations:

"She is Samantha Orleans, an ambassador from far away. This is my husband, Thor. These are our children, Angel and Angela".

"Nice to meet you", they answer.

Samantha looks careful. Thor is dressed like a woman, with fake breasts and a long dress, reaching to ground. About the little children, they look like tweens.

"Is Thor a he or a she?" asks Samantha.

"I should be a man", he answers, but with a voice that sounds a bit like that of a woman. "I am a castrato. Over time, my voice tends to become like that of a woman, so I prefer to behave like one".

"Castrato?" asks Samantha, not understanding.

In the old times, 'castrato' were teens castrated from a young age, to preserve their juvenile voices and sing in the opera. Today, a 'castrato' is a male slave who has its genitals removed.

"He was born like a man, but was captured by pirates. He spent some time in UV Ceti as a slave, where they castrated him, then sold him to my dad, before we emigrated to here".

"They completely removed my genitals, everything", answers Thor. "This is why Astana chosen me".

"I am an asexual" she answers.

"Then, how is that you have children?" asks Samantha very surprised.

"Genetic engineering", answers Thor. "DNA samples were token from both, then inserted in two sample cells from our body. Basically, they are mixed clones of us, grew in incubators".

"I am a virgin", continues Astana. "And I have a strong repulsion to anything related to sex".

Samantha watches how the two light a cigarette. Even the children, which appear to be around 7, are also smoking. Astana comes with a glass of milk and some cookies.

"An asexual and a castrato", she says. "Rare sexual minorities".

"Mariella, oh well, Caligula IV, our dictator, is a sfenist".

"As I see, this is more a planet for rare minorities then for transgender people", says Samantha.

"You see", continues Astana, blowing a cloud of smoke through her small lips, "nobody talks about us. We are discriminated and rejected from anywhere. This is our home".

"Is there any census, are there any official data about population structure?"

"Depends on what you want", continues Astana. "If you want the total population and the age, it is official, but data like gender, orientation, religion and even the name you chose, is confidential. Identity cards only have your identity number, your address and some biological parameters on".

"But why?"

"Because this ensures freedom. The freedom to be who and what you want".

**********

After a short visit to Astana's house, Samantha wants to make a trip around. There are hovering cars on Betelgeuse, like anywhere in the galaxy. The richest have flying vehicles or their own spaceships, but most of people prefer to travel by train between towns, walking inside each town. So, they go to the train station, which is pretty small and take the first train that comes. Each train is automated, with no pilot and on each route there is one at every hour. There are two types of trains: some that travel at 1500 km/h, on special lines, connecting remote areas, while others, slower, connect towns at a maximum of 1000 km. The first to come is a slow one. It is a single wagon that will travel with 150 km/h. Towns are placed at 20 to 30 km each.

As the train departs, the first thing Samantha notices is the landscape. Not far from the capital, which is just a town, there are large forests. A wilderness. Betelgeuse shins above, big and surrounded by its purple haze of ejected gas. Sometimes, you cannot see anything but trees. Then, as the railway crosses a river, the landscape changes for a few seconds. It is clear that this planet is recently terraformed. Rivers did not have time to stabilize their valleys. There are many waterfalls, alternating with marshes and lakes. Sometimes, high stones rise from the flat ground, all illuminated in the red light that Betelgeuse reflects anywhere.

The first stop comes at 25 km, a town named Ever Lasting Dream. Samantha watches how some people get in the train, while others get out. She looks amazed and writes on her electronic notepad:

We took the train. It is the best way to see people, to talk with them, to listen them. On a nearby bench, I see a virualophile talking with an eterophile. They talk about planting pepper seeds. Behind me, there are two cross-dressers, both girls if I judge by their voices, talking with a sfenist guy about weather. I must confess that I've never seen something like this in my whole life. From the first station where we stop, some children also got in the train. Judging by their ages, they must be born here. For them, more then for anyone, cross-dressing is so natural, like walking and sitting on a chair.

The train then climbs a hill and reaches to a large dam. From there, the railway follows the lake for a few km. On one side, there are rocky mountains or hills that reflect in the water, while on the other, the terrain appears flat and covered with forest. Samantha does not say a word. She listens people in the train, to get an idea about their way of life. From time to time, Astana talks. Then comes a new stop, the town of Dryland Spring, surrounded by hills. On one of the hills, there is a factory. The train starts moving again through pastures and grain crops. There are small gardens on the way. Then, comes a long tunnel, followed by a high bridge over a deep valley and another tunnel. After this, Samantha is amazed by the landscape. It is a large lake, encircled by mountains. Rocks are unusually white, with a reddish reflection from the star. The lake appears violet. And then, after another tunnel, the train enters another depression, with more flat land, a small lake in the middle and another town. This is Zip City. Here, Samantha wants to get down and explore.

As she gets out from the train, she remarks that all the streets look the same. They are all parallel, intersecting with other parallel streets, forming squares. In each square, there are four house parcels.

"This town looks similar to the capital", she says.

"All towns look the same. This is our settling program, to offer the same start to all newcomers".

"I like that, but on the other hand it is a bit boring".

"Not for me", answers Astana, lighting another cigarette.

Samantha watches children going home and people on the streets. Astana takes her to the town center, a concrete square surrounded by a few shops and pubs. Not much, as she can see. There are benches, so they both sit. Astana lights another cigarette, while Samantha starts to talk with other people. At first, she doesn't say who she is. When she does that, the responses shock her:

"We don't need anything, let us live as we do".

"Don't tell me how you want things to be".

"Why don't you build your own planet?"

"Listen, grandma, why don't you order a beer and leave us alone?"

Samantha notes in her diary: People love this place. They respect themselves and their way of life. And they don't want anyone from the outside to interfere with them. If you act like one of them, they all treat you as a close friend, but if you show you are an outsider, they reject you.

From all I've seen, they came here with deep scars from their past. They try to hide their wounds, but tell about them to any newcomer, to help. I never encountered one single person that was not abused or at least forced to behave different before coming here. It is this hidden pain that keeps them together. It is the will to have a normal life, accepted as any other citizen, that motivated them to come here.

As far as I can see, none of them have heard about ISTC or another organization. None of them are members. And somehow this makes sense. I first expected to see many homosexuals here, but it is all wrong. In fact, I encounter people belonging to minorities that nobody talks about and usually are considered mental diseases. There is almost no organization that recognizes or represents them. When they found an opportunity, they all came here. Nobody helped them and they don't want anyone to disturb them.

Then, Samantha looks at the children. Surprisingly, there are many and they seem to pay no attention to her.

The free state of Betelgeuse VII is relatively new. The ISA base was opened in 2996 and now it is 3009. It passed 13 Earth years since the planet was terraformed. With this value, I assume that a significant part of the children are born here. They are so different from other children I know. more polite, but in the same time having more freedom, they seem to find the world they grow in, even more normal. Cross-dressing is something they get used with from a very young age and find it the normal way things should be.

However, there is one thing that I don't understand at all. Everyone here seems to be smoking. There is no smoking ban at all, even for children, which smoke together with their parents just like in other places children are eating candy. I don't get it, but after what I've seen, I don't argue with these people.

Astana doesn't stop here. Each town has a dam, built to provide the community with water and electricity. There is a lake and close to it a forest. This is the point where people go and hangout. So, she takes Samantha to the lake.

"I've never imagined to see this", says Samantha. "You, people, live in paradise".

"When I came here, I mean when me and Thor came here, we felt like moving from purgatory to paradise".

"That is true, Astana. Compared to the life of other people like you, outside Betelgeuse..."

"It all depends. We come from Epsilon Eridani".

"There is better then in other places. But still, I heard about people rejecting transgenders".

"No, it is not like that" says Astana, filling her lungs with smoke. "People reject obscene. Also, people make a confusion, associating transgenders with gay people. They are different things. I've seen gay people licking each other's face in public. that is obscene. Also, I've met transgenders working as whores around a brothel. You've seen Thor. He would never accept to do something like that. Obscene is rejected, decency is accepted".

"Perhaps you're right, but still many don't have any choice. When I was younger, people rejected me and I had to prostitute, to survive".

"Yes, but you passed that phase and fought for human rights".

"Yes, I did".

"Well, some people never change. Some, just like to do obscene things and live their lives in a brothel".

Samantha does not answer. She knows very well the truth. Some do, some don't. As far, she found no brothel on Betelgeuse, no public nudity, no obscene gestures. Just people, living a normal life, working and being happy.

"Perhaps this is why so many people come here", she says, after a minute of silence.

"Yes, you got it right. A decent, normal life".

She continues writing her notes:

I remember a sissy, I took it an interview a few years ago. It was exactly the humiliation that it loves, to be bitten and insulted. During my trip here, I never found anything like that. By far, no. People respect each other and are friendly to each other.

I also remember the gay parade on EZ Aquarii. Many transgenders were there too. It all ended in a bloodbath, as 'natural' people started to beat them with stones and whatever they could find. I interviewed a protester and he told me: 'If they behave in public as we do, we have nothing against, but they provoke us'. After what I've seen here, on Betelgeuse, I am starting to understand that sometimes we are guilty and responsible for the fact that people reject us.

Arriving at the lake, Samantha is delighted to see people being happy. Teens hangout and around them love is in the air. Adults come with their children to a picnic. Some people sit on the rocky shore and fish. They all look happy and enjoy the time. On one side, there is a small sand beach, where some people take a sunbath, while a few take a swim in the lake. On the other side of the lake, some people ride hovering rolls through the forest. From distance, there is no way to tell what gender does each have.

"They seem so happy", says Samantha.

"Each town has a place like this", answers Astana.

"A part of my life went through my eyes as I sat here, Astana. I remember when I was a prisoner in UV Ceti, when I was bitten and tortured. There is no nature. They all live in spaceships and have no idea how beautiful nature is. But, even if you take one pirate from UV Ceti here, it will not understand the beauty of your world, because they simply cannot. If nobody told you how beautiful is a flower and you've never seen one, you will simply not understand its beauty when you accidentally find one".

"I don't get it. How could someone not realize the beauty of a flower?"

"I've been in UV Ceti and I know. I've seen them when they land on a planet and burn everything to rubble. You have to know that something is beauty to see it".

"Thor has been there and knows what a hell ass is that star system".

"Well, my point is a different one. This planet is a paradise, but only for people like you, who have suffered and want a peaceful life. Not everyone will be happy here. Some prefer a more obscene life. I mean, a pirate from UV Ceti will never like this place. Its life here will be like your life there, a nightmare. The same can be said about those gay people who were licking each one's faces and those transgenders working in a brothel".

"That's obvious", answers Astana, with a big smile. "And besides, who wants a pirate from UV Ceti here?"

Samantha does not finish her talking with Astana, but writes it down on her notes:

Betelgeuse VII is a paradise for those who love nature, for those who want to be treated equal, for those who want a new life. For those who have a BDSM, who are attracted by humiliation and who like obscene actions in public, this is not a good destination. It is all up to you, to decide if the life here is what you want or not. As for me, this clearly is the place where I want to spend the last days of my life.

**********

Astana guides Samantha back to the capital city. The old TG woman takes a ship back. Almost each day, a ship carrying 7500 people arrives here, but less then 10 people go back. Somehow, Betelgeuse convinces all to remain. The fact that each newcomer gets a small house and a parcel and mainly the fact that finding a job in a booming economy is so easy, convince people to stay. After a while, they adapt fast to the new way of life.

Inside the ship, Samantha leans in the cryogenic tank that will freeze her in liquid helium for the journey back, waiting to get asleep. She thinks about the world she leaves behind. "A unique society is getting born near a dying star". She falls asleep. All the 40 days, how long the journey takes, pass as a single second. She wakes with the same thought in her mind. "A dying star". She goes to a window at the orbital station where her ship arrived, in Alpha Centauri. There, she can see the dark sky with stars on it. And there it is! Betelgeuse, the red shoulder of Orion, is shining.

Samantha knows that paradises don't last forever. As for now, there is nothing that seems to endanger Betelgeuse VII. She looks at the star, remembering its reddish appearance, with its surrounding haze. Each day, about 8000 people go there. Each Earth year, about 3 millions settle to Betelgeuse. Let's add the newborn children and you get the math, how its population has reached 57 millions. And it is still growing.

"No, Betelgeuse! You will not explode. You will stay there. All those children need you as you are" she whispers.

She has no idea that soon things will change. That star will die and nobody has any idea about... yet.

The first children born on Betelgeuse VII have reached the age when they can submit a request for the use of hormones, body implants and transgender surgery.

It is the year 3026. Thirty years have passed since Betelgeuse VII was terraformed and it opened its doors for settlers. All this time, it became a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. At average, 3.1 million people settle here on each Earth year, but on the same time, many children are born too. About 90 million people settled here, but there are at least 60 million children. A survey in 3020 found out that from all who settled here, about 44% practice cross-dressing on a daily basis, that 71% practice cross-dressing at least once a week and that 97% got dressed as the opposite sex at least one. Also, an increasing part of those who came from somewhere else (27%) submitted a request for the use of hormones, implants and surgery, but only 17% have done this (more exactly, 3% went to complete transformations, 5% transformed their body without getting to surgery of their genitals and 8% only used hormones). The study also finds out that 2% of the population (that is, 12% of those who used hormones, implants or surgery) want to reverse the process.

Not the same can be said about children born here. From a very young age, as young as they can remember, they remember cross dressing as something natural. This is something common and normal for children before going to school and something practiced daily in schools. For teens, this comes very natural, so that they change clothes as they wish, even many times a day.

The same survey from 3026 found out that, among teens, 78% will submit the request for the use of hormones, body implants and surgery, 41% will go to complete transformations and the rest, 37%, will only go to limited transformations, up to the point where they are reversible. 22% said that they will not submit any request. The survey found out that from all teens, 64% consider themselves to be something between genders, 21% consider to like the gender they were born with and 15% that they identify themselves as the opposite gender they were born with.

With these unexpected results, a second survey was done, with other questions. The results were found to be the same. However, this one was done asking people about hermaphrodites. A hermaphrodite is a person that has elements from both genders. Results are that 38% of those who settled here like to be a hermaphrodite and 1% went to surgery, hormones or body implants to become one. About the teens born here, the results found out that an incredibly high number, 84% like the idea of being a hermaphrodite and 44% will request the use of hormones, implants or surgery to become one.

These results, alarming for any other places in the galaxy, were found normal in Betelgeuse VII. People seem to agree with them and like the idea.

However, there is a catch. Once a teen reaches the age of 20, it can submit a request, but, according to the law, it must wait five additional Earth years to get an approval. With other words, such changes cannot be made earlier then the age of 25. And here is the catch. While residents who settled here don't submit too many requests, those born here, once they reach the age of 20, seem to instantly go and submit one. It was found that 90% of them do this.

**********

Oceana is (or more exactly was) a girl, born on Betelgeuse VII very soon after the planet was terraformed. She always wanted to be a boy. Cross-dressing is something common here and she almost always wanted to wear boys' clothes. Then, as her breasts started to grow, she used a tight bra to limit their growing. She wanted people to call her 'Ocean' and consider her a man. From that moment, she became a 'he'. Ocean started to glue a mustache and a beard. He worn a fake penis, to form a bulge in his trousers. When boys started to change their voice, he tried to speak like them. Even more, he always used to hangout with guys, played football with them and even tried to seduce girls. It is not that Ocean was attracted by girls, it was that he wanted to be a guy in all aspects.

As he reached 20 Earth years, he went to submit a request. Then, came five long-waiting years. He counted almost each day. Ocean was so determined to be a man, that he tried to cheat, to offer bribery for some limited transformations... but all failed and he got a fee to pay, together with the doctor who was willing to help.

Then came the day Ocean dreamed for years. The answer from his request came with a delay of four days, which made him extremely nervous. When he got the answer with an affirmative response, he showed it to all his friends, parents and neighbors. They all had a big party. His girlfriend, Laisa, which has the body of a girl but dresses as a man, was very happy.

The next day, Ocean goes to the doctors and says what he wants: to completely become a man. They prescribe him a treatment based on hormones. The first surgery will remove his breasts. Then, after some time, he will have his female genitals removed and replaced with reconstructed male ones.

The day when his breasts were cut was also a celebration. It was painful, like any other surgical intervention, but the joy was beyond any limits. As he took daily doses of pills and injections, his voice started to look closer to that of a man and his mustache and beard started to grow. It was no longer needed to wear fake ones. Now, anyone can see how hair really grows from his face.

**********

For a man to become a woman, it is required to remove the penis and build a vagina with the skin, teguments and all nerve terminations from the former phallus. Also, the testicles are removed. It is more simple, because you have to cut something and build a cavity with materials that you have.

For a woman to become a man, things are far more complicated, because you have to build something that doesn't exist. You have to replace a hole with an organ... and this is very hard. Various techniques exist: You can use ribs and cartilages to create the skeleton for the new penis, but this will make it much harder then in nature. Also, you can use muscle tissue or adipose tissue around the skeleton. The main problem remains how you make it get hard and get shrink. Many models exist that use a pump with fluids. After all, a real phallus actually gets hard by getting filled with blood.

Another major challenge is to replace all nerve terminations. The common way to do this is to use the former vagina. However, as the organ increases and decreases in size, not all teguments, nerves and tissues are able to cope with this and will be ripped.

There is another technology that now is largely used. Every human has embryonic cells in its body. If you extract a single cell and use a special treatment based on growing hormones, you can reconstruct internal organs. This technology has similar costs, but it requires far more time. It is largely used in surgery, to replace ill organs. Kidneys, lungs, hearts, livers, even arms and feet are created this way. What really is hard to do, is to connect the new organ with body's infrastructure: arteries, vines, nerves and lymphatic systems. If you replace an existing organ with a similar one, this is not so complicated, but if you add a new organ, it is difficult, because you also need to build inside the body the infrastructure that is lacking.

It took nearly an Earth year until Ocean had surgery again, removing its former vagina and adding a functional penis, with all the ingredients. However, he knows that from now on, he will be unable to have children.

**********

The following part is age-restricted.

As Ocean finishes surgery, he goes back home. Doctors instructed him that first it will be painful and that he has to work actively with his new organ. So, he goes home. But, things get interesting just as he leaves. His new penis starts to get hard because of his excitement. Only rubbing between trousers is enough to stimulate this. So, he has to stop a bit, waiting for it to shrink a bit.

Then, he starts moving again and manages to get home. On the train, it gets hard several times, apparently without a reason.

Finally, Ocean is home. He first goes to take a piss. By far, it is more easy then it used to be as a woman. No need to sit down, no need to hide when you are in public. No need to sit on a dirty toilette seat. So simple! Just unzip your pants and all comes so easy. Well, for now, it is a bit painful, but it will not be like that for long.

Then, he goes to his room. Laisa is not here yet. So, he takes his pants off, to admire himself in the mirror. He admires himself for a few minutes: a real penis, real testicles, his dream came true. Ocean starts touching it.

"What part of me is this?" he asks himself, feeling something new. The doctors used the nerves of his former vagina, but the feeling is so different. His body feels like it is part of his former clit and other internal parts, but still all is so confusing. The feeling is not inside, but outside the body.

Ocean feels how his new penis gets hard again. Even more, it twitches. "So easy", he whispers. When he was still a girl, he used to masturbate, but this was so difficult. He had to lean down and pierce his fingers deep. His favorite tool was the holder of a screwdriver. But now, it is so easy. No need to lean down, no need to stretch your body, just to hold this thing with one hand.

Before this, he watched many porn clips, to see how the real thing looks like and works. He watched clips with men masturbating. So, he gently starts to rub it with one hand.

"So nice", he whispers, feeling the pleasure.

Then, he moves faster and faster. The pleasure increases, but also he feels some pain. Well, it is the first time, things will change later. Doctors told him that there will be pain first.

It doesn't take much and he feels an increasing pleasure. Then, his whole body contracts and he blows for the first time sperm. This gets him unprepared, as the white fluid flows over the mirror and on the carpet.

That's all. There is no pleasure in going forward, but he feels his body exhausted. A much shorter and smaller orgasm. A pleasure much more easy to obtain, but that lasts far less. All what was needed is a hand and a few minutes.

**********

When Laisa, his girlfriend comes, she wants to see the new organ. Only that, Ocean is feeling pain and is unable to do anything again. However, the next day, she asks Ocean to lean on his back. She lights a cigarette and starts stroking him, gently and careful. It takes a few days until they can finally have intercourse. However, they both know that they will not be able to have children. To get this, they had to sacrifice something.

**********

The founder of Betelgeuse VII, Caligula I, had no way to predict how children born here will develop. He wrote his constitution, with restrictions for body transformations, because he wanted people to realize that beyond a certain limit transformations are irreversible. Well, for those who settled here, this limited the number of complete transformations, but for the young ones, born here and who find this normal and natural, things are completely different. The case of Oceana who became Ocean is not the single one.

Also, what nobody expected, is that many people will like to become hermaphrodites. The only problem is that the star, Betelgeuse, is going to die... and nobody has any idea about this.

What you whisper now, tomorrow people will shout from the roofs of their homes old proverb.

It is the year 3051. The free state of Betelgeuse has elections, as it has in every five Earth years. Every town choses its sheriff and the whole population votes to chose its ruler. The elected dictator will rule with nearly absolute powers for five Earth years. After that, it will be judged in a public trial for all what it has done. It is forbidden for the same dictator to return to politic life in any way.

Elections are electronic, everyone votes using the online panels that are in the center of every town. After the last vote is recorded, within minutes, come the result. With 48%, the new elected dictator is Ophelia Leon. Without any ceremony, the former dictator, Caligula XII (on its former name Angel Bennett) takes the iron crown from its head and gives it to Ophelia, which becomes Caligula XIII. They all wear the name Caligula after the man who terraformed Betelgeuse VII and wrote the constitution for the new state. It is a day for celebrations, but tomorrow the new dictator will start working.

It is important to remember that Betelgeuse VII is a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. Here, such people represent the majority. Caligula XII is a female transgender and a eterophile (a person who loves love itself, not a person or an object). Caligula XIII, on the other hand, was born as a woman and is a transgender hermaphrodite and an onanist. She is in love with its own body, not with someone else. Since it is hard to define the gender of a person here, the words he and she are usually replaced with the most simple form, it.

The rise of hermaphrodites in Betelgeuse VII started early, when the children born here, all used to practice cross-dressing from a very young age, reached the age when they can request the use of hormones, implants and surgery. A large number opted to transform their bodies, but also a significant part of them realized that they want to reverse the transformation. As a compromise, came the idea of hermaphrodites. Having both male and female organs, they can now live between both genders. Surprisingly, about 73% of teens accepted and wanted to transform their bodies this way. With smaller breasts and wearing both male and female organs, they can have it altogether. Also, by keeping the organs they were born with, they are still able to mate and have children.

Two days after taking power, Caligula XIII is in its room, on the iron throne, receiving audiences. It wears a long yellow and purple dress, reaching the ground. The form of its breasts is visible through the dress. Long black gloves covers its arms. Its hair is dark brown and long, with the old, iron crown on the head. This crown has been worn by all dictators. It always keeps an eye on the many online panels in the throne room, which allows it to see what is going on the planet and to contact any state employee anytime. Audiences take a lot of time. Each time the dictator considers that the solution was found, it says 'dismissed' and the next person waiting enters in audition.

Surprisingly, at the next audition, comes the former dictator, Caligula XII. It has short blonde hair and a short yellow dress, shiny pantyhose, high-heel yellow shoes and its arms full with bracelets.

"You?" says the ruling dictator, surprised. "What brings you here?"

"I will not start with 'your highness' since a few days ago I was on that throne. I am here for a more personal request".

"How can I help you?"

"Our first dictator, Caligula II, is dead. It died twelve days before the elections".

"Oh, I am very sorry. May peace be upon its soul. I think a funeral would be required".

"No, it is not about that", says the former dictator. "Caligula II will be buried by its own children, that was its will. But, it wanted the dictator in charge to take care about the remnants of its tree, that was burned before it came to Betelgeuse VII. There are a few personal things. Please, come after audiences to the Caligula memorial park".

"What is with the tree?"

"Caligula II was a panophile and that tree was its love. It wanted that after its death, the ruling dictator to burry the carbonized remnants of the tree".

"So, that is in the forbidden building, in the park".

"Yes, the remnants of the tree. I was too close to the elections and I had not the time to do its will".

"Ok, I get it", says the ruling dictator. "But shouldn't we do a large, public ceremonial for this?"

"Caligula II wanted it not to be public, we will just burry the tree and that's all. Please, come to the memorial park after the audiences".

**********

At evening, both dictators come to the park. They know that the press is somewhere around, trying to take a picture of what is going on. The whole planet would like to hear about Caligula II's secret love, about the dead tree that was kept secret for such a long time inside the forbidden building. They would like to take pictures from the inside, a thing that was never allowed.

So, they go inside the building and take a look. Yes, close to the entrance door, there is a piece of carbonized wood, placed on a glass support. But the building is far larger and there are many other things.

"Come here", says the former dictator. "It is not the wood that I wanted to show you, it is this. Look! These are the real results from the research Caligula I conducted on the sun. He lied us all. Betelgeuse will not survive 400000 years. It is about a few thousand years, as I can see".

"Are you serious? Show me!"

They go and look. On plasticized paper, all data is displayed. Measurements reveal that Betelgeuse has an inert core. Helium fusion has ceased in there. The star is awaiting to start fusing carbon, but this process lasts for only 600 years. Then, it will fuse neon, oxygen, magnesium and silicon, in a succession that will not last 30 years at all. And then, when all is converted to iron, the star will die in a supernova. The question that remains, is how long it will take until carbon fusion starts.

The former dictator shows plasticized paper, while the ruling one looks shocked at all data.

"Well, all this data is 100 Earth years old", says the ruling dictator. "And still it looks inaccurate. Maybe it is not as bad as it looks... or maybe it's worse. Maybe carbon fusion has already started and we don't know yet".

"If that is, we lave less then 600 Earth years from now".

They keep on looking on all papers, over and over, then look at two different measurements. One shows that there are 3 inert zones that separate 3 fusion areas. The inner core looks inert, followed by a fusion shell, followed by another inert zone and a second fusion shell, then a third inert area and a third fusion place. What can that be? Is the star fusing carbon already? Was Betelgeuse fusing carbon 100 ears ago? With an inert core waiting to fuse neon? Oh no! If that's the case, there are less then 20 Earth years left.

"What should we do?" they both ask, as they light a cigarette inside the dark, cold room.

"First thing I want is to find out what the truth is", says the ruling dictator. "I want to talk with an expert in stellar evolution and do some measurements. But all must go unofficial. If anyone finds out, it will be a powerful shock wave".

"I wanted to do the same, but I had only twelve days left. So, I prefer to handle it to you".

"I don't think I can handle all this. I need your help. You know that I am monitored. I will try to divert some funds to you but you have to do the work".

"Not a problem. I am willing to help".

Both dictators exit the building, carrying the carbonized wood fragment. The press films it all.

"Are we allowed to film inside the building?" asks one reporter.

"No, not now", answers the ruling dictator. "The building will be opened for public, but not now. We have to burry the tree in a forest, where other trees will grow from its ash".

**********

The following is a crash-course introduction to stellar evolution.

What is actually going on inside a bright star like Betelgeuse? At first, like any star, it was fusing hydrogen into helium, in the core. Most of the lifetime of a star is spent in this phase.

Then, comes the subgiant phase, when there is no more hydrogen in the core and the star is fusing hydrogen in a shell surrounding the inert core. As fusion occurs closer to the surface, the star gently increases its brightness, but not too much. As long as the inert core is small enough, it can be heated by the surrounding hydrogen flame.

Each star loses part of its energy with the help of a small subatomic particle, the neutrino. The Sun loses less then 3% of its energy because of this. All stars produce a certain amount of neutrino. Usually, they are produced when a proton merges with an electron to form a neutron, but, if the temperature is high enough, neutrinos are produced in many other ways. Basically, they steal some of the heat in the core. Neutrinos travel through matter without interacting much with it. They travel from the core of a star through its outer layers and even through nearby planets unnoticed. Nobody feels their effects, except for high-tech detectors.

It is the neutrinos that cool the inert core of a star. Without this energy loss, the core would survive for far longer, heated by the surrounding shell.

When the core reaches a critical mass, it cannot be heated by the hydrogen fusing shell. So, it contracts, increasing its inner pressure and temperature, until helium starts fusing into carbon. Helium fusion requires a much higher temperature then hydrogen fusion. Because of this, the core will radiate far more heat, so the reaction must go on faster, to keep the core hot enough, preventing its collapse. However, one kg of helium produces only one tenth the energy produced by one kg of hydrogen. And because helium fusion has to occur much faster, it lasts far less time. The increased heat in the core forces hydrogen fusion to occur also on a higher rate. Overall, the star radiates a lot more heat and it inflates, becoming a red giant (or supergiant, in case of Betelgeuse). On the other hand, not 3% but roughly 10% of energy is lost through neutrinos.

A human, knowing that it has less energy, will try to conserve it. Well, in case of stars, things go right the opposite way. Helium produces 10% the energy hydrogen produced, but it lasts for only 1% that time, because it is fused much faster and the star radiates far more heat.

At first, helium is fused into carbon, but as there is less helium available, it starts to combine with carbon and forms oxygen, at higher temperatures. This can be seen as the star gently increases its brightness and size.

But, then, the core runs out of helium and is made of carbon and oxygen. Still, surrounding the core, there is a helium fusion shell, surrounded by a layer of inert helium, then by a shell where hydrogen is fused. For a while, the inert core is still heated by the surrounding shell, but not forever. Neutrinos carry the heat out from the core, so, when the helium fusion shell is too far away, there is no heat reaching through.

At some point, the inert core contracts until it reaches the pressure and temperature needed for carbon fusion. Carbon is fused into neon and magnesium, releasing far less energy then helium. Again, because the core is a lot hotter, it radiates more and requires more energy to remain hot. Carbon would be enough to keep the core hot for a few thousand years, but much of the energy is lost through neutrinos. So, the star has to fuse more carbon to compensate the loss. As a result, the process lasts for only 600 years. During this phase, the core produces more energy and forces the surrounding helium and hydrogen fusion shells to expand. However, because carbon fusion is short lived, the star does not increase its brightness too much. So, there is almost no way to know if carbon is fused inside, by only looking at the outside.

When carbon is almost exhausted, it fuses with oxygen or neon, but this process is short lived. Then, fusion continues in a shell surrounding the inert core, containing oxygen, neon and magnesium.

It can be said that a giant star has 3 lives. During the first life, it fuses hydrogen, during the second it fuses helium and during the third it fuses carbon. But the end is not quite here. The core contracts again until it reaches temperatures needed to fuse neon into oxygen and magnesium. This new fusion lasts for only one year, because almost all the energy is lost through neutrinos. Again, the core contracts and fuses oxygen into silicon. Oxygen would produce enough energy to keep the star alive for a thousand years, but most is lost as neutrino radiation, so it lasts less then an year. Finally, magnesium is fused into oxygen and silicon (while produced oxygen is also fused into silicon), but this will only last a few weeks. All these processes end-up with a massive production of silicon.

Finally, the core contracts one last time and starts to fuse silicon into iron. But, even if the reaction would produce enough energy, neutrino production is so high that all silicon in the core is fused in only one Earth day, hardly delaying the inevitable. Then, the core tries to contract again, to transform iron into something else, but this time, it consumes energy instead of producing it. The star is doomed and a supernova is on its way.

When the core of a star runs out of carbon, there is little time left. If we count the time when the core is heated by its nearby fusing shells, the time when nuclear reactions occur and the time when it is contracting, overall, there cannot be more then 15 years from when neon fusion starts until supernova. Also, the inert carbon core cannot survive for more then 100 years before neon fusion starts.

**********

They burry the tree fragment in a forest, in an unknown place, just as Caligula II wanted to happen. Both dictators decide to meet tomorrow evening in a secluded place and work for a solution.

That night, Caligula XIII, the dictator in charge, cannot sleep. What can be done? How can you see what is going on inside a star? Outside, the sky is illuminated by auroras, like always. The powerful solar wind impacts planet's magnetic field and creates bright colors in the night sky. It lights a cigarette, then another one. Then, comes with a solution. Is there a person that can be trusted? Is there anyone that can do the work without telling anyone and not get public attention?

Finally, the sky changes color in red, as dawn is approaching. The dictator remembers the only person which is worthy for such a mission: its brother, Delta, who also undergone body transformation and is a hermaphrodite. It writes a letter on a disk, with the instructions required. Delta has a huge passion for Astronomy. Since they were children, they used to talk for hours about stars and planets. Delta always argued that there are many mineral resources on the asteroids in Betelgeuse system and that mining them would be a far cheaper and less harmful alternative for the environment then mining resources on the planet itself.

Early in the morning, it calls its brother, saying: "Come to the first hour for an audience, it is important". So, it comes and listens how Caligula XIII gives short instructions:

"You always said that mining the asteroids will be a better option for our world. My predecessor had this plan, but had not the time to develop it. So, it is now all up to me. I give you this disk with some instructions. Also, I give you funding to carry on your measurements. Go and start as fast as you can. The former dictator, Caligula XII, will join you, for further briefing. Once you live this building, you go to its house with the disk and start working. Dismissed!"

Without any questions, Delta goes to Caligula XII's house and knocks at the door, having no idea what this could be. The door opens and the former dictator, with a yellow dress on, appears. Delta is dressed with a short black dress, short black hair, black sun glasses and open-toe flat shoes.

"Greetings! I am Delta, brother of Caligula XIII. My sister gave me this disk and told me to work with you in asteroid mining".

"Please call me Angel", says the former dictator. "Let's see what is on the disk".

They both look, but Delta has a scared face.

"You mean, the sun will explode soon? Oh mine! If that happens, we are all doomed! What should we do?"

"Delta, we don't know anything yet, but we have to find out soon".

"I know".

"Well, if the sun is getting ready to explode, what can we possibly do to save it?"

"Nothing. There is no way we could do something. And even if it were, we lack the technology. Basically, the sun is running out of fuel. If we somehow manage to insert hydrogen in its core, all its energy will be lost through neutrinos. It will only delay its death by a few years... if things are as seen here. And piercing all the way to the dense core, at huge temperatures and pressures, is almost impossible. But first, we need to do some measurements, to see what is going on inside".

"How can we do that, Delta?"

"There is only one subatomic particle that can pierce through matter, even through stars and planets. That particle is the neutrino. Basically, we have to build a neutrino telescope to look at what Betelgeuse is throwing at us, since all stars produce neutrinos. Each fusion reaction comes with its own neutrino emission, which can tell us what is going on there. Also, we can build a neutrino emitter in space and send a jet of particles through the star, to the telescope. By analyzing how they change energy and are diverted, we know what is inside the star. Well this is the theory, but in practice, such telescopes and emitters are rare and only used by a few scientific corporations. There is almost no other way to see inside a star".

"Well, this is our only chance. Do it! No matter how much it costs, do it!"

**********

Since there is no technology like that on Betelgeuse VII, the only way is to contact someone from another place. If Delta decides to go to the Old World, where most of settlers come, people will find out and will prefer not co come here. So, Delta looks to the Pleiades. There, a powerful empire has colonized and terraformed hundreds of planets. Maybe, they have the technology. And why not? It is there, in places unconnected with the Old World, that cutting-edge technology is developed without the rest of the Universe even knowing it. So, Delta goes to its sister, dictator Caligula VIII, to request money and a fast spaceship for the trip. The deal is accepted.

TO BE CONTINUED

The path to haven is paved with thorns and shrimps, while the path to hell is paved with delightful temptations (words from a wise man).

For over 50 Earth years, Betelgeuse VII has been a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. More and more people came and settled there, making children, which took cross-dressing and body transformations to a level beyond anything that was seen before. But now, everything seems endangered by a violent incident, the death of a star. Betelgeuse is getting old and might soon explode in a supernova, destroying everything that exists. In an attempt to save something, the ruling dictator, Caligula XIII, sent her brother, Delta, to seek help in the Pleiades Empire. This powerful state, owing over a hundred terraformed planets, is able to provide the technology to look inside a star and seek for a new planet elsewhere, to terraform. This might be the only chance.

Caligula XIII was born as a woman and Delta as a man, but once they reached the age required, they opted for body transformations, to become hermaphrodites, like many other teens in Betelgeuse. In their world, this is something natural and normal, but in the Pleiades, this is forbidden.

Delta knows this well. In the Pleiades, homosexual people face imprisonment or public execution, while transgender people face similar punishments. So, since he was a man, he decided to get dressed as one, hiding his small breasts. The fast dictatorial spaceship takes him in seven days to Pleiodium, the imperial planet, which orbits the star Merope.

Once on the surface, he looks at the sky. The star appears small, blue-white and very bright. It hardly can be seen as a small disk on the sky, but its light is so bright that hurts the eyes. The strong ultraviolet radiation makes him feel dizzy almost immediately. The luxurious spaceport, used for diplomats, clearly shows the richness of the empire. The main building has all its interior walls covered with gold, silver and gem stones. Robots come and serve everyone with exotic drinks and food. Well, he doesn't want this. He looks at the people around, carried in luxurious floating chairs covered with platinum foil and diamonds. He is the only one walking. And he wants to smoke a cigarette. Smoking is something so natural on Betelgeuse. He started this at a very young age with his sister, probably when they were 3. Too young to remember. Well, here, things are different. Smoking is forbidden in many public places.

People seem disgusted to see him, walking like this, with a suitcase and without a servant. But, there is no time to left. The star might have less time left then he expects.

So, he goes to the first information point and tells an officer why is he here. It doesn't take much until he is escorted to the Diplomatic Center, a division of the Foreign Ministry. A flying car comes and takes him.

On the way, Delta is amazed by the luxury these people live in the capital. There are huge palaces, higher then a kilometer, covered with glass and gold, that make you look at them the whole day. Streets are made of glass and beneath them you can see colorful fish swimming. In other parts, beneath the streets, there is a jungle, with trees, monkeys and other wild animals. Trees are also growing even on the highest buildings. Statues are everywhere, made of a white or purple rock.

The car lands at the Diplomatic Center. There, he has to wait for an audience, that will take place soon. Someone will come and pick him. He feels so desperate the need to smoke, so he looks around and finds a shop, then lights a cigarette. It doesn't pass ten seconds and a small flying robot comes, takes the cigarette and says:

"According to article 41524, smoking in public is forbidden. The fee is 150 PC".

The robot instantly takes money from his card. 150 Pleiades credits. Surprisingly, their currency is equal with the Betelgeuse credits. Well, someone advices him to go and smoke in a certain place, in a room. Then, Delta returns to wait. Well, finally, someone comes and invites him to talk with an official.

Delta looks at the luxurious room, with a desk made of rare wood, with chairs made of sculpted rock and with the walls covered with gold and silver foil. At the desk, there is a man in black costume, that asks shortly:

"Who are you?"

"I am Delta Edc, brother of Caligula XIII, the ruling emperor of Betelgeuse VII".

The man looks on a screen, for additional data, then says:

"Betelgeuse? Let me see..."

"I came to hire an expert in stellar physics", answers Delta.

Suddenly, the man is repulsed, almost like wanting to throw-up. He looks at the screen, then at Delta, trying to move away.

"Can you move closer to the door? Are you gay?"

"No, I am not", answers Delta.

"A paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities", mumbles the man. "People like that should burn in the flares of a star!"

Delta twitches but manages to hide his gesture. First, he is people like that. Second, this is what will happen, Betelgeuse will explode sooner or later.

"So, tell me, what do you want from us?"

"I want to hire an expert in stellar physics and to purchase a neutrino telescope".

"That would be easy, but I doubt that anyone would like to go to such a shithole like the one you came from".

Delta is disgusted by these words. This man just called Betelgeuse VII a shithole? Is this how people treat us? What is this? Is that the way to treat a diplomat, after all?

"Tell me where I could find what I need and I will see", answers Delta short.

"No problem, just wait outside, I will send you an answer".

Well, time passes, but Delta receives no answer. People come and go, including to the same office. Delta waits for hours, then comes and listens close to the door. The official gives advices to many people, which came here from their planets for many reasons: loans, weapons, technology, terraforming, anything. At some point, Delta hears this:

"Would you believe? A castrated gay came to my office today asking for a... I forgot what. What a fuck do they think is here? I took him out, it made me throw-up".

Well, for Delta, this is enough. He enters and says directly:

"I am no gay and no castrato. I am here for a request. All the money is here. I am not begging for help and I am not doing anything illegal. Do you want to make money for your state or should I look somewhere else?"

The official looks again disgusted, like ready to throw-up. Then, he thinks a bit and says:

"If you give me 50 thousand PC, I give you want you want".

"You took no money from anyone else".

"Listen this, jerk-ass! It is simple. Gay people are sentenced to death here. The same works for men with tits. You pay me and you get what you want. If you insist, I will require your head to be cut down so that you can lick your pussy with your own tongue".

Delta looks like ready to take a knife and kill him, but remembers. He thinks about all those who are at home, not knowing that the star will explode soon.

"If you don't make your mind fast, I will call the guards", the official says.

"Fifty thousand PC? Here you are", says Delta.

"Here you are, sir, you should say", he answers, accepting the money.

It takes only a few seconds and the official gives Delta a sheet of paper, with contact details of a professor at the Space Physics University, also calling a flying taxi for him. So, Delta is again flying through the city, in an automated car, towards the University, without knowing what to find there.

"Is this how people treat us outside Betelgeuse?" whispers Delta. He wears a men costume, but still the small breasts are a bit visible. Was it better to dress as a woman?

At the University, he goes directly to the professor, not looking at the huge buildings and expensive paintings on the walls. He is on a mission. The professor is not here and he needs to wait two hours. But once he comes, things go like this:

"What do you want?" asks him.

"I am Delta Edc, brother of Caligula XIII, ruling dictator of Betelgeuse VII. I came here for an expert in stellar physics and to buy a neutrino telescope".

"Betelgeuse?" asks the professor. "That star would explode soon. Who was so numb to build a colony there?"

"That is the problem", says Delta. "We think the sun is going to die soon".

"Well, I can give you what you want. I have the link to a producer of neutrino telescopes, it is a close friend of mine. And if you want an expert, I give you Annette, one of my best students. She is writing her PhD in red supergiant stars. She will be more then happy to go".

Things here look incredibly well. The next day, Delta got the telescope for 180 thousand PC and the expert, a blonde, fat girl. They go to Betelgeuse immediately.

