They were approaching the time of awakening.

Both technology and magic had advanced in their partial absence. Arguably neither had advanced as much as they could have hoped, but both had advanced. It seemed that what they began so long ago took a life of its own, once people knew, beyond doubt, that they were not mutually exclusive; that science could be a part of the magic. The team in hibernation kept up to date on all the advances and even made some of them which they then reported to their weekly visitors.

The most critical advance made for them was that the new Atlantians had duplicated, after a fashion, the living exoskeleton that comprised Lafiel's original ship. It was based on different principles, yet had the same effect. It could survive indefinitely in planar space and protect the people inside it. They had tested smaller versions of it and confirmed it. It was basically the magical counterpart for what the Abh designed through pure science.

Since it was magic, and since they had close to a thousand years to work on it, they made it do a bit more. While it wasn't true life. A witch or a wizard who controlled it could reshape it at will. They called their creation living metal. Again, it wasn't truly alive, but they called it that. It grew, it healed, it protected, and it could be reshaped at will. Those were the properties of living metal. The only requirement was once activated it required a small amount of magic to stay alive, or more to activate its other features.

There were to be forty nine warships in seven groups of seven. All them were complete and surrounded by newly grown but inactive living metal. The drive systems were designed for anti-matter, which had not yet been loaded. The weapons system was another unique creation. It could fire any spell the creator could cast, with the energy in the spell greatly amplified by stored magical energy, or in certain cases, amplified directly by energy from the anti-matter drive combined with complex runic arrays to convert the energy into a usable form.

So far, the new Atlantians had only been to enhance cutting and piercing magic effectively. They weren't technically cutting and piercing curses anymore, but they did the same thing. They had been trying to do more for the last hundred years, but so far only those two could be effectively powered by external energy.

None of the ships had been flown yet, nor had antimatter been loaded. Atlantis only had the one antimatter factory, and it was a relatively recent addition in a magically cloaked satellite orbiting the Atlantian sun.

They had enough anti-matter produced to fuel the first fourteen craft. In addition to the anti-matter drive, each craft had a copy of the magical drive developed for the Nautilus, which could be powered by a single person or a group.

The new Atlantians were only waiting for the sleepers to awaken and activate their creation. The first set of the Seven Stars of Atlantis were ready to launch.

The official ceremony to awaken the sleepers was scheduled for a week from now.

A month prior to that, the sleepers talked with an elf named Dobby, who just happened to be the seventh direct descendant of the original. He agreed to open their crystal container early.

Harry's first action upon getting out was to reach in and give first Lafiel and then Hermione a hand out. They quickly helped the others out as well. Then they left behind a bit of magic and a note that would hopefully cover their absence long enough.

They then used their copies of blue water to teleport to their little house by the lake. This ended with them in the lake, thanks to the wards.

After swimming out, spelling themselves clean, and drying off, they quickly took down the wards and went to the kitchen only for Hermione to comment, "I don't think we can trust any food here."

Luna laughed. She called, "Dobby?"

Dobby the high elf seventh descendant of Dobby appeared. He looked to Luna and asked, "Hello Luna. How are you doing?"

Luna replied, "I'm fine. Can you suggest someplace to get something to eat?"

Dobby said, "I was about to eat dinner with my family. You are welcome to come if you want."

Luna said, "Please." The others chimed in similar words, even as they transfigured their one piece coverings into regular clothes. They were soon eating dinner with Dobby, his wife Aria, and their three children.

Dobby ended up going out to pick up more food after his wife scolded him for bringing guests without warning her. They had a simple quiet evening after that. Aria promised to come by in the morning and show them where the stores where and help them get settled in.

That evening, they created charmed clothing that gave them darker or lighter skin coloring and different colored hair.

A week later they crowded around with everyone else as the officials of the ceremony opened the casket only to see a single note in the middle of it.

"Woke up early. Decided to get dinner. Be back soon. Team Blue."

"What?" "This is outrageous!" "The ceremony is ruined."

There was considerable laughter and amusement and then Team Blue dropped their disguises.

Harry stepped forward and said, "Hello. Sorry about this."

Laughter ensued.

The celebration continued.

The next day Team Blue activated the first ship, and then one a day over the next week.

A day after that they they were ready to launch. Each member of Team Blue was in one of the prototype warships when they heard Lafiel over the intercom.

"Is everyone ready?"

Six immediate voices of agreement were returned.

"Very well. Will you do the honors Luna?"

Luna exclaimed, "Seven Stars Suzaku assemble!"

Each craft launched, then several hundred feet in the air slipped together and over the next several minutes reformed until they were shaped as a brilliant red replica of Suzaku, the mythical firebird of Chinese legends.

Hermione said, "I can't believe we did that. The pinnacle of magic and technology and now we look like an overgrown Fawkes almost."

Fawked flamed in next to her and batted his right wing against her head before flaming out.

Hermione huffed.

Lafiel said, "Okay, let's fly around a bit, then land and let the flight test team verify that all is well."

Hermione huffed again and muttered, "We'll at least we avoided the gigantic snorkack in space."

Luna chimed in, "Nope" popping her p.

Lafiel and the others laughed.

The seven sat at different bridge positions in the bridge that formed when the seven ships combined, with Lafiel piloting from the captain's chair.

Lafiel said, "All stations status."

Fleur said, "The living metal is fine."

Luna said, "The combined medical bay is ready to go."

Nadia said, "All seven magical reactors are at capacity. The passive magical feeds from our bridge positions are working normally."

Daphne said, "Astern weapons systems are nominal. Until we load antimatter, I'm limited to augmented magic."

Harry said, "Forward guns are the same."

Hermione said, "Communications are still clear. There remains no evidence that anyone has found this system. We should be good to go for the antimatter."

Lafiel asked, "Shall we try out Battle Launch mode?"

