Box Set #3: The Serenity Deception: [The 4 book 3rd Adventure of Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood]

by Robert Iannone

  Serenity had listened to the words with her head hanging down . . . too ashamed to make eye contact with any of these people. But Tee’ka had struck just the right chord. She could actually hear her mother’s voice in them.

  She finally looked at Egg and asked, “May I use the controls for a moment. You have my word that I will do nothing to harm any of you.”

  “Don’t do it,” said Soo. “You can’t trust her.”

  Egg turned to her serpent sister and pointed to her arm, “No goose bumps.” She turned back to the girl in the wheelchair and said, “Go ahead.”

  “Thank you.” Serenity typed at a blazing speed; her fingers became a blur. When she had finished she looked up at Tee’ka and said “I’ve replace you with a modified Mysteria hologram. I also changed the central computer’s records to show that you, Tee’ka, never existed. As far as they are concerned, Mysteria has always been the hostess. I even changed the memories of the other host and hostesses. They no longer have a memory of you.”

  “What does that mean?” asked Egg.

  “It means,” replied Tee’ka, “that I am now free to leave Laff’Alott.”

  Then all get-out broke loose.

  Tee’ka was hugging Serenity and they were both crying.

  Egg and Sylvia were holding hands and jumping up and down for joy.

  BreeZee hugged Bl’azzz.

  Spirit hugged Aeri’elle.

  And Soo was left standing by herself. “Nice. No one wants to hug a super sensitive sea snake?”

  “Grrrrrr,” and the Shamie, awaken by the commotion, morphed into a copy of Ven’trrr, Soo’s boyfriend, and slithered up to her.

  “Epic,” said the serpent. “Just epic . . . that’s all I got.”

  *****

  When things settled down, Spirit and Serenity went to the far corner of the control room so the Thought Weaver could try to fix the girl’s eye.

  Meanwhile, Egg took each sister aside (one at a time) and discussed a matter of some urgency.

  About five minutes later they heard Serenity cry out.

  “You guys okay?” asked Egg.

  “Yes. I believe we are.”

  Spirit walked back to the others . . . purposefully blocking their view of Serenity. At the last moment, she stepped aside and said, “May I introduce Astral Sing’s most worthy daughter . . .”

  The mask was gone. Serenity now had her sight back.

  Chapter 8 – The Newest Sister

  “Nice job, Spirit.”

  “Thanks, Egg. Unfortunately, I could do nothing for her spinal injury. I’m sorry, Serenity.”

  It was all too much for the girl – overwhelmed by everything that had happened, she couldn’t sort out her emotions. “Please, don’t apologize. I’m the one that needs to do that. To all of you, I’m . . . I’m so very sorry. And you, Egg . . . all the things that they say about you, I just could never imagine they were true. You are truly amaz . . .”

  Egg cut her off. “Come on. Please don’t. I just hate that. How many times do I have to say it? I just treat people the way I want them to treat me. I help people because it’s the right thing to do. That doesn’t make me anything special. Please, no more.”

  “I’m sorry. I just meant . . . thank you. You’ve treated me with a kindness I don’t deserve.”

  “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

  “I could argue that point, but I won’t.” She was quiet for a moment or two then asked, “So what are your plans? Are you returning to Fair’Giggle?”

  “Don’t know about the others, but I’ve had enough of this planet. How about you, Tee? Ready to explore the galaxy?”

  “More than ready, Egg. Can I ask you to take me to another world? Any place that’s convenient.”

  “Well, yes and no.”

  “Sorry?”

  Egg’s face lit up with a big smile. “We’ve taken a vote and we would like you to become a Hameggattic Sister. If you’re interested.”

  Tee’ka stared at Egg. She looked at the other sisters – each smiling and nodding yes. She then glanced at Serenity whose head was down with a tear or two slipping off her cheek. The former hologram had little real-life experience. But she just knew that if it were Egg being asked, the girl would say, “No. Thank you for the honor. However, I’m not worthy to be a sister.” That reply stunned the others. Even Serenity looked up . . . in time to see Tee’ka looking at her.

