New Galactic Solutions

by keiman and kei

For the very first time ever, Gallifrey and the 3WA have a liaison officer. Subaltern Allison V Prydonia is a youngish (130) time lady and the youngest Councilor. This tale tells of her very first combined 3WA/Gallifreyan mission aboard her new 'flagship' and her new TARDIS. This will be the final 'rift in time' sequel which began so many yrs back w/ 'Xmas w/ the Dirty Pair.

36. Ch 35 'Ice War'Torg the Great'

NGS Chapter 35 'Ice War' or 'Torg the Great'

DISCLAIMER: Hiya! My name's Mira and I'm a girl and a robot too! Honest Injun! Cross my central core and hope to be disammbled if I'm fibbin', man! OK! Kyomo said to stop yakkin' so much and just get on with it. So that our new friends in the Federation and the 3WA and their 'literary agents', Mr Story Teller Guy and Mr Boss Man Keimanzero don't get in Dutch with the authorities, I gotta read ya this junk. Ready? I'm doin' it, Kyomo! Sheesh! What a grouch!

First, we wanna thank Mr Takachiho and all of the other creators and writers without whose kind permission we couldn't share these vidreports and vidlogs and- Kyomo! Does Princess Suzie Q know that you're readin' her PDO diary? He's an awful snoop, guys and ladies! OK, it's your funeral, not mine, man! Now where was I? Oh yeah-

We also wanna thank any other creators whose stuff we are using, have used or may use in the future. Anybody that wants to use any of our own stuff can do so with our blessin's and stuff so long as we get the credit for it- got all that stuff? Good. Can somebody explain it to me now? OK, when we last left ya Kyomo had let the kitty outta the sack- OK! I did it first when I told about Suzie Stinger being just a dumb kid from old New York, not a real princess! Well, she is, ain't she and didn't Miss Mary tell me to always tell the truth?

But it was you that told 'em about the 'spy' we'd found as soon as we'd come aboard this rusty old bucket o' bolts, not me! Yeah, I know. Look, it's 'Black Widow'. She's workin' for that Turd guy, OK, Torg guy. She's under the covers and looks like that nice lady secretary. You know, Dumbass! The one whose skirt you were lookin' up when ya pretended to drop your fork on ther floor at din din tonight. She works for that cute lawyer guy and his private eye guy. Oh, you know!

Miss Bella Streetcar. She works for Terry Masonjar and that big handsome hunk- the Pole guy, Mr Blake!

Hi guys and dolls. Name's Kyomo and I'm a 'coil collector'. I'm saddled with this nitwit broad robot thing- Mira. Lemme put ya straight. 'Black Widow' is disguised as Della Street, Perry Mason's secretary. Paul Drake is the 'handsome hunk' private detective. Mira, better recharge your power cells. You're startin' to blather nonsense again. And I did drop my fork- by accident! I just happened to be glancing up at Della/Widow's underwear when I was down on the floor, that's all. I was- uh- lookin' for coils.

High time that I took over the narratin' again, folks. Suzie/Princess Eldoranna here again. You can imagine how flustered we were when we heard that news- Flossie, Mopsie and me! Like Mr Matlock is always sayin'- we were 'flabbergasted'! I suggested a comm relay call to Mr Garner or Eddie Poe. Mopsie wanted to grab Miss Street aka 'Black Widow' and 'beat her up'. However, Flossie had the best idea of all- keep close tabs on Della and wait for her to tip her hand. Forewarned is forearmed. The only fly in the ointment was Mira's big mouth! Kyomo promised to keep her quiet but- you know what they say about those best laid plans of mice and men- oft do they go awry! This time it was my fault!

We decided to return to the ship's rec room and bar and act as if we knew No-Thing! like that rolly polly Sergeant Schultz on that old vidprogram 'Hogan's Heroes' which was Rory's favourite. She had a crush on Corporal Newkirk! I remember when that when she had first seen him on the vidTV at the Academy, it had taken Alex and Ranger Walker to finally talk her out of transporting Hogan, Klink, Schultz, Hochstetter, Burkhalter, LeBeau, Carter, Baker, Kinchloe, Fraulein Hilda and Newkirk to the Academy! I had thought that Eos Aurora, Goddess of the Dawn, was supposed to go back home to 'Olympia' after the big game- which my Jets won by the by- but, she'd started bawlin' and Mr Garner and her father (Zeus) had relented and Rory was now allowed to stay with us until the 'colonization' of 'Victorine' began sometime in the monthlet of MarAppy! Guess who was assigned to keep her outta trouble? Right! Buzzy and me! Buzzy was all for lettin' Rory come with me!

Mr Garner and Eddie Poe soon put the royal kibosh on that bright idea, thank goodness! Papa Zeus's 'thunderbolts' and 'lightning strikes' had nothing whatsoever to do with their decision- or so they claimed. OK, enough reminiscing. My two 'bodyguards', my two 'handmaidens' and I sat down at the bar which was full until Kyomo had unceremoniously dumped two guys onto the floor and Mira had 'shocked the fannies' of three other bar patrons!

As luck would have it, I was seated beside 'Della Street' and when Jonathan 'the real Angel' Smith smiled at me and asked me for my pleasure and I had ordered a Sloe gin fizzy, he had whispered to me that he was 'unable to read my thoughts tonight'. 'Della' grinned, downed her skotch and water and turned to me. I started to quake in my satin slippers!

"That's because the bitch is shielding her mind thoughts, Jonny. A pity that she wasn't shielding them back in her suite. Guess there's no longer any reason to be play-acting the part of this stupid 20th Century Earther female, is there?" snarled 'Della'. There was a red puff of smoke and 'Black Widow' was seated beside me- and pointing a lethal looking blaster at my royal midriff!

"Don't even think about it, 'Needle Guy'! I'm wearing full body armour and I doubt if you could launch one of your needles at me fast enough to stop me from pressing this firing stud! Keep your trained brat away from me too! In case ya didn't know it, a disruptor bolt can penetrate solid steel- so a robot is no big deal to me, boyo." snapped 'Black Widow' and her eyes were like golden cauldrons of fire!

"OK! Everyone belly up to the bar. It's weapons collecting day! Lay all of your weapons on the bar. You too, Princess Suzie Q Stinger! Oh and you make a lousy faux princess! Move it, people!" yelled the 'Widow' and, at a sign from me, Flossie and Mopsie unloaded their goodies and so did Mira. Well, Mira climbed up atop the bar and stripped herself nude! Kyomo snarled a few naughty words and tossed down his 'needles' and a .45 automatic pistol. My 'powersword' and dagger joined the growing pile as did my purse with its laser sword hilt and Mark III. The 'Panther' derringer strapped to my right forearm and the stiletto strapped to my left remained right where they were. 'BW' seemed content and even allowed Flossie and Mopsie to reclothe Mira.

"What gave me away, 'Widow'? I mean before you read my unguarded mind?" I demanded angrily. She smirked and lit a cigarette.

"You came aboard carrying both your purse and attache brief case. No true royal does a damned thing for themselves! They are all stuck-up snobs and whinign bitches who always speak in plurals! My turn now. Who saw through my disguise?" asked a curious 'Widow' and Kyomo guffawed.

"I did, bitch. Well, it was Mira really. Your communicator's 'power source' is an 'illegal coil' from 'Dimension W'. That's what gave ya away, Honey." chuckled Kyomo while she fumed.

"So what?" asked Mopsie whose eyes were as big as dinner plates. She had never seen a Mark IX disruptor blaster before.

"Mira and me are 'coil collectors' and we can both smell 'illegal coils' from a mile away, Missy. You musta been usin' your comlink when we came aboard, bitch. I'd say that it and the comlink are sewn into your thong's waistband. Am I right?" chortled Kyomo who did not seem to be the least bit afraid of this dangerous 'spider'.

"Yes. That's where they are, boyo. Much good that bit of data will do you and your trained doxy." laughed 'Widow'.

"You mean that's where they WERE, Miss 'Widow'. Heh! Heh! Heh!" said a familiar voice from the shadows. For the first time since she had unmasked herself, I saw fear in the 'spider's eyes!

"Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of women? The Shadow knows! Heh! Heh! Heh! Yes, even fiends like you have hearts, Lady Spider! Drop that blaster!" shouted 'Shadow Daddy' and she snarled and whirled on her bar stool to face- nothing but the aether! She fired and-

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

The 'Black Widow's disruptor spun from her grip and crashed to the floor. She grabbed her right wrist with her left hand and was amazed to see red 'flowers' blossoming across her chest- 'Shadow Daddy's .45 calibre jacketed slugs had easily penetrated her 'body armour'- like a hot knife cutting through warm butter!

"That's only an old US Army automatic pistol! How-?" stammered the 'Widow' and now it was my turn to smile.

"Foolish insect! 'Shadow Daddy' is using modern jacketed steel bullets, not old-fashioned slugs. 'Lagoon Girl' (Revy Roberts) gave them to him and- he IS a crack shot, lady!" I howled in triumph. However, she was faster than I'd thought! She dove forward and crashed into Kyomo, sprinting for the portal! She didn't get very far!

"Going somewhere, witch woman? Now you will speak truthfully!" snapped 'Wonder Girl' (Diana Palmer/Princess Diana) who had blocked the portalway and easily subdued the spider creature with a single swift uppercut! She deftly encircled the 'Widow' with her 'Golden Lariat of Truth' and then-

"Besides Torg, who else knows you are here?" I demanded.

"Nobody else. Just my Master." she replied dully, like someone in a deep trance.

"Where is Della Street? What have you done to her? If she's hurt, I swear-" yelled Paul Drake.

"I waylaid her as we came aboard. I took her clothes and luggage and replaced her." was the reply.

"Where is Della?" howled Perry Mason angrily.

"You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to the prsence of an attor-" began Hamilton Burger.

"Hey! Whose side are you on, Counselor?" yelled Paul.

"She does have rights! Even Perry will agree with me there, Mr Drake!" said the Los Angeles CA 20th Century DA.