Hermione said, "It's terribly wasteful."

Luna said, "Yes please." This was echoed by everyone else.

Hermione said, "We'll, I suppose we need to test it."

Fleur said, "Shifting living metal and ship configuration to battle launch mode."

Outside the form of Suzaku become more streamlined. The wings got shorter and more compact. The engines at the rear were suddenly surrounded by several more engines.

A few minutes later Fleur said, "Battle launch mode is ready."

Lafiel asked, "Computer. Final launch readiness check."

"All systems ready."

Lafiel said, "Launching in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Launch."

All seven of them were plastered into their seats as super-heated steam shot them into the sky.

Minutes later they were outside of the shield and into the blackness of space.

Lafiel said, "Changing course for the antimatter factory. Our ETA is 2 hours. Report any anomalies."

Hermione said, "Now that we are out of the shield, I am monitoring some generic radio waves from the nearby Hyde system, but nothing of concern. That system still surprises me."

Lafiel said, "I'm not privy to the Empress's or the other nobles planning, but I am aware that it was, unfortunately, a strategic objective they it was determined we needed. We did manage to take it over without a fight. I know that I was scheduled to pick up a new noble called Jinto Lynn from that system on my Mother's ship, well about now actually."

Harry said, "We're still planning on going to meet your Mother right?"

Lafiel said, "That is the plan."

Loading the antimatter went like clockwork. The entire process was automated. By the time they were back to Atlantis the cloak was already removed and they once again had a true sky.

Lafiel said, "Executing stationary orbit around Atlantis. Luna, Fleur could you see about replacing the propellant we used?"

"Sure"

Fleur said, "It shouldn't take long to portal in more." Thirty minutes later that was complete.

Lafiel said, "Okay I'm going to do a burn for two hours then let us coast. We should be at the Sord about seven hours after that. I'd like to have the magical systems fully recharged before that point. Daphne, Luna, Fleur please take over till we reach the Sord."

Ten minutes before they reached the Sord Hermione said, "I'm getting a weak emergency call on an Abh frequency from a ship called the Gosroth. Wasn't that your Mom's ship?"

Lafiel gestured for Daphne to relinquish the captain's chair. Once Daphne moved, she sat down quickly and said, "I'm going to battle acceleration. Buckle up."

To Hermione she asked, "Can you decode it?"

"No. I'm sorry. The signal is too degraded."

"Keep trying. Ready space time bubble generators."

Fleur said, "Bubble generators are idling normally. They are available on your command."

Luna said, "We should drop the bubble after we successfully enter so we can go faster."

Hermione asked, "Are you sure? I know we tested the exoskeleton, but at these speeds?"

Luna said, "It is necessary. We will hold it together. Fleur and Hermione can link with me and the ship. The ship will not fail. We will guarantee it."

Lafiel said, "Do it. Keep it together and keep me posted. Engage bubble generator once we are thirty seconds out. Disengage once we are past the initial turbulence."

She continued after a pause, "Daphne, give Nadia the rear weapons. Daphne, I want you linked with me. Your the safest we have with battle level immersion, and given the speeds involved I may need your help. I'm going to put my primary focus on positioning the ship for engaging targets. I want you to focus on making sure I don't miss any dangers to the ship."

"You can count on me."

Fifteen minutes later they were deep into Planar space and running at flank speed to catch up with the Gosroth and the dozens of ships pursuing her.

Lafiel bit her finger absently as she focused on the situation.

Hermione said, "We are nearing normal communications range with the Gosroth. They have taken substantial damage."

Lafiel said, "Ship. Record a message for the Gosroth. We are here to help. Get your ship to safety. Send with my personal code."

"Confirmed."

Lafiel said, "How long?" even as she tapped her fingers.

Daphne said, "Minutes only, but we are moving too fast. We will have to try to arrest our own momentum or we will shoot past them and be out of position."

Nadia said, "I'll do it. I'm the only one used to high level usage of a blue water. This will probably drain me and the reserve in my engine. You will have to do the rest. Luna can take over my position."

Lafiel said, "Thanks. Wait till we hit the engines in reverse, and signal if you need help."

"I will."

The minutes passed slowly until Lafiel said, "Breaking in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, now. Engines full reverse." The engines howled in pain as the nozzles on the opposite side flared up well beyond their intended capacity and began to slow the craft. It was nearly useless.

Nadia's blue water flared and the ship came to a near screeching halt in space as Lafiel and Daphne quickly aligned the Seven Stars of Atlantis to the nearest enemy ship.

Harry said, "Firing" as a stream of both magically and electrically generated cutting power lanced out from their ship in a solid beam and began to slice through the enemy ships even as Lafiel and Daphne rotated the ship for maximum damage.

Fleur said, "Five destroyed. Twenty two remain. One is very close to the Gosroth and is launching mines."

"No!" screamed Lafiel even as Harry shouted, "Protego!" and a solid shield appeared in front of the Gosroth.

Daphne and Lafiel quickly flipped the ship, even as Harry held with all his might the biggest protego shield in existence with the full backing of the magical engine linked to him. He flinched every time a mine hit the shield, but the shield held.

Luna said, "Die!" as a bolt of combined energy shot through the attacking ship and two more.

Fleur said, "Eighteen targets remain."

The ship quickly aligned on target after target. Harry kept the shield up while Luna destroyed ship after ship.

Fleur said, "Six remain. They are retreating."

Lafiel asked, "Have they signaled their surrender?"

Hermione said, "No, they haven't, but…"

"I'm sorry. They are a clear and present extreme threat to Atlantis now that we have lowered the shield. If they return with information from this battle, it may cause us to lose the next. I'm continuing the attack. Inform me if they surrender."

Lafiel gunned it, even as Harry's shield failed. She sensed that his magical reserve was tapped out, and so was Harry. "Fleur, swap with Harry."

