There was Alexandra seated on a golden throne surrounded by prostrating aliens. She was wearing crimson robes and a jewel encrusted crown. Josie and Alan couldn't believe what their eyes. Here they had been worried about her and had risked coming back to rescue her only to find it had all been quite unnecessary.
'I don't believe what I'm seeing' was Josie's first thought. Then,
'Now what do we do?'
That question was answered for her a s Alexandra and the aliens (who had stopped prostration) spotted them at the same time. "Bring those two over to me, my subjects", Alexandra ordered.
Josie didn't like the sound of that. She and Alan tried to run, but they were caught and led over to Alexandra. "What's this all about, Alexandra?" demanded Josie.
"I'm their new ruler", she explained. "They chose me. For primitives, they have excellent taste. Not that I'm surprised. Who wouldn't want to be ruled by me? To be able to bask in the glory that is Alexandra Cabot--that's anybody's dream come true. Finally I am getting the glory is due me."
"But, what about us?" Josie was getting exasperated.
"Why, you can go, of course. Subjects, the people I came to your planet with are free to go."
"You're not coming with us?" questioned Alan.
"Of course not. You see how it is. I'm finally getting to fulfill my destiny of being great. Of course, I always was great. So go on. No one will bother you."
"I guess you didn't notice we don't have Melody or Bleep with us. We need to find them and get back to the ship where Alex, Sebastian and Valerie are waiting for us." Josie was annoyed with her.
"Fine." Alexandra called one of the aliens up to her. "My friends seem to have lost a friend in your, my, this castle? (Not sure which word to use there.) Let them search and then they can go."
"As you wish, Your Majesty." The alien turned to Josie and Alan. "You are free to search for your friends, but upon finding them you must leave immediately. Is that understood?"
"Yes." Josie nodded. "Come on, Alan. Let's get out of here." They left to go searching.