It was getting that time. Tsukune and Moka had lived a long life together. They got to see their children, Mizore's and Kumumu's children grow up as well as their grand children and great grand children.
Tsukune's dad had died first. His mother a few years later. They were the first, but not the last. Kyoko died in a car accident at 54.
They buried an 88 year old Ruby when she died.
Mizore's funeral at 97 was grand gathering that consisted of the funeral, wake and making an ice statue of her, standing next to the ice sculpture she had made of Tsukune. Mizore and Tsukune's children had taken great care in their mothers' replica. It was very life like.
Yukari was the next one to go at 94. A mis-step and slip on the ice her frail body could not take had claimed her.
Kurumu's funeral at 142 was with the host of their kids, grand kids and great grand kids all in attendance. Of all their friends, Kurumu's death seemed to hit Tsukune the hardest. Kurumu had been there as they consoled each other when others passed, but now, it was Kurumu's worn out body lying there, dead from old age.
All their friends had died all around them. Not them though. Not the eternal vampires. It was sad to see everyone they knew pass on, one after the other. Tsukune and Moka's own children were doing well and had their own lives and families. But the other children were also growing old, and one by one, they were dying also. It was time to take a rest for a while.
In the environmentally controlled basement of their home,(Thanks to the now deceased Ruby) a wall was lined with portraits of the ones who had passed on. Painted to show each person in their prime, every painting had a gold tag with black letters on the bottom frame to tell their name and a brief description of them. Tsukune gazed at each portrait as he walked slowly along with Moka on his arm. He never wanted to forget any of them.
Down in the stone walled sub basement of their castle, Tsukune and Moka walked into the vault where the ornate double casket of polished teak with gold fittings and a their names on silver plaques on the outside, waited. Moka lit the candle bearing sconces on the walls with a word 'Flammar'. Tsukune shut the heavy stone door.
"Ready for a long, cleansing nap, my Blood Mate?" Moka asked.
Tsukune offered a brief grin. "I am. It is so sad seeing everyone around us dying. Every friend we had, every one we made. They are all gone now. All we could do was watch them grow old and die. I want to forget about that for a while," he said sadly.
Moka nodded. Going over to hug Tsukune she said, "At least Mizore got her children and Kurumu had her Destined One and family before they died. They had happy lives. You helped them be as happy as possible with the time they had."
"You helped also," Tsukune reminded her. "Your love and tolerance are exceptional, my dear."
Casting him a smirk, Moka said, "I just knew that in the end, it was going to be us. loves come and go. Blood Mates are forever."
"Yes, and I have been blessed to have you as my Blood Mate," Tsukune agreed and kissed her.
After their lingering kiss, Moka went over to the casket and opened the lid to show a soft white silk lining. Tsukune took her hand and helped her in. He then set the magical timer that looked like an old style pendulum clock on the wall. The face showed years, not minutes. He set the clock for 50 years and pushed the pendulum. Once he saw the pendulum swinging and heard the ticking, he climbed in with Moka, waved a hand to snuff out all the candles and pulled the lid closed. With Moka's hand clasped in his, he drifted off to sleep in a deep, hibernating sleep.
Six years later in the dark chamber where the only sound was the soft ticking of the timer, an earthquake struck. the well built room shuddered, but stayed intact. Unfortunately, the timer clock fell off the wall, onto it's side and stopped ticking.
.
Buck Rogers walked along with Wilma to Dr. Huer's office. "Any idea what this is about?" he asked the starfighter Colonel.
"No clue," Wilma replied. Noting his three foot tall robot companion wasn't with him, she asked, "Where's Tweekie?"
Jerking a thumb behind him, Buck said, "He's working on his ping-pong skills. I was trying to show him how to put a spin on the ball. His wrist action isn't the best."
Wilma grinned, "He wasn't designed to have fully articulated wrists."
"It shows," Buck said with a chuckle.
Coming to Dr. Huer's office they found him in his chair, looking at an info-hologram with a clear, round banjo sized box showing the circuits within, the Computer-leader, Dr. Theopolis.
"Hello Buck, Wilma," Dr. Huer said, "Please, have a seat."
"Buck Rogers," Dr. Theopolis said, "Do you know what the phrase, 'Out in left field after the game is over', means?"
