Well I think 12 is just as much of a special number as 42, 27 or 47. Check it out! You see...wait, I'm not finished! Come back!

I like it too!

-12-

Kiehart, still off active duty, stands on the bridge of the Spidership, leaning on his cane, watching the crew in action. "You know, we can use a probe or two to give off false lock-on signlas to make those Frog fighters think they've been bracketed by one of our weapons. If they jink in the right directions, and are erratic enouhg, the fighters outside could pick them off with ease, and with them gone the Bomber will be an easier target."

Actually, we've got something a little better. We got a nifty little upgrade to the fighters last year. After a certain point, every one of our fighters begins broadcasting fake locks just as their tactical systems switch to a new sensor frequency. Each of those Frogs will suddenly find himself targeted by at least 3 of our guys, and while they are trying to evade, it's doubtful they will notice the alerts from their computers that our boys have changed frequencies. Meanwhile, the Spider enters the picture. The whole thing should start in about 2 minutes. Biggens, the shield augmenter up?

"Well let's just hope they haven't improved their early warning systems."

Captain Biggens looks at Milkshake and smiles.

Yes. The augmenter has been up for 30 seconds....NOW.

=/\=Hendrix, have Scorpion fighter squadron Punisher launch immediately, and have all Phoenix fighters and the Shadowbat launch in exactly four minutes if that Bomber hasn't been destroyed by then. If the Phoenixes & the Shadowbat have to launch, then you're authorized to open up with all The Wytch Queen's weapons...except the Hyper-Gun. Biggens, out.=/\=

Biggens looks at the monitor showing the data on the spidership's shields.

Excellent. The augementer is working perfectly.

Sitting in his fighter craft the Furby joins the battle.

Very nice, frogships again. Sooo, remember who was the worst enemy of Sancho and Pancho? Right, the stork!

Using the built-in holoprojector the tiny ship morphs into a giant storkship chasing a few of course panicked frogs.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Scorpion fighter squadron Punisher launches from The Wytch Queen's Launch Bay 6. Each of the eight fighters resembles a scorpion, with blasters mounted where the pincers would be, and a `tail' with a cannon in the middle of the tip and six-round missile launchers on each side of the cannon.

Inside the cockpit of the lead Scorpion is Lime *, wearing a black helmet with a mirrored visor with his flightsuit.

Alright, Punisher squadron, lets help make sure that Frog Bomber is blown to pieces!

Lieutenant Kathryn Page is in the cockpit of Scorpion #2.

This should be a piece of cake...sir.

Lieutenant Earl Austin is in #3.

Lets get this over with. I left a mug of cold beer in my quarters.

Lime chortles underneath his helmet.

Don't worry, Lieutenant. We should be back before the glass starts to sweat!

Punisher Squadron heads toward the Frog Bomber....

* Lime was abducted by the Dull-Ard space crystal during LICC2 (Don't remember the board #), and was rescued during the Dull-Ard\Whyte Kastle War. He has no rank because he's technically not part of The Wytch Queen's crew.

Butrfli enters the bridge with PADD in hand. She goes over to Commander Milkshake and watches the fight.
It looks like our fighters are doing well. Here's my report on the casualities from the battle with Darth Terror, including Capain Tacoman and Commander Adon. Should I also include Darth Terror himself?

Hey Kiehart, got a minute?

Kiehart turns around and gives a half-smile. "Do I look like I have anything better to do," he says motioning his free hand towards the cane. "What's up?"

What's Kathryn Page doing in an online RPG? I thought she was scared of the Internet.

Tacoman, flying, dodging, and weaving around the Bullfrog Bomber activates his general comm again
This is one tough ship! My group isn't making much of a dent in these shields, and could use a little help here!

We interrupt this exciting battle for a massage, err, message by our sponsor:

The jungle. Fighting sounds in the background. The camera turns around to reveal a camouflaged Furby, dressed like Rambo and equipped with a really big f... gun. While firing at the enemy he sings and dances:

We really should try to coordinate better next time. Helm, take us into the battle! Tactical, fire at will! And I don't mean Riker!

