After the v-mail from Donna and Ben, Kim and William arranged a conference v-mail with them the next day, accepting their invitation and setting up a preliminary intinerary for their visit to Egypt. Using air miles accrued from his trips to Los Angeles, William arranged for the three of them to travel from New York's John F. Kennedy Airport via Lightspeed Air, an airline which transported passengers exclusively by "Scramjet" - a propulsion technology which allowed supersonic travel to anywhere in the world in a mere fraction of the time taken by conventional flight.

The day before, the three set off by rented car from Eastgate, traveling 700 miles to stay the night at the Ramada Plaza JFK - a hotel near the airport. Because of security procedures, they would have to be at the terminal by 6:30 the next morning to make their 9:15 flight.

3. Scram!

Friday, June 14th
Ramada Plaza JFK Airport Hotel
4:51 AM.
"Ki..."

Kim whispered to her daughter, reaching down and gently brushing one of her bangs from her forehead as she slept on the fold-out couch in the living room of their suite. Except for the hair, it's like looking into a mirror, she thought, remarking on the resemblance she and Kimi shared. She also counted her blessings - not only the immeasurable blessing that was Kimi's birth, but the kindness of her daughter's life to this point. Must be a more open and accepting attitude among youth, thought Kim. She had never heard of anyone teasing or making fun of Kimi's appearance, and she liked to think that a small part of that was due to her warm, open and helping demeanor. Kim knew that another part was Kimi learning karate and the self-confidence building mindset that came with it. She saw much of herself in her daughter as she progressed through her belts, and through her youth - the never-give-up mentality and pushing herself to acheive goal after goal, both in martial arts and in her schoolwork. Kim counted those blessings one more time, and their product - a daughter that anyone could be proud of, and that many were envious of.

Kim lazed her fingers softly across Kimi's forehead, speaking in an almost lyrical tone. "Kiiii...wakey wakey, eggs and breaky...time to get up, hon...we have a little over an hour to get ready, have breakfast and be at the terminal..."

Kimi slowly reached up to brush at her mother's touch. One sapphire dot opened to greet Kim - then the other. "Mmrrrrrrrmmph," she managed through her half-sleep. "G'mrrn'n..."

"Good morning," Kim purred in response with a wide smile. "Sorry about such an early wake-up call, but we have stuff to do so we can make our flight."

"I know," Kimi nodded slowly, turning toward her travel alarm. "Shiz-nek, Mom....5 AM???" she moaned as her head sank back onto the pillow with a muffled thud.

Kim smirked slightly. "Hey - I was up a bit after 4 and got your father up. This is the price you pay for staying up half the night watching TV."

"Mmmrraarrr," Kimi growled a protest, sitting up and sweeping her hand over her forehead to brush her hair back, then tugging downward to straighten out her nightshirt, which read, "I'm Sleeping And You're Not." "I wasn't really watching TV half the night," she said. "I was mostly about looking out the window. I've never been this high in a building before. You can see for miles up here."

Kim looked back over her shoulder as she folded her night clothes into a compartment of her suitcase. "Yeah...but you think this is high, wait until you get in the plane. We'll be flying on the edge of the atmosphere. You'll be able to see the curvature of the earth zipping by." She took a look in the mirror over the bassenette to check her hair, then closed her tote bag. "There's tea in the kitchenette," she said. "Want me to brew you a cup?"

"I think I'm all about a shower first," Kimi mumbled as she sluggishly padded across the living room to the window, to take in the New York skyline silhouetted against the first light of the approaching sunrise. She took the same position as the night before, sitting on the wide sill, bringing one leg up, folding her hands around her knee and resting her chin on it.

"Your father is still in the bathroom, but should be just about done," said Kim. "Maybe you should have a cup of tea."

"No he's not," a voice came from the short hallway, "and yes he is." William crossed the room to Kim, giving her a light kiss on the cheek as he tightened the belt of his full-length terrycloth robe. He then crossed to join Kimi at the window. "Morning Kiddo," he said, placing his hand on her shoulder, kneading it lovingly and kissing her on the top of the head. "How's the view?"

"Hi Dad," Kimi turned to smile up at William, then back to the window. "All about worth staying up for." She pointed at a couple of skyscrapers jutting into the brightening dawn. "There's the Pan Am Building...and that one is the Chrysler Building."

William smiled at Kim. "She knows her landmarks," he said. He then turned back to Kimi, patting her shoulder twice. "Shower's all yours."

"That'll wake me up," said Kimi, rising from the sill and going to her suitcase, picking out some items of clothing. "It's all about keep the tea hot, Mom," she said, making her way to the bathroom. "I'll be about five."

"One sugar and a little milk," Kim replied, checking the setting on the heating element on which sat a carafe of water, then bringing a cup from a mug tree and placing it on the counter. She then reached into a small complimentary basket with assorted teas and coffees and, selecting an envelope of Orange Pekoe, tore it open and set the teabag into the cup, pouring hot water into it.

William joined his wife in the small kitchenette, sliding his hands around her waist as he stood behind her. "One for me, too?" he asked.

"Your wish is my command," Kim cooed, bringing another cup from the tree, then looking through the basket. "You're in luck," she grinned as she brought out another envelope and opened it. "Earl Grey, coming up." She poured the water and then settled back a bit into her husband's arms as the two cups steeped. "Ki isn't exactly the perky riser," she said, giggling softly, "she must take after her father."