Buck looked and him and laughed. "Wow, I haven't heard that one in a long time. It sounds like something I'd say."
"That is why we called for you," Dr. Huer said. "Do you know what it means?"
"Yeah," Buck replied, still grinning. "It basically means, you don't have a clue."
"How about, "Barking up the wrong tree?" Dr. Huer asked.
The way he asked it made Buck chuckle again. "It means you're way off base..." seeing Dr. Huer was looking confused, he added, "The idea you have is far from correct. It's more 20th century slang."
"So the person saying these things knows slang from your era," Dr. Huer concluded.
"It sounds like it," Buck agreed. Seeing Dr. Huer looked serious he leaned forward in his chair. "So, who is this mystery person?" he asked.
"She goes by Kathy Chang," Dr. Huer replied. "She has acted oddly enough that the computers in Kamakura Japan are worried about her. The way she will speak in your type of ... slang, the fact she will disappear for days and return to give a reasonable excuse, that's found later to be false or unverifiable. How she can build and do repair items requiring tools, with no tools at all."
"Give me an example," Buck asked.
"Stacking storage crates with no lift truck. Bending or straightening metal. Unscrewing bolts that are installed tight," said. "That's not the only odd thing about her."
The twelve inch diameter, three inch deep computer that sat on Huer's desk named Dr. Theopolis added, "By records, Kathy Chang was never born, nor has she ever seen a doctor, even for the required checkups. She never went to school, though she carries much knowledge in many areas, not just the one she works in. Her quarters are always in pristine condition and besides the fact she can disappear and no one can figure out where she goes, she always seems to know if someone is looking for her. The Kamakura group is worried she might be a spy, or is working for some nefarious group."
"That's a stretch," Buck noted. "I don't have much of a medical record either, nor do I have a birth certificate any longer."
"True, but you, Buck, came here after a long trip through space 500 years after you left," Dr. Theopolis replied. "Kathy Chang appeared thirty years ago. She hasn't appeared to age, and has worked two separate careers. The first was as an electronics tech, and now as a ship repair mechanic. Completely opposite skill sets are required for each job, she already had the skills. It is also suspected that she used the previous name of Hanna Montana that disappeared thirty years ago, prior to any records of Kathy Chang. The missing Montana girl has never been found."
"You're saying she switched identities," Buck concluded.
"That is what the logical assumption is," Dr. Theopolis replied. "However, that would put Kathy Chang at 62 years old today. That is illogical. She does not look like a sixty year old human woman as you will see. Her apparent age is calculate to be mid twenties."
"Miss Chang will be arriving on a noon flight," Dr. Huer said. "She will be working under Colonel Deering's command as a mechanic. We're going to set up a few repair tests for her."
Wilma cocked her head and asked, "Dr. Huer, if you believe she is a spy, why have her work on my fighters?"
"To see what she does. We will keep a close eye on her, Wilma. Buck, meet her at the port. See if you can talk to her casually, and if possible find out as much as you can about her," Dr Huer said firmly. "From what I've learned, it appears everyone has under estimated Kathy Chang."
.
Buck waited at the incoming area of Chicago's domestic flight port holding his hand written sign that read 'Kathy Chang' as he watched people flow in from the Asian flight. He came alone. If this Kathy Chang was secretive, having Tweekie or Dr. Theopolois with him meant she wouldn't be as open - if he could get her to open up at all.
As he watched the crowd going past for a dark haired Asian woman to take notice of his sign, a young looking red head asked, "Isn't that hand drawn sign a little archaic?"
Buck grinned at the European woman with long blazing red hair. Nice shape, maybe a little extra thick in the eyebrows, but not bad at all. Those green eyes were pretty cool too. "Hey, sometimes you gotta improvise."
She then glowered at him in a cute looking frown. "OK, so what do you want?" she asked in a harder tone.
"Me? I'm just waiting for someone," Buck replied.
She poked the sign and said, "Right. You're waiting for Kathy Chang. That's me so, WHAT do you want?"
"You're Kathy Chang?" Buck asked in surprise. She was nothing like he had been expecting to see. "You don't have any Asian in you."
"Bright one, aren't you?" Kathy asked with a smirk. "I bet you can even walk and chew gum at the same time!" she beamed.
Buck let out a snort. "Nice one. I'm suppose to take you back to the base. And yes, I can find it by myself two out of three times."
