Chapter Summary: End of this book. Brittany finds something.
Chapter Word Count: 3,009

Notes: End of this part of our story.

"Found it," Brittany said excitedly, over the Council comm channel. "I know what happened to Miranda Priestly."

"What?"

"There's an inter-dimensional rift in the Pacific," Brittany said. "Unlike the Bermuda Triangle, this one is real. It was mapped by the Clan when they first came to this system. According to the records on the shuttle, Yucatan was picked as the site of the original planet-side base because of its position relative to that rift. They were able to study it from a safe distance."

"And you think Priestly's craft flew into the rift?" Quinn said. "Any idea what that means?"

"Probes were sent into the rift and came out years later," Brittany said. "It appears to be moving at a different rate of time."

"What's on the other side?" Rachel asked. "Do we know?"

"Now? Not yet," Brittany said. "We should have a probe ready today that should survive the trip into the rift. Back then? It looked like what was on their side. Ocean and forest."

"How many years before we find out?" Rachel said. "You said the original probes took years."

"Days, maybe," Brittany said. "My techs think they've figured out how to adjust for the dimensional time differences."

"How about our other related mysteries? The Lady's Sachs and Priestly?" Quinn asked.

"Genetically, I still have two cousins," Brittany said, "but still no idea how that happened. There are no Clan records to explain them."

"Artie?" Rachel asked.

"The Wind Clan Memory has no explanation for their existence," Artie said. "There are no unaccounted for Clan members. Their presence has been requested at the next full Clans meeting."

"Not without their Andy," Rachel said firmly. "When is this meeting, and why haven't you mentioned it before?"

"It occurs approximately every two hundred of your Terran years," Artie said. "The next one is in one hundred years."

"So, don't worry about it because we might not survive the next ten?" Rachel said. "I assume they'll want to see the entire Dragon Clan Council then also?"

"The High Council has not requested your presence yet, but it is to be expected," Artie said.

"Well, let's survive the next decade first," Quinn said. "And how is Andy's project going?"

"They've started scanning New York," Rachel said. "They should have that complete before the twins graduate from high school. And then they can go on the road."

"Our Andy is very clever," Brittany said. "She already has a better understanding of how to use the scanning equipment to get the most coverage than any of our people working with her. She's managed to cut the scanning time in half and have two crews out there at a time."

"Fortunately, the learning pods worked on her and both girls," Quinn said. "She took to Clan self defense like she'd designed it herself. The twins aren't quite as good but occasionally show flashes of Brittany level brilliance."

"it's an interesting conundrum," Rachel said. "Are there others like them out there? Can we find them without frightening them away? How did they get there in the first place?"

"I don't believe we will find any clues to Andy's existence any time soon," Brittany said. "Her genetic line is just too well hidden. On the surface it looks like it could be Clan or human but a deeper analysis shows neither. The Clan markers are missing but it's not human DNA."

"Well, that could mean anything," Rachel said. "Maybe she's got pirate blood?"

"Artie?" Rachel asked into the dead silence that resulted from her comment. "Pirates?"

"The Red Pirates did not leave behind anything to help us," Artie said. "There are no known useful samples of their genetic markers available."

"Not even from the Black Hats?" Rachel asked. "Aren't they descendants of Red Pirates?"

"All of the Black Hats we've captured have had completely human DNA," Britany said.

"It was a thought," Rachel said. "But we don't really need proof to know that something sets her apart."

"We may never know what really happened," Santana said. "You can only grasp at so many straws before they melt."

"Where'd you get that saying?" Rachel said.

"I've been chatting with Andy's mother," Santana said. "She's full of strange sayings like that. It's almost like being around Coach."

"There's a reason for that," Quinn said. "She's Coach's younger step sister."

"No way!" Santana said. "Did you know this?" she asked Brittany.

"I knew she had a step-sister," Brittany said. "And a full sister who lived in a nursing home until she died. But, no, the history of that connection escaped me."

