Disclaimer: I own nothing of any recognized characters or universes within.

AN:

Abby is played by Olivia Williams

Obviously Sarah is still played by Robia LaMorte

End AN

Chapter 41

Later that night I got a report from one of the replicats I assigned to watch my carriers that the protector had been forced to kill one of Bethlehem's goons just before the murderer had gunned down my carrier with an assault rifle.

I decided it was time to go see old George. I found him trying to raise somebody on his ham radio.

"Did you raise anybody," I asked as I entered the engineer's lab.

"Not a sole in seven years of trying but I will," he answered as he smoked a cigarette.

None of the rest of the government I had set up was using that type of communications to operate.

"George you were in Vietnam. Do you still remember your military training," I asked.

"That's something you try but never forget," he answered.

"I think it's time we start educating the kids, and not just with books," I informed George before outlining my ideas.

Terry, the carrier which was almost gunned downed that night was the fifth that had to be saved so far, all on Southern routes.

What began the next day was a watered down version of military training for all carriers. It was the basics of how to defend yourself. I equipped each carrier with a communicator that would work over any distance. They also got a zat gauntlet like I carry around with me at all times but with not as many features. Finally they each were given a new uniform made out of the carbon nanotube based polymers, impervious to most firearms on this planet. Bethlehem wasn't going to like the response when he next attacked my carriers.

When Ponytail came back with the news that Bethlehem was killing people and stringing them up by their ankles I decided it was time to actively start fighting back. An action appropriate for this time period and level of technology was called for. We set a trap in Pegasus on the spillway. We watched from concealed positions as ten horse riders from Bethlehem's troops rode across the spillway bridge. Old George turned and looked at them as he swept with a beat up broom. Several carriers pushed an old beat up truck in front of the only exit from the spillway entrance.

"Shit," the lead rider called as he reached for his gun while realizing it was a trap.

He didn't get a chance to draw as George hit him with the zat gauntlet. Multiple bursts of blue lightning rained down on the murderers from all around as my carriers ruthlessly executed the murderers and rapists. We disintegrated the bodies and any trace of the presence of Bethlehem's thugs from Pegasus.

That wasn't the only ambush we set up but it was one of the only ones I oversaw personally. I planned most of them with George's help.

"They changed the oath," I commented to Abby after she gave me a drink of water since I just returned from a delivery.

"Ford's idea," she explained.

"Sir," a new recruit got my attention with a smile as he approached. "It'd be an honor if I could shake your hand."

"Do I know you," I asked to make him nervous as I shook his hand.

He was one of Bethlehem's men sent to kill me. I wasn't worried. Far more powerful beings than this mortal have tried to eliminate me.

"I don't think so," he quickly responded.

"Good luck then," I told him before he left with a smile. "So what are we having for dinner tonight," I asked Abby with a joking smile.

Ever since Abby sampled my cooking it had been a running joke between us that I can cook better than her. As such I'm the one who always cooks when I'm not out riding.

"I think you'll be more interested in dessert," Abby purred before getting up and sashaying away.

"I think she's finally ready," Sarah commented in my head.

"It's about time…the baby is starting to show," I answered as I looked forward to that night.

Later that night…

I prepared a romantic candlelit dinner for Abby that night as I sensed the change in our relationship that would soon occur. We shared many laughs as I let my full charm loose on my beautiful companion. Her smile brought warmth to my heart. This world we are currently living in is not one of the best versions of Earth I've made my home in but with people like Abby here it's easy to see why I would stay.

Looking at me seriously as we finished up our food Abby began with, "Harry I'm sorry for insisting you were only the body father. It's just after Michael died I didn't think there was anybody I could ever come to love again like I did Michael."

"Abby there is no need to apologize. I understand the pain of losing someone you care for dearly," I assured her quietly as I reached across the table and took her hand gently while thinking back to countless loved ones I have memories of losing before I joined essences with my counterparts.

"It's just you didn't seem prepared to be a father the first time I met you. It seems like you've changed so much since then," Abby explained as she stared at my face trying to figure out what changed.

"There's a reason for that," I answered.

"What is that reason Harry," Abby asked, trying to understand.