Kathy nodded towards the baggage pickup. "I have to pick up my bag, then if you can't find the base, I have the directions here," she said and waved her GPS monitor at him.
"Ahh, tech" Buck said with a sigh, "It's John Henry versus the steam drill all over again."
"Not quite," Kathy said thoughtfully, "The chance of you dying in this competition is very low."
Buck caught onto a couple things. Kathy knew who John Henry was. She knew 20th century slang and insults and fired them off as easily as he did. Going to the baggage claim with her, he asked, "So, where are you from originally. I know it's not anywhere in Asia."
"Try to guess," she replied with a smirk.
Buck noted her skin was pale and clear of freckles. "Right off hand I'd say Ireland, maybe Scotland. By your red eyebrows, I am pretty sure that's your natural hair color."
"Ye ain't far off lad ... but wrong," she teased with a Scottish accent.
Buck had to chuckle at her. "You're in the space program?" he asked.
"No, I'm just a mechanic," Kathy said off hand, and walked over to the line of bags to look for hers. She spotted it quickly. Snapping up the blocky looking suitcase that had a sturdy looking steel handle, she showed the matching tag to the attendant.
"I can carry that for you," Buck offered.
"I kin git it, lad," Kathy replied with a wink.
Eyeing the suitcase like box, Buck noted metal strapping around the edges, as well as the sturdy steel handle. "That looks heavy."
"I got it," She assured him as they headed for the transportation tubes.
Kathy flashed a grin and asked, "What about you? No one I've met recently had a clue about John Henry, not to mention true ethnic backgrounds. History's gotten flushed down the toilet. I mention a Shinto Shrine once, and got nothing but blank stares in return."
"People in this age have forgotten everything," Buck agreed.
"So, who are you?" Kathy asked pointedly.
It was then Buck realized he hadn't introduced himself. "Oh, sorry," he said and extended a hand to her. "Captain Buck Rogers. Originally from the twentieth century. I spent a few hundred years in space as an ice cube. Princess Ardolla's people found me and thawed me out."
Kathy shook his hand. "Kathy Chang, mechanic and part time archeologist."
"So, did you spend a few hundred years on ice as well?" Buck prodded.
Kathy winced and said, "No, I had to live though all the shit. Be lucky you were hibernating, Captain."
Buck eyed her as the next set of cars came down the clear tubes and stopped. The sides opened, people got off. Buck guided Kathy into a car. Luckily, no one was in the backseat. He shut the door and they shot off down the tube. Very curious now, he asked, "So, you lived through everything? How? We're talking about 500 years here." He eyed her intently.
Kathy waited until the cleared the station then said, "I take it you're human?"
"I thought we all were. Are you from another planet?" he asked.
Kathy let out a sigh. "Nope," she said, "I am looking for my sister. Despite how awesome I am, I can't legally operate a flying craft. I'm able to, but pilots are very restricted. So are the flights. You can't even take off without half the world knowing where you're going, when you're leaving, and tracking you in flight. Any deviation, and there's a squadron on your ass wanting to know why you're off course," she ended in a grumble.
"You're speaking from experience," Buck noted.
"OH, not me," she said with a smirk. "That was Edith Bunker."
Buck raised an eyebrow. "OK, I don't have to guess too hard where you pulled THAT name up from."
Kathy shrugged. "Anyway, I need to go to what is now, a very isolated area in Honshu." Turning her head to stare at him, she said, "I heard about you being from an 'ancient era'. That is why I arraigned to come see you. I'd like you to take me where I need to go."
"And we just fly back to Japan, huh?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
Kathy nodded. "Yes, just Miku Hatsume and Brian Adams."
"Who?"
Kathy shrugged. "You must have left by then," she said in a musing tone. "We'll leave under false identities. By the time they figure it out, we'll be long gone and with the ID beacon disabled, they won't be able to track us if we stay below 300 feet."
Eyeing her, Buck asked, "So your name isn't Kathy Chang?"
"It is at the moment," she replied. "All my paperwork says so."
"You do know the authorities back in Kamakura are suspicious about your paperwork," he said.
"I do. I helped them out a bit with that, and kinda guided them into sending me here," Kathy explained.
"You manipulated them," Buck stated.
