Chapter Summary: Careful what you wish for. And don't taunt Murphy!
Chapter Word Count: 5,806

"You're looking pensive this morning," Andy said, joining her mother and Miranda in the kitchen after her early morning run.

"Just thinking," Cynthia said. "Our guests were unexpected. Welcome, but not what I was expecting."

"Three of them are Fox God priestesses," Andy said. "They must be special to be allowed to wander around outside of their temples."

"The Fox Clan does produce extraordinary individuals on occasion," Cynthia said. "Unfortunately, it usually means something world changing is in progress or about to happen."

"Lady Shadow hasn't been able to find out what really brought them here centuries ago," Andy said. "What do you know about them?"

"One of their priestesses had a vision," Cynthia said. "She convinced their Clan leaders to abandon everything and come here. Or that is how I understand it."

"And no idea what this vision was?" Andy said, pouring herself a large cup of coffee.

"Nope," Cynthia said. "Though one of the unexpected things is their fourth, Yamato Yanzy. I had a talk with her grandmother this morning."

"Why?" Andy asked. "She's not Fox Clan, though according to Lady Shadow they seem to have adopted her."

"No, but she is a Yamato. I'm sure you remember who I'm talking about," Cynthia said.

"One of our Yamatos?" Andy said, frowning. "How did that happen?"

"Her grandmother said it was a happy accident. Yanzy apparently has not been brought into the family business yet. They were waiting until she was older," Cynthia said.

"Don't the Yamatos keep an eye on the Fox Clan?" Andy said. "You never explained why."

"Yes," Cynthia said. "As to why? That isn't something you need worry yourself about at this time."

"I can't be curious?" Andy said, grumbling.

"Curious? When have I ever stopped you?" Cynthia said. "Other than it being a long term project, you can wait to find out."

"Think that will affect the relationship between the four?" Andy said.

"Not at all," Miranda said, picking up Andy's cup and taking a sip. "Sita is already aware of the Yamatos. And Yanzy is a friend."

"How did you find that out?" Andy said. "Been hobnobbing with the gods again?"

"I may have had a discussion with a certain higher power and a priestess while you were enjoying the fresh air," Miranda said. "They have things under control. It really isn't something we need to concern ourselves or the Serpent Clan with."

"Good luck telling Lady Shadow that she doesn't need to worry about something," Andy said, laughing.

"She seemed to take it well when I relayed a message from the Fox Clan's god," Miranda said. She took another sip of coffee before returning it to Andy. "I think I'll go spend some time with the girls this morning before your meeting." With a soundless flash, Miranda phased away.

Sighing, Andy got up from the table, and rinsed her cup out in the sink. "Well, that puts me in my place," she said. "Need any help setting up for breakfast?"

Cynthia laughed, and nodded. "Breakfast will be a small crowd this morning, so nothing fancy. If you could prepare the batter for the waffles and crepes, I'll take care of the rest."

"Yes ma'am," Andy said, giving her mother a sloppy salute. "The usual?"

"Of course," Cynthia said, as she started pulling ingredients out of the cooler.

"You were awake early this morning," Mika said, sitting down on the porch steps next to Sita and Yanzy. Yuki collapsed dramatically on the grass in front of them.

"The Fox God wished to discuss something with Lady Priestly and myself," Sita said.

"That... must have been a surprise," Mika said. "How did that happen and we didn't notice?"

"It took place on one of the upper psychic planes," Sita said. "Apparently Lady Priestly is an 'ascended' being?"

"Like a goddess?" Yuki said. "She's a famous fashionista and magazine editor, but I thought the whole goddess thing was an exaggeration."

"Not quite," Sita said. "And she would never claim so. It's simply another state of being. It's mentioned in the ancient temple texts as a possibility for the truly enlightened. Only one temple priestess has ever achieved that level of enlightenment."

"Okay, not a goddess but still above us," Yuki said. "And she's hanging out with un-ascended people?"

"Family," Mika said. "It's obvious she loves her daughters and Lady Andrea. She's not going to abandon them."

"Correct," Sita said. "Most never strive to ascend because the ascended lose interest in the physical world and pursue new interests. She has not done so. But discussing the nature of the Ascended is not the point."

"What did the Fox god have to say? And why did he involve Lady Priestly?" Yanzy said.

"Things appear to be more complicated than they appear," Sita said. "And it involves your family," she said, looking at Yanzy.

