Returning · Page 3

The car emerges from the woods, and there is a large town or small city ahead in the distance. However, after half an hour the car leaves the main road and veers off from the city into what is clearly agricultural land.

Another half an hour later it pulls up by a farmhouse.

"Well, here we are," Zeke says in his thick drawl, and opens the door from the car. He waves a hand for you to get out, and Ishara does so, looking around in his usual cautious way as he emerges into the open.

"Not much cover here," he says.

"No, but it's isolated. And the Federation doesn't know who is where out here, so we're pretty safe."

Ishara nods, and waits for everyone else. Zeke continues to hold out his hand for you to exit; Tom is holding back in his usual terrified manner.

--M. J. Young

I will use panoramic awareness to ensure no one is making unfriendly gestures. I will also keep link with Zeke's thoughts to make sure he doesn't pull a change-up on us.

Pharaoh

Your mental link drops before you reach the farmhouse; you realize at some point that it is gone, but you've been distracted and don't know when. You attempt to reconnect, but for some reason can't get through the static at the moment.

Emerging from the car, you note several covert security points, and a man in a second story window watching. This all makes sense from the perspective of a secure safe house, and the man nods at Zeke as if to say all is well.

--M. J. Young

Jolly good. I'll just go along from here and see what happens.

Pharaoh

You are led through a back door into a farmhouse kitchen; there is a pig spit-roasting in a huge fireplace.

"Sometimes the old ways are best," Zeke says, noting the simple heat-driven spit. "You're welcome to stay for dinner, if you're not all in a hurry; the farmhands won't finish all that in one sitting."

He leads on into a spacious living room with a sweeping open stairway along one wall.

"Make yourselves comfortable," he says. "I'm sure Ruth has been alerted to your presence, and will be--"

He is interrupted as a woman about forty years old calls from the stairway. "Why, Ishara, you old devil. It is good to see you again." She is moderately tall and well muscled, pretty but weathered and weary.

"Ruth," Ishara says. "It has been too long."

"You must tell me all that you've been doing. And this is?"

"Pharoah. He and his companions came upon us by accident, and decided they had nothing better to do than hang out with us for a while. Pharaoh, this is Ruth Mekita, one of the most effective organizers in the resistance."

"Oh, you give me too much credit, Ishara. So Pharaoh, is that a middle eastern name?"

--M. J. Young

"More a historical reference, ma'am. From my world. It is ancient Egyptian, for King."

I will make a small bowing gesture.

"And I am at your service."

I'll make with the award winning grin.

Pharaoh

She smiles playfully. "Well, your majesty, have you time to stay for dinner, or have you more important matters of court to attend?"

The roasting pork smells delicious, but probably has at least an hour to go before it will be ready to eat.

"I think," Ishara says, "that we should leave for Destiny as soon as they are ready to take us. The longer we are in orbit, the more chance the Federation has of realizing we are here, and apart from the complications that creates for us, it also means that your travels will not be as covert as all would prefer. John, help her with the transmat harness. I will try to reach Destiny on the communicators."

--M. J. Young

I'll assume that by John, he means me. Odd since he's never heard me referred to as anything but Pharaoh, though.

I'll help her with the harness, and have both Tom and Ishara, double check it to make sure I didn't mess it up.

After making sure the harness is proper, I will gently take Ruth's hand and kiss it.

"Even if there were more pressing matters, the court would have to wait until we were sure that all of your needs were attended to. Sorry about the rush, beautiful."

With that, I'll tip her a wink. I will then turn to Zeke and extend my hand to shake his.

"Zeke, it was my pleasure to have met you. My appologies that we can't stay for supper. That pork smells heavenly. It's been worlds since I've had fresh roasted pork. Perhaps next time we're in the quadrant? And don't worry, Ruth is in good hands. I will protect her with my life. That is my vow."

With that said, I will turn to the landing team.

"If we're ready, let's do this."

Pharaoh

You're right. He calls you Pharaoh, not John. My mistake.

Of course, I'm not sure that your wife always calls you that; you were using a different name when you met her. I don't now remember whether she calls you John or Kaiser.

Ishara comes back from the other room.

"We're going to have to sit tight for at least a few minutes. The Federation has sent scout ships out here, obviously looking for Ruth and whatever ship might be carrying her to her next port. Destiny has thus far not been detected, at least as far as it appears, but John* is taking no chances. As soon as they can move into a position favorable for pickup, they will grab us.

"Let me apologize in advance for our pending abrupt departure, and for anything we accidentally take with us when we go. Don't give us the good glasses, just the good wine." He smiles.

