Ark - Box Set #6, Part 1 of Ever After [an Egg and the Hameggattic Sisterhood novel]

by Robert Iannone

  “Then I shall read it next,” added I’za.

  “May I download a copy?” asked Waldo.

  “Sure. Sparky, set him up. Oh, add the Earth cultural data base – it might help him understand the clever nuances of speech that I’m prone to utter.”

  *****

  “Waldo, without knowing the details, do you think it’s going to make our task easier now that the Ephemeral have landed their habitat?”

  “Considerably so, if the spacecraft they commandeered cannot operate in the planet’s atmosphere.”

  “Serenity?”

  “They can’t.”

  “There you go. A lucky break for us.” Most of the girls just rolled their eyes.

  Changing the subject, Sylvia said, “Hey guys, something Xara said has been bothering me.”

  “Everything she says bothers me,” retorted Jax’x.

  “Anyway, I said it’s not easy to see a loved one slipping away. And she said ‘I know that as well as anyone’. She almost sounded sad.”

  “She did sound sad,” answered BreeZee. “In fact, for the most part, her whole tone was much more respectful.”

  “Hate to say it, but I kind of noticed that too,” agreed Egg. “As to your question, Syl. She was very close to her mother who died when the war started.”

  “That just galls me to no end,” said Serenity.

  “What does?”

  “That she and I have something in common.”

  “Oh. Right.”

  “I would have you answer a question,” demanded Waldo for which he received a glare from Egg. “If it pleases you to do so,” he added wisely.

  “Much better. Go ahead and ask?”

  “Why will you give up your valuable technology?”

  “For the sake of the man I love.”

  “That is not a correct answer.”

  “Listen, when you love someone you are willing to sacrifice . . .” but he interrupted her.

  “That is not a correct answer.”

  “I didn’t finish.”

  “It would still have been incorrect.”

  “Why?” she asked more impatiently then she had meant to.

  “The return of your . . . loved one (he made it sound like a question) should not require payment. It is the logical thing to do.”

  “True but Xara wishes to profit from it.”

  “Why would you allow her to do so?”

  “I can’t take the risk that I might in some way harm the . . . the man I wish to rescue. I love him as you do Tee’ka.”

  “Acceptable answer though incorrect.”

  “And why is that?”

  “The PhoG can be used to accomplish the return without risk of loss to either your man or your technology.”

  The brought everyone up short. “You can produce one now?”

  “Correct.”

  “Just to be clear . . . I can get back Benny, um my man, without giving up my suit?”

  “Correct.”

  “Hmmm.”

  “Egg, you’re forgetting the Tree,” I’za reminded her sister.

  “If he was referring to Xara – let me rephrase that, why would he be referring to Xara?”

  The dragon thought the answer was obvious. “Because she’s our nemesis.”

  “I don’t understand?”

  “Maybe if we give her something that’s even more valuable then Benny – sorry the way that sounds – maybe she’ll no longer be our nemesis.”

  And that was another startling thought.

  “What could we give her that’s more valuable than the Prince?” asked BreeZee.

  “I know,” answered Jax’x and Serenity simultaneously. “You tell them,” said Jax’x to her sister.

  “Thanks. We can give Xara her mother back.”

  *****

  “That’s brilliant in theory,” said Syl, “but how would you do that? Do you know what she looks like? Sounds like? What her personality was like? How she interacted with her daughter? If we don’t get it right, it will really, really make her angry. I guarantee it.”

  “Back on Spell ‘Bound, I found a lot of information about the woman. I can call Po and have her send it to us,” suggested Jax’x.

  “That’s a start but that doesn’t come close to getting what we need,” insisted the former Feminion.

  “There were photographs. So at the very least we can start the process of building the avatar,” replied Jax’x. “How long to make one, by the way?”

  “I can force grow one in a day, day and half,” answered the resident Dr. Frankenstein.

  “What about the rest? Can we fake it somehow?” asked Egg.