**********

Once they arrive, they go to the small moon orbiting Betelgeuse VII, which is not spherical and made of silicate. There, under the rule of Caligula XIII, the former dictator, Caligula XII, built a small base for space exploration. As the ship prepares to land there, Annette starts talking about what she knows:

"Betelgeuse was probably a star just like Merope, only a bit brighter. However, such stars don't last long. They hardly make it to ten million years, while Earth's Sun has a lifetime of ten billions. By comparison, red dwarfs, the dimmest stars, can live for trillion years. Large stars exhaust their fuel very fast. As long as they are fusing hydrogen, they are considered on the main sequence. When hydrogen in the core is exhausted, they leave the main sequence and become giants".

She looks at the star carefully.

"I always wanted to see Betelgeuse close. Looking at it, I know how Merope will look in the future, because it has only two million years left. But Betelgeuse has lived its life".

It is possible that Betelgeuse had a planetary system similar to other stars. But, when it ran out of hydrogen and increased its size, it swallowed its inner planets. More then this, since it rotates very fast, many scientists suggest that Betelgeuse had a stellar companion, probably a star as bright as Sirius, that it engulfed. When this happens, a huge explosion occurs, known as red nova. This explosion blew the atmospheres of large gas giants and made rocky planets and moons to disintegrate.

There are two planets orbiting Betelgeuse closer. One is made entirely of iron and other metals. It was the core of a gas giant that somehow survived. Further away, there are many asteroids, rich in metals, which are supposed to be remnants of other planets. Then comes a gas giant. Its former atmosphere was blown away by the explosion, but somehow it managed to feed itself with the solar wind and grew back. Then, Betelgeuse has nine planets orbiting much further away. They are remnants of the former Kuiper belt. When the star was still on the main sequence, these planets were frozen and covered with solidified gasses. Now, they are in the habitable zone. Some of them are ocean worlds, some are deserts, but one of them, Betelgeuse VII, has just the right amount of water. Much further away, there is another planet, Betelgeuse XII, the last one, still covered with ice. However, there are indications that the explosion made it an ocean world for some time. Then, not far after the explosion, humans came here.

Once they land on the base, Annette takes the telescope and assembles it. First data starts to appear.

"Wait", she says, "there are far too many neutrinos here. I can hardly understand what is going on".

"Easy", says Delta, lighting a cigarette. "Take your time!"

Annette also enjoys a cigarette, happy that she doesn't have to go to a smoking room. She changes the settings, to see more clearly what is going on in the star. It takes an hour, until all is ready. She then carefully moves the telescope towards Betelgeuse, gathering data.

"Oh mine!" she whispers. "It is fusing carbon!"

Delta looks a bit scared. "You mean carbon fusion has started?"

"No, it doesn't look like this", says Annette. "I think carbon fusion is going to an end. I see high-energy neutrinos that don't look like usual carbon fusion. It rather looks like carbon is getting exhausted. Remaining carbon atoms are fusing with oxygen or neon".

"What does that mean?" asks Delta, nervous.

Annette takes a deep drag, looks at the data and says:

"It means that carbon fusion is coming to an end. Very soon, the star will start fusing neon. Just let me a few more minutes, to analyze direction of each detected neutrino, so that we can see what is going on here".

Delta looks at all the data: lots of columns, numbers and symbols. This machinery is detecting an alarming number of neutrinos and of various types. Annette takes another drag, blows the smoke towards the machinery and says:

"I can see now clear. Betelgeuse looks red and cold, compared to Merope, but not deep below its outer mantle, it is fusing hydrogen. The core has increased its energy output and is pushing fusion layers outwards. If things go like this for a few millennia, the solar wind will expel the cold outer layers and expose the hot place where hydrogen fusion occurs. Betelgeuse will become bright-blue and will scourge this planet to temperatures above 2000 degrees".

"How is it possible?" asks Delta.

"As a star is fusing heavier elements", answers Annette, taking a new drag, "the core needs higher temperatures to keep on fusion. This implies that more heat is produces and this heats the star more and more. Luckily, carbon fusion doesn't last long enough. The star will be long gone before this extra heat reaches the surface".

"That is not good", answers Delta.

"I clearly see a shell hydrogen fusion close to the surface, that extends deep through the mantle. It is heated by a shell fusing helium, that is deeper. And this shell is heated and forced to burn faster by a third shell, which is fusing carbon. Only that this final shell is almost exhausted. Beneath it, there is a large inert core. By comparing the neutrino - antineutrino ratio, I can approximate temperature in each part of the star. Now, everything is clear. Betelgeuse seems to have an inert core of neon, oxygen and magnesium. The core is large and hot, ready for neon fusion to ignite. There is not much time left until this. In fact, neon fusion should had started already. The reason it didn't start is that the star is rotating very fast. Centrifugal force opposes gravity and decreases the contraction".

"How much time do we have left?"

"I don't know what to say", answers Annette, taking the last inhale. "Once neon fusion starts, it cannot last for more then 15 Earth years to supernova. However, I think there will be some time until neon ignition. Overall, 24 to 27 Earth years".

Delta looks scared, up to the point where it starts sweating.

"But there is another thing", adds Annette. "There is something strange with the core. It simply is too large and I cannot understand why it did not start fusing neon already. There is a chance that the core will contract too fast. In that case, neon, oxygen, magnesium and silicon fusion processes might not delay the contraction. With other words, supernova might occur much faster then this".

**********

After this, Delta asks Annette to come to the planet, where she could explain to the dictator itself everything. Everything works well, until she lands. There, it only takes less then a minute to realize how different people behave and dress. She instantly wants to return. Only realizing that Delta itself might be a cross-dresser or anything else, makes her want to come faster back to the Pleiades. So, Delta has to go alone to the dictator, taking the telescope to the forbidden building, together with a few explanations from Annette. At least now they can see what is going on inside the star.

The next day, Delta takes Annette back to the Pleiades. She seems scared and disgusted to see who lives on Betelgeuse VII. However, back at the University, the professor asks Delta to come to his office and stay a bit.

"I also made a little research about your star planet", he says. "I am not to judge or to understand you. People like you are killed in public executions throughout the Pleiades just as we speak. I don't. I think you are people and deserve to live, even if I will never understand you. The most important thing for me and you is that your sun will soon explode. There is nothing that can be done to save it".

"Is there no way to prevent a supernova from happening?" asks Delta, almost crying.

"In theory, it should be possible to inject hydrogen to the core of a star. However, in practice, given the size of a red supergiant and the huge pressures and temperatures in the core, it really is impossible. And even if it would be possible, now, nearly all the energy in the core is lost as neutrinos, not as light or heat. You will only increase the lifetime with a few years, nothing else".

"I see..."

"You have to go to another planet and fast. Find one near you and terraform it. And I have just the person for this. I had a very good student. He was caught secretly wearing women clothes. I hardly managed to save his life, but he had to abandon the University. Take him. He was very good in many things. And with anything you need for terraforming, contact me. I will help you find all what's needed".

"Thank you! I strongly appreciate you!" says Delta.

Well, Delta got all what it wanted. But just as he walks on the alleys of the University, people start to look at him and make stupid jokes.

"Hey, butt face!"

"Dumb ass, get the fuck away from this planet!"

"Drop dead!"

Well, he doesn't care any longer. He takes Edmond, the student caught with women clothes, then they both go to Betelgeuse. From the day Edmond steps foot on the planet, he officially decides to wear women clothes and to be named Etna.

**********

Back on the planet, in the forbidden building, Delta, the ruling dictator, the former dictator and Etna have a secret meeting. Delta is still frustrated by the way people looked at him. The dictator is only thinking about what can be done to save the population. Is there any way to do this? Do they stand a chance in front of a star that will soon explode?

TO BE CONTINUED

The end justifies the means (Niccolo Machavelli).

For over fifty Earth years, Betelgeuse VII has been the paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. But now, the colony is endangered. The star will go supernova. For now, nobody knows this, except Caligula XIII, the reigning dictator, with a few close friends. Is there any way to save the population? Is there any chance to do something while there still is time?

The reigning dictator is elected for a period of five Earth years and has nearly absolute power. Then, it is judged. In case of money laundry, all its fortunes are confiscated. If it did anything against the constitution, the punishment is death. Caligula XIII knows well that it can do anything while in power, but after this, it will pay for anything. Each day comes with a program of seven hours, with many auditions that all are public. Any decision made by the dictator is public. There is nothing that can be done behind closed doors. Still, the meetings about the future of the star are held in the forbidden building, which should be now opened to public.

When the dictator found out that Betelgeuse has less then 30 Earth years left, it decided that the only solution is to terraform another planet around another star. The person designated with this task is Etna, a female transgender, an immigrant from the Pleiades Empire. finding that planet was not hard. At ten light years away, there is a red dwarf star. It holds a planet that can be terraformed fast. Still, there will be needed a huge amount of money for this. The new planet is dry. Water can be sent there by diverting comets and icy asteroids, but there is not enough time to make an ocean. It will be more a desert planet.

After a hard day, the dictator returns to its home, which is not larger then other houses in the capital town. Night comes. Betelgeuse vanishes behind the horizon. The sky is illuminated by the huge, never ending auroras, that dance between the clouds. It is a cold night. The dictator puts down the heavy iron crown. Then takes down the long yellow dress it likes to wear on the throne. Born as a woman, it decided to become a hermaphrodite transgender, like many people of its age. This is the trend on Betelgeuse VII, after many transgender people looked for a reversal to their initial genders. At the age when body transformations are allowed, many chose to become a hermaphrodite.

It has become something common to see hermaphrodite people. They use to wear knee-long tight pants and a short, tight blouse. When it's cold, they add an elastic and demi opaque body suit, with a texture similar to pantyhose, that cover all their bodies except for the face and the hands. This way, anyone can see the bulges made by their male genitals and the presence of smaller, female breasts. Some people argued that this fashion is provocative, even erotic, violating the law of decency, but still, many people like to dress this way.

Dressing like this might sound acceptable for an average citizen of Betelgeuse VII, but not for the ruling dictator. Still, Caligula XIII, when is alone at home, uses to dress like that.

"What am I? A man or a woman?" it whispers, looking itself in a mirror and watching the bulge between its feet. "I was a woman. But now? I am both. And I love to be like this. But still, I look more like a woman. At least with this hair".

Should it be called a he or a she? Since it is hard to know the gender of a person, people like to call each other with it here.

It lights a cigarette in the dim light inside the house. As it blows a small trail of smoke, it looks on the sky. There are clouds, dark spots between the auroras. Behind them, there are other, dark red clouds, matter ejected by the dying star. Smoking is something so common on Betelgeuse VII, that it is impossible for those born there to remember the first time they ever started.

The dictator touches its body-pantyhose, that covers all its body with a fine-textured layer, but is thinking about the fate of the planet. It could just lie and hide the truth to anyone. But, if that's the case, everyone will die. Well, it will be after its five years of rule. But, can you stay put, when a bomb is ticking? If anyone finds out that the star will explode soon, panic will follow. The economy is still growing, as people keep coming here. New towns are built everywhere.

Caligula XIII thinks about this. If people find out... People will try to move away. But where should they go? Nobody is willing to receive transgender people and rare sexual minorities. Nobody. In other places around the galaxy, people like us are discriminated, considered to have a mental illness and rejected by anyone. Even worse, in some places, they are killed or imprisoned. Still, by far, not everyone will be able to flee. The economy will collapse. Chaos will follow. Nobody knows how far this would go. There is a high chance there will be no funds to finance terraforming. Those left behind will have no chance. Nobody will come to rescue them. They will just sit here and wait for death to strike. Nothing and nobody will come, except maybe for some savages, bounty hunters from UV Ceti.

"People must not find out about this..." it whispers.

Indeed. People must not find out. As for now, new settlers are still coming. The best solution is to divert money somehow, to finance the terraforming of the new planet. The savior planet. Isn't it a better name? Betelgeuse Savior? More simple, Betelgeuse S. That's it! Finally, the dictator comes with a new name for the planet that promises to be the new home for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. Betelgeuse S.

"But still... How to do this?" it whispers again, taking a new inhale from its cigarette.

There must be a solution. A lot of resources exist here. For anything that exists here, the local currency, Betelgeuse Credits or BC, should do the trick. But, for things that need to be imported, ISA credits or CC are needed. That interstellar currency is limited. You need to export something in order to import that sort of money. But how? The CC are in a limited stock. Interstellar trade is very low, because of the huge distances between stars. How would that be possible?

Caligula XIII takes another drag and whispers: "That will be my death", literally chewing the smoke as it speaks.

Diverting funds is very hard, since anything is made public. External politics are forbidden by the constitution. If anyone finds out that its brother, Delta, made a visit to the Pleiades, the punishment will be death. The costs of terraforming a new planet are too high. It will be impossible to hide them. There is no way this can go unnoticed. The circuit of state money is public. Anyone will find out and very soon. It is only a matter of time... but still, all that money is not enough.

The dictator thinks about the end of its five year reign. The public trial. People will judge it for what it done. Nobody has done the money laundry it already has done. It diverted 1% of state money for asteroid mining, a project under the rule of the former dictator, Caligula XII. Then, it diverted additional money. As for now, the quota is getting close to 10%, so very high. People are expecting results. The asteroids around re rich in many ores, that should replace the mines on the planet, which are also a source of pollution. The dictator is trying anything to divert more money for the project, but with careful, not to catch too much attention.

This is also a violation of the constitution. Already, Delta is sent to the Pleiades to buy some equipment for terraforming. If people will find out that Delta is working on the advice of Etna, which just arrived from the Pleiades... and if they will find out that the idea of terraforming a planet came from a professor that lives in the Pleiades, the dictator will face death sentence.

All the night, Caligula XIII cannot sleep, thinking about the death sentence. A public execution. All who supported it to win the elections, watching the execution. So painful. So humiliating.

**********

The next day, the dictator is on its iron throne, solving the many problems in the state. It is a very hard job, since problems are very different and challenging. Most of them are solved as auditions. Someone comes with an environmental problem. Another person wants to build a factory. Then, someone else wants to increase funds for upgrading a railway.

The dictator has absolute power when it comes to justice. On the audition list, there is a pedophile. A transgender pedophile which took refuge on Betelgeuse VII. The law condemns obscene actions and puts high punishments for sexual abuse. This person, which clearly looks like a woman but once was a man, kneels and cries for mercy. However, there is an online petition, signed by over a thousand sfenists, which require for it the highest civilian punishment: departure on an island. The dictator choses this punishment without even listening much. The words are exactly these:

"The prison island will be the home for this creature. Throw it there, while the sun still burns... Dismissed!"

While the sun still burns carbon, was what Caligula XIII wanted to say. In its mind, all other problems are too small. All day and all night, it is thinking about this, that the sun will soon explode. Well, nobody notices what it meant.

After all auditions, the dictator returns to its lonely home. Loneliness is very painful. Delta is on its mission to the Pleiades. Caligula XII and Etna are working on terraforming Betelgeuse S. They divert comets to bring some water to the new planet. Atmosphere melioration will start once there will exist some oceans. There are huge costs.

**********

It all goes according to plan for about a hundred Earth days. Then, during one audition, someone comes and says:

"Your highness, I am here for the asteroid mining project. It looks like a lot of funds have been diverted for that project, but as for now, we have seen nothing. The mining division has not made public the way it spends money. I want more details of what is going on".

These words shock the dictator. So, people found out, finally. Unable to give a fast answer, it looks to the online displays in the room. But it is too late. People can see. The next day, the press will start saying that the dictator had scared eyes.

"Thank you for telling me", answers the dictator.

"Public spending must be made public".

"I know. But before taking any action, I want to personally talk with Caligula XII".

"Shouldn't that be made public?"

"Well, I do have a great respect for our former dictator. Maybe, it forgot to make things public. For any state employee, things would be different, but for a former leader of our planet and mainly one that did nothing bad during its reign, we must have some respect. But don't worry, I will use force if needed".

"Why don't you contact it online?"

"Because, outside the magnetosphere, communications don't work well. This is why we don't have an online link outside the planet".

"Your highness, it appears that a huge amount of money was diverted for the asteroid mining project".

"That's my understanding too. I will check out. Dismissed!"

**********

After two more days, Caligula XIII meets with Caligula XII at the forbidden building. There, the neutrino telescope sits in the middle, hidden from other people's eyes. From time to time, the ruling dictator comes and scans the sun with it. A few days ago, it showed a small flare inside the core. Neon fusion did not start. Most probably, there are a few lighter elements, like nitrogen or fluorine. As pressure and temperature increase, these elements go photodisintegration. They lose a few protons or neutrons and transform into carbon, or capture free protons and neutrons, to become oxygen. New carbon instantly fuses, producing little energy, too little to prevent the core from collapsing and initiating neon fusion.

And this, only if neon fusion will occur. There is a small chance that neon fusion will not happen. As temperature and pressure increase in the core, so do neutrino production. Neutrinos are the real killers of a star. They take more and more energy from the core. Carbon fusion would keep the star alive for a thousand years, but because of energy lost through neutrinos, it cannot last more then 600. Neon fusion could power a star for over ten Earth years, but because of neutrino losses, it will last for about an year. But, if fusion occurs later, when pressure and temperature are too high, it will not be able even to produce enough energy to oppose the contraction. In that case, Betelgeuse is doomed far earlier.

Death is banging at our doors.

What the two dictators discussed in the forbidden building remains a secret. Caligula XIII exits the building saying:

"If I have to die so that some will live, so be it! The end justifies the means".

It is time to make some extreme politic decisions.

TO BE CONTINUED

Watching a politic fight is like watching a puppet theatre. Only those wise enough can see beyond the puppets, who is holding them and for what reason. (A politician, Eastern Europe).

Betelgeuse VII has been a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities for over fifty years. Now, the star is dying and will soon go supernova. Only four people know the truth: the ruling dictator Caligula XIII, its brother Delta, the former dictator Caligula XII and Etna, a transgender immigrated from the Pleiades. They try to divert state money, to finance terraforming of another planet around another star, at a safer distance. They lie, saying that money has been diverted to finance asteroid mining, but people are starting to see something else. They see no mining results, no rare earths brought to the planet and they notice lots of equipment being lifted to space, to unknown destinations. Caligula XIII was asked several times to make money spending public. The dictator knows very well that after its five Earth years of rule, it will be judged in a public trial and sentenced to death for what is going on. But before that, everyone knows that corruption and money laundry can affect the economy, which is still booming. Nobody wants a recession. More and more voices ask for Caligula XII, who is in charge with asteroid mining, to answer for all accusations.

In an attempt to solve this problem, the two dictators went to the forbidden building. There, the first dictator, Caligula II, held many plasticized papers, showing that the star is dying. The ruling dictator holds there a neutrino telescope, which shows what is happening inside the star. Nobody must know this. Betelgeuse fused all carbon in its core and now it is contracting, waiting to start fusing neon. If people will find out this, panic will follow. Panic will come with an economy meltdown, so there will not be enough money to terraform a new planet. Dead end.

People also asked for public access to the forbidden building, but Caligula XIII denied this, without any comments.

**********

Finally, Caligula XII accepted to make an audition to the dictator. All will be made public. The day and the hour not known yet.

The ruling dictator, Caligula XIII, worked the first hours as usual, from its iron throne. There are many problems in this state that need to be watched. There are economical and environment problems that need an advice from a specialist, but the dictator has the power to accept, modify or cancel such things. On the other hand, there are problems about justice. Since Betelgeuse VII is a paradise for rare sexual minorities, many people like pedophiles or rapists seek refuge here. They have to be punished according to the law, but many of them say they are discriminated and ask for an audience to the dictator. Some kneel and beg for mercy, while others use an aggressive tone. The dictator usually ask for an advice from some humanitarian groups, but the decision and responsibility are always its own.

Caligula XIII is a former woman, now a hermaphrodite transgender. On the throne, it wears a long yellow dress. But today, it came with a really provocative outfit. With a red, short and seductive blouse and a short dress, so short that when you sit in front of the throne you might see beneath, with long purple gloves and laced thigh boots, partially exposing its pantyhosed feet, the dictator also wears many bracelets and long earrings. It also painted its hair in a bright red color, clearly visible below the heavy iron crown. She also smokes in a sensual way, clearly enjoying each cigarette. Already, the news comment that the dictator appears today in an unusually sexy outfit.

Suddenly, noise can be heard:

"Let me pass! I was once on that throne! Out of my way!"

The dictator was judging the case of a pedophile caught in a town, who is kneeling and crying for mercy. Suddenly, the noise becomes more intense.

"What is going on?" asks the dictator.

"Let me in! I order you!" can be heard from outside the throne room.

"Who is there? Let it pass here!"

While everyone is watching, the former dictator, Caligula XII, appears in the throne room.

"You, pedophile, you know what the law says. You have two options. Get out of Betelgeuse now or get to the prison island. Your choice. Dismissed!" says the dictator.

The former dictator was a man, now is a female transgender. It also came in a provocative outfit, with a short, skinny white party dress, with very long nails, a too intense make-up, long blonde hair filled with silver wires, a huge necklace and shiny pantyhose, with high-heel transparent shoes. In one hand, it holds a white, shiny purse, while in the other hand it has a very long holder with a cigarette in its top. The make-up is also provocative, with a silvery lipstick and silvery inscriptions on its cheeks and forehead. It also has small, glued horns, with a ring attached to each.

"Finally, we meet", says the ruling dictator.

"Finally, I never imagined it is so hard to get an audience at you. No surprise people don't love you any longer".

"Maybe you heard how many accusations are against you".

The former dictator takes an inhale from its long holder, blows the smoke with an angry face, hits the ground three times with a shoe and says:

"How about the accusations against you? Where is my money?"

"What money? The one you spent on this outfit?"

"No, sister! The money you should provide us for asteroid mining".

"I gave you a hundred times the amount you requested".

"As for now, I received almost nothing. My people want their salaries. Do you know what that is?"

The dictator rises from its throne and comes two steps forward.

"I gave you more then enough".

"Well, it is either that you spent it yourself or that there is too much corruption around you. I received nothing. And about all the accusations, they are fake. I waited for money to come. And I did all that for you, so you won't lose credibility. I know how hard is to be a dictator".

"I heard you passed the trial without any problems".

"Yes, I did".

"For now... But still, I don't believe you. Where did all that money go?"

"Ask me? Ask you!"

"No, I ask you", says the ruling dictator, moving forward, until it is face to face with the former dictator. "I ask you how is this possible. With your experience. I trusted you, but never expected to lose money like this. You find who took it".

The former dictator takes a new inhale and blows the smoke in the face of the reigning dictator. Then smiles.

"You think this will bring you away from justice?" asks Caligula XIII.

"I survived the trial. But will you?"

"I will. Cause you are going to pay for all this. Stop it now, you bring our state to civil war".

Caligula XII laughs, saying: "All this only excites me! You have the power to imprison me, but in five years I will be free".

The ruling dictator takes the former's holder and takes a big drag of smoke, then blow the smoke in its eyes. Then, answers:

"I never imagined that such a bitch can hide beneath your skin. It is a shame for those who voted you. You disappoint them all".

"No, dear. It is you who disappoints the whole planet. Are you going to give me my funds or not?"

"All I am going to give you is a kick in your ass".

Caligula XIII pushes with one foot on Caligula XII's shoe. But, the former dictator doesn't move back. It moves a hand to the ruling dictator's dress and softly massages its crotch.

"Stop that, you are in public, damn it!"

"What do you know? It's the little Mobidick who wants to get out of its cage!"

"Don't try to change the subject!" says the ruling dictator, taking its hand away.

Away, but the little massage did it. The erection is visible, as a small bulge in front of its tight skirt. But also, as the ruling dictator forces a bit, it rips one of the long fake nails Caligula XII was wearing.

"You will pay for this!" shouts the former dictator.

"I will pay nothing. Do you want another nail to be ripped?" answers the ruling dictator, blowing another cloud of smoke in the former's face. "Or maybe you want something more".

Saying this, it moves its hands to the former's forehead, where it tries to remove the horns. It all goes easy.

"Do you have some glue?" asks the ruling dictator, with the horns in its hand. "I think I want to wear those".

The former dictator takes a small bottle from its purse. The ruling dictator glues the little horns on its forehead, very close to the iron crown.

Then, the former dictator hits the ruling one with a punch in the face.

"The horns are not for free", it answers.

"Sure they are not", says Caligula XIII. "And what do you want in exchange? The crown?"

"Your head".

"Too hard to get", answers the ruling dictator, taking the holder and breaking it. "Enjoy your smoke, darling".

"However, I do have one last question", says the former dictator.

"Go ahead".

"How much are the boots you're wearing? Are they made from the money you should pay for asteroid mining project?"

"No, sis. They are not more expensive then those transparent shoes you wear".

"Take them off! It is a sign of disrespect for the people, bitch!"

"If you take your shoes off too".

"I will do that", answers the ruling dictator. "But not for you, for the people watching us, who voted and supported us".

Both dictators take off their footwear, remaining in bare pantyhose on the floor.

"Now, I ask you one last time", says Caligula XII. "Are you going to pay my people?"

"No! It is a clear no because I already paid you enough. I need to make some investigations before, to see where did all that money go".

"Well, then, I have the responsibility for my people. For the people that are in my charge. I need to pay them somehow. I think about the families they have, about their children and about what they will eat themselves tomorrow. We will wait until midnight. If no money arrives to us, we will seek autonomy!"

"What are you up to, crazy creature?"

The word autonomy sounds like an echo ring through the room. Outside, where people watch the audition on TV, people remain shocked, watching this, unknowing what to think about.

"I take the moon. There, I will have an autonomous state. And there, people will have what they never had on the planet".

"But that is a violation of the constitution. I am forced to stop you!"

"No, it is no violation. The constitution only applies to the surface of the planet. The outer space, the Betelgeuse star system, is not direct territory of the state, in a form of dependency".

"I see... And you try to make your own state".

"No. I am trying to give my people a job. All what was not allowed on the planet, will be on the moon. The use of hormones, surgery, body implants. All of this".

"You know it is forbidden by the constitution to do this before..."

"I know, the five Earth years request... and the minimum age of twenty Earth years", cuts Caligula XII short. "But, in many places, transgender people have access to all this at a much younger age, even as little children".

"That is a violation of the constitution. Don't force my hand, I will order to have you executed!" shouts the ruling dictator.

"The moon is outside your jurisdiction", answers the former dictator. "Things are simple. Give me the money or we will declare autonomy!"

While saying this, the former dictator steps out of the throne room. Caligula XIII moves back to the throne and looks around.

"What should we do?" it asks the advisers, nervously lighting a cigarette.

Nobody answers. Everyone is shocked by this. So, the dictator says:

"I think I need some time to judge this correctly. We shall resume auditions as usual. In the main time, I will also think of a solution. It is not wise to take fast actions. I will say my word at the end of the day".

Things go exactly like this. Audiences follow, just like nothing happen. However, it is clear that the dictator is affected by this. Well, as things go this way, Caligula XII moves to the base, takes its spaceship and flies to the moon. All happens very fast.

Finally, at the end of the day, after the last audience, Caligula XIII says:

"I made-up my mind. We will allocate for the asteroid mining project the same amount of money it had been sent. All that money will be cut right now from the budget and sent right in the following minute. Let's remember that Caligula XII was a good dictator and it passed the trial without any problems. We will rectify the budget in the following months, if anything bad happens. However, I expect the former dictator to calm down and stop autonomy claims. Also, I want the press to start an investigation about where did all that money go. If someone took them, I want justice to be made. And if that money really did go to the asteroid mining project, I will ask Caligula XII to give the money back".

The dictator rises from the throne, then return and says:

"One more thing. I am not afraid by those autonomy claims. There is nothing that it can do. And if it does, there are many ways to make it stop. In that case, we should cancel the asteroid mining project at once".

The dictator returns home. This time, it walks all the way to home in bare pantyhosed feet, tired and thinking about what happened and what will happen. Once it enters the room, it eats something and leans on a coach, watching the sunset. Betelgeuse, the giant red sun that brings light and heat to us all, will not last more. Soon, it will explode.

People will talk for many days about this. The press will invite many politic analysts and will discuss every single word or gesture that happened. As long as people don't realize that both decided to do this, as long as people don't figure out that it was all a puppet theatre work, it is all very good. Only if they don't figure it out...

Leaning on its bed, the dictator watches the auroras. Gas ejected by Betelgeuse impacts the magnetic field of the planet. Thinking about the whole day, about how it all went, the dictator whispers for itself:

"Well played, sis! Well played! Just hope we will gain enough money for the project before our deaths and before the sun will explode".

**********

At the moon base, Caligula XII is with Delta and Etna. They wait. Then, they notice it. Money has been received. They got the credits, 92% in BC and 8% in CC. They know that the dictator, down on the planet, is risking its life for them, for the future. However, all this money is by far not enough for what they have in mind. Terraforming a planet is far too expensive, especially when you try to do it very fast.

At midnight, capital city hour, Caligula XII makes a public appearance, with the declaration of autonomy for the moon. In the newly formed autonomous region Betelgeuse S, things forbidden on the planet will be allowed. Surgery, implants and commerce with hormones will be allowed to anyone. Porn will be allowed in certain areas, in all its aspects, from public sex zones to public masturbation areas and brothels and gambling. Any outfit will be allowed.

The declaration of autonomy is a very strong invitation for business. Transgender hospitals are invited to move here. It will be a place where anything will be possible. Taxes will be set to 40% something a hundred times higher then the 0.4% as they are on the planet. This is in fact the real gamble. If this works, within five Earth years there will be enough money to ensure terraforming of the new planet.

The fact is that Caligula XII has another ace in its sleeve. A strong commercial campaign will help people from all over the galaxy to come here. This is in fact the real game that will be played. Dirty money. They are far better then clean money, since they can be used on the black market to purchase cheaper stuff. All this, as long as on the planet, Caligula XIII will hold on to the immense pressure from the people.

TO BE CONTINUED

The only thing impossible for a transgender is to be pregnant and have children.

For over fifty years, Betelgeuse VII has been a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. But the star is dying, preparing to go supernova. The only people who know the truth are the ruling dictator Caligula XIII, its brother Delta, the former dictator Caligula XII and Etna, a transgender from the Pleiades. In secret, they started to terraform a planet around another star, which they named Betelgeuse Savior or Betelgeuse S. But this process needs to be finished within twenty Earth years and requires a lot of money. In order to secure more funds, the dictator deliberately financed the Asteroid Mining Project, supervised by Caligula XII. But still, far more money is needed. Then, Caligula XII, with all people who it hired for 'mining', claimed autonomy and set their homeland on the moon of planet Betelgeuse VII. There, free from the law, from the unchanged constitution of Free State Of Betelgeuse, but still inside the state as a border province, the former dictator started to make money.

It took only one Earth year and many things started to change. The law says that any person willing to undergo surgery, body implants or to use hormones must submit a request and wait for five Earth years to get an approval. However, on the moon, there is no need to wait. All you need is to pay the money and you get your transformation.

Within one year, from the total population of Betelgeuse, over 200 million people, 12% went to the moon, for body transformations. Even more people from other places decided to go there. Requests are by far the most unusual. Some people want to have horns, some request to change their outfit to look more like an animal (for example like a cat or a tiger), to have a tail, to have two mouths or three breasts, a body tattoo or a snake tongue. Money is flowing to the small moon.

By far, the most frequent requests are for gender change. But, not only this. Changing gender through surgery, implants and hormones might be easy, but having a child is very hard, if not impossible. The complete transformation of human organs into the opposite sex, up to the point where you can become pregnant or (for a transgender man) to have functional spermatozoids, is something technology is still lacking. However, many scientists are working on that. The solution might be hidden in human genetics.

Genetic transformation is something that has been experimented since the 2000's. With the use of a virus with limited replication power, a DNA sequence can be added or removed from the human DNA. This is the way scientists used around 2200 to eradicate genetic diseases. Now, the technology is well studied. Is it possible to use this technology to new limits?

With viral DNA technology, it is possible to eradicate metabolic diseases. For example, in case of hemophilia, a disease in which the body is unable to stop bleeding because a protein is lacking correct structure, if you change the genes responsible for producing the key protein, you eradicate the disease. However, if the disease affects the anatomy (for example if someone is born with a fissure between the two ventricles of the heart), changing the DNA will not reverse the process, but the affected genes will not be transmitted to children.

So, is it possible to make a transgender woman, a former man, to have children? Is it possible to make a transgender man, former woman, to have functional sperm?

As for now, it is possible to grow organs in vitro. On Betelgeuse, transgender surgery is done this way: First, embryonic cells are isolated or cloned. Then, with the use of hormones, the required organs are grown. Then, through surgery, these organs are added to the body, which accepts them since they share the same DNA. But this comes with a price. For a transgender woman, former man, artificial ovaries will never produce functional ovules, even if the uterus appears functional and has a similar cycle like that of a woman. Attempts have been made, but embryos usually died or if they survived, they had malformations. The same happens in case of a transgender man, former woman. Testicles will never produce functional spermatozoids or if they will, children almost always have diseases.

Many people who undergone body transformation, want to return to their previous gender. A reversal surgery is possible, but in most cases, the recovery is not complete. Artificially grown organs are not always functional. So, there is a major problem. How could anyone change gender back completely and have children?

On Betelgeuse, children, from a very young age, are learned to go cross-dressing. This comes very natural. In the same way, comes smoking, which occurs from a very young age. To prevent the diseases caused by underage smoking, a genetic vaccine was invented, adapting the lungs and the body for this. But, the cross-dressing problem resulted in something unexpected. Once they reach the age when they are allowed to have surgery, implants and to use hormones, most teens take a very unusual decision. They want to be hermaphrodites, so that they can behave both like men and like women.

To become a hermaphrodite, the same technology is required. The organs of the opposite sex are grown in vitro, then added through surgery. However, the natural organ remains dominant and functional. So, we talk about hermaphrodite men and hermaphrodite women. A hermaphrodite man cannot have children and a hermaphrodite woman cannot have functional sperm. All this comes with a very delicate hormonal balance. An excess from one gender's hormones will affect the opposite sex. Problems are common and people often need to take medicine on a daily basis.

Is there any way to solve this? Is there any way a transgender woman or a hermaphrodite, former man, to have children? Even more, is it possible for a hermaphrodite to make its own children using both its genitals? This is what scientists are trying to find out.

Many tests have been ruled on mice or apes. Nearly all, ended without or with bad results. Female gender is given by the XX pair of chromosomes, while male gender is given by the XY pair. The solution appears to be a different one. Before surgery, a person willing to be a woman, must remove its Y chromosome in all cells with the X one. Then, female genitals must be grown in vitro and added through an implant. Much more difficult is if someone wants to be a man, because only one chromosome of the X pair needs to be transformed into an Y. For a while, this was proven not to be possible, until one day, when a solution was found. The virus that adds and removes genes, gives a signature to each cell (a certain protein), that blocks other viruses to come. Then, it transforms a single X chromosome. The virus self-destructs in a short time, while the signature remains much longer. And then, male organs, grown in vitro, can be added through surgery, which comes with the removal of female organs.

The problem with hermaphrodite people is far more complex. They want to have both a penis and a vagina, both ovaries and testicles, breasts (visible, but smaller then those of real women) and facial hair (mustache and beard). Scientists tried to work with a solution for this. Finally, they found it. They copied some of the genes from the Y chromosome and added them on the X, but this was not enough. Much more work needed to be done. They had to remove some genes and write others. Many rats died during these experiments. Finally, they found a solution. What they created is the Z chromosome. With the help of a virus, all X and Y chromosomes are transformed into a ZZ pair. This allows hermaphrodites to have both functional ovules and functional spermatozoids, with an uterus that can support a pregnancy.

Further experiments on rats showed very strange results. Combining a male (XY) with a hermaphrodite (ZZ), you get two unusual babies: intersex females (XZ) and super-males (YZ). Intersex females are sterile hermaphrodites, with both organs, but with the look of a female. Super-males are also sterile, look like males and have exaggerated male features. It was also proven that super-males, despite their strong muscular force, have a very low intellect. If, however, you combine a female (XX) with a hermaphrodite (ZZ), you get only intersex females (XZ). On the other hand, you can combine a hermaphrodite with another one and you will only get hermaphrodites (ZZ).

The experiments proved that, if you use the gender changing vaccine for a newborn, transformation will be nearly complete. However, if you somehow inject the vaccine into an embryo, results are excellent.

With these amazing results, in just an Earth year, on the moon of Betelgeuse VII, production of gender vaccines started. For the first time in history, transgender people could have their own children, without the need for an adoption. The vaccines are:

Female to male (XX to XY);

Male to female (XY to XX);

Female to herm (XX to ZZ);

Male to herm (XY to ZZ);

Herm to female (ZZ to XX);

Herm to male (ZZ to XY).

Each vaccine is sold for the sum of 4200 BC (Betelgeuse Credits) for adults and teens, 3150 BC for children, 2100 BC for babies and 1050 BC for embryos. In addition, for those who want to change gender, the cost of growing organs from embryotic or cloned cells is between 3500 and 6000 BC. The cost of surgery is between 4000 and 5500 BC. Additional costs are with hotel and transportation, but they don't exceed 100 BC for residents of Betelgeuse VII. For those who come from other places in the galaxy, transport costs might exceed 7000 BC.

Soon after this, many transgender people started to have children. A thing considered impossible, is no longer a dream. With genetic engineering, body transformation is now complete. The first two children born with this technology are Julia and Angela Northern. Julia is born from Etna, the transgender woman who immigrated from the Pleiades. Its father is unknown, the sperm came from a gene bank. Etna opted for Julia to be a hermaphrodite and used the female to herm vaccine when it was still an embryo. Angela Northern is the child of Delta, the ruling dictator's brother, which is a hermaphrodite and provided its own sperm for itself; Angela is also a hermaphrodite.

The fact that Etna and Delta decided to test the new technology made many people to trust it.

However, this is not the only kind of genetic surgery practiced on the moon of Betelgeuse VII. Here, scientists try anything that can bring money in. For example, they clone organs: hearts, livers, kidneys, anything, for prices that vary from 3000 to 15000 BC. This is very cheap compared to other places. Even arms and feet can be customary made. Anything, for money.

There is something else. Criminals, wanted in the whole galaxy, come here for plastic surgery and DNA modifications. For sums up to a few millions BC, they are transformed. Fingerprints, dental prints, ocular images, DNA and bioenergy signatures can be modified. Many corrupt politicians, trying to escape from justice, come to this place.

Money is flowing towards the small moon, both from the planet and from the outer world.

**********

In the same time, Caligula XII, the ruling dictator of the moon and former dictator of Betelgeuse VII, is collecting 40% of the income. With this money, it buys lots of equipment and many cargo spaceships from the planet. All this is used to terraform the new planet, Betelgeuse S. Nobody must know about this yet. What cannot be produced here, is imported from the Empire Of The Pleiades, which is hiding all this from the rest of the world, for bribery. No worker from Betelgeuse goes to the new planet. All workers are slaves purchased from UV Ceti, which have no idea where they are. Their supervisors are employed from the Pleiades.

Everything is going just as planned. In this way, Betelgeuse S will be terraformed within 20 Earth years, before the star will explode. All the funds are being allocated in advance. Two years have passed since Caligula XIII took power, only three more Earth years will pass until new elections. In this little time, all the funds must be secured. When time will come, all population from the moon will relocate to the new planet. And when it will be terraformed and habitable, everyone from Betelgeuse will be invited to come.

In the main time, Betelgeuse gave some warning signs. Unknown by many, there is a neutrino telescope in the forbidden building. The ruling dictator, Caligula XIII, comes there every day and looks at the data. The star has ceased fusing carbon in its core. Now, the large, inert core, is slowly contracting. Neon fusion will ignite soon. But before that, there are a few small steps. First, nitrogen was fused, now fluorine. These two elements are in small amounts inside a star, but they exist. They fuse via photodisintegration. Hit by an energetic gamma ray, one atom loses a proton, a neutron or an alpha particle (helium nuclei) which merges with another atom. Nitrogen is usually lost during carbon fusion, but what little survives, is transformed into carbon and oxygen, while carbon instantly fuses. Fluorine is more stable. It is transformed usually into oxygen and neon. These reactions don't produce much energy and given the small amounts of these elements, it cannot oppose core contraction. It only delays the death of the star by very little.

Caligula XIII sits near the neutrino telescope, smoking and looking at the data. These small flashes are just a warning of what is to come. Within years, neon fusion will occur. The energy released will restore the equilibrium of the star for a short period of time. Once neon is exhausted, oxygen will fuse and will give another additional year. Then, a series of flashes will try to counterbalance the inevitable: sodium fusion, magnesium fusion and finally silicon fusion. However, things are settled. When the last silicon atom in the core will be fused into iron, there will be nothing else, able to sustain the core from collapsing. The supernova will come and will destroy everything.

If everyone is walking the same path, try another one. If nobody is walking on your path, make sure you are not lost (Ancient saying).

For over fifty Earth years, the planet Betelgeuse VII has been a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. But the star, Betelgeuse, will soon go supernova. For now, only four people know the truth: the ruling dictator Caligula XIII, its brother Delta, the former dictator Caligula XII and Etna, a transgender who immigrated from the Pleiades. They try to terraform a new planet, ten light years away, which they call Betelgeuse S. However, all this is done in secret. Nobody must know what is going on. If people will find out that the star will explode, the economy will collapse, before enough money can be obtained for terraforming. From the four, only the ruling dictator stays on Betelgeuse VII. The other three are on its moon, where they created an autonomous region.

However, the dictator is in big problems. It was elected for a five Earth years period. After that, it will be judged in a public trial and risk a sentence to death, while a new dictator will be elected. Until then, it has nearly absolute powers, but all things will change soon. There are only two Earth years left... and then, for violation of the constitution, the punishment is death. Many people already sent endless petitions to the dictator to stop protecting the autonomous region of Betelgeuse S.

Every day, during a period of seven hours, people come to the dictator for audiences. Many economical, political, ecological and justice problems are solved this way, since the word of a dictator is the supreme law. The constitution says that the ruling dictator cannot refuse someone going to an audience unless there are too many problems. All this is filmed and made public online. All state money spending is made public. Nothing is hidden. The dictator tried several times to send money the autonomous region, knowing that it will go to terraforming. However, people got extremely angry on this.

**********

So, how looks a day in dictator's life? Caligula XIII is a transgender hermaphrodite, a former woman who wanted to have both sexes on. This is common in Betelgeuse. With a long yellow dress, it sits on the iron throne, wearing the heavy iron crown on its head. People come to audiences, get an answer and go. From the throne room, the dictator watches all what happens on the planet, through online interactive screens. It has access to a huge amount of data. Four advisers are in the room, ready to help the dictator if needed.

