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.

37. Ch36'WeddingBellsAgain'SiblingReunion'

NGS Chapter 36 'Wedding Bells Again?' or 'Sibling Reunion'

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?

Hey Kyomo! It's your turn to tell the story this time, man! I'm hungry!

What? Again? I swear I dunno how you keep that cute tight-ass figure o' yours- you are forever piggin' out, Half Pint!

OK. Somehow that dispstick gunner on Gene Starwind's 'Outlaw Star' has landed himself a really knockout broad for his fiancee! Not only has June Devlin from the 'Sol Bianca' girl pirate gang agreed to marry the slob, she's even gonna take the 'navvy' job fer peanuts! Gene's a Helluva nice guy and all, but he's one cheapass bastard! Imagine! Four million Woolongs a monthlet- that's what they call their 'double months' these days.

The gal she's replacin' was makin' three times that amount and June only gets to be a 'Subby'- a 'Sub-Ensign', the lowest commissioned rank there is! Molly Eastwood-Kelly will be movin' on to a job as a fire fighter/paramedic/navigator at the new fire & rescue service on the newly terraformed and yet to be colonized 'Victorine'.

Mira and me will also be livin' there I suppose since it's impossible now for anybody or anything to pass back through the space/time Continuum and return to his, her or its own time era and/or original home- ever! Hey! This here 'illegal rogue coil' that I 'liberated' from the waistband o' 'Black Widow's undies looks different even than the 'Numbers' coils, Half Pint!

Maybe we can use it to pass through the 'W' void. That way we could return to our own time era back on good old Earth! Then-

"Forget it, Mr Mabuchi. Doing so would upset the delicate balance and unmake Creation upon all of the Universes, sir. You and Miss Mira are here- for the long haul, I am afraid. Better get used to the idea." said the voice of the 'White Guardian of the Universes' and his voice came from everywhere and nowhere!

"I hate to have to agree with 'White', sonny, but he is quite correct this time, Mr Mabuchi, Miss Robotic Thing. Nobody can now return to any place or any time. We daren't take such a risk. I have visited 'Victorine' and it is a lovely world. 'White'! Have you pigged out on all of the Snickerdoodles again?! Miss Athena! We need more cookies here! Just send them over with that loud-mouthed nephew of yours- Hermes! I say- 'White'- are Mr Mabuchi and his 'pet' yours or mine?" said the voice of the 'Black Guardian' and, like Mr White's, his voice emanated from nowhere yet seemed to come from everywhere!

"They are both definitely part of my 'flock', 'Black', not yours. Aha! Here comes that brash youngster now. Just put it on the table, boy! Have you been studying your deportment lessons, Mercury? Have you learned that the fair sex have not been placed here for your personal pleasures and amusements, boy? Your manners are atrocious. Zeus! Your son needs a damned good spanking again, sir! None of your lip, young sir! Oh, I forgot. Take care, Mr Mabuchi, Miss Mira. We'll keep in touch." said Mr White and I sighed. What a way to run a Universe!

"Are you familiar with the 'Pike Gyration Tracking System', June? Well, here's the vid handbook on it. I suggest that you take it back to your quarters tonight and study it. Now, as to the 'Kirk-Sulu Navigating Co-Ordination System'- oh dear, it's time for lunch. Don't worry, dear. You'll get the hang of it. Besides, I won't be leaving for another monthlet- at least. Hmmn! I smell cheese steaks! My favourite! C'mon, June. Before that piggy fiancee of yours eats 'em all up!" said Molly.

She was my navigational specialties tutor. It amazed me how different the 'Star' was from the 'Sol B'. Oh and where Febby always insisted on clean and stiff starched uniforms to be worn at all times when we were on duty, Captain Starwind and Commander Hawkins could care less what we wore!

My 'tutor' had shown up for breakfast this morning in a halter two sizes too small for her and a skimpy pair of see-through short shorts! Thank goodness she was wearing underpants! However, she was not wearing a brassiere! She was barefoot as well! However, she did have a large pistol strapped to her right thigh. That was one thing that Captain S did insist upon. His crew was to be armed at all times- both on duty and off! In that respect, his rules were the same as Febby's!

My dearest (Villa) had told me to wear whatever I liked, but old habits are hard to break so I showed up in my new crisp stiff starched 'Sub-Ensign' uniform- shirt, tie, vest, jacket, miniskirt, gloves and garrison cap. My 'Sam Browne' 'utility' belt contained, amongst other goodies- laser sword hilt, flashlamp, grenades, 'pop bombs', cigarettes and lighter, canteen with water, a collapsible plasma rifle and a Mark XII disruptor blaster. I felt like Batman whenever I wore the darned thing!

The captain wore a dirty tee shirt, scruffy jeans and deck boots and so did Commander Hawkins. My beloved hubby to be was wearing a black turtleneck sweater, jeans (Clean because I had laundered and dried them early this morning!) and deck boots. He wore a small 'sten stinger' gun strapped to his thigh while the Captain and Commander both had huge Mark XIII ion cannons within easy reach on their bridge console.

"Hey! Watch where ye're walkin', Sister! Ya almost stepped on me tail, girlie!" grumbled a voice from the floor! I glanced down at the ugliest bulldog that I had ever laid eyes upon and he was wearing a red and white tracksuit and two pairs of red and white 'Trainers' or sneakers on his four paws!

"Gene, when did that schoolteacher broad say that she'd be back from her sojourn on 'Amatyl III'? That pooch o' hers is gettin' beyond himself. He just scared the crap outta June! I'm gonna lock him up belowdecks, man!" growled Jimbo.

"The Hell ya are! Just tell 'Two Ton Gallento' here to watch where she's puttin' them Size 16 boots o' hers, man!" grumbled Fuji.

"Better not, pal. YanKumi was adamant about what she'd do to us if anything happens to that pooch o' hers. She's due back home tomorrow anyhow. Hey Fuji! Lunchtime." shouted Gene and the ugly mutt almost knocked us down when he made a beeline for the dining room!

"Hey! Your bowl's on the floor, ya mangy mutt! Dogs don't sit at the table!" yelled Jamie, one of our two Earther cooks. 'Goat' Smith was his partner and a darned good chef too! I never got meals like this on the old 'Sol B', man!

"YanKumi always lets me eat at the table with her and the kids, Mr 'New Jersey Jerk'!" said Fuji, carrying his food and water bowls to the table. Then he helped himself to a mug o' java from the big urn which was always kept full. And I thought that those two cats of Mooney's (Sailor Moon) were bossy! 'Artemis' and 'Luna' were heavenly compared to this loud-mouthed mutt!

"Watch yerself, Sweetie. He reads minds too." whispered Jamie when he handed me my platter.

"Help yerself to a drink, Honey. We got java, tea, latte, beer, soda, booze- you name it, kiddo. Welcome aboard." said 'Goat' Smith, placing a big platter of freshly baked brown bread on the table for us. Besides me, Fuji was the only one at the table who bothered using a napkin! Gene and Jimbo used their silverware and cutlery at least. So did Fuji. The rest of our crew simply ate like pigs, my precious Villa included! That was going to stop soon or my name isn't June Spenser Devlin- and it is!

"Quit hoggin' the bread, 'Jinxie'!" yelled Molly, using her knife to spear three slabs of bread which she slathered with butter and marmalade! This table was cholesterol HQ! I forgot that Molly could also read minds!

"Relax, Worry Wart! There ain't no cholesterol in space. Haven't ya ever noticed that none of us ever seem to get any fatter? Criminy sakes, June! You musta noticed it on the 'Sol Bianca', didn't ya?" yelled Molly and heads turned towards me!

"Huh? We got one o' the 'Busty Buccaneers' aboard, guys? I thought ya looked familiar, Honey! Devlin, ain't it?" rumbled a guy who towered over me and we were both sitting! That voice? Where had I heard it before? Oh no! It couldn't be?

"Mr Galloway? Eaown (Owen) Galloway? Is that really you, sir?" I exclaimed and I felt like a naughty child raising her voice in class!

"The same, me foine young colleen! Ya remembers when ye gimme this, me Angel?" he rumbled, pointing at the jagged scar on his right jaw. Now I was for it! It had been two years ago when we had raided a space schooner for supplies! The 'bosun' had been this huge giant of a man and he had cornered me and disarmed me- well, he had knocked my 'powersword' out of my fist anyway. Then someone had grabbed me and torn away my flightsuit leaving me standing there in boots, polo shirt and skivvies!

Galloway had roared with laughter at my embarrassment and I had used the small clasp knife which I had kept inside of my skivvies and I had slashed his jaw with it! While he was cursing and yelling at me, I had recovered my suit (What was left of it!) and my 'powersword'. I had used the sword's hilt like a club and knocked him out and then we had retreated back to the 'Sol B'!

"All water over the viaduct now, Love. Hope ye didna catch cold that day? Let's let bygones be bygones, eh, lass?" he said and we shook hands or rather- I shook his hand; he crushed mine!

"Now that the floor show's over, what's fer dessert?" demanded Fuji. Dessert was banana cream pie made with real bananas imported from 'Nyalog II' out near 'Koranna'. It was delish and I had four big slabs!

Lunch over, I followed Molly back to the 'nav room'. After I had yawned for the umpteenth time, Molly packed me off to my quarters for some much needed rest. We were headed for 'Kagura' with a brief stopover on Mars. We were due to make planetfall at 'Moravian City' (Mars's capitol city) in twelve more solar hours.

I was glad because I needed to replenish my cosmetics supply and I needed some decent unmentionables and I wanted to shop for some 'civvies' too. Molly and Ethel Sharktooth (She was an ambre-haired 'Jordassian' who was my beloved Villa's chief gunner) had promised me that they knew all of the 'in' and 'fab' and 'rad' places to shop on Mars.

We'd spend the night on Mars and then head for 'Kagura' where we were to rendezvous with a friend of Gene's. We were smuggling out some 'bootlegged vidtapes' for a friend of Dash Rendar's. Dash was a nice old guy who had been a hero of the 'Kurestan' revolt and I liked him a lot- so did Villa.

"Get some sleep, June. Then I want ya to study those vid handbooks that I loaded onto your PDO unit when ya wake up. Dinner's around five or whenever Jamie and 'Goat' feel like servin' it. We're pretty much lackadaisacal aboard here- like the Boss Lady on her flagship. Do me a big favour, will ya? (I said I'd be glad to) Get rid o' that damned uniform! We don't want the Cap and the Comm gettin' any bright ideas! Um, you do have somethin' 'civvie' to wear, don't ya?" said Molly.

"Just a couple of pantsuits and sweaters, Molly. Would they be OK to wear?" I asked and she grinned.

"They'll be fine. Tomorrow we'll be shoppin' fer yer 'truseaux' and 'civvies', kiddo. Don't worry! We'll charge it to old Sourpuss Garner. We're on a mission for him after we 'bootleg' those vidtapes to 'Minerva'." chuckled Molly.

"What mission?" I demanded. Molly pointed to her right eye.

"All of my eye and Betty Martin, kid. Need to know basis. Sorry." apologized Molly.

"Is that so! And I don't need to know, huh?" I fumed.

"Unh huh. And me too. Only Gene and Jimbo know about it. Relax. They'll tell us when the time comes. Oh, I'd better warn ya. The 'ISSP' hate our guts. So- we might have to make a run for it tomorrow when we're in 'Moravian City', Honey. Well, get some rest and I'll see ya at din din, kid." said Molly- clearly I was being dismissed! I left for my cabin which I was sharing with Molly and Ethel and some other girl who was away on leave until next week. Oh yeah, the teacher who owned the doggie- YanKumi.

"Time for dinner, Honey. C'mon now. Time for you to get up! Whoops!" said my embarrassed hubby-to-be when he came into my boudoir to call me for dinner and swept the bedcovers off of me! I sleep in the raw!

"Huh? Oh my goodness! (I yanked the covers up to cover my nakedness and boy! Was my face ever red!) We are not married yet, Lovey! Would you mind getting outta here so that I can get dressed, Vill? Wait in the sitting room if ya wanna." I yelled and he covered his eyes and stumbled out the portal to the sitting room.

"My fault, Darling. I should have warned ya that I sleep in the nude. No harm done." I said and I kissed him when I came into our sitting room (Vill slept in his own room that he shared with Galloway, Jamie and 'Goat'.) after I'd dressed in a maroon pantsuit, white polo shirt, socks and sneakers. Aboard this vessel, I felt grossly overdressed- and I was!

When we strolled hand in hand into the dining room, Molly waved us to two seats beside her at the table. Molly was wearing a bra and thong panties, socklets and an open kimono! I wonder if Chet Kelly (Her hubby) knew how she ran around aboard ship in mixed company?

"What my hubby don't know won't hurt him, dearie. You must learn to shield your thoughts, June. I'd love to have seen the look on Villy's face when he pulled those blankets off of you and saw ya in yer birthday suit!" giggled Molly and I blushed. I swear that my blonde head was crimson too although Vill assured me that I was still a lovely blonde doll baby!

"Don't worry, kiddo. When I report for duty tonight, I'll wear something besides my undies. That make ya feel better, June?" promised Molly and I suddenly realized that I was to be the 'navvy' until midnight!

"Unh unh, baby. I'm off duty until 0400 hours, 4 AM tomorrow morning. Hmnn! 'Goat's outdone himself again! Chateaubriand roasted in Merlot with new potatoes and carrots! Cherries Jubilee fer dessert too! Um, did you get a chance to study those vid handbooks on yer PDO at all? Well, you'll have plenty of time tonight. Just watch out fer stray asteroids and don't run the 'Star' off its course. If ya have any questions, just ask Vill. He's piloting tonight. Gene and Jimbo haven't had a break in 48 hours. Not to worry. We aren't due to 'touch down' until 0600, 6 tomorrow morning. I'll be right beside ya when ya plot in the landing co-ordinates, kid. Ooh! Seconds, please! How about you two?" asked Molly and I had another big helping of everything. Afterwards, I took my third Cherries Jubilee and a big carafe of java to the nav room and settled in for my watch.

I kicked off my sneakers and hung my pantsuit's blazer in the small closet behind me. I felt stuffed, the Hell with that crap about not gaining weight in space! So I laid my gun sash on the table behind me, unbuckled my belt, unclipped my pants and pulled down my zipper a little. I pulled my shirt down to hide the fact that I was almost halfway undressed. Then I began to study 'Navigation 101' and dozed off.

"June? You awake in there?" called Vill.

"Just barely, Hon. Why?" I called back.

"Bring me the vidfile on the 'Van Allen Belt', please. I need to acclimate my yaw to the belt." replied my Dearest. Unh huh. You guessed it! I forgot about my slacks! They stayed up until I walked over to the pilot controls.

"Whoa there, Honey! I know that we're not that strict aboard, but how about tryin' to keep your clothes on- at least until we're married, Darling Sugar Plum?" laughed Vill. I looked down and saw that my pants were around my ankles and my 'Teddy Bear' white and blue 'thong' panties were peeking out from under my shirt! I quickly put things to right and zipped up, clipped and buckled up my slacks. Boy! Was I ever glad that it was only Vill that saw my unmentionables that night! He'd soon be seeing a lot more skin than that- I hope!

Vill had been engaged once before and he had broken it off- a week before the wedding! Me? Vill was my first really serious guy. I had fallen head over heels for that cute paramedic guy- Johnny Gage. However, as soon as I mentioned marriage, he'd gotten ice cold feet and dropped me like a hot pastrami sandwich! Vill was different. He seemed really interested in me and we have so much in common too.

"Uh, Juneie? The vidfile? Please?" asked Vill and I handed it to him and then returned to my 'cubby hole'. I swallowed some 'Galusol' and my tummy felt a little better. I drank two strong mugs of java and I felt much better. I felt chilly so I slid my feet back into my sneakers and put my blazer back on. I sneezed.

"Gesundheit, Sweetheart. I shoulda warned ya. We gotta keep that nav room cool because o' the scanners and other stuff in there. If you get too cold, there's an extra fur parka in the closet. Wouldn't do to have you sneezin' durin' next week's 'I do's', now would it?" chortled Vill.

"Next week?" I yelled.

"Yup. We'll be on 'Minerva' and 'Chapel the Evergreen' has already agreed to do the honours for us. Why d'ya think that Molly and Ethel are takin' ya 'truseaux' shoppin' tomorrow in 'MC'? Hope that's OK with you, Love?" replied Vill. I was startled, but I wasn't about to let Vill slip through my fingers! Tall gals like me have a hard enough time getting dates, let alone a tailor-made husband like my Vill!

"Sure. Mind if I invite Jan and the girls to it?" I called.

"No need. I've already invited them. Even your Mum's flyin' in from 'Neptune'. John Raven will be givin' ya away and Molly's your matron o' honour. Gene's gonna be my best man. Honey, I've been told that we're bein' sent as an advance party to 'Victorine' as soon as our honeymoon's over. Hell, I even got Her Nibs (Kei O'Halloran) and the minx vixen (Yuri Donovan) as bridesmaids fer ya along with Jan, Feb, Mar, April, Mai and July. Did I miss anyone?" called my groom-to-be.

"Uh, how about my Uncle Vittorio?" I asked. Unh huh. 'Uncle Vito'! The 'God of the 3WA and the UG' himself. Everyone calls him 'Uncle Vito'. However, in my case, it's really the truth! How did the niece of the biggest law enforcement mogul in a dozen galaxies become a pirate, a brigand and a rogue smuggler? Don't ask- it's a long story. Besides, that's my business and not even Vill knows the whole truth about me and my family.