"My family?" Yanzy said.

"Apparently we three are not the only aliens in our band," Sita said.

"Who else is an alien?" Yuki said. "Your cousin Po? He does seem a bit strange. Playing disco all the time."

"No," Sita said. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Yanzy. "Dear Yanzy is also an alien."

"Me?" Yanzy said, appearing very surprised. "Why didn't I know that? Though that does explain my cousin," she mumbled.

"How can you not know that?" Yuki said, staring at her.

"How would I know that?" Yanzy said, staring back at her. "My family seems very normal for an artist clan from Hokkaido."

"You should discuss this with your grandmother," Sita said. "That was not discussed, though Brother Coyote said you and your brother were unaware of your heritage."

"So, was that all you discussed?" Mika said. "So, we're all aliens." She shrugged. "Which of the twelve Clans are the Yamato's from?"

"None of them," Sita said. "Her family is connected in some way to the Sachs family, who are apparently aliens with no connection to the Clans. They are from elsewhere."

"So the Yamato's are cousins of the Sachs? They don't look anything alike," Yuki said, poking Yanzy. "Must be really good alien camouflage."

"I don't feel any different," Yanzy said. "I will need to have a long conversation with Grandmother for keeping this important thing from me. I could have been kidnapped by mad scientists and experimented on!"

"Not while you're with us," Mika said.

"The Fox God said this visit is an important turning point in our journey, for all four of us," Sita said. "The future of the Fox Clan lies with the Yamato and Sachs families."

"In what way," Mika said. "That is typically vague."

"Extremely vague," Sita said. "And the Fox God gave no explanation beyond saying we will need to align ourselves with the Sachs. The Yamato family will be directed to involve itself more closely with the Fox Clan, instead of just observing us from a distance."

"So, they've been spying on us and the Temple Elders didn't know?" Yuki said. "That's typical."

"We still like Yanzy, right?" Mika said. "She's a friend and member of our team even if her family are alien spies."

"Of course," Sita said. "You aren't going anywhere," she said to Yanzy. "Except maybe to go take a shower before breakfast? I think we all stink."

Yuki hopped up and rushed onto the porch. "What are you all waiting for? We'll miss breakfast!"

"Unlikely," Horace said, holding the screen door open for them.

Waving the others ahead, Yanzy stopped next to Horace. "You heard everything?"

"Good ears," he said, nodding.

"So we're cousins?" she said, frowning, "Not just associated families like my grandmother says?"

"The relationship is a bit complicated, and 'Cousin' has a slightly different meaning," Horace said. "But yes, we are distantly related."

"Okay," Yanzy said, bowing as she would to a family elder. "Thank you."

"The Yamatos are always welcome here," Horace said, giving her a slight bow in return. "And off you go, breakfast is almost ready."

Grinning at him, she hurried inside.

"Things appear to be getting interesting quickly," he said to himself. Shaking his head he left the porch and headed towards the barn.

"Don't be shy, jump right in!" Ginny said, spotting the Fox Metal ladies hovering just inside of the door. "No one will bite."

"Watch your fingers," Harry said, also noticing them. "This one isn't too picky about what she puts on her plate."

"Lies!" Ginny said. "I haven't eaten a finger in years."

"Welcome to the madness," Horace said, waving them in. "Plenty for everyone. Help yourself, and find a seat. We aren't formal with a crowd like this."

"Too many different cultures," Ginny whispered, nudging Yuki. "Just follow our example."

Nodding, Yuki grabbed a large plate, and looked at the different foods spread out on the side tables. Yanzy was right behind her while Sita and Mika watched.

"Waffles!" Yuki said happily. "Oh, they smell delicious." She speared several with a serving fork and put them on her plate. "And what's this?" She looked down at a large bowl of something yellow with bits of vegetables sprinkled in."

"Serpent Clan porridge," Harry said. She spooned some into a bowl. "Andy's mom makes the best outside of the Clan."

"I'd recommend taking just a small amount," Ginny said. "Andy says it's an acquired taste for anyone not Clan."

Yuki nodded and put a tiny amount, just enough for a taste, next to her waffles. After taking small amounts of other things, she looked around for a place to sit. There was a long table taking up a large portion of space in the room. Spotting a clear space with several unoccupied chairs, she set down her plate.