"Mornings have never been kind to me," replied William, "so if she's a bit slow, I can relate."

Kim slid her hands over Wiliam's at her waist, caressing gently. "So what's wrong with slow in the morning?" she said, cuddling her head back against William's chest.

"Slow could be good," said William, nuzzling his nose near Kim's ear, "especially with what's coming up later. Kimi's never been in a plane, and neither of you have ever been on a Scramjet flight."

Kim turned in her husband's embrace to face him. "Ahem," she admonished with a knowing smirk, "If you recall...I was in an orbital reentry rocket on 'Monkey Ninjas In Space'..."

"Uh huh...a simulated cabin in a studio with film backdrops and matte paintings," William snickered as Kim feigned a mock struggle of exaspiration against his arms. "This is actual supersonic flight at the fringe of the atmosphere."

Kim thought for a moment - then her expression spread into a devilish grin. "...wanna join the Twenty Mile High Club?" she said softly, teasing the tip of a finger over the partially-exposed chest above William's robe.

They were stopped by an obvious-sounding "ahem" from the living room. They quickly turned to see Kimi tapping her foot, her arms folded across her chest, a brush in one hand, her expression a mix of stern authority and a playful smirk. "Soooooo busted. I leave you two alone for five minutes, and it's all about you're on Spring Break or something."

Kim suddenly adopted an angelic look to her eyes. "But...but..." she stammered, blinking innocently, "we were just talking...honest!"

Kimi broke into a small titter. "Sounds like you've been all about a peek at Frannie's playbook."

Kim eyed her daughter with a suspicious grin as she removed the teabag from Kimi's cup and added a cube of sugar and poured a bit of milk from a Refrigitainer on the counter. "Maybe we should 'be all about a peek' at YOUR playbook, young lady."

"Mooommm," Kimi snickered, "You already know all the guys I hang around with. They're all mostly from the dojo...and you've met the kids I hang around with from school. All about no revelations there."

Kimi's mouth dropped open as her mother giggled, "Yeah...you're so predictable and boring...and we were just talking."

William took note of Kimi's outfit - a shirt with a picture of the lead singer from Nytra, Sarah Nayde - a sultry brunette - and the title from their latest album, "This Is Us" - then on the back, a view of the back of her head - "This Is Us - Leaving." "Sure you want to wear that into Egypt?" he commented. "I mean, you can never be sure how people in other countries react to Western culture..."

Kimi looked down, tugging at her shirt, then back at her father. "This??? Dad....Nytra's guitarist is from the Middle East. It's all about No Big. I'll be welcomed!"

Kim trailed her finger across William's chest as she left the kitchenette. "Keeping up means keeping up on the music front, too," she mused, then looking at his robe, "and keeping up on the clothing front. You're the only one not dressed." She gave him a playful swat as he headed toward the bedroom.

"Love those diamond cargoes, Mom," Kimi said, noticing the near-emerald shade of Kim's pants as she walked into the kitchenette to pick up her tea, taking a small sip.

"I thought they would be rather fitting," Kim replied, slimming her hands over the fabric, "I found them about a week before we left. They're very close to the 'Caesar Green' Cleo cargoes I wore on 'Pain King vs. Cleopatra'."

"I'm all about jealous," said Kimi, slightly dejectedly. "By the time I went through my summer stuff, it was too late to get to the store...and all my cargoes are AAWT."

"AAWT?"

"All about Worn n' Torn," Kimi grumbled.

"Awww, so not the drama Ki," Kim beamed. "I brought a few pair of cargoes. We can share. I like those jeans you have on, though."

"You should," her daughter smirked, "they're yours." Kimi then walked to sit on the arm of the couch. "Seems we're all about share everything," she said, reaching into her backpack and pulling out a series of small discs. "When I mentioned that retro was the new platinum this summer, you showered me in MD's - especially the Rush stuff."

"No big," Kim continued, "thanks to your father's extensive music collection. It was already huge when I met him...and a lot of stuff he downloaded off the net and put on CD's. All I had to do was copy some off to Mini Discs." Kim's expression dropped a little. "...I really like Rush - always have. I have every one of their albums up until their fatal plane crash in 2009. I still kind of miss them a little."

Kimi crossed from the couch and placed an arm around her mother. "Shine up, diamond Mom," she offered. "As long as you have their music, it's all about always with you."

"Keeping up on the vernacular front, Kim?" William chuckled as he came from the bedroom, dressed in jeans and a burgundy polo shirt. He had his suitcase in one hand and a tote bag slung over one shoulder and wheeling Kim's suitcase behind him. He set them near the door, then turned to the girls. "Sooo," he said, clasping his hands together, "Breakfast in the dining room downstairs, or the airport cafeteria?" He immediately realized his error with the look he got - Kim with her arms folded, Kimi with her hands on her hips, both with their head canted a bit, one eye slightly closed. "Allll-right then," he said, trying to save himself, "That's the dining room downstairs. I'll call to have the bags brought down to the holding area."

5:32 AM.
Kimi slowly rubbed her palms together as the waiter approached the table with their order. "All about carbs and protein," she said as he set the plates in front of each of them - eggs, toast and bacon for Kimi; eggs and sausage for William; and eggs and toast with peach preserves for Kim, with orange juice all around. As Kimi dug into her meal, she noticed that her parents were looking at each other even more than usual, especially after Kim had ordered her breakfast. At one point, she had to ask. "Something up between you two that I should be in the loop about?"