"Hey, gotta do what you gotta do," Kathy replied with a shrug.
Buck agreed with a smile. Yes, this girl was definitely more that she appeared to be. Very old, very intelligent and good at playing people.
.
Wimla Deering and Tweekie were at the transport hub when the cars from the port arrived. They met Buck and Kathy Chang as they exited their car. "This is Kathy Chang?" Wilma asked.
"Hey, Wilma, Tweekie, I'd like you to meet Kathy Chang," Buck replied. Then to Kathy, he said, This is Colonel Wilma Deering, and my sidekick, Tweekie."
"Greetings Kathy," Wima said pleasantly.
"Bebe beeb beeb, she's hot, Buck." Tweekie announced in his semi-computer voice.
Kathy burst out laughing.
"Tweekie!" Wima scolded.
"Hey, don't blame me if she's a hottie," Tweekie replied.
"Anyway," Buck said pointedly, "Kathy, Wilma is going to be your boss while you're here. She'll show you around."
Kathy clasped his hand, "Why don't you join us?" she asked.
"I planned to," Buck told her. "Besides, I think Tweekie likes you."
"Beeb beeb beeb, Kathy Chang, bodacious babe." Tweekie stated.
Kathy eyed Buck and asked, "You taught him to flirt?"
"He just picks things up all by himself," Buck replied.
Wilma tried to ignore them and asked, "Kathy, can I get someone to take your suitcase for you?"
"I've got it. I'd like to see where I'm going to be working." Kathy told her.
Wilma motioned and said, "Right this way."
Going to the fighter hangers, Wilma showed Kathy around, and Buck watched Kathy out of the corner of his eye. He noted that while Kathy paid attention to Wilma, her eyes flicked everywhere. She was taking in everything around her. As they headed into the repair section, two mechanics were working at removing an engine from one of the fighters. An overhead crane had two cables hanging down to support the engine. The top of the fighter had the panels off to let the cables hold the engine up. One of the mechanics looked over.
"Greetings, Colonel, this engine needs a rebuild," he told her.
Kathy studied the engine, walking closer. Scrutinizing the cables, she said, "So does that rear cable. It's frayed."
"It's within it's weight test," the other mechanic stated.
"It's still frayed, halfway up ... and it's stretching," she said, pointing at it. "It's going to tear."
The engine was halfway out of the fighter. Kathy dropped her suitcase that made a respectable THUMP when it hit the floor. She was suddenly behind the engine and grabbed it.
A cracking, like metallic popcorn sounded, and the cable parted. The engine settled into Kathy's arms. "We need a new cable NOW!" Kathy barked.
The man had jumped back, expecting the engine to fall. Everyone then noticed Kathy was holding it up. She was bearing half the weight of the engine by herself.
"Move your ass!" Kathy snapped. "This thing is heavy!"
A yellow strobe light came on. Workers brought over an engine rack to put it under the half removed engine. Kathy directed them in a stern tone to block up the back of the engine with the rack. She lifted the engine a little so they could push it under. Once that was in place, she got under the front end and slide the engine the rest of the way out and held it up until another cart was supporting it. She maneuvered the engine away from the fighter as people watched in amazement.
With the engine out and safe on the racks, Kathy shook her arms and said, "Well, THAT was exciting." She walked back over to her suitcase and picked it back up. Looking at Wilma, she jerked a thumb over her shoulder and said, "Your equipment is degraded. I'd suggest all new lifting cables."
"Those engines are eighteen hundred pounds each!" Wilma stated weakly. "How did you lift that?"
Kathy raised an eyebrow and replied in a growl, "If I were you, I'd be more concerned with lifting cables that break, and could have damaged that engine further, and maybe squashed someone under it."
Wilma stood speechless, staring at Kathy. No one had ever spoken to her like that before! Even when Buck first arrived and was confused and angry, he had not ignored her to push his own point. The worst part about it was, Kathy was right. That bad cable had somehow slipped through the safety checks and was used. She decided on, "We will continue this in my office."
"Sure, I'll get to find my quarters some time today. This bag isn't that heavy," Kathy said with a hint of sarcasm.
Wilma's nose flared. Calming herself, she said, "I'll show you to your quarters, we'll meet in my office afterwards."
.
"That woman is irritating!" Wilma growled as she paced in her office.