Yanzy joined her a minute later. "We're going to have to do some extra running," she said, "if we're going to eat like this all week."

"Definitely," Yuki said, pouring syrup on her waffles. "Well you and Mika will have to."

"There's plenty to do if you need exercise," Cassidy said, from across the table. "Though if you're going to be in meetings with Andy's team and Grandma and Grandpa all week we'll have to show you where all the fun stuff is."

"There's a large pool out back," Caroline said. "And a climbing wall in the barn, and maybe we can get Andy to open up the gym?"

"A place to practice our forms would be welcome," Sita said.

"Forms?" Cassidy said.

"It's a form of martial arts they teach in their temple," Ginny said. "Very different from the Clan arts."

"The Clan arts have a different emphasis," Sita said. "They are geared more towards wearers of the Clan armor suits. We do not have them so our forms have developed in a different way."

"We have learned the Clan arts," Mika said, "but rarely have a chance to practice them."

"We'll have to set something up this week," Ginny said.

"Of course," Sita said.

"Looks like we're all here," Andy said, looking around the conference room, in the base below her parent's farmhouse. "So, introductions? Around the room? Or does anyone feel the need to be formal?"

"Most of us know everyone," Harry said. "So I say skip the official greetings."

"We have four new people," Garnes said. "Let them introduce themselves the way they prefer and we'll follow their example."

"And thus speaks our protocol expert," Ginny said. "Can't argue with that."

Sita looked at Andy for permission to begin. At Andy's nod she stood up.

"I am Sita, a traveling priestess of the Fox Clan, and a member of the idol group Fox Metal," Sita said. Bowing slightly, she sat back down.

"I am Mika, the same," Mika said. "

Sita's our lead vocalist. I am a backup singer and dancer."

"I am Yuki," Yuki said. "What she said, except I'm the cuter one." She bowed also and returned to her seat."

"I am Yamato Yanzy," Yanzy said. "I am not a Fox Clan priestess but am a member of Fox metal and play lead guitar."

"They are also auxiliary Shadows," Ginny said, before anyone could say anything.

"Yuki is too short to be a Shadow," Mika said. "But Lady Shadow has an agreement with the Fox God so we do things when she needs us."

"They are part of the Shadows," Dill said. "So don't mess with them."

"Are we spilling secrets?" Andy said. "I don't think this is the place for that."

"My family has a connection to Lady Andrea's family," Yanzy said. "I am not sure how that affects our relationship with the Shadows."

"That's one of the things we need to discuss," Andy said, "once everyone introduces themselves." She waved at Harry to continue.

Harry stood up. "Harry Potter, Q Trooper. I'm assigned to the Lucia. I do whatever I'm told." She sat back down.

"Sometimes she does what she's told," Ginny said, poking Harry. "I'm Ginny Potter, that one's twin and also a Q Trooper assigned to the Lucia."

"I am Dill," Dill said. "Shadow, assigned to Lady Sophia's entourage. Currently traveling on the Lucia."

"Garnes, Pilot of the Lucia, and Protocol Specialist," Garnes said. "When the Lucia is in space I'm in charge."

"Dart, Lucia Engineer," Dart said. "If something on the Lucia breaks I fix it."

"Romana," Romana said. "I am Mother of the Serpent Clan Council. Currently traveling on the Lucia."

"Cassandra," Cassy said. "I don't really have a title, but I'm traveling with Sophia which means the Lucia at the moment."

"We need a title for you," Ginny said. "To avoid those awkward introductions. I'm sure we can think of something."

"No hurry, Cassy said, sighing, as she'd heard that before.

"Sophia," Sophia said. "I am Serpent Clan Weaver. I would be head Clan priestess if we had such a person."

"She was High Priestess of the Dragon Cult," Ginny said. "The current High Priestess works for her."

"Only because my cousin thought space ships were more exciting," Sophia said. "While we do have several groups like the Dragon Cult who pursue a closer connection to the Serpent Clan Gods, the Clan as a whole does not have a priestly class." She gestured that she was done and for them to move on.

"I am Ixchel," Ixchel said. "Lady Romana's companion and Warrior of the People."

"Don't spar with her," Harry said. "She has no mercy!"

"There is no mercy in war," Ixchel said. "I welcome the opportunity to test skills."

"I am Lady Memo, Memory of the Wind Clan," Memo said. "I asked if I could join their quest, and they said yes, so here I am."