"Words will fail to explain it quickly enough for your liking. It's better just to show you," I replied as I stood up and walked around the table.

I pulled Abby up to a standing position before leaning forward and tasting her soft lips while channeling my feelings for her via my mouth and aura.

Insert smut scene here

While I was deepening my relationship with Abby Ford was busy disobeying my orders to destroy all bodies of Bethlehem's men we ambush. Ford pushed a burning truck full of the bodies of one of the patrols into Bethlehem's camp. Bethlehem, the psychopath he is, started attacking and burning out every village in his path.

"Bethlehem says he's heading North," the carrier Billy informed me after Bethlehem let him go to deliver a message to me. My replicat didn't interfere with the numbers surrounding Billy unless Billy's life was in direct threat. The instant one of Bethlehem's thugs had moved to squeeze his trigger he would have found himself disintegrated by a very fast replicat. "He's going to kill ten people every town and then burn them to the ground for what you did. He said to tell you Pineview is on his way. He'd wait there for you but not for long. I was so scared sir," Billy practically cried with obvious fear. "I thought he was going to kill me too."

I hugged the distraught young man to calm him.

Outside Pineview…

I looked through a pair of enhanced binoculars at the town as several buildings were on fire while the villagers were rounded up into the center of town.

"See we're too late," announced Ford. "I told you. What are you going to do," he asked as I turned and walked back towards my horse.

Grabbing one of my custom rifles I didn't need to provide an answer. The rifle carried most of the usual charms all my firearms are equipped with; charms for accuracy, silencing charms, cleaning charms, conjuration runes to never run out of ammo, and a tiny piercing rune to make sure no standard physical shield will stop the round.

We heard the screams of distraught wives as their husbands and sons were selected as one of the men to be murdered. Bethlehem had no authority to execute besides that which he granted himself through might. Well my might is stronger than his so his murderers are to be dispatched on my authority. I looked through my scope and saw that Sheriff Briscoe was among the condemned men.

"Hold her please," the husband shouted with distress at the townspeople forced to keep his wife back.

"He's out there somewhere," I heard Bethlehem even at this distance. "Watching…I can feel it. You feel it too don't you," Bethlehem shouted at the condemned men as Colonel Getty, Bethlehem's pet second in command removed a young boy from the line of the condemned as they had taken too many.

Colonel Getty was a curious oddity. He was the last man to challenge Bethlehem for control of the Holden, the group of men Bethlehem commands. Bethlehem defeated Getty before having his balls cut off.

"It didn't have to end like this you know. He knew where I'd be if he wanted to face me like a man," says the thug who hides behind his troops. "Instead he's hiding…like a rabbit," taunted Bethlehem.

"Like a cougar waiting to pounce is more like it," I muttered.

"So much for your Postman," ranted Bethlehem. "Lieutenant," Bethlehem finally called.

"Ready," the directed man called as he walked back to the line of murderers waiting to kill the ten unarmed men from Pineview.

As soon as they took aim I began firing. The first man's head exploded with the power of the piercing curse before the next man's chest gave way to show a wide hole. The men began screaming and trying to ride away as the blood and gore from their fellow murderers plastered their faces. The next couple of targets were right next to each other so the piercing curse enhanced bullet ripped through them both. All the soldiers were scattering for cover by this point.

"That way," Bethlehem shouted as he directed his men to retreat away from where he could tell I was by the side which blew out of his dead men.

He thought he could escape by getting out of range. My weapon was not normal. I kept taking out soldier after soldier until I saw the Holden contingent running out the other side of Pineview with their tails tucked between their legs. I was careful to select targets I could sense reveled in the killings. Quite a large portion of the Holden, were drafted against their will like I was at one point. Those that secretly abhorred the killing were spared while those who loved it were not. The group of carriers with me were staring at me with wide eyes as I stood and packed my rifle back onto my horse.

"You just saved my dad," Eddie said gratefully before rushing forward and hugging me.

I patted his shoulder before mounting up and riding towards Pineview to check on the townsfolk from my wife's hometown. I was greeted by a cheering crowd as soon as I passed the wide open main gate that would normally be sealed tight. Refusing Bethlehem entrance would only ensure the swift destruction of your town due to his artillery batteries.