  “I would answer . . . if it pleases you?”

  “Waldo, you are a fast learner. Please, speak your mind.”

  “It is not my mind that needs to speak. It is Xara’s.”

  “Say what?”

  “If we subdue her with the PhoG, I can enter her mind and retrieve all stored information that she has accumulated about her mother. Such information would be from all her senses.”

  “Meaning?”

  “Sight, hearing . . . even smell. This information then could be transferred to the avatar. The result would be indistinguishable from the real person. Correction. Indistinguishable to Xara since it will match her recollections perfectly.”

  “Are you kidding me?” It wasn’t a real question, of course – just an expression of total shock and awe.

  “My statement is simple fact. As to humor, I will require more time to master that form of social interaction. It may require another three hours of study.”

  That was fairly absurd and Egg chirped “three hours?”

  “I jest.”

  Chapter 8 – Well Received

  It was spontaneous, but all the girls began to clap in appreciation of Waldo’s joke. It seemed like he was growing as a ‘real person’ before their eyes. The scary looking avatar was becoming human.

  “Why do you slap your palms together?”

  “It’s one way to show appreciation for the efforts of another,” explained I’za.

  There was that smile again. “My jest was effective?”

  “Yes. Well done. But, let’s get back to the matter at hand.” Egg’s excitement was growing. She would be getting Benny, keeping her flying suit and giving Xara her mother. And, as a bonus, the Sisterhood’s nemesis might become a friend. That part was really weird. “Jax’x, contact Po and get the information. Sparky, can you start growing the avatar before you get the specifics?”

  “I need a little time to set the program up – so the answer is yes, I can begin the process.”

  “Jax’x, why don’t you call Po from your cabin?” It was bound to be an awkward conversation.

  “Right away,” and the girl left.

  “Bree, will you and Tee’ka go down to sickbay and make sure everything is ready to receive Benny?”

  “Of course. “Serenity, please forward the Prince’s vital signs to the auto-doc.”

  The girl typed a couple of commands. “Done.”

  “Thank you. Come on, Tee, we have work to do.”

  “Can I say goodbye to Waldo first?”

  “Sure.”

  Tee, who was already standing next to her man, tugged at his arm. “Bye.”

  He turned and looked down into the girl’s eyes. “Be well.”

  “Okay,” and she reached up on tippy-toes and kissed his lips. “I like that.”

  He smiled. “As do I.”

  “Come on, Tee,” urged BreeZee.

  “Okay,” and they left.

  To the remainder, Egg said, “Let’s make a plan.”

  *****

  It took a bit of effort to find Po and bring her to the communications center. They hadn’t told her who was calling.

  “This is Po, how can . . .” then she recognized who it was. “Jax’x.”

  The other girl didn’t think she would be nervous, but she was. “Hi, Po. Great to see you again.”

  “You l
ook so different. I hardly recognized you.”

  “It’s the hair and the clothes – but it’s still me.”

  Po smiled. “You look like a space adventurer – dangerous, competent and beautiful.”

  Jax’x relaxed – but only a bit. “Hardly, but thank you. How are you? How’s Spell ‘Bound coming along?”

  “We’re making great strides on rebuilding some of the infrastructure that was lost during the war. It’s been far slower progress transforming society from what it was to what it eventually will be. I had thought it would happen much faster but apparently everyone has their own ideas about how the future should look.”

  “That sounds like a good thing.”

  “It is – but it can be frustratingly difficult to get a majority vote on any change.”

  “How about the Divine Ones?”

  “They actually have adapted the fastest. On the other hand, without their powers they probably feel terribly vulnerable – so adjusting to the new normal is in their self-interest.”

  Jax’x swallowed then asked, “And Jay’gar?”

  Po’s mouth opened, and then closed. She looked very uncomfortable.

  “Tell me. It’s okay,” coaxed her friend.

  “I’m . . . I’m with child.”