Suddenly, the tactical officer draws his weapon and blasts a redshirt who is wearing a nametag that says "Will"!

"Gremlin"'s voice comes over Lt. Cmmdr Tacoman's comm.

That Bullfrog Bomber is a lot tougher than it looks. Try a fake-out, and see if that works. In the meantime, I'll see if I can get Lime to have Punisher squadron hook up with my Javelin squadrons. Then we can see if that Bomber can resist a full-on assault by ALL our fighters!

Lime's voice comes over "Gremlin"'s and Lt. Cmmdr. Tacoman's comms.

I was just going to suggest that myself, "Gremlin". It may be able to stand up to a fighter or two, but not to a whole joint strikeforce! If The Wytch Queen and LICC's best pilots can't take it out, then we're sunk!

Is this somebody's idea of a joke?
Singing
Spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, wonderful spam!
A whistling sound is heard, and the entire group is hit by several tons of spam and fruitcakes, killing them instantly

Your an anti-Wanderer, Kiehart. What do you know about private universes?

Tacoman, still on the comm...
Ok... I'll have my people withdraw, and then all the fighters attack the Bomber from all sides. We should also have our main ships attack, too, if just to help bring down the shields.
Meanwhie, on the bridge, Butrfli turns in just the right way to reveal that she's wearing the portable holoemitter. When asked, she says,
I'm the holositter for Fran and Logan. Butrfli is on an errand, and since the kids aren't here right now, she sent me to finish up her work in sickbay. That work includes bring up the report up here to the bridge. Don't worry, the Doctor understands, and I'll get the emitter back to him as soon as I'm done with it.

Kiehart shrugs. "A little I guess. I don't really use that portal thing very often. I think I've used it maybe five times in the past two years." He raises his eyebrows. "Fran and Logan. You think I can find them."

Meanwhile the giant "stork" has picked up quite a few frogships. It spits them out directly into the way of the bomber. Multiple collisions are unavoidable.

Quincy is standing on the bridge, watching what's happening...

I hope they take care of this soon. (He pauses.) Don't make me have to come out there!!

Everyone looks at him, and they seem to be trying to stop themselves from cracking up. Quincy lowers his head and nods.

I can't believe I just said that!

Whahoo!

Tacoman to Lt. Insane, withdraw our people to the following coordinates and wait for further instruction from either myself, "Gremlin", or Lime.
Tacoman imputs the coordinates and sends them to Insane.
Tacoman to Gremlin and Lime, I've given instructions to Lt. Insane to withdraw and wait for either of our signals.

Acknowlegded, Captain.

(He flicks a switch)

All craft, withdraw to these coordinates. (types in the coordinates) Wait for my signal.

(He realises that he called him 'Captain' automatically, but he doesn't say anything about it. It would only make it worse.)

Tacoman raises his eyebrows and says to himself...
Captain? Hmm.. I guess I have become a leader right now, if only just of the fighters...
Tacoman goes to the coordinates and opens a channel to both "Gremlin" and Lime.
Ok guys, we're getting ready over here. The LICC is gathering right behind the Bomber, and will attack at that end. Just say the word, and we'll have at it.

Here we go. Tactical, take us behind that bomber. I want a nice burst of phasers and torpedoes straight up their engines at my signal. Get the fireworks ready, it's almost Fourth of July!

I don't know. if you can or not. I don't know where they are. I can apparate through every known dimension in the multiverse and every multiverse on the boardiverse, but if I don't know where the universe is, it doesn't help me. And it's not like I can bring Adon back from the dead and ask him for directions.

I have this dim recollection that Adon had some personal dimension he used as an atemporal storage attic, and if that's true, there's no way that any one but him could know where it is. But I could be totally wrong, and we have to try!

Kiehart nods. "I know of two groups who can help us. The Conclave or the Callahnians. The Callahans aren't likely to help. They tend to stick to places they know. We should get in touch with the Conclave."

