“I’m confused,” said I’za.
Egg looked at Tee’ka. “Tee, it’s time. Go get her.”
“Okay.”
Everyone watched as the girl left the room. A few sisters were about to ask what was going on, but Egg stopped them. “Just hang on a sec.”
Sure enough, Tee’ka walked back in . . . followed by herself.
Some of the girls smiled; Serenity rolled her eyes and Soo whispered to Bl’azzz, “Yikes, that’s scary.”
“Tee, introduce your friend,” requested Egg with a smile.
“Okay. Everybody, this is Tee’ka.”
“Just shoot me,” muttered Sparky.
Jax’x overheard her friend. “If you insist. But I will miss you,” she teased.
“One of the great mysteries of the universe is why I even like you,” snapped Serenity with pretend grumpiness.
“They say opposites attract. I’m good-looking, intelligent, witty, and just so darn huggable. And you, on the other hand, well, you’re you.”
“Bite me.”
“Sorry, but I think you are way past your expiration date.”
“Quiet down, you two,” complained Sylvia. “Egg, what’s going on?”
“I had Waldo and Tee create this avatar. We’re going make one of each of us. They will be the ones going on away missions. We’ll keep the number to seven, just for old time’s sake. They will be independent, using their AI’s programmed to replicate each of you. But, once the team has landed at their destination, the sister whose avatar will be leading the mission will take over remotely if required. So, only once in every fourteen missions will one of us have to take an active role – but from the convenience of their home. As we get more sisters trained, the numbers become even better. Does that make sense?”
“What does ‘if required’ mean?” asked Spirit.
“If we’re just there to talk and show ourselves, the AI is more than adequate to perform the duties. But if there’s a life and death situation, the AI will contact its ‘owner’ for advice. We’re responsible for what these artificial life forms do. I want to make sure something unexpected doesn’t become an issue.”
“I’m a bit uncomfortable with this,” said Aeri’elle.
“In what way?”
“How will others know that they are interacting with our duplicates and not us? I think it’s an ethical problem.”
“Good point. Watch.” She turned to Tee’ka’s avatar and said “Hi. My name is Egg, as you know.”
“Hello, Egg. I am an artificial life form programmed to emulate Tee’ka of the Hameggattic Sisterhood. Is that acceptable?”
“No. I want to talk to the real Tee’ka.”
“I understand. Please know that my Artificial Intelligence program duplicates Tee’ka as of three point three days ago. If this is insufficient, one of us can request their living counterpart to contact you.”
Egg turned to the others. “This is hardwired into her program. She must identify herself as an avatar and defer to the individual she is interacting with. But, we can go one step further and do something physical to identify her. Maybe imprint the Hameggattic Logo into her forehead or something. By the way, these AI’s will be re-synced with us every six months. Big Bird, does that help?”
“It does. Thanks, Egg.”
“So, what do you think of the whole concept?” she asked the others.
“OH. MY. GOSH,” yelped Serenity.
“What?”
“You exploded.”
“What are you . . . oh, geez, my water broke.”
“Sit down,” demanded Syl. “I’ll get the doctor.”
*****
Kat’Alynnia Memorial Hospital and Medical Research Center
All the sisters, the parents and grandparents were in the waiting room. Benny and Tee’ka were stationed outside of Egg’s room.
When a nurse came out, Benny grabbed her – then let go. “My apologies. Can I go in?”
“Sorry, Your Majesty. The doctor will be out in a few minutes to talk to you.”
“But I must be with my wife.”
“Sorry, Sir,” and she walked away.
Benny resumed his pacing while Tee’ka stood a few feet away watching him. As the minutes ticked by and the Prince became more and more agitated, Tee asked, “Do you need a hug?”
“What? Oh, no – no thank you. It was very kind of you to ask.”
“Okay. If you change your mind, I’ll go get Dazzle.”
“I’m sorry . . . what?”
“Your Mom. I’ll get her to come and give you a hug.”
Just for a moment, the black cloud over Benny’s heart blew away. “You are a very thoughtful person and I thank you.”
“Okay.”
The door to Egg’s room opened and the Medicus came out. “Your Highness . . .”
“What is going on? How is my wife?”
“There’s been a complication.”
“What complication? Is she alright? The twins?”
“We are going to have to operate. The Queen is in some distress and the effort of childbirth may prove too difficult for her.”
“I don’t understand. Why did you not know this before?”
“The . . . the joining of two distinct species is a first for us. You are both humanoid, but there are subtle differences that seem to have complicated the issue. Rest assured, the children are fine and are in no danger.”
“But Gracie?”
“We will do our best.”
“I must see her. NOW.”
“No, sir. She is sedated and won’t even recognize you. I must insist that you leave the area. We will be operating immediately. The longer we wait, the more danger your wife will be in. Nurse,” and he called a woman over. “Please take his Highness and Egg’s sister (he nodded at Tee’ka) to the waiting room.”
“But . . .”
“Your Highness, you are keeping me from helping the Queen.”