  *****

  Egg, Bl’azzz, I’za, Sylvia and Waldo, with the occasional input from a distracted Serenity, discussed and modified their plan. Half an hour later they had finished. “Well, worse comes to worse, I lose my suit. But, I got to say, this has a good chance of working.”

  Syl asked, “Any goose bumps?”

  The girl checked her arms. “Not a one.” To Serenity she asked, “Did you get the information from Po?”

  “Came in twenty minutes ago.”

  Egg looked around. “Jax’x hasn’t come back?”

  No one had seen her.

  “That’s not good. I’m going to her cabin.”

  “What’s going on?” asked Syl.

  “You guys explain it to her,” and Egg hurried out of the room. When she reached the cabin she knocked, “Jax’x, you in there?”

  It took a few seconds for her to answer. “I’ll be out shortly.”

  “Can I come in?”

  Again a few seconds of silence. “It’s open.”

  Egg entered to find her friend sitting on the edge of her bed. The girl looked lost and confused. She walked over and sat next to her. “What happened?”

  “She’s with child,” came the whispered reply.

  It had been about two months or so since Po and Jay’gar had been together, so the news was a bit shocking. Egg was about to say something flippant to lighten the mood then thought better of it. She took Jax’x’s hand in hers. “On earth we have a whole basket of platitudes we like to utter in times like this. But trust me, they are all incredibly stupid or insulting or both.”

  Jax’x forced a small smile to her lips. “Give me one.”

  “Okay. Um . . . time heals all wounds.”

  “Unless the wounds kill you first. Try another one.”

  “It’s better to have loved and lost then to have never loved at all.”

  “Probably came from someone who died a spinster. Try again.”

  “Here’s my favorite. It’s more exciting to be a Hameggattic Sister than a Librarian,” and she squeezed the girl’s hand.

  This time Jax’x’s smile was for real. She turned and gave Egg a hug. “Thank you.”

  Egg returned the embrace. “I’d tell you to stay here and take all the time you need, but that would be just terrible advice.”

  “Then give me some good advice.”

  “That’s easy. Come back to the control room and irritate Sparky.”

  “Aye-aye, Captain.”

  *****

  As promised, a day and a half later, Serenity had grown Yara – Xara’s avatar mother. However, Jax’x voiced a concern. “Remember what Waldo said at the beginning – the avatar will act exactly like this woman did in real life but only because it will be programmed based on Xara’s memories.”

  “So?” asked Egg.

  Sparky finished Jax’x’s thought. “She might remember her physical appearance differently.”

  “Well that’s not good.”

  Serenity could never help herself when given the chance for a snide remark. “And that’s why she’s our leader. Master of the obvious. Ouch. Would you stop flicking my ear?”

  Jax’x shook her head no. “Not until you play nice.”

  “In that case, I’m going to start wearing a helmet.”

  “That was humor?” questioned Waldo.

  “When it comes to humor, Big Guy, Serenity could learn a thing or two from you,” replied Egg.

  “I will gladly teach her. However, I have input that I believe is relevant.”

  Egg smiled. Waldo was becoming such a gentleman. “Please. Tell us.”

  “Xara’s memory of her mother’s physical appearance may differ from reality but only slightly. I can adjust her memory to eliminate the difference.”

  “You can change a person’s memory?” Egg was naturally surprised.

  But Jax’x had a bitter reply. “Why is that shocking? Xara did that to Jay’gar.”

  “Sorry, I forgot,” apologized Egg.

  “Hey, that reminds me,” interrupted BreeZee. “When we’re inside Xara’s ship, let’s get the mini MAGEK unit back.”

  “I had forgotten. Thanks for reminding us.”

  “Not so fast,” said Serenity. “She’s probably got it secured by a complex force field and booby traps. It might not be possible.”

  “If that’s the case, could you still destroy it?” asked Egg.

  “Probably.”

  “Then that’s what I want you to do. If you can’t get it back, turn it to junk.”

  “Egg, are you sure?” asked the only other Amber Heart in the Universe.