Fleur gently moved Harry aside and seconds later she shot down three more of the ships.

Hermione said, "They surrendered."

Lafiel said, "Stop firing. Order them to use their escape pods."

"They say they don't have any."

Lafiel cursed in Baronh. "Order them to stand down. Any attempts to communicate long range will result in their destruction. Finally, ask if there are any immediate medical needs."

While Hermione was doing that, Lafiel said, "Fleur, I want you to keep a firing lock on them. Under no circumstances are you to fire unless they do an overtly hostile action. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

Lafiel said, "Ship connect me to the Gosroth."

Lafiel was never so relieved to see Captain Plakia Lexshue; to see her mother.

In Baronh she asked, "Mother, how may we be of assistance?"

Plakia said, "It is so good to see you too cadet. We have things under control for now. We have lost fourteen crewmen, but thanks to you and your ship, the other forty will be fine, though some will take some time. As it is, our engines are in critical shape and our structural integrity is bad. I doubt we would survive exiting a Sord. Our bubble generator is also failing. Can you take on our crew?"

Lafiel said, "Antimatter is a precious commodity to us, but I assume you can get more easily enough. Dump it, and we will do the rest."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Captain Lexshue. The Seven Stars of Atlantis can easily keep your ship from further harm."

"Very well cadet, but we have a long conversation ahead of us. I feared the Empress had sent you to your death."

"I look forward to it. We will see you soon."

Lafiel closed the connection.

She asked, "How are Nadia and Harry doing?"

Luna said, "They are fine, just exhausted."

"Good."

The Gosroth dumped its anti matter supply and a minute later the ship detonated it.

Lafiel said, "Now that that is done, we are going to surround Gosroth and bring it inside our ship for safety. Luna, the living metal seems to like you best. Everyone but Harry, Fleur, and Nadia will link with Luna and help her pull this off. Fleur keep watching those ships. Act if you need to."

"I will."

They quickly formed behind Luna each touching the other as their ship morphed around the failing warship and quickly reformed into an even larger Suzaku form.

The link dissolved.

Lafiel said, "I'm going to talk to my mother. Daphne, your in command in my absence. No one is to go aboard the enemy ships, though if requested we will send supplies over in a maintenance bot. We will maintain the status quo until captain Lexshue directs us further."

They all said, "Understood."

"Hermione, will you come with me?" Lafiel asked.

"Of course."

They exited the bridge and went down a long corridor and then into a newly formed door that led into another corridor and then to the port side Gosroth airlock.

Lafiel pulled her old tablet out and said, "Please send a message to Captain Lexshue that Cadet Abriel is at the port side airlock."

Minutes later the door opened and she was escorted to the bridge.

"Hello mother."

"My, you have grown, and so less formal than you were. How old are you now? And who is this?"

"That is a very complicated question," replied Lafiel with an amused smile.

"Hi, I'm Hermione Granger. I'm a friend of your daughter's."

"And perhaps something more, if I don't miss my guess?"

Hermione blushed.

Lafiel said, "My other dear friend Harry Potter was the one that shielded you."

"He did that? Amazing. Is he okay?"

Hermione said, "He may feel like crap for a week or so, but he should be fine."

Lafiel asked, "Do you have any orders for those that surrendered? We are holding a firing lock on them. We have directed them not to communicate long range. My preference would be to remove their memories of this battle and lock them up."

Plakia said, "Those sound like good orders, though I wonder how you would remove memories. Do you have space to lock them up or shall we?"

Lafiel said, "While we could make space, I'd prefer they see as little of our ship design as possible."

Plakia's eyes widened. "Yes, I think we can agree on that."

She turned to her first officer and said, "We still have a shuttle correct?"

"Yes, I'm not sure how to launch it, given where we are, but we have one."

Lafiel said, "Send a message to my ship. They will facilitate it."

Captain Lexshue said, "Good. Gather a crew for the shuttle. Collect the prisoners using the usual protocol. Bring them back here."

"And their ships?" asked her first officer.

"This is really a bit of a mess. Unfortunately, we don't have time. I want intelligence gathered from their ships, but be quick. I'd like to be on our way as soon as possible. We will contact the capital and have them send more ships. Speaking of the capital, can you get us to Lakfakalle Cadet Abriel? It is now quite urgent."

Lafiel pulled out her tablet. "Ship. Do we have enough propellant supplies to reach Lakfakalle?"

"Propellant supplies are marginal due to the acceleration used. Recommend return to Atlantis first. Other destinations are available."

The captain asked, "How far away is this Atlantis?"

Lafiel said, "About a day, assuming reasonable travel. We could push it, but with that and Atlantis, I'd rather not push both. We used up probably most of our propellant getting here in time."

The first officer said, "According to my math, you probably used more propellant than you have ship by several times."

Lafiel and Hermione smiled.

Hermione said, "It is rather a long story. If we are bringing prisoners then they should not find out where they are."

Lafiel said, "We can also journey to a water world and refill. We have a way around the gravity well problem."

That rose several other eyes on the bridge. Normally refilling propellant from a planet was prohibitively expensive due to the energy required to get it to orbit. Ice asteroids were far preferable.

Plakia said, "As much as I want to understand more of what happened to you, our first duty is to report this. If you can get us to Lakfakalle earlier, then that is best. We have about twenty percent of our propellant left, and the ships we are collecting prisoners from must have some. Would that be enough?"

Lafiel said, "Probably. Can you arrange it?"

Plakia said, "See to it. Once the prisoners are stored we will do the intelligence sweep and figure out how to transfer the water. I want to get moving within two hours."

Hermione said, "If you have problems getting the water, we can help."

Plakia said, "It shouldn't be necessary. There should be an automated system to transfer water between ships on their ships. It is a common feature."