One person enters the room. It appears to be a man, based on clothes and voice. However, on Betelgeuse, everything might be an illusion, since gender of each person is confidential.

"Your highness, would you tell us what is going on the moon? We have clear information that they are buying lots of equipment from the planet. I know you know something".

"No, I am sorry. I really don't know what is going on there", answers Caligula XIII.

"I have information that just a few days 75 spaceships departed to the moon, carrying chemical reactors. They are made to change the oxidation state of heavy metals".

The truth is, the new planet has an excess of some metals, like chromium. By changing the oxidation state, these elements will not endanger life.

"Oxidation state?" asks the dictator, curiously. "I wonder what they're up to. Could this be a sign that they finally start mining asteroids?"

"I don't know. But I think you know and you don't want to tell us".

"You know, since Caligula XII left to the moon, I never talked to her. I have no idea what is going on there".

"Shouldn't it be wise to send an ambassador there?"

"An ambassador to a province of our state? I will consider your point of view. Dismissed!"

"But, your highness, will you ever do something?"

"You know what 'dismissed' means?"

This person exits the throne room and another one enters, which looks like a woman in all aspects, but has the voice of a man.

"Your highness?"

"Yes", whispers the dictator. "How can I help you?"

"Your highness, my children left to the moon and had transgender surgery".

"I see..."

"You know that the law forbids teens to undergo body transformations. This is a violation of the constitution!"

"I know this, but the constitution only applies to the surface of the planet. In outer space, it is no longer valid".

"Since when?"

"Read it yourself. It says: This law is to be applied on the territory of Betelgeuse VII and all its residents. It doesn't say a single word about the outer space".

"Children are too young to think for themselves. They need a parent. Maybe one day they will want to reverse".

"I know very well, but the technology is improving with each day. Soon, transgender people will be able to have a reversal surgery very easy".

"Damn you, bitch! You don't care about my children! All you care is yourself!"

"What is happening on the moon is not against the constitution. It is in outer space. I am sorry, but there is no law that allows me to do anything. Dismissed!"

The dictator lights a cigarette, as the next person enters. But this one is someone well known. It is a reporter, also a cross-dresser who looks as a woman, who has been investigating this problem from the beginning.

"Your highness", it says, lowering its head, "I have economical data this time. It appears that the autonomous region of the moon is playing an important role in our economy. with over 10% of our population going there to have body transformations, it drains 27% of our economy. However, the money returns to the planet as they purchase equipment. I have a detailed study. We have reached a dangerous point, where the moon has become an important part of our economy".

"I get your point, Maxa", says the dictator. "I don't have such accurate data, but my understanding is that the moon is boosting our economy too. What is your point?"

"However, I made further analysis. I don't think more then 55% of the population will agree to have body transformations. Their economy was booming because many people wanted to do this, because the law on the planet forbids them to. You know, the minimum age, the five Earth years of waiting".

"Yes, I know the law".

"What I am saying is that in three to four Earth years, their business will start to decline. And as this will happen, their commerce with the planet will decline too. And when that will happen, they will be hit by a massive recession that will stop the economic growth here too".

"That is very wise, reporter", answers the dictator, playing with its cigarette. "But with all respect I have for you, their recession is their problem. Our immediate concern is our own economy, which must not go to a recession, at least in the nearby future".

"And what are you going to do, your highness?"

"Publish your research. Businessmen will know what to do. They will look at the data and find new opportunities. As less people will go to the moon, they will spend money on something else. Some branches of the industry will fall, others will rise".

"Very good, I will do that".

"Dismissed!"

Usually, Maxa is a reporter who attacks the dictator. But not this time. It was far less aggressive. But not all are the same. A few days ago, another reporter came for an audience and things worked like this:

"Your highness, we have clear information that you violate the constitution".

"Ok, I want to see your proves".

"You know them very well. The free state of Betelgeuse is non-divisible. You allowed the formation of an autonomous region on the moon".

"The constitution only applies to the planet itself, not to the moon".

"Well, this is your interpretation. The constitution applies to the territory of Betelgeuse VII, which means the whole territory owned by the state, not the planet itself. When you decided to start the asteroid mining program, basically you annexed the whole stellar system, including the moon, other planets and all asteroids".

"That is your understanding", says the dictator. "The constitution does not say this. It says: The surrounding space, the Betelgeuse system, is a protectorate, where people from other states can pass through and where the constitution does not apply to them. Read carefully".

"The constitution does not apply to them, it means to people from other states".

"No. It means people that are in outer space, outside from the planet".

Then, the reporter says, shortly:

"Your highness, do you fear for your life?".

The dictator does not answer a thing.

"Do you know what is the punishment for not respecting the constitution? It is your death. Death, public execution, that is!"

"I know very well the law. And I know I will be judged soon. But until then, I am still your dictator. Dismissed!"

Another day, someone came and asked for the dictator to put an end to the autonomous region of the moon:

"You have the right to put an embargo. If you block ships to reach the moon, they will run out of business. This will end the conflict".

"I know, but I also understand the consequences. By doing this, we will start a civil war. And also we must acknowledge that the moon plays now a significant role in our economy".

"But what they do is a violation of the constitution".

"Well, it is at the border. The law permits it, still. However, you know that Betelgeuse VII is meant to be a paradise for transgender people. The law forbids the use of surgery, hormones and body transformations under a certain age, a thing that is currently accepted in many places of the galaxy. I think that, what is happening there is something that needed to happen, sooner or later".

"Wouldn't it be better to legalize this on the planet?"

"That will be a violation of the constitution", answers the dictator, sharp. "You know the law, which cannot be changed unless 75% of the population agrees to. And if we have a referendum about this subject, there will not be that many to accept".

"But, right now, there are 75% that don't agree with what is going on the moon".

"I know, but still the majority accepts. Dismissed!"

**********

The dictator knows very well, that people is against of the autonomous region on the moon. Mass-media is strongly against. Some people believe that the moon is building weapons, others think that they are trying to build their own state somewhere on another planet. But as far, nobody found significant activity anywhere in the Betelgeuse system. At some point, someone speculated that they try to terraform another planet. After these claims, people started to gather in public demonstrations. Online petitions, signed by over half the population, requested for the dictator to take action and force the autonomous region to merge with the state.

But on the other hand, many people went to the moon, for body transformations. Many people agree with what is happening there, even a significant percent of those who demonstrate against the dictator.

Pressure on the dictator is huge. Sometimes, on the road to home, it has to go through people which are standing along the road and shout things like: "Caligula XIII to death" or "Resign! Resign! We want elections now!" Even around its house, people demonstrate, shouting until late in night.

Another problem is the forbidden building, which should be open to public. Each day, after work, the dictator goes there and locks the door. Inside, there is a neutrino telescope, which allows one to see inside the star. Nobody from the outside must know what is in there. The telescope clearly shows that Betelgeuse has a large, inert core, surrounding by a carbon fusing shell. With each day, the core increases its mass and is contracting, until one day it will reach temperature required for neon fusion. The star is fusing heavier and heavier elements, trying to survive... but it will not last long. When the core will be composed of iron, it will finally collapse and produce a supernova.

The dictator can hardly support the pressure. It is numbering the days until the new elections. It is waiting its death, to escape from all this endless stress.

**********

On the moon, things are far more different. Everything that is forbidden on the planet, is allowed here. Gambling, porn, body transformations, anything. More and more people go there for a vacation or to transform their bodies. However, they have no idea what is going on behind the curtains.

With money obtained this way, Caligula XII, the former dictator and current dictator of the moon, is purchasing a lot of equipment from the planet. And here comes the huge mystery. All the equipment is sent to the moon. From there, other ships come and take it all to various locations, usually remote asteroids. All this is done with people from Betelgeuse. Beyond this, nobody from the planet knows. Automated ships, built on Betelgeuse VII, take the goods to a place outside the stellar system. nobody from the planet could watch cargo freighters that far. There, large interstellar ships from the Pleiades but without any mark or flag on them, take the cargo for a ten light years ride, to the new planet that is being terraformed. There, all cargo is unloaded.

**********

Down on the planet, things are more different. All the work is done with slaves, purchased from UV Ceti and supervised by mercenaries from the Pleiades. Caligula XII decided to do this because this is the only way people on Betelgeuse VII will not find out the truth. Slavery is a plaque on any human society. Still, the dictator made a compromise: to give freedom to all the slaves once terraforming is completed.

As far, they managed to divert a few comets, to impact the planet, in order to create a small ocean. They altered the Geography, making canyons through high mountain ranges, to allow winds to pass and to form river valleys. Now they are meliorating the atmosphere, water composition and ground structure. The most expensive part is almost done. After a certain point, nature finds its own way. Plants will grow and conquer the land, followed by animals. For now, plants are stored as seeds, waiting for the atmosphere to become breathable. Bacteria and algae has already been released on the planet.

The gamble is that, before Caligula XIII will end its reign, most changes will be done. If things will be like this, nature will conquer the land by itself.

Then, comes another gamble. As far, the ISA (Interstellar Agency) doesn't know what is going on. All terraforming was done with the help of the Empire Of The Pleiades. Both the ISA and the Pleiades Empire received some bribery to shut up. However, things will not remain like this forever. The Pleiades will be tempted to annex the new planet, as a border province. It will be better to declare it to the ISA, so that they will build a base and start interstellar commerce. If the Pleiades take this planet, everything is lost. This huge gamble is on the head of Caligula XII. If things go well, a new state, Betelgeuse S, will form.

The days to new elections are numbered. What will it be? Will terraforming be finished in time? Will the Pleiades annex the new planet? Will Betelgeuse survive long enough?

TO BE CONTINUED

The people who kill their kings are cursed in front of their gods (ancient saying).

In two days, there will be elections. The people of Betelgeuse VII will chose their new dictator. All over the planet, people want the ruling dictator, Caligula XIII, to be judged for all what it done. The dictator knows that, after a short trial, it will be sentenced to death for violating the constitution and for diverting money. What people don't know is that the star, Betelgeuse, will soon go supernova. So, the dictator helped the former dictator, Caligula XII, to secure funds for terraforming a planet around another star. Caligula XII, during this time, reigned on the moon of Betelgeuse VII, where it made a lot of money from activities that were illegal on the planet. However, some money is still needed to finish the terraforming process. When the dictator will no longer reign, the one which will take power will dissolve the autonomous region of the moon. Then, there will not be possible to divert any more money.

Caligula XII knows that, if it comes to the planet, people will kill her too. But it is the only way. If nothing is done, the new planet, Betelgeuse S, will not be habitable. Also, since all terraforming occurred with technology from the Pleiades and knowing that the Pleiades Empire will like to annex the planet, it has to do something to register this planet as an independent state and convince the ISA to build an orbital station. All can be done with the help of bribery, which means more money.

On the moon, Caligula XII, which is a transgender woman, puts on black clothes, like those for a funeral. Then, it says short:

"Delta, you will be the new dictator of Betelgeuse S. Take a spaceship and go there. Etna, you start to evacuate people from the moon and take anyone to the new planet. It is time to tell our people what they have been working for. I go to the ISA orbital station and talk to them".

"Now?" asks Delta. "The elections are coming. People will kill you".

"Don't you think Caligula XIII did already enough? It suffered too much, while I stayed here and enjoyed freedom. I take a million CC with me, to pay the ISA for the new base".

"Ok, but try to return before the elections".

"How much money do we need to finish terraforming?"

"55 millions CC", answers Delta.

"That money will come tomorrow".

Caligula XII takes its personal spaceship and flies to the orbital station. There, it offered the money and made the official arrangements. Within two days, a new state will form, Betelgeuse S. Then, within an Earth year, the ISA will build an orbital station and a base on the surface. The former dictator spends a whole day on the orbital station, talking with officials of the ISA. Everything goes just according to plan.

Then, Caligula XII takes its ship and flies to the planet. It is the election day. It knows very clear that it will not return. The tension is huge. People will judge it like a traitor and will request the death sentence. As it lands on the surface base and starts walking towards the dictatorial palace, people gather around and shout:

"Death to the traitor!"

"Justice to be made!"

"Where is the money?"

But the former dictator doesn't look at them. It walks towards the palace, which is not too far. It enters and goes directly to the throne room. There, on the throne, Caligula XIII is sitting, with its long yellow dress and with the iron crown, receiving audiences.

"What brings you here?" asks Caligula XIII.

"We are almost done", answers the former dictator.

"Almost?"

"We are short 55 million CC. All the rest is done".

The dictator lights a cigarette and says:

"So is my life. Tomorrow, I will take off this crown".

"I know", says the former dictator, also lighting a cigarette.

"You say 55 million CC? Are you sure?"

"Yes, exactly that sum of money".

"Ok. As the ruling dictator of Betelgeuse VII, I order a money diversion of 100 million CC, right now. The money will come to the moon within minutes. Transaction proceeding now!"

The dictator goes to an interactive panel and approves the money diversion. Since everything that happens in the throne room is public, everyone on the planet can see it. People will be shocked. At the end of its life, the dictator diverts such a big sum of money, 40% of the state budget, to a separatist region, without any explanation.

"This is the last day of my life", says the dictator. "I want to rest a bit. Today, I will have no more audiences. I know this is a violation of the constitution, but so be it! Once I have confirmation that the money has been sent and received by the moon, everyone is free. We will close the palace".

To make sure that the money has been paid and there is no way anything can happen, both dictators stay in the throne room for a few hours. Then, they go, without saying a single word, to the forbidden building.

All the way, people stand along the road, shouting, saying bad words to the dictators. Everyone is angry on them and everyone wants their death. But, nobody dares to attack them. After all, this night, the elections will end and the results will be made public. Then, both will face their deaths. Both enter the forbidden building. There, surrounded by plasticized sheets of paper depicting the real measurements of the star interior, done almost a hundred Earth years ago, lies the neutrino telescope, the only device that can see inside a star. The telescope shows what is happening. Betelgeuse will not hold on for much longer. carbon fusion has ended in the core and now it is continued in a shell. Soon, neon fusion will start. Both dictators watch this. The star managed to survive this long, but it will not resist much longer.

They stay for hours inside and talk a lot.

Then, they come to Caligula XIII's house. It is their last night of life.

Can you sleep, knowing that tomorrow you will be sentenced to death? For the ruling dictator, time has passed. With each day, it knew that death will be the end, but also the end of all suffering. All these five years were a nightmare, with so many people screaming, with public accusations, with so much harassment. All will end soon. At least, its mission will end: to secure funds, so that the people will have a new planet to live on.

Caligula XIII sits near the window, smoking one cigarette after another. Outside, people celebrate. A new dictator was elected. It is a feeling of relief, that finally, all the suffering will come to an end, but it also is a lot of anxiety. It doesn't want to die. But, even now, people want its death, they scream this on the streets. If only they knew what all this was about... If only they knew that all this was done to save them, to offer them an alternative... but they don't know. And even if anyone will tell them, they will not understand. It will be a terrible shock for them to hear the truth. And after all this time, the crowds want to see those who are guilty, brought to justice. It has to be done, it has to end here.

Caligula XII lies on the bed, in a lonely room. The image of so many people, screaming angry and asking for its death, is something that made its mind blow.

"What was in your mind, girl", it asks for itself. "Couldn't you just sit on the moon and flee with everyone to Betelgeuse S?"

No, that was not the option. The terraforming process required money. Without that extra 55 million CC, everything would be lost. Where could they get money from? Without going to the orbital station and paying that bribe to the ISA, the Pleiades would have annexed the new planet. Everything would have been lost.

But knowing that tomorrow you will face a death sentence...

The former dictator starts crying. Wouldn't it be wise to run back to the moon? No, it would not be a good option. In the morning, the new dictator will take power and will ask for all criminals to be brought to justice. It will send ships to the moon. Evacuation of the moon cannot be made so fast. Up there, Etna is loading people, equipment and anything that can be saved, to large ships that go to Betelgeuse S. It is vital to distract people from the planet, until the evacuation is done.

"I must die here, so that Etna can have time to evacuate the moon", whispers Caligula XII, crying.

Outside, people are shouting. The former dictator hears them. Maybe, they will not let her pass. But even if they will, it will be a shame for her to runaway. After all this time... It feels a deep respect for the ruling dictator, who sacrificed its life and endured all this for five years. The former dictator cries for hours, it rips its own clothes and starts to beat the bed with its fists. All, until dawn comes.

Both dictators did not sleep a single minute. So did the people outside, who watched them, not to get away from justice. As morning comes, both get dressed with black clothes, like if they were attempting a funeral. Well, it will be, their funeral. They try to eat something, but cannot swallow anything. Only a few cigarettes make their way to their bodies.

"We sacrificed our lives for the people..." says Caligula XII. "And these people are the ones who will kill us".

"I know", answers Caligula XIII. "But let's do this faster. I cannot wait much longer".

They get out of the house and move to the palace, to the throne room. There, they see the newly elected dictator. It appears as a man and it is a man in all aspects. Its name is Dove Thor. He is born on Betelgeuse, but is not a transgender person, but still, he is gay. Well, on a planet that is a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities, that is something normal. Dove is a tall, creole and respectable man, wearing a white costume with a tie and clean shoes. He has short hair and his beard is shaved.

"Greetings", he says, watching the two former dictators coming.

Caligula XIII takes its iron crown off its head and puts it on Dove's head, saying:

"You are now Caligula XIV, the new dictator of the free state of Betelgeuse VII. From this moment on, I am a free citizen".

The new dictator adjusts the crown on its head, then says:

"It is a honor for me to wear the iron crown, that was worn by the whole Caligula dynasty. As the new elected dictator, I promise to all who voted me, that I will not disappoint you. I will restart the economy, make it grow again and bring justice to all the problems our state is facing. And I will start it right now".

"You know what you have to do", says Caligula XIII. "So, do it quick. I know what is the punishment for what we've done".

"That is my understanding too", says Dove. "But why?"

The two former dictators don't answer a single word.

"Knowing that the punishment is death, why did you do this?" asks Dove, again, lighting a cigarette.

"For our children", says Caligula XII. "They are now safe, in the Empire Of The Pleiades".

All this is a lie. Well, at this point, both former dictators want the end to come faster. A long trial will force them to tell the truth. And when that will happen, things will not be well. Caligula XII might still want to save its life, but when she looks at Caligula XIII, with its bloody eyes... its look only says 'Do it faster! Kill me and do it without much interrogation'.

"I never knew you have children. But you sacrificed your lives and made the whole state angry, only for that? Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, do you really think your children will do things right where they are? Maybe, they will waste all money you stole from us, on gambling. And then? What will happen to them?"

Caligula XIII looks Dove straight in his dark eyes, with the look of a zombie.

"Listen, dictator, people will judge me for this. Now, please, do me a favor. I want to end this thing sooner. Can you send us to death faster? Everyone knows that we are guilty. I mean, why to interrogate us? Why to make things last longer? Just take us out of life".

Dove - Caligula XIV thinks for a few seconds and says:

"I understand that there is no or almost no way we can recover much of the money you stolen. So, I agree. It will not be a long trial. The public execution will take place today at noon. Until then, you will be token to the central square and exposed to the people. At least now, you will see those who you should serve, who voted you and who trusted you all this time".

Things go exactly this way. The two former dictators are token to the central square. There, they stay, tied with ropes by a tree. People gather around them, insulting them and spitting. This keeps on like forever. Time flows very slow. Caligula XIII is patient, waiting. On the other hand, Caligula XII is crying.

Then, at noon, Caligula XIV comes and says:

"I condemn you both to death, for violating the constitution, for not thinking about the people who you should serve and for money laundry. In fact, you did it all with your hands. What you both did is a scar on our history, that people will not forget soon. Your hands are dirty with blood. Our blood. I don't want to execute you and nobody wants to kill you and take all your sins. So, you both are condemned to drink poison and die, taking your own sins with you to the afterlife".

Saying this, Caligula XIV unties them and gives to each one a glass with poison. Not thinking much, Caligula XIII takes it and drinks it fast. Then, in a minute, it falls on the concrete and dies. Caligula XII refuses, but all the people shouts at it. Very scared and crying, it takes the glass and drinks. One more minute and both dictators are dead. All around, people shout of joy.

"It is a sad day for all of us", says Caligula XIV. "What they did is very bad and I hope nobody will ever do this again in our future. I want them both to be buried now, without any funeral. No priest is allowed. They must go to hell together with their sins".

**********

The next day, Caligula XIV sends ships to the moon, to annex it and make it an official part of the state. However, all is abandoned there. All people went away and he does not know where they left.

After four more days, he decides to enter the forbidden building. He promised that in his campaign. So, he takes the press and opens the door, wanting to show the whole planet what was kept secret from their eyes for such a long time. But, as gets inside, all he can see are plasticized papers, from the time of the founder of Betelgeuse VII, Caligula I. They show what was going on inside the star at that time. There are also other plasticized sheets of paper, made by Caligula XIII. They all show that Betelgeuse is dying. He notices the neutrino telescope and the daily measurements done by the former dictator.

"So this is it", says the ruling dictator, in front cameras. "It appears that the sun will go supernova. Instead of telling us the truth, they decided to lie. They saved their children and left us all here to die! What a shame!"

The dictator leaves the building, but the press remains. They discover a goodbye letter, written by the former dictators, placed near the neutrino telescope:

Dear people,

By the time you will read this letter, we will no longer be with you.

Our sun, Betelgeuse, will not last long. It appears that our beloved founder, Caligula I, knew something, but not all. Our first dictator, Caligula II, kept all this a secret for all its life and never allowed anyone to enter during its lifetime. When we found out, it was late, but not too late. We decided to do something.

We diverted money for one reason. At only ten light years from here, there is a planet, Betelgeuse S, that will be your new home. We terraformed it, so that your children could move there when time will come. We did all this in secret, because it was the only way. The constitution does not allow investments in another stellar system.

May you forgive us for all what we done. May God protect you all and save your children on the new planet.

Caligula XII and Caligula XIII.

Children are like a mirror of their parents. If parents are doctors, children will usually be attracted by medicine. If parents are alcoholics, children are predisposed to drink (child psychology).

But what will happen if parents are transgender people?

The planet Betelgeuse VII was built as a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. It is a refuge in space, where millions have settled, away from those who rejected them. In the first decades, population was dominated by immigrants. The founder of this world, Caligula I, insisted in its constitution that, the use of hormones, body implants or transgender surgery should be possible only after waiting five Earth years for an approval and only after the age of twenty.

Things worked like this for a long time. Then, the former dictators Caligula XII and Caligula XIII broke the constitution, building on the moon an autonomous region, where such things are available for anyone. They were sentenced to death for violating the constitution. However, the newly elected dictator, Caligula XIV, faced a massive budget deficit. Many people asked him to change the constitution. Even if Caligula XIV was not a transgender person, he agreed. He acknowledged the huge progresses in medicine. Now, with induced DNA modifications, it is possible to make transformations complete. The reason why Caligula I restricted transgender modifications is that, in its time, it was impossible for a transgender woman to have children or for a transgender man to have functional spermatozoids. Now, with current technology, people can change their DNA completely with the help of a virus, then grow in vitro organs of the opposite sex and replace them through surgery. It is now possible for a man to become a woman or a hermaphrodite, or for a woman to become a man or a hermaphrodite. And also, very important, it is possible for a transgender person to have reversal surgery with DNA transformation.

In just four days after becoming the elected dictator of Betelgeuse VII, Caligula XIV asked the people to say what they think in a referendum, which would allow him to change constitution. If 75% would vote for and 25% against, the modifications would be accepted. But, 76.5% agreed with him. So, the new law was accepted. From now on, on Betelgeuse VII, anyone being more then 10 Earth years old can have body modifications. Below this age, body modifications are allowed only for medical reasons.

But how are the children of Betelgeuse?

From a very young age, people on this planet are used to go cross-dressing. It is something so normal for them to do this, just like it is for children on other planets to change their regular clothes. On any planet, some children are tempted to try to use clothes from the opposite sex, but they are strongly prohibited. Those who do this, do it only when they are home alone and never in public. However, on Betelgeuse VII, this is something common. Travelers have reported this over and over:

I came to a small town, like most settlements look like on this planet. A school was close. So, I came to see the children. It was something amazing. I seen little children, but it was impossible for me to say if they were boys or girls. I've seen boys with skirts and child pantyhose, together with girls with short hair and boy clothes. Some, even worn clothes belonging to both genders. It was all so confusing, that I felt dizzy.

Even their names don't have anything to do with gender. They simply don't associate a name with a gender. I've seen a boy, dressed as a boy and being a male in all aspects, having the name Ana. Not far, there was a girl named John, looking like a girl and having a female gender. I am amazed even today of all this. On any other planet, people are strongly separated in men and women, but not here. And also, there is a significant percent of hermaphrodite people. Even children are born this way.

I asked how do these children go to the toilette. I mean, this is the point where people are most separated by gender. Surprisingly, the answer was one I never expected. They go together. They don't have a 'boys room' and a 'girls room', but one common bathroom, where each one enters alone in a single toilette room.

As they grow-up, children are so used with cross-dressing, as they find it extremely natural. As they become teens, it becomes very common for boys to glue fake breasts or for girls to glue fake beards and mustaches. One journalist asked a 14 years old teen:

"What are you?"

"Today? I am a girl. Yesterday I was a boy. Tomorrow, I don't know".

Cross-dressing has reached an incredible level. For their parents, which settled here, it was not like this. They preferred to look in one way for many days, even years, but for their children, it was so different. Their parents were more determined. Many, once they settled here, free from the constrictions of the world they came from, cross-dressed to the opposite sex for their entire life, or at least for many years. For their children, it is all very different.

When it became possible to change gender, a new trend appeared, something nobody expected: to become hermaphrodites.

For those who came here from other worlds, things were much more different. Those who opted for body transformations, chosen to become transgender men or transgender women. However, for the children, born here, everything is different. From a very young age, they were told that once you cross gender, a reversal transformation is very hard, if not impossible... so, they chosen a new way, the herm way.

Well, at that time, things were different. Artificial organs, belonging to the opposite sex, were not able to breed. So, a person born as a male, will have its functional male organs and non-functional female organs. Then, a delicate hormonal equilibrium was needed, to keep both organs as they are. But now, with genetic improvement, it is possible to change the gender chromosomes, X and Y, into a new one, Z, which includes both male and female features.

Surprisingly, even if people change their appearance so much, homosexuality is not found in many relations. Heterosexuality remains dominant.

Two teens, born on Betelgeuse, decided to get married. However, the man preferred to dress more like a woman and the woman preferred to dress more like a man. They had their first child. Later, both parents decided to have gender surgery with DNA modifications. This time, the woman (which was a former man) became pregnant, with a boy. It is a strange situation, where a parent is called "mom" by one child and "dad" by the other. Then, they decided to go for a second surgery and became both hermaphrodites. And since they changed their X and Y chromosomes with the artificial Z chromosome, they made a child, which is a herm. This child calls "mom" the parent which gave it birth and "dad" the other one.

But, with the introduction of the Z chromosome, things got on an unusual track. Now, it is possible for a single person to get pregnant with its own semen. This happened a few times.

A reporter from Sirius came to Betelgeuse VII with an unusual and indiscrete question: How do herm people have sex? He found the answer and wrote for everyone to see:

The hermaphrodites of Betelgeuse present a unique challenge. Is it possible for them to have sexual relations? Yes, it is, both as men or as women. However, the male organs are above the female ones. So, almost always, when they have sex, one plays the role of a man and the other of a woman. It is possible for them to use both organs, but one must stay with its head towards the other's feet... and they say it is not a pleasant position. So, they use one organ at a time.

Is it possible for a hermaphrodite to have sex with itself? No. Some might, but also, they say it is not pleasant.

What amazed me is that there is a huge market of sex toys for herm people. They use them on a large scale, producing an orgasm on each of their organs. It appears that they use these toys more when they are together, but also when they are alone.

What I thought, is that the introduction of the herm race will make people no longer wish to form families, but it is not true. It clearly appears that people like to stick together and there is attraction between them. The major difference is that, there are no longer 'boys' and 'girls'. On Betelgeuse VII, I see that anyone can form a family with anyone.

Now, let's take a look at a young family. Dawn and Emerald form a couple. Dawn was born as a man, while Emerald as a woman. They had their first child, Sugar, which is a girl. Then, they went to DNA transformation and surgery and changed genders. Dawn became the woman and Emerald the man. This way, they had their second child, Crystal, which is a girl. Again, they had DNA transformation and surgery, so that they became hermaphrodites. They had a third child, Cara, which is a herm. Then, they further transformed their bodies and added horns. Except for their unusual appearance, with horns, with a silvery-white hair and with organs from both genders, they take good care of their children.

Now, all three children are young, not yet going to school. They play together and find their parents not unusual. In fact, this is how many people look like around them.

Well, Dawn and Emerald are born here, but their parents are not, they came here. Their children are the second generation born on Betelgeuse VII.

Another major difference, compared to other planets, is that on Betelgeuse VII, children start smoking very early. Instead of using an aggressive anti-smoking campaign, doctors preferred to upgrade the human DNA, to make humans resistant to this.

**********

In many aspects, Betelgeuse VII appears to be a unique place in the galaxy.

Only that, Betelgeuse, the sun that brings light and heat to this planet, is dying. This was a well-kept secret for a long time. But now, it becomes known by everyone. The former dictator Caligula XIII sacrificed its life to start terraforming another planet around another star. Even if the terraforming process is almost finished, people will need to wait 18 more Earth years before all the carbon dioxide in its atmosphere will be fixed by vegetation and the air is breathable. Betelgeuse has 19 to 22 Earth years left... if anything goes as planed. Only if... There is a significant chance that things will not go this way, that the star will collapse faster, if neon fusion will not occur when it was predicted to start. Still, people don't believe this yet. The media required more detailed analysis of what is happening inside the star, but each new experiment proves that the star is dying.

It will not take much until people will accept the truth... but now is the moment when the civilization on Betelgeuse VII has reached its maximum. Now... Tomorrow, chaos and panic will follow.

Everything has a story and every story is based on something (Legend Of The Shadow).

For a long time, the planet Betelgeuse VII has been a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. But now, things are changing. The star will go supernova soon. The former dictators Caligula XII and Caligula XIII terraformed a new planet in secret, but it is not habitable yet. It will be, just a few Earth years before Betelgeuse will explode.

Still, in the Old World (the stars surrounding the Sun, the first places where humans settled), people are only starting to find out this. This is why new settlers still come to Betelgeuse. They are transgender people or people from rare sexual minorities, who are discriminated and rejected in their homelands and want to start a new life.

One of these people is Bob - Adrastea. But what is his\her story?

Bob was born as a man. His parents were space merchants. They traveled the space in all directions. Most often, they transport legal cargo, like electronics, ores, food, textiles or machinery. But sometimes, they go for what is forbidden: drugs, slaves or weapons. Given the immensity of space, it is easy to transport illegal stuff. You take the cargo from somewhere, then deploy it on an unknown asteroid to another merchant and so on.

From all this, the traffic with slaves is the most profitable. Slaves are grown in body farms, which are usually located in the infamous system of UV Ceti. That system is an anarchy, ruled by mafia cartels and an endless war that has been raging for centuries. The main buyers for slaves are state governments. On planets affected by long economy recession, population is moving away. There, governments have to do something to find a steady supply of workers, to keep the economy alive. Even if this is illegal all over the galaxy, each government has found a way to make it nearly legal.

Bob strongly opposed to slave traffic. But, one day, his parents decided to do this. Slaves are sold with an average of 660 CC each on UV Ceti. Not far, in HH Andromedae, the government offers 2300 CC for 'new residents'. The ship owned by his parents could carry 500 slaves. given the transport costs, which are around 7000 CC for a one-way trip, the profit is ensured by only carrying 6 slaves. Only that, Bob's father, got a special request. The government of HH Andromedae will pay 10000 CC for each breeding female. The cost for such a slave on UV Ceti is 2500 CC. It is clear that the profit will be around 3.5 million CC!

So, Bob's parents decided to take the risk. They know very well that pirates will be lurking nearby, willing to get their hands on all this booty. From ten ships that go to UV Ceti, at least one never returns. But for all that money... it is worth the risk.

Merchants that go to UV Ceti travel in large groups. Usually, they form in the rich stellar system of Sirius, where pirates don't dare to go. They reach UV Ceti in large numbers, go together to a body farm and return in the same formation. Traveling this distance, above the speed of light, in a space bubble, takes about 15 days for each journey, plus a few more days to accelerate and decelerate. Bob is very used with this. He usually spends his time in his room, in front of a computer. He is studying at a virtual university in the 3rd year, but still has plenty of time. In his free time, he is writing comics and manga about a girl, Adrastea. His work is fan-fiction, inspired by an anime series of his childhood. He got in love with Adrastea, which is an anime character. Alone, in his room, with the door locked, he sometimes dresses as Adrastea, but his parents have no idea.

All the ships arrive to UV Ceti. This system consists of two red flare stars, which erupt very often, destroying the atmospheres of any planet close enough. No life can survive in these conditions. Inhabited planets are far away, where temperatures are as low as -250 C. There are the body farms. There will go the ships. They all land in a giant smuggler base.

His mother remains in the ship, to protect it. They know very well: anyone here can be a thread. Anyone can kill you, steal your ship or at least try to steal something from you. Bob goes with his father and many other merchants. But since Bob's father is here for a special offer, he goes, together with Bob, inside the body farm.

People on UV Ceti have no morals, no sense of humor and no mercy. They are always after money and love to torture other people. What Bob finds out very soon is that, inside the body farm, all workers are men. As he enters, he can now see what nobody could have a photograph of. Breeding or pregnant women are kept in cages, in building blocks that have over 20 levels. All women are naked and are kept each in one cage, which is a cube of two meters wide. There is a powerful smell of sweat, closed air, urine and excrements. Workers are always doing something. Everything looks so painful. They artificially inseminate women in a painful way. They feed them with a rubber pipe that goes through the mouth to the stomach. Women get birth alone and soon after workers come and collect the children. It is a nightmare. Bob watches all this, as his father choses only pregnant women.

Then, all slaves enter a cryogenic chamber and are stored in liquid helium, to be delivered to each merchant. Bob watches the entire scene. Then, Bob returns with his father to the ship. With all the cargo uploaded and money paid, they go towards HH Andromedae, where they deliver all the slaves.

What brings people to a no-return path to death? Greed. Bob's parents could just take the money and stop, but they decided to go again. For Bob, this was a nightmare. He had nightmares. He could no longer learn and eat. His virtual character, Adrastea, has become a fighter for justice against slavery. She now appears attacking pirate ships and releasing slaves. Adrastea plans a huge military assault against UV Ceti, to abolish slavery in the galaxy. Only that Bob's parents have no idea what their child is writing in secret.

Then, Bob's parents try their luck again. They go back to UV Ceti to pick-up slaves. Again, a large number of ships land on planet UV Ceti XI, including the one Bob is in. He tries to stop his parents from doing this again, but in the end, they convince him this is the last time. The fight they have with Bob takes nearly an hour, enough time for all merchants to go.

By the time Bob's father opens the door, one guy enters. He shuts Bob's father in the head, killing him. He kills his mother again, with a single shot in the head. Bob manages to hide. The intruder grabs a few things and runs away. Bob locks the door and waits in silence. He cries. The death of his parents means that he lost everything. He waits a few hours, crying and thinking. But, in the end, other merchants return to their ships. He must pilot the ship out of UV Ceti. He goes with them, all the way to Sirius.

There, after days of crying and thinking, he decides to sell the ship. With all the money from the ship and what he has from his parents, he decides to start a new life. Only that he wants a new identity. He wants to forget the past and start something new. He has something in mind. He heard that on Betelgeuse, many criminals go to transform their bodies beyond recognition. Could he become Adrastea? So, he gets on board of a passenger cruiser to Betelgeuse.

There, he goes to the extreme. A complete body transformation. Adrastea is a woman, shorter then him, with a different body. But he has the money. The transformation he wants is not possible here. Doctors send him to another planet, Betelgeuse S, where this is possible.

How could he become Adrastea? He needs shorter arms and legs, a smaller body, breasts, a female facial look... Doctors adjust his DNA. Then, one by one, all his new organs are grown in vitro and replaced. Doctors first remove his pelvis and feet, replacing them with smaller ones, grown in vitro. Then, they replace his guts, with smaller ones. The hardest of all operations is replacing his backbone, with a new one, shorter, with new nerves. His chest is also replaced, including his lungs, to fit into. New breasts are added. However, the transformation does not stop here. His face must look like Adrastea. It is very hard, since anime characters don't look like real humans. They have larger mouths and huge eyes. The hardest of all is replacing the eyes. First, the skull must be modified to fit this change. Then, the new eyes are added. All neural connections, all nerves, must be perfectly connected. This step takes more then all other body modifications together.

After nearly two Earth years of intensive working, Bob is dead and Adrastea is born. A new person, but with the same soul. Adrastea opens her big eyes with huge lashes. She looks herself in the mirror.

"Wow! I never believed this is possible", she says.

Amazingly, this is not the voice Bob had. It is the voice of Adrastea from the anime. The doctors completed their work.

The next day, Adrastea orders new clothes, like the ones worn in the anime series. She has pink hair. A short black and pink dress covers her body, with a big red star on her stomach. The large breasts are covered by the dress. She also has long pink gloves and pink pantyhose, with black high-heel shoes. Everything is just like in the anime! The mouth is large, with perfect white teeth. The neck is thinner and a bit longer. The arms and legs have no hair and no moles. All the skin is soft, like that of an anime character. The years are larger, the eyes are really huge, the mouth is much larger, with wider lips, the nose is smaller, many things are different. What surprises her is that this new body has no belly at all.

She is shorter, thinner, just like a girl should be in all aspects. All her body parts respond perfectly to her brain's commands. It is like she is inside a new body. There are no scars, nothing that can you believe so many surgeries occurred. All the skin is regenerated. She can feel all her body parts. This new body feels so different then the previous one... and in part it is. Not much of the original body remained.

However, what amazes Adrastea more then everything, is her genitals. She is a woman in all aspects. She could now have sex with a man and have children. Well, Bob was a heterosexual and homosexuality is something he is strongly against, but not Adrastea. She is a woman and former Bob is ready to do even this for her.

There is only one thing missing. The anime Adrastea was smoking pink cigarettes. So, she lights a cigarette and smokes, looking in the mirror. Perfectly! The transformation is complete.

Adrastea goes for a walk on the planet. She cannot breath the air outside, but, inside a hovering car, she can see. The new planet is meant to offer a new home for the people of Betelgeuse VII. Vegetation is growing already, but it will take some time until the air will finally be breathable.

Then, Adrastea finds out about slavery. Here? Only that these people are different. They work on terraforming, knowing that, once this is done, they will have their own villages and will live free. They are not bitten, nor tortured. They plant trees, dig valleys and build mountains, with the help of huge machinery. There are two major challenges for the new planet. First of all, there is not much water. Since a shallow ocean requires less water then a deep one, a lot of earth was removed and dropped into the sea. The second problem is that Betelgeuse S is tidal locked. On one side there will be eternal day and on one, eternal darkness. On the dark side it will be colder and ice will tend to accumulate. To avoid this, all that side must be leveled to form a shallow, endless sea, where only surface water will freeze, while deeper water will circle around the planet.

Because Betelgeuse S is not opened for settlers yet, Adrastea decides to go to Betelgeuse VII, ten light years away.

**********

Adrastea gains citizenship of Betelgeuse VII and steps foot on this planet for the first time in her life. She finds it to be an incredible place. Humans live in small towns, in harmony with nature. And about the humans, she sees the incredible. Men who dress as women, women who dress as men and a huge number of hermaphrodites. Even more, she can see people with horns, with extremely long hair, with animal outfits, even with a tail. Very soon, she finds a place to work and many friends.

Her best friend is Himalia, a hermaphrodite that looks more like a woman. Himalia also wanted to transform its body to an incredible level. She has two mouths: a larger one used for eating and a small one, just above the natural mouth, that she uses only for smoking. She has a short silvery hair. Himalia wears tight silvery clothes, that makes her breasts visible. She has three breasts, which gives her an unusual look. Also, her tight, silvery pants, let people see a small bulge between her feet, the male genitals. She wears very long fingernails and has her arms filled with bracelets. Her feet are covered with long, silvery thigh boots. Himalia is very smart, but also very unconventional. She is also an immigrant to Betelgeuse VII. She was born as a female slave on UV Ceti and managed to escape. She is strongly against slavery and wanted to make sure that once terraforming is complete, slaves from Betelgeuse S will gain their freedom.

What not much people know is that Himalia is a sfenist. She was raped when she was a slave. She started a strong campaign against forced child birth, which is encouraged by many governments all over the galaxy. Many officials wanted her imprisoned or dead for this, but she escaped to Betelgeuse to save her life. But even here, she continued to advice people to stop getting pregnant.

One day, Himalia and Adrastea go together to a park, near their town. Each town has a park close to a reservoir or a lake, surrounded by forest. There, teens go and hangout. They both sit on a tree trunk. Adrastea takes off her high-heel shoes, playing with her pantyhosed feet in water.

"When I was a man, I never imagined that walking on high heels is so painful", she says, lighting a pink cigarette.

Himalia doesn't take off her long boots. She just touches the water with them. She puts a cigarette in her second mouth, lights it and lets a cloud of smoke exit her first mouth, saying:

"Yes, it is sometimes painful to be a woman".

"Now, I know", answers Adrastea, taking a second inhale from her cigarette.

"But on the other hand, it is far better then being a man. Guys certainly don't deserve this".

"I guess you are right".

"When I became a herm, I was amazed how fast this thing gets stimulated", says Himalia, massaging the bulge between her feet. "You see? An erection comes so fast. Sometimes, it happens without a reason. Oh, you know, since you were a man".

"I know, my friend, but at that time I didn't know how it is to be a woman".

"Now you know", answers Himalia, putting the cigarette back to her second mouth, for a new inhale.

"When I went to UV Ceti and I've seen all those women, kept in cages like pigs in a farm, I realized this. But the whole world doesn't realize this, ever. It takes to see it with your own eyes", says Adrastea with a tear in her eyes, moving the cigarette back to her mouth.

"Only people here will understand", answers Himalia, blowing a thick cloud of smoke.

"Just like people from other places will never understand people on Betelgeuse".