"Not here she don't! This be 'Galactic Law' here, Meester Burger!" said Jonathan Harlock.

"Where is Miss Street?" asked Perry in a very gentle voice.

"Belowdecks. I bound and gagged her with force beam cuffs and shackles. Then I shoved her into a small room. The door said 'Fuel Room'." answered the 'Widow' quietly and half of the bar patrons made a beeline for the lifts! All starships use 'dilythium' and when it sits too long, it gives off a deadly gas- 'dilythium oxide'! I yanked off my cloak and gown and raced after the others with Flossie and Mopsie close behind me. Both Mira and Kyomo were far ahead of everyone else.

Not to worry! I was still wearing a sweatshirt and pants under my royal finery! We found poor Della- the real one- unconscious and trussed up like a holiday turkey just in time! Jonathan Harlock used his seaman's clasp knife to sever the gag while the rest of us carefully renoved the 'booby-trapped' force beam cuffs and shackles from the pretty lady's arms and legs. Dr Watson used 'smelling salts' to bring her around while Mr Holmes forced a little brandy down her throat.

Dr Parker took her vitals and frowned while Solar Pons clucked his tongue and signaled to Mopsie who had gathered up the false 'Della's clothes. Then the medical guys who'd been joined by the Doctor Cricketer shooed everyone else out while Mopsie, Flossie and I did our best to dress Miss Street. She seemed only a trifle embarrassed when she had awakened to find herself wearing only panties and brassiere.

After a lengthy consultation, Della was sedated and put to bed in the royal suite. Perry, Paul and Hamilton were allowed to remain by her bedside. I went with the others back abovedecks to where Diana still had our 'guest' within her glowing lasso. Lord Alucard and Seras Vickie had continued the questioning and had divined the entire evil plot!

When we had made planetfall on 'Fryyggia', 'Della/Widow' was to have overpowered Walter (How she did not know) and the crew and handed the entire ship, crew and passengers over to Torg. Then we would have been held hostage until both the ice world and 'Mongo' had surrenderred and agreed to return the throne of 'Mongo' to 'Torg the magnificent' who would then have become 'Ruler of the Universes'! And this guy was supposed to have adored 'Ming the Merciless'! Some loyalty!

"Torg and his minions have a fleet of a hundred vessels waiting inside of the 'Romulan Neutral Zone'. Acting on my own authority, Vice Air Marshall Stinger (That caused some dropped mouths and rolled eyes!), I have ordered Vice Air Marshalls Raven and Jordan to proceed with all speed to the Zone. The Romulans have agreed to allow the 3WA and kaguran forces to breach the Zone and arrest Torg. They will confiscate all vessels and place all officers under arrest. The other crewmen and women will be simply confined to quarters after they've been disarmed. I have also taken the liberty to inform Garner and Poe about my actions, Your Highness." said a now visible 'Shadow Daddy'.

"I am no longer Freya's 'sister', LaMont. Just plain old Suzie Q Stinger once again." I replied and he grinned at me.

"For a little while longer, you are Eldoranna frosticle, my dear girl. You must rally the people of 'Fryyggia' and keep up their morale until word reaches them from the capitol about the smashing of this coup." said 'The Shadow'.

"But, I thought that Freya-" I was confused. He gently sat me down on a chair in Vickie's 'ready room' and looked me right in my eyes. Then he sighed.

"The princess's starcraft has gone missing. In any case, her people, your people, need a leader to rally behind and soon! I have scrambled the Kaguran Air Patrols to find her. In the meantime, you must be Eldoranna Leonora Frosticle, Princess of Ice' and you have got to make your people believe that you really are their leader's younger sister. Clear?" he said.

"As Waterford crystle, sir. We will do our very best, sir." I replied and saluted him.

"Just remember that royals don't salute or curtsey." said LaMont Cranston.

"OK. I'll remember." I said.

"Nor do royals carry their own luggage, not even briefcases or pocketbooks. Best of luck, my dear lady." he replied and then- he was gone. I wandered with my 'maids' and 'bodyguards' out to the bridge where I learned that 'Black Widow' had been arrested and jailed in the 'Nova Hellsing's 'brig'.

"Your Highness? You uh- Do you have a minute or two? Lets go to my ready room. By all means, bring along the girls and your new bodyguards as well." said Vickie and once we were all safelyensconced in her huge ready room, Vickie sat down at her desk.

"Sorry Suzie, but I'm going to have to insist that you continue to play the part of spoiled royal brat for awhile longer. I realize that 'Black Widow' has 'blown the gaff' to most of the ship's company. However, on the off chance that there are some folks left aboard who still think you're a cranky royal princess, we have to keep up the pretense. So-

"From here on in, you will behave like a princess at all times. You will go nowhere unescorted and you will do nothing for yourself at all. What you guys do in your suite is, of course, at your own discretions. But- while you are in ship's company, you will act like a royal. 'Widow' told us while she was still in the 'circle of truth' that she was Torg's sole spy aboard this vessel. The more you act like a princess, the more you'll remember to do it when we arrive at 'Fryyggia' in 72 solar hours- 3 more days. I hope that I don't have to pull rank on you, my dear?" asked Vickie and I got angry- again.

"Pull rank on ME? My dear girl, I am a Vice Air Marshall and you are a mere Major!" I snapped back at her.

"Acting, acting Vice Air Marshall, Honey. Your true ranking is either first looey or captain and I do outrank you there. Oh and aboard a vessel, the Commander is the CO and that's me, myself and I, girlie. Right now, Her Highness needs her nap. You are all dismissed. Take her back to her quarters- and that IS an order!" said the Commander in a no nonsense tone of voice. I swallowed hard, nodded curtly to the Major/Commander and left for my quarters.

"Aw, that was mean, Suzie. You shoulda turned her into a toad or somethin', man!" suggested Mira.

"She's not a witch or a sorceress, Dumbass. She's a pretend princess. Besides, it'll make it a lot easier for us to keep an eye on her if she's in her rooms. Got it, Mira? Say- where the Hell are your pants? Ya can't wander around the ship half dressed." replied Kyomo and Mira's face got quite red. She disappeared into the bedroom that she was sharin' with Flossie and Mopsie. I gave Kyomo the bedroom beside my own. I debated taking a shower and decided that I'd wait until I was once again plain old Susan Q Stinger and could take my own shower.

I allowed my two 'maids' to undress me, put me into that hideous night gown and then tuck me into bed. How bloody embarrassin'! I swallowed my sedative and drank the scented rose water that Mopsie handed to me. I had soon fallen asleep and I slept fitfully for the remainder of the night.

When I had been properly dressed for the day (Yuck! How can the royals wear this crap?), I went into my sitting room where Kyomo and Mira had appropriated my java table and were using it like a workbench! A pile of gears, cogs, wheels and other gizmos were in front of Kyomo and on the floor beside him I espied a pair of sky blue undies- a thong!

I glanced over to 'robot girl' and relaxed. She was wearing a flight jumpsuit and boots. She was apparently 'fiing' the vidTV's remote control gadget! Three empty milk shake glasses, several bags of munchies, a half eaten hot fudge sundae and an untouched runny banana split were spread across her part of the table. Kyomo looked up and nodded to me.

"You're supposed to bow to her, Dumbass. She's a queen." said Mira without looking up from her work.

"A princess actually, Mira." corrected Flossie. I sighed and switched on the vidTV set.

Unlike our old Admiral colour set at home in Manhattan, the set popped to life instantly! I jumped a little. Rory's favourite was on- 'Hogan's Heroes' and I snuggled into the sofa cushions to watch it. I popped a cheroot into my mouth and used the table lighter to ignite it before anyone could jump up and light it for me. Flossie set a steaming mug of mocha java in front of me and Mopsie insisted that I try the Angelfood cake that she had tried to bake. Gross! However, I smiled and tried a piece. It was worse than gross!

"Not my princess." replied Kyomo, paraphrasing Conan the Destroyer. I love Barney Borzenegger! He used to be our New York state's governor. I pointed towards Mira.

"Kyomo? I know this is a dumb question. Why's 'robot girl' there taking the remote apart?" I asked. He replied without looking up from whatever he was doing. I had tactfully pretended not to notice the unmentionables on the floor.

"It wasn't changin' channels fast enough for her so she's speedin' it up with an old coil she found somewhere. This (He indicated his own handiwork) is what I renoved from the waistband of 'Widow's undies. It's her 'communicator' and this 'illegal coil' is its power source. If I can reverse the polarity and then reverse the transmit/receive signals, I should be able to pinpoint its other end. In other words, I should be able to find Torg in that 'Neutral Zone' area. Mira! Either eat that ice cream or toss it. It's gettin' my tools all sticky!" said Kyomo and I went back to watching Colonel Hogan conning Colonel Klink and the fat sergeant.

"Ya know that I like my ice cream all nice and mushy before I can enjoy it, Kyomo. Dammit! Now look what ya made me do, Dumbass! Yo! Mophead! I need another chocolate marshmallow milkshake! Move your tushie!" ordered Mira, drawing a black look from Mopsie who hastened to 'rep up' another milkshake.

Flossie came flouncin' in with my breakfast on a tray. Of course, there was no room for it on the java table and she fumed.

"Get some of that junk off the table, guys. This tray's heavy." she complained and Kyomo shoved Mira's pile of snacks onto the floor and set my tray on the table. Two 'cleaner 'droids' immediately appeared and began vaccing up the mess on the floor.

"Hey! Gimme back my potato chips and pretzels, man!" yelled Mira, wrestling with one of the 'droids'. She won the tug-of-war and POP! The bag burst and potato chips were everywhere! Kyomo looked over and sighed.

"Stupid machine girl. I can't take her anywhere without her makin' a mess." he said and went back to his toys.

There was a loud thumping on the portal and Mopsie ran to answer it. Paul Drake, Perry Mason and Hamilton Burger came in followed by Della Street who had her PDO unit in hand. Her eyes apologized for her 'children'. Hamilton became spokesperson for the trio of guys.