Lafiel nodded her agreement. She said, "You should come to our ship. It is currently battle ready, if less than it was. Also, if anyone needs to have their injuries treated, we can likely repair most, if not all the damage."

"How many can you handle?"

Hermione said, "Probably six at a time would be best. It really depends on how extensive their injuries are."

Plakia turned to her first officer and said, "Sven, please coordinate the medical aid."

"I will go and do it now." He then motioned to the woman next to him who took his seat.

Larna was the one the first officer assigned to remain with Cadet Lafiel's ship during the medical treatment. She had a broken leg which she expected to take weeks to heal, even with Abh medicine. She was currently being helped to the alien craft by the first officer.

She blushed furiously before she got the better of herself.

The five other initial patients were all being helped by other crew members behind her.

As soon as they got there they saw Hermione, as well as two other young women, evidently waiting for them. There were only four beds open. One was occupied by a young man; the other a young woman.

The only blonde directed each of the injured to a bed, before Hermione did something with a stick that made two more beds appear along a wall that the remaining two were quickly directed into.

The only blonde came up to Larna and said in perfect Baronh, "What" before Larna unthinkingly interrupted her with a, "What was that?"

Fleur replied in Baronh, "That was magic."

Larna glared at her. Fleur replied. "I'm Fleur Delacour. You will see. Now I'll check you over shortly, but why don't you start by telling me if you are aware of any problems other than your leg?"

Larna said, "Larna Ableck. It is just my leg as far as I can tell. I got knocked around a bit, so maybe look at my head, but I think it is okay."

Fleur pulled out her wand and in a few seconds a diagram of Larna's body appeared just above her, showing a bit of yellow around her head, some red in her chest, and the dark red on around the bottom of her left leg.

Fleur said, "You have internal injuries." She turned to Luna and Hermione and said in Baronh, "I'm going to go into their ship and check for more internal injuries. Can one of you prioritize Larna here?"

Luna said, "I will. Go now."

Fleur turned to the first officer, "I need to be taken to the rest of your injured. I need to check for more internal injuries that may be missed."

The first officer said, "I'll show you to them immediately."

Fleur found and helped heal three others, none as serious as Larna.

Luna sat with Larna. She said, "With your permission, I'm going to take your hand and flow some of my own magic through you to help with healing."

Larna scowled again, though it was less this time. Apparently Fleur's first trick had lessened the disbelief.

Luna held out her hand and Larna's took it. Her scowl soon melted into a smile even as warmth began to flow through her body. She didn't even notice when Luna started using her wand to focus healing to particular areas.

Ten minutes later the warm feeling left and Larna sighed.

Luna let her hand go and grinned before moving over to the next patient.

The first officer was back twenty minutes later. He said, "How are you doing Larna?"

"I think I'm healed."

"You think?" he queried.

"She didn't actual say, but I feel healed."

"So, it wasn't broken? What about the internal bleeding?"

Luna chimed in, "All fixed, and yes, it was broken in three pieces."

He blinked. "So are you ready for more?"

Hermione yawned. Luna soon echoed it.

Hermione said, "If there is nothing else urgent, we could use a break of an hour or so. None of you have magic, so we have to flood you with our own to heal you, and we just used quite a lot in the battle."

"I understand. If everyone here is ready, I will lead them back. They can maybe take over for those still working with injuries."

Hermione said, "Thanks and I meant that. Just give us an hour or two and send the next set. I'd ask for Lafiel's help, but as combat is possible she must remain ready."

"Thank you. Is there anything we can do to help?"

"Probably not. Had we known we would have faced battle, we would have brought a second ship, or at least a larger crew. We caught your signal ten minutes outside of our Sord, and probably would have missed it, were not our systems close to each other and us already heading your general direction. Needless to say, we set a speed record with our trip. That didn't help either, but it was necessary. I only wish we could have saved everyone."

Luna said, "When we get done, I hope you and your crew will be able to visit Atlantis with us. I'm Luna Lovegood." She held out her hand.

The first officer held out his hand a touch awkwardly, but soon shook her hand. He said, "Sven Lyuf."

Luna smiled. It was a smile that was soon reciprocated.

When Lafiel and her mother were part way to the bridge her mother gently enfolded her in her arms, "Oh how I missed you daughter; and you come back, older, wiser, stronger and even save my life and the life of my crew."

"I'm so sorry. I didn't get here in time. Atlantis can't produce a lot of warships though we have six others like this. We don't have the raw materials to do a lot more, but we can help."

"You already have. I can't know how stopping their surprise attack will change things, but it will surely help, and as for coming late. You have surpassed every expectation I could have for you and more. Speak no more of it. When I received the message from your father that you had been lost in a test flight under the Empress's direction I could hardly believe it."

Plakia paused and wiped a tear from her eyes. "Excuse me daughter. One moment."' Her mother took a moment to gather herself then said quietly, "Will you be ready to go in time assuming we can get you the water you need?"

"Yes, though we are not ready to fight another battle like that. We could if we had to, but I hope we do not."

"I as well."

They walked onto the bridge.

Daphne got up then looked between Lafiel and the new person who eyed the seat Daphne was in.

Lafiel said, "Captain Lexshue, the neural link in this ship is changed somewhat from what your are familiar with. I can begin a training cycle, but I mean no disrespect when I recommend myself, or one of my crew remains in that position for our journey. We, unfortunately, do not have a separate position for Captain."

Plakia tilted her head a bit as she considered it. She said, "Now you have my curiosity. How about I spent the next couple hours learning, while you bring me up to speed, then you can fly us home?"

Plakia sat in the seat and attached her interface diadem to the system before placing her arm in the pilot interface. She said, "Computer recognize new pilot. Begin training sequence."

The computer said, "Captain Lexshue, would you like to upload your profile from the Gosroth? It is not a full match with this design, but can be used as a starting point."

"Proceed."