"Does Coach know about any of this?"

"She hasn't said anything," Brittany said. "She does that 'Coach Knows Best' when the subject comes up."

"So, she knows but isn't telling us," Quinn said.

"That's Coach," Santana said.

"Chang, Cohen-Chang," Sue said, stepping into their office below the firehouse. "You have been treating my nieces well," she said.

"Nieces?" Tina said, gulping, before shooting a quick look at Mike.

"Yes, Lady Sylvester," he said, bowing deeply. "They are excellent students."

"Do not teach them any of your Tong tricks," she said, before turning around and leaving them.

"Sue Sylvester's nieces?" Tina said. "How did you know? They don't look anything like her. And Brittany didn't say anything."

"I was given a complete workup on everyone on this team before we met," he said. "They are not her nieces by blood but by adoption."

"So, somehow Andy Sachs is related to Sue Sylvester?" Tina said. "She doesn't have Sue's patented craziness."

"No, but she is unique," Brittany said, slipping out of the shadows, her voice causing Tina to jump and squeak in surprise.

"Don't do that!" Tina said, gasping. "I'm too young for a heart attack."

"You'll be fine," Mike said. "Do they know of the connection to Coach? Or that Coach is working for you?"

"Unknown," Brittany said. "Their paths have not crossed as far as I can tell. And Andy hasn't mentioned her. But she does share a spark of genius."

"You really don't know?" Tina asked. "I thought you knew everything?"

"No one knows everything," Brittany said, winking at her. "I just try to stay reasonably well informed."

"Do you need anything from us today?" Mike said. "We're ahead of schedule. But this explains a lot."

"The twins are Clan, though not Dragon clan," Brittany said. "But Andy is not Clan and she and Sue do not share any genetics. So, no it doesn't."

"So, you were actually surprised by this," Tina said. "Good to know you aren't perfect, Lady in the Shadows."

"You know I never claimed perfection," Brittany said. "I'm just very, very good at my job."

"Cousin," Cassidy said, entering the room. "What brings you here?"

"Your Aunt Sue was curious," Brittany said, winking at a shocked Tina. "She's looking for Andy."

"She's here? Isn't she awesome?" Caroline said, from behind Cassidy. "Andy took us to one of her competitions years ago, but we didn't have a chance to meet her. It was amazing what those cheerleaders could do."

"Sue Sylvester's cheerleaders have always been amazing," Tina said, smirking at Brittany.

"You've seen them?" Caroline asked.

"Several of us here went to William McKinley High School when she was there," Tina said. "We've all had personal encounters with her."

"And the less said about that the better," Brittany said, shaking her head. "Have you seen your mother today?"

"She was testing out that new stealth suit your techs sent over yesterday," Cassidy said. "When do we get our own?"

"That isn't my decision," Brittany said. "Putting you into danger is not a part of your internship. Besides, you would need to learn Clanspeach first. The stealth suits do not have room for full translators."

"Aunt Sue, how did you get in here?" Andy said, spotting her mysterious aunt in the practice room. "What are you doing in New York?"

"It looks natural on you," Sue said. "Not everyone can wear Dragon armor."

"They weren't sure it would work," Andy said. "My genetics are different enough that there was some doubt."

"Your genetics are as they should be," Sue said. "I will discuss your situation with the Ladies of the Council, when the time is right."

"You know them?" Andy said.

"They are proof that my training methods work," Sue said.

"Coach," Brittany said, entering the room. "You promised to keep that a secret. We can't afford to lose you to one of those high pressure Chinese martial arts schools."

"You know how I feel about those fu factories, Shadow," Sue said. "I would never leave you for one of those."

"You really know each other?" Andy asked, continuing her stretching routine.

"Lady Sylvester is in charge of our peacekeepers in the Enclave," Brittany said, "and our other planet side facilities."

"Your lesser half insists on her Fleet personnel keeping the peace in her space stations," Sue said. "But we are training for the eventual capitulation."