“Go. But I will wait here in the hall.”
“As you wish,” and he reentered Egg’s room.
Benny turned to Tee’ka. “Please, go tell the others that . . .” but he stopped. He had no idea how to phrase the issue. “Just tell them it will be a little longer before there is any news.”
“Okay.” She started to walk away then stopped and returned. She threw her arms around him and hugged him hard. “She’s Egg.”
Benny waited for more but Tee was finished. Then it dawned on him what the girl meant. “Yes, she is. She is Egg of Earth and she never loses a fight. Never.”
*****
Thirty minutes later, a nurse came out of the room holding Ellie Rose and handed the little angel to her father. Benny’s eyes were moist – actually, they were wet as he stared at the little miracle.
“Welcome to the world, my daughter. I am your father but you can call me Daddy.”
The baby gave a soft cry in response.
“She needs to go to the nursery for her first medical assessment. It’s this way.”
“No. My wife promised her sister that she could take the girl.” Benny turned around and gently handed the precious bundle to Tee’ka. “Take good care of my daughter.”
“Don’t tell Egg, but I’ll die before I let anything happen to her.”
“Why can’t I tell Egg?”
“She said that no one dies . . . no dying.”
“Oh. Very wise. Tee, come back and you can take Syl’kie next. I want to visit with Egg.”
“Okay,” and she followed the nurse.
Fifteen minutes later she took the second girl while Benny waited impatiently for permission to see his wife. He was completely beside himself when the Medicus finally came out.
“Your Highness . . .”
Benny cut him off. “I wish to see her now.” It wasn’t a question.
“I’m sorry, sir.”
“About what?”
“You wife, the Queen.”
“Spit it out, man. What is going on?”
“She lost a lot of blood.”
“And?”
“Sir, it is a rare type – even on Earth. Her parents, grandparents and sister are not compatible. Nor is Lady Molly.”
“So what will you do?”
“There is nothing that we can do.”
“She will die?” The Medicus just looked at him but said nothing. “NO. Absolutely not. I forbid it.”
“I am so very sorry, Your Highness.”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO” and Benny sank to his knees.
Epilogue
Eleven Years Later
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar. Tell me.”
“You think you’re such a know-it-all.” It was more a statement of fact then an accusation.
“It doesn’t take a genius – which I am, of course – to figure out something’s bothering you. So, spill it.”
Syl’kie just huffed loudly, but then gave in. She always gave in to her older sister. “I miss Mom.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Don’t you?”
“Of course, I do. But, since there’s nothing we can do about it, I’ve come up with a little distraction.”
“Like what?”
“Let’s go to my lab.”
Syl’kie rolled her eyes. “Why do you even have a lab?”
“I told you, I’m a genius. All geniuses have labs.”
“You’re not as smart as Aunt K’ssss or Snarky Sparky.”
*
They were six years old when they first understood the nature of the famous Grump. By the time they were seven, they had given her this nickname. Serenity pretended not to be amused.
“Hey, you twin twerps, show some respect.”
“Actually,” responded Ellie Rose, “we discussed the philosophy of respect with Aunty Jax’x.”
Serenity did her famous eye roll. “First of all, you’re seven . . . why are you even discussing philosophy? Go play with dolls or something.”
Both girls giggled at the concept. Neither could be called a typical seven-year-old child. Not by any stretch of the imagination. “Did you play with dolls?” asked Syl’kie mischievously.
Serenity glared at the girl. “What do you think?” she snarled.
“If you did, they were probably real children that you made into puppets,” replied Ellie.
“If only I could,” came the wistful response. “Listen up, you two. A word to the wise – if you need a serious answer to a complex question, don’t be talking to Cracker Jax’x. She only thinks that she has all the answers.” (When Meggy and her friends had visited earth, one of the treats they brought back was caramel coated popcorn – better known as Cracker Jacks. It became an instant hit back on Aerianna and a wonderful nickname for one of the sisters).
“I thought you two have a contest and she came up with more right answers than you.”
“Did she tell you that?”
“Yup.”
“Well, she’s wrong.”
“You had more right ones?”
“No. She’s wrong for telling you. Now, go away or I will invent that gizmo to turn you into marionettes so you have to dance to whatever tune I want.”
The twins giggled again. “You know the rules,” said Ellie Rose.
“No hug, no go,” finished her sister.
“Oh, all right. Just make it fast.” But Serenity would have been devastated if they had left without the mandatory Hameggattic Hug.
*
“I don’t want to be smarter. I want to be just as smart.”
“Well, I forbid it.”
“What?”
“You’re supposed to be my Feminion. Aunt Syl is smart but she isn’t Sparky smart and she was still the greatest Feminion ever. So, I forbid you from getting smarter.”
“You know what I don’t get . . . how we can be identical twins. You are one loopy little lady.”
“We’re not exactly identical. Are you color blind?”
“Skin color is so over-rated. Anyway, let’s go to the lab.”
“Oh, all right. But this better be good.”
“Everything I do is good.”
“Not too conceited, are you?”