"Your Highness? Pardon the intrusion, Madam Frosticle. I need to advise the prisoner of her rights and Mr Mason here needs to confer with his client. Mr Drake needs to start his investigation and-" said the tall lanky district attorney before I rapped for silence using my java mug like a judge's gavel.

"That is all quite interesting, gentlemen but what do you expect us to do about it?" I demanded. Flossie and Mopsie insisted afterwards that my dark eyes were flashing when I said it too.

"The Commander refuses to give us access to Miss 'Black Widow', Milady." explained Paul Drake and I sighed.

"She has her rights, doesn't she, Counselor?" asked Mr Burger.

"Under California law- yes. Under 'Galactic Law'? Anyone?" asked Della. Mr Mason merely shrugged his shoulders.

"Under 'Galactic Law', she is considered guilty until she has been proven innocent, my friends. Why are you bothering our royal guests? Come to my ready room and I will explain our laws to you. Yes, she may be represented by counsel, Mr Mason. However, Mr Burger, we have no 'Miranda Act' here so- should she choose to remain silent, she will be cited for contempt of court proceedings. Mr Mason, your client probably knows 'Galactic Law' better than you or your learned colleague. Now-

"Mira! That sticky ice cream mess is gonna bring 'fornicidae' by the droves! Eat it or get rid of it! That's an order, young lady!" snapped Major Seras Victoria who had apparently followed the legal contingent down here to my suite. I knew that 'fornicidae' were what these folks called 'ants'. It seemed that Mr Mason had also figured that out while the other three didn't seem to have a clue. They all bowed low to me and kissed my gloved hand, even Vickie who knew that I was no more a royal princess than she was! Afterwards, they all left for Vickie's ready room.

I went back to watching Hogan but another program had replaced it. Mira pointed the remote at the set and hit 'fast rewind'. Suddenly, my Hogan episode was beginning again. I thanked her and she continued to fiddle with the remote. Kyomo stood up and showed us his newly reversed 'communicator'.

"Be right back. Just gonna acclimate this thing with our 'navvy' gal. Then I'll be able to tell ya where Torg's hidin' out in the Zone. Comin' Mira? Oh, never mind, Half Pint. Play with your toys." chortled Kyomo.

"We have never seen the navigational facilities for this vessel. We will accompany you, sir. Come along, my handmaidens." I said and Mopsie and Flossie joined me. My cloak was draped across my shoulders whether I liked it or not.

"Don't wreck the place, Half Pint. We'll be right back." warned Kyomo and Mira ignored him and the rest of us.

"OK. 'Police Girl' said that you four may visit with the prisoner for an hour. I will have to restore the forced beam barriers though. When you are ready to leave, let someone know. Do not try to leave on your own." said Lord Alucard.

"Why not? There's nothing there to stop us." said Hamilton Burger.

Without a word, Alucard tossed a paper cup at the 'portalway' of the brig. ZAPP! It was instantly atomized!

"Point taken, sir. We will call when we are ready to go." said Perry Mason. Della Street fainted! Paul Drake caught the poor lady and 'Black Widow' laughed. She snapped her long fingers and lit her cigarette from the flame that she had just produced. Four mouths dropped open.

"Relax. I do it with smoke and mirrors, folks. OK. Counselor Hamburger? I already know my 'Galactic Rights'. Counselor Mason? I wish to plead guilty to espionage, treason and kidnapping. Old 'Q' oughta gimme about oh- a millennia or two. I'd appreciate it if ya got that plea-bargained down to half o' that, Counselor." explained 'Black Widow'.

"500,000 years? You'll be dead long before then, Madam!" yelped Hamilton.

"If it'll make it any easier on her, Perry, I won't press the kidnapping charges. Will that help?" asked Della.

"A rather stiff penalty, Miss 'Widow', isn't it?" asked Perry and she grinned.

"You dunno my record, Counselor. Half a millennia is chicken feed! Besides, they want Torg and Ming, not little old me. Relax, Hamburger Bun. I am a 'Zargalott' and our average life span is measured in hundreds of millennia. Most of these galaxies no longer use capital punishment so don't sweat the death penalty. Ya know something? It's funny. The client explaining the law to both the prosecutor and the defender!" chuckled 'Widow'. She poured out java for all hands and sipped hers appreciatively.

"Not to mention the poor old investigator, ma'am!" said Paul, accepting his mug from the knockout blonde prisoner.

"Ahem. Now, about the matter of bail-" said Perry Mason carefully.

"Forget it. They know that I'd light out for 'Corrallian Space' where the only law is our own! No bail. Not even 'Q's that stupid, Counselor." laughed Perry's pretty client.

"Say Perry, I wonder why we weren't searched for weapons first? I still have my gun on me." whispered Paul Drake.

"Duh! Because you were already scanned and Earther weapons won't work inside of a barrier, Mr Drake. Had you been carrying a disruptor or an ion cannon or even a blade of some sort, it would have been confiscated. Don't believe me? Take out your piece, sir and try to fire it. Shoot at the wall or the floor or the ceiling, man. It won't fire." chuckled the blonde.

"Don't do it, Paul! She's crazy!" yelled Della. Paul ignored her and fired at the wall. Nothing happened! He tried again and again. Still nothing! He yanked out his ammo clip and it was fully loaded! He sighed and reholstered 'Betsy'.

"Guess she's right, Perry. Darnedest thing I ever saw!" said Paul.

"What's all this then? A convention? Don't mind me. I'm just here to discuss the sentencing with 'Blackie'." The tall guy in black robes was easily recognizable as 'Q'- the judge!

"Wait a damned minute here! Since when is an impartial judge allowed to visit the accused before the hearing?" yelled Hamilton.

"What hearing?" asked cleint and judge simultaneously.

"Under 'Galactic Law', we proceed straight to the trial. Usually, the verdict's outcome is already decided. Didn't any of you Earther yokels bother to read any of our law vidfiles? Boy! Are you guys in for a surprise! Al! Mr Mason and company are ready to leave." called the blonde and soon the 'legal beagles' were being conducted back to the rec room and bar.

"Will you relax, man! I told ya that only your signals can penetrate this 'Neutral Zone's barrier. Say, where's Ming?" asked Lord Gilligan. He was Torg's chief henchman.

"He's hiding under his bunk, Gill. Our big brave emporer. He's more of a crybaby than Prince John!" replied Torg.

"Sir? Comm relay from our spy aboard the 'Nova Hellsing'." said 1st Lt J'Zond. Torg picked up the vidmike and spoke.

"Report. I see. Unh huh. OK, keep me informed. Torg out. (He dropped the vidmike and smiled.) So far, so good, Gill. Blackie's aboard and she's posing as that silly Earther lawyer's gal Friday- Della Street. I'm sure that she'll find out what we need to know." said Torg. Lord Gilligan was frowning.

"I hope that nothing goes wrong, Torg. Our spy at 3WA HQ reports that the 'G-Boys' (Galadriel, Garner, Gooley, Gustav and Poporo) have sent two bodyguards to watch over the princess." said Gilligan.

"So?" asked Torg, a mite irritably.

"They have sent Kyomo Mabuchi and Mira Yurizaki as Her Highness's bodyguards. (Torg looked irritated again.) He's a 'coil collector' who seeks out 'illegal coils' from 'Dimension W'- like the one that powers Blackie's communicator. The girl's an androidal robot and can sniff out coils in a blizzard!" explained Gill. Torg turned to J'Zond.

"Relay her. Inform her of this new development and warn her to be very careful. Tell her to get the Hell off that ship if she smells trouble! And tell her that's a bloody damned order too!" snarled Torg. That was Torg's last transmission to his 'spy' aboard the 'Nova Hellsing'. Three days later-

"Sir? I have a strange feeling. Like someone is watching us." observed Gull Fangorn, Torg's scanning officer.

"Are we still cloaked, Gull?" demanded her skipper and the tall green-skinned Andalusian girl nodded.

"Then what have we got to worry about, Warrant Three? We are invincible!" said a slightly tipsy Lord Gilligan.

"Invisible, yes. However, as to invincible-" said Niles Neilson, the swarthy Welsh navigator who was arguably the most handsome male aboard the 'Lovely Angel 5' which Torg and company had 'liberated' from 3WA Western HQ in 'Elenore City' on the Western end of 'Shimougou'. A prototype, she carried the very newest rail guns and 'God Gun'. However, none of Torg's cronies nor Torg himself, had the slightest clue how to unlock and use them or even find them for that matter! Thank Kami! On its very lowest setting, the latter could vapourize Terra's own Luna- the Moon!

"Invisible you might be, mutineers, but as to invincible- there ain't no such animal, boyos! Heave to and surrender or we will obliterate your entire fleet, Torg." said a calm steady even-tempered male voice coming from the 'LA5's internal PA system squawkboxes!

"I say again. This is Air Marshall John Raven, 3WA! Your fleet is surrounded. Give up now and I promise you safe passage back to 'Alderaan' where you will receive a fair and unbiased trial. Refuse and you are history, pal! You have 5 minutes!" said Raven and Torg sneered. Gilly had passed out- too much hooch! Several other crewmen and women were standing facing the vidscreens showing Raven's visage with their hands raised in surrender.

"What proof do ye offer, ya black bird o' Ganymede? I see nothing out there? Ye couldn't possibly have breached this Zone, Johnny! Ye're too much of a 'Goody Two Shoes' to violate protocol! Anything out there, girlie?" yelled Torg and the Andalusian scanning officer replied in the negative.

"Just as I suspected! A bloody bluff! Nice try, John but no stogie this time, my friend!" Torg howled with laughter. John Raven snapped his fingers.

"Moriarity! Wellborn! Everyone! Uncloak!" commanded the Air Marshall and suddenly the space around the 'LA5' and Torg's invasion forces fleet was blanketed with star crusisers, destroyers, battlewagons, TIE fighters, shuttles and star ships! Every one of 'em was armed to the teeth!