--M. J. Young

"Well, Zeke," I'll say, "it looks as if I may be able to sample some of that delicious smelling pork after all."

I'll turned to Ishara with feigned astonishment. "You sure the beam down went all right? You seemed to have ended up with a charming demeanor." I will smile good naturedly at him.

"No offense, but I'll pass on the wine. I prefer to stay sharp. I will however, step outside and have a cigar if you all don't mind. It will also give me a chance to take in an evening sky. By your leave." I will again incline in a slight bow and head to the outside to enjoy the evening air, corrupt my lungs and keep an eye on the perimeter.

Pharaoh

"Take your time with that seegar, Mista Pharaoh. Pork'll be ready in another half hour or so."

You step outside, look at the open farmland and fading light, and light your cigar. You take a long drag on it--and then feel that tingle that means the transmat beam has found you, and you are about to have your molecules ripped apart and put back together again somewhere else.

You appear on the teleporter platform between Ishara and Ruth, still holding your cigar.

"I'd put that out if I were you," Toni says. "I don't think John would be very happy with it."

--M. J. Young

I'll extinguish the cigar.

"Sorry about that. Caught me having a quiet mement."

I'll look to make sure my fellow team mates and Ruth made the journey unscathed.

"Hiya Toni. How's tricks? All quiet? Anyhow, this is Ruth. Ruth, this is Toni. Welcome aboard Destiny."

I imagine there will be some form of debriefing, so I'll get ready for that.

Pharaoh

My expectation is that we're going to pick this up on Sunday, for reasons of which you are already aware.

--M. J. Young

No Sunday session. Resume, please.

Pharaoh

I apologize. I forgot that the ball was in my court.

"Tricks?" Toni asks in a puzzled voice. John enters.

"You must be Ruth," he says in his friendly gregarious way. "John Alexander; it is good to meet you at last."

"It is my pleasure, Captain," Ruth responds. "It is not every day that one can meet a living legend."

"Well, then we have a meeting of legends."

"Does that make this a legendary meeting?" Ishara quips.

"At least," Toni suggests, "if you mean one that never happened, I think that that's the story."

"Right," John says. "My crew seem to be playing word games with us. In any case, come tell my pilot where we're going. I know you didn't want to say too much on an open channel, but we'll need to get headed the right direction, or even the wrong direction, if we're to get you where you're going."

"Thank you, Captain."

"Call me John, please. Right this way, then?"

He leads her toward the bridge.

"So then," Tom says, "what do we do?"

"I," Ishara says, "intend to keep an eye on our passenger for the present. After all, we play a dangerous game with high stakes, and the Federation would love to plant someone on our ship under the guise of someone we trust.

"You, I suspect, will get a drink and a meal and hide in your quarters, so as to be out of harm's way. But perhaps you may yet surprise me." Ishara starts heading toward the bridge behind the others. Tom stares after him for a moment.

--M. J. Young

I will go with Ishara behind the others. I will attempt to scan Ruth's thoughts for deceptions or any indications that this is a trap.

Pharaoh

You read nothing at all; you do not connect with her mind. It might be because of the constant moving of the several people around her, or that she has a disciplined and defended mind herself, but you find nothing.

You emerge onto the bridge, where Ruth and John are already talking with Gary about the destination. They've agreed that they should start in a wrong direction, but not the opposite direction, and make a few stops along the way, just in case the Federation becomes suspicious. Ruth is eager to reach her destination, but not at the cost of broadcasting her location to the enemy.

Once that's settled, it become evident that she is tired and hungry. Ishara offers to show her to quarters and the galley, so she can settle in and get some rest.

--M. J. Young

I will keep a close eye on Ruth when I can. In the meantime, I will check in with Miralla and Bob. I will continue to try and catch Ruth's thoughts when I can.
Other than that, duties, training, and see what unfolds.

Pharaoh

You attempt a bit later to catch her thoughts, and again fail.

Miralla and Bob say everything is moving along as normal; Miralla and Marilyn have to give Ruth a physical, but you're not invited to that.

--M. J. Young

I will try the psionic outer body gig, when Ruth is alone, and try and see if she's up to anything.
Other than that, I guess it's life as usual.

Pharaoh

You succeed in projecting your sensory presence into her quarters when she retires. You see her pop out of the shower and into a robe, then finish drying her hair. She is about to remove the robe and put on a light nightshirt, but you can sense the image fading.

--M. J. Young

Figures. Just when the show was getting good. Ah well, I'll try it again the next day and see what happens. Other than that, it's my usual routine.

Pharaoh

You snap back to your body. Miralla is watching you with a somewhat stern questioning look.