Sitting back watching her, Buck offered, "Misdirection."
Wilma stopped and eyed him. "What?"
"You first wanted to know how someone who isn't very big or even muscular, could hold up, let alone move a fighter engine all by herself. She reminded you of your faulty equipment and tickled your irritation button to distract you from your initial question. By the time she was done, I bet you forgot about it."
Wilma stared at him thoughtful. "You're right," she said. "I was upset at her. She deliberately got me angry." Walking over to her chair, Wilma sat down. 'Buck, have you found out anything about her?"
"OH yeah," he firmly. "Is there an Edith Bunker anywhere in your files? Maybe a new pilot from a while back who went off course from her flight plan?"
Wilma got on her control panel integrated into the top of her desk and looked up the name. "I have a brief entry. Edith Bunker went to school and qualified as a pilot in Kamakura. On her first mission, she flew far off course and wouldn't answer the radio. Her plane was taken over by remote and brought back to the field. Her certification was revoked."
"Got a picture?" Buck asked. "OH, bring up a photo of Hanna Montana also."
Wilma did, and frowned. Glancing up at him, she said, "Buck, look at this."
He got up and moved around the desk to see the screen. Three photos were up. The failed pilot, Edith Bunker. The electronics tech, Hanna Montana, and the Mechanic, Kathy Chang. Buck looked at the eye colors and face shapes closely. "It's the same woman," he said.
"That's impossible," Wlima told him. "She'd have to be at least a hundred years old!"
"Older, I bet," Buck replied. "We talked about a man named John Henry. Back in the 1800's He challenged a steam drill to a duel. He beat the steam drill, he drilled 14 feet by hand, the steam drill only made 9 feet. He died, but he made his point. He also became very famous. That was, until the devastation. Just knowing about him means she's at least from my era. That and the slang, knowing more about ethnic origins that have been lost, as well as lost languages, Kathy Chang has been creeping around since my time, and possibly earlier."
"Buck, that's impossible!" Wilma stated.
"You tell me how she knows these things then," he replied. "You saw how strong she is, and she knew that cable was going to break before it did. She's something very special, Wilma."
Wilma turned to cast him a pleading look. "How?"
Buck shrugged. "I'm not sure. I will say she's very clever. Somehow, she arraigned it so the computer leaders in Kamakura sent her here so she could meet me. Kathy did say she is trying to find her sister. She thinks I can help her."
"You're saying, Kathy ... or whatever her name really is, arraigned for the computer leaders to send her here? Buck, they are very strict and cannot be coaxed into decisions," Wilma stated.
"Do you know why computers are so good at chess?" Buck asked.
"They are logical," Wilma stated.
Buck shook his head. "No, they can plot cause and effect, action and reaction, farther ahead than humans can. Apparently, Kathy can plot cause and effect farther ahead than they can. I will bet you anything that the jobs she's taken, everything she's done so far, is to elicit the reactions and actions she wanted from others. With me, she wanted to verify I was from the 20th century. She was truthful from what I could tell. I think she may have slipped up when she grabbed that engine to keep it from falling. Most likely to stop someone from getting hurt. She covered up your public reaction to her strength by getting in your face, which worked very well. When you deal with her, never forget that girl plans far ahead. If she's doing something, there's a reason behind it."
"What reason?" Wilma asked.
Buck shrugged and said, "My best guess? She wants her sister back."
.
Dr. Huer got last nights' reports and sat down with Dr. Theopolis do discuss what Kathy Chang was doing last night.
"From the time she arrived, Kathy Chang stayed in the maintenance area studying everything, even the power input to the room," Dr. Theopolis said. "At the late meal, she went with John Sanders and showed sexual attraction to him. She ate very little. They returned to his quarters. Later she came out and went into her own room. By actions alone, she did nothing unusual."
"So why the flag on the report," Dr. Huer asked.
"It may be minor, or inconsequential, but Mr. Sanders went to the medical area feeling weak this morning. It was discovered that his blood pressure and volume was lower than normal. Nothing concerning, but it was lower than normal for no known reason."
Dr. Huer shook his head, "I still fail to see what that has to do with Kathy Chang."
"She was with him, alone for two and a half hours having intimate relations," Dr. Theopolis stated.
Dr. Huer frowned and asked, "Perhaps he was already weakened some, and the extra activity only made the problem surface?"