"Just you try and keep him and the rest o' the 'G Boys' away, Dearest June! He made all of the arrangements for us. I know that this is so sudden fer you- um-" replied Vill.

"Oh, what does it matter, Darling? The sooner we get hitched, the better." I said and I bit my tongue after I had said it!

"June? You uh- I mean- you aren't- uh-" stammered Vill.

"What? NO! Hell NO! What kind of a girl do you think I am, man? I just meant that I- that you-" I stammered.

"You hope that I don't call it off like I did with Marilyn Liedecker, don't ya? Ya wanna know why I broke off those nuptials, Honey? Because her husband showed up on my doorstep! This is the 23rd Century, sure, but 'polygamy' is still illegal, baby doll! She'd been stringin' me along because she thought that I was the 'Liberator's commander, not Zach Zero! She and her other boyfriend were gonna use the 'Lib' to smuggle 'bloody eye' (An addictive narcotic) from the 'Bad Lands' to Mars! Shoot!

"Where the Hell'd that damned atoll come from, man? I hate to wake Gene and Jimbo. Hey, June! Pull up the 'star vidcharts' for 'Quad XV-12 by XV-16- quick! Wow! Another one! Oh no! Hurry up, Hon! Looks like a 'fire storm' over West Mars!" yelled my Dearest.

"Here it is, Vill! That looks like a meteor shower! Better come in from the East, babe. I'll plot in a new course for ya." I said and then I dashed back to my nav room and reset the course for the opposite side of the planet. Vill yawed North then East and Finally settled down to a South Southeasterly course. We both let out a sigh of relief and kissed each other.

"is it summat I do be a-interruptin', Captain, sir?" asked Mr Stevens who was our logistics officer. He struck me as a kindly old gentleman and I smiled at him. He winked back and stared straight ahead.

"Sorry. I guess that ya dinna need ta be told about that meteor rainstorm over West Mars, do ye? Comin' in South Southeast eh? Good call, sir. Hmmn. Almost sun-up. Want me to take over, sir? You look a mite peaked, sir." said Mr Horace Stevens.

"Nah. Go back ta bed, 'Fox'. (He was wily and clever like a fox, hence his nickname.) Don't forget ta 'spell me' at 0400. Remind Molly too. She's gotta take June's place. Thanks." said Vill.

I yawned and stretched. According to my new calculations, we would not make planetfall before 8 this morning now. Since I was to land us, I was grateful that I would soon be getting four hours of sleep before I had to 'take the reins' with Molly.

"OK, June. My turn. Be sure you report back at 0600 for your first landing lesson." said Molly at 0400 hours when she relieved me and Mr Stevens relieved Vill as pilot. I yawned and stretched.

"Unh unh. We ain't 'touching down' until eight, Moll. There was a meteor shower over Western Mars so we had to hook around to the East. That means another two hours of flight time. See ya later." I said and I headed for my bunk. Ethel was snoring like a grampus when I crawled into the top bunk above hers and fell asleep. I hadn't even bothered to get undressed. I was so dog tired that I didn't even hear Ethel's snores after my head hit the pillow.

"Get up, June and get some clothes on. Ugh! You don't use pajamas? Molly's waiting for you, dear. This will be your first solo landing. On this tub, everyone takes a turn at everything- except cooking. That's because only Jamie and 'Goat' know how to cook. Hurry up! No time for a bath or a shower. Here's your undies, pants, shirt, socks and boots. Or do you wanna wear a flightsuit?" said Ethel.

As soon as I had my underpants on and had sat down on my bunk to put on my brassiere, Ethel began pulling on my socks. I wriggled into a pullover sweater and Ethel yanked on my jeans. She zippered them up and buckled on my belt and gunsash. Then she pulled on my boots and I was ready to go.

I dashed down the corridor and up the gantryway stairs to the bridge. Ethel followed me up, shoving my arms into my Raiders' warm-up jacket.

"Damned cold on the bridge, dearie. I'll bring your breakfast and java up for you. Scoot!" said Ethel and I strapped myself into the pilot's chair. Molly was already strapped into the co-pilot's seat. I looked into the vidscreen and saw a jigsaw puzzle which I realized was the MC Spaceport!

"OK, I'm taking us off 'George' now. Grab the stick and aim the 'Star' at that winking light down there. Just to the right is the landing platform. Got it? Great. You're all lined up. OK. Cut the main thruster power. Good. Now you just glide in. Fine. You're down. Pull back on the brakes- above your head there. Pull hard. Harder! Now just hold onto it until we come to a complete stop. Excellent. Down and safe. Uh, June? You can let go now, Honey." said Molly and I swallowed hard.

"Is that all, Molly?" I asked warily.

"Yup. Relax." she replied. I gave her a sheepish look.

"Then can I please be excused?" I asked.

"Can't wait to write up a shopping list, huh kiddo?" she replied jokingly.

"Uh no. Not exactly. I have to- to- (I lowered my voice to a whisper) I gotta change my drawers!" I whispered urgently.

"Oh. Sure. Go ahead. Ethel and I'll be down to get ya when we're ready to go. We'll use my speeder." said Molly but I was already running for the lift!

I dashed into the bath room, shucking off my clothes as I ran! First, I took a quick shower and then I ran a nice hot bath for myself. A glance out of the 'window' told me that it was damned cold outside so I dressed in ski pants, turtleneck, snowsuit, anorak, fur parka and hat, gloves and heavy boots! Then I pulled up my hood and wrapped a heavy muffler around my mouth and nose. My snow goggles covered the rest of my face! I wasn't taking any chances! I sure as Hell didn't want a cold or the sniffles a week before my big day!

I tapped out a list of everything that I thought that I would need and by the time I was finished with it, Molly came in with Ethel. They were dressed almost identically to myself! JanFeb on Mars was a real bitch! It was hard to walk in all of those layers of clothing and I felt like Ralphie's lil brother Randy from that old Christmas Story movie! I only hoped that I wouldn't slip and fall down! I could just see myself yelling 'Help! I've fallen and I can't get up!'

"Don't forget your pistol. No, weapons are illegal in MC. Stick it in your pocket. Grab your PDO and come on! Gene's only giving us three hours! He doesn't want to wait until tomorrow to pick up those VT's from Kagura! We have to lift off at noon! Let's motor!" said Molly and the three of us were soon rocketing towards the 'Mora Mall'. I won't bore ya with the shopping trip, but we barely made it back to the 'Star' in time to catch the 'window' for Kagura! Vill had taken his position on the guns and Mr Stevens was our pilot with Mr Jinx as our co-pilot.

Ethel strapped herself into her gunner's seat while Molly and I strapped into our 'navvy' and 'assistant navvy' seats. I had no sooner finished strapping myself in before Mr Stevens lifted off and soon we were streaking across the aether and heading for Kagura- a six hour flight meaning we'd make planetfall around six this evening. Then Molly told me that we would not be staying or even landing!

"The shuttle we're meetin' will be 'transporting' the VT's over to us. Then we'll burn the hyperdrives at both ends until we reach 'Minerva'." she explained.

"Then what?" I asked.

"Then we take the long way back to 'Shim', June. By way of the 'Sagitarrian Nebulae' and the 'Adonis Arch'. That should fool any Kaguran Air patrols that might be hanging around. Don't worry, dear girl. We do this all of the time. I wonder why Garner and your 'Uncle Vittorio' want us to do an advance run to 'Vic'?" replied Mr Stevens and I was astounded that he knew that I was really Mr Galadriel's niece!

"Wonderin' how I be a-knowin' all about ye, Sweetie? No secret. I used to bounce ye on me knees. I was yer uncle's chief o' staff until he sided with those Vulcan devils. That was when I joined up with Jonny Harlock and served as his chief gunner and logistics officer on the old 'Botany Bay'. So I been a pirate too- same as yerself, Love." explained Mr Stevens. I was getting more impressed with this guy by the minute!

"Uh, Miss Devlin, ma'am? (I glanced down towards the voice and it was Fuji!) YanKumi is our transporter operator but she's been delayed. Mr Starwind wants you to operate the transporters. Uh, you know how, don't ya?" asked the ugly little dog and I smiled and patted his head. Molly had been placed on the rear 'quad guns' so I was all by myself in the nav room.

"Yes, I know how, Fuji. You're sure that the Captain said that it was OK for me to leave my post?" I asked worriedly. I didn't wanna get yelled at not even 24 hours after I had started my new job!

"Oh. Yes'm. Can you come now. It should just take a few minutes, ma'am." replied the pooch and I sighed, but I unhooked my seat harness and followed him down to the docking level and into the transporter room.

"Can anyone hear me down there? This is the Captain." The voice was coming from the internal PA system speakers. I picked up a vidmike and keyed it.

"Yes, sir. Devlin here, sir. You want something transported from that shuttle out there, sir?" I asked.

"Affirmative, June. Three cases about two metres square. As quickly as you can. Out." replied the Captain.

I adjusted the 'perimetre locators' and activated the transporter. The three cases appeared as if my magic on the pods and I manhandled them onto the deck. Then I called the Cap.

"Sir? Devlin here, sir. All three cases are aboard and safe." I said into the vidmike.

"Good. Just leave 'em on the pods. That'll make it easier to offload those suckers when we get to 'Minerva'. Out." said the Cap's voice and I manhandled the heavy cases back onto the pods. Then I returned to the nav room, trailed by my new friend.

Ethel spelled me for lunch and I took a quick catnap in one of the recliners in the 'star room'. Unless you've done it yourself, you cannot realize how boring a 'navvy's job can be! It's really tough to stay awake for hours on end with nothing to do except to watch the lights and listen to the blips and other sounds of the scanners and the course detectors.

At five to one, I yawned, stretched and went to the bath room to splash some cold water on my face. By now, I was wearing a flightsuit and deck boots when I was on duty. I took over from Ethel at one PM exactly- I am alway prompt- and went back to my boring tasks. I flipped open my PDO unit and began to read the vid handbooks. We went through the 'Arch' at four and I ate an early dinner. According to my calcs, we should reach 'Min' around eight this evening. We were probably gonna 'trans-ship' our bootlegged cargo over to another craft without touching down.

I was correct. At 1900 (7 PM), Fuji came to get me to operate the transporter again and we sent the illegal VT's across to Dash Rendar's friend's star cruiser. That was it, all went off smoothly and by half past seven, we were plowing through the murky blackness of the 'Sag Nebulae' on our way to 'Shim'. At 2200 (10 PM), we should reach the 'Adonis Arch' and if all went well, we should make planetfall before midnight. However, my shift was up at 2300 (11 PM) and I would be spelled by Mr Jinx.

We arrived at 'Elenore City' on 'Shim' just as I was ending my shift at eleven PM. Jimbo and Mr Jinx made planetfall on the huge spaceport easily and both Captain and Commander used Molly's speeder to jet over to Western 3WA HQ. The rest of us were being billeted at a big office building downtown next to the Boss's 'Damocles Towers' building.

We each had our own room in a huge suite on the 110th level. I was getting ready for bed when the loudspeaker blared out a message that we were to report for a briefing in the morning at ten sharp. The briefing was to be held on the same level in a big conference room down the hall from us.

The ladies had the rooms on the Western side of the suite while the gents had the rooms on the Eastern side.

"I mighta knowed it! Damned bureaucrats! We'll be tied up all bloody day and probably half o' the night too! I was hopin' ta get over ta the horsey tracks tomorrow. Now that's out I suppose." Galloway was as mad as a wet hen. So was Mr Jinx who had hoped to visit the new art gallery on 'MacAllan Boulevard'. I'd been hoping for a chance to sight-see in the morning. However, ours is not to reason why and so forth.

Ethel had bought me a nice set of pajamas- tops and bottoms- and I knew that I was expected to wear 'em since we were now in mixed company! Oh well, I can go to bed in jammies for the duration of our visit. Besides, they were really comfy and warm. Molly presented me with a long white woollen bathrobe and a pair of 'mules' (slippers).

I took a nice bath and then I put on my new PJs, robe and slippers and reported for inspection. Ethel, Molly and YanKumi (She had arrived an hour ahead of us) clucked their approval and then Fuji announced that he did not like the colour. Who cares what a doggie thinks, right? I settled down to watch vidTV and in a few minutes, I was sound asleep!

Vill and the guys got up a poker game on the other side of our sitting room where they wouldn't disturb us. Ethel, YanKumi and Molly were yakking away about something. Both Molly and Ethel were married and YanKumi had been seeing a lot of Gaara the Ninja guy. I would be married in a week and Gene had promised Vill and me that we could have three whole days for our honeymoon.

Well, we were leaving on a mission in another fortnight so we just had to make the best of it. The 'Eye of Orion' was warm this time of year and Vill had already reserved our room at the hotel which had hot springs and other goodies. I rubbed the sleep outta my eyes and yawned a little too loudly and the 'Mother Hens' packed me off to bed. I slept fitfully until the morning.

We 'repped up' our own breakfasts and ate them in the kitchenette of our suite. I took a quick shower and started looking through my new wardrobe of 'civilian clothes' when Molly came in and informed me that all briefings required dress uniforms. I pulled out my magenta and grey uniform, but Ethel instead handed me my heavy woollen 'dress blacks' and a pair of high black 'Cavalier' boots which came up to my knees. They were so high that my miniskirt hid the tops of my boots!

"Wear a heavy turtleneck under your shirt, Hon. Mr Drake likes to keep it cool since he can't open the windows. Ethel made a 'Windsor' knot for my tie and then helped me into the skirt, vest and blazer. The 'guard strap' was a new thing to me and it hooked into my 'Sam Browne' belt which doubled as a gun sash. I had opted for pantyhose rather than stockings, yet I still had to wear the knee high black socks under my boots. I was jamming my gloves into my ammo pack when Molly told me that gloves must be worn along with my garrison cap at all times indoors when I was under arms.

Vill looked quite handsome in his own 'dress blacks' with all of his medals and those 'railroad tracks' gleaming on his shoulderboard epaulettes. As a new 'Subby', I hadn't even earned a 'Good Conduct' medal yet! Vill looked me over critically from head to toe before announcing 'You'll do, Hon.'

We strolled down the hallway to the big conference room and I was shocked! It looked like a gathering of the legal profession! Mr Mason, Mr Burger, Mr Drake, Miss Street and a striking redhead over whom I towered although she was quite tall for a girl!

"I don't think that you have met Paul Drake's new assistant. This is Miss Falcone. Yancie Drew Falcone and yes, she is a descendant of the famed Nancy Drew, girl detective. She is also a private detective in her own right." said Mr Mason.

"Nice to meet a new face, Subby." said Miss Falcone, shaking hands with me.

"Please. Just call me June." I replied. She grinned.

"Only if you promise not to call me Miss Falcone. Call me Yancie. Like that old TV riverboat gambler- Yancy Derringer- or is he a little before your time, June?" chuckled Yancie.

"Quite a bit, I'm afraid, Yancie. I'm only 24 and this is my time era." I explained. Mr Burger cleared his throat and spoke.

"We won't keep you folks long. What you're here for is simple. We need you to take your uh, ship to 'Victorine' and scout out a decent location for our new city. That's all I have. Perry?" said the former big city DA. He was rumoured to be the new chief assistant DA to Mrs Walker, 'Vic's new DA.

"Just want to wish our best to Mr Villa and Miss Devlin on their upcoming nuptials. Now I am sure that you folks have better things to do than sit here and listen to a couple of stuffy old legal eagles, right? Anything to say, Paul?" said Mr Mason.

"Uh, I dunno whether or not you've been told this, folks. You're gonna have two extra passengers when ya go to 'Vic'- me and Yancie. We are going along to help you to scout out a good location for the new city. OK. How about a drink? I'm buying!" said Mr Drake.

It didn't matter that everything in our building was free either! It's the thought that counts like Mom used to tell us. Besides, all that they had in the EC city limits (Legally!) was 'Synthenol' liquors and beers. Same taste as alcohol but none of its side effects- cool! That meant that underaged kids like Yancie (She was 17) and me (I'm 24- just a year shy of the legal drinking age here on 'Shimougou') could 'celebrate with booze' without having to break the law!

The very tippy top level of the building had a panoramic view of the city and, like the famed 'Space Needle' in Seattle, Washington back on Earth, the whole level rotated, giving us a constantly changing view of 'Elenore City', the largest city on the planet! You could have easily stuffed New York, Tokyo, LA, 'Frisco and Philly into 'EC' and still have room for Rhode Island! This place was immense! I could even see the 'Girol Mountains' in the distance. That range of mountains was at least 2,000 miles away! Our 'triple suns' were what created the illusion of closeness to our proximity.

"Here, June. I'm three drinks ahead already and you haven't even had one yet!" giggled a slightly 'tipsy' (Told ya we get the illusion of alcohol, didn't I? No hangovers in the morning though!) Yancie, pressing a strange looking concoction in a tall frosted glass into my hand.

"It's called a 'Zombie', dearie. Careful that ya don't swallow the little umbrella on top. Doc Thorndyke hates to have to make house calls this soon after the New Year! Bottoms up!" slurred Yancie and I took a tentative sip of the foul looking mess! Hey! It's good! Tastes like fruit punch! I finished that drink and started on a second. That's all that I remember.

"Yo! Wake up, Miss Devlin! This place is closin' and the guys already left to go bar-hoppin'. Miss Falcone (Yancie) went with them. Miss Street is waitin' to take ya back to your room. Wake up I said!" I opened my bleary eyes and tried to make 'em focus on the brunette Colonel who was almost as tall as myself.