"Is everybody ok," I asked Sheriff Briscoe as I dismounted and was hugged by many villagers.

"Yes thanks to you. Why didn't you take out Bethlehem," Briscoe asked in genuine confusion.

"That creature doesn't deserve such a swift and painless death. He deserves to live in fear like he has made others do. Don't worry though. When I deem he has learned the meaning of fear I'll put him down like the dog he is," I promised with determination shining through in my eyes.

Back at the Postal Depot a short while later…

"Go get cleaned up…this isn't the end of Bethlehem's little war," I commanded the group that rode with me, sure in the fact that what I just did would quickly spread throughout the ranks and boost morale.

As I took my own horse into the stables I heard the sound of a gun cocking behind me.

"Hello Luke," I greeted the spy before turning to face him. "I thought I recognized you."

"General Bethlehem said you should be on your knees when I did this," Luke informed me with a shaking gun hand.

"The only reason that poof suggested that particular position is because he gets off at night trying to picture every male that opposes him on their knees before him, doing unmentionable things I plan on making him a eunuch for even imagining," I responded with an uncaring grin.

"The General is a great man," insisted Luke.

"The General is a fucking lunatic," I replied as I stalked towards him and grabbed the barrel of the gun before squeezing hard enough to crush the steel like it was aluminum foil.

"How," Luke asked with a squeak in his voice while staring at me in shock.

"There is more on heaven and hell than you can dream of," I paraphrased a quote which I'm sure was lost on the younger man. "You're a better man than Bethlehem Luke, I've seen it," I informed him before finishing up with my horse and going to find Abby and Sarah.

Sarah had shown up officially as a volunteer and was working as a teacher, funnily enough her old occupation in our home reality. I was comforted in the fact that Luke was constantly being watched by a replicat which ensured he wouldn't harm others at the Postal Depot.

Bethlehem's Camp…

I apparated to just outside of my enemies' camp and listened to the report from the replicat stationed there to monitor activities. While it's true I could just have it relayed through Aristotle directly into my mind I prefer to come and see things for myself. Lifting off into the air I was both invisible and out of phase as I quickly zoomed in on the command tent.

I arrived to hear Bethlehem order, "Prepare for another execution tomorrow morning at first light. We'll take care of the one we found yesterday."

"Umm…sir none of the Postman's carriers are missing," Luke spoke up.

Bethlehem stalked out of the command tent at Luke's proclamation.

"Who are you," Bethlehem asked the prisoner, a frightened young black man, a moment later as he entered the holding tent.

"Clark…Postal Carrier for the restored republic of California," the young prisoner answered with a nervous stutter.

It seemed the insane General Bethlehem had actually managed to capture one of the carriers from one of the other states my replicats have been restoring.

"I want all postal carriers hunted down and I want the Postman found. Colonel, organize the scouts," Bethlehem ordered.

I sensed Bethlehem was going to change his mind and kill Clark right then. A compulsion ensured he waited until morning.

"You die at dawn," Bethlehem informed Clark before stalking out of the tent.

Bethlehem never got the chance to murder Clark because I rescued him that night after dark. I was very glad Luke wasn't trusted with the location of the main barracks. The newer Postal depot was hidden from the old one with all lower ranked and less trustworthy personnel being injected with a temporary drug that would confuse them as they were led from the old depot to the new one after returning from their carrier duties by higher ranked personnel. It was a bit paranoid but it worked to keep my carriers hidden and safe. Of course the modified fidelus the facility was under also ensured the safety of anybody welcomed inside.

That night Luke also found a message beside his bed to give to Bethlehem. I challenged the self proclaimed General to a battle in a location of my choosing. He readily accepted the challenge because he saw me as his nemesis. When the day of the battle arrived my carriers were prepared with their gear.

"You come back safe and sound," Abby ordered me with bright eyes as she leaned forward and kissed me lovingly before leaning back while rubbing her swollen belly and letting out a tiny gasp. "The baby kicked."

I placed my hand on Abby's belly and felt my daughter even now aware of my presence.

"You make it sound like that mortal madman could actually harm him," teased Sarah before kissing me as well. "Hurry back honey if you want to get in some pregnant fun before our newest family member is born," Sarah told me with a wink.