They soon got a call to confirm the transfer, which Plakia did. She said, "There is something odd about this interface. It seems like it is trying to pull something out of me that isn't there, though occasionally there are flashes."

Lafiel said softly, "That is because it is. The S-particle research was not what we thought it was. They are an elementary particle related to a new way of manipulating matter. Certain individuals trained to manipulate this energy directly. Each member of my crew can use this method. The interface does not such link with your mind, but with your well, we call it magic. It is how Harry saved you and how Nadia managed to stop us."

"Daughter," warned Plakia.

Daphne said, "Your daughter is not kidding. I can demonstrate or Lafiel can if you want."

"Show me."

Daphne silently waved her wand and a shield appeared in the air a near solid wall of magic in front of her. Plakia held her fingers close to it, then finally touched it, noting the solid feel.

"Amazing."

Lafiel said, "I hope to keep demonstrations to a minimum for now. Our magical reserves were heavily drained in that battle, and we need to recharge what we can, particularly if we have to race to the capital."

She turned towards the front of the ship and asked, "Computer, estimate our final propellant levels when they finish and estimate how much time would be saved if we dropped the space time bubble for the trip to Lakfakalle. Also determine, if possible, if that would be safe for the crew of the Gosroth."

"The current configuration of the ship is significantly less efficient. Shielding the entire crew, including the crew of the Gosroth would take up half the magical reserves remaining without the space time bubble, but would be seventy percent faster."

Lafiel said, "So basically, if we rely on our hull plus spending our reserves we could get to Lakfakalle considerably faster but we risk not being ready for a fight, should one break out."

Plakia said, "I think we need to risk it, as long as its reasonably safe. How is your antimatter supply? I assume you are using it, given what this ship did."

Lafiel said, "Computer authorize Captain Lexshue with unlimited access."

"Confirmed. Captain Plakia Lexshue has unlimited access."

Plakia asked, "Ship, what is the status of your anti-matter supply?"

"Antimatter production is limited in the Atlantis system, due to the need to not affect history until Cadet Abriel had returned to her own time. The production satellite is running at full capacity now. The second Seven Stars ship should be filled with antimatter by now. The remaining four require it. It is estimated that another month is required until sufficient antimatter is generated for another ship. This ship is at 95% max capacity."

"I'm missing something."

Harry walked into the bridge shortly after that and said in Baronh, "What, Lafiel hasn't mention she was thrown a thousand years into the past yet?"

Lafiel huffed. She said, "I was getting there." Then she focused on Harry, "I'm glad to see your okay."

"Yah, I'd prefer not to try to do that again anytime soon."

"What?" sputtered the Captain. "Your a thousand years old?"

Daphne said absently, "We slept through most of it."

Lafiel said, "Did I mention Harry and Hermione are my mates?"

"Don't change the subject, though congratulations."

Lafiel said. "It was more like suspended animation. We were aware, and could plan, but we didn't notice but a fraction of the time spent."

"So you're really..." She trailed off without finishing.

Daphne said, "We are each about a hundred years old, give or take, though our bodies are obviously younger."

Plakia looked at her daughter closely, gently touching the sides of her face. "It is true."

Then she turned to Harry and looked at him closely. "You both have old eyes."

Daphne said, "They say they will have the propellant loaded in thirty minutes."

Lafiel asked, "Daphne, will you manage the living metal and the loading? Harry, don't help. Go rest. You can't have recovered enough."

"Of course," said Daphne.

"But," said Harry.

Lafiel grinned, "We'll you can stay here and get interrogated by my mother."

"Actually," Plakia said, "I think I'll go help the young man to his room. I have so many questions. Cadet, make sure we are on course as soon as possible."

Lafiel scowled. "Mother."

Plakia grinned, while offering a shoulder to Harry if he needed it. He slipped ahead and she followed.

Daphne burst out laughing on the other side of the bridge.

Lafiel was relieved when just over thirty minutes later the propellant they had was all loaded. It was far below their max capacity, but it would be enough.

Lafiel said, "Attention, crew of the Gosroth and crew of the Seven Stars. In one minute, I'm going to begin the course to Lakfakalle. Prepare for sustained hard acceleration."

In Harry, Hermione, and Lafiel's room Harry was sitting by the wall on the bed and Lafiel's mother was sitting on the other side about a foot away. Harry jumped when he heard Lafiel's call.

Harry said, "There is no time to get to the bridge. Just lay down quick."

Harry took the position near the wall and Plakia took the position nearer the door.

They heard the countdown hit twenty by the time they were ready, and then they were pressed into the bed.

Plakia said, "She is doing this deliberately. She always did tend to throw a fit when she didn't get her way."

"Nope, never saw that happen," joked Harry.

Ten minutes later Plakia asked, "Just how long is she going to accelerate?"

Harry said, "She probably figured it out to have a reasonable safety reserve of propellant after we decelerate. Beyond that, you said you wanted there fast."

"Computer, how long until Lakfakalle?" No answer.

Harry said, "We decided to have the rooms private by default. You have to hit the button on the wall to send."

"The button on the wall by the door when we are stuck in bed?"

Harry said, "I'll do it." He gestured with his hand and the button depressed.

She raised an eyebrow before saying, "Computer, how long until Lakfakalle?"

"4.3 hours with planned route."

"I don't see how you didn't have enough water if you can manage acceleration for that long."

Harry said, "The ship is fairly new. This is its native deep space voyage. Magic allows us a deeply expanded supply of propellant. Compared to that propellant was marginal. Besides, you needed to look at those ships anyway. There was also no reason not to take their propellant. It may save a little time."

"True, and it will make them harder for anyone else to salvage before we can get ships back here. Actually, could you get back here faster?"

Harry said, "I can't speak for Lafiel, but I'd recommend against it. Much of it depends on our magic, and many of us are exhausted."

"Can I talk to my ship from here?"