"Here are you clothes, dear. Let's splash some cold water on that face of yours. Tell me- who is this 'Gypsy Rose Lee' person? You stood up on the bar counter and started dancin' and then you stripped to yer skivvies and bra! You kept yellin' for a fan! Here we are! Brace yerself fer a shock! This water's icy cold!" said the Colonel and I screamed bloody murder when that cold water hit my face and stung my eyes!

When my pesky irises finally came into focus, I was shocked! Hell, I was mortfied! I was staring at an almost naked June Devlin in the ladies' room's full length mirror! The kindly older officer helped me back into my uniform and then assisted me to the outer portals of the 'Nightcaps' bar. The shorter lady legal secretary (Miss Della Street) and Colonel 'Nat' Badgiruel Edwards guided me down the endless maze of corridors until we got to the suite that the 'Outlaw Star' crew was sharing.

"Ka-Mi! Look at this mess! Nope! The rest o' her gang ain't back yet. I sure hope that June's OK by tomorrow. She and her co-horts have an 1100 hours (11 AM) session with the 'G Boys' (Garner, Galadriel, Gustav, Gooley and Poporo) over at 3WA HQ. Tomorrow? It is tomorrow. Almost 0400 (4 AM)! Let's get her to her bunk, Della. Man oh man! I sure wish I knew who that 'Gypsy Rose Lee' gal was, Della. (Miss Street whispered something into Nat's ear and Nat blushed crimson! Nat was from 'Earth 2'- the same planet as Della, but decades in the legal lady's own future!) Wow! So our Junebug here was doin' a 'strip tease act' for all of the bar patrons last night!" said Nat and Della nodded.

"I am ashamed to admit it, but my boss (Perry Mason), Paul (Drake) and Hammy (Burger) were all yelling 'Take it all off, baby!' and Paul was the loudest! Yancie's not back yet either and we all have to attend that meeting today at eleven." said Della and Nat grinned.

"Yeah. Me too. Trace (Trace Edwards of the Kaguran Air & Space Patrol was the new chef at KASP HQ) tried to get me transferred to his outfit, but Mr Galadriel outbid Air Marshall Dastun. Since 'Uncle Vito' owns most of KASP, I'm stuck in the 3WA- at least until next year. I could always resign my commission, I suppose. However- I worked damned hard for these 'golden condors' on my epaulettes, Della! Did ya know that Junebug's 'God's own niece? Imagine that! The niece of the chief law enforment chief in 12 galaxies is a space pirate and Kami knows what else! Go figure, huh?" chortled Nat Edwards.

"Guess I'll see ya at Mr Garner's office at eleven, Della. I'm goin' to bed. 'Night." added Nat.

"I'll stay here and wait for Molly and the others. I don't like that pallor on June's face. It's OK. I used to be a registered nurse before I went to work for Perry. Go get some sleep, Nat. You look beat. 'Night." replied Della and Nat went back to her own pad.

OK! It's me again. Your trusty narrator- Kyomo Mabuchi. Mira's gone off bar-hoppin' with the rest of the booze hounds and I was here waitin' fer June Devlin. When Della and Nat brought her home, I was right beside them. They couldn't see me though, because I was wearin' a 'Chameleon Cloak'. Relax! I didn't go into the bedroom when they undressed her! What kind o' a guy do ya think I am, man? Since Della's gonna stay with June now, I'm goin' back to our suite to wait fer Mira to come home.

Huh? Oh, I didn't mention that 'coil collectors' have 'instantaneous transmission'? Saiyaans and Reapers ain't got the market cornered on the 'flash step', folks! Oh and neither Nat nor Della have yet learned how to read thoughts. June Devlin can though and if she'd been awake and/or sober, she'd have spotted my thoughts in a nano-second! Dunno whether or not her new hubby-to-be (Villa) can do it though. Not all that hard, man. Just takes concentration. Hell! I'm goin' back home to wait for Mira. Yeah, she 'flash stepped' here with me.

The faux 'princess' is fine. I left her in good hands- her 'sister' Freya's. Oh, they think that Mira and me are still on 'Fryyggia'. Not! We left our identical twin 'clones' to watch over Suzie Q Stinger! Confusin', ain't it? Heard that on an old 'Looney Tunes' cartoon once. Think it was Bugs Bunny or Oswald Rabbit. I collect old vids from ancient Terran TV shows. Well, be seein' ya.

"June! Get up, dammit! I've been calling you for twenty bloody minutes! Finny MacCrimmon called (Mr Garner's assistant and mother hen). He's pushed up our meeting to 1000 hours- 10 o'clock today! We'll have to skip breakfast! We have ten minutes left to get there! Forget it! Just toss on something warm. Finny said we don't need to come in uniform. 'Henrietta's waiting on the roof for us. Ethel! YanKumi! Fuji! Shake a leg, man! I'll be waiting on the roof. Hurry!" yelled Molly, dashing up to her speeder.

I tossed on a tank top, tee shirt, polo shirt, turtleneck sweater and three pairs of ski pants. I zippered up my new snowsuit and yanked on socks and outside boots. I was shrugging into my anorak fur parka and tucking 'Annie' (My Mark XII disruptor gun blaster) into my parka's pocket when Ethel and YanKumi 'rolled' into the sitting room. Honestly, if we fell down we really could not get up without help! Molly said it'd be inclement weather this year until at least JunJul! I plopped my furry cap on my head and pulled up my hood and tied it tight. We took turns tying mufflers over our faces and then we stuck on our goggles and gloves.

"Don't forget your PDO, June. Your turn to take notes. Put your paw into this snowsuit, Fuji! You're wearing it whether you want to or not!" said Ethel and then we heard 'Henrietta's klaxons braying like jackasses up on the roof.

"What about the guys?" I asked belatedly.

"Gene hasn't missed a briefing yet and neither has Molly. Lets get a wiggle on, dammit!" yelled Ethel, picking up YanKumi's pooch and racing for the lift with me and Yanny right behind her. We all piled into 'Henrietta' and off we roared for the ten kilometre run to HQ.

"I wanted a window seat!" complained Fuji. I sighed and put him on my lap. Why he wanted a window was beyond me. All I could see was a thick ice fog surrounding the tallest building in 'EC'. Molly braked to a 'hover halt' outside of Mr Garner's level and extended the 'light bridge' for us. We trooped across with Fuji whining 'Are we there yet?' and then Molly rocketed up to the roof to dock.

"Well! You guys do know how to make an entrance, don't you?" chuckled Charles Augustus Milverton Garner, 3WA Territorial Sector Chief of the Aquarian Galaxy. "Come in and have some hot java or tea. I suppose that none of you want anything stronger?" he added and we shook our heads ruefully.

Not really a hangover like with real booze, but my head still ached and my tummy was still rumbling! Mr Garner shoved over the 'Galusol' (Like Pepto Bismol) and Uncle Vittorio tossed me the 'Hydroxylein' bottle (Like Aleve or Advil) and I took a big swig from the former and swallowed several caplets of the latter and washed it all down with strong black java! I felt a little better afterwards.

The rest of the 'Star's crew and the 'legal beagles' team were already sitting on one side of the table when Molly came in followed by a bleary-eyed Yancie. The rest of the 'G Boys' were sitting across from us at the huge conferece table.

"Paul Drake briefed you on the general mission yesterday. However, our schedule has been put up a few days. That means, June and Vill, you two will use the 'Starlight Nova' to fly to rendezvous with the rest of the mission members at 'Victorine' immediately following your honeymoon. Oh and you'd best pack up all of your stuff and take it with you to 'Orion' because once you reach 'Victorine', you will be helping with the 'colonization' until AugSept. All other liberties are cancelled. (A general groan from everyone in the room and baleful looks at me and Vill from everyone!)

"Sorry, I know it's short notice and unfair, but until late summer, the 'Outlaw Star' has been deputized and will be under the direct command of the 3WA. I suppose that you would like to meet your new Commander. Finny? Send her in, please." said Mr Garner. Uncle V apologized to me with his eyes and I sighed. Vill was used to this crap, dammit! I wasn't!

The portals parted and a short and slightly nervous 17 year old girl stepped into the room.

"Hi there. My name is Allison Maria Victorine Prydonia-Poe. I am the first 3WA/Vulcan/Gallifrey 'liaison officer' and the first Ambassador of 'Victorine'. For many of you, this will be your new and permanent home. The reason for all of the hustle and bustle of 'colonization' is because we have just found out that on this new world, the seasons are the exact antithesis (Opposite) of the rest of our galaxies. That means that winter does not begin until AugSept. Winter there is quite severe and we felt that the sooner that we began building 'Victoria City', the better. Mr Brief has graciously agreed to supply us with as many 'capsulated buildings' as we need. The 'building' will go quickly. However, the roads and flyway paths are another matter.

"The 'Ice Road Brigade' is still at our disposal and many of you are skilled in masonry, bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing and architecture. (She looked at Mr Mason who smiled back at her.) It has been determined that the new 'fire & rescue' hall shall only be built to a height of 47 levels. (I choked on my java! The tallest fire station in NYC was only 6 stories in height!) The tallest building will be the new 'Victoria Rangers HQ' and it will rise to a height of 875 levels. (I began coughing and retching! Mr Walker had told us that the Dallas, Texas 'Rangers Hall' was only 8 stories high!) You must remember that we are only the first wave of 'colonists' and the first city. In the following decades, all of the 17 moons will also be 'colonized' and settled. For now, we just want to get in the roads, flyways, buidlings and utilities.

"One more item, folks. Although I have been appointed your new 'Commander', I will have very little to do with the day to day operations. For that, the responsibility will belong to our new chief foreman, Mr Dynamo who is already waiting for us on 'Victorine'. Well, that's about it. Oh and please call me Allie. Chief Garner, sir?" announced Allie and Mr Garner and Mr Galadriel and the rest of the gentlemen stood up when she left the room. Why didn't us girls have to stand? After all, she was our superior!

"She is also a Supreme Marshall in the 3WA, June. Oh and she's a 'time lady' and a princess as well." whispered Molly. I had a new respect for this teen-aged child. However, if she was a 'time lady' from Gallifrey, she was much older than she looked! I found out later that she was close to 140 Earther years in age!

The portals opened again and the most feared 3WA officer in the Universes strode in followed by her adjutant! Oh no! Please tell me that the 'Dirty Pair' are not coming along too?!

"Just came to wish ya luck, kiddies. The Vacuumhead (Yuri Donovan, Vice Supreme Marshall of the 3WA) and me (Supreme Marshall of the 3WA Keirran O'Halloran) are off on a star-mappin' mission to this here 'Dimension W' with Mira and Kyomo. I hope that you can struggle along without us." growled the Boss. Everyone in the room (Including their bosses) breathed a heartfelt sigh of relief!

"I am sure that they will be just fine, Kei. You folks remember that out there you will be representing not only the 3WA but the United Galactica Federation of Galaxies as well. I want you all to be on your very best behaviours. Good luck. Come along, Dipstick. The 'LA2' is double docked! Bye, everyone." said the sweetest lady that I have ever met. How she ever got stuck with the worst firebrand Hellcat in the Universes was beyond me! Go figure, huh?

"Egads! I thought for sure that she was gonna punch her own ticket and demand command of the mission! Now, I'm certain sure that 'Victorine' will be in one piece for awhile! Well, you're restricted to 'Quad Four' of 'Elenore City' until the wedding on 'Minerva'. Gene, I guess that you and your gang want to get airborne asap? (Captain Starwind nodded) OK. You are cleared for liftoff tomorrow at noon. We'll see you at the wedding on Saturday. Congratulations, June and Vill. Oh! I almost forgot!

"Sub-Ensign Devlin. Front and centre. (Molly kicked me in one shin and Ethel in the other and I shot to my feet and snapped to attention. Vill and the 'Star' guys and gals were all grinning so they knew something that I didn't know?) Remove those 'stripes' from her, Gene. (My new CO tore off the grey/green/red 'Subby' stripes from my shoulderboards! A demotion? Already? I fought back the tears and anger! Mr Garner stepped forward and leaned across the table.)

"You are now First Lieutenant June Devlin. (He pinned on the silver/grey 'bars' in place of my old 'stripes'! This time I did start bawling! Tears of joy this time!) Congratulations, First Lieutenant. I love to administer promotions and I hate administering demotions. (He saluted me and I saluted back.) Can't have the new chief navigations specialist as a mere 'Subby', can I?" chortled Mr Garner. I glanced towards Uncle Vittorio.

"Don't look at me. It's as much a surprise to me as it is to you, 'Pet'. However, you have certainly earned those bars, young lady! (I was dumbfounded!) Oh, we have watched you ever since you joined the 'Sol Bianca' and even before that. You did not get those 'silver bars' just because you are my niece, June. Remember this though. Promotions come quickly in the 3WA. However, demotions can come just as speedily. Behave yourself and I would consider it an honour to be permitted to 'give you away' to this fine young man on Saturday- or- have you made other provisions? (He knew that I had not and I readily agreed to his wishes! I forgot that Vill had already promised this happy duty to John Raven!) Excellent! We have a little more business to conduct, but I'll be over to see you before you shove off, 'Pet'. Now scoot and have some fun! Dis- Whoops! Charlie?" said my dear uncle.

"Thanks, 'God'. OK. Chief Poporo, you may dismiss the troops." said Mr Garner. 'Mr Popo' got to his feet.

"Tenn-Hutt! (We all leaped to our feet and stood ramrod straight.) Dis- Wait for it, Kelly- Missed! Get outta here!" shouted the Chief of Unit 237 of the 3WA. He was the sole member of the 'G Boys' whose family name did not begin with a 'G'. Molly led the way to the roof with me, Ethel, Fuji (I was carrying him) and YanKumi trailing in her wake.

"Crap! A first looey, huh? Dammit, I only got a gold and blue bar myself! It ain't fair, darn it!" sulked Fuji. Dogs held rankings in the 3WA too? What a galaxy, man! I snagged the front passenger seat beside Molly so Fuji got a 'window seat' again. The ice fog had lifted, but not by much so Molly was more careful on the way back home than she had been this morning.

I glanced at my new wristchromo. Ethel had jostled me in the john yesterday and my old one had fallen into the toilet! Wow! It was 1630 hours- half past four in the afternoon. We'd missed lunch, but I didn't feel hungry. Hell, we'd missed breakfast too! YanKumi turned to look at me.

"By any chance, did you eat any of those 'seeds' that Galloway was passing around last night?" she asked.

"Uh, just one, Yanni. Why?" I replied. Fuji began squirming around on my lap and I had a horrible thought!

"Uh, is he housebroken, Yanni?" I whispered. Fuji's ears perked up. Of course, dogs have exceptional hearing.

"I resent that! I ain't wet my britches since I was three months old, Loo-Tenn-Ant! I just want a cookie. You have some in your snowsuit pockets that you lifted from Finny's platter!" grumbled the pooch and I gave him two cookies.

"Sugar is not good for animals. I hope you don't get sick on my new parka!" I said and he gave me a dirty look.

"Don't feel hungry, do ya? And we missed breakfast and lunch, didn't we?" chuckled Yanni.

"Yeah. Why is that, do ya think?" I wondered aloud.

"Criminy! Galloway swiped a bag of 'Sensu Beans' from Bulma last week. Just one gives you all of the nutrients ya need for a whole week so don't pig out on pizza tonight. (Ethel and Yanni and Fuji groaned) Forget it! Every time I cook or bake, you guys never eat! I'm sendin' out fer pizza tonight. Oh and Yancie and Paul are comin' over too. And June? (I looked over at Molly. We were almost home.) No more 'Gypsy Rose Lee' numbers tonight, OK? (My face went beet red! It was gonna take me a long time to live that one down and I didn't remember a thing about last night after that second 'Zombie'!) You drank a dozen of 'em, kiddo. You started strippin' after the fourth one. Good thing ya passed out and couldn't go bar hoppin' with us. By the way, how did ya get home?" asked Molly, sliding 'Henrietta' to a screeching halt right beside the roof entrance.

"Uh, I dunno. Oh yeah, some nice brunette Colonel and Della. Funny thing is that I was almost sure that there was another person there even though I didn't see anyone else. Guess it was the 'Zombies', huh? Ooh! I gotta go! Here, Yanni. Take the pooch! Gangway!" I yelled, breaking Roger Bannister's 4 minute mile with ease as I streaked for the suite five levels down!

I made it to the bath room just in time! Ever try and yank off a parka, gloves, goggles, muffler, boots, snowsuit, 3 pairs of ski pants and a pair of underpants in a hurry! I must have set a Guinness Book worlds' record! It was with great relief that I walked back to the sitting room (Bottomless!) before Yanni put me into a kimono that was laying on the floor! I belted the 'obi' (sash belt) and sat on the sofa. By mutual consent, we decided not to do any 'sight-seeing' today! Another three metres of snow was on the ground outside with more coming soon!

Molly took our orders and vidphoned 'Antonio's on 'Nasbah' for delivery.

"I'll send Ernesto right out as soon as they're ready. Garner's tab?" said Tony. Dear old Antonio Sr had passed away last year. The poor man had only been 127, but he had been ill since '57. That's AD 2257- three years ago.

"Yup. Thanks a lot, pal. Oh and tell Ernie that we still have a pretty bad ice fog over 'Quad Four'. Yeah, same building that Yancie Falcone's in. (They were sweet on each other- Yancie and Tony.) OK. Maybe we can hoist a few beers when I get back in the summer, Tony?" said Molly- an incurable flirt! I felt sorry for Chet Kelly.

"Aw! Summer? Doesn't Captain Simon LeGree ever give ya a break, Moll?" chuckled Tony.

"It'll be the very last time I see ya, kiddo. Chet and I are movin' to 'Vic' for good next year. Take care. Bye." said Molly.