"Don't have too much fun without me," I answered with a grin as both sent me naughty images over the bond of what they had planned in order to entice me to hurry back.

"Let's go," I ordered the waiting mounted riders as I flipped onto my horse, eager to get back.

We were joined in our ride by men and women from surrounding towns that were prepared to fight for their freedom.

We met Bethlehem's forces a day later just outside the village where I was first captured and forced into the Holden. I sensed Bethlehem's eagerness as he rode out at the front of his men. The two sides faced off with only a small expanse of land separating us. We sported the restored American flag while Bethlehem's men only had their orange uniforms.

"They're an eager looking bunch," I heard Bethlehem mock us to his men.

As a further act of humiliation to Bethlehem Luke took that moment to ride towards our side while throwing off his hat and saluting me. My side cheered as he joined our ranks. I saw Bethlehem's third in command take aim at Luke's back with a rifle. Colonel Getty moved to stop him but wasn't quick enough. As the sound of the bullet being fired was just leaving the vicinity of the rifle my handgun was in my hand and going off with a muzzle velocity exceeding any weapon built by mortal man. My round impacted the round fired by the enemy sniper and deflected at just the right angle to travel forward to the enemy shooter, killing him instantly.

A cricket could have been heard chirping in the silence that followed if it had been night. My enhanced sense of smell picked up the stench of urine as many soldiers on the opposite side pissed themselves at my little display.

"Morale is a dangerous thing," I heard Bethlehem tell Getty as the lunatic was too insane to be afraid.

Despite my many shows of power I sensed the nervousness of my troops. As Bethlehem positioned his artillery I decided it was time to end this with my trump card. Riding towards the enemy side at a trot old George kept my troops steady while I went to discuss the terms of Bethlehem's surrender. Bethlehem met me in the middle.

"My little shipping clerk," Bethlehem said as he recognized me from my time in the Holden where he saw me as a threat due to my intelligence.

"Mr. Copy Machine salesman," I responded. "We're both a couple of frauds," I informed him, having no intention of informing him that the US government was actually being restored.

"So be it…but great men are made by other great men. Paten had Rommel, Grant had Lee and I get you," spoke Bethlehem.

"You're no general. You're not even a man," I informed Bethlehem as I snapped my fingers and used my power to disintegrate one of my opponent's testicles.

Bethlehem finally had the sense to piss himself as he realized I might be more powerful than him.

"Are you trying to goad me into a fight," stuttered Bethlehem while trying to maintain a brave front, not realizing I could read his very mind.

"Wouldn't it be great if wars could be fought just by the assholes who started them," I asked casually. "We could settle this right here," I suggested but already knowing he would take the cowards way out and hide behind his men.

"Well unfortunately it doesn't work that way," the ginger General replied.

"It does in your army," I answered back. "I invoke law seven," I shouted loud enough for the Holden to hear. "Of the laws of eight…any man may challenge for leadership of the clan."

"What," asked Bethlehem in disbelief.

"I challenge you," I informed Bethlehem.

"You're not a Holdenest," responded Bethlehem while hoping secretly that I was too ashamed to reveal I used to be one of his men.

A little pride can be sacrificed to save my troops unnecessary bloodshed, something someone like Bethlehem could never understand. Besides I'm the Postman, I've got pride to spare.

"You're not a member of the clan. You don't have the right," added the General loudly.

"I have every right," I shouted back as I ripped the sleeve off covering my mark of eight. "I invoke law seven," I continued before taking off and galloping in front of the lines of the Holden to show them I have the right to challenge for leadership in single combat.

"I challenge for leadership of the clan," I shouted at Bethlehem as I stopped feet in front of his troops and faced him.

"Where do I know you from," Bethlehem shouted to still play dumb about recognizing me in the desperate attempt that he could discredit my mark as a self inflicted forgery.

"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war," I shouted back to quote Shakespeare, the very same performance I had been giving for the village behind me when the Holden first captured me. "You remember that," I asked.

"Shakespeare, the one who didn't want to fight," whispered Bethlehem as his men obviously recognized me now even without my beard I sported back then.

"I should have found a way to kill you then," I told him.