Tacoman opens a channel to all the fighters and the main ships.
Ladies and gentlemen, when we attack the Bomber, this will remind people that LICCing a frog won't always cause hallucinations!
let's make this thing really croak!

I've heard of those Callahans before. They're dirty. And hairy!

The redshirt suddenly chokes to death on a pretzel.

How?

A small uniformed person enters the bridge, wearing a reddish-green shirt.
Top of the morning to ya!
The unfortunate red-green shirt is squished by a ton of corned beef and cabbage, impaled by several four leaf clovers, and finally beaten to death by a troop of angry Leprachauns.

Where are Faith and Begorrah?

Last time I checked-- and I should know-- "reddish-green" was another descriptor for "brown." Red and green are complimentary colors.

"Gremlin"'s voice comes over the comms of all the fighters, and those of The Wytch Queen and the spidership.

The word is given! Scorpions, lock-on and fire ALL missiles!

A couple of seconds later, a volley of 48 missiles streak toward the Bomber.

Everyone, lets see what those missiles do. If they don't annihilate that Bomber, we wait for Tacoman's signal. When he says `GO!', we give it everything we've got and blow that Bomber to kingdom come!

Partying with the Queue.

The missiles hit the Bomber and explode against the shields. Various sensors show that they weakened the shields, but the shields are still holding. Tacoman gets on the conn and says...
Ok people, let's show these guys that sometimes the flies can have all the fun! GOOOO!
With that, every ship, fighter and main ship alike, fire on the Bomber with every weapon available.

Butrfli wakes up with a start and looks around. She's in the morgue storage room, and Tacoman's Cyberarmor is lying next to her. When she checks the log, she discovers that she entered the room, touched the armor, then passed out.
Was the Aztec Warrior just a dream, or was Jackson really the protector of the sacred Taco recipe?
Butrfli carefully examines the armor, but doesn't find the signs that the Aztec Warrior indicated. She presses a button, and a data chip emerges from a slot. Butrfli inserts the chip into the nearest monitor, and images begin playing across her face. She gasps, shuts off the monitor, and rushes to the bridge. The bridge personelle are suprised to see two Butrflies on the bridge until the real one touches holoButrfli's emitter, and she turns off.
Commander, I found something interesting in Jackson's suit... this data chip, which is to be played at any funeral or memorial service we have.

Secret Taco Recipes, the: The origins of the Secret Taco Recipes are shrouded in the mists of time. Some claim that they were originated in a city called "Port Mike" in the JARSO universe. Possession of said recipes would grant the recipient unbelievable power. The mayor of Port Mike allegedly tried to blackmail the then-holder of the recipes, to no avail.

Since then, the recipes have been sighted on Mars, Venus, Pluto, Epsilon Aurigae IX, and various other places. It is believed that the late Captain Tacoman of the LICC was the latest holder of the recipes. Their whereabouts now is currently unknown.

Kiehart shrugs. "Simple I suppose. I can open a portal and take us right to them. But that's assuming that they won't kill us on sight. With my Anti-Wanderer powers starting to form they may deicde it's better to kill me then to keep me around for their own uses."

Still alone in her quarters, Artsy sighs deeply and steps back from the product of her work. A satisfied pale gold floods through her then drains away along with her tired smile. The artist gazes for a moment longer, then stumbles across to her bunk and drops into it, asleep before her head hits the pillow.

"Sir, we jsut received a signal from the Archangel's computer. She says that the crew sends their deepest condolensces(sp?) over the loss of our crewmembers and that they'll do their best to attend the memorial as soon as they wiped out the Mind Flayer threat on narn, whatever that means."

There should be twelve pallbearers, and the memorial should last 12 hours.

-12-

Could you open the portal from a distance and keep yourself out of danger? Or to put it another way, would they kill me on sight too?

Valgrila is the graveyard of heroes. Memorials to fallen heroes from all over the known universe adorn it's surface. The caretakers of Valgrila are known to be picky about who's memorial they allow on it's sacred ground. They feel that choices should exemplify bravery, nobility, self-sacrifice and inspire others to do likewise, as well as helping those who are in trouble regardless of race, or planet of origin.