"Bummer. We'll all miss you and Chet, kid. See ya." said Tony and Molly slammed down the vidphone into its cradle.

"Damnation! It ain't FXXXING fair! Just because I married an Earther and all Earthers have to live on 'Vic', I gotta live there too! It just ain't bloody well fair!" Molly was almost in tears. Ethel, Yanni and me ran over to soothe and console the poor girl while Fuji stuck his cold nose into the 'group hug'. He missed Molly and his cold nose found my kidneys! I was the first of our trio to break the hug!

By the time that Ernesto arrived with the goodies, we had all changed into jammies and bathrobes and slippers. Relax! Ernie only comes to the parking docks where 'William Wilson', our PD attendant, 'transported' our orders up to our kitchenette's countertop. Yanni and Bill Wilson- Ethel told me this one- had been out on a few dates already and Bill wanted to move offworld so- maybe?

It all looked so good but all that I dared to eat were a few breadsticks and some 'Galaxy Glacier' root beer! Darned old Galloway! You'd a thought that he'd have warned me about those 'Sensu Beans', wouldn't ya? I hoped that by the time Saturday rolled around that the 'seed' would have worn off! I didn't wanna be the only person or alien at my own wedding who wasn't eating or drinking, dammit! 'Goat' was baking us a very special wedding cake and he had told us that it wouldn't be 'unveiled' until our nuptials! Of course, that means that we'll all be sneaking into the ship's galley for a peek!

At ten PM, Gene switched off the vidTV, the poker game ended and we were all ordered to our bunks! Why?

"We don't hafta leave until noon, Gene!" yelled Ethel.

"Yeah, but ya forgot about all of the pre-flight routines so we'll all be kept busy tomorrow right up until lift off time. We want everyone aboard by eight so we'll be wakin' ya up at six. Now, get to bed and that's an order!" snapped Jimbo. We grumbled but we were all in our bunks before half past ten!

'Fryyggia' had been nice and I had hoped to remain there for awhile. However, Friday (Saturday in the Aquarian Galaxy) was June and Villa's wedding day and we were all invited to it. For some reason, I was no longer able to read Mira or Kyomo's minds although I had no trouble reading anyone else's. I had thought that the 'Nova Hellsing' was heading for Eastern 'Shim'. However, Freya told me that we were heading straight for 'Minerva' so that we would not miss June's wedding to Villa.

At least, I was no longer required to play 'Princess Donna' and it felt good to get back to wearing jeans and sweats. Those royal robes were the pits!

"Pardon me, Suzie. Were you trying to read my mind just now?" asked Kyomo Mabuchi.

"Well, yes." I replied.

"The real 'me' and the real 'Mira' are already on their way to 'Minerva'. (I glanced at the chromo and calculated that it was Monday afternoon at two PM back in our own galaxy) 'Myself' and this 'Mira' are identical twin 'clones' and as we get closer to 'Minerva', we will begin to disappear and by the time you get to where the 'real me' and the 'real Mira' are, we will have vanished. We can do everything else that our 'twins' can do. However, as we have no 'minds', there is nothing to be 'read'. I hope that this does not frighten you, Suzie?" said 'Kyomo' and I sighed. How strange this new galaxy was! I assured him that everything was cool and then I went to find Flossie and Mopsie.

"That's the 'Elenore City' 3WA HQ building, Florence!" insisted Mopsie. My two former handmaidens were plopped in recliners in the 'star room' and were watching our approach to 'Shimougou'. Unlike last time, we were approaching the Western side of the planet and our destination was 'Elenore City', the Western capitol and the largest city on this world. 'Furool (Foo-Lon) City' paled in comparison to this place!

"No, it isn't, Millicent! That's 'Mt Akrushna', the tallest mountain on the planet! You're looking at the 'Girol Mountains'! Look South and West. See that winking light- the really teeny one? That's Western 'Shim's 3WA HQ building! Isn't that right, Suzie?" replied Flossie and I agreed! Was it? Wasn't it? How the Hell should I know? I've never been to 'EC'. I've never been West of the 'Girols', for kitten's sake! Anything to avoid another argument!

"Hey! Mira! I can see right through you! You're not a g-ghost, are ya?" asked a scaredy cat Mopsie.

"Nah. We ain't ghosts, kid. We're 'clones' and as we approach closer to our 'real' selves, we evaporate away a little at a time and by the time we make planetfall, we'll be all gone. Been nice knowin' ya. We'll see ya at the spaceport terminal tonight." explained Kyomo. Both girls looked at me for a better explanation. I didn't have one though!

"Good evening, everyone. Quite a sight, is it not? I am always breathless when we visit 'Elenore City'. It's so much bigger than good old London Town back home on Terra. I fear that we will be losing Kyomo and Mira before nine tonight. Walter estimates 'touch down' before ten. It's almost eight. You'd all best start packing up. Leave your luggage in your suites and my Master (Subaltern Alucard) will be sure to have it transported directly to your suites at the 'Western Akira Academy'. Be sure that you have your vid offworlder passport file vidcards handy before you transport down to the terminal. I'm afraid that Mr Garner has insisted upon full 'dress black' uniforms. However, black and silver uniform slacks may be worn in place of miniskirts. I suggest that you wear trousers because not only has there been 4 metres of new snow today, the winds are at gale force and the temperature outside is close to minus 4 Kelvin. That's the same as almost 50 below zero Fahrenheit. I, for one, will be overjoyed when we leave for 'Minerva' and then make the short jaunt (Since when is 60,000 'lightys' or light years a 'short jaunt'?) to 'Victorine' where we will begin 'colonization' of our new home." said Major Commander Captain Seras Victoria.

"Commander to the bridge, please!" announced 'Artok' over the PA system and the cute svelte blonde girl walked briskly out of the portals and headed for the ship's command deck.

"You wanted me, Walter?" asked Vickie, sitting down in her command chair.

"Yes, mum. What do you make of that thing? It's been hovering between us and the Western 'inner markers' since 1900 hours, seven o'clock, mum." replied her pilot. She got up from her seat and stared at the huge floating yellow ball! It looked for all the world like a gigantic 'Dragon Ball'!

"Athna?" she barely raised her voice.

"Mum?" replied Cagalli Yula Athna, Chief gunner aboard the 'Nova Hellsing', snapping to attention and saluting. Seras ignored the salute and indicated the giant 'Dragon Ball' which seemed to be on a course perpendicular to the ship some 50,000 kilometres ahead of us.

"Launch four 'probes'- North, East, South and West- into that thing. Could it be some sort of 'nebulae', do you suppose?" ordered the Commander.

"Aye aye, mum. Probes away." said Cagalli Yula Athna. "Track 'em, Fllaysie. Fllaysie! Put away that fashion vidmag, Ensign!" yelled Caggie to her gunner's mate, Fllay Allster who had just been demoted from First Lieutenant to Ensign for isubordination and attacking a superior officer. She had mouthed off to Major Kiva Nerese of Starfleet Command and then she had 'accidentally' caught Mr Peabody's tail in a portal.

Caggie, Fllaysie and Colonel Natalie Badgiruel-Edwards all hailed from the 'Earth 2' star patroller 'Archangel' in the late 21st Century. Fllay and Cagalli had been gunner's mate trainees and 'Lt Nat' had been the 'Archangel's chief weapons officer until that fateful day when they had walked into their shared bath room and stepped out of it and onto the deck of the 'Lovely Angel 2' starship in the 23rd Century all those many years ago!

By mutual agreement and consent, the three girls had joined the 3WA and chosen to remain with them and the Federation in this 23rd Century time era. There would be no going back home for them- ever! However, none of the trio had left anyone or anything behind them when they had made the 'rift trip' from AD 2065 to AD 2247. In case you have forgotten, it is now AD 2260 in mid JanFeb 'monthlet'.

Nat had met and fallen head over heels for then Senior Lieutenant Trace Edwards of KASP, the Kaguran Air & Space Patrol. They had been married less than a year later. Since then, they had had stints aboard several Federation ships and she had just been 'permanently' assigned to the 'Nova Hellsing'. The majority of her bridge crew were of the 'Undead'- vampires from Terra. Nat's immediate superior was Subaltern Lord Alucard, the ship's exec. His own 'ward' or 'turned child', Major Commander Seras Victoria, was her 'Master's superior and in charge of the vessel. Their vampirish companion, a nice elderly gentleman, Lt Commander Walter von Strelsau, was the pilot. Al's own 'Master', First Lt Sir Integra Wyngate van Helsing, was the ship's communications officer while the aforesaid Colonel 'Mr' Peabody, was the craft's logistics and strategies officer.

Lt Colonel Kiva Nerese, who commanded the Starfleet Command's patrol starship 'Coriander', had been assigned to the 'Nova H' as an 'advisor'. Her vessel, which was docked belowdecks with her crew of 40, had been ordered to provide flank security for the 'Nova H' while she was on her way to 'Fryyggia' and on her return voyage back home. Three days ago, the 'Nova H' had reached the 'outer markers' of Western 'Shimougou' and Vickie had recalled the 'Coriander' now that her protection was no longer needed.

"That 'thing' out there, Victoria, is the 'Andromeda Nebulae'. It drifts across the cosmoses and usually poses no threat to shipping, ma'am." observed Kiva, helping herself to a mug o' hot java. Although attire aboard a 3WA vessel was casual, Kiva almost always insisted on wearing her Starfleet uniform although she allowed her own crew to dress in 'civvies' if they so desired.

Tonight, however, Kiva was wearing regulation 3WA pajamas, slippers and her new Kurisumasu (Christmas) present from the Boss Lady- a hand-made mouse-coloured dressing gown in the style of Mr Holmes's own 'dressing gown'. On the left breast, there was a hand-stitched 'KN'. Across its back, a rampant 'ryu' or snorting dragon was likewise hand-stitched in blue with deep red angry eyes while yellow flames issued from the creature's mouth.

"Usually, mum?" asked Walter and Kiva smiled at him.

"It's only dangerous if some fool decides to try and ram the damned thing, Walt. Wait! You idiots didn't launch a probe, did you?" demanded a worried Kiva Nerese.

"Nope. We launched four, mum." replied Caggie.

"It's got a built-in defense mechanism of some kind. I suggest that you close the blast portals and raise your shields, Cap." advised Kiva, dropping into a spare gunner's chair and strapping herself into it. "I'm on the quads, ma'am." she added.

"That old gasball is powerin' up, guys! I'm readin' a 'plasma burst bomb' with a potential power of 1600XX and it's targetin' life support, weapons and commo! Brace for collision!" screamed an hysterical Fllaysie Allster.

THWACK! "Buck up, girl! Get on those 'photon torpedoes'- now!" snarled Colonel Edwards.

"Close those bloody 'blast portals', dammit! Shields up! Walter, dive! Take us below that thing! Maybe we can slide through the lower aethers and fool it into thinking that it hit us!" Fleet Air Marshall Zachary Taylor Zero was barking out orders like a US Marines' drill sergeant! Walter looked at Vickie and Kiva.

"You heard him, Walt. Make it so. Dive. Take us to Aether Level AA17. Nyssa! (The Trakken girl was ship's 'navvy') Plot a parallel course for us. ETA to 'inner markers'?" asked our Commander who seemed as cool as a cucumber; she almost never lost her temper unlike her 'Master' and 'Mistress' (Al and Teggie).

The plasma blast shook the 'Nova H' from stem to stern. It had barely missed us!

"Inner markers dead ahead, Cap. ETA is two minutes, mum. Walter? I am feeding you the new course changes, sir." called Nyssa from the next door 'nav room'.

I rushed onto the bridge followed by Flossie and Mopsie, Yankumi, Ethel and Fuji. All of us were in our nighties because when that blast struck, we'd been finishing up our packing and were getting ready for bed. Sure, we were making planetfall at 2200 hours- 10 pM- but, in 'Elenore City', night disembarkations from vessel to shore were not permitted. The earliest that we could hope to transport off the ship was tomorrow at 0600- 6 AM.

"What happened?" Mopsie was bawling all over the place. Her sister told her that it was only thunder and then she started the waterworks all over again! What a fraidy cat!

"Good evening, mum. Mind telling us what's going on?" asked Flossie, belting her bathrobe. When the blast had hit us, she'd been in the tub and under that bathrobe, there was only Flossie herself!

Fllaysie quickly explained things to us and then-

"We have reached the 'inner markers'. We are now being controlled by 'EC' Tower. I'll stay here on watch. The rest of you might as well retire. The spaceport officer said that there's a back-up- three other ships ahead of us. We will not be leaving this vessel until eleven AM tomorrow. Before we are permitted to transport off, our luggage and ID vidpapers will be inspected and examined by the 'ISSP'. They are looking for a stowaway." explained Walter and we all groaned.

"What stowaway?" demanded Vickie. Walter shrugged his thin shoulders.

"Dunno, Hon. He said that's all that he was permitted to tell me. You all might as well hit the sack. I'll man the bridge. Hear me, Nyssy? Go to bed." replied the pilot and I yawned before I herded my flock back to our suite.

I felt a slight thump and glanced at the wall chromo- 2154- 6 minutes before ten. We had touched down. Great! We were stuck aboard for another 13 hours! I turned over in my bunk and went back to Dreamland.

"Make an announcement in the morning, Teggie. All luggage to be left in suites. It'll be 'particle-beamed' for contraband before it is transported to the Academy. Dress blacks for all hands- no exceptions. All hands to have ID vidcards and passport vidfiles on their persons. All hands will be armed- small arms only and there will be no exceptions. Broadcast that at 0600 hours. That's all. See you in the morning. 'Night." said Major Victoria.

"You got it, Seras. Guess I'll turn in too. You got the comm, Walter. 'Night." yawned Teggie.

"Just us now, 'Artok'. Anything in your memory banks about a stowaway? Tap into 'ISSP' HQ's system if you can. See what you can find out. Damned strange to hold up an official 3WA starship for all of this red tape. They don't care about contraband. Those 'particle beams' are gonna be used to search for this 'stowaway'. OK. Thanks, pal." said Walter when the last of the crew had left.

"Roger willco, Walt. Most of those vidfiles at 'ISSP' are encrypted but I'll do my best." replied 'Artok'.

"Are they sure that 'Shadow Master' has escaped and is heading for 'EC', Charlie?" asked Aquarian Galaxy Chief Andre Gooley.

"Yes, Andy. From what his cellmates say, he wants to resettle on 'Victorine'. Gonna be damned hard to find thim though. He can 'cloak' at will. Dunno if he's even visible to 'particle beams'. All we need is him showing up at the wedding on Saturday!" said Garner. The vidphone trilled and Anton Gustav answered it.

"Yes? Speaking. Good job. Keep on looking. Bye." said the Chief of Unit 9. "The 'Heritage' and the 'Inchon Dog' both check out clean. That leaves three more not counting the 'Nova Hellsing' which just made planetfall at ten. Is he really that much of a threat, Chuck?" added Gustav.

"Unfortunately, he is. He's given up searching for whatever is 'between the stars beyond Pluto'. Now he wants revenge on- guess who?" grumbled Charles Augustus Milveron, Territorial Sector Chief.

"Her Nibs and the vixen?" yawned 'Mr Popo' and Garner nodded ruefully. "We must nab him before he leaves 'EC', gents. I don't want him loose in the cosmoses again. Essie! More java and cakes all around, please." he added.

A tall dark-haired slender young lady dressed to the nines (If this had been 1920's Terra anyway!) quietly laid her trays on the table and distributed cups and saucers and other goodies to the 'G Boys'. Essie Davis was half Vulcan/half Romulan and had been hired by Fiona MacCrimmon as an assistant to help out with the extra work while she and the 'G Boys' were staying in 'Elenore City'. "Anything else, gentlemen?" asked the woman and when there were no replies, she left the room, quietly sliding the portals shut behind her.

"Whew! That was a close one! That fool that was blasting 'particle beams' all over the place almost walked right into me! The fools! To think that I, the 'Master of the Shadows' could be revealed by low or high intensity 'particle beams' is so stupid! So- this is the fabulous 'Elenore City', huh? It's huge; that much I will admit. However, 'Symphonia' has cities that are much more beautiful. This spaceport tower's a busy place. I'd better find a good hiding place until I can hop onto another ship. Maybe one of those bound for this wedding? I haven't been to one of those since King Gratius married my sister-in-law, Princess Elouise. (The strange 'stowaway' helped himself to a free 'Map of Elenore' vidchip and stuck it into his PDO unit).

"Let's see here. Hmmn. Museum? No. Schools? No. The local 3WA HQ? Definitely not! Say- this place looks interesting. The 'Takachiho Academy- Western Campus'. Could this be the same Academy that those two magpie maids kept yakking about last night on that vampire vessel? If it is, it's almost certain that they'll be boarding a transport to this 'Minerva' place for that Saturday wedding. Well, it's only 12 kilometres from here.

"What luck! A 'holotaxi' just dropped that girl off. Don't mind if I do. OK. Let's motor, 'droid. There's the place! I'll get out when he pulls up at that stoplight. Thanks, pal. Hey! Lobbie's deserted. What a break! I'll just wait around here until the little 'Mopsicle' and her sister and that bitch broad Freya show up. I'll stay with them. That way when they head for 'Minerva' for this wedding, I can just tag along with 'em. Hmmn. According to the registry vidbook, the gals have an entire suite reserved for 'em. The penthouse no less. Perfect! I'll just check myself in and wait for them. Penthouse Suite on Level 2500- one level below the roof. C'mon somebody. Use the lift, man! Aha! A charwoman. Hold that liftgate portal please! Whew! Made it.