"Moriarity! Show the fool that we are not bluffing. Target his weapons and cloak only! Oh and knock out his comm relays as well, Jimmy." ordered the tall commander.

"Aye, sir!" replied Subaltern James Moriarity, John's squadron commander and a direct descendant of Mr Holmes's archenemy, Professor James Moriarity.

"Ruth. George. Herbert. You heard our boss. Fire!" commanded Jimmy Moriarity and the three TIE polots took out weapons, cloak and comm relay systems on Torg's flagship.

"Zanzazoo! Put that warp core outta action!" ordered Jimmy belatedly. The fourth fighter fired and the 'LA5' was 'dead in the water'!

"Uncloak, Boss and tractor these idiots back to 'Alderaan' if you don't mind." said Raven and Torg began to look quite ill indeed!

"Hullo there, Torgy. Long time, no see, baby. Shut down your engines. Prepare to be boarded. You'll receive fair treatment from the 3WA. Marlene? Take command of the boardin' party and clap 'em in irons! Everyone in the brig. Keep that loud mouth Torg isolated from the others. Kome? Tractor our stolen property back to 'Kurestan' on 'Alderaan' and watch the turbulence. We want every one o' them pirates alive! Mustn't cheat the hangsman, ya know?" chortled the fierce and feisty redhead who was the 'Scourge of the Universes'! Torg was almost in tears and Ming was bawlin' like a newborn babe!

John Raven began directing 3WA, Federation, ISSP, IGSC, Kaguran and Ganymedean officers to take command of the rest of the captured vessels and fly them all to 'Alderaan' after they had locked up Torg's crews in the brigs. Then he ordered that Torg himself be transported to his own flagship while Gilligan was transported to the 'Lovely Angel 2'. John just did not trust poor Torg in the hands of that Amazon firebrand Hellcat! She didn't know Gilly that well and John had no reason to believe that he would be in any danger from her.

"What about Ming, sir?" asked Eldorra, his exec officer. The pert and perky brunette from 'Gilgamesh II' was quite fond of her superior officer and rumour had it that wedding bells were not far off. But- well, that's the scuttlebut.

"Better send him over with Gilly. He's terrified of 'She Who WILL Be Obeyed'." chuckled John Raven.

"Who ain't, sir?" replied Eldorra and she was not smiling anymore. O'Halloran's repuatation seemed to always precede her.

When we returned to the suite, the place looked like a cyclone had touched down! The portals were wide open, the 'portal release' controls had been dismantled, the vidTV set was scattered all over the carpeting, three 'replicator' units had been taken apart and in the middle of this melee, we found Mira- sound asleep!

"What the Hell? I apologize, Your Highness! I forgot to warn you about her! She likes to take things apart. Problem is that she usually forgets how to put 'em back together again. Mira!" yelled Kyomo and the short blonde robotic girl rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and sat up.

"When's supper, guys? Oopsy. I-I-uh-sorta- made a little mess here, didn't I? I couldn't get the remote to speed up so I took the TV apart and scrounged up some more parts." she explained.

"So? Why'd ya take the door controls apart, Stupid?" fumed Kyomo.

"I needed to replace a resonator in the set and since I'd taken apart the 'repper' thingys-" answered the robot girl whatever she was and then she started to bawl!

"You took ALL three of our 'reppers' apart? Why?" howled Mopsie who saw her visions of endless hot fudge sundaes disappearin' into the aether!

"I was lookin' fer the nice man inside- only- there ain't no 'lil guy' in any of 'em." sniveled Mira. I sighed and picked up the vidphone.

"Tell me that the phone still works, Knucklehead!" growled Kyomo and she nodded, wiping her tears away with her greasy sleeve. I giggled and asked Lord Alucard to please send Winry Rockabelle along to my suite. He may have wondered why but he didn't ask. Let him read my mind thoughts if he wanted to know so badly.

Win liked to take stuff apart as well, but she knew how to put it back together again afterwards. I hoped that she could do the same with vidTVs, vid remotes, replicators and door controls. Later that night, I found out that I was half right. She soon had TV set and remote working perfectly. However, the 'reppers' were a mystery to her and she frowned over the door controls.

"Can't help ya with them 'rep' things, Yer Highness. And the resonator in the door controls don't work no more. I can't 'rep up' a new one here. Can't think how this rez unit got busted though." apologized the pert blonde 'auto mail' mechanic.

"Huh? That funny lookin' piece o' plastic, Winnie? It didn't fit so I got mad and threw it at the wall. Funny thing is that plastic don't usually break- no matter how hard ya hit it." replied Mira and Kyomo suddenly looked excited.

"Got it! I found the bastard fer ya! Call the Major, man! Uh, if ya don't mind, Yer Highness?" he said with a wink.

"Hullo? Miss Victoria, mum? Could you please grace us with your presence in our suite? Thank you, my dear young lady." I said into the vidphone, feelin' like an A-1 horse's you know what!

"Be right there, Milady." replied Vickie and she turned to Alucard and Walter.

"Put us on 'George', Walter. Then join us in the royal suite. Coming, Sir Integra? You too, my Master. Please?" said Vickie.

"OK. What's all the hoo-ha about, Your Highness?" demanded the cigar chomping Sir Integra Wyngate van Helsing who was the ship's comm relay officer and to whom the other three were totally devoted.

Kyomo wote down a few words on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to Seras Victoria without a word being spoken.

"That's where torg and his invasion fleet are hidin' out, Major. Just within the'Neutral Zone', but they appear a bit fuzzy on the scanners. Dunno why though." said Kyomo and a smile creased Vickie's lips. Walter was smilin' as well.

"They are 'fuzzy' because Torg's purloined flagship and the rest of his ships are under 'cloak'- invisible to both eye and computer. Teggie, please send a coded signal to John Raven and give him these co-ordinates. He's been waiting for this chance. Thank you ever so much, Mr Mabuchi! (Vickie kissed him lightly on the forehead causing Mira to stop her whining and giggle.) Walter, give these to Nyssa (our navigator) and have her immediately plot in a new course and take us to these co-ordinates as quickly as possible." commanded Vickie, rapidly tapping out the complicated set of co-ordinates onto her own PDO vidunit and handing it to the older pilot. And she had only taken a single glance at Kyomo's written message!

"My 'Police Girl' has a mind like a camera, Your Highness. She needs only a few seconds to memorize an entire page. That bit was mere child's play for her." said Lord Alucard and I realized that I was letting my 'mind guard' slip! Ooh! Now I have a headache! He passed me the 'Hydroxylein' bottle and followed his 'ward' back to the bridge. Teggie had already left for her comm relay board and Walter was already racing for the gantryway stairs. The outcome of this 'reverse comm relay signal' you have already seen and heard.

Now we could finally relax and go home, right? Wanna bet?

"Why can' we just go back home, Vickie?" asked Mopsie. However, before she could answer-

"Have you forgotten about Freya's 'Fryyggians' already, Your Highness? When Raven and his boys and girls clean up Torg, Ming and their minions, the war will be over. That's true, but with relays to both 'Mongo' and 'Fryyggia' inoperative, they don't know that the war's over and neither do those invaders heading for the ice world. You must still rally the troops, Eldoranna- for your sister?

"Seras? Belay your last orders. You are to proceed directly to 'Fryyggia' with all possible speed and quell that uprising, thus nipping the last of this coup in the bud. Raven and Jimmy Moriarity can take care of Ming, Torg and their invasion fleet without any assistance from you guys. Oh yeah- that's a direct order from Her Nibs, folks. So-" blared out 'Shadow Daddy's voice across the squawkboxes.

"So we'd better not screw up anything!" growled Teggie from her comm relay console. Even I knew that you didn't cross that Amazon Harpie! Not if ya didn't want her boot up yer tushie anyway!

Two days later, we touched down ('uncloaked') in a small wooded grove just outside of the 'Ice Palace's grounds and the bridge crew, my bodyguards, my maids and I met with General J'omdath J'aeger, Princess Freya's loyal chief of staff and explained the situation to him.

"Excellent! Her Majesty will be pleased and so will my Master, our new King. However, how are we to convince the 'Zygons' that their allies have surrendered and that the leader of the coup and his deposed emporer are already under lock and key? They will not believe me!" said the older gentleman who reminded me of Professor Zarkoff- kind and benign yet stern and hard as nails.

"Then they will believe us, General! We are the sister of this world's own ice princess. I am Eldoranna Leonora Frosticle, the Crystle Princess! Come along, ladies! We must parlay with the 'Zygon' commander- and quickly!" I snapped and I spun on my heels and marched out of the 'Ice Palace' and across the wooded glen to the huge 'Zygon' starship. I knew that it must be the flagship because of the banner sign hung above the entryway that read 'I'm Number One!', 'Go, 'Zygon', Go!' and similar rallying war cries.

Seeing no klaxon pull, doorbell or knocker anywhere in sight, I drew out my 'power sword' and used its jeweled hilt to rap upon the door, causing both of my 'handmaidens' to cringe.

"That'll take at least ten thousand 'iceys' off that sword's value, Mopsie!" whispered Flossie to her sister.

"Yeah, Sis and she put a big nick in the top o' that emerald! What will Her Highness say? I mean, Her REAL Highness- Frosty?" whimpered Mopsie until the general had shooshed them both to silence by the simple expedient of kicking both maids in their derrieres!

"Is that the pizza guy, Maalock?" called a gruff voice from within.

"Dunno, Boss. The outer vidcam's busted. Yeah? Who is it?" grumbled a second and clearly angry voice.

"We're Space Camp Gals, sir and we're sellin' cookies to finance our big jamboree on Mars, sir." yelled Mopsie and her sister sighed and drew out her 'sten dispatch' gun. I shook my right wrist and felt the cold steel of the 'Panther' derringer in my fingers. Mopsie had already pulled out her 'atomic sling shot'. I glanced back at the general who was moppin' his brow.