"That just leaves you babe," Andy said to Miranda.

"We are aware of who Lady Priestly is," Sita said. "We are honored to be in your presence, and look forward to future association."

"Which actually just leaves me," Andy said nodding. "I'm the wrangler of this circus, and am a member of the Sachs Family, local representatives of the Furlings. I don't think I have an official title at the moment, but I seem to be in charge of whatever the Serpent Clan Council calls us."

"There isn't an official name for your team," Brittany said, her voice echoing in the room, though she did not appear to be physically present. "It gives you some flexibility."

"Is anyone else listening in, that we should be aware of?" Andy said, sighing.

"I won't be staying," Brittany said. "Just thought I would take a peak in, when Cynthia gave me access to your comms. I have confidence that you'll all be productive this week and ready for the next adventure."

"Just us, Lady Andrea," Oz said, his voice also echoing in the room.

"Who is us?" Andy said. "You're part of the crew even if it isn't Clan official."

"Buffy, is me," a female voice said. "I am part of the same SIM team as Oz, and I was curious when he mentioned who would be here. Hi Sita!"

"It's your virtual girlfriend," Yuki said, poking Sita, and giggling.

"Hello Buffy," Sita said. She poked Yuki back and said "she's not my girlfriend," in a low voice.

"You say that now, but someday you'll work out the whole AI and priestess relationship thing. I saw it in a vision," Yuki said grinning.

"Buffy? This is a private meeting," Andy said. "I'm sure Sita will have time to speak with you later."

"Yes, ma'am," Buffy said. "I'll be leaving. We'll talk later Sita," she said.

There was several moments of silence before Oz announced. "She has gone."

"Thanks, Oz," Andy said. "So, moving along..."

"No word on what our next trip will be about?" Garnes said.

"Nothing yet," Andy said. "We're supposed to get additional crew before that happens. A couple ensigns as backups and assistants for you and Dart. So we aren't going anywhere without them."

"The next Fleet graduation is in ten planetary cycles," Dart said. "Do you know anything about them?"

"Nothing at all," Andy said.

"So, three Fox God priestesses and a guitar player?" Cassy said. "How do they fit in with this crew?"

"Live entertainment would be nice when we're out in deep space," Harry said.

"They'll be a good disguise," Dill said. "Places where this high powered crew would raise too many questions, four musicians could make a good distraction."

"She called us 'High Powered'," Ginny said. "Am I blushing?"

"You're something," Harry said. "Maybe you should cut back on the Nutella?"

"Never!" Ginny said.

"This crew has two members of the Serpent Clan Council, a former Clan War Leader, the Wind Clan Memo, Lady P, and yourself," Dill said. "Add in three Fox Clan priestesses who are powerful themselves? Yes, this is a High Powered crew."

"The Fox God wants us involved with this, whatever it is," Sita said. "Lady Shadow also wants us involved. But what is this exactly?"

"A history lesson, Andrea?" Miranda said. "That might help."

"So that's the story," Andy said, taking a large gulp from her glass of water. "I don't think I exaggerated anything?"

"No," Ginny said. "And you had so many chances. We need to work on your story telling. The Clan Memory would have turned that into an epic journey."

"Lady Rachel does tend to embellish," Sophia said. "This telling was short and to the point."

"We don't really have time for that," Andy said.

"So, you went on a quest to find out who these Winter Folk are and discovered your family are them? And a Prophet gave you another clue?" Mika said. "I'm not sure what 'Blessings of Time' are but can we see this sphere?"

"In person?" Yuki said.

"How are you with EV suits?" Andy said."It's on Mars."

"We're certified," Mika said. "But we've only worn them in the pods."

"We can take them," Ginny said, waving at Harry and Garnes. "We don't all need to go."

"If something happens to them, I'll be the one who gets in trouble," Andy said.

"We'll be safe, and will return as soon as possible," Sita said.

Yuki groaned and muttered under her breath.

"After lunch then?" Andy said.

"I wasn't sure she was going to let you go," Ginny said, as they followed Garnes and Dart into the Lucia.

"It is necessary that we see this sphere," Sita said.

"You had a vision about it?" Mika said. "Is something going to happen?"

"Brother Coyote wishes to see it but cannot go without us," Sita said.

"So, something is going to happen," Yuki said, sighing. "What about everyone else?"