  “Absolutely, mind-boggling amazing,” she said loudly.

  Everyone turned to look at her.

  “What are you talking about, Serenity?” asked Egg.

  “You.”

  “What?”

  “You have been on this planet for two or three days. In that incredibly short period, you have managed to exert an influence on Tee’ka that is totally out of proportion to the time you have spent with her.”

  “I’ll say it again, what are you talking about?”

  “Tee’ka just turned down membership in the Hameggattic Sisterhood because she wants you to invite me in her stead.”

  “What?”

  “She knows that I, too, would dearly love to be a Sister. She saw my tears just now and knew how I was feeling. My guess is she asked herself ‘what would Egg do?’ And, if the situation were reversed, you would have refused so that I could join. Is that about right, Tee’ka?”

  Everyone turned back to Tee’ka. “Is that it?” asked Egg.

  “It is very hard to have a living body,” was the strange reply.

  “Give me a break here. Just answer my question.”

  Tee’ka ignored her friend. “With a real body, I get to experience real emotions – not simulated ones. I find it very difficult.”

  “You’ll adjust over time,” Serenity assured her.

  “Tee – is that why you turned me down?”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you, Tee’ka. But, I’m the one not worthy of Sisterhood,” said Serenity.

  “You are wrong. However, yes, Egg, I would dearly love to be a Hameggattic Sister.”

  The other seven girls came up to her and gave her the customary hug.

  “Okay, to make it official, you have to recite the oath. It’s . . .”

  “Egg. I know what it is . . .,” said the girl with a big grin. “We are the Sisters of Mystery and will protect each other from danger and keep each other’s secrets for as long as the sun shines and the stars twinkle.”

  “Congratulations, Tee. How do you feel?”

  “Like the luckiest girl in the universe.”

  “Okay, I’d say that this was a pretty successful little vacation. Let’s go over to the Seven and head to Aerianna. Syl and I are due back at Grammy’s soon.”

  “Egg, may I accompany you? I would love to see Q’umulus.”

  “Sure, Serenity. Why don’t you follow us in your ship?”

  “No need,” interjected Spirit. “Serenity, your ship can easily fit in the cargo hold of the Seven. Ride with us.”

  “Thank you, I’d like that. I’ve been alone for way too long.”

  *****

  They had been back on the Seven for about twelve hours . . . half the time it would take them to return to Aerianna. It was a wonderful opportunity to really get to know Tee’ka, and for that matter, Serenity.

  But after a meal and hour upon hour of nonstop jibber jabbering, they each went to their cabins to rest.

  Egg was in the middle of a dream about – well, I hate to say it, but I have to – about boys. It was very pleasant until she heard explosions. Once, twice . . . followed by someone screaming at her.

  She woke up startled. “What the . . . ?”

  Then she heard it again . . . except it wasn’t explosions, it was someone pounding on the door to her cabin.

  “EGG. Wake up.” The screaming wasn’t really screaming, just Spirit talking loudly in her head.

  “Hang on a sec.” The girl rolled out of her bunk and opened the door. “What’s up? We’ve got problems?”

  “Yes.”
/>
  “What? Something wrong with the ship?”

  “No. It’s the Sisterhood.”

  “What about it?”

  “Egg . . . it’s gone.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “I looked into the future . . . and the thread of the sisterhood went dark.”

  Egg got goose bumps. “Get in here,” and she grabbed Spirit, pulled her inside the cabin, and closed the door. “Start over.”

  “As you know, I don’t usually look into the future unless it’s really important to do so. But, I was lying in bed and thinking about this trip and our newest sister. I got curious to see how she was going to cope now that she was a living person and free of Laff’Alott. So, I followed the threads of the Sisterhood and . . . and the thread stopped.”

  “That means what, exactly?”

  “That the Sisterhood is coming to an end. Soon.”

  “Does something bad happen to us? Do we die?”

  “No. Nothing like that. It . . . sorry, it’s hard to explain. Think of a piece of rope that frays . . . and pretty soon all that’s left is individual threads, the rope is gone.”