"I- uh- I think that I hear Her Majesty calling me. I'll meet ya back at the palace, ladies." he stammered.

"How could you possibly hear Bella from here, JJ? You told me that she was still on 'Mongo' with 'Varry'." said Flossie very sarcastically indeed.

"There'd better not be any Pepperoni on it this time, dammit and check for extra cheese, Maalock! Damned 'Shogi Pizza'!" yelled the first voice. The door popped open and a little squirt who looked a lot like 'Gizmo the Gremlin' after his metamorphosis looked up at me, a handful of bills clutched in one claw and a vidcred card in the other.

"Do you guys take 'ZygoExpress'?" he squeaked and I stepped right over the lil maggot and strode up to the big fat slob seated on the sofa at the back of the room. 'Jabba the Hut' had nothin' on this disgusting piece of filth! He looked more like the 'Smog Monster' that 'Godzilla' had battled on Earth Day 1970!

General JJ bravely followed me in- actually Mopsie and Flossie were dragging him by the collar o' his spiffy uniform.

"Well? Where's my pizza? It's been almost half an hour and-" shouted the thing, bellowing at the top o' his lungs.

"Oh, will you shut the Hell up, Maggot! I got a headache!" I shouted back at him and pointed both 'power sword' and 'Panther' at his immense gut.

"Hey! Boss! They ain't go no cookies or pizzas, man!" whined the small imp which Mopsie was amusing herself with by pretendin' to step on the poor lil guy every few seconds until her big sister boxed her ears.

"We are Eldoranna Leonora Frosticle of 'Fryyggia', 'Princess of Crystle', sir and we are not amused today. My Chief of Staff, General J'omdath J'aeger has a treaty for you to sign, sir. We suggest that you sign it, sir. Otherwise-" I said, the threat in my voice very apparent. He sneered at me and his imp cringed in fear.

"Otherwise my 'Zygon' fleet will annihilate every being on this cold cruel world, Madam! That is, unless you will swear fealty to 'Zygon'- and to me!" screeched the mad despot. Now for our trump card- if Mira, Kyomo and Winry were on time that is!

"Look outside, sir. We think that you will be unhappily surprised and not in the very least amused." I said, as haughtily as I could manage without giggling.

"Just turn on your exterior vidcams, sir." suggested a helpful Mopsie.

"We can't. They're busted and the old skinflint won't put up the moxey to get 'em fixed." whispered Maalock.

"Well? Don't just stand there, fool! Open the 'air lock' doors!" chuckled Grand Marshall Glutton who was very aptly named.

The imp did so and then his mouth dropped and 'His Royal Pain in the Glutius Maximus' swore and fell onto the floor! The sky was absolutely as black as a raven's wing (Pardon the pun, Johnny!) with star ships, cruisers, destroyers, battlewagons, battle moons, shuttles, sky sleds, sky cycles and air cars- all emblazoned with the dreaded '3WA' and flyin' her famous 'ensign' of the triple suns of 'Shimougou' above a mailed fist grippin' a Mark XIII ion cannon!

"Where do I sign and how much do you want to forget ya ever saw me, I mean, us?" Lord Glutton's teeth were chatterin' and he was shiverin' like someone with ague! General JJ recovered his poise and decorum and pointed out all of the signature sites on the thick vidfile that he had prepared under my direction. Then he bowed low while presenting the signed docfile to me. Then he backed away from me until he reached the door. Then he made a beeline back to the palace. What a wimp!

"Unh huh. We are very pleased. You may leave at your leisure, sir. (He tried to smile his thanks.) So long as all of your ships have departed in the next five minutes, that is, sir. Otherwise, we shall have them 'atomize' your fleet where it stands. Do have a nice day, sir." I said and we left him barkin' out orders like a jackanapes! We could hear ships powerin' up and we saw the other ships bein' loaded up with unfinished picnic baskets, furniture, fake souvenirs that the locals had palmed off on the gullible 'Zygons', cases of local brews and the rest of their junk as fast as they could move their ugly tails.

"Boss? Winnie, Kyomo and Mira said that they can only hold those 'holograms' for a few more minutes. Better get back to the palace while ya can. Van Helsing out." Teggie's voice was loud in my comlink earring. We were already walking sedately through the woods when we heard the deafening roar of the 'Zygon' flagship and by the time that we were entering the palace gates, nary a 'Zygon' craft was in sight!

My people were cheerin' and cryin' tears o' joy and laughin'. Then cries o' 'Hooray fer Princess Donna!' echoed through the halls while we were walkin' to the throne room where everyone was bowin' so low that I wondered why whole kingdoms across the cosmoses didn't have lumbago!

A short foxy little man bowed to me and then stuck a sheaf of notes into my hand. Huh? What was up? Then he whispered that I had to make a speech to my loyal subjects! Oh right! I'm the heir apparent to Sis's throne, wasn't I? How I got through those two and a half hours I dunno. However, at long last, I took my last bow, accepted my thousandth rose and room key and retreated back into my throne room. That was when I got the good news. The ice fog had lifted and Freya was expected to make planetfall before 'darktime'.

Like 'Shimougou', 'Fryyggia' had no dusk. Just periods of absolute light and absolute darkness. I accidentally let the foxy little man, Trepley the Grand Vizier, hear my tummy grumblin' and before I knew it, a feast was announced and I was hustled off to my rooms to prepare for it!

This time, Flossie was adamant! No sweats under the dinner gown and no trousers either! First, I was thoroughly bathed and lathered, rinsed off, dried, oiled and made up for the gala. I felt a lot like Mark Gordon's Torino or Todd Stiles's Corvette!

Then I was carefully dressed in my regal under finery and over finery. I reached for my small tiara crown, but Flossie and Mopsie instead placed a huge monstrosity that weighed almost a kilogram atop my mass of curls! Without a chin strap, I wondered how queens and princesses managed to keep the damned thing on! I soon found out when Floss and Mopsie secured the monster to my hair with barettes, combs and jeweled pins!

My 'ice sceptre' was placed in my right hand and my 'ice orb' was placed in my left hand. Then the furry royal over robe was draped across my shoulders and the long train was picked up by Mopsie while Flossie walked beside and a little behind me. That was the most agonizing walk I have ever made, man! I already had a headache and the 'Hydroxylein' wasn't doing any more to curb the pain in my head than the 'Galusol' was doing to calm my tummy!

"Not another speech, Flossie?" I pleaded.

"Afraid so, Honey. Oh, not one that Treppy's written this time. Just talk to 'em. Tell funny stories. Just yak." said Flossie.

"Be yerself, Suzie Q." added Mopsie.

"Just remember that until 'Frosty' gets here that you are still a princess of the blood. So no dirty jokes and stuff. OK?" warned Flossie. The roar of the cheers deafened me! Was there anyone that they hadn't invited to this shindig?

I accepted the applause from the crowd before I just 'winged' it!

No matter what old school tale or adventure or mission that I yakked about using my 'we are amused' grammar, the invited guests and other royal dignitaries loved it and me! There were times when I felt like maybe I was the real 'princess royal' and not my 'sister', Freya! After I had drunk my fourth tumbler of 'fruit punch', I felt a little giddy and the bearded gent to my right, Sir Chauncey of 'Grand Fenwolfe', whispered to me that I was drinking a local 'poteen' made from gourds and other fruits that was grown in special 'hothouses' because the surface temperatures dipped into the thirties below zero Fahrenheit- and that was in the summer!

"How cold is it now, Milord? Outside, I mean?" I managed to ask without falling out of my chair. He lit a small cigarillo and consulted his enormous silver-cased pocket watch. He frowned.

"Not as cold as it usually is, Your Highness. Only minus eighty-seven point six degrees. It's usually a hundred and forty below zero in DecJan around these parts, Madam Frosticle. Oh dearie me. Perhaps you should have a small 'tissane' of the local coffee. I say! You there. Girl! (He snapped his fingers and pointed at Vickie.) Yes. You, child. Get your mistress some 'LaVok' at once. There's a good girl. We just cannot seem to get good help nowadays, Your Highness. In the old days, a dullard girl like that would have been confined to the pantry if not the kitchens. All she would be good for would be a scullery maid." chortled the pompous big shot! I wondered if he took lessons from Mr Peabody?

However, Vickie said 'At once, sir.' and hurried off towards the kitchens. When she returned with my 'LaVok' coffee- still strong even with cream and sugar in it- she bowed low and then curtsied very nicely and backed away from the table. She was playing the part of fawning servant girl to the hilt! Then I proved that even royal personages are human!

"Shit! That stuff's just as strong as the rotgut that the boss drinks! And this crap's supposed to be good for me?" I shouted. I'd just burned my mouth and tongue on the foul tasting muck! Oopsy!

"Pardon me, Your Highness. But- who is this 'boss' personage of whom you speak?" asked Sir Chauncey and I was for it! I had a big mouth! Flossie came to my rescue.

"Her Highness refers to a loud-mouthed braggart and teller of tall tales who works for the 3WA as a- a- cleaning lady. She is ever so bossy that we nicknamed her the 'Boss', Your Lordship, sire." I could only hope that none of this ever reached the ears of 'She Who WILL Be Obeyed'! The Supreme Marshall was not known for her sense of humour but, she was second to none in fiery tempers!

"Perhaps Milady would be better suited to a nice glass of warm milk? I apologize for Her Highness. This has been a very trying day and she must rest. We will return for the gala masked ball at ten PM, my dear friends. Come along, Mopsie. Take Her Highness's train and follow us upstairs. Her Highness was very pleased with this wondrous feast in her honour. We bid you all a pleasant good evening." Flossie should be playin' the part of a royal, not me! She was a natural! However, she'd had a lotta practice servin' Frosty' all of those years or was it centuries?

Somehow I managed to stumble my way up to my suite of rooms where Flossie and Mopsie managed to strip off all of my finery and pop me into a nice hot tub. Mopsie tossed in the bubble bath liquid and then she scattered rose petals atop the bubbles. They each took up a luffa sponge and I cleared my throat.