"Better to risk just us and not the entire crew," Sita said. "This requires a smaller team."

"Well, we aren't going to get another ship if something happens to the Lucia," Harry said. "And Lady Air wants it back."

"I'll pass the word to Lady Shadow," Dill said, quickly following Garnes up into the control center. "So she isn't surprised."

"What about the others?" Ginny said. "And the Lucia?"

"It is not clear that the Lucia will be involved, other than taking us to the Sphere," Sita said.

"But not bringing us back?" Harry said.

"It is not clear," Sita said. "Seven of us will visit the Sphere."

"And Brother Coyote?" Mika said.

"And Brother Coyote," Sita said nodding.

"if we're going into some unspecified danger, Garnes wants a few extra minutes to run some system checks," Dill said, returning to the ward room. "I have updated suits for the four of you. I was going to save them for the end of the week, but better to take care of that now."

"Do we get space guns?" Yuki said. "Could have used them in Boston."

"Not exactly," Dill said. There was a loud beep. "Buckle in so we can get underway. As soon as we break atmo we'll break out your new suits."

"Good thing we got our updated suits last week," Ginny said, buckling herself into her acceleration chair.

"Yeah," Harry said. "Looks like we might need them."

"Prepare for travel," Garnes said over the ship comm.

"So, the Fox God warned you that something is going to happen when they see that Sphere?" Andy said. "And we let them go?"

"The Fox God expressed some interest in it," Miranda said. "He said it will be a great adventure." She grimaced. "Which could mean anything, but it was better to let them go now than to have something happen later."

"Tell me everyone is coming back from this 'field trip'," Andy said.

"The Lucia will return," Miranda said. "Some of them may take a little longer."

"Mom is going to kill me, isn't she," Andy said. "She promised the Yamato Matriarch that we would watch out for Yanzy and the priestesses. I don't think letting them go off on some unspecified adventure is taking care of them."

"We cannot go with them," Miranda said. "They have Harry, Ginny, and Dill with them."

"Not making me feel any better," Andy said. "Harry and Ginny can find trouble in an empty church."

"They are clever," Miranda said. "They can handle whatever happens."

"So, we can't do anything until the Lucia gets back?" Andy said.

"You can make plans for the inevitable," Miranda said. "Gather as much information as possible."

"Th Lucia is no slouch in the science department," Andy said, nodding. Getting up she stretched. "I need to talk with Garnes and Oz before they get to Mars."

"Understood, Lady A," Garnes said. "Every sensor we have will be pointed at the sphere and recording the moment they step foot out of the Lucia. We've also spoken to the science team examining it. They aren't happy at the possibility they'll lose the sphere but they'll have all of their instruments also recording whatever happens."

"Good," Andy said. "Keep us in the loop. As soon as something happens I want to know."

"Of course," Garnes said.

Sighing, Andy disconnected her comm from the Lucia. Feeling a presence behind her she turned to see Brittany standing in the doorway of the Comm chamber.

"Things are never simple," Brittany said. "This answers what your next mission is."

"It does?" Andy said. "Waiting around for something to happen to those kids and then picking up the pieces?"

"Possibly," Brittany said. "Or you get a shove in the right direction and we find out what the Jewel of Mars is and what the Blessings of Time means."

"I don't like it," Andy said, rubbing her forehead. "We're sending them into something possibly dangerous, and we have no idea what it is other than a vague 'They'll be back' from some extra-dimensional entity."

"Sometimes that's how it works out," Brittany said. "I have a good feeling about this. It's going to have a positive effect on our war with the Bugs. I don't know how but things are looking up."

"And what do we do here while we're waiting?" Andy said.

Brittany shrugged. "Get ready to head out quickly? When they get back it might require a fast response."

"What do you know about the sphere that you aren't telling us?" Andy asked.

"You have access to all of the information that I do on it," Brittany said. "You might want to review it again. And talk with you mother, she may have insight on it."

"Okay," Andy said, sighing. "This is exhausting. I'm not looking forward to when my mother dumps all of that Matriarch shit on my head."

"By then you'll be ready," Brittany said. "We'll all make sure of it."

"I hope so," Andy said.

"Wave to the cameras!" Ginny said, stepping outside onto the surface of Mars. "Everyone is watching."

"They aren't watching us," Harry said. "Someone narc'ed on us and they're expecting some kind of excitement in the next few."