"You know it isn't personal," Brittany said. "All of your peacekeepers are Q troops and those two, as much as I love them, are very territorial. Eventually, once those stations are complete, you'll be able to expand to there."

"How long have you worked for them, Aunt Sue?" Andy asked, listening intently. "Mom hasn't mentioned the job change."

"Your mother has no need to know," Sue said. "She would just worry."

"We're keeping an eye on her," Brittany said. "We've known her since high school and would prefer she remain in one piece."

"You were one of her cheerleaders?" Andy said, remembering the comment made by one of them months before about growing up in Ohio. "She had alien cheerleaders?"

"Q was meant to be my successor," Sue said. "If she hadn't discovered her alien roots and found a higher calling as a general."

"Lady Q is that 'Q'?" Andy said, looking at Brittany for confirmation. "Wow! I realized that the ladies of the Council must have been more than ordinary students when you said you'd actually grown up in Ohio, but there are legends about the athletic feats performed by 'Q' and her lieutenants before they disappeared. Even Cassidy and Caroline heard of them in Dalton. And that explains their disappearance, doesn't it," Andy said, thinking out loud.

"I believe we did warn you that we had those NDAs for a reason," Brittany said.

"Yes," Andy said. "I can see why you would prefer to be the ones to release information about your past."

"How is the stealth suit working out?" Brittany asked, redirecting their conversation.

"Very good," Andy said. "It required a few minor tweaks but has performed flawlessly since."

"Sue, I need to get back to my team but if you want to meet your nieces, they are working with Tina and Mike right now," Brittany said. "I'm sure Andy can show you the way."

"They would love to meet you, Aunt Sue," Andy said.

"I shall be overjoyed to meet the junior Priestly's," Sue said dryly.

"How is her training progressing?" Quinn asked.

"She was put through a complete training cycle for one of your troopers in the learning pods," Brittany said. "She's now learning Shadow stealth methods so she can better utilize her new stealth suit."

"Why not complete Shadow training?" Rachel asked. "Wouldn't that be more useful?"

"Coach recommended combat training, with minor Shadow stealth training," Brittany said. "She wouldn't say why, other than it would be a better fit."

"What did Andy think when you told she needed this training?" Rachel asked. "She's a reporter, not a soldier."

"I told her that before she could spend time with my troopers, she needed to understand what makes them tick. And the best way to start was to go through the same training," Quinn said. "Once we explained that the learning pods are a virtual environment, she was hooked. She isn't learning at the same rate as one of my troopers but she's picking it up faster than a Terran would, if they were able to make full use of the learning pods."

"Will she really be qualified to go with your troopers on missions?" Rachel asked.

"Yes," Quinn said. "As an observer. She doesn't have the right mindset to engage an enemy in combat and we don't have the time to give it to her."

"Curiosity seems to be her weakness," Brittany said. "Give her the opportunity to learn something new and she's putty in your hands. Figuratively speaking."

"No idea yet what makes her special?"

"Not a clue," Brittany said. "Her genetic map is compatible with humans, like Clan but she isn't either. It's as if she comes from a parallel line of enhanced humans or Clan. Artie is excited about it."

"And the twins?" Rachel asked. "How are they doing?"

"Andy hasn't agreed to let them take any full Clan training yet," Brittany said. "They are taking basic self defense as part of their internship, similar to what you originally took but not as intense."

"But other than that they're just interns for Tina's camera crew?"

"Yes," Brittany said. "Coach has her eye on them though. She wants them as part of her Peacekeepers when they finish college."

"Does Andy know?" Rachel asked.

"Maybe?"

"They're Clan," Quinn said. "So they should be able to handle the training, if they really want to."

"They need to decide for themselves," Rachel said. "Whether we sponsor them or not. The only one of us who hasn't expressed an interest in them is Santana."

"Really? What do you want them for?" Brittany asked her.