Kim broke the gaze first, turning to her daughter. "This breakfast is an exact replica of the first meal your father ever made for me after my Cross," she smiled, tipping her fork toward her plate.

William nodded to Kimi in agreement, then smiled widely at his wife. "I still remember the expression on your face as I was cooking," he said. "It was hard to ask you what you wanted, you were so distracted by the eggs." Kim tittered in slight embarassment at this. William continued, "That couldn't have been as embarassing as having to explain the noises you made when you ate it."

Kim turned back to Kimi. "Over the years, my reaction to Flesher food has...lessened somewhat...but I used to just go nuts over any food."

"Like you do when you have an after-dinner mint?" asked Kimi.

"Exactly," Kim replied.

"Not so much with roasted skunk butt, though," William smirked.

Kim broke into a giggle and swatted at William's arm. "I'm so sorry I ever brought that up that morning. I should have said spinach waffles or at least something edible." She then looked over at Kimi, who was slowly placing her fork onto her plate, pushing her remaining egg away. "What's the matter, hon?" she asked. "Something wrong with your eggs?"

"Spin-ach waf-fles??" Kimi grunted, "It's all about soo-NOT the appetite, Mom!"

Kim tittered, "Oh, the roasted skunk butt didn't get your attention, huh?"

"C'mon," Kimi brushed a hand in her mother's direction, "everybody knows that roasted skunk butt isn't a real food...but spinach? The second Sunday of every month, Frannie's mom invites me to breakfast...and she invites me because she's all about making spinach omelettes. Frannie thinks it's all diamond, but I couldn't even stand to watch her eat it!"

Kim giggled in response, and William dialed a number on his cell. "Let's eat what we're going to eat," he said, "We have about ten minutes before we have to leave...just enough time to check out. I'm calling the lobby to load our luggage on the shuttle to the airport."

"I...think I'm good for now," said Kimi, pushing her plate back and downing the rest of her orange juice. Kim finished her last piece of toast and tapped a napkin along her mouth. The three then picked up and started for the door. They stopped at the cashier as William slid a card through a slot. An electronic voice came from the machine: :::Total of $31.18 paid. Thank you for choosing the Ramada Plaza JFK Restaurant. We hope you enjoyed your meal and please dine here again.::: They made their way to the main lobby of the hotel. William stood at a computer terminal filling a check-out form while Kim and Kimi stopped for a moment in the gift shop.

Kimi was standing in front of a v-postcard terminal, looking over several scenes of the New York skyline to choose as a backdrop. "V-card to Frannie, Mom," she said, "And you're buying." She punctuated this last with a flutter of her eyes, the flecks of silver flashing reflections of the lighting.

"Is that right!?" burst Kim, giggling while fishing a card from her purse and sliding it into a slot on the terminal. "I guess I got talked into that...somehow."

Kimi flashed her mother a wide "I get away with stuff like this because you love me" smile, and turned back to the terminal as a voice came over the speaker:

:::Welcome to the VidFlash V-postcard System. Please choose a background::: Kimi flipped to a view of the city from the top of the spire of the Chrysler Building. :::When the light over the display is on, the camera is on. You will have 30 seconds to leave your message:::

A yellow light over the monitor flicked on, and Kimi's face lit up with it. "Heyyyy, diamond-unit Frannie! It's all about The Apple of Immense Dimension! New York is a BIG diamond. Our hotel room was on the 28th floor. I think I saw your house from here!" she giggled. "Well, we're all about Scram now. V-mail you when we hit The Middle Easy. All about Byyyeee!" She then pressed a button on the terminal keypad.

:::Message saved. Please enter the address of the person you wish to send this V-postcard to::: Kimi worked at the keyboard for a moment, entering Frannie's address.

:::Address valid. This V-postcard will be sent with today's v-mail cycle. Thank you for using the VidFlash V-postcard System:::

"You'll have to tell her to save that," Kim said. "I'd love to have a V-postcard from New York."

"Well, Mom," Kimi smirked, "you....could always send yourself one when we get back." She reached up to tap Kim on the head. "Here's a Clue Bee that will remind you."

The two giggled softly as William appeared at the entrance to the gift shop. "All aboard, ladies...the shuttle is ready to leave."

The three walked out the front doors of the hotel, where a large transport was parked. Kim looked near the bottom of the vehicle, which was perched on a single rail. "Maglev?" she asked.

"Yep," William replied, holding his hand out for Kim's as she ascended the two steps into the cabin. "And its own route straight to the airport - no sitting in traffic."

"...mag-lev?" queried Kimi, following her mother up the steps as William brought up the rear.

"Magnetic Levitation," said William, as he passed the card for their plane tickets through a reader near the aisle. "It's on a light rail powered by magnetic fields. They hold the train suspended just inches above the track. It's smooooth." He puncutated this by hovering his hand in front of him. "And it's underground. A quick four-minute ride to the terminal."

6:21 AM.
JFK International Airport
Terminal 4 - Lightspeed Air
Kimi was still reading from a brochure on the Scramjet as the maglev shuttle slowed to a stop in front of the Lightspeed Air passenger loading area. "It says this thing will do 'Mach 23'...whatever Mach is..."

"Mach is a term for The Speed of Sound," Kim said. "It's around 700 miles an hour."

"Mach 23 is roughly a little over 16,000 miles per hour," added William.

Kimi lifted her head from the brochure, looking at her parents with a wide-eyed, disbelieving stare. "...sss-six-teen-thousand...?" she stammered.