"Hey! She got off at Level 1700! Nah, she's gone. Tap the 'PE' pad and- WHOOSH!- Express to the top, baby! All the way! This is the only way to travel, man!" thought the 'Shadow Master' who was still under 'cloak'. He quickly left the lift. It was only the work of a few seconds to pick the vidlocks and another few seconds to find the correct vidcode word- 'Teddybear'. Then he was inside the luxurious suite of rooms with a grand balcony that ringed the entire level! This was living!

He glanced at the wall chromo. Eleven in the morning and those triple suns' rays were being totally absorbed by the dark tinted windows.

"Eleven and nobody here yet? Floss had said that they'd 'touch down', make 'planetfall' at 0600 hours- six this AM but that had been five hours ago. Of course! They would not have allowed them to disembark until they had finished that 'particle beam' sweep for me! Idiots! Fools! And they'd covered the 'sweep' by searchin' everyone's luggage for 'contraband'. Like anyone in the 3WA would be smugglin' 'bloody eye' (a heady narcotic eye spray drug) or bootlegged vidfilms, right? They were so clean they squeaked!

"Let's see. To get to 'Minerva' in time for that wedding, they'd have to forego their damned 'debriefings' and legally, they couldn't tie up the passengers and crew at that tower past noon. Nobody would have time for shoppin' or sight-seein' so- they should arrive here by 1330 (1:30 PM) at the very latest. If I know Garner and God, Freya and her fruitcakes will be reboardin' the 'Nova Hellsing' either tonight or first thing tomorrow.

"With all those girls around here and that stupid mutt o' YanKumi's, I'd better guard my thoughts well. That's one way that they can 'see' me despite my 'cloak'! Hey! Champagne and cold cuts! Sweet! I haven't eaten since last night. 'Donya St Katherine Drexel 2016'! Someone here has excellent tastes! A very good year for grapes too! Ahh! Haven't tasted good champagne in a doggie's age, man! Huh?" wondered the housebreaker from 'Symphonia' when he heard voices coming towards this suite! The Frosticles' party was here earlier than he'd expected!

He hastily scrawled a message on some Academy stationery- 'Please enjoy these cold cuts & DSKD 2016 vintage champagne, Your Majesties- Compliments of the T Academy- Western Campus' and stuck it beside an unopened bottle of bubbly. He grabbed his sandwich and opened bottle which vanished as would anything touched by someone who is 'cloaked'. He hastily ran into the study, leaving the portal open a crack to avoid any more surprises!

"Teddybear!" yelled Mopsie. The portals parted and she made a beeline for the bath room.

"I told you that those 'chocolate bars' were 'Go Qwik' laxatives, Stupid!" giggled her older sibling, Florence.

"What a trip! Gangway! Gotta use the 'doggie potty room', ladies!" yipped Fuji and he ran for the shorter 'door' in the opposite wall. "Ahh! Feels good to finally take a dump, 'Frostie'!" he called from behind the closed door.

"Keep it to yourself, Fuji! There are ladies present!" yelled Freya, the 'Fryyggian Ice Princess'. "Hullo. What's this? Majesties? The Academy left us a snack and a dozen bottles o' bubbly. Ancient Terran Pennsylvania stock too- very rare and quite pricey!" she added, popping the cork on the 'Drexel' bottle.

"One, two, three- Wonder why they only gave us eleven of them, 'Frostie'?" asked a puzzled Flossie. "They come twelve to a case. Maybe we have a houseguest?" she giggled just as Mopsie cane out of the bath room, trailing a long piece of toilet tissue from her bare foot! In fact, the rest of her was the same way that the 'storkasen' bird had brought her into existence!

"What's up?" she asked while her sister was re-rolling the toilet paper trail. 'Frostie' was furious!

"Well! You certainly didn't waste any time getting comfy, did ya? In case you have forgotten, Millicent, we will soon be sharing these rooms with some gentlemen. Might I suggest that you make yourself decent? I'm bushed! I'm sure glad that we won't be leaving for 'Min' until tomorrow at 0500. Sorry I yelled at ya, Mops. Have some food. Floss? Give her a soda or some java. She's not old enough for bubbly yet. I'm gonna take a bath and then a nap. Please call me when the others arrive." said 'Frostie' Frosticle with a yawn.

Mopsie picked up some ham and her older sister slapped her fingers. "Not until you're dressed, young lady. You heard what 'Frostie' just said. Our luggage is in the bedrooms. Scoot!" said Flossie, smacking Mops on her bare backside. Her sister ran off and then-

"No luggage in here, Flor. Guess I'll have to be 'Temple in a Storm' or 'Pageboy Betty' today!" giggled Mopsie.

"No, you won't! Try the study. All of your junk probably wouldn't fit into your bedroom." chuckled her sister who was making hoagies for everyone.

"Did I just hear right? The study? Wasn't this room the study? Oh shoot! This place is loaded with cases and trunks and junk! Where can I hide? Whoops! Too late. I'll just crouch in the shadows behind this trunk. Maybe she won't bump into me!" thought the frustrated escapee. The door crashed open and a naked little girl walked in.

"Where- Oh, there's my suitcase. Behind that old trunk of Suzie's! Almost- Hey! Somebody's back here! Hey! Ya just saw my boobies and my box, man! Pervert!" yipped Mopsie, trying to hide her nudity! Then the slick guy made a big mistake.

"I apologize, Millicent. I-" said a muffled voice. Any other kid would have been frightened but this was Mopsie!

"How d'ya know my name, Mister?" she demanded, pulling a throw rug around her body. It was musty as Hell but better than nothing!

"I, uh, I know the names of all the little girls, Honey. I'm, uh- I'm- Father Christmas." said the voice. It was either that or the Force and he wasn't sure if this kid had seen 'Star Wars' or not!

"Santy Claus! What'd ya bring me, sir?" she asked anxiously, almost losing the rug.

"Uh, it's not Christmas. (Great! Christmas is over!) Didn't ya like the 'rocket boots' I brung ya, Sweetheart?" lied the voice.

"Yeah! They was swell but I ain't allowed to wear 'em indoors. Hey! How come you're still here?" asked the kid who was now rummaging through her suitcase for undies and clothes. Apparently she was not embarrassed to be nude in front of jolly old St Nicky.

"Uh, Vixen caught a cold and I had to put her to bed. As soon as she's better, we'll be going back home until next year. Oh, I'll get in Dutch with the 'Master Woodsman' if anybody ever found out that I was still here instead of back at the Pole so this has to be our little secret, OK kid?" pleaded the voice. Mopsie had pulled on her training bra, panties, undershirt and a pullover. She was sitting down to pull on her socks when she grinned.

"OK, but tonight ya gotta bring me some candy. My bedroom's the one by the big clock thing." replied Mopsie, zipping up her jeans and tying her sneakers.

"Yeah sure, Honey. Don't forget your suitcase. See ya tonight." said the voice. Mopsie dragged her suitcase into her bedroom and then sat down to eat her lunch. She reached for the bottle o' bubby and instead Flossie handed her a 'Galaxy Glacier' cola can.

"I see that you found the luggage. After lunch, Freya and I will move the rest of it into the other bedrooms." said Flor and the poor invisible guy began to sweat. Too cold to hide on the terrace. Can't use the bedrooms either. Where? Of course! They had to have flown here, right? That meant that there had to be a transport on the roof. He carefully edged out onto the balcony and climbed the fire escape to the roof.

"Brrr! I'm cold, Flor! Why'd ya open the window, man?" complained Mopsie.

"What? It is cold in here. Oh. You left the sliding portal open, Mill." replied her sister, shutting it tight and sealing it.

"Unh unh. I ain't been outside. Maybe 'Frostie' done it." said Mopsie, helping herself to another slab of Boston Cream Pie.

"Maybe 'Frostie' done what, Mops?" asked Freya, drying her long blonde hair. Her gold-colured pantsuit absolutely sparkled. Liberace, eat yer heart out!

"Left the terrace portal open. It's frigid outside, Frey." answered Flossie, pouring out champagne for her and her mistress. Freya frowned. "What's wrong 'Frostie'?" asked Floss worriedly.

"Nothing- maybe. Suppose that 'stowaway' somehow escaped detection and left one of the ships and now he or she is hiding in this apartment? After all, he's invisible and if he's shielding his mind-" explained Freya.

"We couldn't see him or her. Mopsie, you haven't noticed anything strange in here, have you? The truth, Millicent." demanded her older sister and Mopsie looked like the cat that had eaten the canary bird!

"I promised not to tell and ya told me never to break a promise, didn't ya, 'Frostie'?" said a defiant Mopsie. Freya knelt down beside the kid and took both of her small hands into her own gloved ones.

"Sometimes bad persons trick us into keeping secrets that are bad, Honey. Those kind of promises it's OK not to keep. Understand, Sweetie?" she said softly and Freya pushed the hair out of Mopsie's eyes.

"Santy Claus. Santy Claus is here. He's gonna bring me candy tonight." replied the girl.

"Oh he is, is he? Where's he hiding?" asked Freya.

"She went into the study after her suitcase, Frey. He must be in there. I'll look." said Flossie but Freya motioned for both of them to stay put. She drew out her Mark XIII ion cannon and opened the study portals.

"OK. Game's up, Santa or whoever you are. Come on out and I won't have to kill you. Now!" seethed Freya, leveling her piece and flicking on the illuminators. She used her remote to 'transport' all of the luggage into the sitting room. Now the room contained nothing save an old rolltop desk and chair, a wastebasket and a table.

"Last chance. OK. Here I come." said Freya and she moved forward, carefully 'quartering' the room. She bumped into nothing solid save the furniture. There was nobody in the room except herself! She and Flossie searched the remaining rooms of the suite with drawn cannons and then they both admitted defeat. Nobody was hiding in the suite!

"Wow! Did you guys get 'strip searched' too? (Mopsie, Flossie and Freya admitted that they too had had to undergo the same indignities. Why? Did they think that the 'stowaway' was hiding in their unmentionables?) We got pulled over for speedin'! That's the last time that I let a doggie drive my skysled, man! We had the vidtix sent to Mr Garner." I said. Until recently I had been posin' as Princess Eldoranna of Fryyggia, Freya's younger sister. Hi. It's me again. Suzie Q Stinger, at yer service!

"Vidtix? You got more than one?" asked Flossie.

"Yup. It was a lady patroller officer and Mr Peabody insulted her! Then Alucard tried to 'turn' her like he did to Vickie. Oh yeah. Him and Mr P got arrested and put in jail. I gotta call Mr Garner quick! Ooh! Food! I'm famished! I'll call him after lunch." I said and then we all pigged out when the guys showed up along with YanKumi, Fllay, Nat and Caggie.

"OK. Mr Garner's sent Miss Davis (Essie) down to spring 'em. All of the charges are gonna be dropped and it's only costin' Mr Garner ten thou in UC's. Sounds to me like Mophead found 'Shadow Master' hidin' in the study. Apparently he escaped via the terrace, hence the open portal. What?" I asked when they all looked at me like I had just done somethin' wunnerful like discoverin' another 'Dimension W'!

"You thinking what I'm thinking, Frey?" asked Flossie. Mophead had gone to her bedroom to wait for Santa to bring her candy.

"If you're thinking that he went to the roof to hide in my sky speeder, I am. Let's go. Suzie, stay here with Mops and Fuji. To the roof!" replied Freya.

Minutes later, Floss, Freya, YanKumi, Walter, Caggie, Nat and Fllaysie had bundled up against the biting cold and heavy winds and were on the roof. A clear set of footprints in the crusty snow covering the roof led straight to Freya's sky speeder. There were no other tracks besides their own. Freya activated a second and then a third weather barrier around 'Melba' and we returned to the suite.

"He's definitely in my speeder and that's where the bastard's gonna stay. Pass me the vidphone, please. Thanks. Hullo? Patch me through to 3WA HQ. Priority X1- Ice. Yes? Transporter Room, please. This is Princess Freya Frosticle of Fryyggia speaking. Quickly, child! Hullo. Subaltern Freya Frosticle speaking, Warrant Two. Don't ask any questions, just listen. I want you to transport my sky speeder, Registry Number 'FROST 1', from the main Academy administration building's roof to your most secure cell and erect a Level 12 'forced beam barrier' around it. Dammit! Clear it with Garner if you like! Just do it and fast! Why? Because his 'stowaway' is trapped inside it, that's why! Oh and there's a triple weather barrier around it. Transport that as well. Comm relay me back when it's done. I'm in the Penthouse suite. Frosticle out.

"Whew! That's done at last. Damned protocol and red tape! If that idiot thinks that he's getting a free ride to 'Minerva' and thence to 'Victorine', he is very sadly mistaken, that he most certainly is!" chortled a very happy Freya, accepting a glass of champagne from Flossie. She tossed a set of vidkeys and vidcodes to me.

"My big grey trunk. Third drawer down on the left. You'll find a big box marked 'Phitmore Sampler' on it. When Mops drops off to sleep, leave it on her bed. She'll think that 'Santy Claus' kept his promise. I have already wiped the rest of her adventure in the study from her mind. A child's fantasies are sacred and I do not wish to disillusion Mops. Thanks." said the unusual 'Princess of Ice'.

I did as I was told. I was envious of that stunning golden pantsuit of hers. I wondered how much that it had cost! More than my small salary, I'd warrant!

"I got it on sale, Suzie. Cost me a hundred UC's. I warned you about shielding your thoughts, didn't I?" chuckled Freya.

To make a long story short, when we were sure that Mopsie was asleep, I sneaked into her bedroom and left the big box of chocolate candies on her bed. By the way, it was heavenly to sleep in a real bed even if it was just for one night!

Hey! Where'd the suns go? Wait! Where am I? Damn! The speeder's portals have been auto-locked! That means that I must be aboard another vessel! Oh well, I'm either on my way to 'Minerva' or 'Victorine', right? I am still 'cloaked' so the owner of the speeder must have simply 'auto-locked' her craft and put up a weather barrier to protect it from the storm.

Since she and her friends are going to that wedding they've been yakking about for the last week, it's a good bet that I'm in her vessel's docking bays. When she arrives to take possession of her speeder when we reach 'Minerva', I'll hop out and find another vessel heading for 'Victorine'.

"So now Mrs Eastwood-Kelly's (Molly was married to Firefigher Chet Kelly) sky speeder with 'Shadow Master' hiding inside of it is in our holding cells behind a Level 12 'forced beam barrier'?" asked Chief Gooley.

"That would appear to be the case, Andy. He probably thinks that he's aboard the 'Nova Hellsing' again and on his merry way to 'Minerva'." replied Chief Gustav.

"Boy, is he in for a rude awakening, Anton. Anyone want that last doughnut?" said Chief Poporo.

"Help yourself, Don. Essie? Please bring us another tray of pastries. There's a good girl." said 'God' Galadriel. "I really must start watching what I eat, boys. I want to walk like a gentleman beside June when I give her away this weekend, not waddle like a penguin." added her Uncle Vittorio merrily.

"The question is now that we have the blighter, what do we do with him?" observed TS Chief Garner.

"Yes. We can't very well just keep him locked up in Molly's speeder, can we? I mean, she'll need it on 'Minerva' and later on 'Victorine'. 'Seto Kaibo' doesn't seem to be able to hold onto him and 'Kagura' doesn't want the pest." said Anton.

"Ditto for Mars and Ganymede. The 'ISSP' claim that he's our problem now. So does the 'IGSC'. Right, Zach?" said Andy.

"Yup. Why don't we turn him over to 'Starfleet Command'?" yawned Zachary Taylor Zero, the 'IGSC's new Fleet Air Marshall.

"If you chaps don't want the fellow, 'MI5' and 'Interpol' are inclined not to want anything to do with the bugger either." said Commander James Bond VII whose famous ancestour had been the suave secret agent 007 who bore the same name as himself.

"If we want to really get him out of our hair, gentlemen, why not wipe his memory clean and place him in the 'Matrix' where he can play 'Hunt the Shadow Stones' to his heart's content? He can't hurt anyone in there and he'll think that he's on 'Victorine'. He'll feel like he's beaten us all. Your decision though, gentlemen. Should I call Grandfather Casterlein and ask him to make the necessary arrangements on 'Gallifrey' or not?" suggested the new Marshall and Ambassador of the new as yet uncolonized world of 'Victorine', Allison Maria Sharon Victorine Poe-Prydonia.

"By George, I think she's got it!" yipped Flight Admiral James Tiberius Kirk, almost upsetting the heavy table when he leaped to his feet. There were mumbles from everyone at the table and finally Mr Garner rapped his java mug for order.

"Then I take it that we are all in agreement, gentlemen?" he asked and then added "And ladies?" when he remembered that besides Allie, Griselda von Stroheim, twin sister of Lord Rassilon was also in attendance.

"Best call for a vote, chaps- and lasses?" said James Bond.

"All in favour of giving 'Shadow Master' to the 'time lords' to be imprisoned within their 'Matrix' please say 'aye'." said Mr Garner. A chorus of 'ayes' followed.

"All of you opposed to this measure, please say 'nae'." he added.

"Um, I say 'nae'. How do we know how secure this 'Matrix' place might be, sirs and madams?" said Mr Peabody. As the chief logistics and strategies officer, he had a right to vote as well.

"Sir, you may inspect our 'Matrix' for yourself before the prisoner is placed within it. Would that be satisfactory, Colonel?" asked Griselda and he nodded curtly to her and blew several smoke rings from his pipe.

"Capital! That settles it then. We shall all inspect this 'Matrix' place and-" said James Bond.