"If they have half your mental abilities, since they come from your Clan, they would make excellent Memories," Rachel said. "They don't have the apparent interest in the arts most Memories have, but they see connections that normally takes a lot of training. And I know Quinn is almost drooling at the idea of what they could bring to her troopers."

"They have excellent reflexes, and spacial awareness, to say nothing of their ability to think ahead. As soon as Andy clears them, I plan to find out how well they handle our hard suits in the Pods."

"Santana actually does want them," Brittany said. "She thinks they would make excellent pilots."

"We have some Mary Sues," Quinn said, frowning.

"What?" Rachel asked.

"Exactly!" Brittany said. "They are almost too good to be true. It's as if someone came along and maxed out their D-n-D character points."

"What's a Mary Sue?" Rachel asked.

"In fiction," Quinn said, "it's the perfect character, often representing the author. They solve problems no other character can. They are rich and perfect. Perfect looks. Perfect in all their abilities."

"So, you think Andy and the twins are too perfect?" Rachel asked. "Planted by someone?"

"It had occurred to me," Brittany said. "That Artie can't place them is a concern. Andy's genetic map is like the perfect merger of Clan and Human but is neither. The twins appear to be my cousins, but that's impossible. There are no missing clan. Everyone is accounted for."

"Too perfect," Quinn said.

"Do they know this?" Rachel asked. "I'm assuming their memories were scanned in the learning pods?"

"There is nothing in their memory scans to indicate a cause for what you are terming 'Mary Sue-ness," Artie said. "If their memories are being manipulated it is by some being much more skilled at it than any known memory expert in the Confederation."

"How can you tell they aren't?" Quinn asked.

"It leaves traces," Artie said. "A Memory Master, no matter how skilled, would still leave traces. If they were changed it's at a level we cannot detect."

"So, a god?" Quinn said. "Or someone with god-like powers?"

"Unknown," said Artie. "The Confederation has occasionally encountered such beings but this resembles none of the signs of the known beings."

"So, what do we do?" Rachel asked. "It's like having a time bomb and no idea when it will go off."

"We'll keep an eye on them. Hopefully, whomever did this will reveal themselves," Brittany said. "But no reason to tell anyone else. It's possible their talents are natural."

"What's the excitement?" Rachel asked, rushing into the staff conference room aboard the flagship.

"We were able to retrieve a probe," Brittany said. "I thought you'd want to see it."

"I thought you decided none would be coming back any time soon? Isn't it a dimensional time rift?" Rachel asked.

"Give her a chance to explain, Shorty," Santana said. Quinn nodded in agreement.

"It is and it isn't," Brittany said. "The records from the original probes indicated a time warp element. I've been able to insert a probe in sync with the time field and pull it back out. It managed to record several hours of information before I did."

"Oh!"

"And this is what it saw," Brittany said, pointing at the central view screen. "It followed a Clan emergency beacon to a small island several hundred miles from the portal."

"Do we know for sure this is her plane?" Quinn asked, "squinting at the plane-like shape buried in the sand on a beach, with only the wings and tail showing.

"It's possibly the same model, but someone will have to take a closer look," Brittany said. "The probes didn't have the right scanners to tell us more."

"How did a Clan beacon get on that plane?"" Santana said, frowning. "It couldn't have been us, or Artie."

"It's an anachronism," Brittany said. "That beacon's serial number doesn't exist, but the model is one my Shadows use when going into hostile territory."

"Do we tell her?" Rachel asked. "She's doing something important. She'll want to go looking for her wife. This might set that effort back by years."

"It's her choice," Quinn said. "We don't interfere."

"Just checking," Rachel said, nodding.

"Full disclosure?" Brittany said. "Sophia?" She turned towards their fifth member, who'd been silently listening.

"It is the honorable thing to do," Sophia said. "Tell her everything."

"Agreed," said Santana.

"Agreed," the others echoed.

Author's Note: And thus ends this part of the story. The first chapters of the next part will be posted before the end of the year. Join us as we search for Miranda Priestly. It's a road trip you won't forget.