Cap... Comma... sir, there is a message from Earth. It seems that the caretakers have agreed to place memorials for both Tacoman & Adon on Valgrila.

Meesa lika yousa. Now meesa no longer the most hated member of the crewsa.

(Marissa who had come aboard & chewed out Tacoman only to find out he was another Tacoman from a different reality & that the real Tacoman & Adon had died, then had been ordered to work doubleshifts scrubbing the damage & remains of dead redshirts from the decks, glared at Jar Jar and said)

Your days are numbered, Redshirt.

(and went back to work grumbling all the way.)

Kiehart thought about it for a moment. "Good idea. They probably won't kill you. Here, take this." He hands a device to Frangelica. "This is a standard LICC communicator," she said. Kiehart shook his head. "Not exactly. I started out as one but I've made some certain modifications. It can now activate a micro-portal to summon me if someone other than me tries to use it. Also, in a pinch it can call the Banshee squad fighters to power up wether the pilots are in them or not, but let's not worry about that right now."

Thanks! And I guess if I really run into trouble, I'll apparate into another dimension and then send myself back here. It's hard to go wrong with a Q.

Well, I'm ready when you are. If we're going to do this, let's do it!

Gremlin, Lime, can either of you hear me? I think we did it...

Kiehart nods. "If the Conclave looks like their in the mood to talk as opposed to killin' send for me. Of course I'll open the portal low to the ground so I don't have to jump." He points to the cane as he says the last part of that sentence.

Lime's voice comes over all the fighters' comms.

It looks like it, but be on guard just in case.

Milkshake to Fighter Command, status report.

I will, I will.

Kiehart takes a deep breath, then opens a microportal. Frangelica steps through it an disappears. As she steps through, she feels her psyche begin to writhe under the scrutiny of any number of powerful minds. She hears some sort of vague echo of Kiehart's voice in her ears... he seems to be saying something over the communicator, but the spinning in her head is drowning him out.

What is this intruder? What is this Q doing here?
It seeks us wilfully.
Greetings... I...
The Conclave is not a board of review to be sought ought and intruded upon. What is the meaning of this?
Let her speak and you will hear!
My name is Frangelica. I come on behalf of Adon your minister. Is that the right term for a roving Wanderer?
Do not bandy words with us, Q. You are not one of us.
She claims to come on his behalf. That is rather interesting.
Why do you seek him here, Q? You are rather far afield.
Well, if you'll just let me explain...!
Who hinders you? Explain.

There are some small ruptures in the bomber's hull! I suggest we all focus our fire on one or two specific locations. Weapons systems and propulsion seem like the best options.

"Gremlin"'s voice comes over the comm.

I say we focus on the propulsion systems. That'll leave the bomber a sitting duck. Taking out the weapons systems is too risky. We don't know what kind of bombs that thing is packing, and if we got too close and the weapons exploded....

...it'll take us all out.
Now, I've got a joke for you... How many fighters does it take to destroy a frog's propulsion system?

"Gremlin" laughs.

Only one, if the pilot doesn't CROAK while doing it!

Need I remind you this is a serious situation?

Oh, wait! I just got it! (laughs uncontrollably)

(recovers, and flicks a switch on the communications pad)

All craft, concentrate fire on the propulsion systems!

(The fighters follow PD Insane's lead, and in turn fire concentrated phaser blasts at the BB's propulsion section. The metal starts to melt, and the hull breaches in that section. In fact, the breach stars to spread, and several spikes fly off the ship)

Yes!

Tacoman watches the breach and says
You know, with some fancy flying, a good pilot could enter that breach, do some damage inside the ship, and come out the other side...

Good idea.

The holoprojectors are shut off and instad of the storkship there is the Furby Fighter again. The small craft enters the doomed bomber and starts to fire, thereby creating a few new openings in the bomber's hull.

Time to borrow something!

The fighter returns with a large bullfrog warhead under the belly. Despite it being larger than the entire craft it fits perfectly into the fighter's bomb bay.