"But still, our state used slaves in secret", continues Himalia, keeping her cigarette inside her second mouth while speaking. "I understand that they terraformed Betelgeuse S in secret. I understand that they did all this to save us... but the use of slaves is something I will never accept. Still, if those slaves will one day be free, it is ok for me".

"They will. And Betelgeuse S will be a new paradise, just as Betelgeuse VII is right now", says Adrastea, mixing her smoke with her tears.

"But until then, our planet will no longer be a paradise".

"It must be!" answers short Adrastea. "It is a unique place in the galaxy. I look at all the people around. In other places, they will be strongly rejected. They have no place to go! I wish they will live here until Betelgeuse S is terraformed. Then, we will move all there".

"This is what people are told, but they don't completely believe".

"But things are simple, Himalia", answers Adrastea, throwing her cigarette in the water. "Betelgeuse will make it for 20 Earth years. Until then, the planet will be terraformed already".

"People have been told a lie, that the sun will survive for many millennia. Now, they no longer trust anyone. After they found out the truth, many people, with more or less science knowledge, came and said that Betelgeuse will not make it for 3 Earth years, while others said it will survive for centuries. The official data says it will survive for 17 to 20 Earth years", says Himalia, taking a deep inhale from her cigarette. "However, there is a catch. Not all stars evolve the same. Betelgeuse rotates very fast and this rotation produces a centrifugal force that reduces the pressure inside. This is why the sun has such a large inert core. If everything goes as expected, the core will slowly collapse until neon fusion will start. But if the core suddenly collapses faster, it will create a huge temperature inside. A higher temperature means a much higher part of the energy will be lost as neutrinos. Neon, oxygen, magnesium and silicon fusions, which are expected to start, will produce the same amount of energy and even faster, but all that will be lost very fast as neutrinos. The star will not survive long enough and will go supernova much faster".

"I know this very well, my friend", says Adrastea, "but still there is no good in panic. If chaos occurs, nothing will be possible to do to save the people. We have to take a gamble".

**********

Adrastea wanted to be a superhero, just like the anime character. She decided to fight for Betelgeuse, to save the paradise. One Earth year later, she decided the biggest challenge on the planet: the elections. She chosen to try to be the next elected dictator. She promised that she will fight to keep Betelgeuse VII a paradise and make pressure on Betelgeuse S to be terraformed as fast as possible.

And things got just that way. She was elected as dictator Caligula XV.

Only that, there are now only 14 to 17 Earth years left... and only if everything goes as scientists expected. If things will go this way, in 4 to 7 years from now, neon will start fusion reactions. Then, as neon will be depleted, it will come a short pause. After that, oxygen fusion will keep the star alive for about an Earth year. Then, in a desperate succession, Betelgeuse will try to fuse sodium and magnesium, without gaining much energy... and finally silicon into iron. And then, when the core will be completely made of iron, which cannot produce any more energy, the star will explode.

Now, the neutrino telescope shows a surprising silence inside the star. The large inert core is dormant, even if, given its mass, it should ignite. Outside, there is a very narrow shell fusing carbon, surrounded by a layer of carbon that might ignite at anytime. If that happens, it will create a huge pressure and will force the inner core to start fusing neon much earlier. Further away, there is a shell fusing helium, which is also decreasing its energy output, contracting. Much further away, there is the hydrogen fusion shell, which brings heat and light that people see. The clock is ticking... but it might be ticking faster or slower. Betelgeuse S will not be habitable in less then 10 Earth years.

There is no way to argue with Mother Nature (an ecologist).

Everyone knows that Betelgeuse will soon go supernova. Less and less immigrants go to the planet Betelgeuse VII, the economy remains on the line of stability and the newly elected dictator, Caligula XV, guarantees to the people that, before the star will die, everyone will have time to relocate to the newly terraformed planet Betelgeuse S, which is safe.

But there is a catch. The star has a large inert core, composed of oxygen, neon, sodium and little magnesium. This core is surrounded by a shallow shell fusing carbon, surrounded by a large shell of carbon and oxygen. All that carbon is just waiting to start fusion reactions. The real killer of giant stars is not something big, but a pitiful little subatomic particle, the neutrino. This particle merely interacts with matter. It is produced in large amounts in the core, carrying energy from the star with it. The higher the temperature, the higher the amount of energy lost through neutrinos. Both the inert core and the carbon-oxygen shell are emitting neutrinos, slowly cooling and contracting. As they contract, pressure and temperature increase, up to the point where a new element enters fusion reactions. The star will need to wait a bit more until in the core, neon starts fusing, followed by oxygen. But in the thick carbon shell, things take a different turn. As pressure increases, carbon starts to fuse into heavier elements, mostly neon.

On the planet, rich people bought neutrino telescopes, to see what is going inside the sun. While some people say that doomsday is just around the corner, others are sure that centuries will pass without a problem. But trained astrophysicists know the truth. And they know that even if supergiant stars follow a common evolutionary path, they don't evolve quite in the same way.

Soon after the new dictator changed its name from Adrastea into Caligula XV, carbon fusion started in the large shell. The carbon flame grew very fast, eruptive, so that all neutrino telescopes clearly seen it. This produces a lot of energy, so that the shell expanded, heating-up the next shell, that is fusing helium. The helium-fusing shell reacted, sending a powerful blast upwards, a shock wave that made its way to the surface. This shock wave is far too little to disrupt the star, to create a supernova, but still, it is able to affect the planets surrounding Betelgeuse.

Not all aged stars evolved like this, but many of them, during their final years, behave a bit strange. They throw powerful flares of solar wind, change luminosity or develop a large halo of ejected matter around them.

Real astrophysicists warned through the media that this will happen, but not many people believed them, because there always are false prophets that say strange things.

**********

Because Betelgeuse has variations in brightness, agriculture develop in an interesting way. Sometimes it is cold for 20 days, stimulating plants to think it is spring. During this time, flowers blush. But not after too much time, it gets hotter like in a summer day. Because of this, plants usually have both flowers and fruits. This is of great importance for agriculture.

Lysithea and Elara are two close friends, two teens born on Betelgeuse VII. They recently finished high school and now work in agriculture. They both left their parents behind and moved to a new town. They are not men, nor women. They both opted to be hermaphrodites, even if one was born as a man and one as a woman.

They transformed their bodies a lot, also trying to look the same. It is almost impossible for someone to say who is who. Both changed their eye color into complete black, which is similar to their long, back hair. They have ears similar to those of a cat. They removed their noses with something that looks like a small mouth, with lips but without teeth. Their mouths are also changed in an interesting way. They have larger mouths, with longer canines and sharper teeth, with a double tongue that looks somehow like that of a snake and with wider lips. Also, they both have a mustache made of rare, long and thick hairs, like that of a cat.

But this is not all. They have hair that grow on their shoulders, black hair. Except for the head, mustaches and shoulders, they have no hair on their bodies. Both have large breasts, a bit too large for their thin silhouette. Still, they have claws instead of fingernails and the skin on their hands is rougher, like that of the paws of an animal. The skin on their arms and legs is more shiny, like that of a snake. And they have no toes at all. Their feet extend to where the toes should be.

However, the biggest difference is when it comes to genitals. This is the first thing they changed to their bodies, so that they can have both organs, male and female.

Being a hermaphrodite is a common trend on Betelgeuse VII, but for the outside world, it looks very unusual. Many herm people like to wear tight pants, so that people can see a bulge between their feet. Some people are against this trend, including Lysithea and Elara. They both believe that genitals must not be exposed. Instead, they wear a short skirt, that hides their genitals, but that can be easily lifted, to show what they really are.

Today, it is a cold day. During the night, it was almost freezing. It snowed in the mountains, but in their village it didn't. Because of the cold, they take on a black fur coat, with gloves that let the end of their fingers and claws exposed. They also wear very long flat thigh boots to warm their feet, with black opaque tights beneath. There is not much to do in the garden, because of the cold weather. However, they sit outside the house on a bench and smoke. They put the cigarette in their small, second mouth. Doing so, they have both their hands free to do something else. Even if they get some smoke in their eyes, still this allows them to do both smoking and gardening in the same time. They talk about agriculture, hoping that the weather will change soon... or they will lose their crops.

It is a clear sky. As always, clear sky on Betelgeuse is not quite blue, but some sort of violet. The auroras are visible as narrow filaments of light. The giant red sun, Betelgeuse, just rose from behind the hills, sending its coppery light over the village. Lysithea takes small drags from its cigarette and gently blows the smoke through its half opened mouth, massaging Elara's breasts beneath its coat.

"I think it's getting warmer", it says. "It should, or we will lose all or seedlings".

"Don't worry, my love. The sun will not explode today. Our plants will survive and we will sell vegetables in a hundred days".

"I never believed that the sun will explode. But, it is very cold. Too much for the plants".

Elara moves its hand beneath Lysithea's short dress, gently massaging the area.

"Oh, you shouldn't"...

Elara feels the erection, taking a soft drag from its cigarette. In the same time, Lysithea drops some ash from its cigarette on the coat.

"Don't worry, it will pass away, just like the cold weather".

Suddenly, there is an unusual change in light. They are used with the coppery light of Betelgeuse, but suddenly, it becomes more white and a lot brighter. It is so shiny that they need to close their eyes. The light changes back into dim red, then again into white. Scared, they run into the house. The light is changing again outside, like if someone is welding. They turn on the VV (virtualvision, a 3D hologram television that everyone uses these days), but there is nothing. Same films, documentaries and music channels.

Elara dares to take a look outside. All this unusual light comes from the sun. Is Betelgeuse exploding? It appears at the same size, but with extremely bright spots. The powerful light almost blinds it, so Elara return to the house. Then, Lysithea finds out a welding mask and goes out, to clearly see it.

The sun has one large bright spot. Another smaller spot, but even brighter, can be seen too. They change in brightness very fast. What is going on?

It takes a few minutes and on the VV, a news channel starts explaining:

We interrupt our program with an important announcement. Very bright sunspots have appeared on the sun. People are advised not to look at them with bare eyes. The bright spots emit strong ultraviolet radiation that can burn the retina, resulting in total or partial blindness.

Very soon, the dictator, Caligula XV, appears, live, with an important message:

People of Betelgeuse, please listen to me. The sun will not explode today. I have been watching everything with the neutrino telescope at the state observatory. What actually happens is that a carbon shell ignited in a powerful nuclear reaction. The sun is not in danger. I repeat, the sun is not in danger. The carbon flame sent a powerful shock wave through the sun, that reached surface. What you see is not the end of our lives. As the shock wave reaches the surface, it disrupts the outer layers, bringing hot matter from below towards the surface. This will last for at maximum 30 days, then the sun will return to normal. The shock wave did not propagate towards the core, accelerating stellar evolution. The core is unaffected and is evolving according to schedule. However, during these 30 days, because of increased luminosity, the climate of our planet will be affected. It will be very hot and this extra heat will cause massive storms and hurricanes. Please, prepare yourselves for extreme weather and avoid being exposed to direct sunlight. After this time, everything will come back to normal and we can continue our daily lives.

Outside, the light is changing. But, on the VV, everyone starts to expose its own theory. Some say this is the first sign of the incoming supernova. Some suggest that the dictator has a hidden spaceship and is ready to flee. Others argue that Betelgeuse will not explode soon and all this is a lie used for economic reasons, to destroy the economy of Betelgeuse VII in favor of Betelgeuse S. How could the two know what is the truth?

The sun becomes incredibly shiny, an alternation of white, yellow and orange. It's light falls all over the planet. The sky is, for the first time in history, blue. It is something that, the people of Betelgeuse have never seen. And at night, the auroras are much more brighter. People are used to see the light filaments twisting, merging and separating, changing color in a majestic show. But this night, everything is different. The filaments are far larger, brighter and moving faster. Sometimes, they are like clouds moving very fast over the sky.

Next morning, Lysithea and Elara wake-up. It is not hot and not cold. While they eat breakfast, they watch VV. Someone comes with a computer simulation, showing that Betelgeuse will not explode for sure soon, but it will lose its outer layer of gas:

Carbon fusion produces a lot of heat. During this phase, stars heat-up and expel their outer layers, exposing the hot core. As this will happen... and it will only take a few Earth years, the sun will become a blue giant. In astronomy, blue means hot, it means surface temperatures of over 20 thousands degrees C, instead of 3500, as is in present. The climate will change dramatically. Oceans will boil and life will cease to exist. I advice anyone that can leave, to do so, while we still have time.

Not knowing what to believe, both Lysithea and Elara go to their garden. They have some machinery: self-planting tools, self-harvesting tools, so that basically they don't touch any plant. They only sit, watch, guide the machinery and smoke. It is not a hard job, but it requires patience. Above them, Betelgeuse throws bright rays of light over the fields. By noon, it is getting very hot. So hot, that they take off their fur coats. Then, they take off their boots and gloves. They are all sweat. But it is not only the heat that flows over the land. They also feel very dizzy and start having a headache. For the first time in their lives, they have a heat-stroke.

Unlike Earth's sun, Betelgeuse emits most of its light in red and infrared, with only little ultraviolet. but now, its surface is very hot and sends waves of ultraviolet in all directions.

Feeling bad, the two return home. There, they change to summer outfit. They put on a light white dress, with sandals. Outside, it is very hot, as it never were since they can remember.

The next day, it is the same. The sun is bright, throwing with heat all over the planet. When any ray of light hits you, it feels like it is burning your skin. They return home at evening. Both are covered with sweat. They outside the house, where it is not so hot.

"Do you think we are going to die?" says Lysithea, lighting a cigarette.

"If we watch too much VV, we will", answers Elara, lighting a cigarette too.

"Look at the auroras. Have you ever seen something like that? It is like the whole sky is burning! And the planet is burning, just like this cigarette!"

Elara keeps its cigarette in its second mouth, taking small inhales with each breath. Its hand touches Lysithea's stomach, careful with its claws.

"I am not afraid. As long as we are together, the whole galaxy can burn like this cigarette".

"But it will burn with us", whispers Lysithea, with its cigarette also placed in its second mouth. "I think we should go. We should leave Betelgeuse soon".

"I don't", answers Elara, letting a trail of smoke out of its mouth with each word it says. "You will see, the sun will calm down in the end. I never believed in doomsday".

"Maybe it will not explode now, but it will barbecue us before this happens", says Lysithea, looking at the large auroras. "I am afraid".

"Don't be!" says Elara, playing with its bare foot on the grass. "Just enjoy this unexpected summer".

"You think the sun will calm down?"

"Yes, it will. I trust the dictator. Remember that we voted it".

"I know", says Lysithea, trying to hug Elara with its hands. "But you know very well. Caligula XIII betrayed us. Can we trust the words of this one too?"

Elara moves its hand down below Lysithea's skirt, saying: "We will pass over this for sure. Just hope that our seedlings will not get dried".

"I hope so... but something tells me that the end is near".

Elara hugs Lysithea and kisses it. Their cigarettes touch each other while doing this. But as they do this, some ash falls over Lysithea's skirt. Elara tries to remove the ash, but feels that Lysithea also has an erection. So, it moves its hand below its skirt. They both start playing with each one's genitals.

**********

What caused the auroras is the powerful light that Betelgeuse emitted. It pushed the solar wind already released by the star before the flare. In five days, the real blast reaches the planet. High-energy solar wind hits the magnetosphere, with a tremendous force. During night, the sky is illuminated like never before. People can see clouds of light on the sky, as they move very fast, changing colors in every second. All electricity is turned down. All mass-media is closed. There is no VV, there can be made no online transactions. Money, the local currency, BC, is useless, since there is no terminal where you can pay or get them. Every town is isolated from the rest of the world. Hovering cars burn their electronics and cannot go anywhere. Automated trains are stopped.

Lysithea and Elara go by foot on the concrete streets of their town. It is very hot. People walk almost naked.

First, they hear some screaming.

"We will die! We are dead! We are already dead, but we don't know it yet!" screams someone.

Some people are starting to lose their mind. Isolation is very dangerous.

"We should leave!" shouts someone.

"Now? And where should we go?"

"Out! To another planet!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Telesto! What spaceship can possibly fly through this?"

"Tomorrow, it will be worse!"

Then, they see other people. This time, they are in agony. Fat persons cannot support the extreme heat. A neighbor ran out of water and tried to get some from the river... but got skin burns from the unusual light. An old woman, one of the first settlers, stays in front of its house, looking like not understanding what is going on. She doesn't feel well.

"Our paradise is falling apart", she whispers.

In the town center, where the shops are, people both all goods. With no automated trains, there is no way other goods can be brought. nobody could pay anything, everyone promised that will pay when the online terminals will be back functional. Now, the town is isolated from the outer world. Fruits and vegetables are rotting because they cannot be shipped away.

**********

A few days later, a powerful storm comes. Betelgeuse VII is known to have a mild climate. So, people are not used to storms, flooding and droughts. This is because of the unique Geography, with long peninsulas and many inland seas. But this storm is different. The sky turns almost into black. A very strong wind blows everything in its way.

Elara and Lysithea are in their home, which was built for the natural conditions on the planet, not for what is to come. The wind blows like wild. Then, it breaks one window. The powerful air current formed in the house then breaks another window and another one. Water, tree branches and objects enter the windows, making a disaster. Both decide to hide inside a closet, thinking that this will be safe. Water gets everywhere, while lightning seems not to end at all. And all seems to never end. It continues through the night, all until next morning.

When they try to get out of the closet, it is very hard. The door is blocked. They manage to break through somehow... but what happened here? Their house has no roof. The walls, built on a metallic structure, managed to survive, but the rest is a mixture of mud, dirt, tree branches and objects.

The whole town is destroyed. No house survived in one piece. Many places were flooded. In other areas, huge hail had fallen over buildings. All crops are compromised. The lake near the town is completely silted, so there will be no drinkable water.

But this was not all. Betelgeuse is still very bright, bringing heat to the planet. This continues for more days, with other storms to come.

**********

After 26 days since the sun increased its brightness, it falls back. The light is again copper red, like it used to be. There will be no more storms, no more extreme weather and no more extreme heat... for a while.

The free state of Betelgeuse VII tries to recover... but will it ever? Almost all towns are without drinking water and without electricity. The network of automated trains is fragmented by massive landslides. Almost all electronics has ceased to work, as the powerful magnetic storm burned them. Nearly all houses are destroyed. With only the blink of an eye, the sun showed its power. It is a warning sign of what is to come. From now on, the paradise is lost. About 10% of the population is lost.

Lysithea and Elara survived. Very soon, they find out that there is nobody that can help anyone. Everyone is on its own. they have to sustain themselves with what they have, until some vehicle will be able to reach their town and until the online terminals will be again functional. Up in the sky, they see the sun, big and red, with lighter and darker spots on it, surrounded by this new red ring of gasses. It is a warning sign, a sign of what is to come.

When a sheep moves away, the whole flock will follow (ancient saying).

Cowards run first, valiants go straight and the innocents take all the damage (a warrior).

The star Betelgeuse is approaching its death. Although the large core remains inert, a carbon shell ignited and fused into heavier elements in a powerful blast. The shock wave reached the surface. For about 30 days, the sun was very bright. The tremendous heat released scourged Betelgeuse VII, the only terraformed planet, bringing massive storms, like people never seen. The economy is completely disrupted. There is no electricity, no internet and no transportation. Most people remained homeless. Farmers lost their crops and factories were turned into rubble. In each town, many died during the storm. Others died later, because of the wounds and diseases. Without transportation, it is impossible for medical services to reach anywhere... but all hospitals are turned into ruins. Each town was built near a reservoir, to provide electricity and drinkable water... but now, lakes are silted. Some dams collapsed.

The ruling dictator, Caligula XV, tries to reconnect the railways, so that people and freight can somehow circle around. In past, fast trains travelled with 1000 km/h and local trains with 100, but now, it is good if they make it at all. Electricity must reach again each town and the online panels must work. But the situation is far worse. Even in the capital town, there is huge damage. Even the imperial building is ruined. The iron throne, on which all dictators sat, is half submerged in mud and the building has no roof.

The dictator uses any possible resource to make the economy restart, by using all available funds for the infrastructure and communications. But will it be enough? For everyone, it is clear that everything was destroyed beyond recovery. Trying to see what people think and how they feel like, Caligula XV sends its best friend, Himalia, to take the train and talk with other people. Not many people knows Himalia, so it can travel candid, unnoticed.

Himalia takes the train, one of the few vehicles that survived the disaster. As the train departs, the disaster is clearly visible. In many places, trains travel with only 5 km/h, very slow compared to their initial speed. It travels two days, to get far enough from the capital, then steps out, waiting a train on a secondary line. The town where Himalia arrived is Aphrodite.

Everything is so different. A thick layer of earth and mud covers all the area. Houses are ruined. People try to rebuild whatever they can with the little they have. Himalia goes to the town center, where once was a large concrete square, like in all towns on Betelgeuse VII. There, people use to come, buy what they need or just rest in front of a pub or a saloon.

Himalia goes to a shop and buys a pack of cigarette. They used to cost 1 BC, but now they are 5.33 BC.

"Why do you sell them so expensive?" it asks the seller.

"I just purchased them with 5 BC. It is good that they arrived finally".

As Himalia enjoys its cigarette, a person with the look of a woman and the voice of a man comes and sits near it.

"I never seen you here", it says. "My name is Leona. What's yours?"

"Himalia. Do you want a cigarette?"

"Yes, thanks".

"Where are you from?" asks Leona.

"From Deep Purple", lies Himalia. "I just wanted to see if our town is the only one hit by the storm or not".

"You can see it clear. You are not the only one. My wife died in the storm".

"I am sorry to hear that".

"Well, we are both eterophiles, so we are not quite husband and wife. But still, we lived together. Are you alone?"

"Yes, but I am an onanist. I love myself", answers Himalia.

"The whole town worked at the factory, but it is all gone. I could not believe this! Just gone, not a single wall remained. We only have what we had before the storm. But now, it is simple. No job, no money. And everything is getting more expensive by the day".

"Is anything to work in your town?"

"Not much. All is a ruin".

"Caligula XIII tried to save us, but that sun of a bitch, Caligula XIV, betrayed us. Now, the sun will explode and we have no way to escape".

"Why do you say that?"

"Because on Betelgeuse S, new settlers are not allowed to come. Caligula XIV is responsible for this, because it killed Caligula XIII. Its brother Delta will never accept us there. We will just remain here and die!"

Another person comes, which clearly looks like a woman, but with no breasts and with a long white dress. Its bare feet are covered with mud. It takes a seat nearby and lights a cigarette.

"Just managed to find some of my things in the house. I found many objects that don't belong to me".

"Eda, where's your shoes?" asks Leona.

"I lost them in the mud", says Eda, inhaling from its cigarette, hungry for smoke.

"Part of Calypso's house is on my parcel".

"And Calypso?"

"It's drunk".

"What a stupid! It thinks alcohol will rebuild its house?"

Eda laughs, but only with half of its mouth.

It doesn't take much and someone comes, with a wounded foot, a person that appears to be a hermaphrodite. It has all its clothes dirty, full with mud. Even its hair is dirty.

"Are you ok, uncle?" says Eda.

"On the fuck I am. And on the fuck with this whole village. With this whole planet!"

"Hey, calm down!" whispers Eda, taking another drag of smoke. "We will find a way".

"What way? Don't talk with me like that! It is just a warning! Very soon, we will all die! The sun will explode!"

"We have more then ten Earth years until that", says Himalia.

"I want to die now!" shouts the uncle. "Ten more years like this? Of suffering? What had I done to suffer like this?"

"Hey, calm down", says Himalia. "There will be no more solar explosions like this one".

"Shut up, two mouths!" shouts the uncle. "Shut the fuck up! You talk like that big eyed dictator. It told us that there will be nothing to worry about and look at this. Who believes it? I don't. There will be more and more explosions, until we will finally die".

Himalia returns to the railway station, where it waits. The train comes and waits 15 minutes, to go back on the secondary line. But, there is something else that catches the eye. There are about ten people, which look rich, with clean clothes and big luggage. Trying to se what this is about, Himalia sits close to them, lighting a cigarette, like waiting a train to go. Very soon, it finds out what this is all about. They try to go out. They are going away from Betelgeuse.

"My factory is all a mess", says one of them.

"Let's get out of here before the sun explodes".

"Hey, sheriff, where's your girlfriend?"

"I let it here", answers the sheriff. "I am going out, while I still can".

"I don't think the sun will last for more then an Earth year", says someone else. "The dictator is telling us a lie".

"It lies, like all did before".

"I sold everything when I came here, thinking it will be a paradise".

"Fucking paradise".

Himalia takes the train. There, inside a crowded wagon, a lot of boxes are shipped too. With so many destroyed wagons, everything must be carried with what remained functional. What little remains on the planet, is shipped with what vehicle can still travel. The railway is heavily damaged. The train struggles to pass on destroyed tracks. Tree trunks have been removed and are left near the line. There are many landslides. There is so much mud along the way, that has been removed and deposited near the line. Many collapsed bridges are replaced with smaller ones, more fragile and requiring speed restrictions.

Along all stations, people try to repair their homes, try to cleanup the mess. Farmers have compromised crops and are trying to plant new ones. Also, people say that prices are going up. It is something expected, since request is far larger then demand.

**********

What kills a bank? When all people who have money in deposits, request to take it out.

This is exactly what is happening now. The richest try to take whatever they have or whatever they can and flee. Those rich enough, which have a spaceship able to travel between stars, are the first. They take their economies or even borrow as much money as they can, then exchange their money from BC to interstellar currency, CC. Then, they leave. Those not rich enough, take whatever they can and go by train to the surface base. From there, they fly to the orbital station, to take an interstellar passenger ship and get out.

Very soon, Caligula XV finds out that something far worse is happening. Some state employees steal money from the state budget, to buy a ticket and save themselves, to get out. The dictator decides to punish them with death, if found.

It was a time when people crowded to get to Betelgeuse VII. Now, they are moving away... and there are not enough spaceships to carry everyone. The orbital station is overcrowded. Many more wait around the surface base for a ticket. The price of a ticket rises even up to five times its initial value.

Well, this does not last for long. After a while, all banks exhaust their supply of CC. There is no interstellar currency available for an exchange. The base, which is owned by the Interstellar Agency, still accepts some exchange, but at a much higher price. In past, the Betelgeuse Credit was fixed at an exchange rate of 1 CC = 1000 BC. But now, things go wild. One ISA credit is sold at first for a few thousands BC, then for more and more, up to a few millions BC.

It doesn't take much and the whole population is trapped. Nobody can afford the price of an interstellar ticket. Nobody goes out.

**********

At ten light years away, there is a completely different story. The free state of Betelgeuse S earns enough money from body transformations. But the planet is not habitable yet. If the process is accelerated, in the coming years, there will be not enough carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to sustain plant life. In the same time, the planet has significant amounts of other toxins, in water, in soil or in the air, that interact with rocks and need to remain there for some time.

There is another problem. How could you invite millions of people to Betelgeuse S? The new planet has no infrastructure and only one city inside a dome. They need to build towns and transportation routes. They need to provide electricity. Also, people will need land to farm. All this comes with huge costs. This is what Delta, the dictator of Betelgeuse S, is doing right now. But until the atmosphere will be breathable, nobody can settle.

As Delta finds out what happened on Betelgeuse VII, it sends its best friend, Etna, together with their children Julia and Angela Northern, to tell everyone to resist ten more Earth years. Only that and everyone will be safe.

Well, everyone will be safe only if Betelgeuse will survive that long... or only if something else bad will not happen.

Those who enter here, lose any hope (Dante Alighieri - Inferno).

Once, Betelgeuse VII was the paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. But now, the star is going supernova. As the economy collapses, people realize that, for most of them, there is no way to get out of here. The former dictators Caligula XII and Caligula XIII managed to terraform a planet at ten light years, which they called The Savior or Betelgeuse S. However, that planet will not open its doors for settlers for ten Earth years, until terraforming processes are finished and until people will have towns and a minimum infrastructure. But many don't believe they will make it.

Usually, red supergiant stars follow a common evolutionary path. After carbon fusion in the core, the carbon is fused in a shell surrounding the core, which slowly contracts until neon fusion starts. The extra heat produced by neon fusion forces a second shell of carbon to ignite, producing a shock wave that can reach the surface. However, the carbon flash occurred, without any neon fusion starting. If the core contracts too fast, when neon fusion will start, almost all the energy will be lost through neutrino emission. The core will evolve very fast into inert iron, then the whole star will go supernova. If that happens, Betelgeuse has less then three Earth years left.

Many people lose their minds. If the end is near, some try to have fun, to die happy. Others start to attack people. Thieves and robberies are on a daily basis. Nobody wants to invest into something, since their doom is very close. But is it?

On Betelgeuse VII, desperation has reached an incredible level. Some people, mainly state employees, want to do anything to get out... or at least to save their children. Money has no value now. Inflation is felt as prices rise almost in each day. Nobody can pay for an interstellar ticket. Nobody can offer anything to a merchant to make it worth. Some rich businessmen offered kilograms of gold and hardly managed to get a ticket. But there is something that is far more worth: the human. Pirates come all over the galaxy, looking for slaves. Pirates make an offer: find 25 people to be sold as slaves and you get a free one-way ticket for a person. This bargain remains in place only if you keep it all quiet. People travel to the orbital station with tickets, like if this is a sign of generosity from humanitarian organizations. But, once in orbit, things are made clear.

**********

Delta, the dictator of Betelgeuse S, sends its best friend and second in command, Etna, to a visit to Betelgeuse VII. Etna takes its child, Julia, as well as Delta's child, Angela Northern. What Etna wants is to calm down the people, to convince them to wait until the new planet is ready to receive them all.

Etna goes to the ruling dictator, Caligula XV, to talk. They both try to convince people that the star will make it for ten Earth years and once Betelgeuse S is terraformed, everyone will be relocated. The fact that it brought the kids is an insurance that this will happen. It also visits the planet, talks with people and sits in public places, eats and smokes in public, to make it clear for everyone that people of Betelgeuse S are their friends. This goes on for many days.

**********

A rich businessman, Enoch, is looking for a way to save its child from here, to ensure a ticket to the old world. Enoch took its child, which is born as a hermaphrodite, to DNA modifications and surgery. The child, which is in fact a 17 years old teen, now looks and is completely a boy, named Jim. Enoch convinced 25 people to join Jim out of Betelgeuse. However, there are a few rich people who don't like what Etna is doing on the planet. If Etna brings hope to people, they will no longer want to leave. They will no longer be manipulated to become slaves. Enoch decides to act, to also save its ass from here. It gets to Etna and gives it a cup of coffee with a strong anesthetic. Then, it grabs Etna and the children. Enoch goes to the space station with its child and 50 people. Etna and the children are brought sleeping, among them. They are all uploaded in a cruise shuttle, then sent to the orbital station.

There, Etna wakes-up. Realizing what is going on, it starts shouting and fights. All 50 people manage to get onboard. Angela Northern is also uploaded. Enoch takes its laser gun and fires, killing Etna, but the guards, which are always present in any ISA base, come fast. They immobilize Enoch. Julia manages to escape from the crowd and goes to its parent, crying. Inside, Angela Northern cries and wants the doors to open. Jim, Enoch's child, goes with the pirates in the control room. The spaceship departs, flying as fast as it can.

Julia is token back to the planet. From now on, it will live close to the dictator Caligula XV.

Enoch does not want to say anything. However, the dictator decides to take extreme measures. It interrogates Enoch and tortures it. Finally, Enoch accepts to speak:

"I saved my son".

"Where is that ship going?" asks the dictator, beating its stomach with its foot.

"UV Ceti".

Everyone knows what that means. Slavery. All those people will be sold as slaves. Everyone knows that UV Ceti is the hell hole of the galaxy.

"You sent fifty people to slavery?" asks the dictator, burning its skin with a lighter.

"To save my child", answers Enoch. "It was the only way to get it out of here".

"Fifty lives for one? This is not fair. I say, not a single human sacrifice to save a million people".

The dictator takes a knife and starts cutting Enoch's skin on its hands.

"You should be skinned alive. All those people that you sent to slavery will suffer more then you. I've been to the body farms myself. I know what it means to be there. You are nothing but an ugly pig that deserves to be barbecued in hell for eternity".

"You don't have children", says Enoch, suffering from pain.

"Oh, I do", answers the dictator. "I have two. And with Julia, now I have three. I could send them out, but I didn't. You know why?"

"Because you love yourself more then your children".

"No", answers the dictator. "Because people voted me and I have a great respect for them. So should you. And do you have any guarantee that your child will not be sold as a slave either? I know the pirates. They killed my parents for a few clothes. Are you sure that your child will not end-up as a slave with all the others?"

Enoch looks like desperate. It never thought about such a thing.

"Listen, fat pig! I should kill you right now, but I won't. Not because you deserve to live another day, but because something tells me that there are many others like you. Tell me how you got contact with the pirates, how they work and how other people did what you did. Do this and you will live, free".

"I won't. That's the deal, that if I say anything, they will kill my child".

"Your child is already dead", shouts the dictator. "Understand? Dead. Right now, it is on its way to UV Ceti, where it will be sold as a slave. There is no way you can find it, ever. Have you ever been to UV Ceti? I did. Some are sold as slaves, others work in the body farms, while others are killed for pleasure or for selling organs".

Realizing this, Enoch decides to talk and tells everything. From that moment, the dictator orders that the access to the surface base and to the orbital station to be locked. Only people with diplomatic passport will be allowed to pass. The Interstellar Agency, ISA, which owns and operates space stations and bases through the galaxy, has always been against slavery. They understand the situation and blocks access immediately.

**********

Far away, on Betelgeuse S, Delta receives the news. It asks to be left alone in its room for a day, to mourn its child, Angela Northern. Then, it orders that Etna's body will be returned to Betelgeuse S and buried in a funeral. Works stop on the planet. Delta orders a large funeral. However, it gives no interview. It says to the press:

"When you lose a parent, you are called an orphan. But when you lose a child, there is no word in the dictionary. The pain you feel is beyond anything. Please, understand me and let me alone. I need time".

Delta knows very well that, once Betelgeuse S is terraformed, it will reign as a dictator for the next five Earth years, then will be elections. But until then, it must continue its job. Alone in its room, it cries:

"My sister, Caligula XIII, sacrificed its life to save the people that killed her. They did the same with Caligula XII, which ruled before. And now, they killed Etna, my best friend, which went to their planet to bring peace. But my child? Why did they sell my child as a slave? What bad thing can a child do?

I grew on that planet. I had friends, that hated me for what I did here. Since my sister told me that Betelgeuse will explode, I sacrificed my life to build those people another home. Now, we are almost done. But do they deserve this? Do they deserve all what we did here? Do they deserve the blood that they wasted?"

After a few days, Delta decides to go back to its office. There is work to do. A dictator cannot have a vacation. However, it decides to build, just between the space station and the dome city, five statues. Each statue will be made of iron, covered with stainless steel. Also, each statue will be a few hundred meters high. The first one represents Caligula I, the founder of Betelgeuse VII, holding the iron crown in one hand. The second statue represents Caligula XII, holding a small neutrino telescope in one hand. The third statue is of Caligula XIII, which holds the planet Betelgeuse VII in one hand and the planet Betelgeuse S in the other. The fourth statue represents Etna, with a sheet of paper where the Pleiades are drawn. Finally, the fifth statue and the smallest of all, is of Angela Northern, which has wings like that of an angel. All five statues are placed on a large platform of iron, covered with stainless steel. On the platform, it is written in all languages:

"The ones you killed are the ones who saved you".

Delta inaugurates the statue, then orders that work should be continued on terraforming and infrastructure. A few things change. The main rail station will be moved to a point where the statues are clearly visible. The base will have only one way out, towards the statues. Asked why did it do this, the dictator answers:

"When people from Betelgeuse VII will come here, they will understand what they have done. For a day, I wanted to let them die and invite other people here. But that is not the way. The statues will be here for millennia, so that they will remember and never forget. And maybe, among those who will come, there will still be alive some of those who participated in the executions of the two dictators or in the murder of my friend and my child".

However, on Betelgeuse VII, people think that, after Etna was killed, Delta will not keep its promise, to relocate the population.

**********

The pirates close the door. They maneuver the spaceship away from Betelgeuse, as fast as possible. When they are at a safe distance and know that no ISA patrol can reach them, they go to the cargo area, where people stay crowded. There, they tell everyone to undress completely and enter the cryogenic chamber. Jim, Enoch's child, does the same. One by one, people are frozen and placed into a tank with liquid helium. Pirates throw away their clothes and objects, to make the ship lighter. Only Jim's clothes remain. The trip takes 60 days. Then, Jim is the first to wake-up. The boy puts its clothes on and goes to the cabin, with the pirates, while all the others, one by one, wake-up and find themselves alone and naked in the cargo bay.

The ship stops, somewhere in UV Ceti. The door opens and slave traders force people out. Each new slave is sold for 500 CC. People realize what is happening. They cry, they try to run, but there is no way to resist. Traders cuff the slaves to a long iron chain and bring them all out.

"Welcome to hell!" says their new owner.

Jim, in the cabin, sees the sky. Ships are lurking all around. Inside them, there must be merchants, looking for slaves. Its heart beats like wild. Are they going to sell him too? No. The pirates take him to the nearest solar system, Tau Ceti. There, they upload him in an escape capsule with a parachute.

The capsule flies towards a planet, it enters the atmosphere, then deploys a parachute, landing somewhere in a corn field. Jim gets out and looks around. There is nobody. He starts walking, looking for someone. He can see a town nearby.

But, once he enters in that town, he finds out that everything is different. There are no hermaphrodites here, no cross-dressers, no transgender people. His parent told him that outside Betelgeuse, transgender people and people from sexual minorities are discriminated. People look like the same. They move on the streets, like robots. Some of them even hit him. The air is polluted here. The plants seem to be affected, some are dried, some are showing signs of sickness. All buildings seem covered with a layer of dark polluted materials. On the streets, there are many buildings.

With no identity card, with no money and with no food, soon, Jim looks for a way to talk with someone. He desperately wants something to eat and to smoke. When he tries to talk with nearby people, they simply don't listen, they move away. Nobody wants to talk with him at all.

When it is getting dark. Jim is very hungry and tired. In the end, he finds a pretzel on the street and an unfinished cigarette. Then, he goes to a park and lies on a bench, trying to sleep. The police finds him. They take him to a station and interrogate him. Realizing that he is an immigrant with no money, they just throw him out on the street.

Having no alternative, Jim has to be a street rat. He finds very hard to adapt to this new world. After many days, he finds another street rat, another fugitive from Betelgeuse, another teen, former hermaphrodite, which undergone surgery, to become a woman in all aspects. Her parents also exchanged the lives of many for her ticket out. Both have no other option then to live as street rats. Only after a long time, they manage to find something to work, hard and for less money.

They form a family here. During the day, they work hard to sustain themselves, hiding from police squads. During night, many times they go out and watch the night sky. From here, Betelgeuse appears as a bright copper-red star in the constellation Orion. Sometimes, they look for hours, thinking about the paradise they once lived in, bout the time they were hermaphrodites and they could dress in anyway they wanted, about the clean air and water and about the friendly people that live there.

"We lost the paradise", whispers Jim, with a tear in one eye.

"I know. But now, our lives are cursed, for those who were sold as slaves, so that we can live".

"It would be much better if we remained. We should have died there with everyone in the supernova. Here, everyone hates us and everyone keeps distance from us".

"Betelgeuse didn't explode... at least yet".

"We are now fallen angels. There is no way for us to go back up there".

You can find life even in the most frozen tundra (notes from an explorer).

Once, Betelgeuse VII was a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities, but now, the planet is in chaos. Its economy is collapsing. The sun might go supernova at anytime if neon fusion doesn't start in its core. People are captive, there is no way out and the sun might explode soon.

In the former forbidden building, where the fate of the sun was kept secret from the eyes of the people, now exists a space observatory, with all results being made public. A neutrino telescope scans Betelgeuse non-stop, to warn people if anything goes bad. But what should people do? If someone tells you: "The sun will explode in a few days and there is nowhere you can go", what good is to know? Still, better then not to know.

But now, there is something different. The neutrino telescope sends some unexpected data. There are two scientists that are constantly monitoring the telescope. As they see, they are very happy. One of them, after a routine check, calls the dictator, Caligula XV. Even if it is past midnight, the dictator ordered scientists to call if anything unusual happens.

"Your highness? I am Admiral, from the state observatory. I have very important news for you".

"What is it?"

"I see an unexpected increase in neutrino emission from the very center of the core. It looks like neon fusion has started".

"Can you give me more details?"

"It is the clear signature of neon fusion. For now, it is not powerful enough, but it's growing until it will sustain itself. The sun will not collapse too soon. We are in graphic".

"Very important and thank you. Please, tell all the press the news. I am happy that we will not die soon".

Inside the core of a supergiant star, when carbon is exhausted, no more energy is produced. The core is still heated for a while with energy produced by carbon fusion in a shell surrounding the core, but when that shell is also exhausted, the core contracts. More pressure means that the core heats-up, until it reaches the point to fuse its next fuel, neon, which is in fact a result of carbon fusion. That is, the star tries to fuse its own ash. Given the conditions inside the core, neon emits an alpha particle, which is a helium nucleus, becoming oxygen. As this happens, it consumes energy. Released alpha particles fuse with other neon atoms, to produce magnesium, a process that generates more energy then it was consumed. Neon fusion will generate energy and will prevent the core from collapsing.

However, a star has about 30% less neon then the amount of carbon it had. Neon fusion produces about 30% less energy per gram then carbon fusion. As one can see, this generates about half the energy. Carbon powered-up Betelgeuse for 600 Earth years plus an additional hundred years when the core was heated by the carbon fusing shell. One would expect neon to power-up the star for 300 Earth years. In fact, things are far worse.

The real destroyer of massive star is a tiny, pitiful subatomic particle, the neutrino. During carbon fusion, this particle takes away about half the energy generated. During neon fusion, about 1000 times more energy is lost through neutrino radiation. The star has to fuse neon at far greater temperatures and an alarming faster rate, to counter the neutrino loss. In other words, even if carbon could prevent the core from collapsing for 700 Earth years, neon will not make it for more then four. After that, as pressure and temperature will increase, oxygen will start to be fused. But, as that will happen, neutrino radiation will be 100 times more powerful then it were during neon fusion. So, the star will have to fuse oxygen and the following elements much faster.