"I'll hit the button again. Just ask the computer to connect you." Harry used a bit more wandless magic to depress the button.

"Computer connect me to the Gosroth."

"Gosroth Online."

"We have just over four hours until we reach Lakfakalle. Try to let who you can rest. I'm assuming this computer will reach me if you ask. I'm going to sleep for three hours. Wake me if you need me. Also, can you relay the same to Cadet Abriel?"

"Confirmed. Get some rest Captain. I greatly fear you will need it."

Harry released the button.

Plakia said, "I have so many questions for you, my daughter, and Hermione, but I must rest while I can. Do you have anything to help me sleep?"

Harry said, "Take my hand. I will guard your dreams for a time."

She looked at him critically. "I thought you were supposed to be resting."

"I'll be fine. It's a simple thing."

She took his hand right hand in her left. A pale glow formed around her hand then slowly traveled around her body. Before long both were asleep.

Hermione stopped by a bit later after the acceleration finally stopped. She saw Harry's and Plakia's still joined hands and said barely above a whisper, "Why did I have to fall in love with an idiot that can't follow doctor's orders? Ah well, at least Lafiel is reasonable."

She then used her wand to extend the bed and took Plakia's other hand in her own, feeding a trickle of her magic into her and trying to lesson Harry's own contribution.

Plakia woke two hours later when her first officers voice said, "Captain Lexshue, you requested to be awoken at this time."

She instantly noted her hands and gently extricated herself, waking both Harry and Hermione who blearily got up.

She said, "Thank you Sven. Is there anything new to report?"

"Other than our speed record? No, not really. I'm not sure if you've noticed but we are well into the deceleration phase. We should be at Lakfakalle in just over an hour."

"Give my compliments to the crew of the Seven Stars for the swift journey."

"We just did."

"Very well. Notify me when we are within real time communications range of the com relay."

"Confirmed."

She then turned a bit towards Hermione, then a bit back to Harry before laying down again. "Care to explain?" she asked.

Hermione said, "Harry did a trick with his magic that we figured out while we were hibernating. It basically guarantees a good nights sleep. What he should have done is follow his doctors orders and not use magic yet." She huffed.

"And you took over?" she asked.

"I took over about half I think. It would have been worse to wake you up."

"We'll I do appreciate the rest and I did need it, but I do wonder why we are not plastered to the ceiling or something."

Harry grinned and said, "Magic."

Hermione said, "We haven't figured out how to fully negate the force due to acceleration, but it turns out to be easy enough to shift it to one direction."

Harry said, "Lafiel probably flipped the ship mid way. The runes involved would have kept normal gravity in the right direction during the flip."

"He's right. Given our speeds she must have done that to be able to stop in time."

"So where can I get one of these ships?" asked Plakia.

Harry laughed. "The people of Atantis, the first settlers at least swore to serve the Empress. We technically didn't. We did something else."

"What did you do?" asked Plakia.

Hermione said, "The seven of us swore on our magic an oath of family."

Harry said quietly, "Not everyone was certain we could trust Lafiel's Empress as well as we trust Lafiel, so we figured it might be best to hedge our bets."

"And now?"

Harry said, "We are definitely keeping an open mind. Most likely we will be on your side."

"You do realize that if the Empress finds this out that it won't help my daughter."

Hermione huffed. "We love Lafiel. Both of us do, without question. Nor will that change, but I do know that we just risked our lives, our new ship, and endangered Atlantis to save your lives. Heck, our one thousand year hibernation was to be with Lafiel to help you. I think the Empress can cut us a little slack. We are here to help. We are just cautious."

Plakia said, "You are of course correct. Just be cautious, respectful and never lie to the Empress or any high noble, particularly of the Abriel family, but any of them really. Some can be very prickly about their honor. I will stand with you when you meet the Empress."

A few minutes later Sven communicated, "We will be within real time communications range in a minute. In fourteen minutes we should be at Lakfakalle."

"Confirmed. Thanks Sven."

She contacted Lakfakalle and had them contact the prince, Lafiel's father. Plakia informed him of the basic situation and he immediately ordered the ships to recover the enemy ships for their intelligence value. He then informed them he would clear them for Dock 3 and meet them when they arrived.

He asked, "Is she well?"

"Yes, she is. She is very well, and she has worked so hard to return to us. She has done the name Abriel proud."

"And the name Lexshue as well," noted the prince.

She nodded, even as she wiped a tear from her eye.

"We will be there soon."

"We will be ready. I will also have a repair crew ready to begin work on the Gosroth at dock four. Are there any specific concerns I should mention to the repair team?"

"I will forward our data. There is one more thing. I request enough antimatter to fuel four of their ships. Computer how much is that?"

The computer responded, "Three hundred and seventeen pounds."

The prince said, "I can gather it, but the Empress would have to authorize its release. They are not part of the Empire yet."

"I understand. Please gather it. We would be ill friends if their saving us costs them when it need not. We had to jettison our own as well."

"I will make the call now."

They arrived and separated from the Gosroth. The entire crew of both ships was now sitting in a conference room outside of their medical center after a thorough checkup. They were told that their actions were deeply appreciated, and that the Empress would see them, but for now their initial report and logs were sufficient.

Lafiel mused, "Hurry up and wait. I didn't actually miss this."

Plakia said, "It should come as no surprise. Our log was sufficient for the Empress to take action from. I know you have been a great help and will be more of one in the future, but there is much to organize before that."

Hermione said, "If only there was some way to stop this war. It's idiotic. Its just a bunch of corrupt politicians manipulating racism and xenophobia. It's a tale as old as time because the lessons don't seem to stick. I am so glad that nonsense at least is not part of Atlantis."

"Believe it or not," Plakia said, "Your actions, well I have no idea if they will be enough, but they give us a chance. From the point of view of the United Mankind, we just, with one ship, wiped out a ridiculous number of theirs. That might make them cautious."