"Yep," William replied.

"A-and this thing is safe??"

"Absolutely. It's got loads of backup systems on board, if anything should go wrong."

"Wh-what could go...wrong...?" Kimi stuttered out.

"Don't know," Wiliam shrugged. "Seven years of constant operation, and nothing has ever gone wrong. They spent years and years perfecting the idea before a single passenger ever set foot on one."

He was interrupted by a voice from the overhead speaker: :::Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Lightspeed Air. Your luggage is now being offloaded from the terminal shuttle. If you would please exit the vehicle through the doors closest to your seat, you can enter the terminal, claim your luggage at the preliminary collection point and proceed to the Security Lanes. Please remember that any luggage not picked up at the preliminary collection point will not be loaded onto the Stratoliner.:::

"That's us, guys," William said, standing up. He held out his hand to help Kim, then Kimi out of their seats, and the three turned for the shuttle exit just behind their seats. As they exited the maglev shuttle, Kim and William broke into a smile and locked arms, bouncing and singing, "Let's all go to the lobby...let's all go to the lobby...to catch ourselves a flight..." Kimi started to lag behind during this, trying to pretend she didn't know the silly couple walking toward the terminal.

Just before they entered the building, they heard an approaching roar from above. William pointed toward the post-dawn sky. "There's a Scramship," he said. "Might even be our flight."

Kim and Kimi looked into the air, and were stunned by the sight of a completely unconventional-looking wedge-shaped craft flying over the airport. The entire plane was a wing - its shape sleek and swept-back, like the head of an arrow, its dark gray skin gleaming in the just-risen sun

Kim drew out, staring in wide-eyed wonder. "Ssshhhhiii--"

"--zzznek..." finished Kimi. "It looks like a spaceship...!"

"It might as well be," William said. "It flies to the space station a couple of times a month."

"Well," Kim cut in with a smirk. "There's an idea for next year's vacation, Mr. Simulated-Cabin-In-A-Studio."

"C'mon, let's get our luggage," William chuckled, "Miss Twenty-Mile-High-Club." He punctuated this with a short swat at Kim's rear which produced a squeal from her as they continued into the terminal to the collection carousel.

Kimi stood the closest to the machine as suitcases passed by, looking for their articles. "Mine," she uttered as they appeared, and she pulled them off the rotating platform, "Mom's....Mom's...Dad's...mine."

After they collected their luggage and carry-ons, William tipped a finger in the direction of a large sign down the concourse- "Security Lanes" - and several aisles through which people were funneling into and lining up for. The three set off in that direction, totes and backpack over their shoulders, carrying suitcases or wheeling them behind. "Just do what the screens tell you, Ki," William explained, "and...the screeners can sometimes be a bit...infuriating...so mind your tongue if they ask to inspect something."

Kimi fell into line behind her parents, placing her suitcase on the floor and sitting on it as they waited for the line to move. Each passenger would have to go through several different and thorough checks and scans of both their luggage and their person. Kim and Kimi were surprised and, a bit worried as a couple of people were pulled from the line for non-compliance or violation, and a couple others were escorted to nearby rooms for a short interrogation or a more extensive search.

Finally they were at the first station - an x-ray scan of their luggage. William hefted their suitcases onto a conveyor belt, and Kimi helped a woman behind her, then turned to watch the screeners as they intently studied their monitors for anything of note. Kimi watched her backpack slowly enter the x-ray machine, its contents moving across the screen. The screener manning the x-ray station - a balding, rather rotund man in his early 40's - raised from his position at the screen, looking Kimi in the eye. "Is this your backpack, Miss?" he inquired, already a tone of suspicion in his voice.

Kimi was taken back by the sudden unexpected attention - then caught her composure. "Yes..." she replied, a hint of defense in her own voice.

The screener retrieved the backpack from the x-ray machine, setting it on the counter in front of Kimi. "Please open your backpack and remove all electronic devices, Miss." His tone now had a tinge of accusation in it.

Kim turned to look at what was going on. William leaned to her. "Now you know why they tell you to be at the terminal so early before a flight." He then looked at Kimi. "Everybody has their electronics checked, Ki." William then raised his head to the screener. "This is her first flight," he said. "I think you surprised her a bit. I should have told her about the electronics check."

The screener looked at William - then back at Kimi, who was unzipping her backpack - and his expression lightened a bit. "He's right, Miss," he said. "Ever since the bomb that went off at O'Hare Airport in Chicago back in 2006, all airports screen any electronic devices that are brought on board an aircraft - especially in carry-on luggage, such as your backpack - and especially since the Scramships began flights." He then motioned to Kimi's backpack. "I'd like you to take any and all electronics you have in your carry-on and place them here on the counter. Then I'll ask you to operate each of them. I think I only saw one item with electronics, though...looks like an MD player." The screener then attempted a slight smile, to ease Kimi a bit.

"I think I understand," Kimi smiled back, pulling her MD player from her backpack and setting it on the counter. "It's all about your job."

"And your safety," the screener replied, then chuckling a little. "Yeah, and my job, too." He then motioned to the MD player. "Would you please open the disk compartment and show it to me?" Kimi complied, flipping the back of the player open, showing the screener. "Okay, now close it and please operate the player for me," he said, picking up the headset. Kimi chose a disk and track, and pressed the "play" button. The screener's face melted into a smile, his eyes closing slightly as music flowed into the headset:

-A modern day warrior, mean mean stride-
-Today's Tom Sawyer, mean mean pride-

"You're a Rush fan?" he said. "I never would have guessed...especially since you have on a Nytra t-shirt."