Hehehe.

Kiehart shakes his communicator impatiently. Nothing but static results. His cries of, "Frangelica! Can you hear me? Are you all right? Do you need me to come in after you?" sink into the buzzes and hisses. He stares thoughtfully at the portal and again at his cane.

...But when he gave his own life to save the ship, the secret died with him. Now these innocent children are trapped in this private universe with no one alive who knows where to find them. If you can direct me to my godchildren, I will humbly depart and trouble you no more.
Something like a superior chuckle.
You seek them here, Q? You are truly far afield!
Why does she trouble us with these matters when the answers lie in her own world? Adon is elsewhere!
Adon is dead!
And you expect to find him here?
!...? What part of...
Q, every Wanderer creates his own private areas of reality as he goes through life. You will not find them on any chart, for they are outside space and time. You seek a roadmap to Adon's private sphere: there is none. Only he can open the sphere after it has been closed to time and reality.
Anguished silence.
So my godchildren are lost forever.
Only if you stop your quest here.
?...!
She thinks she is so powerful and wise! And yet she knows nothing of the mortals and comes to us for answers!
She has walked every road in the stars and thinks she has walked them all!
The furry one and the colorful one have figured it out already and still she stands before the Conclave in despair!
Go, Q! Seek the secrets of dead Adon Mithral in himself. Leave the Conclave to the Wanderers.

The force of any number of powerful beings smacks against Frangelica's mind with an irresistible urge to depart. She decides that now would be a particularly inauspicious time to mention Jason Kiehart the Anti-Wanderer.

Just as Kiehart has decided to risk something, he sees Frangelica fall backwards through the portal onto the floor in front of him, her heavy cowl cushioning her head as it smacks the deck.

Kiehart slips his communicator back into his pocket and drops to one knee, winceing painfully as he does so, to help Frangelica up. "Well? What did you find out?"

Gremlin, Lime, it looks like that thing is about to explode.
Just as Tacoman says this, a significant portion of the Bomber does just that, leaving behind a large number of debris.
Should we go through the debris for weapons?

rubbing her head and grimacing

They're not the most welcoming and helpful bunch, are they?

They describeed Adon's private universe as being outside time and space-- from this I take it that the babies are safe in stasis and won't starve while we look for them-- in a place that nobody but Adon has access to. But they also said that I could rescue the children if I kept on trying. They kept telling me to go ask Adon, despite the inarguable and repeatedly pointed out fact that the man is dead. Then they made fun of me for not knowing what they were talking about. They weren't all that happy to see me, honestly... I don't know about killin'-on-sight, but I wouldn't barge in to their tea party if I were you. I don't know how Adon puts up with those guys.

One more thing... whatever it is that they were talking about-- and I really am not seeing the inherent rescue possibilities for a secret trapped in a dead man's mind-- they said that "the furry one" and "the colorful one" had figured it out already. What do Furby and Artsy-Fartsy know that we don't?

Uh, Frangelica, can I ask you what may seem to be a real dumb question?

The Q can travel back and forth in time, right? Why not go back in time, and ask Adon where his private universe is?

Kiehart groans and slaps his forhead. "D'oh! How could I be so stoopid! I forgot you were a Q. Oh man, I feel like an idiot. I'm going to my quarters to lie down."

Why not do a dimentional spectroanalysis on his sword. Or just go to Purgetory and ask him. You do remember I minored in Necromancy.

Because you can't go back in time. We said so. Nanny nanny boo boo.

Lime speaks.

Going through the debris for weapons might be a bad idea. Any warheads carried by the bomber could have been rendered unstable as a result of our attack.

He pauses.

If you want to scavenge, go right ahead.

Maybe later. Right now, we should get back to our ships so that they can complete repairs and we can celebrate.

Don't beat yourself up, Kiehart, you've been terribly helpful, and anyways, I'm not a full Q. As I said when I first returned, I'm not omniscient and I can't travel through time. Which is what all the fuss is about, Quantum Man. What is Purgetory, Donna?