In the year 3051, when the first detailed measurements were made, it was clear that Betelgeuse will only survive for 24 to 27 Earth years. Doomsday was expected to be between 3075 and 3078. It was the year when dictator Caligula XIII took power. Ten Earth years later, in 3061, Caligula XV took power. Now is the year 3065. Knowing that neon fusion has started, scientists calculate exactly how much time has the sun left. They know how it will evolve. That was the question, the difference between life and death. A failure to ignite neon would mean a fast core collapse. If that would happen, neon fusion should occur at much higher temperatures and a far larger percent of the energy would be lost as neutrino. But now, it is very clear.

The state observatory predicted that neon fusion will start. Their prediction was 24 days earlier. This is a severe punch for all the false prophets, who predicted that the sun will die much faster or that it will not explode within a few millennia. Having trust in their own results, Admiral, the same who called the dictator, makes a new prediction:

"Betelgeuse will survive until 3077. We have 11 Earth years left. I can estimate the date for our doomsday with an error of 45 days. Fortunately, we have enough time. Betelgeuse S will be terraformed and habitable until then. We will have about one Earth year to resettle there. Everything goes according to our calculations".

**********

This becomes the number one news on the planet.

In the town of Pink Bear, on the opposite hemisphere to the capital, it is noon. On the VV, on the radio, usual programs are rolling. Suddenly, all programs stop and the dictator, with its anime appearance, is on every screen.

"People of Betelgeuse VII, I have a very important message to all of you. The sun just started neon fusion. It will not explode now. The state observatory confirmed that it will survive until 3077, which is 11 years from now. That is an year after Betelgeuse S will be habitable. We will have enough time to evacuate everyone".

As people hear this, they shout of joy. They go out on the streets and gather in the town center. Some, continue to watch the news channels, to learn more, but even them, after a while, get out to celebrate. On the same hemisphere with the capital, it's night. There, those who were awake, call each other. Nearly everyone gets out in the night, to the town center, with lights in their hands and with music. It is time for a big celebration.

It is so much joy! People hug each other. They shout: "We will not die!" They celebrate as they never did for such a long time. In past, when Betelgeuse VII was a paradise, people did celebrate. since the planet orbits Betelgeuse in a few hundred years, they took the Earth year. They celebrated a national day, a Christmas and a new year eve and a few more important things. But since they found out that the sun will soon explode, there were no spectacular celebrations.

In past, in the good days, people took care about how they look. They had time and money to have clothes for both genders, tons of make-up and many body accessories. It was a time when body transformations were possible for everyone and not for much money. But for the last years, mainly after the storms which devastated the planet, people found hard even to survive.

Among them, there is an old transgender man. He is one of the first who settled here and one of the first who transformed its body, from a woman to a man. He is now very old, but clearly remembers all. Sitting on a bench and enjoying a cigarette, he looks at the people who are celebrating. Betelgeuse was a world where people dressed in any way they liked, as long as it was not porn. Where are the old times, with extravagant clothes? Where are the unusual outfits? Many people now have ripped clothes. In past, almost everyone had its hair painted, but now, things have changed. They fight to survive. Where is the time when people went to the extreme? Where are the unusual body transformations?

In past, people wanted to have horns, to be hermaphrodites, to have triple breasts, snake tongues, reptilian skin and not only. Now, nobody has money for such accessories. Not even the fake breasts, which were so popular for those who did not want to go to surgery, are seen these days.

"Celebrate, people! Celebrate!" whispers the old man, thinking about the old days.

It was a time when people belonging to rare sexual minorities found shelter on Betelgeuse VII. They considered this planet as a paradise.

But still, people did not forgot the days before. And they hope that, once they will make it to Betelgeuse S, everything will be back like before. One might think that all the suffering and poverty made them turn back into 'usual' people. It's wrong. They gave away something, but not their souls, not their unique identities, not their desires for cross-dressing, not their appearance to rare minorities, that this planet was made for. There is no racism and there is no discrimination on this planet.

**********

Far from Betelgeuse, on an unimportant planet in the Old World, there is a man, Charon. He was born as a man, on that planet, but always dreamed to become a woman. Knowing that people will reject him for this, he chosen to go to Betelgeuse VII. There, he had a complete body and DNA transformation into a woman. He stayed there for a nearly ten Earth years. Then, during the storms, when the economy was destroyed, he had to chose: remain on Betelgeuse and die during the supernova or return to his native place.

He chosen to transform himself back, from woman to man. Then, he went back to the place where he was born. It was very hard, vary painful. It was like its soul died and now only a dead body walks on the streets. People avoid him and he avoids people, which are far less friendly, less tolerant and less communicative then people on Betelgeuse.

In the end, Charon decides to come back. Better to die on Betelgeuse VII then to live a suffering life, where nobody will ever understand a person like himself. It is the third time for him to have body transformations and the second time to become back a woman.

The return of Charon also appears on all news channels on Betelgeuse VII. People find out that, many of those who left, even if they are doing better, are suffering. Those born on Betelgeuse find extremely hard to adapt to the outside world.

Their only hope is that Betelgeuse S, the planet for which Caligula XIII sacrificed its life, will be opened for settlers soon enough.

The news even reach Betelgeuse S. There, Delta, which supervises all work on the new planet, listen carefully and examines the data. Given the deadline, there is no doubt that terraforming processes will be finished and everybody will have a new home. The only problem is that, there will be only little time to resettle all the population. But, it looks possible.

**********

After hydrogen, helium and carbon fusion, Betelgeuse entered its fourth step: neon fusion. It doesn't take much and the core produces more energy then it loses as neutrino radiation. The neon flame expands from the center towards the outer end of the inert core, producing energy, that will help the star to survive for a little more.

Well, the year 3066 has come and there will be elections. The 16th Caligula will be elected. The sun will explode in 3077. So, only two dictators will reign, with a third one lasting for a short time. The end of Caligula dynasty is near. All this, if everything goes as it should go. Still, many things can go wrong.

A wolf was hunted by other wolves. Knowing there is no way out, the wolf dressed like a sheep, started to eat grass and decided to hide inside a flock of sheep. In the end, the wolf got killed by a sheep who had no idea who she killed (ancient saying).

This story starts very far away, in the powerful and rich Empire Of The Pleiades. The empire rules over more then a hundred terraformed planets and is one of the most powerful states in the galaxy. Like in any rich place, there are people looking to make money in an illegal way: through drugs, prostitution, gambling or, as it happens more and more often, through slavery. The emperor strongly opposes to all. Mafia leaders have been executed in public. However, the most humiliating punishment of all, used for traitors, is to take them to surgery, transform them in women and throw them to Betelgeuse VII. But, even so, there still are mafia factions, that hide in the dark.

The emperor of the Pleiades, like all emperors before him, strongly hate sexual minorities and transgender people. When found, such people are to be transformed in slaves and used in the most humiliating works. There is one mafia leader, Stromboli, which is the only one tolerated by the emperor, because he finds and kidnaps such people. The emperor sent a special order that Stromboli will never be arrested and will have free access to any place in the empire. So, Stromboli used this to his aid. He took as slaves many people, even those who are not 'guilty'.

Everything worked fine, until one day, when the emperor found out that his son, the next person to take the throne, is a hidden cross-dresser. Unfortunately, Stromboli found out this too. So, he started to blackmail the emperor, to gain more and more power. This bad situation lasted for a few Earth years, until one day, when the Emperor's son could not take this any more and committed suicide. From that point, the emperor wanted Stromboli dead.

Where on cosmos could Stromboli hide, against one of the most powerful men in the galaxy? There are other empires, too. The Newton Empire could be an alternative, but that empire would also hunt him down, to keep peace with the Pleiades. The Old World, the systems surrounding the Solar System, could be also a good destination, but there, the emperor could send his elite troops in an invasion, only to get Stromboli, dead or alive. The Polaris Empire should also be a choice, but it is in a cold war with the Pleiades. He could also try to run to UV Ceti, the system ruled by anarchy, but there, at any time, a booty hunter will kill you for the bounty on your head.

There is only one way out. Not much time ago, Betelgeuse VII was a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. But now, that planet is a nightmare, because its sun will soon go supernova. People from Betelgeuse VII terraformed another planet, Betelgeuse S, at ten light years away. There, incredible body transformations are possible. That is the only way out.

So, Stromboli takes his best friend, Rodolfo, to Betelgeuse S. There, he wants to completely transform his body into another man and gain another identity. Things go just like this... but not quite.

**********

Stromboli goes to surgery. The doctors should transform his body completely: new hands to lose his fingerprints, new feet to change his footprints, new teeth and new eyes, DNA modifications, larynges surgery to change voice, skin transformation, anything so that he would become a new man.

Stromboli wakes-up in his spaceship, instead of a hospital bed. He feels his body so different. First, he moves his hands, but finds out that his fingers look like those of a woman, with nails painted in black. Shocked, he looks at his body. He finds himself in a black knee-long dress. Immediately, he can see breasts. He has breasts, like those of a woman! And his feet are covered with pantyhose.

"Nooooooo!" shouts Stromboli, with a female voice.

"What a fuck?" he says again.

He is no longer the tough guy that scared to death transgender people and those from sexual minorities. He is a transgender woman! What happened? And the transformation is completed! He is shorter then he was before, thinner, completely looking like a man. He even moves his fingers under the dress, to find out that... he has female genitals.

He wants to shout again... but is afraid to hear his female voice.

He looks around. The spaceship is flying towards a planet. He tries to touch the command panel, to change trajectory, but the onboard computer responds:

"Fingerprints unknown! You are not allowed to operate the ship".

Yes, his ship is equipped with an automated reconnaissance device. He tries to scan his eyes... but it all fails. He had light brown eyes... but now they are black. He tries a bioenergy scan... but the computer already performed this... and found 'unknown person'. Then, he tries a DNA scan... but again, it is a failure.

The transformation is complete. Not much of the original body remained. The doctors on Betelgeuse S grew organs in vitro and almost replaced all his body with those of a woman.

Suddenly, on the screen, appears the emperor of the Pleiades, saying:

"What do you think, Stromboli? That you could escape me? You blackmailed me and you killed my son. Now, you are to pay for all this. I will not kill you, but give you a worse punishment. You are to land on Betelgeuse VII as a cursed person and live all your remaining life with other cursed people... until their star will go supernova".

Then, Stromboli finds out something else: a picture of his best friend, Rodolfo, with a knife in his belly. It is clear: they killed him.

Unable to do anything, Stromboli watches his spaceship landing smoothly. The ship passes through the atmosphere and gently lands on the ground, in a corn field. It is night out here. As the ship lands, the doors open and the onboard computer announces:

"Self destruct sequence initiated. The ship will explode in 300 seconds".

Stromboli grabs a few things from the ship and runs out. Unused with his new feet and unfamiliar with female shoes, he falls first. There is no time. The explosion will be powerful. He knows this very well. He runs again and falls into a ditch. There is not much time, he better hide here. The ship explodes. A powerful, bright light, is visible. He gets down inside the ditch, into water and mud, covering his ears. The blast wave flies over his head. He stays for a few minutes more, thinking about pieces of metal or other debris that can be blown by the explosion.

Then, he moves away from the ditch. If anyone has seen the blast, will come and try to pick-up something. He is wet, dirty, hungry and very angry on his new body. But this is it... this is his new body. This is what he is now, a woman.

"I must take care of my new body" whispers Stromboli.

But... only hearing his new female voice, makes him angry. He curses the emperor and anyone that made him suffer like this.

He manages to find a road. That is good, it could lead to civilization. It is hard, if not impossible, to survive alone. The road goes through a forest. There, he spots some light. Not knowing what it is, he goes in that direction. He finds out very soon.

Not too far away, he can see the source, in the forest. A few reflectors and lanterns are pointed to a tree, which is filled with colored paper and other ornaments, like a Christmas tree. In front of that tree, there is a person that looks like a woman, singing to the tree and taking care of it. That person eats something, then drinks something and throws the liquid to the tree, at its roots. Stromboli watches, thinking what to do. That person lights a cigarette and gives one to the tree, putting it in the branches.

"I love you! You are the only one to me! There is no other one in my life and there will not be".

Again, Stromboli watches how this person hugs the tree and kisses its trunk, gently cuddling the branches. He remembers about panophiles, a rare sexual minority. He found a few panophiles and sold them as slaves. There was one in love with a train engine... and Stromboli destroyed the engine in his face and forced him to watch all. There was another one, a virtualophile, in love with a computer avatar... and Stromboli forced her to destroy the avatar in exchange for her freedom... but he lied. This made him happy, to do what hurts the most. But now, he is watching a panophile being in love with its tree. He even watches how that panophile starts masturbating while hugging the tree. Well, there is another surprise for Stromboli: the person he was watching is not a woman, nor a man, it is a hermaphrodite.

He watches all, thinking what to do. "I should kill this creature. But first, I will tie it with ropes, then burn the tree and force it watch all. And then, I will put it on fire, to burn together with its beloved tree". The panophile finishes all, kisses the tree and then moves a bit away. It lights another cigarette for itself and one for the tree, putting it in the branches. It prepares a place to sleep, near the tree. Watching this, Stromboli prepares himself to attack. He can see food, a place to sleep, clean clothes and cigarettes. All these things are useful. He uses the dark to come closer. He knows very well how to kill with bare hands... but he is not used to these hands, to the hands of a woman. But still, he has to do it, to get something to eat and to smoke. He moves closer... but at some point, his shoe makes some noise. The panophile turns towards the source of noise, while Stromboli thinks what to do.

"Hi!" says the panophile. "I am Tasha and this is August, my partner. Who are you?"

"I am... just passing by", answers Stromboli, not knowing what to say.

"I never seen you before. You are not from our town. Oh, your clothes are dirty. What happened to you? Do you need help?"

"No, thanks", answers Stromboli. "Just don't tell anyone that you've seen me here".

"No problem. Nobody will get past me. Do you want something to eat?"

"Yes, thank you".

"Well, I don't have much, but feel welcome. Here you are... some bread, fresh eggs and some vegetables. And if you want cigarettes, here you are, feel welcome to take from my packet".

Stromboli eats. Well, this is not much, compared to the food he was used to... But still, his body is hungry. He eats, then drinks hot tea, then smokes. They both gather on a blanket, smoking together. Stromboli sits near a hermaphrodite, near a panophile. His female hand holds a cigarette. At less then one meter away, Tasha's hand, with pink nails, is holding a cigarette too. Stromboli's feet, covered in pantyhose, are sitting and even touching Tasha's feet, covered in leggings. He can even see a small bulge between Tasha's feet, made by its double genitals. If only Tasha knew how many people Stromboli killed before... if only... but without knowing, it tries to get closer, to get some body heat. Stromboli sent to slavery many cross-dressers. Only seeing such people and made him angry... but now, what should he do?

Tasha is only friendly. Stromboli tries its best to be the same... but suddenly, he finds a small razor blade. He takes it and in less then a second, he cuts Tasha's neck veins. Then, he takes what food he finds, Tasha's identity card and clean clothes. He changes clothes and takes everything that is useful. Then, he finds dry branches and make a fire, burning the tree and Tasha's body. He sleeps there, near the fire. In the morning, he lights a cigarette again, watching his female body and thinking.

"It makes no way to fight against it. Stromboli is dead. Now, I am a woman in all aspects".

Then, he thinks what to do. It is time to accept the reality. So, he says it, first whispering, then louder, then even louder, then screaming:

"Stromboli is dead. I am Cindy".

Why Cindy? When he was a teen, at high school, he and a few classmates made a party. Some boys dressed as girls, using clothes from their girlfriends. His girlfriend, Cindy, wanted to do the same with him, but he refused.

"Come on, darling, please, be Cindy II for one night!"

"No, I will never be!"

"If you really love me, you will".

"It is not that I love you, but... I am a man in all aspects".

Later, when he joined the mafia, he confessed about his classmates and their girlfriends. He sold them all as slaves, including Cindy. He sold the only girlfriend that ever loved him as a slave, to gather a better position and trust within the mafia.

"Stromboli is dead. Now, I am Cindy!"

What is left from the old Stromboli? The brain and a few body parts. But even those parts have the DNA changed. He is no longer a 'he' at all. Stromboli died. Now, only the soul remained. He is a 'she' for the remaining of its life. Stromboli died. Now, she is Cindy. So, Cindy takes the last things belonging to Stromboli and puts them on fire.

Cindy starts walking again, on the road. She thinks about all those who Stromboli killed or sold as slaves. Better if they were killed... but as slaves, nobody knows how much humiliation they endured. How much pain? How much suffering? Stromboli ordered other mafia leaders to be transformed into women and thrown to Betelgeuse VII. Well, not only heads of the mafia, but also judges who refused bribery and state officials who refused to accept his bloody money. Maybe, one of them is hiding nearby.

Cindy follows roads for the whole day. She does not want to enter the nearby town, knowing that Tasha is dead and its relatives will look for a way to find its body. Tasha was the last person killed by Stromboli. But now, Stromboli must die forever, while Cindy must take control. Cindy must find a way to survive in this world... but where?

In the end, Cindy reaches another town. She enters the town. Her feet are very tired and painful, after walking such a long distance. As she enters the town, she can see people. The people of Betelgeuse. They are so different from any other place in the galaxy. Guessing by their clothes and their appearance, some are men, some women, but a significant part are hard to define. They are so unusual. Guessing by their voices, it is also hard to say what gender they have. They way they dress is a very unconventional one. Even more, there are people with horns, people with long teeth like those of vampires, people that have something in common with animals and many unusual outfits.

"Is this some sort of carnival?" asks Cindy for herself.

Well, it does not take much and Cindy reaches what appears to be the town center. There are a few shops around a large concrete square. There, she sits and lights a cigarette, trying to recover after the long trip. But just as she sits, two people come and sit on the same bench, near her.

"Hi!" says one of them. "I never seen you around. Are you new?"

"Yes, I am new here".

"What is your name?"

"Cindy".

People gather around. There is no way to run, at least with her tired feet. Cindy has to go through, to listen to them and to answer their questions. What will they do?"

"Where are you from?"

"I am from the Pleiades", answers Cindy. "I mean, I were. They threw me here without saying much".

"From the Pleiades?" asks someone.

"What do they think this place is? They throw anyone here?"

"What did you do?"

"I did nothing", answers Cindy. "All I did, I refused bribery from a slave dealer".

"Don't worry, Cindy, nobody will harm you here", says someone.

"Do you want something to eat?"

"You need to register as a citizen of Betelgeuse VII. Then, you will get a free home and you will live with us".

"Thank you! I never found so much kindness", answers Cindy.

"And who threw you here?" asks someone.

"Stromboli", answers Cindy.

"That criminal!"

"That maniac!"

"I wish someone could pierce a knife in its heart!"

Here are the people that Stromboli hated all his life... and the people Cindy has to live with, for the rest of her life. Cindy finds out that they are not mentally ill, by far. They are friendly and try to help her in any way they can. Very soon, they take her to the online panels to order an identity card and citizenship. Very soon Cindy gets an abandoned house, that belonged to someone who managed to flee out of Betelgeuse. Also, very soon, they try to help her find a job.

**********

But is Stromboli really dead? No, nobody can transform completely over night. The same happens for Cindy. She needs time to adapt. People here say bad things about Stromboli. The same hate that he had for transgender people and sexual minorities still exists. Cindy needs time, time to adapt, to find her way. She avoid to be to close to anyone, because inside her, Stromboli wants to kill.

However, as time passes, she feels how Stromboli vanishes with every day. She choses to be a lonely woman, at least until she will be able to do anything else. But, in the end, Cindy accepts to have a partner, a hermaphrodite that looks more like a woman. This is what finally kills what little remained from Stromboli. However, all the way to the end of her life, Cindy will never say a single word about the time when she was a 'he'.

However, people on Betelgeuse VII know that they don't have much time left and there is no way out, unless people from Betelgeuse S will come and save them. The sun, Betelgeuse, started neon fusion. It has a large inert core. The neon flame started in the core and progressed outwards. Neon fusion restored the equilibrium of the star, delaying its death by a few Earth years. However, this fuel will not last for long. Very soon, neon got exhausted in the center and fusion continued in a shell, surrounding the core. For a while, the core is heated by this shell, but... As neon is exhausted, the flame moves away from the core. At some point, it will be too far to heat the core at all. Also, as it moves away, pressure and temperature decrease, to the point where neon fusion can no longer be sustained.

When stars fuse heavier elements, like carbon, neon, oxygen, magnesium or silicon, they lose most of the energy as neutrino radiation. Inside those stars, at the huge pressure and temperature encountered there, all photons are high energy gamma rays. When two gamma ray photons collide, they can produce a neutrino - antineutrino pair, losing part of their energy. As this happens, the star loses energy and needs to fuse its remaining fuels faster then ever.

It will not last long until oxygen fusion will start... and from that point, the clock will be ticking much faster, because as temperature in the core grows, the neutrino radiation also grows exponentially. All this time, from the outside, the star looks the same, but on the inside, it is a fight between death and life, a fight where life has no way to win, despite all sacrifices done.

Two rabbits are captive in the same box. The first rabbit waits to be released in the wild. The second rabbit waits to become lunch (from a fable).

What went wrong with Betelgeuse VII? Not a long time ago, that planet had a booming economy and it was a paradise. But, when people found out that the sun will explode, panic arose and the economy collapsed. In 3066, the new dictator, Caligula XVI, was elected. Caligula XVI is, like many on the planet, a transgender person, born as a woman, but who decided to become a hermaphrodite.

The sun is expected to survive until 3077, so there is not much time left. The whole population hopes that the new planet, Betelgeuse S, will be terraformed in time, so that the whole population will be evacuated. But until then, the population must survive. The dictator promised, before the elections, that it will do anything to help the poor. Until that, nobody did this. People were encouraged to work. The very low taxes stimulated people to start working and sustain themselves this way.

The dictator increases taxes, from 0.4% to 1%, then to 3%, then to 10%. Everyone on the planet that has no job, will receive a quota of this money. However, things go to the opposite. Since it becomes more easy to wait money then to work, people turn to this aid. Less money gather to the state budget. So, the dictator starts printing money. This causes inflation to rise very fast. Nobody uses paper money any more. The currency, BC (Betelgeuse Credit), is hosted on identity cards or bank accounts. But things get out of control.

In past, a pack of cigarettes was sold for up to 10 BC. Then, in 30 days, it is sold for 25 BC. Merchants have to sell everything as expensive as they can, so that they can earn enough money to buy new goods. At the beginning of 3068, the price of a pack of cigarettes rise to 1.1 billion BC. In 3069, it is 3.7 trillion BC.

As this goes on, public demonstrations are common. People want more money, putting more pressure on the dictator, which in return brings in more money, that are useless. In 3070, nothing can sustain itself. Automated trains, which allowed cargo to travel all over the planet, are stopped, because a lack of funds. Dams cease to produce energy. Hyperinflation keeps adding zeros to the value of everything... up to the point where people no longer understand the value of anything.

From the paradise that it once were, Betelgeuse VII is now in chaos. In every town, people protest against the dictator, against the constitution, against anything. Many people go crazy, feeling like in a cage. There is no way out. The sun will soon go supernova and the clock is ticking.

Then, in 3070, a group of people try to take control over the ISA base on the planet. Many more come. The base and the orbital station are owned by the ISA, the Interstellar Agency, which operates almost all bases in the galaxy. Facing a public riot, the ISA decides to evacuate all its employees from Betelgeuse sector. The surface base is locked down and abandoned. The orbital station is dismantled. From now on, Betelgeuse VII is locked away from the outer world.

In 3071, new elections are scheduled. A new dictator is waiting to take the iron throne. The elections take place with many difficulties, but in the end, one person is chosen. The dictator Caligula XVII takes the iron crown. However, this does not last long. Everyone accuses the ruling dictator for major acts of corruption, while others want the elections to be repeated. The next year, 3072, the dictator takes its own life, unable to handle all ever-growing problems.

Betelgeuse VII is now an anarchy. This is the worst possible position for any planet. Only the infamous UV Ceti is an anarchy.

Caligula XIII sacrificed its life to start terraforming of Betelgeuse S. This person should be considered a national hero. However, the poor people of Betelgeuse VII remember it as the beginning of chaos, because, since it took power, the economy started to fall apart. They remember Caligula XVI as the blessing hero, since it tried to help the poor, destroying everything.

**********

At 10 light years, the planet Betelgeuse S, orbits its red dwarf star. The planet is nearly completely terraformed. The atmosphere is almost breathable. People are starting to walk outside without air masks and oxygen tanks. An exposure of an hour is not deadly, but can let you feel dizzy. The planet is not opened yet for settlers, but soon it will be.

On the surface, there is a large dome city, which is, for now, the only inhabited area. The colony makes a lot of money from body transformation. This is what transgender people love, to change their appearance to the opposite sex. Now, with only one injection, you can change your DNA. Then, other body parts are grown in vitro and replaced to existing organs. Things that were impossible in past, now are completely possible. Also, a significant part of the population prefer to be hermaphrodites, with both gender organs functional. It is amazing, the birth of a new human race.

However, most of those who come here have different requests and are willing to pay big.

Some people want to go to the extreme. Here, money can do everything. People with severe diseases come to cure themselves. Many come for a heart grown in vitro, for kidneys, for livers, lungs and not only. In fact, they account for 40% of the clients. Some have paralyzed feet and hands and want to grow new ones, functional. Some say it is a medical miracle what is going on here.

About 30% of those who come to Betelgeuse S, want a different body, but without changing gender. In some cases, transformations are beyond recognition. It is plastic surgery token to an unseen level, without the use of silicon implants. What these people get, is a set of new body parts, artificially grown, that look as they wish and that the body will consider to be its own organs. Cloned organs are all made from embryonic cells from the same body, having the same DNA.

Here are a few incredible body transformations that shocked the medical community:

Alexandra, a well known actress, wanted a new body. She wanted to be smaller, with longer fingers, with huge eyes and a very long tongue. She also wanted larger breasts and a skin with reptilian appearance. To do this, almost all her body had to be replaced.

Annabelle is a porn star, which requested something never tried. She wanted to have four vaginas, one in front, one in back and two on each side. Also, she requested to have four breasts: two in front and two on back. All this was done in an incredibly short time of 14 Earth days.

Trieste is a man, who wanted to have wings. This was a huge challenge, because nobody ever made such a thing. The wings were grown in vitro, but failed to carry the whole body weight. New wings were designed, larger and stronger. In order to make them work properly, the whole body had to be transformed. Stronger bones were needed. Also, he needed a more powerful heart and larger lungs, which could not fit into his chest. So, he needed a major reconstruction of his whole body. It took almost an Earth year... When Trieste returned to his home planet, he shocked everyone, as being the first human able to fly without an engine or any other device. The huge wings were not covered with feathers, like those of a bird, but they were made of skin, like those of a bat.

Tommy is another example, as the first human to live in a new body. He was a dwarf, a bit over on meter high. Only the brain was kept as it were. All the rest of his body was cloned. Tommy opted to be two meters high and to have a body full of muscles. Nobody could recognize him when he returned home.

Some people want to look like anime characters, some want to look like actors and some want to be furries, something between a human and an animal. Everything like this is possible for a certain sum of money.

About 20% of clients are those who want to change gender. Now, it is possible for them to have the body they dreamed about, completely replacing some body parts. Well, some only go for a limited change, while others go for the extreme.

Finally, there are about 10% of the population who go to reverse transformations. They want their initial bodies back, or at least partially back. They are those who are not satisfied with their new appearance and behavior.

The head of Betelgeuse S colony is Delta, the brother of Caligula XIII, a former dictator of Betelgeuse VII. Delta is born as a man, but opted to be a hermaphrodite. Now, it is getting over 60 Earth years old. Over its live, Delta has seen many things. In its childhood, Betelgeuse VII was a paradise. Then, it realized that the star will soon go supernova. Its sister, the dictator, sacrificed its life to start terraforming this new planet, as the only alternative to save the population... but at what cost. Delta has seen the death of its sister, the death of the previous dictator Caligula XII and the death of its best friend, Etna. Its only child, Angela Northern, was sold as a slave. All this, by the hands of the people from Betelgeuse VII, the people that are supposed to be saved. Etna also had a child, Julia, but nobody knows where it is... or if it still is alive. Too many deaths. Now, Delta is aged and alone, with a huge responsibility on its head.

Delta doesn't want to bring in the people from Betelgeuse VII here, but this is its purpose in life. This is what its sister sacrificed its life for. Now, Betelgeuse S earns more and more money because of incredible body transformations. All the people here want to hurry-up the terraforming process and to save people from Betelgeuse VII. After all, everyone who lives here, came from Betelgeuse VII or at least its parents were from there.

So, Delta decides to make a compromise. Since Betelgeuse will explode in 3077, there still is some time to improve the planet, to make it as habitable as possible. The main concern about red dwarf stars, is that a planet in the habitable zone is very close to the star, about 10 to 20 times closer then mercury is to Earth's sun. At such a small distance, the planet is tidal locked. On one side, there is an eternal day, while on the other side, it is an endless night. Ice tends to accumulate on the dark side, where temperatures fall way below zero. Is it possible to make the planet spin slowly? Yes, it is. In the Solar System, Venus rotates very slow, because of the effect of the winds. If the winds or the ocean currents circulate the planet in one way, the planet itself will slowly rotate in the opposite way. To do this, Delta needs to make a few changes. Some high but narrow mountain ranges have to be built. A few rivers have to change course. Also, in the oceans, a few submerged mountain ranges have to exist, to force air and water in a circular movement along the equator. All this seems possible to be made in 5 Earth years. Theoretical measurements show that this will make a day-night cycle of 247 Earth years.

The main problem with Betelgeuse S is that the planet lacks water. All oceans are made shallow, to save water. The initial project was for the whole dark side to be a very shallow ocean. This way, glaciers will not form. The ocean will be covered with ice, but will return to the illuminated side, to gain heat. But what if, somehow, this will fail? What if, in some place, currents will not allow cold water to move and the ocean will freeze? The entire circuit will close and ice will accumulate.

With the money gain from body transformations, Delta can re-configure the planet and fast. There is enough money for that. Delta starts to transform the planet in 3066 and by 3072 it is all finished. The oceans and the atmosphere start to circulate in one direction, slowly pushing the planet to rotate in the opposite direction.

Then, comes the shocking news. First, Delta finds out that the ISA closed the base on Betelgeuse VII and removed the orbital station. And then, the most surprising of all, is that Caligula XVII went suicide. Betelgeuse VII is now an anarchy. Everyone asks Delta to hurry-up terraforming processes. Thinking what to do, Delta accepts. In 3075, day 1, the planet will be opened for settlers. From that day on, Betelgeuse S will pay transport companies to take refugees from Betelgeuse VII and bring them to their new settlements on Betelgeuse S. Everything is ready.

**********

In 2065, the star, Betelgeuse, started neon fusion. the neon flame ignited in the core and extended towards the outer borders of the core. Soon, neon was exhausted in the core and fusion continued in a shell. For a while, the neon flame could heat the core, preventing its contraction, as it moved outwards. But then, the flame went too far and started to fade away. Without any source of heat, the core starts to cool, losing its energy as neutrino radiation. While it is cooling, it starts to contract. The contraction produces extra heat, until oxygen fusion starts.

In the year 2072, oxygen fusion starts in the core. One gram of oxygen produces about twice the amount of energy produced by one gram of carbon. The core of Betelgeuse contained 40% carbon which powered-up the star for 600 Earth years, plus an additional 100 years when carbon was fused in a shell surrounding the core. Because neon fusion produced enough oxygen, now the core contains 70% oxygen. Looking at the numbers, one would expect that oxygen fusion will keep the star going for 2100 years... but it's wrong. Betelgeuse will only fuse oxygen in its core for two years, then the fusion will continue in a shell, surrounding the core, further heating the core for an additional year. All this, because nearly all energy produced is lost as neutrino radiation.

Inside the star, oxygen atoms collide with incredible force. They merge, forming something much heavier: silicon, sulfur or phosphorus, also releasing energy. The collisions are not perfect, sometimes a proton, an electron or an alpha particle (helium nucleus) is released. They merge with other atoms that they find, preferring lighter ones. The core contains sodium and magnesium, produced by carbon and neon fusion. Usually, these fragments merge with sodium and magnesium, forming silicon, but sometimes, they merge with other, heavier atoms, created by oxygen fusion.

After oxygen will be exhausted, the star will try to fuse what little sodium and magnesium it has, but this will produce too little energy.

On the planet Betelgeuse VII, the neutrino telescopes are watching. Amid all the chaos, nobody destroyed them. The neutrino signature of oxygen fusion is detected immediately. The news spread the planet. Last time, when neon fusion started, people went to the streets to celebrate. This time, all is quiet. People hear the news and look at the sun, which is emitting far more neutrino radiation then light. All that radiation go through objects without doing anything. It is all lost. It is like people want to get inside and fix the sun. They would like to help it survive. It is impossible to do that, everyone knows it, but this is what people feel like. They would want to reverse the process somehow, to turn back the clock to the time when the star was fusing carbon and everything looked like a paradise.

The oxygen flame heats the core and expands until it reaches the dormant neon fusion shell. Then, the flame shrinks back. As the core contracts, a second oxygen flame rises, smaller, using all fuel left. Then, oxygen fusion continues in a shell, surrounding the inert core. Further away, there is a neon fusion shell, followed by a carbon fusion shell, followed by a helium fusion shell and a hydrogen fusion shell. Betelgeuse is starting to have the onion-shape structure, found in every supergiant star when its end is near.

Oxygen fusion ends in the core in 3075, the year when Betelgeuse S should open its doors for settlers.

**********

On the first day of 3075, Delta, very old, takes a trip to the planet. It personally breathes the air and drinks water from a spring. Everything looks perfect. Then, it returns to its throne, to celebrate the event. But, once it returns, everyone asks:

"When should we start bringing people from Betelgeuse VII?"

"There is one major problem", says Delta. "The orbital station is no longer there. So, large ships cannot dock. We have to purchase large interstellar ships to carry passengers and small landing ships to ferry them between surface and large ships. First of all, we need to purchase all them, then we can start the evacuation".

Then, Delta asks one more thing:

"Before the evacuation begins, I order that, a special team will go to Betelgeuse VII and take the crown worn by all dictators. I declare myself Caligula XVIII, the last dictator of the iron dynasty. Everyone that will come after me, will chose another name. I want to be the last of the Caligula dynasty".

UV Ceti is the most cruel stellar system in the galaxy. It is an anarchy, pirates, fugitives, criminals and mafia factions hide in the dark, fight for power and manage their illegal business, far from getting unified. In the last years, there is a person who gain power. Angela Northern. Nobody knows where she came from... or if she is a woman at all.

The story of Angela Northern starts somewhere, far away. Her parent is Delta, the brother of Caligula XIII, dictator of Betelgeuse VII. At that time, Betelgeuse was a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities. Caligula XIII was born as a woman, but transformed itself into a hermaphrodite. Delta was born as a man but it also transformed itself into a hermaphrodite. At that time, knowing that the sun will go supernova, Caligula XIII sent its brother, Delta, to terraform a new planet, Betelgeuse S, located at ten light years away. Having both male and female organs, Delta got pregnant with itself and gave birth to a child, Angela Northern. Little Angela was born as a hermaphrodite. As Delta became the dictator of Betelgeuse S, Angela was enjoying a very good life, as a very respected and loved princess. But things don't always go the way you want.

One day, Delta sent Angela Northern with its best friend, Etna and its child, Julia, to Betelgeuse VII. There, someone managed to kidnap her. Etna was killed in the fight, Julia managed to escape, but Angela remained on the pirate ship. The pirates took her, with other captives, to sell them as slaves, in UV Ceti.

They travel all the way to UV Ceti in cryogenic sleep, frozen in liquid helium. Then, all prisoners are forced to wake-up from hibernation. Angela wakes as a few rude guys force everyone to undress. People shout, cry or beg for mercy. But what mercy can have those brutes? Nothing. All captives are forced to march undressed, while potential clients watch them and estimate their value. Someone pays for little Angela and takes her. She is forced to enter a cage and goes with the new owner. This is how she arrives at the body farms, the most inhuman thing in the galaxy.

The new owner takes Angela, examines her and looks surprised to see both male and female organs. Overall, her body looks more like that of a woman, since she has breasts which are starting to grow. Then, the new owner beats her without mercy and rapes her, giving her to his men, which also beat her and rape her over and over. Then, they apply a punish ring around her neck and throw her, naked, in a cage. The punish ring, which all slaves have to wear, as well as all servants, looks like a tight necklace. It creates an electromagnetic field and is able to send pain signals directly into the brain. When someone wants to punish a slave, it just pushes a button and the ring will produce pain without affecting the body at all. Punish rings are made so that, if selected, they deliver pain each time the slave speaks something or does anything not allowed. Very soon, Angela finds out how painful this device is. When she tries to talk with other slaves kept in cages, she receives a pain like the amputation of a foot.

In the cage, she is not allowed to cry. One single whisper and the punish ring makes her feel a pain like never before. She can see this anywhere, as many other slaves are tortured with this cruel device.

Then, she starts working in the body farm. Her first job is to feed the women. They are the central piece of such a farm. Locked in single-person cages, women are kept naked, to get pregnant and give birth. Slaves come and feed them with a plastic tube, that enters through the mouth into the stomach. It is a brutal way to feed. Many newcomers scream, then their punish rings deliver a huge pain signal, so that they convulse of pain for hours. Feeding is done 3 times, at 8.00 to 12.00, 16.00 to 20.00 and 0.00 to 4.00. Between 4.00 and 12.00, a slave comes with a water pump and cleans all women and their cages with a jet of water. There are no toilettes. All women piss and defecate in their cages.

Then, between 12.00 and 16.00, another slave comes for the medical check, for signs of fertility or pregnancy. Fertile women are inseminated in a brutal and painful way. Those pregnant get birth alone in the cages. If anything goes bad, they are left to die. Then, between 20.00 and 0.00, it is relocation time. At that hour, born children are token, women are injected to stop lactation and those who died are removed.

Children are grown in other parts, in cages. They are separated from a very young age. Some are to replace the women and men, some are to be sold. Depending on what clients want, they receive a different type of education. Everything is done with painful methods. From sexual slaves to working slaves and ruthless soldiers, they all develop here. The first thing they learn is complete obedience to their masters. A large number of children, both boys and girls, are castrated. The operation is done with no anesthetic and is extremely painful.

Another part of the body farm is where reproduction men are kept. They are carefully selected. Someone might think that they are the lucky ones, but it's not. They also stay in cages, like the women. Their semen is milked with very painful electric shocks.

In UV Ceti, people have no mercy. They like to torture, to see the pain in the eyes of their victims. Some slaves are grown for this, especially the weakest. They are skinned alive, bitten over and over, burned, flogged and tortured in any way. This is what happens with the weakest. In the end, they die. Every deceased is transformed into food for the other slaves. Well, the main food is made from algae, which are the cheapest way of obtaining food. Gladiator fights are also very common. People love to bet on fights or to purchase a slave only to torture it.

Once arrived in this hell, Angela Northern had no time to cry. She was bitten over and over and sexually abused in all ways. Then, she started working in the body farms. There is no single second to cry. Once anyone will see you crying, they will beat you, to see you suffering. She is still very young and has to prove that she is worth to her owners. At night, she has endless nightmares, but she cannot wake-up crying or shouting. That will be enough for the punish ring to deliver her body a massive pain signal. She also adapts fast to the so disgusting food, that she receives through the feeding tube. With no mercy, she has to feed the others. She has to execute all orders without question. Is she tired? Nobody will bother not to punish her. Does she has mercy to any slave? Punishment for mercy is an agonizing death.

As she grows, she becomes more powerful and more skilled in all this. She is transferred to another sector, to watch the children, the future slaves. She has to feed them, to give them instructions and to punish them. Only one year has passed and she was working with children that will be future soldiers. Her superior in rank asks her to kill two children for not respecting the order... and she does not hesitate. It is the first time in her life when she kills someone. Then, she is sent to the castration unit. She first helps the doctors, which are in fact other slaves. Then, she starts doing surgeries on her own. Each operation is extremely painful, since no anesthetic is used, but she executes all without any delay and without saying a single word.

Working with slave soldiers, she learns many fighting techniques. At some point, someone attacks her and she defends herself. She kills the attacker in only ten seconds. However, the owner is not pleased, to see dead a slave that could provide him with enough money. So, Angela is punished and tortured in front of all other working slaves. She is bitten for hours, but she does not say a single word. She doesn't cry. Seeing this, her owner is pleased and gives her a higher rank.

It doesn't take much and she becomes a gladiator. She shows no mercy and proves to be an excellent fighter. Nobody can stop her, even when she is sent once against four other gladiators. Beneath the eyes of all others, she kills two of them, then torture the others, until they die, screaming of pain. Then, her owner sends her to torture others. The most pleasant show, for many in UV Ceti, is to torture captured children, when their parents are watching all this. Angela Northern does all this. Children are bitten, raped and skinned alive. Then, their fingers and toes are cut. Then, their eyes are removed. And then, they are impaled. After they die, their parents are forced to drink their blood and eat their flesh... then they are tortured in the same way and finally killed.

As a very good fighter and after proving her complete obedience to her owner, Angela Northern gets the highest rank possible in the body farm: chief of the defense force. UV Ceti is a place where traitors, pirates, mafia factions and fugitives do anything to gain more power and more money. Body farms are in the center of all this, since slave trade offers the highest profits in the galaxy, far greater then drugs or weapons trading. Many times, pirates and rival farms tried to attack the farm. The owner knows that anyone can betray you, even the most trusted. In UV Ceti, words like 'friend', 'honor' or 'help' don't exist. Maybe some newly captured slaves might know them, but nobody born here know them.

**********

Rebellions are common, even among the slaves. This happens, even if the punishment is always an agonizing death. Angela Northern knows this, but, grown in this environment, she wants to be the best. She wants more, more power and more fame. She wants to take over the place in a way or another and to start a crusade against all those who turned her into this place. She once had a name, but now, like all slaves, she has not the right to have a name. She is known as 910197, the number she received when she came here. This is her slave number she got tattooed on her forehead and on her right hand, together with the name of her owner: 'Rape'.

As time passes, Angela Northern realizes how the punish ring is made and how it operates. Now, she knows how to turn it off, as she has access to the codes and the main database. She wants to start a war... but needs something for this.

One day, two merchants come to purchase a few slaves. This is unusual, since always merchants come in large numbers, to defend each others. She knows very well that all around, there are many ships waiting in the dark to attack a lost ship. One ship lands and the pirate goes around, to look for what it needs. Angela comes and watches the pirate, talking with it:

"What do you want?"

"I want a female slave".

"Come with me!"