"I just want to relax in here for awhile, guys. How long until we must dress for the ball and please tell me that I am not going as a kitty cat." I sighed and they both giggled.

"How about you go as 'Wasp Girl'? (I gave her one o' those looks!) Just kidding, Honey. How about 'Maid Marian'?" suggested Flossie.

"No way, man! I know! Wayne LaRue's back home so- why can't I be 'Mandrake the Magician'? I can wear a gent's dinner suit or tuxedo and a red cape and a 'topper'. Can ya 'rep up' a 'Sir Guy Fawkes' false face mask for me? You know, sunken deep set eyes, a big nose, a smiling mouth and a long thin curled up mustached and a 'Van Dyke' beard. If I make my appearance alone, I'll fool everyone at the ball!" I chattered away, splashing both sisters with bubble bath and rose petals.

"Mr Poe and Mr Garner ordered us not to leave your side for a minute, Suzie. Right, Mopsie?" said Flossie.

"Doesn't 'Frosty' have an extra 'Chameleon cloak' or two kickin' around the castle?" I asked and they both grinned.

"Cool! Mr P amd Mr G didn't say nothin' about bein' visible when we was near ya, man!" said Mopsie.

"Better break out two more o' those cloaks, Milady. Poe and Garner gave me and Mira the same orders." Kyomo's voice called from the sitting room where Mira and Winry were repairing the vidTV set, the vidTV remote control, three 'replicators' and the door controls. I sure hoped that they'd get everythin' workin' again before I had to leave for the ball. I was dyin' to watch that new vidTV series about an ancient Samurai warrior turned loose in 21st Century Manhattan! 'Have Katana, Will Journey Far' was on at twenty hundred- 8 PM and my wristchromo was tellin' me that it was almost 1930 (7:30 PM) hours.

"Flossie? When do we have to start gettin' ready for the ball?" I demanded. She smiled and glanced at the wall chromo.

"Don't wanna miss that new hunk who's playing 'Musashi', do ya, Suzie? Relax. Not until half past nine. Sing out when you want to-" said Flossie until she saw my black look.

"I haven't needed any help gettin' outta the tub since I was seven. And I can dress myself too. When's 'Frosty' due to get here anyway?" I asked sulkily. I wanted a nap but I really didn't wanna miss 'George Lee Jett' either!

"Not before midnight, I'm afraid, Hon. You're just going to have to go all through the ball and the unmasking at midnight too. Cheer up and come look at your costume after you've dressed. Mopsie! Stop dragging that cape across the floor! We don't want Her Highness showing up at the ball looking like a slob from the 'Bowery', do we?" scolded Flossie. If I could have had sisters, I wished that they could have been just like Florence and Millicent. Mopsie had confided to me that those were Flossie and her own real Christian names.

"Great! You two have outdone yourselves! Who did the mask?" I was in 7th heaven when I saw my 'Mandrake' outfit and 'Guy' mask.

"I 'repped up' the costume and cape but-" began Flossie.

"I done the mask, Suzie! Like it?" said Mopsie.

"Like it? I LOVE it, man! Hey! It's almost eight! Winry! Mira! Is my set workin' yet?" I yelled.

"Relax, Princess Donna. I made 'em fix that first. They fixed the door controls too. They wanted to attend the ball tonight so I told 'em that they can fix the rest o' the junk that Mira wrecked tomorrow. They went shoppin'. Relax. They ain't allowed to leave the palace. And I told 'em not to take anything else apart either. Might as well pick up my cloak while I'm here. Mira won't wear one because she wants to show off her new costume. Uh, can we ditch these 'invisibility cloaks' once we get to the party? I mean, we'll stay there in costume because we gotta protect ya and all. I just meant-" said Kyomo.

"Sure. As soon as we get to the party, you guys just use the rest rooms to remove your cloaks. Better leave your costumes in the rest rooms beforehand." I replied.

"Why?" they chorused. I grinned.

"Because under the cloaks, you'll be naked. Otherwise, they won't work. That way you can change into your costumes and come to the party without giving me away. Now scoot! The show's startin'." I said, settlin' onto the sofa with a big tray of snacks and soda pop and cigarettes.

The quartet left with their costumes which they had to stash in the ladies' and gents' rooms. Flossie, Mopsie and Mira were overjoyed about goin' to a real famcy dress ball. However, Kyomo was far from bein' a happy camper.

"Please tell me that I don't really hafta get all dolled up too, Suze?" pleaded Kyomo, but I was adamant and firm. He finally agreed to go as a dragon since 'those guys were cool'.

The portals had no sooner swooshed shut behind them before I heard a very familiar sound by the fireplace and 'Kaw-Lija' the cigar store Indian chief was standing beside the hearthrug. Then my old pal, Allison Poe, stepped through the chief's tummy.

"Hi there, Susan Stinger. I have not seen you in ages. You are watching 'Have Katana, Will Journey Far'? (I nodded and waved her to a seat.) I saw last week's episode. He is so dreamy. Oh, I almost forgot about my guest. Yoo hoo! You can come out now, dear. We have arrived. I brought along an old friend of mine." said Allie, helping herself to a cigarette. She had her own holder and as she was fittin' her smoke into it, I flicked the table lighter and lit it for her.

"Pardon the intrusion, Your Highness. (The tall redhead bowed and curtseyed to me. I was starting to get annoyed with all o' this bowin' and scrapin' stuff! After all, I'm a 'Womens' Lib' advocate!) We have never met but Allie's told me all about ya." said the girl who looked to be about 19 or 20. She wore a long black 'Granny' dress, red shoes (Ruby slippers?) and in her belt was what appeared to be a wand of some sort.

"Where are my manners? Father would be cross if he knew that I had not introduced you, Susan. Or, do you prefer Your Highness?" said Allie.

"I dunno why I keep up the royal pretext. Everyone seems to be a mind reader anyway. Just introduce me to the young lady." I replied, wavin' the newcomer to a chair. She smiled and sat down on the sofa beside me and poured out some java for herself and Allie.

"Susan Stinger of Manhattan, 21st Century Terra, may I introduce you to Robin Redtop. Robin is a hunter of witches and she hails from 20th Century Japan. I bumped into her on 'Minerva' and I gave her a ride to the Academy. Ooh! Are those Mrs MacCrimmon's scones? May I? (I nodded and they both took a scone with some lime marmalade.) If you are masquerading as a royal, where are your handmaidens and bodyguards?" asked Allie, looking around the suite.

"Preparin' for the big gala fancy dress ball tonight. (I quickly explained my plans.) Oh, if you'd like, we can 'rep up' costumes for you and Robin. Just don't give me away before the unmaskin' at midnight, OK? Um, is Robin a witch hunter like Hansy and Grets?" I asked and Robin giggled.

"Not quite the same, Miss Stinger. I use magic. They use real weapons." answered the redhead.

"How-" I began and they both smiled.

"Because I am also a real witch, my dear child. 124th in a long line of witches in my family. I am much older than this form makes me appear, Miss Stinger." replied Robin.

"Please, just call me Suzie or Susan. I've had it with all o' this royalty crap. Sshh! Here comes the romantic part. Ooh! This guy really does look like the real 'Musashi'." I said.

"Indeed he does, Susan. And remember- I met the real 'Musashi' in '55." observed Allie. Sitting between a 'time lady' and a real witch, this 21st Century New Yorker felt like a fish outta water!

The portals swished aside and my 'handmaidens' and 'bodyguards' came in.

"Mind yer manners, Half Pint. We got company. Good evening, ladies. Your Highness." said Kyomo. I made the necessary introductions and Mira's eyes got very wide.

"Pleased to meet ya, mum. I never met a real live witch before! See? I told ya that witches didn't look like ugly old ladies, Kyomo! Hey! Eats!" yelled Mira, almost upsettin' the java table. Flossie looked a question at me and I nodded. No sense in pretendin' that I was 'Princess Donna' anymore- at least, not in here.

"Yeah, both Robin and Allie know that I'm just plain old Sue Stinger, not Freya's 'sister'. Aw! Darn it. Ya made me miss the last part o' 'Musashi'. 'Artok'? Could you vidtape that episode for me, please?" I said into the aether.

"Of course, Suzie. Consider it done. Ahem. I hate to break up this 'coffee klatch', but it is time for you to get ready for the ball." said 'Artok', our own computer programming unit from the Academy.

"I feel ridiculous! Are you sure that we're invisible, Suzie?" whispered Kyomo. He and Mira, Flossie and Mopsie, were all accompanyin' my masqueraded self to the ball. They were all wearin' 'Chameleon cloaks' and of course, underneath, they were all as naked as jaybirds! Allie and Robin had remained behind to give us a ten minute headstart so as not to spoil my entrance and give away 'Mandrake's true identity.

When we reached the 'great room' of the Walkers' apartment, my escorts glided off to change and I sedately walked into the room, twirling my cane wand. I strolled up to 'Maid Marian' and presented her (or him?) with a spray of snapdragon flowers. I bowed and did a few card tricks and other magical tomfoolery ledgerdemain before I walked over to Cyrano de Bergerac. His mind was so innocent that I was able to read it like a book! Somehow, Wayne LaRue was on 'Fryyggia'!

The party was like a 'Who's Who' of storybooks, nursery rhymes, novels, TV and movies.

"Good evening, Milord. Tell me, is it true that it's all done with mirrors, sir?" whispered a short bunny rabbit wearing a chain around its neck with the letter 'M' in gold depending from it.

"Nope. It's all 'the hand is quicker than the eye', isn't it, sir?" asked a taller bunny rabbit with a big 'F' on its left chest.

"I'm hungry and the salad bar's empty again." complained 'Little Bo Peep'. Funny, I never knew that 'Bo Peep' had an electric cord tail!

"So far, so good, mu- er I mean, sir. Something just seems to be not quite right. Can't put my finger on it though." said a huge dragon on my other side. Great! My 'handmaidens' and my 'bodyguards' were here!