Kiehart exhales and nods his head. "Well, I suppose we could go with Donna's idea of a dimensional spectroanalysis, but that's not a guarantee. Since one only needs able hands to work the machine I guess I'll do it. In the mean time, you and Qunatum can discuss other possibilties. I'll get Lt. Lopez to talk to Artsy, see what she knows. I'll talk to Furby myself unless you wnat to. You out rank me after all." He smiles.

=/\=Nice job, people. "Gremlin", Lime, take your respective flight groups back to The Wytch Queen. Commander Hendrix, please conduct a thorough sensor sweep of the sector and report back to me if you find anything strange. Biggens, out.=/\=

Captain Biggens turns to face Milkshake.

Captain Milkshake, I'm afraid I must return to my ship now. We're going to be heading to the Kyz'Orn sector in a few hours. The dinner invitation I extended still stands, by the way.

He shakes hands with Milkshake.

I hope we meet again under more...peaceful circumstances.

Captain Biggens gives a salute, then leaves the bridge.

Frangelica felt a presence all around her, but she could not identify it. Then she heard a voice speaking in a language that she did not recognise, even though she understood what was being said.

Fear not, child, for you shall indeed speak to him, when the time is right.

And then, the presence was gone. Frangelical realised that she was holding a note in her hand, with a simple message:
uavarta amatírë - do not abandon hope

(Sailor Evil had returned to the ship to discover that Tacoman & Adon had died and the news had sent her into a blue funk. She hardly knew Adon, except by reputation, but Tacoman had given her a chance to prove she was more than an inappropriatly-named hero. She was so out of it she didn't even realize that someone else was in the turbolift with her.)

Who's that? (She thought as she looked at the short, freckled woman in cloak & cowl) She looks familir, but...

Hey! You're Frangelica! Oh, wow! I never thought I'd meet you.

(She sticks out her hand)

Hi! I'm Evil!

Tacoman to Lt. Insane, let's get our people back to the ship.
Upon saying that, the LICC fighter fleet returns to the Spidership fighter bay, and are greeted by cheers and congratulations. The pilot who let Tacoman borrow his fighter goes up to him and says
Good job, kid. That was the most impressive flying I think I've ever seen. We may have to get you your own fighter!

Rocket Ranger looks at some sensor readings from a scan he peformed while the battle against the Frogships was raging.

Interesting....

He turns toward Milkshake.

The energy output from the Frogships' weapons seems to be a lot less than it should have. I wonder if they're using a different power-source for their weapons than they did in the past....


[If you want to see what Rocket Ranger looks like in his standard armor: http://fight4freedom0.tripod.com/fight4freedom/id3.html ]

If they are, they'll probably reconsider their decision pretty quick.

Milkshake to Fighter Command. Great work. I'd say you've earned your shore leave now. Coordinate your dockings, we don't need any accidents now. Once again, good job.

The turbolift doors open, and Tacoman steps out, having already docked his fighter.
Now that was a heck of a fight.
So, what's next?
By the way, Commander, when I was at the repair base, I ran into a kid who called himself "Comet Lad." I think he thought I was your Tacoman...anyway, he said to say hi and that he was part of another superhero group.

(Klassikos enters a room containing several shelves and bookcases stacked with CDs, PADDs and even books. Klassikos rolls his die on the floor. The number `1' is on top)

Oh, no, number 1. That means I have a one in six chance of finding anything out about ROANI here. Or only one out of every six materiels contains information.

Lieutenatn Lopez, acting Flight Captian while Kiehart is out, walks up to Tacoman. "Excuse me, but that fighter of yours belongs to the starbase, not to us. I think they'd appreciate it if you gave it back." He smirks. "And when the FC gets back I'm sure he'll give you a spot in Banshee Squadron. We're short a pilot, and about six fighters, right now. I've got the shuttles out salvaging what weapons and materials they can from the Frogships. With Mr. Kiehart's help we may be able to get our sqaud up to full strength."

Thanks, Kiehart, I'd apprecite if you'd talk to Furby. I'll go speak to Arsty-Fartsy myself-- haven't seen her in a while.