"It's all about retro this summer in my force," Kimi beamed. "I got the Rush from Mom," she said, pointing to Kim, who also had a proud smile.

The screener turned to Kim. "Got all their albums?" he asked.

"Soo yeah," said Kim.

"Man, that takes me back." The screener then returned his attention to Kimi. "Can't fault Nytra though," he said. "I have a cousin who is head over heels for Sarah Nayde. He brings their disks over all the time."

"Shiznekkin'," Kimi grinned. "So, am I diamond?"

"You're good to go," the screener smiled, removing the headset. "Please advance to the next screening station, and thank you for your patience and understanding."

Kimi replaced the MD player in her backpack and moved to catch up with her parents, who were lining up next to a tall cylinder-shaped enclosure for a full-body scan. She looked over the instruction screen: "Please empty your pockets and place all items into the tray to your left. Please place all removable metal objects including piercings into the tray to your left. Please remove eyeglasses, contact lenses and all jewelry. Once you have followed these directions, please enter the scanner and stand in the white circle. In order to get an accurate scan, you must stand still until the scanner light goes out. Failure to fully comply with these instructions may result in your being asked to pass through the body scan again, or to step from the line."

Kimi removed her rings, earrings, watch and belt, then emptied her pockets - then stepped into the body scan. She stood within a white circle on the floor about two feet across, and waited for a moment. A band of bright green light appeared over her head, then began to descend down the wall. Kimi tried to remain still, but after the light passed down her head, she couldn't help looking down, watching the light band highlighting her contours as it slid down her body. The band of light stopped at the floor of the cylinder, then went out.

As Kimi exited the body scanner, she was immediately stopped by a screener, this time a woman. "I'm sorry, Miss," she said, "but the instructions clearly stated to remove contact lenses before entering the scanner. I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to please go to the end of the line and repeat the scanning process."

Kimi was dumbstruck. "Wh-What contacts?" she stammered. "I'm not wearing contacts!"

The scanner canted her head, closing one eye, staring more intently at Kimi. "Miss, please. No one has eyes that color. Now please step to the end of the line or I'll have to call security."

Kim had heard the last of the conversation and walked back. "What's wrong, Ki?"

The screener instantly turned toward Kim. "Ma'am, please do not hold up the screening process. I've asked this girl to remove her contact lenses."

Kim's expression soured into a stern scoul. "Listen...Ma'am...this girl happens to be my daughter...and those are -NOT- contacts!" Kim then pulled a small photo album from her purse. "Her eyes are that color...they have been from birth."

Kim shoved a baby picture of Kimi at the screener, who gave it a bit of a scoff. "Pictures can and have been edited, Ma'am."

A few of the passengers behind the incident started to show signs of frustration at the delay. The woman behind Kimi who had been helped with her suitcase spoke up. "Madam, I've spoken with this girl, and I think her eyes are really that color. I also think that it's you who are holding up the screening process." This was echoed by several other people.

William had by now walked back. "Is there a problem?"

The screener turned to William, not missing a step. "Sir, please do not hold up the screening process. I've asked--"

"She thinks I'm wearing contacts!" Kimi interrupted. "This must be one of the 'infuriating' ones you warned me about."

"Ki--" William started - then noticed a penlight clipped to the screener's belt. "Ki, close your eyes," he said. Kimi looked at him quizzically for a second, then complied. William turned to the screener. "Ma'am, turn on your penlight and shine it into Kimi's eyes when she opens them." Kim's eyes widened as she realized what her husband was doing, then she smiled warmly at him. The screener plucked the penlight from her belt clip and turned it on, pointing it at Kimi's eyelids. "Watch her pupils," William said to the screener. "Okay Kiddo," he then said to Kimi, "Open 'em wide."

Kimi opened her eyes, blinking for a second at the brightness of the light, and then kept them open. The screener looked into the pools of sapphire blue, watching Kimi's pupils contract amidst the streaks of shimmering silver. "In-credible," she said, clicking the penlight off and returning it to her belt. "They are really that color. Was it from a surgery?"

"Genetics," Kimi beamed, turning to her parents, who were also smiling widely, then back to the screener. "Sorry, but it's all about can I go now?"

The screener looked as if she were ready to dig into a large platter of crow. "Yes, your body scan is negative and complete," she said, then turned to the rest of the passengers. "I'm very sorry for the delay." Kimi then herself turned to the people in line behind her to apologize. Their applause didn't give her that chance. Her only response was to smile, wrinkling her nose and bowing deeply - then picking up her items from the tray and trotting off to join her parents at the next screening station.

8:52 AM.
Kim, William and Kimi finally finished their screening process, and checked their baggage. They walked down the long hallway to the boarding area, carrying their totes, and Kimi slinging her backpack over one shoulder. "Does everybody have to go through that before every Scramship flight?" she asked.

"Every single one," replied William. "It's even tighter security than conventional flights."

"Next time it should be all about conventional," grumped Kimi. "We'd get there faster."

"Heh," William chuckled. "If we were flying conventional, we'd be in the air for over six hours, and still not be in Egypt. We'd have to be stuck in Rome for two hours to catch a connecting flight, then another four hours to Cairo."

"Well, how long will the Scramship flight take?"

"We'll be in the air for a little over two hours. We'll touch down in Cairo in time to catch dinner."