"Go and mingle, guys. You'll give me away! Shoo!" I whispered back at them and they wandered off. Mira headed for the now restocked salad bar while Kyomo and Flossie went to the bar and Mopsie headed for the vidgames arcade.

The party seemed to go on forever! I was sick and tired of doing card tricks, pulling rabbits out of my topper, making things disappear and reappear and other ledgerdemain tricks. Finally, the chromo struck midnight and 'Madam Pompadour' and 'Louis XIV' announced that the time for unmasking had arrived! Thank Kami! I was to be the final person to unmask so I found a quiet corner and drank my umpteenth java mocha with peppermint while I waited.

'Louis XIV' was our pilot, Walter. 'Madam Pompadour' was the ship's svelte blonde commander, Seras Victoria. The others unmasked and the most original female costume went to 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' (Jonathan Harlock) while the most original male costume was 'Lord Mandrake the Magician' (Me! Of course, nobody knew whom I was yet!). Flossie and Mopsie were revealed as the bunnies, 'Bo Peep' was Mira and the 'dragon' was Kyomo. The 'Jabberwock' was none other than Lord Alucard!

At last, it was my turn. Since many of the party guests- like the Rangers- had opted not to appear in fancy dress, guessing my true identity was difficult. Finally, when someone yelled out 'It's either Mr Poe or Lord Roshii!', I decided that it was time to unmask. Did they see Susan Stinger? Nope! Underneath my disguise, they saw 'Her Royal Highness, Princess Eldoranna Leonora Frosticle', Princess Freya's 'sister'! The room exploded with applause and I blushed!

"Bar's still open, guys! Name yer poisons!" yelled the Bartender of the Evening- Kakashi Sensei. Guren was assisting the tall guy with his 'Sharingan' eye covered with a pirate's black eyepatch.

"Perry, that doesn't look like a fire house to me. Are you sure that you're really an architecht?" asked Paul Drake.

"I never said that I was a real one, Paul. I took a course last summer on ' ' and I have a diploma to prove it. Ask Della." said Perry Mason.

"I dunno, Perry. That court house looks kinda drab, ya know?" criticized Benjamin Matlock.

"I think it's a dirty trick, guys! Making a woman our first 'District Attorney' on 'Victorine' is dirty pool!" grumbled Hamilton Burger sulkily.

"Now, now. Didn't Alex make you her 'Chief Assistant DA', Hammy?" soothed Della Street.

The 'Legal Eagles' had been assigned the task of laying out the new 'colony city' on 'Victorine' where most of us would be moving in the Spring. Oh, my name is 'Yancie Drew Falcone' and I am the direct descendant of the girl private eye, Nancy Drew. I am also Mr Drake's new assistant private eye!

"What do you think, Miss Falcone? Do you think that this looks like a fire station?" asked Mr Mason. I swallowed hard.

"Just give us your honest opinion, dear." encouraged Miss Street.

"Well, I never heard of a fire house that had 27 floors before, sirs, ma'am. However, this is the 23rd Century and I've been living on 'Io' (One of Jupiter's numerous moons) my whole life until I joined the 3WA and got assigned to 'Shimougou', so- what do I know, right?" I replied.

"See? I told you that it needs at least 40 floors, Perry." said Mr Drake.

"Golly gee! I didn't mean that, guys! I meant that our fire stations have- at most- three floors! But, if this is gonna be a big city or town- Hell, why not? The more floors, the merrier! I'm gonna order a pizza. Any of you guys want anything?" I asked, cradling the vidphone.

My fingers were flying across my PDO's keyboards! I called that nice pizzeria on 'Nahbah', one of 'Shim's many moons and the nearest to 'Elenore City' where I happened to be. The 3WA had leased a big skyscraper right next door to 'Damocles Towers' where the Boss Lady and Vice Ground Marshall Angel (Kei and Marlene) maintained a nifty flat. I know about it because they have sublet it to me and Della until we leave for 'Victorine' in MarAppy.

"Hullo? Hi, Anthony. It's Yancie. Yancie Falcone. Paul Drake's new partner?" I said into the vidphone.

"Assistant! I don't have any partners, Miss Falcone!" yelled Mr Drake. As usual, I ignored him. He was like a big soft Teddy bear. His bark was worse than his bite, man!

I gave Tony my order and the other guys' and Della's.

"That's delivery, Tony. Can you charge that to my account, please?" I asked.

"No and yes, Hon. Sure, we can charge your account but no delivery tonight. I'm all alone here and Uncle Mario's at home sick- too much vino, ya know, Sweetie?" replied Tony.

"Della? Can I borrow your speeder? Mario's sick and Tony's the only one there. I'll be real careful. I promise." I said and Della nodded, tossing me the vidcodes and vidkeys for 'Delilah'. Why do we always name our cars, huh? Mine? 'Sheila's in the shop. I swear that I did not see that low flying star cruiser that I ran into last month!

I shrugged into my heavy anorak parka with the fuzzy hood, pulled on my outside gloves and boots and adjusted the new snow goggles that Hammy Burger had given to me for Christmas. I gave him one of 'Kallie's pups. He likes doggies.

"Be careful out there. Weather gal says that we can expect another two metres before morning, Yancie. Just gimme a yell if ya get stuck!" called Mr Drake.

"And watch out for those cruisers, Miss Falcone. I don't like having to bail you out every month." said Mr Mason.

Della's 'speeder' was not like ordinary 23rd Century surface craft. hers only worked on the ground or a few feet above the surface! My own 'Sheila' could reach a soaring altitude of 200 metres! I really missed her. Using 'Delilah' meant going via the 'SifGate' since I could not rocket to 'Nahbah' in a land speeder. I glanced at my wristchromo. 0130 (1:30 AM) hours. Fifteen whole minutes to go a lousy 60 'lightys' (light years) and another fifteen to get back. I sure hope that Tony's got my stuff ready when I get there! Brrr! I turned up the inner heat coils and slid behind the throttles. I shot out of the lower parking docks with a roar and soon I'd reached the 'SifGate' which automatically credited my account with the ten 'Woolongs' fare.

I was always a bit nervous in a 'Gate'. I mean, sitting completely immobile and then being 'catapulted' halfway across the planet used to be a bit unnerving to me. I pulled out a few seconds and 60 'lightys' later and 'sluiced' along a few feet above the surface of 'Nahbah' until I'd reached 'Antonio's'.

Good old Tony had my goodies all ready and it took him no more than a second to 'transport' the order into 'Delilah's boot. Then I took off again, waving goodbye to my friend. Then, back through the 'SifGate' and just as the town hall's chromo was striking 0200 (2 AM) hours, I slid to a stop in Della's parking dock slot. I 'transported' the goodies up to the 115th floor which we were using as an office and then I rode the lift up. I went straight to the kitchenette and began slapping stuff on plates and trays and pouring out beverages for all hands.

"Come 'n git it! Afore it gits cold!" I called out in my best 'Granny Clampett' voice.

"Damnation! They forgot the pickles on my pizza!" yelled Mr Drake. I passed him a jar of sweet gherkin slices.

"Tony said the pizza'd get soggy if he put 'em on first. Here. Have fun." I said.

"Gross! Paul, you're going to get sick one of these days. Is my 'Delilah' still in one piece, Yancie?" said Della. I nodded.

"I'll be glad when my little 'Sheila' comes back home." I replied, munching my pizza slice.

"Little? You call that oversized boat of yours little? It's bigger than my Caddy de Ville back on Earth, young lady!" exclaimed Hammy Burger. He doesn't mind Hammy but don't call the guy 'Hamburger' or you'll get whacked!

(AN: This has been a hint at the next fanfiction that I will be doing. Suggestions are always welcome).

"Look! I told ya to always bet on the underdog when they haven't been in the big games that often, Gene!" snarled Molly Eastwood-Kelly, the 'Outlaw Star's angry 'navvy' (navigational specialist).

Unknown to most everyone except her fellow crew members and Senior Vice Marshall of Administration Yuri Donovan, Molly had secretly married Johnny Gage and Roy deSoto's fellow fire fighter, Chet Kelly, several months before on Mars. The minister had been none other than Nick Wolfwood and Chet's best man had been Vash the Stampede. Molly's matron of honour had been Iris 'Victorine' Prydonia's daughter, Brigadier Romana Mandlinkova Prydonia-Caldy.

Her marriage had been the best kept secret in the cosmos! She and Chet had already decided that when her 'hitch' on the 'Star' was at an end in MarAppy, she would join her husband on 'Victorine' as a fire fighter/paramedic/navigator for the soon to be established 'Victorine City Fire & Rescue Service'. You can just imagine how well Captain Gene Starwind, the skipper of the 'Outlaw Star', took that bit of news! Molly had been his 'navvy' since- well, almost since she had been adopted as a child by that 'Elenore City' paramedic, Clinton Eastwood, many years ago.

"Oh, stop whinin', Gene. You only lost six grand on the damned game. It ain't like you can't afford it, man. You're just mad because it'll be damned hard to find a replacement for Molly next monthlet (The star date was 15.6 JanFeb), old buddy." said 'Jimbo' Hawkins, first officer of the star cruiser.

"Damned hard huh? Try impossible, Jimbo! The 3WA won't give us Nyssa. Vicky's quitting them and joining up with those 'Plutonian Bulldogs' (Part of the 'Pluto Air Corps') and Nami Richards is attending piloting school at the 3WA's 'Takachiho Academy' back East! Without a 'navvy', we're dead in the water, pal!" sulked Gene Starwind when their weapons officer, Villa, walked onto the bridge.

"Couldn't help overhearin' you guys. How about June Devlin? (Blank looks all around) You know- that blonde from the 'Sol Bianca'? (He was referring to the pirate vessel with an all female crew) She told Lily (A 3WA 'tro-con' First Lieutenant) that she's tired of dodgin' the 'ISSP' ('Inter Solar Systems Police' force) and she's lookin' fer work. I just happen to have a date with her tonight at the 'Moon Over Mayhem', guys. If you'd like, I can ask her. No harm in askin', is there, Cap?" said the slight but wiry and tough weapons officer.