"Law seven it is," shouted my opponent. "This war is settled here," finished the ginger lunatic before he began riding towards me.

We galloped at each other on our horses. As he dove off his mount at me I Force jumped into a flip until I could bring my feet down onto his back in order to ride him into the ground. I'll give the mortal credit. He tried to roll out from under me as our horses threw up dust and partially blocked our troop's view of our fight. Even though he must have cracked several ribs in that impact with the ground Bethlehem was able to roll over onto his back. As he reached for my foot to try to twist it off of him I brought my other booted heal down on his remaining testicle.

"God damn it," cried out Bethlehem in an unholy shout of agony as his ball exploded with the aid of a tiny reductor channeled through my heel.

"You are an IT now asshole so I have it on good authority that he will damn you. I certainly do," I guaranteed as my voice carried true power.

Bethlehem knew true fear as the light began to disappear around me and it appeared to those observing as if I was wrapped in shadow.

"Bob have a snack," I instructed my companion as I prompted the energy being that lives in my aura. The screams of Bethlehem were music to my ears as he wailed in terror while Bob sucked out his life force.

Colonel Getty approached me and officially surrendered Bethlehem's saber which he had been holding for the former general. This was the sign for the cheering to begin. I sensed Colonel Getty had never enjoyed the actions of the Holden and had only challenged Bethlehem in an attempt to stop the killings. As I took the saber I used my power to give Getty back his manhood. He stared at me with wonder and spoke the first words he had said in quite a few years, "Thank you."

With a nod I instructed, "Lead the men back to the compound and I will be back soon to give out new instructions."

With that he did as instructed. Most of the Holden troops present at the battlefield were the ones that didn't like the killing at all. Bethlehem only brought them to the battle after I killed his more bloodthirsty men in Pineview. The remaining few murderers and rapists would be tried in the coming months while the rest would be watched on a case by case basis. The new judicial system of the restored government would use advanced technology I provided to determine guilt. The technologies' findings could be challenged but scientific proof had to be shown against the findings. I didn't think most criminals were going to be able to do such a thing.

As it turns out I did make it back in time for pregnant sex, something I enjoy very much. That night I flamed home to celebrate with my wives. When she climaxed while joined with me Abby's water broke. Using my special method of granting my wives a painless birth I delivered Anastasia Felicity Potter into the world.

2043, St. Rose Oregon…

"My father saw how fragile we all are and how quickly we fell into the hands of tyranny. He saw that ordinary men could reach deep within themselves and find courage. He saw that if we began to communicate as a nation we could become strong again, united. He never did see St. Rose, until now," my fully grown daughter spoke to the gathered crowd as she looked back at me lovingly. "He always said there was too much to be done. He'd made a promise and in keeping it he traded one dream for another, with no regrets. And so in honor of my father," finished Anastasia as she turned and pointed towards a statue that was being unveiled.

The statue was of me flipping off my horse to retrieve that letter from that little boy. My legend has grown even greater since then due to my acts of power shown during the fight for restoration. It has always been assumed that my technological creations allowed such acts along with the lack of aging of myself, Abby, and Sarah. I allow the people of the new society I formed to think that. It was a society that didn't allow weapons of mass destruction to be created. I formed it with clean energy sources and population growth in mind. It made the early Tollan civilization look like a bunch of thugs in comparison. I gazed proudly over St. Rose as Anastasia came over and sat on my lap before pecking me on the lips with a smile on her beautiful face.

Like several of my daughters and many in our family Anastasia has chosen to bond with her parents in the most intimate ways possible. The society I created is one of tolerance and doesn't discriminate against such acts of love and passion.

"I was that little boy," all of us heard with our enhanced senses a grown man tell his son while gazing at the statue.

"I'm proud of you my daddy, my lover," Anastasia informed me before wiggling her bottom and sending me mental images of what she wanted to do to me when we reached home.

"I think it's time to go now," I announced much to the amusement of my three lovers before reaching out with my mind and altering the memories of the crowd to picture me staying longer and performing my duties as the honored guest.

The remainder of my eternal life in that universe was one of peace, love, and adventure; traits that later defined my existence after initial incursions into new universes. Life was certainly never boring.