Daphne said, "It might work for awhile, but it won't work forever. Still, if we can buy time till we can figure out how to help maybe it will be enough. Nothing but a lot of very hard work is going to fix the indoctrination of the average citizen in the United Mankind, and even then, for most, you might have to wait for a new generation."

The prince walked in. "I heard some of this, and I agree, but for now the Empress will see you. I assume Captain Lexshue has briefed you about how to act?"

They nodded.

"Very well. Time is in short supply, so let us make haste."

When they entered the throne room all bowed. The prince bowed a shallow bow, while everyone else bowed deeply.

Empress Ramaj said, "You may all rise." She then focused on Lafiel.

"Cadet Abriel Nei Debrusc Borl Paryun Lafiel."

Whispers were heard for several seconds in the gallery before they went silent.

The Empress continued, "You have brought great honor to your name. When I sent you on this journey I did not know with certainly that you would make it back to us. I knew only that the actions you took after helped the Empire to survive to this day, and so, not being certain how your fate would turn out I did my duty and sent you anyway."

"Now I see you continue your record by saving one of the first patrol ships of the Roth class, and giving us a chance to prevent, or more likely, delay a war. What would you ask of us?"

Lafiel spoke clearly, "Highness. Our new home world is called Atlantis and is in the system next to the Hyde system. I have sworn oaths to protect it. My suggestions are as follows. First, the captured enemy should not be released with memories of our ship's actions. We can erase their memories if you permit it, or we can simply wait till it doesn't matter. Second, we request antimatter for our remaining ships. Third we request an Abh automated ship manufacturing shipyard be built near Atlantis. We will, of course, help build it, but we may need help with some materials. From this shipyard, perhaps with the help of the scientists who sent me on this journey, we would hope to help make the Empire ready for what may come. I know that the pilots selected for the other ships like ours have already sworn oaths to you, but unfortunately the seven ships we have are the minimum I could see defending the planet with."

The Empress said, "For now I require at least one, if not yours then another, and the appropriate crew. In exchange I will agree with all the rest though the factory may be delayed."

She turned to Plakia, "Captain Lexshue. The Gosroth has weeks of repairs required. There is a Roth class ship that just completed assembly. That will be the new Gosroth. Take it and select half a dozen Roil class ships and crew and use it to guard their home world."

She turned back to Lafiel. "The automated factory is difficult. Everything we have we need running at full capacity. Do you really need a full factory?"

Lafiel said, "I need time with the scientists to go over our technology and explain what we can do. After that we could come up with a better plan."

"Could they not join you on your ship for now?"

"They could," Lafiel conceded.

The prince raised his hand slightly indicating his desire to speak. The Empress nodded.

"May I suggest we also send a team to their planet."

"Agreed." Then she turned back to Lafiel. "What else do you need for your craft to be fully ready?"

"We have no mines. I would like a few and time in a test area to see if we can safely deploy them. Our other critical supply requirement is water. We used up a very large amount. We will need to gather some at a water world. Beyond that, simple refills of ordinary supplies will suffice."

"For a period not less than forty years, the prisoners will not be released. They will be treated well, but the crime of trying to start a war that will likely involve many billions of deaths is not one easily forgiven. For the rest, I do not understand how you can efficiently collect water from a water world, but for now, I will accept that it is so. I will trust the prince to insure all this is done."

The prince bowed shallowly indicating his agreement.

"Did you have anything else to ask of me?" asked the Empress.

Lafiel bowed again, as did the others. She said, "I made a promise to a friend that I would honor his sacrifice to help us by giving him an honored place in our cemetery. I have a recording of what he did to earn that place, and some of what we have experienced. It would take at least two hours of your time though, so..."

"Show us."

"Are you sure highness? We would have to do magic here, to show, and to speed things up a little to save some of your time."

"Please show us."

Lafiel said, "We will form a circle. Any inside will feel as if they were there, as if they lived the event. Any outside will simply see the events and hear the audio. You can record it, if you wish, and then slow it down afterwards so as to understand it.

Lafiel quickly formed a circle but left one end open. The prince, the Empress, and Plakia stepped inside.

Lafiel said, "Before we begin, you will experience the memory of the one who's arm you hold."

The prince took Harry's. The Empress took Lafiel's. Plakia took Hermione's.

Then suddenly they were there as they were escaping the crumbling city of Atlantis on Earth, as they were attending classes, flying ships in space, mining asteroids, flying through the Sord exiting the Milky way, and arriving on Atlantis. Surprise at how well it looked. Finding out why. An elf begging to be killed to stop the machine. The runes being carved, the brave Goblin who sacrificed his life to activate them; performing a small miracle in his last breath. Their new beginnings and finally their decision on the long sleep.

When the link faded the magicals each sagged. The Empress and the others helped them lay down even as she called for medics.

Luna spoke. "There is no need highness. We just aren't used to sharing like that with people without developed magic."

"What?" Plakia asked without thinking, then quickly went silent.

The Empress smiled a small smile in amusement. She asked, "That is a good question. I take it my families sensitivity to the S-particle explains our, I'm guessing, latent magical ability? What about Captain Lexshue?"

Luna said, "My guess is she got it from both sides, but, unfortunately magic potential needs magic to grow. That can be found on some planets and of course there are those like us."

"So does that mean that we will be able to do what you do?"

Nadia held up a hand. The empress nodded at her. Nadia said, "I could try to teach you if you like."

"I would very much like that, but it is your full team that made it here, and I will not break that up. I would ask for you to recommend someone from your people to come here, though that can wait. As for your request, a space will be set aside with full honors for Garnok. Without him you might have failed, and that means the help you sent back might not have arrived, which would have meant the Abh might be far worse off now than they are. Garnok would have his place in any event, as I am honor bound to help you, but his actions directly benefited the Humankind Empire Abh and he will be honored for it.