"I can't wait to see Donna and Ben again," Kim said. "I'm glad we don't have to wait all that long."

Kimi put her hands to her head. "This time thing is all about headache," she moaned. "Three hours ago, we had breakfast...and in a couple of hours, we'll have dinner."

William looked at his watch. "It's about 9 in the morning here," he said. "In Cairo, it's nearly 5 in the afternoon."

"Just think of it as a late lunch," Kim teased. "Then you can have a snack before bed...if you're not tired from the flight."

"Tired," Kimi mused as they neared the end of the corridor. "Is that what's called jet--"

The three stopped as they rounded a corner, the corridor opening up into a large boarding area. The wall facing the taxiway was all windows, wrapping overhead to form half of the roof. "--laaag-a-mooch," Kimi finished, her eyes wide and round.

What greeted them was the Scramship, waiting at the end of a retractable egress tunnel, some 80 feet from the building. The overhead pass gave no real idea of the craft's true size. From the front it looked like a spaceship, which was Kimi's first impression from the sighting outside the terminal, but mixed with an enormous manta ray. The gray shape was even sleeker from this angle - and even as close as they were, the immense size made it look even further away. There were two huge intakes for the engines, and they were formed into the shape, rather than jut from it like more conventional craft. There were no sudden curves anywhere - just a huge wing, sitting on the tarmac. A manta ray spaceship, with huge eyes.

A slim brunette woman made her way from behind a large desk to stand in front of the passengers, who were still taking in the sight of the aircraft before them. She was wearing a uniform of the company - a silver short-sleeve shirt, with black pants and vest, each with a pair of thin stripes of silver down the side. On her chest was a pin with the company logo - a letter "L" in silver, shaped like a lightning bolt, surrounded by a deep blue field dotted with tiny stars. "Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen," she said, "My name is Janet Spencer, and I want to thank you for choosing Lightspeed Air. Sitting before you is our newest plane, and the flagship of Lightspeed Air, the X-49 Stratoliner, first brought into service three years ago. It can, from takeoff, reach Mach 1, which is the Speed of Sound...about 740 miles per hour, in less than 30 seconds. Its top speed in orbit is Mach 23, or more than 16,000 miles per hour, and its non-orbit flight ceiling is just over 200,000 feet...more than 38 miles above the earth." This was met with hushed gasps from the crowd of passengers. "With the X-49," Janet continued, "we can fly you anywhere in the world in less than five hours - and even on special flights to the Space Station."

Janet then walked to a card reader near the entrance to the egress tunnel. "If you would please have your ticket cards ready as you approach the reader, your boarding will go much more smoothly. If you can't find your assigned seat in the aircraft, please ask a flight attendant...they are willing and more than happy to help." With this, she reached to press a button on the reader, and the door on the egress tunnel slid up into the ceiling.

Kim turned to Kimi, who was still in awe over the image of the Stratoliner. "Ready, Ki?" she asked. "We're starting to board."

"Oh...sorry," Kimi said, snapping back into focus. "I was...you know...like...it's all about spaceship."

Kim placed an arm around her daughter. "C'mon, Duhs Lightyear," she snickered. "Let's get in the spaceship." The three of them got into the forming line and edged toward the card reader. William brought three cards from his shirt pocket and readied to swipe them through the reader.

They approached the reader, where Janet had remained to greet each of the passengers. She read the reader as William swiped the cards. "Good morning, Mr. Hodge," she smiled, "and welcome to Lightspeed Air. Three in your group today?"

"That's right," William said, sliding the cards back into his pocket, and taking a half-step to the side. "This is my lovely wife, Kim," he said, bringing his arm out for Kim to step into his embrace, "...and our charming daughter, Kimi."

Janet extended her hand warmly to Kim, who took it. "Nice to meet you, Kim...I just love your hair," she beamed, prompting a "Thank you" from Kim - then turned to Kimi. "And how do you do, Kee--" she stopped short as the reflection from the Stratoliner in the morning sun caused Kimi's irises to glitter a dance of silver "--oh, you-have-THE-most amazing eyes I have ever seen!" Kimi's response was to blush slightly. "I'm sorry," continued Janet, "you must get that a lot, but...wow! Your boyfriend must feel very lucky to be with you."

Kimi smiled through her blushing. "He might be," she said softly, "once I meet him....but right now in my life, it's all about polished diamond on the schoolwork."

Janet smiled warmly at Kimi then to Kim, who met her with a wide smile of her own. "Kimi will be starting high school next year," she said.

Janet tried to hold back a small chuckle. "She'll have to beat the boys away with a stick, once they see her eyes."

"She can do that, too," snickered Kim, starting to turn to enter the tunnel. "She knows some karate."

Kimi's mouth dropped open at this. "Some!??"

"Have a good flight, you three," Janet laughed as they made their way into the tunnel entrance. She heard Kimi's voice echo in the egress tunnel: "All not about 'some,' Mom!" and Kim's resulting laughter.

They reached the entrance to the ship, where they were met by a young blonde flight attendant who was handed the ticket cards by William, and she slipped them into a slot next to the door, then read a small screen over the slot. "Good morning Mr. Hodge, Kim and--" she mispronounced "Kimmie."

"Keemie," Kimi immediately corrected.

"I'm sorry...Kimi," the blonde replied. "Your seats are 14A, B and C," she said sweeping her arm into the ship. William stepped aside to let his wife and daughter enter first.