As Angela takes the pirate, the other ship lands. A fat woman exits the ship, looking a bit scared. Angela realizes that this is a slave bomb. Inside its body, there is a powerful explosive device. She takes the first pirate into an elevator, down. She takes her punish ring and puts it around his neck. The elevator does not reach its destination, when a powerful blast is heard. Yes, it was a slave bomb. Angela gets out of the elevator, runs to the control room and sees that the ship landing area and a few buildings are destroyed. The planet has a temperature of -240 C and no atmosphere. Air is leaking out. She should order some doors to be closed... but in fact she orders the doors to open. What she wants is to kill defense slave soldiers by decompression. She opens other doors, where a few slaves are being kept after a riot, waiting for punishment. Then, she opens a door leading to the women cages. Decompression will kill them too.

As she does this, on the main screen appears her boss, shouting:

"910197, what is going on?"

"The farm is compromised", she answers.

"I see the women are dying. Close the airlock!"

"Negative!"

"Fuck you! You will be crucified for this!"

"I am no longer listening to your orders, Rape!"

It is a big sign of disrespect for a slave to use the name of its owner.

"You mean, Dominus", he shouts.

"Fuck you!" she answers, with a big smile. "My name is Angela Northern!"

In that moment, the owner commands Angela's punish ring, trying to kill her, but the ring is around that pirate's neck. The ring explodes and decapitates the pirate. Angela answers:

"You're dead!"

Saying this, she takes a space suit and some weapons. Then, she commands all doors to open. She exits control room. Everywhere around, chaos is happening. Released slaves attack other slaves. Angela sees a group of warrior slaves and says:

"Are you with me or with Rape?"

They take their weapons, wanting to shoot her, but not knowing what to do.

"Then, die!" she says, shooting half of them in a second. "You, come with me", she says to the remaining ones.

Quickly, she makes her way to where her former master is sitting. She kills him without hesitation. Then, she takes his head and puts it in a pike, for everyone to see. Then, she makes order in the farm. Everyone must kneel before her and kiss her feet, as a sign of respect and submission. Those who refuse, are killed without a question.

**********

This is the moment when she gains freedom. As she is free, she cuts the skin holding the number 910197. From now, she is officially Angela Northern. Also, it is the first time, after years, when she smokes again. On Betelgeuse S, like everyone, she started smoking from a very young age. From now on, everyone will see her holding a cigarette in one hand.

Angela does not stop here. She starts operating the body farm and builds an army of slave warriors. She starts building weapons. Before her, Rape used most of his fortune for his passions: gladiator fights and bets. Now, Angela does something else. She secretly builds a powerful army. Then, at some point, she sells the body farm and takes the soldiers with her. She buys a huge fleet of pirate ships.

She starts a cruel fight with other factions in UV Ceti. What she wants, is to build a blockade around the body farms. No merchant will be allowed to go there without paying a tax. Also, all farms will have to pay her a protection fee. She kills Burn and Death, two owners of body farms, then replaces them with her own people... then kills them again, for mutiny. Her military strategies are better then others. A cruel war starts on UV Ceti, which affects galactic trade with slaves. She is unstoppable. Nobody can fight against her pirate ships.

For the first time since centuries, one single person has power over UV Ceti. The system had been an anarchy for a very long time. Angela now controls nearly all slave trade in the galaxy, the most profitable business.

There are a few other small stellar systems that also produce slaves. There are merchants who steal humans, to sell them as slaves in other places of the galaxy. However, Angela is strongly determined to stop them and gain all profit for herself. She sends war ships and destroys the system of GI Cygni, letting nobody alive there. She extends her power over drugs and weapons traffic.

Then, she goes to Betelgeuse S, unknown to anyone there. Many criminals and fugitives went to that system for large-scale body surgery, so that they will not be recognized by anyone. She does something different. She removes her breasts and her genitals, because she felt that they made her vulnerable. But, when she returns to UV Ceti, she finds out that her empire is broken apart. Willing to take a share of the profit, all her captains are now guilty of mutiny. They are now fighting each one against the other, in a terrible lust for power. Angela is all alone, again.

She starts to fight again. She first attacks alone a small squadron of pirate ships, then another one, larger. Soon, all her pirates turn back to her. Only that, this time, she does not kill them for mutiny. She realizes that, the only way to keep them unite, is to fight for ever increasing bets. She has to take the war outside UV Ceti, to make the whole galaxy kneel before her feet. Even before, groups of pirates have attacked other solar systems. Everyone in the galaxy knows and fears them, but, because they never were united, they could only do small attacks.

The first system she attacks is Tau Ceti. Why there? Because of her memories. When she was kidnapped and sold as a slave, this is because someone from Betelgeuse VII offered to an UV Ceti pirate fifty people as slaves in exchange for a free ticket for itself and its child, to Tau Ceti. Betelgeuse will soon go supernova and everyone would pay anything to get out. Angela Northern wants to make sure that, the person who sold her life will not see another day. So, she organizes a powerful fleet and flies to Tau Ceti.

The weak army of Tau Ceti has no chance in front of Angela's pirate fleet. She says it loud and clear:

"I want the whole system, with all planets and all inhabitants. Surrender! If not, every man, woman, child or dog will face death!"

With no mercy, Angela's ships land on the main planet. They take the whole population into slavery. Then, they go to other planets and attack everyone. They throw powerful bombs and deadly chemicals, up to the point where no living organism can survive. All terraformed planets are destroyed beyond recovery. The pirates take anything that can be useful and leave behind a completely destroyed solar system.

Her next target is Epsilon Indi. Again, the weak army cannot fight against Angela's pirates. She completely destroys that system too, taking into slavery all its inhabitants who managed to survive. No planet is left undamaged.

Then, she attacks CN Leonis, a red dwarf star with large gold ores. There, the government surrounds unconditioned. Despite this, Angela shows no mercy and enslaves the whole population. She shows no mercy to anyone. Again, everything is destroyed beyond recovery.

Realizing that Angela Northern's army is too powerful to be defeated, other solar systems, like Alpha Centauri, EZ Aquarii and Lalande 21185, offer a huge tribute. Angela accepts only the most humiliating conditions for everyone. Each new system is forced to use all its production capacity to build war ships, bombs and to deliver a huge amount of slaves. She shows no mercy to anyone. The slave quota is so high, that some planets are in risk of depopulation. One after one, all state leaders in the Old World kneels in front of Angela Northern. Nobody has the power to oppose her.

**********

For a long time, one of the best clients of UV Ceti pirates was the Empire Of Polaris. This empire purchased slaves to boost its economy. In past, slaves were sold with about 800 CC. Angela Northern forced the price to rise to 3500 CC. Augustus XXIV, the emperor or Polaris, comes to a political visit to UV Ceti, to try to get a better offer. He is the first and the last person to speak with her face to face. The emperor envoy, with many political leaders, arrive to UV Ceti. They are the only ones who took pictures of her.

Angela is not tall and not short. Her hair is dark red, with the same color as blood. Her face is full of scars. She has black eyes. Her nose also has scars, as her mouth. She wears no crown and no jewelry, just a microphone that she uses to command at any time. She has no breasts, but a tight, dark-red, women blouse. All her arms are full with scars. Her hands are dirty with blood, probably from a recent execution. She has metal nails, fixed to her fingers. At one hand, she has a small electronic device, fixed with a bracelet. All her stomach and her back are covered with scars. Probably, there is no centimeter of her skin that remained intact. She wears a small, dark-red skirt, exposing her feet, also filled with scars. She has knee-long boots, which appears to contain weapons. Around her belt, there are guns, knives and other weapons.

But what scares the most, is the look of her eyes. There is no sign of light. She has the eyes of a wounded animal. No mercy, no pitty can be seen inside her.

"Greetings to your highness, Angela Northern, the queen of UV Ceti and the ruler of the Old World", says the emperor.

"Greetings, emperor", says Angela. "What brings you here?"

"I came all the way to talk business with you".

"Very well", says Angela, looking at each person from the imperial envoy. "Why did all them come here?"

"They are part of my assistance".

"I came only with two soldiers", she says. "What need to bring twenty-four people with you? Unless, they are an offer to me".

"My empire always paid you well for your slaves. We bring money. Why should we bring you slaves?"

"As a gift, emperor".

Angela northern smiles... but all the others feel her smile as a death sentence.

"No. My real gift is of money".

"You, leave me alone!" says Angela Northern, to her soldiers.

As they leave the room, she lights a cigarette and comes closer to everyone. She blows smoke in emperor's face.

"Is this a sign of respect on UV Ceti?" asks the emperor.

"The word you just said is not known to us, dear emperor. Oh, even the word 'dear' is not known here. But, if you want to show some 'respect' to us, how about a bloodbath?"

"A what?" says the emperor, very confused.

"Who is this person?" asks Angela, looking to someone in the imperial envoy.

"Your highness", says the person, "I am Marshall Evening John, chief of the military", answers the guy.

"And who are you?" asks Angela, talking to someone else.

"Your highness, I am Dr Leonard Freewall, chief of the government".

"I see... Only men. How pathetic", says Angela. "Men should be castrated or they are completely useless".

"Please, let's stop all this and come back to business", says the emperor.

"Well, emperor, I am doing already business", answers Angela, blowing again smoke in the emperor's face.

"You are just humiliating my people", says the emperor, short.

"Men are good for nothing unless castrated", repeats Angela. "What do you think I am? A man or a woman?"

"A woman", answers a woman from the imperial envoy.

"Well, not a man and not a woman. But you, I see you are a woman. Who are you?"

"I am Jakarta Reeds, chief of the main imperial bank".

"You see, emperor, I would prefer to talk with this woman. Do you know where all the slaves come from? They are born by a woman. It is these women that you should RESPECT, even more then your life".

Angela Northern pointed the word 'respect'. The emperor looks like not understanding where all this is heading.

"The only men who can really understand the value of a woman are those who are not men at all", says Angela, blowing again smoke in a few men. "They might have been men, but they changed into women... or women who changed into men. Transgender people. Is there anyone transgender among you?"

Nobody answers.

"Then, you all, pathetic men, should still be learning, if you still want to talk with me".

"Show some respect to our emperor", shouts a man. "He treated you with respect!"

Angela turns back to that man and looks him deep into his eyes. She blows a cloud of smoke in his face.

"Well, well... Another man thinks with his penis instead of his brain. I guarantee that you will not walk out from here alive".

As she says this, everyone looks scared, even the emperor.

"If you do something bad to any of us, our slave trade will fall", says the emperor.

"Who said that I want to sell you any more slaves? I want something else".

"Then, what do you want?" asks Jakarta Reeds, director of the imperial bank.

"Don't worry, you will walk out of here alive", says Angela, with a smile. "But not the same will happen with the men. Now, here is the thing. For the woman, she is free to return home. For the men, each one has the right to chose: die here or return alive. The only exception is you... who insulted me".

"Just hurt anyone and we are at war!" shouts the emperor.

"Yes, I need you alive... but you would prefer to be dead", says Angela to the emperor. "Here's the deal. There are two doors in this room. If you return by the door you entered, you will die. If you take the other door, the one behind me, you will live... but not as men, as women. Only three of you are not allowed to decide. The man who insulted me, will be killed here. The woman will remain alive. And the emperor will live".

"You will pay dearly", says the emperor.

"Guards!" shouts Angela.

The two soldiers enter the room. In that moment, Angela takes a knife from her belt and kills the man she promised to kill. All happens so fast, that he says nothing. One man takes a plasma pistol and... Angela instantly sees the pistol and moves away. One more second and that man is on the ground, with Angela's boot on his head. In the next second, one of Angela's soldiers tries to hit her... but her boot makes its way faster and smashes his... organs. Angela kills the traitor with the knife. Then, she cuts his genitals in front of everyone and throws them to the emperor.

"This is why men are so pathetic", she says. "Without these things, they are much smarter".

Then, she turns back to the guy from the imperial envoy, which tried to kill her. She takes her knife and points it at his chest.

"When someone wants to kill you", says Angela, "there are two things you must do. First, you have to entertain that person. And second, you have to give that person a reason not to kill you".

The guy starts crying. In an instant, Angela hits his genitals with her boots, over and over.

"I give you three seconds to give me a reason not to kill you. One"...

The guy cries, begging for mercy.

"Two..."

Then, she takes her knife and decapitates him.

"Three! You did not even try to entertain me... I am tired of garbages like you".

Angela throws her cigarette down and lights another one.

"Hurry up, people! That door to death, that door to live... the way I want. The woman and the emperor must live!"

Everyone goes to the door that was supposed to let them live. But, once they open that door, soldiers take them. Everyone is token to a body farm. There, they see women, enslaved in cages. From there, they are all token to the castration sector. All men are castrated like all slaves are, without anesthetic. Then, also without anesthetic, slave doctors add to all men breast implants. Angela Northern comes and watches, with much pleasure. Things don't end here. She sends a ship to Betelgeuse S, to grow in vitro female genitals for all of them, as well as DNA changing injections. They all stay in the body farm for weeks. In this time, they receive food through feeding tubes, which enter to their stomach through the mouth. They also stay in the same cages as women. After the new genitals are added, Angela makes sure that they cannot get pregnant. Then, she orders that everyone will be raped a hundred times. Everyone except the natural woman.

Then, she sends the imperial envoy back to the Polaris, but with one difference. Everyone has a punish ring attached to the neck. They must do as she wants. The orders are simple. They must start hyperinflation in the empire of Polaris. Also, they must increase the taxes and bureaucracy to a level where economy will collapse. Also, they must spend all state funds for social money. This will destroy the empire, make it collapse beyond recovery.

**********

The destruction of Polaris made slave trade almost collapse. UV Ceti is getting very rich with all the goods it takes from its conquered states. But, Angela wants something more. She sends her troops in a war against the Newton empire, the third largest empire after Polaris and the Pleiades. She conquers it without problems, but does not destroy everything. Instead, she asks for a huge tribute, that, in time, will weaken the empire.

She doesn't stop here. She fights and conquers planet after planet, star after star, until nearly the whole galaxy kneels in front of her.

After this, she goes to Betelgeuse VII. She wants to kill anyone there, as a revenge for her uncle, Caligula XIII. Only that, nobody knows who she is. The name 'Angela Northern' is common in many places. So, she goes with a small fleet.

But, as she arrives, she can see something bad. The neutrino emission from Betelgeuse is very high, so high that it affects many electronic devices. Normally, neutrinos pass through matter without interacting with it, but now, the star is emitting them in such a large number and such energetic, that the electronics of some ships are affected. Long-range sensors are not working.

"We will leave them alone", she says. "They will die anyway, very soon, when the star will go supernova".

While she is here, she notices the presence of some ships. They are from the Pleiades, the largest and most powerful empire in the galaxy. They come to Betelgeuse for one reason. In the Pleiades, to be a transgender or to belong to a sexual minority, is the most humiliating thing. This is the greatest punishment: for a man, to be transformed into a woman and sent to Betelgeuse VII, or for a woman (something rare, since on the Pleiades women are discriminated), to be raped and sent to Betelgeuse VII. What she doesn't know is that the Pleiades actually want to extend their power, creating a powerful base once Betelgeuse will explode. They want to conquer Betelgeuse S too, to exterminate all the people there and colonize the planet with their own people.

Instead of destroying Betelgeuse VII, Angela Northern decides to take all her armies and fight with the Pleiades. That is a very hard task. Unlike all other powerful states in the galaxy, the Pleiades are self-sufficient. They don't depend on trade with another star. They have all what they need and a very powerful army.

Still, Angela Northern tries the impossible. The Pleiades have a much more powerful army then hers. So, instead of attacking them, she decides to do something else. She sends small groups of pirate ships, to make fast attacks, to destroy and retreat. Her goal is to cut down the resources and the economy. Also, she deploys toxins and diseases to inhabited planets.

Her strategy proves to be very effective. The empire breaks apart. One by one, planets surrender, letting the imperial system Merope alone. The emperor does not have the resources to feed all its army, which surrenders to Angela Northern.

She enters in a triumphal march the capital city. Her pirates destroy all the luxurious gold buildings in the capital. There, she personally makes the biggest massacre seen since space age began. She orders everyone from the planet to come to a central square. Everyone gets tortured for days, except the emperor. Then, she orders everyone to be killed. With their blood, she fills a swimming pool. She adds an anti-coagulant and takes a swim in the pool, while the emperor watches all this.

This happens many days. She takes bath after bath in blood, forcing the emperor to watch this, to worship her. Then, when she gets tired of this, she orders that the emperor will be sent to surgery and transformed into a woman, then raped a hundred times.

After all this happens, Angela Northern asks that the emperor will be brought to her.

"How do you feel now?" she says, laughing and enjoying the sufferance in his eyes.

"You will pay for this".

"By who?" says Angela, blowing smoke in the air.

"Not from any human. From God. You killed too many people!"

"Who is God?"

"God is the creator of the Universe. He will punish you, in this life or in the next life".

"Well, it looks like that God does not exist. Why didn't he stop me?"

"He will".

Angela Northern looks at the emperor, now transformed into a woman.

"It looks like the most powerful person in the Universe is me. Hey, God, do you want to fight with me? Here I am!"

"He will. Not now, but he will".

"Well, former emperor, if that God created the Universe, He can save you from my hands. Can't he?"

The emperor does not answer anything.

"Tell me. Can He stop me from killing you? Because, if He cannot, He is not so powerful".

"Yes, He can".

"Well, God, stop me if you can".

Angela Northern takes her knife and cuts the emperor's head.

"Well, God, it looks like you actually exist at all".

Angela Northern takes the emperor's head and hits it hard, throwing it meters away. Then she says:

"Or, maybe it was God's will for me to take over the whole galaxy".

To complete her revenge. Angela Northern orders that the planet hosting the capital will be diverted from orbit, so that it will impact the star, Merope. This way, the planet will be erased from the galaxy.

**********

Angela Northern becomes the ruler of the galaxy. Everywhere, large demonstrations are held to please her. People build monuments, not by their own will, but to please her, not to kill them. She is worshipped like a god.

She knows that things will not last like this forever. She well knows that, those who worship her today, will kill her tomorrow. She knows that, since there is nothing more to conquer, the pirates will start again to fight one with the other. They will never stop. She is now powerful and still young, but one day she will get old. In that day, her own captains will try to kill her and will succeed. After all, they tried thousands of times. People in UV Ceti have no sense of honor and can betray you in any second.

Angela Northern decides to end all this, in a different way. She wants to remain in history just as she is and to make sure nobody will ever rise to the same level as she did. Long ago, she destroyed the body farms and officially abolished slavery. This way, pirates from UV Ceti will have no way to sustain themselves and will have to work for her.

Then, she invites all her captains in a remote orbital station for a celebration. They come… and she kills them all, with no mercy. From there, she takes her personal ship and flies directly into a star.

With other words, she commits suicide. She exits life in the most glorious moment of her life, to remain forever in glory. With all empires of the galaxy in ruins, nobody will have the power to build her empire back.

**********

After her death, comes a period of recession and famine in the whole galaxy, followed by a period of dispersion. Now, humans spread to other galaxies, to colonize the whole Universe. For centuries, she will remain an iconic figure in history, that nobody will dare to follow. A song will remain forever, about her glory:

THE SONG OF ANGELA NORTHERN

**

Narrator:

**

The flares of UV Ceti

Blowing death and fear

Brings the chains of slavery

With the smell of deadly kiss.

**

There sail the pirates, brave,

Killing back and forth;

Take with you the smokes you smoke

Angela Of The North.

**

The blast through the cosmic waves

Bites her hugry heart,

She promised the world to burn,

Only death can keep her hide.

**

Her shadow’s the great death

And her bleeding knife,

Hordes of pirates with no faith

Open Hell’s mouth wide.

**

Angela: My eyes! (burning)

**

I have been an orphan one

Raped and bitten close to death,

I promised to kill the whole world

To bring chaos with a word.

**

The flares blow like my hair

And Hell is open-wide!

Pirates fly like ravens

And make you all to die.

**

If anyone dares to ask god,

Tomorrow, Christ will die.

Surrender and kiss my boot

And face your death and cry!

**

No mercy and no tribute will

Beg me to save your life

The planets and all stars now will

Explode and tear apart.

**

Narrator:

**

Now approaching through the dark,

As pirates prepare for an attack,

Everyone can’t run out of the way

As flares of death burn everywhere.

**

Now she orders an attack

The world trembles waiting back.

They kneel in the way,

As they see the sky full of flames.

**

Sky into flames,

The world trembles in flames.

Planets into flames,

The galaxy surrounded by her flames.

**

Angela: My eyes! (burning)

**

Blowing thunder on the sky

Kiss of death is on the way!

My ships moving back and forth

There’s nothing standing more.

**

When Cosmos cries my name

It’s time for you to die.

My sword will bring me fame,

Famine if you survive.

**

My ships will bring slavery

And most of you will die,

You’ll rot and beg for mercy

But ther’s no place to hide.

**

Narrator:

**

Growing in the cage of Rape,

Blood and Death will fight,

Curse and Plague will crush the space

And Hell will open-wide.

**

The lost child of Betelgeuse

Has ordered world to die!

Her ships will cross the Universe

And paint the sky with blood.

**

Angela: My eyes! (burning)

**

The flares blow in my bloody hair

And tears the sky apart,

The beasts cry and then they kneel

As your world gets black.

**

You pay me a big tribute

With money and with slaves,

But I am sending you all mute

As you’ll end-up in chains.

**

Narrator:

**

Worlds in flames!

Planets in flames!

All sky in flames!

The galaxy in flames!

**

Angela: My eyes! (burning)

**

Then I take my ship away

And let world see my eyes,

Chose no one will ever dare

To be like me, up high!

**

My eyes! (blowing death)

A man found a thirsty dog near a fountain. Since he had no bucket and no rope, he went into the fountain and took water in his shoe and gave it to the dog to drink. In that moment, he felt very happy and his sins were forgiven (from a Muslim story).

Betelgeuse VII was a paradise for rare sexual minorities and transgender people. But now, since the sun is preparing to go supernova, this planet has become a hell. The economy collapsed. Some time ago, the dictator Caligula XIII sent its brother, Delta, to terraform another planet, Betelgeuse S, located at ten light years away. The dictator secretly diverted money for this project... and lost its life. Then, when Betelgeuse VII became a hell, Delta sent a its child Angela Northern and its best friend Etna with its child Julia, to calm down the spirits. Etna was killed, Julia was lost on the planet and Angela Northern was kidnapped and sold as a slave.

The terraforming of Betelgeuse S was a big secret. For this purpose, Delta had to use slaves, purchased from UV Ceti. Paid workers could tell their families where they work and the world would find out the truth. Well, slaves had a very good life. They felt like in a big family. On the first day of the year 3075, when Betelgeuse S was finally terraformed, they received freedom. As promised, they all received a home on the planet, citizenship, equal rights and land for agriculture.

The only problem is that Delta, after losing its sister, its child and its best friend, by the hands of those living on Betelgeuse VII, is not willing to save them. However, there are two people that convinced it to start the largest rescue operation in space history. Those two are former slaves. Here is their story.

**********

Abdullah was a boy, born in a faithful Muslim family, on a planet in the system 61 Cygni. He was kidnapped at the age of 13 by a group of pirates from UV Ceti. There, he was purchased by Murder, a pirate. He was kept in a cage and left to starve. Then, he was castrated. It was a very painful operation, done with no anesthetic. He had both testicles and his penis removed. Then, Murder sold him to Death, another pirate who was making drugs. Death was not satisfied, because Abdullah was not working fast enough, so he sold him to another pirate, Killer, who had a weapon factory. Also, Killer was not satisfied. He tortured Abdullah over and over, to make him work better, then sold him to another pirate, Rage, who sold him to Delta.

At that time, Abdullah no longer had a name. Slaves are not allowed to have names, but numbers. He had a number tattooed on his forehead and his right arm: 415002, together with the name of each owner he had.

When he arrived to Betelgeuse S, he was 20 Earth years old. His appearance was more like a woman. This is something common to castrated people. If castration occurs at a young age, the appearance will be that of a woman. however, if castration is done after puberty, the result will clearly be a man. However, if castration is done in puberty, some male features will be visible. He has small female breasts and a voice that looks more like that of a woman then that of a man, but his DNA is that of a man.

Both on Betelgeuse VII and Betelgeuse S, cross-dressing is common. Also, body transformations are done on a large scale. The standard lines of males and females no longer apply. There is a huge number of hermaphrodite people, who became like this because they wanted to be like this. The classic words he and she no longer apply. Because it is sometimes impossible to use the proper word, people prefer to use the term it. In other places of the galaxy, to talk about a human using it, will not be pleasant, but here, this is how people talk with each other.

Many slaves that came to Betelgeuse S are castrated. They form a distinct population. Many of them, opted to transform their bodies into that of a man, of a woman or a hermaphrodite. Abdullah - 415002, refused this and said:

"I will not be a he or a she. I prefer to be an it. I will remain as I am. Also, my name is not Abdullah nor 415002. Abdullah was a child and 415002 was a teen. I need to find another name".

Castrated slaves, all over the galaxy, form a third gender. They are usually called castrato people. Over a millennium ago, boys were castrated at a young age to preserve their juvenile voices. Such singers were called castrato. They were common singers in the opera.

The other person was born as a woman, in the most inhuman place of the galaxy: the body farms of UV Ceti. There, people are grown in cages. Women are forced to get pregnant and children are grown with a specific education, to be sold as slaves. She was born in the body farm owned by the pirate Curse. Because she showed to have a good genetic potential, Curse saved her for breeding. She never had a name, but a number: 516237. As she passed puberty, she was moved to her cage. The slave who first inseminated her had no experience and injured her uterus. It was a very painful experience. Because she did not get pregnant, she was inseminated again a few times... but she was sterile.

Because she never got pregnant, Curse sold her to another pirate, Blood, who took her and raped her, then threw her in a cage, where she was abused by his men. Then, he used her to clean and cook for his warriors. Because she was not working properly, he sold her to another pirate, Rage, who sold her to Delta.

When she arrived to Betelgeuse S, she was very sick and suffering from malnutrition. She needed urgent medical treatment. More then this, she needed psychiatric treatment, to recover from all her traumas. However, it was impossible for her to recover completely. She had endless nightmares. She was now a sfenist.

Soon, she found herself in a big family. For the first time in her life, she heard words like love, care, respect or value of a human life. She found out that people here don't have numbers, but names. Still, she was not decided what name to have. Also, very soon she found out that people practice cross-dressing on a large scale. On UV Ceti, there were men who had the power. Pirate women were rare. So many times in her life, she wished to be a man. Going to the extreme, to have surgery and transform herself into a man, is not what she likes. But still, cross-dressing is acceptable. Well, she will no longer be a she, but not a he. She likes the idea to be an it.

**********

415002 - Abdullah is a strong person. Still, it has a great talent in organizing a project. It was promoted to organize working projects. For example, when you need to create a natural barrier in front of a wind current (like a mountain range), it figures out what equipment to use, how to build the needed infrastructure, how to secure the needed energy and where to place the buildings for the workers.

On the other hand, 516237 is very good at organizing people. It knows how to deal with workers, how to group them in shifts, how to solve conflicts between them and how to convince them to work. It finds out how much food, water and oxygen will be needed and what else people will need during a certain project.

Because of this, Delta sent them to supervise the most difficult projects. Delta trusts them both, more then its own people. One day, Delta calls them both and ask them to find a name for themselves. Numbers are only used for slaves in UV Ceti. Many slaves already have chosen names, but they still haven't. Then, 516237 asks Delta:

"How are names chosen?"

"Well, for children, names are given by their parents. And it depends. When I was born, my parents wanted for me a name that will end with A. On Betelgeuse VII, since cross-dressing is very common, many boys are given names ending with an A. They opened the dictionary and chosen the name they liked the most".

"Then, we should do the same", answers 415002.

So, they open an online dictionary and chose the names they like. 415002 - Abdullah choses the name Analemma. Well, Analemma is a diagram showing the positions of the sun or a moon during each day of the year, at the same hour. Searching something related, 516237 finds another word, Anathem, which is in fact the name of a sci-fi novel.

From this moment on, they are Analemma and Anathem.

Also, they adapt to the life of Betelgeuse S. Analemma might have been a boy, but it looks more like a woman. It still has some male features, like a higher body and a face that has something masculine in it, but overall, it looks more like a woman. So, it prefers to dress like a woman. On the other side, Anathem, even if it was born as a woman, prefers to get dressed and behave like a man. Only the female voice betrays this. Anathem has small breasts that can be easily hidden behind clothes.

**********

Delta promised that, once terraforming of Betelgeuse S will be finished, the rescue operation will start. But, before this, it invites its best friends, Analemma and Anathem, to talk about this. It will be the largest relocation operation in history. Such a project will, by far, not be easy to do.

Delta was born as a man, but undergone surgery and DNA transformations to become a hermaphrodite. Now, it is very old. It sits on its throne, wearing the iron crown that was worn by the whole Caligula dynasty. Officially, it is Caligula XVIII. The crown stays on its white hair. The dictator wears a white mantle.

Analemma enters the room, wearing a black dress, with knee-high boots. Its hair is long and painted brown. Anathem wears a black costume with men shoes. Its hair is cut short.

"My friends", says Delta, lighting a cigarette, "I am very old. I lived my life for one purpose: to terraform this planet and to save the people from Betelgeuse VII".

Anathem also lights a cigarette, listening to the dictator.

"However, I don't know what to do", continues Delta. "The people I want to save, they killed my sister. They killed the dictator before it. They killed my best friend and sent my child in slavery. You know very well this. You both come from the hell of UV Ceti and you both know what is there. I wish my child just died, but maybe it suffers just like you did before you arrived here".

Analemma lights a cigarette too, thinking about UV Ceti and slavery.

"I worked all my life to save those who killed my family", continues Delta, blowing a cloud of smoke. "I don't want to save them. If I bring them here, I am afraid they will kill us all".

They both listen to the dictator, understanding the pain in its words.

"What should I do?" asks Delta, looking to them. "This is what everyone waits from me, to save them. We are all brothers and cousins with those on Betelgeuse VII".

"If you don't save them, they will all die", says Analemma, blowing a cloud of smoke in the air.

"I know..." says the dictator. "But, saving them, won't ensure our own doom?"

"I don't think so", says Anathem. "I was born in UV Ceti and I've seen the worst. I think we can handle them. After all, they are not pirates".

"What do you think they are?" asks Delta.

"I've seen pirates turned into slaves", says Anathem. "They tried to fight, but in the end, accepted the only way: submission. You have to be a bit tough. But these are not pirates".

"What is the meaning of your life?" asks Analemma. "Isn't it to save them? Why did Caligula XIII die? Your sister sacrificed its life to save them, well knowing what will happen".

"You are right", says Delta, "but... I often sent spies on Betelgeuse VII. Many of them consider that my sister betrayed them, to save its life and the elite. And they consider their savior to be Caligula XVI, who actually destroyed the economy, giving them social money".

"Yes, because they only see the money and nothing beyond", says Anathem. "But for sure, they see the end is coming. If you save them, they will consider you their real savior and will see what your sister has done to them".

"Will they?" asks Delta.

"Have mercy", says Anathem, blowing a cloud of smoke. "Just as you have when you decided to buy us".

When Delta was forced to work with slaves, it chosen to buy those who were not the best. Pirates often try to hide ill slaves behind the healthy ones. Delta always had mercy. Other slave dealers usually dispatch the weaker slaves, but Delta tried to buy those dispatched.

"Yes, I had mercy, but I used you... as slaves", says Delta. "I used your work to save those people. This planet should be yours".

"If you don't save them", says Anathem, "then all our work is wasted in vain".

"What was the reason why Betelgeuse VII was terraformed?" asks Analemma.

"To be a sanctuary for sexual minorities and transgender people", answers Delta. "This is what the first Caligula wanted to be".

"And Betelgeuse S will be a new paradise, replacing the lost one", continues Analemma. "If you stop here, you betray the founder, Caligula I. It never seen the terraforming complete. It never seen its dream coming true".

"Why did Caligula I terraform Betelgeuse VII?" says Anathem. "To help. Unfortunately, it had not the money to terraform another planet. It looks like Caligula I knew that Betelgeuse will not last long, but had no idea that it will explode so soon. It estimated that the star will last for millennia, which is long enough for someone to terraform a new planet".

"I know, my friends", whispers Delta.

"I will answer you with something my parents said", says Analemma. "The Prophet said that people must help each other. He said that anyone must give something to the poor. And someone asked: 'What if someone has nothing to give to the poor?' The prophet answered: 'Then, that person should work, get some money and give something to the poor'. And someone said: 'But what if someone cannot do that?' The Prophet answered: 'Then, that person should go itself and help others with its own hands, doing something helpful'. And again, someone asked: 'What if one cannot do even that?' And the Prophet answered: 'If someone cannot do even that, then that person should think what is it doing bad to other people. Even that is help'. In Islam, helping others is a very important thing".

They all stay quiet and listen. Then, Analemma continues:

"Allah has no mercy on one who has no mercy on others".

Delta looks down, thinking. Then, it says:

"I don't want to be judged by history as the dictator who left so many people to die. We must save them. Only that I just cannot. I give the mission to you. After all, I am too old to do this job. Analemma, you will take the fleet to Betelgeuse VII and start the rescue program. Save them before it is too late. Anathem, you will take care of the resettlement program. You will guide the refugees to their new homes and make sure they accommodate to this new world".

**********

On the first day of 3075, Betelgeuse S is officially terraformed. Delta purchases a large fleet of passenger ships, to carry the refugees. Analemma goes with the fleet, to start its work. Back home, Anathem prepares itself for the massive relocation program.

When the economy collapsed, Betelgeuse VII had a population of 187 million people. Some people managed to runaway, other died on the planet and other were born. Evacuating 187 million people in 700 days means an average of 27000 people per day. The population lived in 62417 towns. Each town had an online panel in its center. The planet seems to no longer have telecommunications, internet and even electricity. The first thing Analemma does is to replace all online panels with new, battery powered panels. They will inform people about ship schedules. A ship will come to each town from time to time, to pick-up survivals.

What happened to the star?

Betelgeuse is just as shiny as it were in the days of Caligula XIII. Only that now it is surrounded by a ring of gasses, ejected during a massive flare, when the third carbon shell ignited. The real changes are inside the sun.

Even in the days of Caligula I, Betelgeuse stopped fusing carbon in its core. The founder probably thought that helium fusion has stopped and carbon fusion will start. Carbon fusion continued in a shell surrounding the growing inert core. This shell slowly fused, heating the core for a while.

The star ended oxygen fusion in the core in 3075, just the year when rescue operations started. For a short time, oxygen will still be fused in a shell, that will heat the core. But not for long. As the oxygen flame moves outwards, it cannot heat the core any longer. The core is losing energy because of neutrino radiation. In every second, it loses more energy that it was losing 30 minutes during helium fusion. Because of this, the core contracts more and more. This contraction produces more heat, which in reverse increases the neutrino production.

By now, the neutrino radiation is so high, that it starts to affect the equipment.

The second thing Analemma does, is to install a neutrino telescope. It will warn the rescue fleet of incoming dangers.

Oxygen fusion produced heavier elements: silicon, sulfur or phosphorus. The reaction also produces free protons, neutrons and helium nuclei, which fuse with whatever they find in their way. The star still has some lighter elements from previous fusion reactions: sodium and magnesium. But, during oxygen fusion, much of the sodium also have been fused into magnesium, aluminum or silicon. Also, much of the magnesium has been fused into silicon.

Betelgeuse will try to fuse sodium and magnesium for a while. But these elements are not in large amounts, so this process will not last for long. In the end, the core will be a mass of silicon and heavier elements, that will be fused into iron. And when the whole core will be converted into iron, no further fusion reaction will be able to delay the incoming supernova.

Both Analemma and Anathem know there is not much time. They decide to evacuate and resettle 30 thousand people a day.

But will they make it? Will they save the whole population before it's too late?

Nature is the best and most efficient killer (an Ecologist).

The rescue operations start on Betelgeuse VII. First in each one of the former towns, the online panel in the center is put back into function. The panel will display the date and hour when a rescue ship will come, as well as the situation inside the star. Betelgeuse will soon go supernova. When that will happen, there will be nothing possible to do. The rescue operations are leaded by Analemma, a former castrated male slave that now prefers to dress like a woman, looking more like a woman then like a man.

Analemma decides to set its rescue base in the former capital city. Its ship lands there, at the former palace where once the Caligula dynasty ruled the planet. The plan is to take 27000 people onboard ships, freeze them in liquid helium and send them to Betelgeuse S, a planet located ten light years away and their new home. Each landing ship can take a bit over a hundred people, so there will be needed 270 landings each day. Analemma has a fleet of a hundred landing ships, which can easily land four times a day, resulting in 400 landings. There are 62417 former towns on the planet. Each town can be visited at every 156 Earth days, after a schedule.

Landing ships take people to orbit, where a large passenger transporter awaits. There, Analemma built a small transit base. Inside that base, people will be frozen in liquid helium. This way, they will not require oxygen and food during the flight. Each passenger transporter can take 60000 people onboard and the flight takes, using maximum acceleration and deceleration, eight days. Basically, there are twenty transporters. So, there will be one transporter taking refugees every day.

Then, on Betelgeuse S, transporters land in the orbital station. From there, people will be ferried with landing ships to the surface, frozen in liquid helium. They will wake-up on the surface, where they will be resettled to already built towns.

The first rescue ship is scheduled to land in the capital. It is a historical moment. Analemma wants to be there and watch the process itself. The online panel, installed a few days ago, displays the remaining time until ship arrival. There are a few hours left and people gather to take the first place, to get out of here.

But what happened to this place? Once, Betelgeuse VII was a blowing economy and an example of democracy. And now? All people gathering here, look dirty, with ripped clothes, with scars on their faces. The town was built like any other town on Betelgeuse VII, with parallel concrete streets, that intersect other parallel streets, forming squares of 200 meters each. Each square hosted four equal properties, four houses. Now, all the houses look damaged, with broken windows and with plaques of wood replacing the glass. Many homes have their roofs destroyed. Each house was surrendered by a garden. Many people had animals. People were encouraged to farm, to produce their own food and goods. But now, much of the town seems to be abandoned. The former concrete roads are covered with mud and vegetation. Trees have grown on the roads. But still, many people grow their food in their gardens. Vegetables, tobacco, animals and even corn can be seen in many places. Only that all seems made of improvisations. On some buildings, the old paint is still visible, damaged. Former flying cars are abandoned along the roads. Others have been transformed in homes for animals.

As people gather to take the first ship, Analemma notices that there are far more people then the ship can carry. They all wait, well knowing that the ship cannot take more then 150 squeezed people.

Finally, the first ship arrives, a few minutes before schedule. The ship is scheduled to wait until it is full with people, but if not enough people gather inside, it cannot wait more then an hour. Then, it will fly an hour to the passenger transporter and has another hour to deploy all the people. And then, it has another hour to fly to the next targeted town. Four hours are allocated for each landing. This would mean that a ship can land 6 times a day, but Analemma knows very well that unknown factors might occur and always adds reserve time to each schedule.

The ship lands where the town center once was, near the online panel. It is still warm from atmosphere friction. The door opens and people fight to get inside. They don't calm down. Instead of entering in a row, they fight with each other. Analemma knew this will happen. Instead of taking a hundred people, the ship gets filled up to refuse. The pilot is instructed not to get out of the ship, to wait until there is no more free space and to fly. But, outside, people start to fight with each other, to get inside. When there is no more room, the door closes and the ship starts to fly.

"Sandra, how many people you have?" asks Analemma on its radio.

"I don't know exactly, but it looks like I have almost 200".

"Can you fly with this extra weight?"

"It is a bit heavy, but I can. I will make it to schedule".

Analemma returns to the former palace, where many online interactive panels allow it to see what is going on the planet. About every 15 seconds, a ship lands somewhere, taking refugees. Everywhere, the same happens. Analemma can see on one panel, images from the cameras of a ship. People try to get inside, they try to squeeze through the entrance door by any means. They even kill each other. Inside, they squeeze as tight as they can. There is no room for all. No luggage is allowed.

Then, as the ship starts to fly, people in the hull struggle to stay. When it lands, each ship takes oxygen from the atmosphere, so that people will have what to breath. As the ship accelerates and turns to reach the transfer base, people are exposed to powerful moves. Some throw-up. A few claustrophobic people start to be more agitated. Well, this lasts for 40 to 50 minutes, then the door opens. People get into a larger room of the station, where they mix with people brought with other ships.

There, they meet the first people from Betelgeuse S. They are former slaves, now free people. Some people, in the chaos, lose contact with their loved ones. The former slaves try to convince everyone to get to the freezing tanks. It is chaos. People scream, some of them fight. But, in the end, they all understand that they must go on. They must go to the freezing tanks and get loaded on the transporter.

Once they are frozen, the process is all automated. Each person is token on a conveyer belt and sent to the docking place, in liquid helium. Frozen, they are no longer noisy and no longer cause problems. The hardest job is, just as Analemma thought, for the people who have to guide refugees to the freezing tanks. They have weapons, not to kill, but to paralyze those who will not cooperate.

Overall, everything goes just as Analemma planned things to go. There is no other way. It is impossible to take more people out once. Betelgeuse S could not afford to buy more ships for the operation. Landing ships return to the planet, to their next target, to take more refugees. Pilots would like to make extra landings, to take more people, but Analemma made a clear schedule for everyone.

The first transporter gets loaded with 78000 people. It has a default capacity of 70000 people, but there is always some extra space. They all go to their new homes and their new life. A few hours before it detaches, a new transporter arrives to the base. All is working perfectly. The new transporter opens its cargo for passengers just when the other one closes its doors.

If all works like this, the population can be evacuated in 250 to 300 days, not 700 as was the initial plan.

There is another thing that Analemma had in plan. The empire of the Pleiades had a secret plan to take over both Betelgeuse VII and Betelgeuse S, during the rescue operations. Since Betelgeuse VII was isolated to the world, the empire of Pleiades sent its criminals in exile there. All were transformed into women with the help of surgery and DNA modifications, then abandoned on Betelgeuse VII. Their bodies might be transformed, but their brains no. The plan was that these criminals will start an attack or even a rebellion on the planet, in the ships or even on the new home planet, Betelgeuse S. Then, the Pleiades will interfere with a military unit, camouflaged as a mafia faction. This would give the emperor the right to interfere with a larger military unit, to formally 'bring in the peace' and conquer Betelgeuse S.