"That is a plausible theory, and most likely the correct one," Dr. Theopolis agreed. "It is still a note worthy event. With Miss Chang's display of strength yesterday, she must have been careful with him, he did not show any bruises or broken bones."
"Display of strength?"
"Yes, She lifted one of the fighter engine units when a cable failed, and got it onto carrier carts by herself." Dr. Theopolis said. "I also searched for the song that she sang by herself in her room, and have not found it anywhere in the entertainment system files. I have an audio copy of it for you to study."
.
Buck and Tweekie were headed to the spaceport to find Wilma walking towards them. With a wave, Wilma called, "Buck, Dr. Huer wants to see us."
"What else is new," he said. "Is our guest settling in?" he asked.
Wilma grew a disgusted look on her face. "To the extreme. She's already snagged one of the mechanics as hers. He was so worn and tired this morning, the medics put him back to bed. By himself."
Tweekie tipped his head side to side quickly as he said, "Beeb beeb beeb, Kathy Chang really rang his bell. Ching Chang."
Buck snorted out a chuckle. "OK, tweekie, let's go see Dr. Huer."
Wilma didn't look happy about that. "Buck, they just met, they didn't even have a first date yet! I can't believe she is so..."
"Loose?" Buck guessed.
"Beeb Beeb beeb, peanutbutter legs. Easy to spread, beeb beeb beeb." Tweekie said, wiggling his head side to side.
Wilma eyed the little robot. "What does that mean?" she asked Buck.
Buck only grinned. "Let's just leave that alone," he said with a sigh.
.
Going to Dr. Huer's office, Wilma and Buck sat down and listened to him about the semi-suspicion of Tech Saunder's morning weakness. After he was done, Wilma handed over the folder she brought.
"Look at these, Dr. Huer," she said. 'Inside, photos of three women, thirty years apart. All look identical because it's the same woman."
Dr. Huer looked and showed the pictures to Dr. Theopolis. He agreed.
"This is a conundrum," Dr. Theopolis stated. "It is not physically possible for a human female to cover such a long distance in time and not degrade. Yet, the proof is before us."
"Kathy Chang, and that's not her real name, is at least as old as I am,' Buck stated. "And she hasn't skipped any centuries."
Dr. Huer looked up at him. "You're saying she has lived for at least 500 years?"
"Yup," Buck said with a nod.
"Perhaps you can tell us more about this," Dr. Huer said. "I have an audio tape of Miss Chang singing to herself in her room."
Kathy's gentle singing voice came over the speakers.
Starry Starry night,
paint your palette blue and gray,
look out on a summer's day
with eyes that know the darkness in my soul
Shadows on the hills,
sketch the trees and daffodils
catch the breeze and winter chills
in colors of the snow laden lands
.
Now I understand
what you tried to say to me,
how you suffered for your sanity.
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen
they did not know how
Perhaps, they'll listen now
.
Starry Starry night
flaming flowers that brightly blaze.
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
reflecting in Vincent's eyes of china blue
colors changing hue
Morning fields of amber grain
weather faces etched with pain,
are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.
Now I understand
what you tried to say to me,
how you suffered for your sanity.
How you tried to set them free
They would not listen
they did not know how
Perhaps, they'll listen now
For they could not love you,
but still your love was true,
and when no hope was left in sight
on that starry, starry night,
you took your life as lovers often do..
But I could have told you, Vincent
that this world was never meant for one
as beautiful as you.
Starry Starry night,
portraits hung in empty halls,
frame-less heads on nameless walls,
with eyes, that watch the world forget
Like the strangers that you met.
ragged men in ragged clothes,
the silver thorns of bloody rose
lie crushed and broken
on the virgin snow
Now I understand
what you tried to say to me,
how you suffered for your sanity.
How you tried to set them free
they would not listen,
they're not listening still
perhaps they never will.
Buck listen closely to the song. He picked up certain words, including the first name.
As soon as the recording was done, Dr. Huer said, "Obviously, Kathy knew this Vincent pretty well, he was a painter and she held a high respect him for. Do you know who she's talking about."
Buck held up a finger as he thought. There was only one Vincent he knew of that might fit the description. Rubbing his head, he said, "Wow. Just plain ... wow."
"Buck?" Wilma asked.