They were greeted by a wide, open seating area - two groups of four seats wide, and twenty-five rows deep - a total of 200 passengers. The center aisle and the ones running down either side of the ship were wide and spacious, allowing people to move throughout the ship with no obstructions. The seats were soft and tall, curving over and around the passenger's head, and contained speakers and plug-ins for headsets. If a passenger wanted to listen to radio or watch an in-flight movie, they could pull a mediaset from the headrest containing a viewing system which made it appear as if the passenger were sitting before a wide, six-foot tall screen. The seats were covered in a plush charcoal fabric with gray accents. They sat on a carpet of deep blue, and the walls of the ship's cabin were of the same color.

Kim and Kimi immediately noticed how bright the passenger compartment was - then they noticed why. The entire upper half of the ship was a clear canopy, running the length and breadth of the ship. It appeared almost as if the ship were exposed to the open air.

"Shiizzz-nektikal," Kimi drew out. "All about wide open space!" She felt the gentle tug from her mother as she led the three down the center aisle to their seats on the left side of the ship; William to the outside, then Kim and Kimi. Kimi looked at the back of the seat ahead of her, which held a small panel screen containing facts about the ship and answered questions about in-flight tasks.

William leaned forward and tapped a panel near the bottom of the seat back in front of him. "Here's where you put your carry-on," he said, tipping out a generous storage space and placing his tote into it. Kim did the same.

Kimi followed suit, then read the screen: "Performing pre-flight scan...all a-bout security."

A rather small man with rich, dark skin and dressed in a business suit took the fourth seat in the group and opened the storage compartment, placing a small sports tote inside. He sat back, turning to look at Kimi and smiling. "You handled the screener at the body scan very tactfully," he said with a bit of an accent. "Both you and your mother. Screeners can be...infuriating at times."

"Thanks," Kimi replied, smiling. "Hey, my dad said the same thing about them. I'm glad he warned me. That lady was all about lead snob."

Kim leaned forward, having heard the short conversation. "Hi," she said, offering her hand, "Thanks for complimenting my daughter. I'm Kim...this is Kimi," she motioned in the other direction, "and my husband, William."

"How do you do," the man said, shaking first Kim's hand and then William's. "I am Ramsi Al-Kalesh. I was a few places behind you in the screening line, and saw the entire incident. As I was saying to your daughter, she responded well." He then took an extra second looking at Kim. "Oh my," he exclaimed in a hushed voice, "I think I recognize you. Your maiden name...was it...Kim Possible?"

"Yeah," Kim said through an exhale, beaming. "You actually remember the show?"

"Yes," said Ramsi, "I used to watch faithfully as a child. I still have some of the episodes saved onto videotape." He then slid his hand inside his suitcoat, pulling out a small electronic notepad and stylus, then smiling at Kim. "Would it be too forward...if I were to ask for your autograph?" he said.

Kim was rather surprised, not having heard that in so many years. "Yes...yes of course," she finally smiled, taking the pad and stylus and writing: "Ramsi - no big! Thanks for being a fan. Love, Kim Possible."

She then handed the notepad back to Ramsi, who studied it for a moment, grinning widely. "This is a very good year indeed," he said. "I get to go on a trip back to my homeland, and I get to meet a celebrity from my youth." He pressed a couple of buttons on the notepad to save the message, and placed it back into his suitcoat.

"Oh, you're from Egypt?" Kim asked.

"Yes," replied Ramsi. I left and came to America as a child. May I ask the nature of your trip to Egypt?"

"Strictly pleasure," beamed Kim. "A couple of my friends moved there after they were married."

"Ah," said Ramsi. "I wish that I could say the same, but my trip is mostly business. I am an editor for a dining magazine. Perhaps you have seen it...'World Restaurant Monthly'? We are doing a special on the restaurants of Cairo, and they chose me to do the story. I am very lucky."

"Wonder if Donna's place is on his itinerary," said William, leaning to Kim.

"Yes, good idea," Kim said, then turned to Ramsi. "My friend Donna runs a restaurant in Cairo...she's gotten a lot of good reviews on it. It's called 'Rotisserie Belvedere.' They serve everything from Egyptian to Greek to American."

Ramsi pulled his notepad out again and pressed a couple of buttons, then checking down a list. "I do not have it listed here," he said, taking the stylus from its holder and scrawling something at the bottom of the list, "but I am adding it now."

"Our friends are meeting us at the airport," Kim added. "We're probably going to eat there tonight when we get off the plane,"

Ramsi looked at Kim for a moment - then reached into his other pocket, producing a cell phone. "My, uh, cousin lives in Cairo," he said, dialing a number. "He will know where the restaurant is." He brought the phone to his ear and immediately started speaking in Arabic at a very fast pace. Kimi could not help but wonder at the strange language she had never heard before. She was able to make out part of the conversation, where Ramsi uttered the phrases "Kim Possible" and "Rotisserie Belvedere" mixed with his native tongue. Ramsi then smiled widely at the three of them, and ended the call, slipping the phone back into his suitcoat. "I am most fortunate indeed to have met you, Kim - and your family." He then reached into his pocket and brought out a small packet of medication. "If you will excuse me...I do not like flying. I must take a sedative that will make me sleep for a couple of hours." Ramsi then instructed a passing flight attendant to have someone wake him when they were on the ground in Cairo.

"It was good to meet you too, Ramsi," said Kim, smiling. "It's a shame you don't enjoy flying...but it is the quickest way to get anywhere. Have a good nap, and maybe we'll see you at Donna's restaurant one night."