In order to counter such an attack, Analemma has its own military unit waiting on orbit, made of former slaves. If needed, they are ready to land and stop any rebellion.

Not much time ago, ships from the Pleiades were already stationed in orbit around Betelgeuse VII. But just before the rescue operations started, there was a massive attack from the pirates of UV Ceti, which destroyed the whole fleet. Then, these pirates, with their bloody captain Angela Northern, went to the Pleiades and started a war there.

Angela Northern and its fleet of pirates started a war against the powerful empire of the Pleiades, first taking down all the fleet stationed around Betelgeuse VII. Without this, rescue operations could have ended in a more different way. Compared to the powerful weapons of the Pleiades fleet, the small fleet that Analemma brought here would have been defeated in an instant, like a snowball in hell. No rescue operations could be possible in such conditions.

After a few days, Analemma finds out that everything is working very well. It no longer needs to check out everything. However, violence occur on the planet. Some people, trying to get faster out, go from town to town, searching for the next scheduled landing. When a ship lands, there are many people from other towns. Some people try to kill the others or at least to scare the others with weapons, to get the first out. Others try to convince people that, the ones who lived will end-up as slaves in UV Ceti. All this, to scare others and get themselves first to the ships. But Analemma does not bother. There is enough time to evacuate the whole population, to take everyone out. Let the most desperate ones leave first, then will be rescued the others.

Everything goes just as planned. Landing ships make four landings every day, taking away more and more people. They follow their schedules and after 156 earth days they return to their previous destinations. A ship lands for the second time in the capital, to take other people away. This time, people fight again to get out and save their lives. The third time a rescue ship lands, not many people remain outside. Almost all the

**********

Analemma sits in the former palace, in its room, watching the rescue operation on the online panels. The transmission is not very good. Betelgeuse is getting closer to its death by each day. The star has used all its oxygen in the core. For a while, oxygen was still fused in a shell surrounding the core. Now, since no more energy is produced, the core collapses, increasing pressure and temperature, trying to fuse something heavier, to generate some energy.

In the core, temperature increased to two billion degrees K and pressure reaches 500 metric tons per cubic centimeter. One matchbox filled with matter from the core of Betelgeuse will weight like a full loaded cargo train. Things were not like this before. When Caligula I, the founder of Betelgeuse VII colony made its first research, conditions were so different in the core. Temperature was around 80 million degrees, which is 25 times cooler. Matter density was also much lower, at 30 metric tons per cubic centimeter. These values are huge. Basically, all atoms in the core are tightly squeezed, while their electrons fly in the tight space between. At such huge temperatures, all light is in the gamma ray spectrum.

And this is what triggers the death of a giant star. Matter is tightly squeezed and collisions between atoms, between electrons and even between gamma rays are very common. Sometimes, during these very energetic collisions, some of the energy is lost under the form of a neutrino and antineutrino pair. Each neutrino files away from the core, taking stealing some of the energy. To compensate, the core contracts more, heating itself and producing even more neutrino. It is a runaway, accelerated road to death.

Each time the core finishes a fuel, it contracts until temperature and pressure are just right for another nuclear fuel to ignite. Each time, the star fuses the ashes of a previous fuel. Each time, something is transformed into something more heavy. Oxygen is exhausted. The star now tries to fuse sodium, via photodisintegration. A sodium atom absorbs an energetic gamma ray and loses a part of it: a proton, a neutron or an alpha particle (helium nucleus), becoming something lighter: neon or fluorine, which further loses something, all the way to oxygen. This process consumes energy. Then, oxygen atoms fuse and produce silicon, generating energy. In addition, released protons, neutrons and alpha particles merge with other sodium, magnesium and aluminum atoms, generating energy. Atoms with even number of protons are more stable then those with odd number. So, in the end, photodisintegration of sodium produces mainly magnesium and silicon.

Sodium fusion increases in intensity, trying to produce enough energy to counterbalance the neutrino loss... but before this happens, all sodium is lost, because it is not in large quantities, only about 10%. So, core contraction is not stopped, only slowed. Soon, magnesium fusion will start. Because magnesium is in higher amounts, around 30%, it will stop core collapse for a while.

Magnesium fusion usually works by alpha decay. A magnesium atom absorbs a high-energy gamma ray and loses an alpha particle (helium nucleus), becoming neon. Then, the more unstable neon loses another alpha particle and becomes oxygen, also losing energy. Oxygen atoms fuse into silicon or phosphorus, producing energy. Released alpha particles merge with other magnesium atoms and produce silicon, generating energy. Overall, the process produces more energy then it consumes, powering-up the star for a while.

Then, the little amounts of aluminum enter the reaction. they lose a proton via photodisintegration, becoming magnesium, while the released proton merges with another aluminum atom to form silicon. Magnesium undergoes photodisintegration in the same way, down to oxygen, which fuses into silicon. Aluminum fusion does not produce significant energy and it almost does not have any influence in the evolution of the star.

In case of Betelgeuse, there is enough magnesium to restore the core equilibrium and delay the collapse, but in case of many stars, there isn't and magnesium fusion goes mostly unnoticed, just like sodium fusion. Because of this, the star will live 40 additional days.

Betelgeuse has entered the photodisintegration era.

Four rescue ships have landed to each town. Now, they are no longer overcrowded. The rescue operation proves to be a great success. There is enough time to rescue everyone. But, many people have left the towns and are now living in remote places. The rescue operation will be far more complicated.

Once sodium fusion ends, Analemma scans the star with a neutrino telescope. The unique neutrino signatures allow scientists to know what exactly is in the core: 31% magnesium, 52% silicon, 11% sulfur, 4% aluminum and 2% other, heavier elements. Now, everyone knows that Betelgeuse has 189 days left. It will explode at the beginning of 3077, a bit faster then previously estimated. After magnesium fusion will end, scientists will know how much time is left with an error of two hours... but at that time, there will only be 60 days left.

Finally, silicon will start to fuse into iron. But, when that will happen, there will be only two days left. Each online panel will show time left in seconds. Once silicon fusion will start, everyone will have to evacuate the planet, to escape the blast wave of the supernova.

**********

Only nature could create such a silent and deadly killer, as the neutrino particle. Without it, the last stages of evolution of red giant stars would last much longer. In the end, the supernova is actually triggered by a massive neutrino emission, so powerful that it blasts away the outer layers of the star. About 99% of the energy released in a supernova is neutrino radiation, only 1% is mechanical or thermal energy or visible light. Without this, stars would not explode this way. Their cores would contract slowly. As this happens, temperature would increase until the outer layers would heat-up and the star would gently expel its outer layers as a powerful solar wind, in a much longer process. All would last far longer.

But why does this tiny subatomic particle exist? Why do dying stars have to waste all their energy creating neutrinos?

Because nature is the most efficient killer.

FireBlast is getting ill, children burning Place (non-sense words from a heavy metal song).

Once, Betelgeuse VII was a paradise for rare sexual minorities and transgender people. But now, things are changed. The sun will soon go supernova. The economy collapsed. Things like electricity, automated trains, distribution services, money or internet, are long gone. There is no institution left, the planet is ruled by anarchy.

Still, a new planet was terraformed by the last dictators: Betelgeuse S, located at ten light years away. The planet is terraformed and its inhabitants are doing a lot of effort to rescue the last survivals from Betelgeuse VII. But do they want to leave? Some do, some don't. Many are afraid that they will not be saved, they will end-up as slaves in UV Ceti, the most infamous solar system in the galaxy. Many pirates tried to take people away from Betelgeuse VII, with false promises that they will be send to other planets... but in fact nearly anyone who left ended-up as slaves. But still, when Betelgeuse S became habitable, many accepted to leave. Many people still don't trust the rescue ships.

At first, rescue ships were visiting each town every 150 days, to pick-up survivals. At that time, there were so many people willing to get out, that many times they fought to get inside the ships. Now, the towns look abandoned. Less and less people go. So, the rescue ships start to patrol. They visit each town at every 10 days, they fly above the land looking for survivals and asking anyone to leave. Nobody forces anyone to go... but Betelgeuse will soon go supernova.

There is a major problem. The empire of the Pleiades found a way to get rid of the heads of their terrorist and mafia leaders. Because these people continue to rule their organizations also from prison and because death sentence is not too popular there, they decided to send them to Betelgeuse VII. All those sent here are first sent to Betelgeuse S, to transform their bodies. First, they are turned into women, using DNA transformation techniques, then they are sent to radical surgery. Female organs are added as implants. Well, it is a death sentence after all, since the sun will soon go supernova.

Betelgeuse VII is ruled by chaos. Bandits, thieves and terrorists roam the planet, looking for food and anything that can be valuable. In such situations, people gather together, looking for someone to protect them. And who could be more experienced then a former mafia leader sent from the Pleiades? It is no surprise that they rule over small communities at their own will. Even if they are now women, they prefer to be called padrino, which means godfather. Each community is ruled by a padrino.

Well, when the first rescue ships came, most people were still sitting in their towns. They chosen to leave. Also, many padrinos wanted to leave, knowing that Betelgeuse will soon explode. But others refused. They prefer to stay here, even knowing that their lives will be short. Rescue ships take away many of their subjects, so they started whatever is possible to stop people from getting away. Some started to tell people that it is all a lie and Betelgeuse will never explode, that the whole thing is a hoax made to convince people to leave and become slaves in UV Ceti. Others used more drastic methods, like torture for those who want to leave.

**********

In a former town, there were three sisters: Angela, Mariella and Beta. The term 'sister' is a bit inappropriate, since they were more different. Angela (former Angel) is a guy in all aspects, but likes cross-dressing and never went dressed as a man for years. Mariella is a woman in all aspects. Beta is a hermaphrodite, having both genital organs, breasts and a mustache. The other two convinced Beta to dress like a woman. Their parents, which were hermaphrodites, died in a fight between two armed groups which wanted to take over their town. The sisters then moved away and never returned.

They found a little settlement, owned by a padrino named FireBlast. Even if it is a woman (a trans woman more exactly), FireBlast has the soul of a man. It convinced a few hundred people to come here and form a colony. People live here like in the middle ages. They have a central fortress, where they sleep, surrounded by a wall of stones, reinforced with tree logs. The wall is surrounded by a ditch filled with water. Outside, there are fields where they harvest all they need, from grains and vegetables to tobacco. They also grow animals.

FireBlast calls its fortress Place and all inhabitants its children. A few times, Place was attacked by bandits, but each time FireBlast managed to stop them. Its children have weapons: pikes, bows and arrows. They work the land using wooden tools. But, on the other side, it likes to be worshipped. FireBlast created a cult of personality and punished anyone who wanted to talk or stop it in any way.

**********

One day, the sisters are working in the fields. At some point, they get tired and stop. Each one lights a cigarette.

"You noticed that?" says Mariella. "Flowers are blushing no more".

"But they should", says Angela, blowing a cloud of smoke. "It is their season".

"Even the birds are singing weird", adds Mariella, taking its cigarette to the mouth.

"There is something more", says Beta, keeping its cigarette in the mouth. "I noticed the fish are hiding. They are nowhere to be seen in shallow water".

"And the bears are hiding", says Angela, resting with its hand with the cigarette on its knee. They used to come to steal vegetables from us".

"The sun will soon explode", says Mariella in the end. "And nature feels it".

They rest until they finish their cigarettes, then start to work again. Then, they notice something approaching. It is a bright flying object that comes to them and lands in the fields. It is a spaceship, a rescue one. The pilot stops the ship, opens the door and turns on a big speaker:

"I am the captain of the rescue ship. Please climb aboard! We are picking survivals to Betelgeuse S. I will take you to safety before the sun will explode".

"I am going in", says Angela.

"Wait!" says Mariella. "What if this is a trap?"

"We should ask FireBlast before", says Beta.

"I am going in", says Angela again. "You should go to Place and ask FireBlast. I will convince them to come there".

"Then, we go with you", says Mariella.

They all enter the ship and ask the captain to go to Place. Then, the ship lands there. Mariella remains inside, while the other sisters step outside. Everyone in Place comes to see the ship. FireBlast itself comes and sits in front of the ship.

"You! Identify yourself!" shouts FireBlast.

The pilot steps outside the ship and says:

"I am Davida, the pilot of this rescue ship".

"Where do you come from?" asks FireBlast, lighting a cigarette.

"From Betelgeuse S", answers the pilot. "I came to pick survivals, before the sun goes supernova".

"How can I know that you are not a pirate looking for slaves?"

"I have aboard many people from various places, including two rescued volunteers that came to help people".

"I don't believe you", answers FireBlast. "Many pirates do that. How should I know if you are telling the truth?"

"I am. And if you and your people don't come with me, you will all die".

"Oh yeah? Does the sun look different now then it looked yesterday? I don't think so. Stop telling me this hoax".

"In exactly 11 days from now, Betelgeuse will start fusing magnesium in its core. And in 24 days, you will see a massive flare on the sky. That should be a good warning".

"I don't believe you, false Messiah!"

"I will drop here an online information panel. A ship will come every ten days. Maybe you will change your mind. It has a neutrino detector. Maybe this will show you the truth".

"I need no tricks to see the truth".

The pilot comes with something from the ship, a large screen that it places on the ground.

"Everyone who wants to go to Betelgeuse S, please come aboard!"

FireBlast screams and orders people to stop, but still, about twenty decide to go. As they enter the ship, the doors close and the ship starts flying.

**********

Angela decided to go, while its sisters remained in Place. The ship flies with great speed, searching for survivals. It makes a few more stops, then flies away to orbit. In total, 58 people from various places decided to go. The ship arrives at a passenger transporter, which is waiting on orbit.

Still, Angela has no way to see outside. It reaches the transporter, where people are sent to a freezing tank. There, with the help of induced electric currents, each passenger is turned to sleep, then frozen in liquid helium for the ride. The transporter takes survivals to the orbital station surrounding Betelgeuse S. There, a huge number of people arrive. Angela is shocked to see so many, more then it ever seen in its lifetime.

In small groups, people are sent from the orbital station towards the surface base. There, they are sent, one by one, to a series of identical doors.

Angela reaches a door. As it enters in a small room, with no windows and illuminated, it can see a small drone.

"Medical check", says the drone. "Please remain still".

The drone scans its body, then goes. Another door opens forward. There, Angela is invited to take off its clothes and take a shower. The clothes are also washed and dried within a minute. After this, another door opens and Angela goes into a third room. There, another drone comes and says:

"Do you have a name?"

"Yes. Angela... well, in fact Angel".

"How do you want people to call you?"

"Angela, if that is ok".

"Angela, I want to ask you some questions, so that other survivals could find you. If you don't want, you can refuse to answer. Do you want others to find you?"

"Yes".

"What town do you come from?"

"I was born in Black Wolf, but I lived in Place".

Then, the drone asks other questions. Also, it tries to find out what Angela works, what is it capable of, what type of climate is Angela used to live in and what kind of people does it like around. These things are important to identify the best town to go. Finally, the drone asks:

"Do you want to locate another survival and go to its place?"

"No, thanks".

Then, Angela enters another room. There, a robot serves it with a fresh meal. And then, it goes to another room. There, it receives a bag with a few things: clothes, a pack of cigarettes, a bottle of water and other small things.

After all this, Angela reaches another small room. There, it gets a sheet of paper, describing the way to go to its selected new address. In the next room, a robot scans its body for the bioenergy signature, takes a sample to read the DNA and completes its new identity card. This card contains only a few details. No name or gender is written, only a code number and the address, which is also in numbers.

After all this, Angela opens the last door and reaches open space. Now, it can see the sky and the new world that was built for everyone. Angela didn't arrive in UV Ceti, as FireBlast told everyone, but on Betelgeuse S. The sun is orange-red and has a similar size as seen from the ground, only that it does not have those extremely bright or dark spots. It is a red dwarf, the dimmest, most common and most long lived of all stars in the galaxy. The sky looks somehow familiar, with a color between blue and violet. The clouds also share the same pink color, just like on Betelgeuse VII. However, this tiny star is not surrounded by haze or a ring of ejected matter.

The Earth orbits the Sun at a distance of 1 AU. Betelgeuse VII is located at 160 AU to its sun, while Betelgeuse S, only at 0.05 AU. The planet orbits its sun in about 10 Earth days. However, its rotation period is nearly equal to the revolution period. A day will last over a hundred Earth years, longer then a human lifetime.

There, just outside the base, Angela reaches a large concrete square. In the middle, there is a small train station, with trains departing to the main, former town. The area looks nearly like a desert. Well, Angela looks at its instruction paper. It must take the train from here to the main station, which connects the capital town. From there, it will have to change a few trains to reach its home town. Towns have no name, just identity numbers. In future, settlers will decide what name will each town wear. But, for now, Angela looks at the instruction paper: "Take the train that arrives to the central square. It will take you to the main station. From there, go to platform 5 and take the train going to town 5468. The destination should be written on the train's nose. Go 21 stations, until you reach town 217. There, get down and move to line 1, to take a train to station 957"... and so on. On each line, an automated train will come at every 3 hours, after a well established schedule.

Angela gets into the first train, towards the main station. The landscape is of a large plain, with hills at the horizon. There is something big, even huge, that can be seen clearly along the route. There are five giant statues, made of iron, placed on a platform. Angela looks at them, not knowing what they are. Each statue is about 400 meters high, while the platform holding them is 150 meters high. That is really huge, something it has never seen.

The first statue represents a man with a crown on one hand. Angela recognizes that crown, which was worn by the whole Caligula dynasty, which ruled Betelgeuse VII until anarchy came. It is Caligula I, the founder. Its name is written below, on the platform.

The second statue is that of a hermaphrodite, with both female breasts and male beard and mustache, with a long hair and with a telescope in one hand. It is Caligula XII, the dictator that firstly used a neutrino telescope to see that Betelgeuse will explode soon.

The third statue is of Caligula XIII, also a hermaphrodite, with its long coat, exposing only the toes. The dictator holds two globes, one in each hand. One is the planet Betelgeuse VII and the other is Betelgeuse S. It is more robust then Caligula XII, but with the same height.

The fourth statue is of Etna, a transgender woman that came from the Pleiades and dedicated its life to terraform Betelgeuse S. Etna holds a sheet of paper, where the Pleiades are drawn. Etna appears with a knee-long skirt and shoes with high heels.

The fifth statue is smaller and represents a child, with wings like those of a butterfly. It is Angela Northern, the child of Delta, the current ruling dictator and brother of Caligula XIII. It is like an angel, but with butterfly wings.

But, what scares everyone in the train, is what is written on the platform holding the statues: "The ones you killed are the ones who saved you". Isn't it just what happened? Angela looks scared and a tear flows from one eye. Isn't this what people on Betelgeuse VII just did? They killed both Caligula XII and XIII, for money laundry. But in fact, it is this money that made possible terraforming a new planet. People killed them both... but they are heroes. They are the only ones who did something, to save everyone from death. Etna was also killed on Betelgeuse VII. Etna dedicated its life to this cause: to offer people from Betelgeuse VII a new home. And its reward? Death.

But the little Angela Northern? It was sold as a slave to UV Ceti. Dead end. There is no way to know what happened to it. Nobody had, at that time, any idea that that little child is actually Angela Northern, who leads hordes of pirates from UV Ceti to conquer the whole galaxy. People will find out the truth much later, when the star Betelgeuse will no longer exist.

And Caligula I, the founder? Was it killed too? thinks Angela. Could be.

"The ones you killed are the ones who saved you", whispers Angela for itself, feeling guilty for all this.

All this time, most people on Betelgeuse VII considered that Caligula XII and Caligula XIII did what they did to save their children, their friends and other important state employees. They considered both dictators traitors and not saviors, national heroes, as they should be considered.

But, the train arrives to its destination, the capital town. Once, that town was covered with a massive dome. Now, the dome is gone, as the air is breathable. But there is no time to explore. Angela looks around, to find the train platform needed and to go to its new home.

Then, after taking many trains, changing routes and one time getting lost, very tired, Angela arrives to its final destination. There is even a map of the town, showing the location of its new house. It is a single room metal building, just like the homes people received on Betelgeuse VII in the old days. It is all so similar!

**********

The other sisters refused to go. Both Mariella and Beta decided to remain. FireBlast is very angry and decided to stop anyone who wants to get inside a rescue ship. However, these ships keep coming at every ten days, asking everyone to leave.

Deep inside Betelgeuse, things are not looking well. The star has long exhausted its classic fuels: hydrogen, helium, carbon, neon and oxygen. Now, its core is heated to two billion degrees K, which is 130 times hotter then the core of Earth's Sun. There, matter density is thousands of times higher then in the core of the Sun. Betelgeuse tries anything to produce more energy, to sustain itself. As pressure continues to rise, magnesium starts to fuse. This process stops core contraction and even makes it expand, squeezing and heating outer layers, which are fusing oxygen and neon. There, fusion occurs in an eruptive way, very violent, creating a powerful wave that propagates through the next layers, which are fusing carbon. The shock wave does not have enough power to break through the next layers, which are fusing helium and hydrogen, all the way to the surface, because Betelgeuse is rotating very fast. The Coriolis effect prevents this... except for the poles.

The shock wave can reach surface at the poles, more exactly at the South pole. There, a massive flare erupts, blowing matter through space. It is so bright, that shines at least ten times brighter then Betelgeuse itself... but it does not last long. The big jet of plasma ejected becomes clearly visible. It is like a monster, growing in size but losing luminosity.

FireBlast keeps telling everyone that the sun will not explode and all is a hoax. In the day when the flare gets formed, FireBlast is sitting high on the roof of the central building in Place, screaming to everyone:

"Will the sun explode?"

"No", answers everyone.

"Are those our saviors?"

"No!"

"What happened to those who left?"

"They are slaves!"

"Do you want to be slaves?"

"No!"

"Well", says FireBlast, "I look at the sun and I see it just as it were when I came here. It will never change. It will remain as we see it now, forever. Do you see any difference?"

Just as FireBlast says these words, the powerful flare becomes visible. A bright and hot light force everyone to close the eyes... but FireBlast is looking directly to it. The flare shines very bright and also blows a deadly stream of X and UV radiation. People feel their skin is burning and try to hide anywhere they can. FireBlast falls from the roof and is token by others inside a building. It is blind and all its skin is burned. It feels very dizzy, starts vomiting and feels a lot of pain.

Outside, the sun scourges the planet. The air becomes hot, almost no longer breathable. Plants start to get dried. Then, powerful storms come, as the flare starts to lost its power. The 'children' gather around FireBlast, their leader, to say:

"You lied to us!"

"The sun will explode. All of us know this".

"You are the false prophet, not the pilots".

"Do not go to them, they will take you into slavery", says FireBlast.

FireBlast is getting more and more sick. Then, at one moment, one of its 'children' takes a torch and says:

"We have to get out of here, with the next rescue ship. The Place was nothing more then a prison for all of us. Let's burn it!"

And this is exactly what happens. The 'children' start burning Place, while FireBlast feels more and more sick. Many 'children' remain close to the online panel, waiting for the next ship to save them. Others, run away.

Mariella decides to run. Not knowing who to trust, it has no idea if rescue ships are employed by the pirates or they really are from Betelgeuse S. So, Mariella runs into the forest, traveling a few days between ruins and fallen tree branches. Everything is ruined all around.

But, after traveling a few days, Mariella finds something. In the good days, it was a deep platinum mine. There are gates surrounding some buildings on the top. Trying to get inside, to find some food and something to smoke, Mariella activates an alarm. Someone comes and shouts:

"Drop your weapons if you want to come here!"

"I have no weapons, just a pike", it says, dropping it.

That person takes Mariella to a deep mine well, with an elevator. Down, about 2 km deep. There, beneath the surface, was a mine in the old times. There is light, there is electricity, water to drink, plants grow in a cavern illuminated and there is food.

The former mining corporation decided to use its facilities to create a closed ecosystem, able to support an underground colony. At this depth, they hope to survive the supernova. 1200 people chosen to come down here, to live. They have a nuclear generator and also access to geothermal energy. They have the technology to dig new caverns and are self-sustainable.

**********

Beta, the last sister, decides to wait. The first rescue ship takes it and other survivals to Betelgeuse S. Beta tries its best to find Angela and manages to do so. Angela asks:

"What is going on home?"

"FireBlast is getting ill, children burning Place", answers Beta.

The two are safe. However, with such a big number of immigrants, Betelgeuse S is facing problems. Food rations are the only thing that keep people alive, until they harvest their own crops. People have to start it all from zero. They have allocated land for farming, they received seeds and a few animals, but time is needed until they will be able to harvest their own food.

The whole resettlement program is controlled by Anathem, a former slave who dedicated its life to terraform the new planet. Anathem does anything it can to advice people to work the land, to build working shops and to take part in various sectors of the economy. It is a very hard job, that needs to be done.

**********

Unfortunately, there is not much time. The resettlement program will last for an earth year after the last settler has arrived, but there is not much time left to save the last survivals. Betelgeuse fused all its magnesium very fast. It took four days for magnesium fusion to equal the energy loss caused by neutrino radiation. Then, for 14 days, magnesium fusion heated the core and made it expand. for additional five days, magnesium fusion occurred in a shell surrounding the core. After that, the core could no longer get energy from fusion and continued to contract for 19 days, back to the density it had when magnesium fusion equaled the energy loss caused by neutrino radiation. In total, magnesium fusion gave Betelgeuse an extra of 38 days of life.

But now, as temperature continues to grow, more and more neutrinos are produced, taking away the energy of the star at an alarming rate. There are only 33 days left... and in the last two, silicon fusion will occur. Betelgeuse will try for the last time to delay its death. Silicon fusion will produce about 20% the energy produced by carbon fusion, 25% of what produced neon fusion, 5% of what was produced by oxygen fusion or the same amount of energy produced by magnesium fusion. However, when that will happen, less then a billionth of that energy will be used by the core to stop contraction. All the rest, will be lost as neutrino radiation.

When the neutrino telescopes will detect signs of silicon fusion, all rescue ships will be ordered to leave the planet. This is mandatory, to escape the incoming supernova. The shock wave will destroy anything in its way. Every ship must reach a safe distance.

The massive flare was a big warning sign for all those who don't want to leave. Now, each rescue ship picks nearly all survivals found. But still, there are people who don't want to go, who never got in contact with a rescue ship or who decided to survive using other ways.

Will there be enough time to save everybody?

What would you do if you know that tomorrow is the last day of your life?

Very soon, the sun will go supernova. There are ten days left. The planet, Betelgeuse VII, is being evacuated. The last survivals are being rescued and moved to a new planet, Betelgeuse S, located at ten light years away.

First, rescue ships came at every 150 days to each town, rescuing about 70% of the population. Then, as not many remained, ships came every ten days, searching everywhere for survivals. About 20% of the population was saved.

But still, even now, there are 10% left. Many didn't want to go, because they believed that the rescue ships are in fact owned by pirates that will take them to UV Ceti, to be sold as slaves. Now, the clock is ticking.

In charge with the rescue operations is Analemma, a former castrato which dresses and refers to itself as being a woman. For the last ten days, Analemma planned a different rescue operation. Ships will patrol all the time, all day long. They are equipped with an infrared detector, which automatically scans for any remaining people. Each ship will fly fast, scanning the planet for survivals. Each time a survival is found, the ship will stop and ask that person to come aboard and save its life. Those who don't want to go, will be left there.

It is impossible to cover the whole planet that fast. Also, each ship must get out in time. Basically, they must all depart when there will be 30 hours to supernova. When Betelgeuse will explode, it will first blow a powerful jet of neutrinos, followed at short time by a massive gamma and X ray burst. These events will destroy any equipment on a ship that is close enough. Then, the real supernova will start.

In the last two days, Betelgeuse will try to fuse silicon into iron, to produce the last amount of energy that can be generated by nuclear fusion, to delay its death. This is the signal. On the planet, there is a neutrino telescope, connected to each online panel, placed in every town and to each onboard computer, placed in any ship. When the telescope will detect the unique neutrino signature of silicon fusion at an alarming rate, all ships will depart, as fast as they can. In every town, the alarms will ring.

So, rescue ships patrol the whole planet, searching each corner, according to their schedule. Pilots are stressed to the limit. They work, eat and sleep in their cabins. Two pilots are in each ship. They have no time to change clothes. In order for the plan to succeed, they must not lose a single second. Everything is pushed to the limits.

But not everyone wants to go. Many people chosen to hide in the underground mines, where they built closed ecosystems. In some cases, people just preferred to remain on the surface, not believing that the end is so near. Others, afraid not to end-up as slaves in UV Ceti, decided to stay and die. It is better to die then to suffer in slavery, tortured, bitten and raped by the pirates out there. It is a very hard choice for many.

Still, rescue ships manage to save 6% in these last days. 2% remained on the surface and 2% in the underground.

**********

Alex is a pilot from Betelgeuse S, who takes part in the rescue operation. Like many people there, it is very hard to classify someone based on gender. Alex was born as a hermaphrodite and worn the name Alexa. It is common both on Betelgeuse VII and on Betelgeuse S, for people to wear male names with an added a. But Alex chosen to become a man in all aspects, through DNA changing and surgery.

Because cross-dressing is so common and many times it is impossible to guess the gender of a person, people stopped using the words he and she and replaced them with it. Even Alex, sometimes gets dressed like a woman, even if it chosen to become a man.

For five days, Alex and its coworker roamed the planet, looking for survivals. All this time, they had no time to change their clothes and take a bath. They slept, ate, lived and smoked in the spaceship. Now, Alex is in charge, while its coworker, very tired, is taking a nap.

But there is something wrong. The onboard computer receives live data from the neutrino telescope. Situation does not look well. Silicon fusion is starting. Alex looks at the sun, saying:

"I hope you will give us some more time!"

What is going on inside Betelgeuse? In the center of the core, atoms are squeezed close to the limit, to incredible pressure and density. Temperature has reached 3.5 billion degrees K. Everything lighter then silicon has fused. Now, the core is composed of silicon, sulfur and other heavier elements. Atoms are stripped of their electrons, which roam in the little surrounding space. At those high temperatures, all light is in the form of high-energy gamma rays.

Sometimes, when a silicon atom is hit by a gamma ray, it absorbs the energy and releases a proton, a neutron or an alpha particle (helium nucleus). The released particles are absorbed by other, heavier atoms, almost instantly, releasing a little bit more energy. Usually, gamma ray collisions end-up with the release of alpha particles.

The process is called photodisintegration. Usually, silicon fusion works like this: As a silicon atom absorbs energy from gamma rays, it loses an alpha particle, also absorbing energy from the core. This way, silicon is split into magnesium. Then, magnesium loses an alpha particle and transforms itself into neon. As neon is highly unstable in these conditions, it breaks into oxygen, releasing another alpha particle.

Then, oxygen can further disintegrate into carbon and helium, but usually it fuses. Two oxygen atoms form back a silicon or sulfur atom, producing some energy.

Released alpha particles merge with other atoms, producing energy. Silicon absorbs one and becomes sulfur. Then sulfur absorbs another one and becomes argon. The next to be produced is calcium, then titanium, chromium and iron. Finally, iron absorbs one last alpha particle and becomes nickel.

The resulting nickel is radioactive and breaks apart into the most stable isotope of iron.

Silicon fusion starts inside the core. but, for a while, it produces less energy then neutrino losses. In the super-compressed and overheated core, highly energetic collisions between atom nuclei, between electrons and between gamma rays, end-up with the production of neutrinos, which fly away, stealing the energy. It will take some time until the energy production from silicon fusion equals the neutrino loss.

How much energy is Betelgeuse losing through neutrinos? About 50 000 times the energy it radiates as light. Silicon fusion could support it for at least a hundred years, but it will only last a bit over a day.

Alex, with an eye on the data, tries to hurry the ship, to pick-up as many people as could be saved in the remaining time. Four hours until silicon fusion equals neutrino loss... The ship stops somewhere in the forest, where two people are sitting.

"Come with me!" shouts Alex through the speakers.

They hurry inside. The door closes fast and the ship continues its scanning. Somewhere in a pasture, there is another person. The ship slows down and lands. Alex screams through the speakers:

"Come with me if you want to live!"

The door opens and another life is saved. The ship starts flying again, reaching what appears to be a small, remote village.

"Come with me!" screams Alex again.

People hurry to get inside. But, there are a few aged people which cannot move fast. Someone returns to take a baby. Two children don't want to go, scared by the large ship. Alex hurries them to move, asking some people from inside, to help.

The ship detaches again. Alex keeps an eye on the online data. Neutrino radiation is dramatically increasing and it affects the onboard computer. But still, everything is functional. There is a town ahead. The ship lands.

"Come with me!" screams Alex.

There are a few people down there, trying to come. Alex ask them to hurry. Silicon fusion is accelerating in an exponential line. And there is one more town to reach... One more town and all is done. Four more minutes left... silicon fusion cover 10% of neutrino loss and increasing fast.

Two people return and try to bring an old woman that has no feet. A child runs from the ship and its parents jump after it.

"Come on, people! Faster!" screams Alex, looking at the data.

Silicon fusion reaches 15% of neutrino loss, then 25%, then, very fast, 40%.

"We have only one minute!" screams Alex.

More people gather to the ship, trying to get inside. But Alex can see... silicon fusion covers 70% of neutrino loss... and very fast reaches 100%.

The onboard computer turns on automated pilot. The door closes, catching someone's hand. That person remains outside and falls on the ground, screaming of pain, while the hand remains inside. The ship automatically takes off and hurries through the clouds.

Alex watches the planet behind. There are people that could be saved if there were only a few minutes left. And there was only one more town to go. The ship turns its engines at maximum, leaving the planet behind. The onboard computer is experiencing major problems, as so many neutrinos pass through its circuits. Normally, neutrino radiation does not affect matter significantly. But now, there are passing more neutrinos through Alex's ship then through the whole Earth in the Solar System.

The sensors are scrambled. Alex takes command and directs the ship manually. With maximum acceleration, the ship is heading away from Betelgeuse. Away, before the core collapses and releases more neutrinos in a few seconds then it did in its entire lifetime.

**********

Down, in the town, people watch the spaceship vanishing through the clouds. It is gone. All gone.

"We are dead!" says someone.

"Fuck!" mumbles someone else.

"Now, we will all die".

The person who lost its hand, screams of pain. Some people curse. Some start shouting at each other.

"Couldn't you move faster? Now, we are all going to die".

"I should let you here!"

The online panel starts beeping. The alarm is on. Silicon fusion has increased to 110% of neutrino loss. Now, silicon is keeping the star alive... but for very short time. Some people start beating the others. Desperation follows. Then, they all realize everything is over. They are doomed... but anxiety does nothing good.

**********

In the next town, people waited together near the online panel. Suddenly, they see the ship, departing up in the sky, turning on its high-energy thrusters. The online panel shows the ship is late with a few minutes. They know well that, once the rate of silicon fusion equals the rate of neutrino loss, no ship will come. And this is what happens. The online panel starts sounding the alarm. All is lost. No ship will now come to save them.

Some people start to cry. Someone starts cursing, while others get angry and hit everything around. More people gather together and try to hug each other.

"I will get drunk!" says someone.

"Michelle! What the..."

"It doesn't matter anymore. If it wants to get drunk, so be it. Tomorrow there will be no tomorrow".

"I want to get drunk too!"

Some people get insane and start crying, shouting, gesticulating. They are insane.

"I want to confess", says someone.

"I am not a priest", says someone else.

"But there is no priest left in our town. So, I will confess all my sins to you. Please, I want to die with nothing stuck on my heart".

Someone, in desperation, takes a knife and cuts its veins, committing suicide. Another person takes that knife and says:

"I want to die peacefully, not to be burned alive"... and cuts the veins of its hand.

"I don't want to die burned alive", says someone else. "Can someone please kill me?"

"I will", says its best friend, taking a razor.

**********

Some people prepared themselves for this. Deep underground, in former mines, they built enclosed ecosystems to support their food, air and water supply. They watch the clock. They watch how Betelgeuse is fusing its silicon into iron, the last source of energy. Soon, there will be an inert core. For a short time, the core will be heated by a surrounding shell fusing silicon. But when that shell is exhausted, there will be no more energy. The core will further contract, increasing its temperature to five billion degrees... and will collapse. They just hope that they will survive.

In the towns, the last survivals gather together. Some went drunk, some lost their minds, some needed to confess their sins to the others. They gather to the online panels, which are still ringing the alarm. With so much neutrinos flying around, panels are affected. Still, their chronometers show how much time is left and what is going on inside the star.

Seven hours to supernova. The core has exhausted its silicon and is made of iron. The star has an onion-like structure. From the core outside, there is a shell fusing silicon, then one fusing magnesium, one fusing oxygen, one fusing neon, one fusing carbon, one fusing helium and one fusing hydrogen. Each shell is like a window to the past, to the times when Betelgeuse was younger and was fusing something lighter. People just sit one near each other and watch.

Fear has gone. Agony and despair are gone. Anger between people is also gone. They forgot any fight, any conflict, anything. They just sit and wait.

**********

Somewhere nearby, two teens decide to go to a more quiet place. They sit on the grass. This is the last day of their lives... the last hours in fact. They kiss and hug each other. Finally, they decide to make love. It is the first and the last time.

Then, they move to a former railway, which now is abandoned and partially destroyed. they sit on a former bridge.

"There is one last thing I would like", says one of them. "To get married with you".

"But there is no priest", says the other one. "But God listens us anywhere we are".

They decide to ask God personally to marry them. One of them has two rings on two fingers.

"Dear God, please make these rings saint and please unite us forever!"

They take the rings and put them on their fingers.

"Do you want to marry me? With no priest, I have to ask you personally".

"I do. Do you want to marry me?"

"I do".

"Then, we are united forever".

The two lovers sit on the former railway bridge, holding each other. But the time is ticking. They have less then an hour left.

Silicon fusion shell is advancing outwards. The core is made of iron, that is cooling, releasing neutrinos. Tightly squeezed, electrons hit the atoms and merge with protons, forming neutrons and more neutrinos and a larger energy loss. Bombarded with more and more gamma rays, iron atoms break apart, disintegrate into alpha particles (helium nuclei) and free neutrons, absorbing a huge amount of energy and forcing the core to further collapse. Released alpha particles merge with other iron, nickel and zinc atoms, forming heavier elements, only that, this doesn't produce energy, it consumes. The core is tearing its energy apart.

But the sun remains in the sky just as it were. there is no difference. no exterior sign shows what is happening inside.

Only a few minutes...

And then, it happens. Unable to sustain itself, with all its energy drained into neutrino radiation, the core collapses very fast. It takes only a few seconds. There, matter gets so tightly squeezed, that all protons merge with all electrons, forming a mass of neutrons and a huge blow of neutrinos. A neutron star is born from the massive iron core. As pressure and temperature increase, the core cools itself very fast through neutrino radiation. Outer layers try to fall, to fill the gap where the core once was, squeezing as tightly as possible. The core gets surrounded by a massive wall of tightly compressed iron. A wall of iron, so dense that even neutrinos cannot pass through.

In only a few seconds, as the core collapses, Betelgeuse produces more energy then the whole galaxy. Only that, all that energy is released as neutrinos. The iron wall is so tight, that not even neutrinos can pass through. So, they have to lose some of their energy, to push it outwards. It is this massive neutrino emission that actually triggers the supernova. Without this, the star would last much longer, slowly compressing itself into a black hole.

Neutrinos push the inner layers of the star outwards, with an increasing speed. Now, everything will explode. But still, it takes nearly 3 hours for the explosion to reach the surface. But, once the iron wall is broken, neutrinos escape in a massive number.

Two massive jets of heated plasma get out of Betelgeuse through the poles. The surface of the planet is scourged by the extreme heat.

The two lovers smoke together a cigarette, sitting on the railway. They hold each other's hand, enjoying the last seconds of their lives. Suddenly, they feel a massive heat. The neutrino wave has arrived. They hug each other in a long kiss.

Feeling the heat, they hold each other, as strong as their hands allow them. Their last words are:

"I love you!"

"Me too!"

How powerful is a supernova compared to an atomic bomb? At Hiroshima, less then 1 kg of uranium went fission. Imagine that we fill the Sun with plutonium and detonate it. Compared to a supernova, the blast will be like a campfire compared with an erupting volcano (an answer I got from an astrophysicist working for NASA).

In the former town of Fat Cat, the last people wait a rescue ship. The town is in ruins. People gather where once was the central square, near an online panel. There, they see when the last rescue ship will come. The panel displays what is going inside Betelgeuse. Silicon fusion has started. When energy from fusion will counter the neutrino loss, all rescue ships will evacuate the area. Another timer shows how much time is left until supernova. There are 13 people waiting and they lost their patience. After all, this is their last chance to get out of here. No other ship will come.

Max and Melissa are two teens, waiting to get out. Actually, Max is a girl and Melissa is a guy. Cross-dressing is something very common on Betelgeuse VII. This is why people don't use he and she when talking to someone. In fact, they replaced these words with it.

Four minutes left until silicon fusion equals neutrino loss. The rescue ship is visible in the sky, traveling fast, below the clouds. It makes an unexpected stop somewhere. People don't know, but the automated systems found a survival on the way. Three minutes... the ship is back flying, approaching the online panel... Two minutes. Everyone watches how the ship lands and opens its door.

"Get in! Fast!" screams the pilot through a speaker.

People rush to get in. But, suddenly, someone tries to get in with a large bag.

"No cargo allowed! We have limited space!" shouts someone from the inside.

That person starts fighting to get inside with the bag. Other people shout. Finally, someone grabs the bag and throws it away.

Someone else comes with a cat and tries to enter.

"No animals allowed!" shouts the pilot. "We have limited air supply".

Someone grabs the cat and throws it away. The owner shouts and starts hitting people around.

"Faster! The clock is ticking!" shouts the pilot.

Some people get out from the ship, trying to force everyone to stop.

"Ten seconds! Hurry!" shouts the pilot again.

Everyone tries to get inside. Max manages to enter the door. Then, the former owner of the cat, pushes Melissa away, screaming:

"Hercules! I will return!"

"On the fuck you will!" laughs someone.

"When you will, Hercules will be barbecue!"

The door closes. Melissa remains outside. As the door closes, the former cat owner gets half of the body in the way and is sliced by the door. Instant death. Inside, Max screams and goes to the door, trying to open it... but it is impossible. Melissa, on the outside, tries to open. There is no way. The ship starts flying and Melissa remains on the ground.

**********

Each rescue ship is set that, once they detect a strong neutrino signature from silicon fusion, to turn on automated pilot and leave Betelgeuse VII. The pilot cannot do anything, but watch, until the ship is into orbit. The ship starts moving slow, then faster and faster. It reaches the clouds and passes through them. Above them, the sky is clear. Then, it continues to accelerate and escapes the atmosphere.