  “So you think we just disband the Sisterhood?”

  “More likely someone forces us to disband.”

  “And that’s like forever?”

  “No. The further I go out in time, the fuzzier it gets. I would say that the thread will disappear in weeks or months. And, there’s nothing for at least four or five years.”

  “And after?”

  “That’s too far out for me to see.”

  Egg gave this some thought. “Don’t you usually see different threads? I know some have a better chance to come true then others . . . but wasn’t there any other possible future?”

  Spirit sighed loudly. “This is one of the rare times that I didn’t see any other paths. Egg, it’s going to happen. I’m sorry.”

  “What about our mission to your planet? That’s not going to happen? We’re not going to be able to help you?” Leave it to Egg . . . her first reaction was for the well-being of her sister.

  “I didn’t pursue that thread. I was so shocked by the disappearance of the Sisterhood I stopped. Shall I take a look? It’ll have to wait a day or so until I get my strength back.”

  “No, that’s okay. Besides, I have an idea.”

  “What?”

  “Get everyone together. I tell all of you at the same time.”

  “Okay. Egg . . .”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m really, really sorry.”

  “I know.”

  “No, I mean about Flying Girl.”

  “What?”

  “She disappears too.”

  *****

  They were gathered in what they now call the social room. The eight sisters were there but no Serenity.

  “Where is she?” Egg asked.

  “I thought you wanted only the Sisters,” replied Spirit.

  “We need her . . . if she’s willing.”

  “Egg, what’s going on?” asked Sylvia.

  “Just give me few minutes and I’ll tell all of you. Spirit, get Serenity. Soo, come with me.”

  Egg and Soo went to the far side of the room and out of earshot of the others. “What’s going on, Egg?”

  “I’ll tell all of you in a minute. First, I need to hear something from you. If there was a choice between another mission or staying home with Ven’trrr, which would you do?”

  “Sisterhood first, of course.”

  “No, Soo. Which would you want to do?”

  “I really love him, Egg.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “But I would never abandon you guys.”

  “I know that. Do me a favor and say nothing to the others yet. Go back and send Bl’azzz over, please.”

  “Sure.”

  A moment later, the F’yre Dragon sauntered over. “What’s up?”

  “If there was another mission but Soo decided to stay home with her boyfriend, would you still go?”

  “Is she retiring?”

  “No. Just . . . I’ll explain everything in a few minutes. Just answer my question. Would you go or would you want to stay home?”

  “I’m a Hameggattic Sister . . . always. Besides, there really isn’t anything at home for me. I’m kind of pathetic that way.”

  “YOU ARE NOT,” Egg responded too loudly causing the other girls to look over at them. “Sorry. Please don’t say that. You are wonderful. And if no one else has seen that in you, it’s their problem not yours.”

  “Egg-o, you’re the best. You know that, right?”

  “I know that I love you.”

  Bl’azzz wrapped her wings around her sister.

  “Okay, go back and send butterfly girl over. Please don’t say anything yet.”

  “Sure.”

  The beautiful Wind’dancer walked over. “Well, this is all so mysterious. What’s going on?”

  “I’ll tell you guys in a minute. First, I have a question for you. If there was another mission, would you go?”

  “Of course.”

  “Even if I wasn’t there?”

  “What?”

  “No, don’t. Just answer the question. If you were needed, would you still go?”

  “Yes. Egg, you’re okay right?”

  “I’m fine. I promise to explain in a few minutes. Go back and send Syl over please.”

  “Okay. But you are fine, right?”

  “Yeah. Terrific.”

  Sylvia came over and asked the obvious, “What is going on?”

  “Syl, you and I might be . . . retiring from the Sisterhood sooner than you expected.”

  “What?”

  “Spirit . . . she saw the future.”

  “Egg . . .”

  “Look, I’ll explain in a few minutes. I just wanted to warn you.”

  “Okay. If you say so.”

  “Yeah. Do me a favor and send over Tee.”