“Um, no. Just the right amount.”
*****
Syl’kie held out her hand for her sister. As soon as Ellie took it, they leapt skyward.
It came as no surprise that when offered the flying suit a year ago, Ellie Rose politely refused to try it on. “No, thank you. I’m good.”
“Don’t want to be the next Flying Girl?”
“I know what the Myst Tree said; I’m going to be Syl’kie’s Feminion. And no offense to my younger sister, but she can really use a brain.”
“Hey, I’m standing right here,” whined the younger girl.
“Yes, you are. And, don’t you look cute as a button.”
“You’re just saying that because we’re identical twins.”
Ellie smiled wryly. “Maybe just half a brain.”
“Okay. That’s better.”
The girl’s lab was in the Institute of Applied Science. Their father had insisted it be somewhere close to K’ssss, Jax’x and Serenity so the three aunts could keep an eye on his not-so-angelic daughters.
The Myst Tree had been right about the girls finding their own path. These two were already becoming quite the local legend for imaginative, free-spirited mischief. And right on schedule, when they turned eleven a few weeks back, they upped their game.
“You need to fly to the Royal Yacht, sneak on board and hide this . . . well, anywhere.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a holographic projector. When you get back, I’ll turn it on.”
“And?”
“Aunt Meggy is coming home for a visit on a Solaxis ship. She’ll be here in an hour. Our ship is going out to greet them. When they get close, I’ll turn on the projector.”
“And?”
“Stop saying and.” Ellie paused then said, “AND, our ship will turn into a giant Kladavarious.”
“Don’t make me slap you. Tell me what a klada-whatever is.”
“You’ll see. Now, go.”
An hour later, the two ships rendezvoused and Ellie threw the switch. To the horror of everyone on-board the Solaxis ship, the view screen showed . . .
About six hours later, the two girls, accompanied by their father, were apologizing to everyone concerned. It took every bit of self-control for Benny not to smile with pride at his daughters and pretend to be horrified by their behavior.
**
They landed at the Institute and made their way to Ellie’s lab – taking care to avoid their aunts. To enter the room required an individual to pass a security test – one designed by the young genius. She had decided the usual protocols were too stupid and easily broken. Passwords, fingerprints, voiceprints, retina scans – that was way too easy to fool. Even brain wave analysis was too simplistic. There was no way she was going to let any unauthorized person enter her domain and mess around with her stuff.
Being way too clever for her own good, she came up with an ingenious security device. The door pad would flash an incredibly complex equation that had to be solved within thirty seconds. If it wasn’t, a second equation would take its place. A third unsuccessful attempt would disable the pad and set off a silent alarm that would be transmitted to her.
Ellie tap the pad to activate it. An equation appeared and, as she gave it some thought, she involuntarily licked her bottom lip. She punched in the answer and the door slid open.
What no one knew, however, was that her tongue was being scanned for its unique pattern. The equation test was just misdirection and designed to humiliate her aunts.
Inside the lab was an array of incredibly sophisticated equipment. It should be noted that not all of it was obtained with permission.
“So, what do you want to show me?’
“My space tunnel generator.”
“Bor-ing.” There were tunne
ls connecting all the worlds of the Commonwealth with one another as well as transfer tunnels relaying black hole energy to every world in the Federation as well as the Commonwealth. They were now part of everyday life.
“Have a little faith in your older sister. Mine’s different.”
“How?”
“The tunnels that everyone else uses can only be created if you know the location of the planet at the other end. The way they were ever able to find Earth was trial and error . . . better known as dumb luck. I found a way around that little problem.”
“So what?”
“So, using the tunnel technology I can send subspace, highly energized . . .”
“STOP. You’re talking gibberish just like Cracker Jax’x and the others.”
“Sorry. All I’m saying is that I can locate literally a billion worlds for us to explore. The whole galaxy becomes our playground. Who knows what mysterious creatures are out there? We’ll have a giggle exploring it all.”
Syl’kie gave that some thought. “And you’ll need Flying Girl once you get to these places, right?”
“Couldn’t do it without you.”
Having her older sister validate her reason for being was very important to Syl’kie. “Okay. I’m in. Where to first?”
“I found this little planetoid with an energy signature that seems like it’s artificial. We gotta go check it out.”
“When?”
“Right now.” But just as the words were spoken, the communicator in the lab came alive. “Don’t answer it.”
Syl’kie looked at the screen, then yelled, “It’s Mom. She’s home.”
“It’s about time. I hate when she goes on these long diplomatic missions. Let’s go see her. We can visit that planetoid tomorrow.”
“Ellie, do you think I’m being too much of a kid for missing her?”
“She’s your mother, you’ll never be too old or too young to miss her.”
Chapter 10 – CONTINUED
Eleven Years Ago, Back at the Hospital
Benny’s wailing was loud enough to be heard in the waiting room. It took a moment for Sylvia to realize what it was. “NO,” she screamed and ran out.
Gracie - Box Set #6, Part 2 of Ever After [an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel] Page 43