People go to the small windows, to see their home planet for the last time. The view becomes red, as the ship accelerates through the atmosphere. Then, all the sky is black and red. Red, because of the huge nebula that surrounds Betelgeuse. The star blew a giant plume of plasma through the poles.

The planet remains behind. First, it appears large and surrounded by its endless auroras. Then, everything remains behind. Before, the ship was twitching in the turbulent atmosphere... now, everything seems quiet.

"Good day", sounds a very unclear radio voice. "I am the pilot and we are heading to Betelgeuse S. The ship has resources of food, air and water. You are advised to sit and enjoy the ride".

Then, everyone can see, on one side, the sun. Betelgeuse looks like it did before, with no changes: with bright and dark spots. The star is far from spherical. Strong convection currents create massive bulges, clearly visible. Flares are visible too, adding matter to the vast nebula that surrounds the star.

Max is crying, thinking about Melissa, who is left down there. Many people cry too. They look at the sun, then behind, as their home planet is smaller and smaller. Then, they look scared, as the lights start to blink. There is something. The huge neutrino radiation is affecting the ship and its electronics.

After a few hours, the copilot comes in and selects a few people, including Max, to bring food and water to everyone. Also, because of limited oxygen supply, people are advised to smoke only once at every four hours, at a given signal. The toilettes are in the back and people must learn how to use them. Max has a lot of work to do.

Some people go to sleep, others go talking. Some children are starting to play around. Time passes. Now, the planet is just a bright star left behind. The lights are turned off, but there is some light getting through the small windows inside. Betelgeuse sends its copper-like rays. The ship accelerates at full throttle, but still there is a long way to go, to reach the speed of light and beyond.

Alex goes to sleep, but dreams of Melissa, lost on the planet. there is only one possible shelter: a deep mine, where some people built an enclosed ecosystem that could sustain life. but will they accept Melissa? Will they open the door and allow the elevator to descend? Or will they not?

As time passes, people see their home planet vanishing behind. Now, nothing is visible. To left, people still see Betelgeuse, just where it were and with the same brightness. The radio sounds again, but now nobody can understand anything.

Max takes advantage and goes with some food and water to the pilot and copilot. Inside the cabin, there are a lot of warning signs.

"What is going on?" asks Max.

"The neutrino radiation is too powerful", answers the pilot. "All sensors are scrambled. The autopilot is not working. I am piloting the ship manually".

"Will we make it?"

"I think yes".

"I hope so".

"Max", says the pilot. "I hardly slept a bit in the last four days. We were scanning the whole planet for survivals. Still, there were a few people left on the last stop that we could not save. I am very sorry".

Max cries a bit, but hides its tears from the pilot.

"At least, you could save these people".

Another alarm starts to ring.

"Too many energetic neutrinos", says the pilot. "Look at the data. Betelgeuse is losing more energy through neutrinos in a second then it loses as heat and light in seven days. It is fusing all its remaining silicon in the core".

Max looks at the data and cries, then whispers: "How much time we have left?"

"To supernova? In 6 hours. But we are now at 200 AU from the star. Light needs 26 hours to reach us. So, Betelgeuse has exploded already".

"And on the planet?"

"Betelgeuse VII is at 160 AU from the star, so the light takes 21 minutes to reach. Right now, they are roasted".

Max cries, but this time visible.

"Didn't you hear the radio message? says the pilot. I said that right now, the neutrino wave hits the planet".

"The radio is not working".

"It must be because of the neutrino bombardment", continues the pilot.

"Will it hit us too?"

"Yes, but I hope we will survive".

Max looks scared. The pilot lights a cigarette and gives one to Max too. Then, explains, very calm:

"We are accelerating as fast as we can. This ship reaches the speed of light in five days. Unfortunately, our destination is in that direction... Well, how to tell you so that you will understand... When you look at the sky, you have no idea if a star is closer or further. You only see them separated by an ark, which is measured in degrees. And as seen from the sky of your planet, the destination, Betelgeuse S, is at 78 degrees away from the sun, from Betelgeuse itself. So, we go in a tangential direction. This is why, for the first part of the journey, we did not increase distance to the star. In fact, we first approached a bit and now we are going away".

Max takes a hungry drag of smoke in its lungs, almost digesting it. Then, says:

"Neutrino blast?"

"When the core of Betelgeuse collapses, it releases a giant amount of neutrinos. I just hope that we will survive. Before that, I have to close down all electronics, everything. The hull will be cooled as much as we can. The neutrino light will heat everything. It lasts only ten seconds... but it is the greatest danger of all".

Max takes another deep drag of smoke inside its lungs, thinking about what is to come. The pilot turns on hull cooling devices.

"I hope we can cool the ship to -20 degrees. Please, tell everyone what is going to happen. At 30 seconds before core collapse, I will ring an alarm. Everyone, take off your clothes in the bitter cold. Then, I will manually turn off everything to protect the electronics".

Max gets back and tells everyone what will happen. People are shocked that their planet is already gone and they see nothing yet on the windows. Light and neutrinos travel with the same speed.

Everything in the ship gets cold. In two hours, temperature drops to freezing point. People are shaking of cold and are gathering together, to warm themselves. some start to be agitated and shout. Everything becomes even cooler. Freezing. ice accumulates on the metal walls and on the windows. Some people clean the windows, to see outside. still, Betelgeuse is there, as it were before.

Then, the alarm sounds with three short beeps. And then, silence. Air ventilators stop, the light is turned off, the ship is turned off completely. Seconds pass and everyone watch. Some people take off they clothes fast, while others, too frozen, don't.

Suddenly, everyone feels heat. They are no longer cold. Seconds pass and the heat becomes increasing. too hot for a human body. Max, even if feeling very cold, jumps away from the crowd, feeling an incredible heat in all the body. It all lasts exactly ten seconds. Nearly everyone has grown faint. Max feels very dizzy and hot, like in a cupboard. The metal walls are all hot, only the air is still cool.

"Neutrino blast", whispers Max.

As people start to recover, they see on the windows something new. Two powerful jets of hot plasma escape from the poles of the star. Supernova has started. Max gets fast into the cabin. Both the pilot and copilot have lost consciousness. They are all heated, like having a big fever. Max tries to pull the pilot out and take off its clothes. Outside, the two flares shine very powerful.

A few minutes pass, until the pilot becomes aware of what is going on.

"We have to restart the ship", says the pilot.

"Fast!" shouts Max.

But the copilot is no longer breathing. Dead.

The pilot tries to pull the manual switch, to restart an emergency generator. Nothing is working.

"Push this!" shouts to Max.

There is a manual energy generator. Max rotates a wheel. Some energy is produced, at least to control the main panel. The pilot desperately tries to restart the ship. commands are not working. Nothing works as it should be. The main generator is offline, the auxiliary generator is not working.

"Come on!" shouts the pilot. "Rotate faster!"

Time is ticking. The core collapsed. Supernova started. The two polar flares last only for twenty minutes, then they stop. But the ship refuses to start. Betelgeuse looks again like it did before.

"We have two hours before the explosion hits the outer layers of the star", says the pilot.

An hour pass, without results. then, the pilot turns on a switch, an emergency battery. The command panel receives more energy. Now, time to start the auxiliary generator. That might produce some power, to start the engines finally. But, the battery has limited power.

"Just burn all your power before the supernova hits us!" shouts the pilot, directing all power to restart the generator.

It works. The generator starts... and not receiving enough power, it almost stops. They wait for a minute. Ok, it works! Now, forge the generator at full power, to start the main one. It takes time, minutes... Finally, the main generator is on. Now, to restart the engines.

"One at a time", whispers Max.

"No. All of them, once. If not, we won't make it".

The engines start heating. all is going as planned. Finally, the ship start accelerating again.

"Ah, we are saved!" whispers the pilot, falling back to its chair. "Now, the real blast will not catch us".

Max gets back to where all passengers are waiting, shouting:

"We made it! The engines are back functional!"

The ship accelerates as fast as it can. But, just as Max finishes saying this, everyone can see a powerful light. Supernova has started. The explosion has reached the surface. Now, Betelgeuse is no longer what it were.

"We will close the windows", says the pilot. "There are gamma and X rays outside".

The core collapsed. Surrounding it, there was a very tight shell of iron, that, the neutrino burst pushed strongly outwards. This massive push is what actually blows the star apart. Now, inner parts from the star are getting outside. They are heated to millions, even billions of degrees. At such temperatures, plasma emits nearly all its light in UV, X rays and gamma rays. Light arrives first. Then, come the plasma blast wave. It travels much slower, with 3 to 30% the speed of light. As it advances, the plasma is slowed down by the interstellar environment.

Now, without the massive dose of neutrinos, all electronics and all parts of the ship can operate better. The ship increases speed faster. Behind, there is a massive flare. Betelgeuse is literally ripped apart. Huge chinks of matter are blown away. Outside the ship, the walls are reaching melting temperature... but the ship is getting away faster and faster. This time, it is on automated pilot.

One more day and the ship reaches 60% of the speed of light. The supernova is raging behind, but now, the distance is greater. Time gets shorter. Finally, the ship reaches light speed. The engines curve space-time, to travel with a speed above that of the light. Now, everyone is safe. In the pilot cabin, Max can see how the blast is decreasing... and Betelgeuse is seen as before the explosion. And finally, the ship reaches its destination, Betelgeuse S.

From there, the star, Betelgeuse, appears bright red. Even if it exploded, it will take ten Earth years to see this happening. Here, everything looks so calm.

**********

The door closes. Melissa is trapped outside, with a few other people, trying to open the door. But it is no use. The ship departs. Someone grabs the door... and falls from a hundred meters high. And just as the ship departs, the online panel starts beeping its alarm. Silicon fusion overwhelmed neutrino loss.

People scream, curse and cry. But Melissa knows there is only one way out. At about 74 km away, there is a former mine. Down there, some people tried to build a closed ecosystem, where they could survive. It is the only way out. No time to lose. There are no vehicles moving on the planet. The only way there is by foot.

So, Melissa does not lose a second and starts walking. Soon comes the night. But, on Betelgeuse VII, even night is not dark. Strong auroras illuminate the land. It is not hard to see your way around. After only 10 km, its legs are starting to hurt. After 20, it is painful... but there is no time to cry. Even worse, it starts to rain. After 30 km, Melissa reaches another town, Pink Marvel. There, the online panel rings its alarm and shows how much time is left. After 40 km, its feet start to accommodate with the endless effort. 50 km and there is an orchard of oranges. Time for a pause, to eat something. But, after this, the feet are hurting even more. Morning comes. 60 km... a massive pain. Melissa feels very tired, hardly walking.

"At least Max is safe".

70 km... and the mountains are visible. The former road is still visible, climbing. Come on! Then, at noon, the entrance is visible. Melissa gets to the gate that lets inside the mine. It is closed. Twenty hours have passed. There still is time. Tired, Melissa sits near the door and falls asleep. Then, someone comes.

"You!" shouts that person.

"Please let me in!"

"Show me your weapons!"

"I have nothing!"

That person opens the gate. Melissa can hardly walk. They get into an elevator, then travel 4 km down. A few people get around.

"Who is it?" asks someone.

"I don't know, I found it at the gate".

"It looks very tired. Where do you come?"

"From Fat Cat", whispers Melissa. "Thank you for letting me in".

Knowing that the sun will explode, people built apartments inside the old mine. They also grow plants for food. Using devices from a crushed spaceship and whatever they could salvage from the former mining equipment, they built a geothermal power plant. they have light and food. Probably, they will be locked away from the world forever.

Melissa eats something and falls asleep. It wakes-up just an hour before supernova. People also have a timer inside. They wait... Minutes pass. When they have only one minute, they close all equipment, lighting a small torch. Everybody gets close and starts to prey. If only the neutrino blast will pass away... 30 seconds... 20... 10...

Then, the cavern becomes illuminated in blue. They feel a powerful heat. The walls are heating, but not too much. They are lucky. In other parts, the neutrino blast burned people alive.

They sit for an hour like this, praying to survive. Finally, someone turns on the power plant. There is light again. Soon, outside, the supernova starts. Temperatures rise to 20000 degrees C and even higher. But deep here, everyone is safe... for now.

Can a planet survive supernova? Yes, if it is far away from its star. Close planets will not have a chance. The whole mass of Betelgeuse is blown away, with speeds that vary between 3 and 30% the speed of light. Given the distance to Betelgeuse VII, the blast will reach it in 3 days and will keep on scourging the planet for 30 days. Simple math shows that, during these 30 days, each square meter of the planet will be bombarded by 500 kg of very hot plasma, at extreme speed. This is by far enough to destroy anything on the surface. First, the atmosphere is blown, then the oceans and everything on ground. Then, the ground itself, is heated, liquefied and vaporized, blown away by the powerful blow of the explosion. No supernova is homogenous. A planet can be more lucky and find a gap, while another planet can be completely liquefied and eroded this way. At least, things don't go like in sci-fi movies, where planets explode. No. They are eroded, layer by layer, until the liquid magma is exposed, which is removed much more easy.

Inside their home, Melissa and the others cannot see anything outside. The first days come without any problems. The crust is holding on. But, as time pass, they feel quakes. The walls are shaking and making some noise. It is clear that a significant part of the crust is being eroded. People can only wait and hope. After twenty days, quakes are more frequent. the ground seems never to stop shaking and the noise never ends. The planet is affected by the fact that Betelgeuse is no more. Both the planet and the star were connected by gravity. Now, since that gravity is gone, the crust tries to find a new equilibrium.

After 30 days, it should be over. There still are quakes. Nobody knows what is outside, but it is clear that they made it. Now, they might be stuck forever here, beneath the surface. Outside, lava are solidifying, as the last blow from the supernova is moving away. Once, Melissa and the others were at 4 km beneath surface. But now, they are only 50 meters below. Much of the crust was eroded. Still, outside, radiations are very strong, from the nebula that supernova left behind.

Max and Melissa are both alive, but separated... maybe forever. Betelgeuse had exploded, but its children survive.

TO BE CONTINUED

The beginning of the end is the end of the beginning (unknown philosopher).

The whole world witnessed it. A red supergiant star, Betelgeuse, exploded in a supernova. That star had only one terraformed planet, Betelgeuse VII. 96% of the population was rescued and relocated to a sister planet, Betelgeuse S, located at ten light years away. Press in the whole galaxy commented about this event.

Many planets ask for interstellar help only for a budget deficit. But here, a whole rescue operation, was done alone. The former dictator of Betelgeuse VII, Caligula XIII, came with this plan, to secretly terraform a new planet, boost its economy and then rescue the whole population before supernova. With 161 million refugees, the population increased nearly a hundred times. At first, refugees took nothing with them. They depended on food rations to survive. But even from that moment, they started to work the allocated land and to build small factories. It took only five Earth years until poverty was almost absent. At that moment, Betelgeuse S opened its doors for immigration. Many transgender people or people from rare sexual minorities started to come.

The founder of Betelgeuse VII colony, Caligula I, wanted this planet to be a paradise for transgender people and people from rare sexual minorities. And even if his former planet was hit by the supernova blast, his dreamed paradise continues to exist on another planet. Even more, with the population continuing to increase, people are planning to terraform other planets in the Betelgeuse S system.

**********

On Betelgeuse S, body transformation technology has reached an incredible level. Many people came there, from the whole world, to transform their bodies. Many willed to change gender. With DNA transformation technology and with organs grown in vitro, such an intervention is now very easy. Many people changed from male to female or from female to male... but later wanted to change back. In response, technicians developed the hermaphrodite S chromosome. From now on, people could be at the same time men and women. But, manipulating the human DNA, up to the point where you change entire chromosomes, has risks. These risks were not well studied at first.

The unusual society that started to form on Betelgeuse VII, became mature on Betelgeuse S.

The way people talk here is strange for many outsiders. First of all, since cross-dressing is very common and the population is a mixture of cis and trans people with many hermaphrodites, it is sometimes very hard to find out the real gender of a person. This is why, people here replaced words he and she with it.

For these people, the terms husband and wife are replaced with partner. Also, children refer as mother to the person that gave birth... but in many cases, things are strange. So, even children refer to both mother and father as parent. But, for an outsider, mother can be a man, be it a person who changed gender or a female or herm that cross-dresses as a man. More complicated is in case of hermaphrodite parents, which can get pregnant with their own semen. In this case, children can have a single parent. Even more, other terms that outsiders are so familiar, here can have very different meanings. If you have a hermaphrodite brother, how would you call it? Also, if your brother cross-dresses into a girl (or even undergoes surgery to become a girl), would you call it a brother or a sister? Here, people prefer the term sis for what outsiders call a brother or a sister. The term brother is used for members of a cult or for very close friends. The term sister, on the other hand, is used by those who are in love. In a family, parents call each other sisters.

Also, it is important to note that on the identity cards, people don't have names, but just a personal identification number. People often change their names at their own will. No gender is specified, too. For an outsider, this would create severe problems, but here, everyone knows well its identification number.

**********

On Betelgeuse S, a family was formed, between a hermaphrodite and a castrato (former castrated slave brought from UV Ceti). The castrato also undergone surgery with cloned organs, to become a hermaphrodite. They made four children. Scientists expected the children to also be hermaphrodites. In part, it was right. Only in part. However, each child was more a boy or more a girl. The case was carefully studied. In the end, scientists concluded that the problem was more complex. Two of the children had a hormonal disequilibrium, while with the other two, their organisms lacked the receptors for some hormones.

Starting with the age of 10, parents try to find out what gender would their children like to have and what is their sexual orientation. Things are not clear at that age, but it is important to see the path each child wants to go. Each of the four children had their own desire and each one chosen its path. However, among them, there is a different one, which did not made its mind up to the age of 13. This child is a hermaphrodite that looks almost completely like a girl. Its penis did not grow at all and remained very small.

The child was amazed by a series of cartoons, in which, a small girl appeared. It is a version of Cinderella adapted for Betelgeuse VII. The child was more interested in stopping its growth then in choosing a certain gender. Because of this, someone gave it the nickname Piccolina and Piccolina remained its name.

Then, alone in its room, Piccolina watched a documentary about genders: males, females, hermaphrodites and so on. At some point, appeared a shemale, a person that completely looks like a woman but has male genitals.

"Wow! This is what I want to be!" said Piccolina.

Its parents agreed and decided to see what can be done. The technology is advanced enough to do this. So, they used a complex DNA manipulating technology, hormonal treatment and surgery with organs grown in vitro. Piccolina got its dream. From now on, it will have a functional penis with testicles, like men do, will look completely like a woman (except from the bulge sometimes visible while wearing tight pants or leggings) and its height will never grow above its present high, of 1.47 meters.

When Piccolina was 15 Earth years old, Betelgeuse S became habitable and rescue operations started. The little shemale participated active in the rescue and resettle operations, helping relocated people to find their way. At 16, Betelgeuse gone supernova and the last survivals came in. This had a very strong impact on its life. Piccolina loves to listen to their stories. Many, before they came here, suffered of starvation, attacked by bands lurking for food or in towns ruled by maniacs. Many suffered so much. People tell horrible stories. Even cannibalism occurred in some cases.

What is important when you have a large number of people coming in, is to motivate them to do something, to become part of the economy. And Piccolina is the best to do this, convincing people to start a business or to work something.

Piccolina itself started a business: to connect people, to build a site where people can exchange goods, find or ask for a job, even find a partner. The business proved to be a great success.

On Betelgeuse VII, each town had a name and a sheriff to deal with local problems. In rest, all towns were basically the same. On Betelgeuse S, things are far more different. Each town has its sheriff, which acts like a mayor and a judge at the same time, elected by the people. However, people have the right to define many things regarding their town.

There are places where certain types of people live. When terraforming started, the dictator chosen to purchase and use slaves from UV Ceti. Majority of those slaves were castrato people. Even if, by far, their lives here were not as one would expect from slavery, the dictator promised them that, once terraforming is finished, they will have their own villages. This is exactly what happened. Also, many women from the UV Ceti, grown in the body farms to make children, escaped to here. They requested to have their own towns. Also, there are towns where people work in agriculture and towns where factories employ most people. Some rescued people from Betelgeuse VII, that came from certain towns, requested to stay together. Even some of the many sexual minorities requested their own towns.

With such a multitude of themed and non-themed towns, the need for a guide appeared. But who can do this? Who can make such a work without making discrimination? Surprisingly, the only person that did this, is Piccolina. Each town has its own online page, with detailed descriptions of what one would find there. Based on certain key points, Piccolina managed to create its own algorithm. For each town, there will be several ratings, each for a different criteria, with a note from 0 to 10.

For example, the ability to settle in a certain town. A rating of 0 means there is no way to move there, while a rating of 10, means that you will receive a free home. Now, between 0 and 10 are many values. To get this rating, Piccolina has to get some information: Is land available for a home? Do the local people want newcomers? Are they opened for people of other types then they are? What restrictions do exist (for example, related to clothing)? Is this a themed place?

In the end, Piccolina made an encyclopedia of the entire planet. For each town, there are 10 different ratings, all with values from 0 to 10. Then, by clicking on each of the ten ratings, people can see details. This encyclopedia shows that Betelgeuse S is one of the most diverse planets in the galaxy. In other parts, there are themed places, built by a megacorporation, made for an ethnic group or created around a certain theme. There, one will se no or almost no difference, by applying these ratings. Even the Pleiades Empire, with all its over 100 terraformed planets, is by far very uniform compared to Betelgeuse S.

One rating that became the most popular and widely discussed is erotic rating. A value of 0 would define a place like a strict monastery, while a value of 10 is associated to a place where public sex and nudity are rules. The lowest rank a town got is 0.3, while the highest is 9.7. Still, the vast majority remained around 3.

Now, using this encyclopedia, everyone can chose what town to go. And even more, there are people willing to build their own towns, based on their own principles. But, more interestingly, there are people who like to have two or more homes in different towns, to live a double life.

**********

Seven years have passed since Betelgeuse exploded. It is the year 3084 and Piccolina is now 22, young and a very energetic figure. It is very known by many and highly adaptable to each place. Most of the time, Piccolina sits in its home, working on its computer, but many times, it travels, visiting the so many and so different towns.

But how does Piccolina look like? A short woman, a bit fat. Its hair is long and brown. It wears a knee-long yellow dress, with demi-opaque stockings, transparent shoes with high heels, has long yellow nails and many bracelets. Everyone can see weird symbols and inscriptions from other languages, written with red on the arms, chicks and breast. One more thing: Piccolina is a chain smoker, smoking almost non-stop.

Many tried, but nobody could get into a relationship with Piccolina. Quite nobody. The young shemale refuses anyone and can even become aggressive when forced. Some said that it might be a sfenist... but sfenists don't behave like this. They like to get into a relationship and feel happy and pleased as long as things don't go to sex.

There are people who watch the little shemale, which, after creating the encyclopedia of all towns, became a celebrity. Paparazzi are interested in such a young figure. But, just as they often do, they don't notice the important things. Often, they commented that Piccolina wears no pants underneath. With a hidden camera, they managed to film under its dress and proven that it is a shemale. Even more, paparazzi are more interested if a bulge is visible in front of its dress.

However, the biggest scandal is yet to come...

There is a town, with the number 19548. The locals decided to call that town Onan. And that town is a very interesting place. It has an erotic rating of 8.1. There, people are allowed to masturbate in any place. Public sex is forbidden, allowed only behind closed doors. Also, public nudity is allowed only in some circumstances.

Piccolina arrives to Onan in its flying car and stops the car to explore. Buildings are like in majority of towns. However, very soon, the difference is visible. Piccolina arrives to the central square. There, people are talking and enjoying something. But, some of them are masturbating, face in face with the others. Some have male organs, some have female organs, while others are hermaphrodites. There, Piccolina takes a sit, lights a cigarette, rolls up its dress and exposes its erected penis. Then, masturbates in front of everyone, just like its is normal for that town.

After this, Piccolina is on the news. Asked about this, it answers:

"I am not in love with anyone. I love myself. What I did, is something that, people in Onan find very normal and natural".

Then, asked again, it answers:

"Our planet has an incredible diversity and was built for this, to be a home for the most diverse people, for those who are rejected by others in other places of the galaxy. It should be a shame on you that you judge me for what I am and what I did".

**********

On Betelgeuse S, there is almost eternal day. The planet rotates around its axis a bit slower then it rotates around the star. Because of this, a day-night cycle lasts over 200 Earth years. Basically, this means that, for a person living all its life in a town, there will be like an eternal day, with the sun fixed in the same place on the sky. And people live only on the illuminated hemisphere of the planet. On the dark side, there are only few mining and industrial towns.

Since there is an endless day, people always see the sky as it is. However, there is one visible star: Betelgeuse. Even if it exploded, the light had not the time to reach Betelgeuse S. It appears as a very dim, copper-red star on the sky. And because the planet orbits around its sun in about ten Earth days, Betelgeuse is always seen moving on the sky. Not other star is visible.

On the dark hemisphere, things are different... but there, no plants can grow and it is very cold too. Still, people come to the dark hemisphere from time to time, They come, to see Betelgeuse, which, there, appears as a very bright, red-orange star, far brighter then all the stars combined. The star died... but the light hadn't got the time to reach here.

Survivals remember very well the last years spent on Betelgeuse VII. It was like living with a sword above your head. They remember how the sun undergone neon fusion, then oxygen fusion, magnesium fusion and finally silicon fusion was approaching. They remember the massive flare that occurred once magnesium fusion started. And as time passed, in 3087, they could see it from here. Well, not the flare itself, but a massive increase in brightness.

Then comes the supernova. Betelgeuse becomes far more brighter then before and blue. The light almost equals that of the red dwarf sun that heats and lights Betelgeuse S. This heats the planet, causing massive storms and hurricanes. Also, the strong X and gamma rays affect the ozone layer. Well, not to the point where this can destroy life here, but it certainly does affect life and people.

Nobody complains about the bright light, break in the ozone layer and huge storms. In fact, people gather and watch the star that destroyed their home planet.

From this distance, the supernova is like the song of a swan. It is said that swans, when they die, they sing the most beautiful song human ears can hear.

In 600 years, people on Earth will see the supernova, which will be visible during day time and will be as luminous as half of a full moon.

Then, after about 30 Earth days, light from the supernova dims gradually, becoming red and finally vanishing from the sky forever. Betelgeuse is gone. The swan has sang its last song.

**********

After people on Betelgeuse S see the supernova, Piccolina decides to do something. Using mass-media, the shemale, now aged 26, tries to send a manned expedition to see what is left there. Many people agree. Piccolina advises people that such a mission has two advantages. Firstly, nobody must forget its origins and there started everything. Secondly, a supernova produces a high amount of heavy elements, which could be mined there, giving the mission an economic reason. The explosion produced a nebula, that, by now, should be rarefied enough to allow ships to travel. Also, there is a small chance that someone might have survived on the planet... if the planet itself actually survived.

A star as Betelgeuse, when explodes, creates a vast nebula that expands through the space with tremendous speed. But the star itself does not vanish completely. It lets a corpse behind: a neutron star, made of highly compressed matter. The neutron star, made almost completely of neutrons, is in fact the former iron core that collapsed when it could no longer produce energy to survive.

Can a planet survive a supernova? Well, it depends. Certainly, planets don't explode like in sci-fi movies. The blast actually is a very hot and very fast wind of matter, that heats the planet surface, melts the crust and blows it away. Also, a supernova nebula is not homogenous. in some parts, it has gaps, while in others, it is far denser. In case of a gas giant, it will be stripped by its gaseous envelope, revealing the solid core... but the core is very hot and will become liquid or even gaseous when you remove the atmosphere. It all depends on many things. If the planet has a thick enough crust... or if that planet is lucky enough to fit in a gap, it might survive.

There is also another problem. Betelgeuse was huge and heavy, weighting about 22 solar masses. The neutron star which forms is far lighter, weighing only 10% of the initial star. That means far less gravity. So, planets will move far away from the star. Majority will be ejected into interstellar space, but a few will remain orbiting, very far away and on highly elliptical orbits. But still, the neutron star will have its own movement, in a different direction then the star had. Will a planet still orbit the neutron star? Yes, if the star will slightly change orbit and come closer to the planet.

Still, there is another thing, which is more amazing. Planets can form from a supernova. It is possible that the last amounts of matter ejected by the blast will not have enough speed and will form a ring of debris around the neutron star. From this matter, planets can be formed. Well, they need a lot of time to do this... but for now, there could be dust made of heavy and rare elements, very useful for the industry.

But, the main question that everyone is asking is the following one: Did Betelgeuse VII survived? And if it did, is there any chance that someone can still be living there?

Piccolina is the one sent to find out the answers.

Every death creates the seeds of a new life (from an Ecology manual).

Once, Betelgeuse VII was a paradise for transgender people and rare sexual minorities, with a booming economy. Now, the planet Betelgeuse S is even a better paradise. The Free State Of Betelgeuse owns both planets and their solar systems. Betelgeuse exploded in a powerful supernova. From the only inhabited planet, Betelgeuse VII, nearly everyone was resettled to a new planet, located at ten light years away. Ten years have passed... and everyone watched the supernova from a safe distance. Now, they want to see if anything survived from their former planet. Could there still be survivals?

It is the year 3088. A reconnaissance and rescue mission is on its way. Chief of the mission is Piccolina, a former hermaphrodite who decided to become a shemale. Also, Delta or Caligula XVIII, the last dictator from the Caligula dynasty, wants to take part of this historical event. Delta is a former man who transformed itself into a hermaphrodite, very old and hardly walking. In 3090, Delta will resign and elections will follow. A new dictator will be elected for a period of five Earth years.

The rescue mission consists of a large ship, shielded against radiation, with ten smaller ships stationed in its hull. The large ship has very powerful sensors and a lot of tasks to do. The voyage of ten light years is done in 15 Earth days. The crew numbers 100 people.

Once the ship arrives, everyone wakes-up from cryogenic sleep. Piccolina gets first into the pilot cabin, then waits for everyone to come.

"Are we safe?" asks Piccolina, lighting a cigarette.

"Radiations are very high, but the ship will hold", answers a pilot.

"Is this the place? I mean, I see no star".

Piccolina takes another drag from its cigarette, then watches the data. The whole area is surrounded by a nebula. Ejected material from the supernova is spreading. It is slowly glowing in blue. Alexa, a hermaphrodite who likes to dress as a woman, is in charge with the observations of plasma and dust environment.

"Very interesting", says Alexa. "We are, after all, the first spaceship to visit a supernova remnant".

"What says the data?" asks again Piccolina, taking another drag of smoke.

"Well", says Alexa, "I see very unusual data. We were flying through the nebula. There are many radioactive elements which naturally don't exist. They decay fast. And we see many useful elements. There are high amounts of technetium, which naturally don't exist, as well as other metals... and mainly, their radioactive isotopes. And as I can see, there are rare earths and even uranium. A dust mining operation certainly will be profitable".

"I see", whispers Piccolina, taking two fast and short inhales of smoke. "I hoped to see forming planets".

"Not so fast", says Gamma, a person who doesn't give much information of its identity and is the chief of planetary study. "It will take millennia for some asteroids or even planets to form from what the supernova left around us. And as yet, we haven't pick up the location of the neutron star. Please wait for my telescope to scan the sky".

Piccolina is nervous and smokes two cigarettes, one after the other, while more data is being collected. The infrared telescope scans all the sky, looking for possible planets.

"Once we locate the neutron star and notice its movement, we can determine where other planets should be", says Gamma. "And once we know where they could be, we can use the narrow angle telescope to find them".

"We need to find Betelgeuse VII", says Piccolina, almost chewing the smoke.

"Calm down", says Delta, just entering the cabin. "Think that people here waited so much. We can wait so little until our sensors detect the planet. I waited my entire life for this".

They have to wait. Finally, the neutron star is located. It is far away from where Betelgeuse was. The neutron star is very small (13 km in diameter), weights incredibly much (about two solar masses) and has a very powerful gravity. It is also very hot, close to 100 thousand degrees K on the surface and it emits deadly blows of X and gamma rays. This is the corpse of Betelgeuse, the remnant of what once the star was. It is almost completely made of neutrons. When Betelgeuse ran out of fuel, the core collapsed into this tiny sphere, releasing a giant amount of energy, which caused the whole star to explode.

But the explosion pushed the neutron star on a slightly different trajectory. Gamma calculates where all the planets should be right now... if they still exist. Surprisingly, Betelgeuse VII seems to be the only one still orbiting, because the neutron star moved in its direction. All other planets are on an ejection trajectory.

"Betelgeuse I no longer exists", says Gamma.

That planet was very close and it didn't have any chance at all.

"Betelgeuse II also no longer exists!"

That was a gas giant, feeding itself with plasma ejected by the star. The supernova blew away all its gas layers, then the inner core.

"I never imagined Betelgeuse II will parish", says Alexa, also lighting a cigarette.

"Betelgeuse III located!" says Gamma. "It is a fireball and its diameter is reduced to half".

"It had 6000 km in diameter", says Piccolina, with a cigarette in the mouth. "I don't think that anyone survived on Betelgeuse VII".

"Betelgeuse IV... I see something, but it is hard to guess", says Alexa.

"What is it?" asks Delta, very patient.

"I see three fireballs. The planet disintegrated and... I don't know how, but its hot nucleus remained, while the mantle formed two moons".

"Fuck!" curses Alexa, almost falling its cigarette down.

"Betelgeuse V located... and looks surprisingly well", says Gamma. "Let me do a spectroscopic scan, because I don't believe this".

Piccolina lights another cigarette, looking at the data. The planet had a diameter of 9500 km, now it has 8200. It was almost completely made of water ice. Now, it appears to be covered by a global ocean.

"I need a break", says Gamma, lighting a cigarette too. "A water planet survived. It makes no sense to me".

"It depends if the planet was lucky enough to fit into a gap of the explosion or to be hit by a more powerful plume", says Alexa.

"I know, but... my brain refuses to accept. Well, Betelgeuse VI didn't make it", says Gamma. "I see nothing left where it should be".

"That planet had a diameter of 7000 km and it was bare rock!" says Piccolina, very nervous, knowing what planet will be next.

"Betelgeuse VII, located!" shouts Gamma.

"Is it ok?" asks Piccolina, blowing smoke while speaking.

"It appears so..." comments Alexa, looking at the data.

"It appears to have the same diameter and to be relatively cold", says Gamma. "This is a miracle. And don't forget that it is the only planet still orbiting the neutron star".

"Maybe someone survived", whispers Delta.

"Betelgeuse VIII located", comments Gamma. "Also this planet appears to be ok, only with a little ocean of lava. But the rest of the crust appears to be cold and solid".

"When Betelgeuse was younger", says Delta, "these planets formed its Kuiper Belt. Temperatures were below -200 C there. But, when the sun became a red supergiant, temperature rose to water melting point".

"Betelgeuse IX, not located", says Gamma. "I see small fireballs, less then 1000 km in diameter. The planet broke apart".

"The sun devoured all its inner planets when it became a red supergiant", continues Delta. "Only two planets survived and the Kuiper Belt".

"Betelgeuse X located", says Gamma. "It is a fireball".

"Now", continues Delta, "these planets will cool down and freeze in the extreme interstellar cold. They will probably roam forever in the galaxy".

"Betelgeuse XI detected", continues Gamma. "It appears to be a very hot ocean world".

"Now, for the last planet", whispers Alexa, taking the last drag of smoke. "It was so far away, that temperatures never climbed above -100 degrees C".

"Betelgeuse XII located", says Gamma. "But, it lost half of its diameter. Only its rocky core remained".

With this data, they go to Betelgeuse VII, hoping to find something. As they arrive, they notice the planet is covered with a layer of dust of a few meters thick. This dust is made of calcium magnesium, sodium, aluminum and iron, mixed with many metals heavier then iron. Also, it is highly radioactive.

Nothing from the former Geography remained. Quite nothing. The planet is unrecognizable. There are no mountain ranges, no oceans, nothing. Just an endless plain, perfectly flat. The supernova eroded about 4 km of the crust.

"Let's get to work, people!" says Piccolina.

If there are any survivals, they certainly are located somewhere underground. Most of mines were not so deep, at maximum two km below the surface. People that went there had no chance. Only very deep mines have survived. But since there are no remnants of the former Geography, how could anyone know where the former mines should be? They have a high detail digital map of the planet... but where to start? They know where the poles are, also they locate the magnetic poles, which shouldn't change their positions too much. That is good enough. Finally, they add the map over a fast magnetic scan and locate where saviors should be.

Piccolina takes the radio and announces everyone from the rescue teams, designating search areas. All the ships will detach and scan the surface, looking for possible signs of human presence. Every human body produces a bioenergy field, which is very faint, but can be detected with powerful instruments. The ISA, which supports the rights of any former settlers, insists that any newly annexed planet should be previously scanned with bioenergy sensors. Any newly annexed planet, without this scan, will not be recognized.

A few painful hours follow. Rescue ships scan the planet. Then, a ship responds via radio:

"This is Savior 3, I am picking up a signal. Four people seem to be here at 50 meters below ground. I am proceeding to build a well".

Each ship has the capability to dig a vertical tunnel, insulated, then to build a small landing base there.

"This is Savior 6, I located a big community. I think there are a thousand or so. At 200 meters beneath surface. I am building a well".

"This is Savior 7, reporting. I see signs of activity on the surface. There is a colony not deep beneath. A few hundred survivals located".

"This is Savior 1, I detect a hundred people at 1000 meters beneath surface. Proceeding to build a well".

Messages keep coming. There still are people here. They survived the supernova. The scan continues for days, until the entire surface is charted, but the only survivals are located within the first hours, where deep mines were. Overall, there are 137000 people still alive, located in 465 different places. It is a miracle. These people managed to survive the impossible.

The largest group numbers 1341 people. They settled in a mine that was 4 km deep... and now it is only a few meters below surface. They built a small base on the surface and started to extend their caverns.

Once the sky was illuminated by the copper-red star Betelgeuse. Now, only a very dim, pulsating light, arrives here, carrying deadly doses of gamma and X rays. The pink sky now is black. The forests and the oceans are long gone. Now, all what remained is a black, hard crust, made of solidified rocks, covered with a thick layer of radioactive dust.

**********

The mission returns with a big success. From now on, ships for passengers and cargo will travel every day between the two planets, while new underground towns will form on Betelgeuse VII, attracted by the mineral-rich dust, which could support a powerful industry. Some people will return to Betelgeuse VII, even if, by far, the place does not look like it did before. Also, some survivals will go to Betelgeuse S, after their relatives that they have long been separated from.

This story might have been influenced by my husband's strong interest in astronomy. One day, he showed me the star Betelgeuse on the sky, telling me that soon it will explode. After a few days, I had a dream, about a future human colony there. The dream repeated over and over, almost in every night, each time with new details and with other aspects. Then, after nearly a month, I could no longer take it and I decided to write. Almost everything in this story comes from there. Only small details, like the names of some characters, are added.

One might ask: Why did I mix so many rare sexual minorities, cross-dressers, transgender people and hermaphrodites in this story? Why is a cis-woman so interested in such subjects? Well, here is the answer. Yes, all this mixture was in my dream, but it is not only this. Me and my husband are what I like to call 'soul transgender'. Many told me that I have the soul of a man in the body of a woman... while he has the soul of a woman in the body of a man.

The way 'Love & Supernova' is wrote, is not what one would expect from a female writer. Usually, women are attracted by soaps, by love stories and more personal things, not by astronomy, politics, violence and sci-fi books. This is a prove that I am a woman with a man soul. The same can be said about my husband. We never had the courage to go to the extremes, like public cross-dressing, not to mention the use of hormones, surgery or implants. Anyway, in the place where we live, this would be quite impossible.

The abundance of rare sexual minorities comes from something personal: we both are sfenists. Everyone tried to force us back into the 'normal' population, to get married against our will and have an active sexual life. It is a miracle that we found each other and made the family we wanted to. The only people who understood us, are people from other sexual minorities and also transgender people. We have a big respect and support for them.

The Love & Supernova series have a secret message: that people like me (belonging to rare sexual minorities) and people like you (transgender people) are not inferior to anyone. As one can see, in the series, people of Betelgeuse VII are facing the most horrible danger of all: a supernova. Despite this, they manage to find a solution, without asking for interstellar help or requesting asylum. They manage their own economy and their own destiny. By comparison, today, we see states that ask for international aid, only to finance their internal debt.

Many 'normal' people (as they consider themselves) discriminate those they see 'not normal'. There are places in the world, including where I live, where gay people are murdered. Transgender people are not killed, but strongly discriminated and forced to leave. We, sfenists, have a better life, but still... we prefer to hide. Yet, if you apply a test of intelligence, you notice that we are not inferior or mentally ill. We are just different.

Why do some people hate us so much? I tried to find an answer. They associate us all (classic or rare sexual minorities and transgender people) with extreme porn. Well, in many situations, this is not the case, especially for me, as a sfenist. Nearly everything I wrote in Love & Supernova feels well under general audience. I imagined a place where we could live a peaceful life. How would that society look like? Just like in my dreams. People will practice cross-dressing on the street without any problem. There will not be a porn hole of hell, but a society very similar to ours, except for the barriers that discriminate us. Then, children born in this environment, will take their own decisions. Influenced by their parents, they will build the hermaphrodite race, willing to belong to both sexes at the same time. Diversity will strike at a level we can only imagine. But, it will still not be the return of Sodom and Gomorrah. It will be a complex, unique society.

I've seen this world in my dreams, getting formed, passing the most difficult problems that could exist and reaching maturity. Well, I am not a prophet, so don't expect that humans will settle on Betelgeuse around the years 3000.

I just hope that, one day, the world I dreamed almost every night for three months, will exist somewhere.

**********

Thank you to all who supported me, corrected me, explained me the proper TG terminology and who helped me write this material.

Thank you to all Big Closet Top Shelf staff, who generously hosts the Love And Supernova series and many unique and impressive works.

Special thanks to my family, who strongly supported (and even forced me) to write.

P.S. I released the Love & Supernova series, together with my other series The Legends and Smoke And Pantyhose into public domain. This automatically means that anyone can copy and post them. You can even publish them on another site, even sell them as they are or in a different version. You can use them as a source of inspiration. Everyone can copy all my texts or parts of, post them anywhere as they are or modified versions and even sell them. The only thing that you CANNOT do, is to have author rights. This is not possible, under any circumstances. If you know what public domain means, you got the point.

May you all be happy!

Ana Imfinity