"Hopefully nothing will happen," Garnes said, "and we'll take you heroes back to the farm for a barbecue tomorrow."

"We're missing a barbecue to look at a shiny silver ball?" Yuki said. "Maybe we can do this some other time?"

"We are doing this today," Sita said. "The barbecue can wait."

"I'm sure they'll have some hot Bollywood stars playing us in the movie, based on a true story," Ginny said.

"I like these new suits," Mika said, as they started the trek towards the distant building containing the sphere. "A lot more like the ones in the pods."

"They don't have the 'god powers' switch like the ones in the SIMs do," Dill said. "But everything else should be familiar from your last training pod session.

"I noticed they do have the defense systems," Yuki said. "Will we get to try them out?"

"Too many sensitive instruments watching us right now," Dill said. "The techs wouldn't be happy if we blew out some of their equipment."

"In self defense?" Yuki asked.

"Of course," Ginny said, as they stopped outside of a large flimsy looking shed with a large airlock and blinking lights.

"Doesn't look like much," Harry said.

"It's just to protect the sphere from the wind and sand," Garnes said over the ship's comm. "It's Mars environment on the inside still."

"Okay, let's do this," Harry said, reaching over and triggering the airlock door. There was a small vibration but no sound in the thin Martian air.

"Shouldn't there be some dramatic music?" Yuki said, as they watched the airlock door slide out of the way.

"That'll be in the movie," Ginny said. "When are we expecting something to happen, if it does?"

"Not immediately," Sita said. "My vision wasn't very clear but if something does happen it won't be until we are all inside."

"Hopefully we'll have enough time to take a look at it," Mika said. "It's not going to kill us is it?"

"No," Sita said. "I do not know what is going to happen to us but we need to be here at this time. I also do not know if it will happen if we aren't here and someone else is," she added, before Garnes could ask again.

"We're just taunting Murphy, aren't we," Yuki said. "Has Brother Coyote said anything yet?"

"I'm just getting a low hum from him," Sita said. "I think he's looking at it but hasn't said anything yet."

"So, not even they know what's going to happen?" Dill said. "Wasn't this their idea?"

"The Fox God suggested that it would be a good idea for us to examine the sphere," Sita said. "Brother Coyote agreed and came along. They would not explain what they expect to occur."

"It is kind of impressive," Ginny said as they stopped in front of it.

The sphere was floating a meter above the ground, the lights in the shed reflecting off of it. They were all reflected in it, distorted figures moving along its surface.

"Do we just stare at it while Brother Coyote does his thing?" Yuki asked.

"I can take readings," Yanzy said, pointing one of her spy gadgets at it. "But I'm not getting anything better than has already been gotten from it."

"I didn't actually read any of those reports," Yuki said. "That's more of a you and Sita thing."

"They didn't tell us very much," Yanzy said. "No one was able to penetrate it, and nothing sticks to it. It's like a frictionless stasis bubble from some old sci-fi novel."

"Maybe we're supposed to sing to it?" Yuki said, her voice sounding doubtful. "Isn't the atmosphere too thin for music?"

"Yes," Sita said. "And deadly if we opened our helmets. One note and we'd be suffocating."

"Okay," Mika said. "I vote we don't sing to the shiny floating object."

"That is an interesting idea," Yanzy said. "Has anyone tried sound?"

"No," Dart said over the comm. "I don't see anything about sound probes in the reports. They probably came to the same conclusion."

"And they aren't going to put it in a full Earth atmosphere, when they don't know what'll happen," Yanzy said.

"These suits have exterior speakers don't they?" Yuki said. "Would they be able to produce enough sound?"

"Not the standard suits," Dill said. "Probably something in some lab somewhere that'll have enough power to produce sound on Mars but not these."

"I think we need an upgrade," Ginny said.

"I can produce one with this," Yanzy said, waving her handheld probe. "It's meant for underwater but if I'm close enough it should be able to reach the sphere."

"What sound?" Mika said. "It's a sphere. What would have meaning to it."

"Does the sound need to mean anything?" Harry said. "Is that a musician thing?"

"A pure note," Sita said. "Something mechanical will not work."

"Is that a feeling you're having?" Mika said. She started walking around the sphere. "And would it matter where you stood?"

"Yes," Sita said, "though it is possible the feeling is coming from Brother Coyote. But the location does not seem to matter, just the ability to produce the sound."