Ramsi smiled again at Kim. "With everything you have told me about the restaurant," he said, "I am sure I will see you there." He then opened the packet and tipped it toward his mouth, letting a pill slip out of the packet. He put the empty packet into a pocket, and reclined his seat slightly, fastening his belts and folding his hands across his chest. Within a moment or two, Ramsi fell into a sound sleep.

9:14 AM.
The passengers started into a low buzz of conversation as the engines of the Stratoliner began to whirr and whine to life. A flight attendant stood at the front of the passenger cabin with a microphone in hand, her voice coming through speakers in the seats' headrests. "Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen...if you would please fasten your belts, Flight 1422 to Cairo will be getting under way." She paused a moment as people throughout the cabin found their belts and snicked them into place, then continued. "Please make sure all carry-on items are stowed into the compartments in the back of the seat ahead of you. The captain will inform you when you will be allowed to access carry-on items. We should be in the air for around two hours and eleven minutes, putting us on the ground in Cairo Airport at about 7:26, local time."

The buzz among the passengers increased slightly as they felt the Stratoliner begin to pull from the terminal. Some of them watched the morning sun slide across the cabin as the ship turned onto the taxiway. Kim turned to Kimi, checking to make sure her belts were tight. "Is Ramsi all strapped in?" she asked.

"Yeah," said Kimi. "He strapped in before he blinked out."

"Are you excited?"

"Yeah...all about butterflies. But I think those will go away once we're in the air."

The ship came to the end of the taxiway, making a slow, sharp 90-degree turn, then stopping for a moment - then the whine of the engines began to build, rising in pitch - then again, reaching what seemed to be a crescendo, nearly screaming. Kim patted her daughter on the knee. "Here we go, Ki," she said. At that moment, the ship began to move forward. Before Kimi could even think, the ship was accelerating at an incredible rate, the grounds of the runway and outlying buildings rushing by in an ever-increasing blur.

"Oh...ba-by," was all Kimi could manage as the front of the ship began to lift. She felt a distant thud as the wheels reached the limit of their travel just before leaving the ground. The scream from the engines rose to a new crescendo now as the ship lifted into the air, the sun at their back as they ascended. Kimi strained a bit to turn her head to her mother. "G-all-about-force!" she exclaimed. She found it even harder to return her head to a forward position as the ship continued to accelerate, climbing at a steep angle.

A voice came over the headrest speakers: :::Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is your captain, Lance Perrish speaking, and welcoming you to Flight 1422 to Cairo, Egypt. We have reached our first velocity plateau, Mach 1, or roughly about 750 miles per hour. I wanted to advise you that we will now be switching from conventional jet engines, and initiating the Scramjet ramair engines. You will feel a strong surge of acceleration as the Scramjets kick in:::

"M-m-mmorre..?" Kimi stuttered out.

"More and more," replied William. Kimi heard the scream of the engines begin to fall away, and be replaced with a low, steady roar. Just then, Kimi felt as if she had been shoved in the back. The ship, which had already been gaining speed at a fantastic rate, burst ahead, further pinning Kimi's head back against the fabric of the headrest.

They continued to climb as the captain counted off the velocity over the speakers: :::Now reaching Mach six...Mach seven...nine...this is Mach ten, Ladies and Gentlemen...about 7,500 miles per hour...and we're only halfway to cruising speed!::: A mix of whoops and applause came from the passengers, thrilled by the sensations. :::We'll be accelerating at a less intense rate from here, so I'm going to announce that it is safe to remove items from the forward stowage compartments. In a few moments, you will watch the color of the sky change as we reach into the upper middle atmosphere:::

Kim, William and Kimi felt the vice of acceleration-induced gravity begin to loosen just a bit, and they stretched, bending forward. William leaned to Kim's ear, whispering something. Kim nodded to her husband, smiling warmly, then turned to Kimi. "Can I see your MD player for a sec, hon?" she asked. Kimi reached into the compartment and pulled the player and headset from her backpack, handing it to her mother. Kim searched the list of songs on the disks, then chose one and handed Kimi the headset. "William says to listen to this song while the sky changes color," said Kim, pushing "play." Kimi heard a hypnotic rhythm begin to slither from the headset, enhanced with reverbing synthesizers. William's suggestion was "Mystic Rhythms" by Rush. The entire song had a far-away and surreal ambiance to it. Kimi slowly closed her eyes, her head slowly beginning to sway to the beat.

William reached past Kim and tapped his daughter on the shoulder. "Ki...keep your eyes open...you're going to miss it," he said. Kimi stared through the clear canopy as the second verse of the song started:

-We sometimes catch a window-
-A glimpse of what's beyond-
-Was it just imagination-
-Stringing us along?-
-More things than are dreamed about-
-Unseen and unexplained-
-We suspend our disbelief-
-And we are entertained-

Kimi felt her mother's hand wrap around hers as she stared with rapt wonder into the sky, which morphed from a brilliant blue, descending in hue to a nearly black azure, suddenly being sprinkled with thousands of stars.

-Mystic Rhythms -- capture my thoughts-
-And carry them away-
-Nature seems to spin-
-A supernatural way-
-Mystic Rhythms -- under city lights-
-Or a canopy of stars-
-We feel the powers, and we wonder what they are-

"Sssshhhiiizzz-nektion..." Kimi slurred in her hypnotic wonder

to be continued...