"Have you forgotten the upcoming nuptials this weekend? Wait a second. Allie? Could we not place him in a 'zero room' aboard your TARDIS which will, of course, be kept in your own suite aboard the 'Nova Hellsing'? Just until after the wedding?" asked Mr Garner.

"Surely you are not suggesting that we take the 'Shadow Master' with us to 'Minerva', sir?" demanded the agitated 'time lady'. Charles Garner frowned.

"Does 'Gallifrey' have any type of prison that could contain this fellow if I authorized transferring him directly to your own home world today?" asked Mr Galadriel. She shook her head ruefully.

"No, sir. There is so little crime on 'Gallifrey' that we have never had the need for any prisons save for the 'Matrix'." explained Allie Poe-Prydonia.

"Why can't I go along with the prisoner to 'Gallifrey', inspect these 'Matrix' facilities and then he can be placed in it and- Bob's your uncle." suggested the white doggie (Mr Peabody).

"Too complicated to be handled so quickly, Mr Peabody, sir. On reflection, Mr Garner's idea has merit. The 'zero room' will hold him quite securely. However, after the wedding, he must be immediately flown to 'Galli' along with Colonel Peabody and whoever else that this council might designate. I recommend a heavy phalanx of guards in addition to the crew. I must also insist that either my sister (Romana Mandlinkova Prydonia Poe-Caldy) or myself pilot one of our TARDISes with the 'zero room' and the prisoner to 'Gallifrey'. I do not wish to alarm the 'High Council' by sending a 3WA starship to our 'Citadel'." suggested Allie. Everyone at our table agreed. I was assigned as 'liaison' for the Federation as I was a 'Gallifreyan' and a 'time lady'. Griselda here, twin sister to the time lords' austere founder, Lord Rassilon.

"Very well. Lady Griselda and I will bring my 'zero room' to the holding cell where we will effect the transfer. Please instruct your transport officer to obey my orders, Mr Garner. I want that person to first transport this speeder thing to my 'zero room' and then to transport my 'zero room' onto my TARDIS. Finally, he or she will transport my 'Kaw-Liga' TARDIS to the sitting room of my suite aboard the 'Nova Hellsing'. Is that clearly understood, sir?" asked Allie. Griz nodded her approval.

"Not bad for a child of your tender years. Sometimes I think of you as much more mature than your 132 years, my dear Allison." I said.

"Thank you, Auntie but I am only 131." replied Allie politely. The guys must be getting used to us 'Gallis' and our long-lived race because there were no looks of shock or incredulity on anyone's face.

"Then let's get cracking! Lance Sapper Williams! Please report to the Territorial Sector Chief's office immediately- if not sooner! That is all and have a nice day. Chief Poporo out." announced 'Mr Popo' over the PA system. Allie glanced at her wristchromo and frowned. Then she turned to her 'Auntie' Griselda.

"I hate to ask you to do this, 'Auntie' dearest, but would you mind briefing 'Tessa' when she arrives? You know what needs to be done, right? Thank you ever so much, my dearest 'Auntie' Griz. I must dash. Bye everyone." said Allie to me and I assured her that I would take care of everything for her.

Goodness me! My 'niece' does seem to have a full platter these days. Having to do double duty as both Commander-in-Chief and Ambassador of a brave new world! The tall and striking Theresa 'Tessa' Williams arrived shortly after Garner and his 'old boys club' and my 'niece' had vacated the premises. She looked around the room, seemed surprised that I was the office's sole occupant and belatedly reported and saluted me. I waved her to a seat beside myself.

I went over every single detail for the young 'Shim' who hailed from the 'Montan Province' in Western 'Shim' several times. The girl took copious notes on her PDO unit and at last, she told me that she understood exactly what we wanted. Then she stood up, snapped to attention, clicked her boot heels together and saluted me. She carefully replaced her garrison cap on her blonde curls and exited Chuck's office. I breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated this minor hurdle that had been crossed by pouring myself some tea.

"There you are, Lance Williams. Your Mark XII, safe and sound. Please sign here. Thank you. Have a nice day." said the gate guard on the Command Level when she returned my weapon to me. Only ranking 3WA and other Federation officers were permitted to be under arms on the Command Level. As I reholstered my Mark, I wondered why? However, I had a job to do and I walked briskly to the lift stations where I rode the 'Express' all the way down to my gloomy sub-level several kilometres below the building and deep within the bowels of 'Shimougou'.

My early years had been spent herding 'kattle beasts' back home on our family 'ranch station' in the 'Montan Province' which was several thousands of kilometres from 'Elenore City'. When I was 12, my 'steed beast' threw me hard and my back was broken in four places. It took me several months to recover from that fall, but as a result of the accident, the medicos told my family and myself that I would never ever be able to ride again! I was devastated until one day when I was 13, a strange looking 'sky sled' thing lost control and crashed through the roof of our barn!

I had only been walking without 'support rods' (crutches) for a few weeks, but I had been taught to always try and help out folks in distress so I dropped my 'rifle rod' (We use them to shoot bolts at fox beasts and other critters that annyoy our 'kattle beasts'.) and ran to the barn to help. An older lady (She was 19) had just leaped from the craft and she was kicking it with her strange shiny boots! I averted my eyes when I saw what she was almost wearing! A gold-coloured halter and a big gold-coloured metallic 'diaper'! In my bare feet, tee shirt and jeans, I was still wearing more than this goofy woman who ignored me completely!

"Yeah, it's me, Shanna. Who? Who d'ya think? Me! Alanna Crowder! I ran outta 'dylithium' over 'Montan' and I crashed through some kid's barn roof. Huh? Yeah, don't worry. I'll borrow a 'steed beast' from this kid and ride to the nearest town for some 'dy crystles'. Probably take awhile so I won't see you back in 'Elenore' before suppertime tonight. OK. I'll buzz ya afore I lift off from here. Bye now. Alanna out." said the strange woman in our barn. I pointed to her garments.

"Ma'am, your clothes musta got burned off in the crash. I kin let ya have some o' mine if ya like." I offered and the lady glanced down at her meagre wardrobe and frowned.

"Yeah, guess I better, kid. I suppose that you guys don't get too many 3WA 'tro-con patrollers' out this way, do ya? Uh, how far's the nearest town, kiddo?" asked the tall blonde. She had removed her funny looking metal hat and her blonde hair reached almost to the ground!

"That'd be 'Derabithy Falls', ma'am. Take ya about six hours there and back on foot. Only half o' that time by 'steed beast'." I answered and she rumpled my own short blonde curls.

"Can I borrow a 'steed beast' from ya, kid or even rent one? I can pay." she asked me.

"I dunno. That'd be up to Poppa. C'mon in and have some breakfast and I'll find ya some decent clothes to wear, ma'am." I said and I led the way to our old farmhouse. I took her to my small bedroom and tossed fresh under-garments, tee shirt, slacks, socks and sneakers on the bed for her. Then I pulled out my 'Montan Maulers' jacket and cap and added 'em to the pile.

"Put that stuff on, ma'am and I'll try and find ya summat to carry back yer 'sugar' in. Be right back." I said and the woman looked puzzled. She had already shucked off all of her own duds- such as they was- and she was as nekkid as a jaybird critter! I came back inside the room and shut the door!

She didn't seem to be embarrassed in the slightest! While she got dressed, I explained that to us 'Dyle Crystles' was a brand o' sugar. She zipped up her slacks and slipped on my new sneakers. Then she plopped my cap on her head and slung my jacket over her shoulder. Then she buckled her fanny pouch around her waist and popped open one of its 'pockets'.

"That's where I carry my 'dylithium crystles', Theresa or may I call you 'Tessa' like your friends do, dear?" asked this 'witch woman'! Otherwise, how'd she know my name and my nickname?

"Relax, kiddo. I'm an 'Entrakka'. We read minds and yours is an open book, Tessa. Now about that 'steed beast'-" said the lady who told me that her name was Alanna Crowder and that she was a captain in summat that she called the 3WA! Then she explained that the 3WA was kinda like a police force. Sorta like old Sheriff Rathaway in town I supposed.

"What's this about a 'steed beast', Missy? Beg pardon, ma'am! Name's Williams, Jacob Williams. This is mah dotter, Theresa Sue, but most folks 'round here calls her Tessa. That yer flyin' jalopy out there in my barn, ma'am? (Al nodded) Looks like one o' them souped-up speeders like the young bucks rides on. Don't run on 'gassygoo', do it? (This time Al shook her head and glanced at her funny wristwatch. It had a lot more stuff on it than there was on Uncle Inigo's fine silver store boughten one). Well, reckon I kin lends ya old 'Gunbelt' out yonder. (Al began to fish in her 'pouches'). Nah. No charge, Missy. Iffens ya needs them 'dylithy' powders, see old Seth at the general store in town. Jest follows this trail all the way to its end and that'll be 'Derabithy Falls'. Ya cain't miss it. Cross that old bridge over 'Devilman's Crick' and ye'll be there. Best ya hurry now. Be dark soon." said my kindly Poppa and I took Al out to the stables where she swiftly and correctly saddled old 'Gunbelt' in a few seconds! Golly! Used to take me fifteen minutes!

Al easily swung up into the saddle and then she lifted me up behind her and off we gallopped!

"I ain't supposed to-" I mumbled, holding onto Al's middle for dear life.

"I know, dear child. However, you never know what you can do or cannot do until you try, Tessa. I know all about the accident and that this was the 'steed beast' that tossed ya off last year. Tessa? Ya ever give any thought to what you wanna do? I mean, what you really wanna do? I know from reading Jacob's mind that he has more than enough hands to help him to run this place. I also know that he wants you to be educated and make something of yourself." said Al and just as we crossed the bridge, I blurted out that I wanted to be a 'Montan Kattle Ranger' but that, because of my injuries, I was not even allowed to enter rangers' school! Then I started to cry!

"How about becoming a 'trouble consultant' in 'Elenore City' like me? Would ya like that? (I nodded eagerly). OK. I'll have a long talk with yer Poppa tonight. Any reason that ya can't leave with me tonight?" asked Al and my head was swimming!

I took Al along to old Mr Seth, our aged town storekeep and he managed to find a small handful of dust which Al told me was the stuff that she needed to refuel her 'sky sled'.

"I only got six ounces until next month, ma'am. Sold the rest to the kids fer their new-fangled jalopies! I'm plumb sorry, Miz Crowder but-" apologized Mr Seth and Al waved off his apologies.

"That's OK, sir. How much?" she asked and Mr Seth did some calculatin' on his funny little machine. "5 Credits. If ye're a little short, I'll trust ye, ma'am." replied Mr Seth. Al slapped down her vidwallet and swooshed Mr Seth's 'stylus' down its side. She dropped his 'stylus' and replaced the vidwallet in her pouch.

"That stuff goes for a hunnert an ounce in 'Elenore' so six ounces is 600 Universal Credits. You helped me out of a real jam, sir so I just added a thousand to your account. No take backs now, sir. I won't have it getting back to 'El City' that Captain Crowder, senior 'tro con' of the 3WA, 'stiffed' an honest tradesman! Come along now, Tessa." said Al.

"Bye, Mr Seth and thanks a lot, sir." I called over my shoulder. Al was dragging me along by the hand and when we got to old 'Gunbelt', she mounted and then lifted me up into the saddle in front of herself!

"Now, take the reins and take us back to your place, Tessa. Remember that a 3WA 'tro con' isn't afraid of anyone or anything. Home, kiddo. You can do it." she said and I had no choice. I rode us back home and I really enjoyed it and I wasn't afeared or anything! We got home in jiggers time too!

After supper, I took the dishes to the kitchen while Al had a heart to heart jawin' with Poppa. I listened hard but they wasn't yakkin' very loud so I heared nuttin' a'tall. Then Poppa called and told me to come on into the settin' room. I wiped off my hands and took off my apern, smoothed back my hair and went into the settin' room where Poppa had the 'wireless' playin' soft-like.

"My child, I want to ask you a question. Miz Williams here has told me that you would be a lot better off learnin' books and stuff in the city with her. You'd be an 'on the job' appyprentice. By day, you'd be learnin' at the school there and at night, Miz Alanna here'd be learnin' ya how to be a real 'space police lady' like herself. Now, afore ye says nah, Jeb and Flinny and the rest o' the boys and me kin run the farm and the ranch station OK without ya. But, ye'll still be welcome back here fer visits and vacations and stuff whenever ye wanna come and- whenever yer boss lady here kin spare ye. The dee-cision is yourn ta make. Take yer time while Lanny and me shares some o' this good ol' 'grapple jack'- fresh from the crick. (We kept our 'jack' coolin' in the brook behind the barn. I'd niver had none o' it though. I ain't old enough yet). Go sits doon over there." said Poppa and I sat down in Mama's ol' rocky chair and thunked and thunked until-

"Well, Tessy? Wot's it gonna be? Miz Lanny's gotta scoot afore moons' rise." said Poppa. Here in 'Montan', we get seven moons this time o' the year.

"Yes! Oh, yes! Thank you, Poppa. I'll comes back home as much as I kin! I'll be packed in a junebug's flash!" I said, kissing Poppa on his prickly beard and runnin' to my room. I packed up my two small suitcases and added Al's discarded 'gold uniform' stuff, her gold boots and gloves and her unmentionables to one o' my two suitcases too. Then I raced back to the settin' room and kissed Poppa long and hard! Al led the way in her borrowed duds. While I stowed away my two suitcases and waved goodbye to Poppa and our hired hands, Al poured the precious 'dy-lith-ee-um' crystles into her 'sky sled's fuel supply.

She snapped the lid shut on her sled and we rocketed off through the hole in Poppa's barn roof. Then she hit a pad marked 'HOVER'. The 'sky sled' just stopped in midair and hung there without movin' a whisker!

"Can't leave that hole in your Poppa's roof, can I?" said Al and she aimed some long pipe at Poppa's barn! Then- whoosh! Some white snowy stuff like soap flakes settled over the hole and began to turn into wood, bricks and shingles! In a few seconds, the hole was gone! Al took us off 'HOVER' and this time, we went really really fast and soon Poppa's farm and my home were lost behind us.

"How long-" I asked and Al smiled.

"We'll be home in time for supper- another hour." she promised and I dropped off to sleep. When I awoke, it was to behold Dorothy Gale's 'Emerald City' on 'Oz'! The next day began my schoolin' and in a short month, I was promoted to a Lance Sapper. I served as a 'guard' on 3WA HQ until three months ago when, on Al's recommendation, I was trained to use the transporter systems. That brings me back to my current assignment. So- enough reminiscing already!

In case, you haven't guessed yet, I am your storyteller girl, Tessa Williams and I'm the 3WA HQ building's transport NCO. I left the lift after its very long descent into my gloomy catacombs. Colonel Crowder (Al) had told me that sometime in MarAppy, I was being given both a new assignment and a promotion! For now though, I had a job to do and I entered my cubicle and fired up the transporter engines. Then I carefully targeted the 'sky speeder' and its weather and security barriers. Next I comm relayed the guards in the brig and ordered them to stand away from the main holding cell.

I calibrated the 'zero room' box aboard Marshall Prydonia-Poe's TARDIS and transported the speeder and its barriers to the 'box'. Then I targeted the wooden cigar store Indian TARDIS and transported it to the docking bays of the 'Nova Hellsing'. Harry Hansell, one of the guards at the brig, had told me earlier today that the 'Nova H' was a star cruiser commanded by a very foxy vampiress and that it'd be lifting off from the spaceport tower around noon. A glance at my console's 'atomic chromo' told me that it was almost noon now! Talk about finishing up in the nick of time, man!

I keyed up my vidmike and comm relayed 'Auntie Griz' that everything was ready to go. She thanked me and then she asked me to have tea with her aboard the same TARDIS thing that I had just transported aboard the 'Nova H' ship! Although the elderly 'time lady' never wore uniforms and despised 3WA rankings, we all knew that she was someone from the very high up eschelons and when she made a suggestion, it was the same as an order! She had inisted on 'casual dress' and that meant no uniform!

Funny but 'tea' was from 4 to 6 in the late afternoon. I knew that much from Ida Brownstein in maintenance. She should know because she was 17, two years my senior and Ida was a Warrant One officer! I ran to my quarters, a dorm-like bedroom that was also home to a dozen other girls assigned to HQ. The place was deserted when I got there (It was lunchtime so no wonder, huh?) and I shucked off my 'working uniform' and chose a spiffy black pantsuit with a white pullover and short black boots. I tossed on a jacket and slipped 'Michelle', my small Mark III miniblaster into my pocket.

I arrived at the 'Nova Hellsing' and the ugly little bulldog, 'Fuji', waved me aboard after checking my name off of his boarding roster. Funny thing though. It was entitled 'Ships' Company and Crew' and I was only a guest for tea!

"OK. You're good, girlie. Third Level. Better take the stairs. We're usin' the lifts for supplies. OK, go to Suite 1162 and walk right in- portal's open. By the fireplace, you'll find a wooden cigar store Indian chief. Walk through his tummy and they'll direct ya to Grandma Grizzy. Hurry up because the old lady don't like ta be kept waitin'. Next?" explained 'Fuji' and I hurried to the gantryway stairs and took 'em three at a time to Level 3. Suite 1162 was at the end of the third corridor that I tried.

I walked in, bold as a brass paperweight, closed my eyes walked into the statue of 'Kaw-Lija'. Next thing that I knew, I heard voices all around me and I was standing in a metal room. A furry white feline jumped into my arms!

"Is your name Tessa, my child?" asked the kitty cat. I nodded dumbly, thinking that I had landed in 'Wonderland'!