"It's dinner time," she says. "Shall we eat? Bob has already gone."

--M. J. Young

I will get to my feet.

"Yes. Dinner sounds nice."

I will give her a kiss and escort her to dinner.

Pharaoh

John catches up with you at dinner.

"I'm glad you're here. Look, I didn't want to make an issue of it. Ishara knows Ruth fairly well, apparently, but I don't; and truth be told, no one knows Ishara well. That's not to say I don't trust him or his judgment, but only that I want someone keeping an eye on our guest as much as possible. I can't spare Ann from communications, and Toni can only help a little with this, which means really it comes to Marilyn and you, Miralla, at least as far as being able to stick close to her without creating an issue of some sort. I'll certainly have George watching her part of the time, and you two can help--but I don't want her to feel like she's being chaperoned. So try to make it seem as if you're just interested in her and her work and her philosophy behind it, or whatever you can think of to keep close to her. Can you do that, without making it seem like that's what you're doing?"

--M. J. Young

"I'll do all I can, Captain."

In my spare time, I will attempt to get to know Ruth and her cause. I will ask questions, and attempt to do so without compromising the security of her present mission or putting her on guard.

Unless Ruth asks me beforehand, I will wait for a time when she and I are alone and away from people in general and say to her, "So, I supposed you noticed that Miralla, Bob and myself aren't from around thses parts? And by parts, I mean this universe."

Let's see if she curious.

Pharaoh

She is quite open to talking about the theoretical--how to organize resistance groups, the justification for opposing violence with violence, strategies for defeating a superior force, and similar things.

When you suggest that you are not from this universe, she says, "Do you mean that the three of you are not human? I'd believe it of your friend Bob, and there is something entirely unnatural in the color of your hair and eyes, but Miralla seems to be as human as anyone I've met--at least, as much of her as I've seen."

--M. J. Young

I will chuckle.

"Oh, Miralla and I are quite human. You see, Ruth, there are infinite worlds out there. Well, worlds, universes, realities or whatever you want to call them. We call then verses, which is short for multi-universes. Miralla, Bob and I are versers. Travelers of those verses. I was born on my Earth in the year 1964 and I looked quite different from my current appearance. I was killed in an electrical accident when I was thirty-three. It would seem that I was infected by an unknown substance called scriff during this accident."

“I awoke on my back in an obviously alien environment. I managed to find shelter for the night. A shelter that had been built by versers. In this shelter, I also found their journals that explained quite a bit as to what I had become. Not everything though. I guess I’m supposed to figure that out for myself.”

“I managed to keep myself alive for a bit. I found a lot of this new world strange and beautiful, and I found other places alien and surreal. Most of the indigenous life I found there was hostile, with animal-like intelligence. As I said people had been there before me, so I found shelter in an abandoned vehicle. There was also place to sleep and some food stuffs to survive on. I did all right, but after one hostile encounter too many, my luck ran out. Zap, on to the next world. This is a tale for another telling. And perhaps if we spend some more time together, I will tell it to you.”

Pharaoh

"That's--quite a story, Mr. Pharaoh. Thank you for sharing it."

I'm inclined to think that she will ask Ishara what to make of your story, but I don't want to prevent you from saying anything before that happens. It is clear that she is skeptical, at least.

--M. J. Young

I will laugh good naturedly, and nod at Ruth with understanding.

"Well, I know it's a large tale to believe, but if you have any doubts, ask Miralla and Bob. After all, I could be completely out of my mind. Delusional. Stark raving mad. But do you really think that all three of us could be insane subscribing to the same mass delusions? And if we were, how could we be performing everyday duties? But, I'll leave it to you to form your own opinion. But I am reminded of something someone once said."

At this point, I will look at Ruth intently.

"Who would claim to be that which they are not?"

Pharaoh

Ruth bristles at the last comment.

"I have known many who have pretended to be what they are not. Some we call infiltrators, some of the others traitors. I do not know who said that to you, but I think you should have less confidence in his words. Very few people are what they pretend, Mr. Pharoah. I have more than once saved my own life by such pretense, and more than once taught entire groups of rebels how to pretend that they are law-abiding citizens while secretly undermining Federation authority. You might be what you claim, but if so you are the exception, not the rule."

--M. J. Young

"Well then, an exception I shall be.", I will say smiling and chuckling.

"Forgive me, Ruth. I mean no offense. I too have had to use guile on occasions, but this is not one of them. At this very second in time, I have no need or use for deception. I'm merely trying to be friendly. Perhaps as time goes on, you will come to see that I am everything I claim to be. Again, my appologies. But what about you? How came you to be the stauch freedom fighter?"