  “Sure.”

  The newly minted girl came over. “What is it Egg? Is there a problem?”

  “Yeah, but I’ll explain that in a minute. I need to ask you a question. Would you go on a mission even if I wasn’t there?”

  Tee’ka’s response was a little different from the others. “Would you want me to?”

  “It’s your choice . . . but, yes.”

  “Then I will.”

  “Thanks. Let’s go back.”

  “Don’t you want to talk to Aeri’elle and Spirit?”

  “No need. Come on.”

  *****

  “Thanks for joining us, Serenity.”

  “You’re welcome. However, I’m surprised and more than a little curious.”

  “Okay, well apparently the Sisterhood is coming to an end.” Egg had to cover her ears to protect against the yelling and screaming. She let it go on for a few more seconds before screaming “SHUT UP.” Surprisingly that worked. “Let me explain. Spirit looked into the future and the . . . thread of the Sisterhood went dark. And it’s going to happen soon. “Stop” she said and raised her hand to fend off questions. “Let me finish. She doesn’t see anything bad happening to us. Apparently, we are forced to disband. Will it be forever? She can’t answer that. The only thing she knows is that the Sisterhood is gone for at least four or five years. After that, she doesn’t know. Also, she didn’t see any other strands for us . . . which I take is pretty unusual.”

  “So who would force us to disband?” asked Aeri’elle.

  “No idea.”

  “I do.” They all turned to Serenity. “The Empress Violetta Veeva Velveeta.”

  “Why?”

  “She does not like competition. If she believes the Sisterhood is a threat to her plans, she would find a way to remove it.”

  Sylvia asked the obvious question. “How could she do that?”

  Serenity looked uncomfortable, so Egg answered the question. “I think she takes my flying suit.” Again, she held up her hand to stop the torrent of questions. “Spirit s
aid that the Flying Girl thread also goes dark. Maybe she figures no Flying Girl, no Sisterhood.”

  “We can’t let that happen,” cried BreeZee.

  “You’re right. We have to protect Egg’s suit at all cost,” added Spirit.

  “NO.”

  “What do you mean, no?” demanded Sylvia.

  “That’s not the important thing. What’s really important is that we help Spirit.”

  This time holding up her hand had no effect. But the flood of comments and questions were unintelligible since they all happened simultaneously.

  After five minutes, people stopped talking to take a breath. Egg used the momentary lull to pick up where she had left off. “Listen up. I’m doing the leader bit and I want you to hear me out. That means shut up and listen. Serenity can’t be sure that it’s going to be the big cheese. So let’s not worry about her for now. We know that the Hameggattic Sisterhood is going away. We know that Flying Girl is going to be grounded. And we know that Spirit needs our help.”

  “Egg, please. Putting my needs ahead of the Sisterhood is wrong.”

  “No, it’s not. Just . . . just hear me out. I’m sending Spirit home.” She raised her hand again. “Come on, you guys. Shut up and listen. I’m sending her home but not alone. Tee’ka has volunteered to go. So have BreeZee and Bl’azzz. Naturally, Jynxie goes with Spirit and she’s an honorary sister, don’t forget.”

  “Grrrrrr.”

  “Aeri’elle has already retired. Syl was going to in a few years. But, if I can’t go because I’m no longer Flying Girl, then I refuse to send my best friend.”

  “Hey, what about me?”

  “Soo, you’re going back home and getting married. Your boyfriend may not know it yet, but he’s going to propose.”

  “I can’t let Bl’azzz go without me. She’ll hurt herself.” This time there were no ‘s’ words, no kidding . . . just a sincere statement. Everyone took note.

  “Hey, Soo. Just promise me I get to be maid of honor,” whispered the dragon.

  “Would you wear a dress for the occasion?” teased her friend. She could never be serious for too long.

  The thought was so horrifying that Bl’azzz burped and burn.

  Tee’ka and Serenity were startled to say the least. The others just laughed.

  “Sorry.”

  “May I ask what the trouble is on your world,” asked Serenity when everyone calmed down.