The war was delayed by eight months. Eventually rumors of the massive increase in shipbuilding the empire was doing got out, which resulted in the formal launch of the war. It ended nine years later with the surrender of the United Mankind. Some estimates say that the arrival of Atlantis and her people reduced the length of the war by more than half, though an exact figure may never be known.

The Empress, as well as Lafiel's mother and Father did eventually learn enough to do first years spells, but time, and their failure to learn when they were younger seemed to have limited their ability. They were happy nonetheless.

They took what they had learned to find ways to identify those with potential. Those identified would be offered a chance to live and grow up on Atlantis where their potential could flourish.

Many born on Atlantis immigrated to various worlds among the Humankind Empire Abh, thus slowly seeding magic into the larger universe. They provided the spark that lit magic's flame once more. Of the Earth that was, the Abh studied it for many years. While many proposals were created to reverse the damage, they were all cost prohibitive. It was far cheaper to change a near garden world to a garden world than it was to try to undo the damage to the cradle of civilization.

Still, they didn't give up and found a way that made sense to do. Several automated manufacturing plants were situated on it, that, over time, would build great machines to slowly restore the planet. It would take time, but perhaps in another thousand years it would recover.

After the war the Empress asked Lafiel to take her place. Lafiel asked for ten years to begin to raise a family and was granted it. Nadia returned to Atlantis as the nominal head of state but in truth, little needed to be done. She spent much of her time teaching and eventually did marry. They had one daughter.

Luna charmed the first officer of the Gosroth who stepped down from military service after the war.

Hermione, Lafiel, and Harry tried at various times to do what they could to reduce the racism and xenophobia in the United Mankind. They weren't really united anymore, but other than the war ending and Lafiel taking the throne not much changed, that was until Daphne's suggested an idea.

Daphne's idea was simple. Solving the problem of fascism in the area that contained the United Mankind was nearly impossible. They could, however, starve them of resources. Simply put, Daphne proposed a scheme where any citizen of the United Mankind could apply to immigrate to the Humankind Empire Abh.

Background checks would be done, oftentimes with subtle magical checks, usually with something as simple as charmed parchment that helped identify those that were serious about immigrating, about leaving behind what they had and joining to create something better.

These moves were often welcomed by the former members of the United Mankind with slogans like good riddance. It also had the side effect of depleting the region of a lot of the essential workers that got things done, thus reducing their threat to the Empire.

From time to time the Empire would see a system that fell apart to such an extent that they were actually welcomed with open arms when they came to help. This was rare, but it did happen. When it did the Empire would often ask those that immigrated from that region to help establish order there. When they came they always came to stay, and they always kept their word, treating new citizens of the Empire just as well as current citizens. They never came to fix things and then leave. They were always there for the long haul. They had long term goals and worked over the long term to achieve them.

One change that Hermione insisted on was that without great need the Empire would never again take over a system that treated its citizens well. The exceptions to this, was if they were in Abh controlled space the Abh would insist on a treaty where each sides obligations were laid out. The treaties always included significant tariffs on goods and services entering the system. The Abh logic was that if they were not willing to contribute by being part of the Empire, then they would be taxed for the expense of protecting them.

This did not mean all such systems paid significant taxes. Many were truly self sufficient. If they kept to themselves and did not give the Abh cause of concern they were left alone, save that as part of the treaty citizens could choose to join the Empire on their own. Over time, many of these systems went ahead and joined the Empire so as to get access to the latest technologies and products without paying the additional fees.

Time passed. The trio did their duty; to protect those they had sworn to protect. The Humankind Empire Abh grew substantially in their reign. People lived and had good lives. Their biggest regret was all the military spending they seemed forced to do that came at the cost of other opportunities for their people, but the area of the former United Mankind was still substantial and their weapons were as well.

Winning the peace was going to take a lot more time than winning the war.

The Humankind Empire Abh was originally created to take risks that regular humans did not wish to take. Since its inception it has expanded much, and now has as many full humans as full Abh. It also has Elves, Goblins, Dwarves, and many other species that have appeared from time to time. What unites it, is not race, or ancestry, but simple purpose.

The former United Mankind would re-brand itself in time into the True Mankind. They would again start a war. Billions more would die, again for their foolishness of pledges to regain lost glory and lost supremacy. The truly sad thing was many of those billions were good people that lived in the area the True Mankind controlled. They were either caught up in it all when they would prefer not to be, or people that had been told for so long that they were fighting the cause of the righteous, so that they were now true believers.

Even with all that, the original self created purpose of the Humankind Empire Abh remained. They did not seek to promote one religion, race, person, or crusade. To understand their true purpose it helps to consider the three social roles Abh normally divide themselves in. They are their role as soldiers of the empire, their role as businessmen of the empire, and, most important to them, their role as parents. It is the purpose of their first role to protect the other two.

Lafiel Abriel, Hermione Granger, and Harry Potter ruled for one hundred years, only to step down when a grandson of Luna and Sven showed promise. The grandson was also of the house of Spoor through Beneej Spoor. He truly did look like he was going to lead the Empire well. It only took Harry and Hermione a year to convince Lafiel to let a half Spoor have a chance. On the day he took over, she smiled and embraced him, even as his red eyed grandmother Beneej could not help but smile.

The trio went to sleep just before what would have originally been Lafiel's two hundred and seventieth birthday, their magic still swirling around them. Like with pure blooded Abh they simply did not wake. An age was over, but the job of winning the peace would continue; passed down through the ages to sons and daughters yet unborn.

Author's Note: Thanks for coming along for the ride. I wrote this originally for my own entertainment, but I'm glad I got a chance to share it with others. I considered writing some actual canon plot with changes, but the original did that better than I am likely to, so for now at least, I'll end it here.