"Can the suits record your voice well enough to work?" Dill said. "Dart?"

"The suit microphones have extremely high-resolution available," Dart said. "But we rarely use it, especially since anyone wearing one has comm access."

"So, Sita would have to set her suit mic to maximum, and vocalize instead of using the comm?" Yanzy said. "And then I'll need to download the recording into my probe and play it, and hope that does it?"

"That's it, more or less," Dart said. "Might take some time to set that up. You'd have to come back to the Lucia."

"Can we risk that?" Dill said. "Will the sphere wait for us?"

"It's not going anywhere," Garnes said. "And we have priority at the moment, though I can't say how long that'll last before someone else jumps ahead of us."

"How long to get set up?" Dill said. She started walking around the sphere as she talked. "And Sita, have you had another vision about this?"

"No," Sita said. "It still seems that this is our task to complete. But the window is closing for desired outcomes."

"She's seeing things now that aren't good," Mika said, translating.

"Okay, we can try it with you out there first," Dart said. "But I'll have to walk you through the suit mods and downloading your recording to the probe. We might get better results back in the Lucia."

Sita and Yanzy walked over to a corner of the shed accompanied by Dill, while the others continued to walk around it and stare of themselves.

"This, is not very exciting," Yuki said. "It's a large silver ball, and it isn't doing anything."

"If Yanzy is correct, if she can get her probe to output

Sita's voice, with the right note, things will likely get exciting very quickly," Harry said.

"How do you get ready for something like that?" Yuki grumbled. "No idea what is going to happen but 'be ready to go'."

"I wouldn't worry," Harry said. "You all have good reaction times, and the suits will help."

"Well, at least we'll get to try out the suits," Yuki said. "And on our first trip into space."

"And you thought we'd never get to go into space," Mika said, poking her.

"I can be wrong. Sometimes," Yuki said. "It's not fighting pirates or aliens, other aliens I mean, but Mars on our first space trip is awesome. Maybe we can get the writers to write some songs about it?"

"We didn't bring any instruments," Mika said. "Hopefully whatever happens doesn't involve a trip anywhere were we'd need them."

"You've just jinxed us," Ginny said, groaning. "Now that Murphy is really going to get us."

"Is Murphy allowed on Mars?" Yuki said. "We do have Brother Coyote. I bet they can keep Murphy away from us."

"If there is a Murphy, Brother Coyote is probably friends with them," Mika said.

"Are you ready?" Ginny asked, when Sita, Yanzy, and Dill returned to the sphere. "How do you want us?"

"Not sure it matters?" Yanzy said.

"Around the sphere, at equal distances," Sita said. "That will yield the best results. If it's like a bubble popping it will affect us equally."

"Affect us how?" Mika said. "You're being Fox God vague about this."

"I cannot describe it any better," Sita said.

"Okay, everyone spread out," Harry said, not waiting for any further discussion. 'Let's get this right the first time."

There was some shuffling but after several minutes they were in a circle around the sphere, equal distances apart.

"Ready?" Harry said. Ready echoes across the ships comm. "On a count of three. One... Two... Three..."

At three, Yanzy activated her probe, and there was a slight vibration as the sphere jiggled.

"Were we supposed to hear anything?" Yuki said. "Because I didn't hear anything."

"Look at the sphere," Yanzy said. "Something is happening to it."

"That's more than anyone else has gotten," Dart said. "I think you're onto something here."

There was a flash, as all of the instruments pointed at the shed registered an energy wave. And silence. Dead silence. Not even the usual background chatter from the suits. And all video was dead.

"Ginny? Harry?" Dart said, looking down at her instruments. "Garnes, something has gone wrong at the sphere. I'm not receiving any telemetry from their suits."

"I'm not getting anything either," Garnes said. "We'll have to go out and check. But I think they've gotten the adventure they wanted."

"All of the recording sensors are now frozen," Dart said. "Oz, please make sure no one alters anything while we're outside."

"Of course, Dart," Oz said. "Notifying Fleet."

"I'm sure they've noticed, with all the peeping toms," Dart said, while quickly getting into her EV suit, "But good."

"Ready?" Garnes said. "Oz, keep everything locked down while we're outside."

"Yes, Garnes," Oz said. "Initiating lockdown."

"Okay, let's go see what happened," Garnes said, attempting to sound businesslike.