Pharaoh

"Someone's got to do it?" she says with a sad smile.

"My parents were killed by Federation forces when they took over Sirius Four. They were leaders in the local government who had been outspoken against any cooperation with the monstrous empire. I was fifteen at the time, and fled into the underground to avoid being 're-educated'. It did not take me long to recognize that part of the reason the Federation won was because the resistance against it was so disorderly. I pulled together four other people who had clear leadership skills and strengths in various areas, and in six months we had an effective rebellion running planet-wide. The Federation was eventually driven from our world.

"That sort of left me without a job--nineteen, then, and all I really knew was how to organize resistance against occupying or invading forces. My companions all had obvious places in the new government--one head of the military, one running our computers and finance, one serving as spokesman, and one organizing and leading the legislature. They encouraged me, though, saying that I was the true organizer, the one who pulled everyone together and made their success possible. They offered to help me do the same for other worlds, and paid my way to Cignus Prime. I've been doing it ever since, relying on support from other rebels and being funded by those who have been successful due in part to my help.

"So, why are you on Destiny?"

--M. J. Young

"Good question. To be completely honest, Ruth, I have no idea. You see, when I physically cease to exist in one world, I find myself in another. I have no control over where I wind up. As far as I know, it's completely random. I have a theory though. I think for some reason whatever force controls the cosmic fates picked me to do certain things. Things that have no rhyme or reason to me, but make perfect sense to this force."
"On my homeworld, I was just an average guy. Nothing truly remarkable about me at all. Yet now I find myself thrown into circumstances that would have seemed impossible to me back then. I think that the aforementioned force has put me here to help the people of the Destiny. So, that's what I'm going with. Anyhow, it's never too dull, I get to travel and it keeps me busy."

Pharaoh

"And your companions?"

--M. J. Young

I'll smile ruefully.

"I met Miralla in a world closely resembling the fourteenth century of my home world. I found myself waking on a sailing ship called the Mary Piper. Explaining my presence on their ship was difficult as it always is. I convinced them to allow me to work off my passage aboard their ship. After finding some of my skills useful, they agreed. Miralla was a serving maid in a port our ship made leave in. Well, I'm not one to kiss and tell, but let's just say that our close relations led to Miralla becomming a verser. At least I assume, that is. It's the only explaination that makes sense. I didn't know that at the time of our meeting though. And like any good sailor, I left port when the ship did. I sailed that world for a while, and had quite a few tastey adventures."
"One day our ship came across a deralict ship. That ship turned out to be a pirate trap, and during the ensuing battle, I was struck down by superior forces. Thus led me to Bob's world and a strange reunion."

"Bob's world was primitive. Bob's people, the Orc, were a race enslaved by their human neighbors. I was still disoriented from my entrance into this world when I stumbled upon some humans in battle with some Orcs. Not knowing the situation, and being foolish, I aided the humans. As a reward for my help, they gave me a slave. I chose Bob. His real name is Karmanan Noctolon. Well, that's as best as I can usually get it. I just call him Bob."
"Well, After we made our way from the slavers, I informed Bob that he was free. He was my equal and my friend. If anyone asked him though, he was my slave. I made him my blood brother to prove my friendship and brotherhood. Again, not realizing that such intimate contact would make him like me. After a few days of traveling, I had this nagging feeling that something familiar was nearby. We found Miralla scared, confused, and half mad. We calmed her down, and I explained to both of them who I was and what had happened."
"We've been together ever since. Many world's, many sights and many adventures. As I said many tales, for many tellings."
"I think though, if you want to get a more complete perspective, you should get their sides of our story."

Pharaoh

"Well, it's a crazy story, but somehow I believe you. You have my pity--as do your companions. I understand what it is to be uprooted from your home, and I am only wandering the universe and could return to my home world if I chose to abandon my mission. You do not have any clear mission, from what you say, and could not chose to go home anyway."

She also indicates that she would love to talk with Bob and Miralla about their version of events, but this is more for getting a complete picture than for any doubt of your story.

--M. J. Young

"Oh please, feel free. As I said, it would give you a more complete picture. I'm sure they'd be glad to tell you. And believe me, I won't be offended. Heck, it IS a crazy sounding story. But believe me, doll(and at this point, I'll tip her a wink), it nothing compared to living it."

I'll flash her an award winning smile.

Pharaoh

"You are the charmer, aren't you? I've not eaten; do you suppose you could show me to the dining hall? I'm sure I could find it, but I'll find it quicker with a bit of help."

--M. J. Young

I'll will offer my arm to her.

"If you would allow me to escort you, it would be my uttmost pleasure and honor."

Pharaoh