"Miss von Stroheim is waiting for you. Through that door and up the stairs. First door on the left. Don't worry. I'm invited too. My name is Luna. Now, my dear, not next Tuesday!" purred the cat and I strode off briskly, opened the door and ran up the steps and tapped on the door.

"Come in, please." said Miss Griz's soft voice from within. I steeled myself and wondered why I had chosen black for a tea?

"Good afternoon, mum. I can only stay a moment. Luna tells me that the ship's about to leave." I explained, flustered like I always was when I was nervous. Then I heard a familiar voice!

"Oh, sit down and have some tea, Lt Williams." invited Colonel Alanna Crowder!

"Not to worry. Lanny has packed up your gear and it's safely in your suite, my dear." said Auntie Griz, handing me a cup of tea. Then it sunk in!

"I'm going with you, mum? And- why did you call me a lieutenant, Al? I'm only a Lance Sapper." I asked, as confused as a 'kattle beast'whose hiney was being burnt by a brandin' iron!

"Because as of now, Tessy, you're a First Lieutenant (jg) and this ship's new transport officer. Sorry Honey, I was sure that you would not be going on to your new permanent assignment before MarAppy. My bad, kiddo. Ida's in your suite right now removing those stripes and placing those silver/grey bars on your new epaulettes on all of your uniforms. Just relax and enjoy the ride. Oh, please strap yourself in. I can hear the thrusters starting to whine and that means lift off." said Al.

I was the luckiest guy in the Universes! June had said yes! I was marrying the boss's niece tomorrow! Mr & Mrs Villa d'Etre- had sort of a ring to it! I picked up the vidmike and comm relayed the 'Minerva City' tower.

"This is the 'Starlight Nova' calling. We are here on official business for the 3WA. This is Captain d'Etre. I have locked us in on your 'inner markers' and I am requesting permission to make planetfall. Over." I said into my vidmike. Well, I would have my 'railroad tracks' next week so it wasn't really fibbing, was it?

"Roger that. Official 3WA business? Oh, you part of the wedding party for 'God's kid and her fee-ann-see? Over." replied the tower control officer. Daniel David Dastun, Jr was here on 'Min' 'learning the ropes' before he reported for his pilot training course next month. His Dad was Air Marshall Dan Dastun, Sr- CO of 'KASP'- the Kaguran Air & Space Patrol.

"In a way. This isn't little Danny Dastun, is it? Sure it is. Don't ya remember me- yer Uncle Villy? I'm June Devlin's 'fee-ann-see, kiddo. Any of the others in our wedding party 'make the scene' yet? Over." I chuckled.

"Negative, sir. Uncle Villy? Oh yeah, you and Dad used to get smashed on 'ouzo' and Uncle Roger had to bail ya outta jail all the time. There. You're locked on, Uncle Villy. My new Auntie June with ya? Yeah? You, uh, she's still a virgin, ain't she? Over." asked Danny apprehensively.

"A little respect fer yer elders, sonny! Of course she's still a virgin! What kinda guy d'ya think I am, kid? I'll see ya when we touch down, Danny. Your Dad here yet? Over." I replied, a mite peeved at the lad.

"He sure is, Uncle V. He's givin' away the bride, ain't he? Over." answered Danny.

"Then he's in fer a big surprise, kid. Her Uncle Vitorrio says he's givin' away his niece. And you know how often Uncle Vito leaves 'Shim', Danny? About as often as Rex Stout's 'Nero Wolfe' left his apartment in New York City! Oh, let 'em fight it out betwixt 'em. Over." I said, regaining my good humour. Then I remembered that John Raven also thought that he was givin' June away! Ih, it'll all work out OK- I hope?

"Yeah, that'll be a real barn burner, man. Uh, Uncle V? I gotta talk to you after you arrive. Can ya meet me at the 'Green Goblin' on 'Pandora Street' as soon as ya can? I know it's a pain with the wedding preps and all that, but- I'm scared, sir. Over." said my old friend's son and he sounded spooked.

"Can't ya tell me now? Over." I replied.

"Unh unh. Not over an open signal. I get off duty at 0400. You'll touch down at 0300. I'll be waitin' fer ya. Dastun out." he said and now I was really worried! The kid was as fearless as his old man. It must be something really serious for him to want to see me privately this close to my big event- and June's!

"Roger willco. Will do, son. d'Etre out." I said and hung up my vidmike. I mde sure that 'George' was on and then I went back to my sweetheart in her cabin. Of course we were using separate bedrooms! This is 2260, not the 'flower children free love' sixties!

"Hi Honey. We'll be making planetfall in an hour. Hate to wake ya. You'd better finish up your packing and-" I said, kissing her tenderly on the forehead. She sat bolt upright, all sleep gone from her fabulous eyes. The sheet covering her well- endowed breasts fell away but she ignored it. After all, in just a few more hours, she'd be showin' me a lot more than that!

"What's wrong, Lovey? Pre-wedding jitters?" she asked seriously, no flippancy in her tone at all. I shook my head.

"It's Danny, Danny Dastun. Dan's kid. Remember him? He's tower officer for 'Min City' now. Honey, he wants to meet with me before the wedding. I hate to leave you with all of the wedding preps but- I owe it to his Dad to find out what's upset the kid so much. I won't be long. Don't worry. I'll get us checked in at the 'Minerva Arms Hotel' first. I'm meetin' him at the 'Green Goblin' on 'Pan-" I explained.

"I know where it is, Lovey. You be careful, Vill. That's a damned rough place! The 'Sol B' crew ain't allowed in there no more. Not since Febby wrecked the joint. Well, he's our friend so if he's in trouble, we need to help him. As soon as we're checked in at the hotel, we'll go along to the 'Goblin' and have a talk with the boy. No arguments, d'Etre. I'm going! We ain't married yet and I refuse to 'obey' anyway!

"Oopsy! (She yanked the sheets up to her chin). Now clear outta here so I can get dressed, Darling!" she said, shooing me away. I left for my own cabin to finish packing up my own junk.

An hour later, we touched down and went through customs. A wave of our 3WA vidIDs and our luggage was passed without inspections. That was when a roly-poly little man who reminded me of Humpty Dumpty came waddlin' over to us.

"Ah, the happy couple, isn't it? Excuse me! (He fished out his vidID cards and pressed one into each of our hands). Seymour Strutsalott, Wedding Planner Extraordinaire. At your service, sir and madam. I have a 'sky sled' here. No charge. Fella named (He consulted his PDO vidnotebook unit). Garner- Charles Garner. He's footing the entire bill. Come along, kids." he said and we were whisked off to the rather small 'Minerva Arms Hotel'. Well, it only had 97 levels, didn't it? Rather short for a hotel.

"While the mister checks you in, my dear, allow me to purchase for you a small apertif in the bar. Then we'll get down to the planning. When is the happy day?" asked the jolly little man.

"Today at noon. Problem, Mr Strutsalott?" replied June, sipping her 'Pink Squirrel'. Seymour began coughin' and gaggin' and I had to pat him on the back quite a few times.

"Well now, that is do-able, mum. However-" began the wedding planner extraordinaire and I reminded him that Garner was paying and that we were both 3WA officers. Then June threw us both a curve ball.

"My dear Mama is Luxtwana Dugan Devlin-Scott. (June's Dad had been the late Lt Commander Montgomery Scott, Chief Engineer of Starfleet's 'Enterprise' and her Mom was Deanna Troi's Mom as well, making pirate and Beta Zoid half-sisters!) She will be handling ALL of the wedding arrangements, sir. My fiancee and myself have urgent business elsewhere." said June, winking at the poor guy who was as nervous as a cat at a doggie bachelor party!

"It's not what you think, Mr Strutsalott!" I hastened to add and now I was sweating! I must say that Seymour recovered his composure quite readily.

"Finestkind, sir. No problem at all. I'll meet with Mrs Devlin-Scott as you have requested. See you at the rehearsal at eleven?" said our new friend. I chuckled when he began wiping his brow with a huge monogrammed hanky.

"Tell me, Mr Strutsalott- are you married?" I asked and he shook his poached egg head.

"You will be if my Mother has anything to do with it, sir. Bye. have a nice day." giggled June and I hailed a 'holotaxicab' to take us to the seedier side of town. The 'holo hack' pulled up at the 'Green Goblin' twenty minutes later.

"Y-You d-don't want me to w-wait, do ya, sir?" asked the clearly nervous 'driver 'droid' when I paid him. I shook my head and he was off into the aether before I could have said 'Jacaronda Robertson'! So- the 'GG' was still as wild as ever. And I was takin' June inside o' this dump? Why had Danny picked this cesspool for a meetin'? I suggested that June wait for me outside or back at the hotel. A waste of my breath, of course. She took my arm and we strolled into the lousiest filthiest piece o' crap tavern in the galaxy!

"Uncle Villy! Over here." called a voice from a corner table way back in the shadows. When he saw June, he jumped to his feet and saluted. Then I saw that he was wearin' an Ensign's uniform and my bride-to-be's silver/gold/grey bars were peekin' out from beneath her furry parka. Of course! Neither of us had had a chance to change into 'civvies' yet!

"Sit down, Danny. June, this is Danny Dastun. Danny, June Devlin- for now. OK. What's so all fired mysterious, kiddo?" I asked. Danny ordered 'Rob Roys' all around and waited until they were brought to our table by a 'waitress 'droid' before he began.

"It's the scans, Uncle V. We were scanning 'Victorine', the newly terra-formed world. You know, to make sure that the 'Genesis Effect' had taken hold? (I nodded and drank a little bit of my 'Roy'). That's when I saw the buildings." said Danny.

I choked on my drink and June and Danny had to thump me on the back several times. June didn't get it but I sure as Hell did!

"What buildings? No 'colonization' has been authorized yet. Better gimme all the details, son." I replied.

"Us. We're partners, Vill- or we will be soon. Hurry up, Danny. I don't wanna be late for my own wedding!" snapped June.

"Ever hear of a 'stalag'?" asked Danny. I gave him a blank stare. June lit a cheroot and blew a smoke ring.

"Terra. World War II. 20th Century. Late 1930's to mid 1940's. Prisoner of war camps for Allied prisoners. Mostly in Germany and Austria. Most famous was 'Stalag 13'. Old Terran TV series. Hogan's Heroes. Suzie's favourite. Why?" My wife-to-be seemed to have swallowed the 'Encyclopedia Universitannica'!

"Look at this, guys!" replied Danny and he held out his PDO unit. On its screen, I clearly saw several ramshackle wooden and stone buildings! Then I saw the small figures in grey, black, brown and red! June pointed at an escarpment overlooking the 'camp'.

"What is this, Vill? Danny?" she asked and I swallowed hard!

"This is top secret, guys! I mean it, man! Ya gotta swear that ya won't breathe a word o' this to anybody! Do ya swear?" I said.

"Scout's Oath, Uncle Villy." said Danny.

"Cross my heart and hope to be an old maid, Darling." agreed June, nibblin' on my ear.

"This is the area that we have chosen for our first 'colonization' city. Outside of the Federation and the 3WA, ISSP, KASP, IGSC, Starfleet, MI5 and Interpol, nobody knows about 'Victorine'!" I said in a hushed tone of voice.

"Does this mean that the wedding will be postponed?" whispered Danny.

"Over my rottin' corpse! It took me long enough to land him! I'm not about to throw him back now!" seethed June.

"Like Hell! But- we do hafta tell someone! Damn! I hate to spoil all o' the fun for everyone!" I snarled angrily.

"How about Uncle Johnny? He's just arrived from 'Ganymede'." suggested Danny and June handed me her vidcellphone.

"He means John Raven, the 'ISSP' commander from Jupiter, Honey. Hullo? Get me Marshall John Raven. He's probably at the 'Minerva Arms' or the local 3WA or 'ISSP" HQ. Captain d'Etre speakin'. Clearance Code Priority Red Blue XXX00006. Scramble this line, please. Now, Sapper! Not tomorrow, dammit! Well, if I ain't talkin' to Raven in five seconds, those first looey bars will just be a distant memory, lady! Hullo? John? Vill. Yeah, thanks. Listen to me. We have problems on 'Vic'. Big ones. After the weddin', ya oughta take a recon group over there and check out the 'buildings' on Sector Quad 4. Where we're puttin' up the city, man! Dunno. Looks like an old Terran WW II POW camp 'stalag' from Germany. Huh? Showed up on scans. What? (I covered the receiver and asked Danny who else knew about this mess. He assured me just himself). Nah. Just Dan's kid. OK. We'll meet ya back at the hotel in our suite in ten minutes. d'Etre out." I said and tossed the vidcellphone back to June who pocketed it.

"Thanks, Danny. Good call. I'll call the tower for you when we get back to the hotel. You just joined the 3WA. I'm deputizin' ya. You are now an acting 2nd lieutenant. Ya got a transport here or did ya come by 'holo'?" I asked the kid and he pointed towards the roof.

"Uh, 'Gwen's up on the roof- my new air car." replied Danny.

"I'll pilot it. Gimme the vidkeys and codes. C'mon June. Gotta get you into your gown. This time, you are stayin' put at the hotel. Danny and I are jettin' over to 'Vic' with John to check out this mess." I said and this time I meant it.

We jetted back to the hotel in seven minutes. John was waiting in our suite's sittin' room with two weird-o's. One was a rumpled lookin' 30 something guy with an attitude and the other was a little girl with a bright smile who was takin' my 'wireless' apart! June grinned and ran to hug them both!

"Kyomo! Mira! How nice to see you. I thought that you had another mission and couldn't make my wedding?" said June.

"They're here on my authority, Miss Devlin. Kyomo? Suppose you give 'em the bad news." said John Raven.

"Only one way that a 'stalag' from 1960's Earther TV and its inhabitants could make it to 'Victorine'. Somebody's using an 'illegal numbers coil' from 'Dimension W'. And that 'opening' is still there." explained Kyomo.

"That means that our friends can really go back home! Hooray!" shouted June.

"Afraid not, Junebug. It's definitely a one-way trip. Until we slam the door on it, more and more old TV shows are gonna come through it, man. Hey! Got another smoke, Junebug?" said Mira. June handed her the pack and Kyomo took it away from little 'Robot Girl'.

"Hey! That's mine, dammit!" howled Mira.

"You're too young to smoke and it's a disgusting habit." replied Kyomo.

"Then why do you smoke, man?" demanded a sulking robot girl.

"Because he's a disgusting guy! Shut the Hell up! All of ya! Kyomo. Mira. You're going along to try and plug this leak. Vill. Danny. You're going along to explain things to our new 'colonists'. June, a bride has more to do to get ready for a wedding than does a groom or a best man. Yeah, Gene can't make it so he's asked me to fill in for him. Anyway, you are staying here, June. And that's an order, Captain. Come along, Suba d'Etre. Garner confirmed your promotions last night. We'll use the 'Night Dreams', my star cruiser with three TIE fighters to cover our fannies. We'll all go in 'cloaked'. No point in scaring the Hell outta people who have never even seen a jet plane. Ready? Let's motor, people. Cold out. Get that kid into winter gear, Kyomo. Plenty of warm stuff aboard the 'Dreams'. Don't worry, dear child. I won't let anything happen to your groom." said John, kissing June's hand, causing Mira to giggle and press her face into Kyomo's chest.

Dan's kid, me, John, the two nutcase 'coil collectors' and a few others picked by John Raven took off immediately for 'Vic'. We and our TIE fighter escorts were all 'cloaked'. Imagine my surprise when I got my first glimpse of our newly terra-formed and 'deserted' world! 'Stalag 13' from that ancient Terran TV show was spread out below us! Then I espied the monocled old fool in grey who ran the place and beside him that fat old sergeant of the guard! Chatting with them both was the brown leather-jacketed POW Colonel!

What really caught my eye, however, was the huge swirling 'hole' in the aether itself! It looked a lot like that cyclone in ancient Terran Kansas that had carried Dorothy Gale's house all the way to 'Oz'! Mira was standing on the ship's console and tryin' to see better. John was fuming but said nothing. Kyomo was standing behind me and whistled. Danny was in shock!

Kyomo whistled again. "Fresh! Stop lookin' at my 'yabbas'!" yelled Mira who was a bit of a kook.

"I'm not whistlin' at you, Half Pint! Don't ya feel it, man? The force, the power! It's a 'numbers coil', dammit! And a big one too!" said Kyomo, the awe evident in his voice.

"Can it be reversed, Kyomo? Can we use it to send our people home?" demanded John Raven. Kyomo shook his head.

"Sorry. No way, man. Mira? Do ya think?" asked Kyomo.

"Yeah, I do, man. No doubt about it either. That's what it is, man." agreed Mira.

"Mind lettin' us in on the big secret, guys?" I snapped. I was gettin' a little pissed off at these two carryin' on a secret conversation that they understood but I didn't!

"Simple enough, gentlemen. That is the 'Void'." explained Mira.

"Yeah and at its other end is 'Easter Island' on 21st Century Earth or Terra like you guys call it." said Kyomo. Ask a silly question- ya get a silly answer.

"OK. We cannot reverse it. Can we close it- seal it?" demanded John Raven, clearly out of his depth.

"Not without a 'sealing team' of Ninja Shinobi we can't." replied Kyomo while Mira nodded in agreement. John was already on his vidmike.