"Van Gough," he said heavily. "Vincent Van Gough. He was only recognized as an artist after his death. He killed himself in an insane asylum ... about 800 years ago now. I learned that in college."
Dr. Huer turned to Dr. Theopolis. "Get Kathy Chang in here."
"Dr. Huer," Buck said, eyeing him. When Huer looked at him, he said, "Be careful, you do not want to grab the tiger by the tail."
Dr. Huer frowned at him. Buck simplified his warning with, "Do not anger her or back her into a corner. We're playing with dynamite here."
They waited a short time, talking about all the abnormalities of this Kathy Chang while they waited for her to arrive.
Kathy came in with a guard on each side of her. Neither had a hold on her, but they were eyeing her closely.
"Someone mind telling me what's going on?" Kathy asked in a heavy tone.
"We just wanted to speak to you, Miss Chang," Dr. Theopolis said.
"How brave, talking though a computerized pizza box," Kathy said, eyeing the computer.
Dr. Huer cast her a stern look. "This is Dr. Theopolis, an important part of our government, You should be more respectful."
Kathy looked at Buck and asked, "Is that guy for real?"
"Afraid so. They just want to know how old you are," Buck told her.
"Right, I was dragged all the way up here because of my age. Women don't tell their ages, haven't you learned anything?" she asked with a crooked grin.
"This is important, we need to know your age, Miss Chang." Dr. Theopolis said.
Kathy pointed to him. "If you want to keep that thing intact, keep it quiet," she said firmly.
"Do not force us to restrain you," Dr. Theopolis stated.
Buck shot up between them, "OK, STOP! Both of you, before..." He never got the chance to finish.
Kathy tool a step forward. Both guards grabbed her, one on each arm. In a blur of motion, Kathy twisted her arms out of their grasps and punched backwards hitting both men in their ribs in a lightning fast strike so hard they flew against the wall.
Wilma shot to her feet and drew her blaster, which was promptly snatched out of her hand by Kathy right after Wilma drew it. Kathy then crushed the blaster in her hand as she glared at Wilma, her eyes now glowing red. She then grabbed Buck by his shirt and forced him back into his chair and threw the blaster pieces on the floor.
With Wilma gaping at Kathy and both guards on the floor moaning in pain, Buck pleaded, "Hey! Can we settle down here, PLEASE?"
Dr. Huer gulped, staring at Kathy as the red glow grew around her body.
In a lower toned but very strong voice that seemed to penetrate their very bones, Kathy stepped over to Huer's desk and placed her fists down on it, bending the top in. "I suppose the cat's out of the bag." she said in her powerful growl, which made Huer slide his chair back. "You want to know about me? Fine."
"From the dawn of time we came … moving silently down through the centuries. Living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the gathering, when the few who remain will battle to the last. I am immortal, I have no rivals, no man can be my equal, nor can they understand the power I have in my own hand! No one has ever known we were among you … until now."
Kathy paused briefly while she glared at the pale faced Huer, then said, "Understand this, I will find my sister with your help, without it or in spite of you. The only difference will be what is left here if you do not cooperate or if you DARE try to stop me. MY buddy Buck here will fly the ship I prepared. Once he drops me off, he can do as he wishes, and you will never be bothered by me again. Do. You. Understand?"
It took Huer a moment to force out a squeak of "Yes."
"Good," Kathy said in an even rumble and a slight sneer. She then straightened up and hauled Buck up out of his chair. Taking a moment to calm down, the red glow that emanated around her faded away. Not turning back around, she said in a normal tone, "We'll be going now."
Buck did turn to look back as Kathy led him out. "I highly suggest you let us take off." he got out before they left the room.
The room was silent except for the two men moaning in pain. Wilma and Dr. Huer stared at the open doorway.
Dr. Theopolis broke the silence by saying, "Dr. Huer, I have called for medical help an alerted flight control that Buck Rogers will be leaving very shortly. That woman holds a tremendous power I cannot classify. We do need to get her out of the city as soon as possible. The danger factor of her being here is very great."
"What is she?" Wilma asked weakly.
"Unknown," Dr. Theopolis said. "A very dangerous unknown."
Dr. Huer finally sucked in a breath and slumped in his chair. Wiping his face, he said in a whimper, "I have never seen anything so frightening!"