  “It’s just too dangerous of a technology. It really is another version of the Crystal Egg and that turned out to be a very bad thing.”

  *****

  “Girlfriends, always nice to see you.”

  “Xara, wouldn’t you feel a whole lot better if you actually meant it?”

  “Ah, Princess, you’re not trying to take all the fun out of life, are you?”

  “Whatever. How’s Benny?”

  “You have the same information as I do. No change.”

  “Let’s get this over with. Beam him to our sickbay and then I’ll transport over.”

  “Wow, that was lame even for you. I don’t think so. Get your girlie self over here – with the suit. Once I have it, you and boy blue can beam back to your ship. And before you ask the stupid question – you have no choice but to trust me.”

  That whole conversation was suggested by Bl’azzz. “Don’t sound too eager to go over there. She might smell one of your earth rats.”

  “Have it your way. Serenity will transport me to your bridge.”

  “No need,” and Egg vanished into a swirl of twinkling lights . . . her facing registering shock.

  “Shazbot,” screamed Sparky. That wasn’t supposed to happen. Waldo had one of his PhoG standing at the ready. It was going to attach itself to Egg’s back and would be transported over with her. Now the thing stood on the bridge just looking scary as all get out.

  “Well that went wrong fast,” moaned Sylvia.

  “Waldo, can we transport the PhoG on to Xara’s bridge?” asked Jax’x.

  “Can’t. Her shields are up,” interjected Serenity.

  “If we transport it to just outside the ship, can it get through the force field?”

  “Yes but the interval to traverse the fortified boundary layer would be exaggerated.”

  “What’d he say?” asked Bl’azzz.

  “He said it will take too much time for that thing to gain entry,” explained Sylvia.

  “We need more dragons in the sisterhood,” lamented Hot Lips.

  “Come on guys, we need a plan quick like,” demanded Syl.r />
  “If I would be permitted to answer?”

  “Waldo, just say it.”

  “When the other ship transports our people back, we can establish a feedback loop on their beam. That feedback would be PhoG.”

  “That’s just brilliant,” cried Serenity. “Putting that thing into transporter configuration now,” and the PhoG dissolved into its own cloud of twinkling lights.

  “I’m going to get something to eat then take a nap,” said the confused Bl’azzz as she lumbered off the bridge.

  *****

  Egg materialized on the other ship. She involuntarily looked over her shoulder to see if the creature was there . . . even though she knew it wouldn’t be. Oh well, her suit for Benny – she had already made peace with that exchange.

  “Welcome aboard, Princess.”

  It would be a waste of valuable time to engage in a nasty and ultimately pointless conversation with Xara. So, it was time to get this over with; she wanted her man in a hospital. “Thank you for saving my fiancée.”

  “That was an accident.”

  “Never the less, thank you. He means the world to me.”

  Egg’s sincerity put a damper on Xara’s snarki-ness. “You thought he was dead, didn’t you?”

  “We thought there was a chance he’d survive. Finding him was going to be the tough part.”

  “Well, I did owe you one. You freed me from the Spell ‘Bound, not to mention you gave me the opportunity to take a little revenge on the red robed devils.”

  “Why did you do it? Why did you make Jay’gar fall in love with Po?”

  Again the girl’s sincerity forced Xara to be honest. “It was petty of me. Tell her I’m sorry.”

  “I will. Now, the exchange,” and Egg handed her the ring. “The suit is in it.”

  “Not that I doubt our new found friendship, but you need to show me,” and she gave the ring back.

  Egg placed it on her finger. “Ring, tend to my suit” and the grey fog (which by the way was to obscure the other PhoG had the plan worked) swirled around the girl. When it cleared, there was Egg in her flying suit.

  “Neat. Okay, take it off and we’ll go get your man.”

  “Ring, tend to my suit,” and the process was reversed. Egg handed the ring to Xara.

  “Thank you. Sorry to take it from you but it’s worth a fortune.”

  “Is that all you care about? Money?”