"Priority Red Grey Green Blue XXXXXX000000055-Z. This is 'ISSP' Marshall Raven. Patch me through to the 'Minerva Arms Hotel' on 'Minerva' and fast! No, I do not want to make a reservation! I want to speak to the manager, dammit! Hullo! Who's this? Seymour Strutsalott? (I told John who the little guy was). Well, find the manager, please. Hullo! You the manager there? Good. Leave a message at the desk for a Ninja Jonin Shinobi named Kakashi. 'Imperative that you immediately come to 'Victorine' and bring all Ninja Shinobi with you as well as all telepaths, Beta Zoids and- Captain June Devlin. Authority- John Raven, Marshall, 'ISSP'.' Got all o' that? Good. Any o' the d'Etre-Devlin wedding party and guests arrive yet? No! Don't send them along too! Oh and keep all o' this on the QT, Mr Baker. Thanks. Raven out." John turned to his pilot and ordered him to touch down on the camp's parade ground.

"Sir! Der sky haf a big hole in it!" yelled the big roly-poly fat German Sergeant of the guard Hans Schultz. His 'kommandant', Colonel Wilhelm Klink fiddled with his monocle and looked at where Schultzy was pointing with his rifle.

"What's going on, guys?" asked the CO of the POW's, USAC Colonel Robert Hogan. Then his mouth dropped open!

"I know no-thing, Colonel Hogan! I did not do it! It ist not my fault!" yelled the sergeant.

"Looks like something that the Gestapo might've dreamed up, Colonel. Anyone seen Hochstetter around anywhere?" asked RAF POW Corporal Alvin T Newkirk.

"Maybe we should blow it up, Colonel? I've got some nifty 'Terramite' blocks-" whispered USAC Sergeant Andrew Carter.

"LeBeau? Have Kinch call London. See if they have a 'hole' in their skies too." whispered Hogan to the small FAF Corporal Louis Lebeau.

"Oui, mon Colonel." replied the Frenchman, bustling off to the barracks.

"There's a what, Louie? You been nippin' at the cookin' sherry again, man?" asked USAC Sergeant John Kinchloe. However, he did send a signal to London who told the poor guy to take a flyin' leap at the Moon!

"Ya think that's strange, Colonel, take a gander over there." said Newkirk, pointing at a shimmering burst of light in the middle of the parade ground. Klink's monocle popped out of his eye, his swagger stick hit the dirt and the brave old Luftwaffen Colonel ran back to the barracks and hid under his bed!

Of course, it was the bloody 'Night Dreams' star cruiser materializing! What else could it have been? Then Mira, Kyomo, me and Danny Dastun materialized behind John Raven and Schultz ran forward and knelt down at our feet.

"Sergeant Hans Schultz, Your Eminence! At your service. Please take me to my heavenly reward. I haf been a very good boy! Ask der prisoners!" said the fat cringing crybaby! By now, the other guards had shown up and begun firing at us and the ship. We just stood there because we were safely behind our 'forced beam shield barrier'. None of these guys, however, were cognizant of that fact and they assumed that we were gods!

The guards all surrendered just as a big Daimler tourin' car drove into the camp. An immensely fat slob wearin' general's stars got out of it and waddled over to us.

"Schultz! Get up! Ver ist der nincompoop? Vhy are dese prisoners out here unguarded? Pick up your veapons, you Dumbkoffs! Hogan! I might haf known! Vhat ist going on here?" screamed the big tub o' lard and Mira stuck her tongue out at him. Schultz scrambled to his feet and the camp guards un-surrendered!

"Colonel? London thinks that I've got a screw loose upstairs. What the Hell's going on, sir?" whispered Kinchloe.

"That." replied his CO, pointing at the 'Void hole' in the aether.

"Anyone seen a little blonde with a doggie?" replied Kinchloe.

"OK, wise guy. Explain those guys." said Hogan.

"Did they say that they come in peace yet?" whispered the radio operator.

"They seem pretty much scared of us, Uncle Villy." said Danny, fingering his brand new Mark XII disruptor blaster.

"This is Raven. Remove the shield around us. Keep the ones around the ship though. OK. Who wants to go first?" asked John and Danny stepped forward.

"We come in peace, my brothers. I have chocolate bars for you. See?" said Danny who had watched too many MASH episodes on vidTV.

"Choc-O-Late! Yum yum yum! Thank you, Mr Pope, sir." said Schultz, taking six bars from Danny's hand. What a pig!

My turn. "Prepare yerselves fer a shock. You ain't in Hammelberg anymore. You are not even on Earth. This is a new world that has yet to be colonized." I said and the big fat goofball spoke.

"Schultz! Arrest dese- men! You are now prisoners uf der Third Reich! Someone bring me some lunch! Someone find Klink!" he yelled and three young and eager guards stepped forward and grabbed Mira. They made the mistake of tryin' to pick her up and carry her! Robots weigh in the neighbourhood o' three and a half tons! Kyomo sighed and raised his hands.

"What the Hell else can we do? They can't hurt us and we need to explain things to these idiots. You agree, Raven?" said the guy from 21st Century Terran Japan. John sighed and nodded, handing his Mark XIII ion cannon to one o' the guards. I followed suit, then Danny. Then one o' the guards made a second mistake and tried friskin' Mira! She smacked him so hard that he crashed through the building's wall!

The next one that tried it, she threw at the other guards and brought down the lot o' 'em! Then she got mad! The general made a beeline for his car and she flipped it over- upside down!

"OK, Mira. That is e-nough, young lady. Put that motor carriage back on its wheels and right now. That is an order, Missy." said a fuming John Raven.

After she had flipped it upright again, we all walked into the 'kommandant's office.

"My chair, Schultz!" yelled the fat general- Burkhalter.

"Get it yerself, Fatso! My big cuddly bear ain't yer slave, ya know!" said Mira who was huggin' Schultzy. I turned to Danny.

"Go find this Klink guy and bring him in here so we can get this mess sorted out. Kakashi'll be landin' soon with the Ninja." I said and off he went.

"It's an invasion! Men from Mars!" cried Burkhalter, his head in his hands. 'Vhat vill der Feuhrer say?" he moaned.

"Are you sure it's safe now?" whined the brave 'kommandant' who was being dragged into his office by Danny.

"Sit down, Klink! Act like a Luftwaffen officer and a man for vunce! Ve haf been captured by der men from Mars!" said Fatso.

"If you insult my home world just once more, I'll send you to it! I was born and raised on Mars, sir." snapped John.

It took us two hours to tell them our story. Did they believe it? Frankly, I didn't give a damn anymore! Warrant Three Endora Stevenson brought in a 'replicator' from the ship and 'repped up' lunch for everyone. Then there was a whooshing sound outside followed by a bump and Kakashi walked in with June and Guren. June was as mad as a wet hen and wearin' her new white weddin' gown! Guren was amusin' herself by turnin' the walls into red crystle!

"They haf brought in a wizard, Klink! Turn that nincompoop into a frog, please!" said the fat general. Kakashi ignored him and read his 'dirty' book.

"You saw it, I take it?" I asked Kakashi and his uncovered eye blinked.

"You mean that 'rift' out there? Yeah. I thought for certain sure that we'd finished sealing up all of those holes in the space/time Continuum, Vill. Looks like we missed one, huh?" said the Ninja Jonin and Guren smiled.

"You want that we should use a 'sealing jutsu' on it, right?" she said, sealing up a bowl o' flowers in red crystle and then handin' the bowl to Klink's pretty blonde secretary, Helga Schmidt. She smiled and placed the flowers on her desk. A young man walked in, carryin' a jug on his back. Gaara was here?

"OK. Anka? (A tall striking brunette wearin' a red pantsuit stood up). You and your ladies get to work and create a sealing barrier jutsu underneath that vortex. Grab anyone that is telepathic to assist you. Got it?" snapped Kakashi and she saluted.

"Of course. (She spoke into her comm badge). Sakura, Ino, Tessa, Sookie, Blue, Gaara, Hinata, Ten Ten, Deanna, Lady Tsunade, Yamato, Guren. Let's go. You too, bride-to-be. Kyomo, Mira. I'll need your help as well. Come along." said Anka and they all trooped outside. A young ten year old boy hung back until Guren tenderly put her arm around his shoulders and led him outside. Of course! Yukimaru. Where there's one, you'll always find the other one.

Now that they realized that we were harmless, the guards, Klink and Schultz were all eating lunch. General Burkhalter, however, was busy writin' out his last will and testament!

"Vhat ist going on here? Who authorized you to blow a hole in der sky, Klink? Who are dese people? Vhere ist Colonel Hogan? Vhere are der prisoners? Heads vill roll!" yelled a short pompous asshole wearin' the black and twin lightning strikes o' the SS- Gestapo.

"Oh, shut up, Ferret Face! Sit down and have some lunch." ordered Warrant Three Stevens and, believe it or not, he sat down and shut up!

OK Beautiful Lady (The funny lookin' guy meant Sensei Anka!), spread out your kids all around that thing's edges. Tell 'em not to get too close or they'll be sucked into it and wind up lost in the 'Void'! OK, do your thing now. Sealing Jutsu or whatever ya call it, man. And focus it up, not down! Hey, Blondie! (I realized that the dude meant me! Oh yeah, I'm Naruto Uzimaki and I'm still only a Genin Shinobi! All of my friends are either Chunin or Jonin!)

"Get some help. I want that old piece o' ordnance (An old-fashioned 'howitzer' gun!) wheeled around and aimed dead centre at the middle o' the 'Void'! Yo! 'Kung Fu Fighter kid'! (He was pointing at Rock Lee!) Go find someone to load this damned thing! One o' the guards or that fat slob Sarge or General inside! Hurry up! As soon as the gals (They all gave him a dirty look!) have that sealing barrier activated and the kid (Yukimaru) screams the house down, That 'rift' will start collapsing inwards. When it does, that gun has to be fired to complete the seal! Mira! Carry that 'howitzer' over here for them!" ordered Kyomo.

The little blonde girl hoisted the big gun to her shoulders and carried it over so that it was now opposite to the big hole in the sky! Wow! That thing looked really heavy!

"Just two and a half tons, kid. Don't look so shocked. She's a robot and I can read minds." said the strange dude.

"Klink! Send out Hogan and his men! Someone must know how to load this thing and aim it correctly!" yelled the big fat 'know it all' general.

"I know no-thing!" said the fat sergeant.

"Vhy does dot not surprise me?" replied the general who was helping the sergeant to push the big gun into position.

"Carter! Andrew, you're the demo man. Load the gun." ordered Colonel Hogan.

"Huh? I dunno how to load it, sir. Bombs and stuff- that's my specialty, Colonel." replied the scruffy looking prisoner.

"Allow me, Colonel. I used to be in artillery before the- accident." said the English prisoner, Newkirk.

"What accident?" asked the Frenchman, Lebeau.

"I accidentally blew up the officers' club in Portsmouth. Not my fault! The 'trapezis' slipped." replied Newkirk.

"OK. Just load the damned thing, Newkirk and that's an order." said the prisoners' CO.

"You two. (Newkirk pointed at Shino, our insect jutsu expert and at Sai, our 'drawing' jutsu expert). Open the breech. Shultzy, bring one of those shells over here. Andrew, three packets of powder, please. Now slide those powder bundles very gently down the barrel. From the other end, Andrew! Schultzy, carefully shove that shell into the breech and up the barrel. Andrew, very very gently- ram that powder down until it just barely touches-" instructed Newkirk.

"Hold it! Andrew, isn't powder a propellant?" demanded Hogan.

"Yeah, it sorta pushes out the shell, sir. Hey, Englander! Ya got it backwards! Schultzy, pull that shell out- carefully. Now I'll ram the powder down to the breech stop. Lower the shell into the barrel from this end- carefully- until the tail is almost touching the powder bales. OK. All ready, sir." said Sergeant Carter.

"Close the breech door. Easy does it, kids. And- Bob's yer uncle." said Newkirk while Rock Lee and Sai gave Newkirk a dirty look.

"How long until that barrier takes effect, Honey?" asked Kyomo while he was pulling Mira away from the gun. She'd been sitting on the barrel. "It ain't a horsey, Half Pint. Go play with Helga." he added. Helga was Klink's secretary.

"An hour if we're real lucky, Mr Mabuchi. That is, provided that we can concentrate on it. Guren, have Yuki start screaming his fool head off- now!" yelled Anka and slowly a huge shimmering glowing spheroid began to form just slightly larger in circumference (That means the distance around the circle.) than the hole itself. The gun crew was standing by and I was on guard duty because Kakashi Sensei wanted me to stay outta trouble! Like I ever get in trouble, right?

"Anka Sensei! It's starting to collapse!" yelled Ino, the blonde girl Ninja Chunin with the funny hair-do.

"Good. Don't break your concentration, girls and guys!" yelled Anka.

"Why?" asked Hinata Hyuuga whom everyone thinks is my girlfriend and we're goin' steady. We ain't!

"Because there's a damned good chance that we'd all be yanked into that 'Void', that's why!" yelled Gaara, activating more of his 'sand' jutsu.

"It's definitely collapsing- and fast! Hold yer concentations, folks! OK. Colonel Hogan, fire the cannon! Now!" screamed Kyomo Mabuchi and everyone covered their ears, even Half Pint. Newkirk pulled the firing cord and-

WHOOM! The shell fired and disappeared into the maw of the 'Void'! Now the 'hole' was half of its original size and still collapsing!

"Reload!" yelled Kyomo and Carter and Schultzy did their thing again.

"Fire!" yelled Kyomo and Newkirk again did the honours.

WHOOM! The shell fired and vanished into the vortex! Now the opening in the sky was less than a foot across!

Without waiting for Kyomo's orders, Hogan and his men reloaded and fired a third time. "Third time's a charm!" said Hogan and this time, he pulled the firing cord.

WHOOM! The shell slipped into the 'Void' vortex and the 'hole' was gone! The entire sealing team was sweating like pigs when Kakashi Sensei dropped his hands and said "Enough. It's sealed at last. Let's celebrate with-"

"Ramen!" I screamed.

"Cookies!" yipped Hinata.

"Mooncakes!" howled Sakura.

"Endora! Rep up whatever anyone wants! They've earned it, man!" shouted Kyomo Mabuchi, clapping me and Gaara on the back.

"We do all of the work and he takes all of the credit." said a peeved Ten Ten.

"Very nice! Ve thank you, don't ve, Klink?" rumbled General Burkhalter.

"Ach! Der Gestapo could haf handled it just as vell!" grumbled 'Ferret Face' Hochstetter who was a sore loser.

"Danke Schoen! (Thank you!) Now ve can get back to normal and go back home. Ja? (Yes?)" said the brave 'kommandant' who had spent the last hour under his desk while Helga wiped his forehead with a wet cloth. John and I shook our heads.

"I am very much afraid that Thomas Wolfe was quite correct. You can't go home again. For you and soon- for a lot of other folks, this world of 'Victorine' is going to be your new home- permanently. I am so sorry." said John and when I saw their crestfallen faces, I got a scathingly brilliant idea! June was trying (unsuccessfully) to wipe the grime and dirt from her lovely face.

"How would all o' ya like to attend our wedding- June's and mine? We'll run ya back here afterwards." I suggested and June's face brightened up.

"Great! The more, the merrier, guys!" she said.

"Dot vill be impossible." said the general.

"Quite impossible. I agree. There has never been a successful escape from Stalag 13." added Klink.

"That we told you about, that is, Willy." said Hogan with a wink. Helga giggled and the guards all looked puzzled except for Schultzy who said "For vunce, I know some-thing! Some-thing dot you und General Burkhalter do not know!"

"The war's over for us, guys. No more prisoners. No more guards. No more Germany. No more Earth. We can do as we please now and so can you. Oh and no more SS or Gestapo, Major Ferret Face. No hard feelings I hope?" said Hogan and the former SS major shook his hand.

"I knew dot I vas right und dese here dumbkoffs vere wrong! I alvays knew dot you vere up to something here, Hogan! All vater under der bridges now, ja?" he replied.

"No more Luftwaffen, sir! Vhat are ve supposed to do now?" whined Klink.

"Join one of our armies or air forces, gentlemen. I am sure that we can accommodate you and you will get to keep your rankings. In fact, many of you may even be promoted. For now, all aboard the 'Night Dreams' express flight to 'Minerva' and a very belated nuptials for my favourite niece and nephew!" said John Raven.

"But der camp- vhat happens to it?" asked Schultzy, a tear in his eye.

"Not a damned thing. It stays right here. Your stalag now becomes the very first buildings in 'Victoria City'. BTW, your TV series from ancient Terra is one of the hottest 'retro shows' on vidTV these days. One of our lady officers is a diehard fan of yours, Kommandant Colonel." said John and Klink looked as proud as a peacock.

"Vell, dere ist no accounting for taste, ist dere?" said General Burkhalter. "I never travel without my staff car und neither does der major." he added.

"Tessa, target all of us and our new friends here and all of the vehicles here and beam us aboard, kiddo." I ordered.

"I suggest that you all shut your eyes for a few seconds." said June who would be needin' a new wedding dress before our happy moment. She kissed me and then tried to wipe the grime off my nose. We held hands and then the familiar 'jigsaw puzzle effect' commenced. June's eyes were squeezed tightly shut until-

"You can open them now, Dearest. We're back aboard. Excuse me while I get us airborne." I said and kissed her again.

"This way, Cap. Lemme strap you in for lift off." said WO3 Endora Stevenson and my bride meekly allowed herself to be strapped into a chair beside Tessa.

Soon we heard the roarin' o' the engines and then we were rocketin' back to the big weddin' with Hinata holding my left hand and Sakura squeezin' my right. I like this airline, guys!

END of Chapter 36. Chapter 37 'Seymour's Dilemma' or 'Hogan's Hangout' to follow as soon as we can get it written up! Have a great week, folks and remember that Your Friendship Team is appreciative of your support and loyalty! R/R/S away.- Tessa.