"Sure. No harm in askin', is there, Gene?" suggested Jimbo and finally Gene grinned.

"Yeah. Why not? Offer her 2 mill a monthlet- in Woolongs though, not UniCreds (Universal Credit was the standard unit of currency and was eqivalent to about ten dollars in old Earther US dollars. You needed twenty Woolongs to make one US buck! Gene was not known as a big spender!) and, if she balks, you can go as high as 4 mill, but that's it, Villa. Got it? Oh and thanks a lot for suggestin' her." replied Gene.

"Yo! What time ya pickin' her up, Villa? It's close on to 1900 (7 PM) now, man! Ya don't wanna keep our new 'navvy' waitin', do ya?" chuckled Jimbo.

"That's the other reason I came up here, guys. Gene, can I borrow the 'Starlight Nova' (One of the smaller of the ship's five shuttlecrafts)? It'd really impress June, sir." asked Villa.

"Hey now! Don't sell yourself short, man. You really are quite charmin', Villa. Wear your dress blacks with all of them campaign ribbons and those 'railroad track' bars that you got from Zero before ya joined us. When are ya pickin' her up?" said Jimbo.

Fleet Admiral of the 'IGSC' ('InterGalactic Space Command' was yet another peace-keeping force of the Federation) Zachary Taylor Zero commanded the gigantic starship battlewagon 'Liberator' and once upon a time, Villa had been his weapons officer. Villa checked his wristchromo and frowned.

"I told June no later than a quarter to eight so I'd better hustle. Jimbo? Can you have 'Otrok' (The ship's computer programming unit) prep the 'Starlight Nova' for me? Thanks. I'll be ready in five minutes." called Villa who was already double-timing it back to his quarters belowdecks.

"Think that she'll be interested, guys?" asked Molly who hated being ignored because she was 'just a girl'. However, she was pleased that the skipper and his 'Number One' were really gonna miss her when she left them to join 'Chettie' and 'Henry' (The latter was one of the five doggies that would be living at the new fire station on 'Victorine') next monthlet.

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"Sorry I'm late, Lovey. But the skipper said that I could borrow a shuttle to take you to dinner." said a flustered Villa. The time was five before eight.

"Huh? Ten minutes? That isn't late, Vill. Ooh! Don't you look handsome and spiffy in that uniform! I- uh- borrowed this from Jan. I don't have very many civilian clothes myself. Most of 'em are pantsuits and stuff. I wanted something really special for tonight. You said tonight was special. Remember, Vill? (Villa felt the lump in the pocket that the ring was rding in and began to sweat! June was stunning in the ivory sheath dress and matching pumps and the borrowed frock left nothing to a guy's imagination either! He draped her white fox fur stole across her slender shoulders- borrowed from Febby- and kissed her lightly on the lips before he activated the 'transporter'.) Hold on tight, Honey. Here we go." said Villa and the next moment, they were standing on the bridge of the small shuttlecraft.

June's eyes were as big as dinner plates! She had never seen such luxury before! Villa seated her in the co-pilot's seat and strapped her in.

"Welcome aboard the 'Starlight Nova', my darling. We'll be at the 'Moon' in a jiffy." said Villa. He started to strap himself in when June spoke.

"If you don't mind, dearest, I don't want to go to the 'Moon Over Mayhem' tonight (The battle moon nightclub was world renowned. Well, it was on 'Shimougou' anyway!)." she said and Villa wondered what he had done wrong. Dammit! The corsage! He had forgotten the 'Glyvellian Orchid' that he had picked out personally for June!

"Honey, I forgot your flower! Here it is. Let me pin it on your dress, dear." said Villa, suiting his actions to his words. June oohed and ahhed and then she kissed him again and again. Finally, she released her lover and unstrapped herself from the chair.

"You misunderstood me, darling. This is a very special night for us. Can't we just ride through the skies tonight?" pleaded the tallish blonde (June was a little taller than Villa who was almost six feet) and her eyes implored him to the quick.

"Surely, dearest. If that's what you want to do. However, what about dinner?" asked Villa who saw their chances of a new 'navvy' flying into the aether.

"Can't we just 'rep up' something here? Put this lovely starship on 'George' and just drift along? You know, Hon, I have never ever really seen the cosmos at all. Being stuck for almost the whole time in one little room by myself every single time that we used the 'Sol Bianca'. Dearest? Does this craft have a 'star room'? I'd love to see some of what I have been missing, Darling. I'd be ever so grateful- if- if you have anything to ask me, any little thing at all, Dearest?" cooed June Devlin and Villa saw light at the end of the tunnel again!

"OK. But you'll still have to be strapped in for lift off. Back into your chair and- there! Now for myself. All set, Darling?" asked Villa who was now quite happy. Soon, perhaps, he would be the happiest fellow in all of the Universes.

"Aye aye, Captain! Energize!" shouted an ecstatic June and off they went. Villa brought the speed up to SubWarp 3 and set the autopiloting controls- 'George'. Don't ask me why it's called that- it just is.

June insisted on setting the table while Villa was 'repping up' their feast. Everything was delicious and then they took their brandy and java to the 'observation deck' aka the 'star room' where June was fascinated by all of the stars and nebulae and planets and asteroids and other floating space junk that she was seeing. Now Villa had a dilemma. Did he ask June to come work for the 'Outlaw Star' first and then propose marriage or get that over and done with first.

"You know something, dear? When we get married, I'd love to be assigned to work with you. However, with the 3WA, that is not really very likely to happen, is it, Honey?" said June and there were tears in her beautiful eyes! That settled it!

"June Devlin, oh Hell! Will you make me the happiest guy in the Universes, Lover? Will you marry me? Will you?" asked a confused and flustered Villa.

"Of course I'll marry you, Dearest!" cried June, smothering him with kisses. Villa did manage to slip the ring onto her finger, but he doubted if she even felt it. She was in 7th heaven, man!

"I'm quitting the 3WA and resigning my commission. I'm handing Febby my notice tomorrow morning. I'm leaving the 'Sol Bianca'. Tomorrow, I'm gonna go and look for a job!" announced a very determined and lovely young lady.

"You've got one, Darling. If you want it, that is? And if you don't mind working with your hubby and a bunch of other space tramps like me, Dearest?" replied Villa and she threw her arms around him again and hugged and kissed him like there was no tomorrow.

"Oh yes, Darling! Yes! Yes! Yes! I don't mind scrubbing floors and cooking and cleaning and- I love that old 'Outlaw Star'! I love Gene and Jimbo and- of course, you, my Dearest!" she sobbed into his shoulder, getting his silver/grey 'railroad tracks' all wet with her tears.

"Whoa! Hold the vidphone here, Hon! We need a 'navigator', not a charlady! You still want the job?" chuckled Villa and his bride to be grinned and kissed him again.

"Hmnn. We cannot live on love alone, Darling. How much does this 'navvy' job pay?" asked June and Villa realized that his new wife to be was not only lovely but practical and a shrewd businesswoman too! Oh Hell! She was well worth it, Gene!

"Four million Woolongs. Four million a monthlet. I know it's not much, but you'll get raises as you advance up the ladder, Sub-Ensign Villa and-" said Villa. She winked at him.

"Sub-Ensign (jg) Villa-Devlin, Darling. Not that much? Febby was only paying me 700 UC's a monthlet and the 3WA- well, a 'lance corporal' makes even less than that! Four million Woo's is a Kami-send for me- for us, my Dearest! Ooh! And to be a real officer- even a 'Subby'- is great! I was only a 'Warrant Third Class' on the 'Sol B', my Darling! It's a dream come true! (She kissed him again and again. They each wanted to start that family of theirs right here and now, but they had both agreed after their first date (They just knew that each had found his/her soulmate that night!) that they would not pleasure each other until after their nuptials.) Well! A fine housewife I am! Leaving all of those dirty dishes downstairs, my Love!" said June and he took her in his arms again.

"Our shuttles have 'cleaning 'droids' to do that kind of stuff, Honey. Let's just enjoy the night. Have you- have you ever walked amongst the stars, June?" asked Villa and she admitted that she had not.

He led his soon to be bride down to the parking dock deck where he had soon kitted June out with the very latest in spacewear and then he kitted himself out as well. Not exactly fashionable, but at least, now they could 'walk amongst the stars' safely. He carefully opened the inner 'air lock portal' and led his Lover to the outer 'air lock portal'. He closed the inner one behind them and opened the outer one.

They were in no danger of drifting off into the 'space aether' because the ship's hull was surrounded by a 'forced beam energy barrier field'. Villa and June promenaded around the exterior hull of the 'Starlight Nova' until well past midnight. Then they returned to the 'star room' and fell asleep in each other's arms until the ship's chromo chimed 0400 hours- 4 AM.

"OK 'Otrok', take us home. Back to the 'Star'. Thanks." whispered Villa so as not to awaken his own 'Sleeping Beauty' from her slumbers.

"Aye, sir. And congratulations to both of you, Villy. I'll call you when we have touched down." said the computer programming unit. Villa smiled and dozed in the big comfy recliner chair with June on his lap and a smile on her lips.

"How about that?" thought Villa. "Who would have thought that I'd land noth a bride and new 'navvy' in the same evening?" Then he dropped off to sleep again.

END of Chapter 35. Chapter 36 'Wedding Bells Again?' or 'Sibling Reunion' to follow soon. As always please Read/Review/Suggest. The Boss Man and I now realize that we cannot end this tale and saga in a mere 35 chapters. Now we are shooting for 40. Have a nice weekend and don't forget the Derby on Saturday 7 May. Post time's around 6:30 PM ET. How'd ya like this chappie eh? Let us know, the Boss and me I mean. As always, we really appreciate all of your loyalty and support, folks. Take care and we'll be back again real soon.- Story teller Guy & Your Friendship Team.