Frangelica makes her way towards the turbolift and pauses when she hears the Mysterious Voice. She taps the side of her head experimentally and peers quizically at the piece of paper now in her hands. She steps into the lift still fingering the undeniably solid paper.

Something seriously supernatutal is going on here.

The person next to her suddenly explodes into an excited flurry of introductions and mentions something about Evil.
Whr? Oh, yes, that's me. Uh, hi. Evil as in a job description for Alt-Furby, scourge of terror that he is, or Evil as in Don't Typecast Me Because of My Name I'm Really Quite Virtuous When You Get To Know Me?

The chime of the door to her quarters wakes Artsy, who sits up and rubs the sleep from her eyes. "Yes?"

Observer's voice comes through the intercom. "I have someone here who wants to see you."

Artsy laughs at the impatient sending from Quito. "One moment." In a quick swirl of motion, she changes out of the dress she'd worn on the date, bloodstained now from her stint in sickbay, and reappears in her usual tunic and leggings. "Come in."

The door slides open and Quito launches herself at Artsy, nearly knocking her over, and thrusting the tiny wooden doll in her face. For a moment Artsy enjoys this cuddle, and inspects the beautiful doll seriously. "She's wonderful. Now you're a mommy too, Quito. What's her name?" The child's sending is an image of a stream running through a forest. "Brooke?" Artsy guesses, and Quito smiles contentedly.

Artsy looks up to see Observer still standing in the doorway, gazing at something across the room. When she turns and sees the two memorial statues, recent events dampen her enthusiasm. Gently she puts Quito down and turns to Observer. "They're for the memorial service. Do you know when that's going to be?"

Probably in a day or two. We need to get back to Kesprit and arrange it.

(Observer sighs, then looks back to the statues)

They're wonderful, although the Latin is just a bit off.

(Observer smiles to let Artsy know he isn't being terribly serious)

The memorial will allow us to lay our grief to rest, and I think I know something else will, too. A good old-fashioned Irish wake, minus the keening and religious observances. I've been to two, and they always make me feel better, until the morning after.

Tacoman looks at Lopez
When we get back to the station, I'll give it back to them.
Now, about the fighter pilot job... I'd be happy to join the Squadron. In fact, I have a few ideas of my own from my home dimension that I could always share...
Turning back to Commander Milkshake
Commander, when we get back to the station, perhaps you and few of the other personell would like to dine with me in one of their restaurants? I'm sure there's a lot you'd like to ask, and I have a few things to ask about myself.

Rocket Ranger looks at Tacoman.

Normally I wouldn't let anyone else do this, but... If we get into another situation where we have to send out the fighters before we can get some replacements, you have my permission to fly the SnowCrane. But not the ThunderWolf.

He pauses.

Just don't press the purple button on the weapons control stick. That weapon uses up too much power and temporarily drains the ship's shields.

As for dinner.....I know this great little place on Ghanri Prime. Its only about ten minutes from here at Warp Two, and they have the best Orzarian Gvvash I've ever eaten. Off of Ozar, that is.

Thanks, Rocket, is it? Of course, you're going to have to show me around the SnowCrane first...
Gvvash? Don't think I've heard of it.

Kent walks up. He's wiping his hands off with a towel.

You've never heard of Gvvash?! You poor, poor fool!

He looks at Rocket Ranger.

I had to help Wayne fix a problem with one of the engines. Somehow it got damaged when I was flying the SnowCrane back from The Wytch Queen.

He looks at Tacoman.

If you want, I'll show you the SnowCrane right now. Wayne should have finished looking her over by now.

Lead the way.
Kent takes Tacoman to the SnowCrane and starts to instruct him on the controls...

The door to Artsy's quarters dweedles.

Artsy? I heard voices so I thought you might be up. Can I come in?

Yeah, what a nice victory!

In hangar 47 the Furby is greeted by the Teletubbies of Doom who immediately start to polish the Furby fighter again.

"Frangelica? Come in!"

(Observer smiles as Frangelica comes in)

Hello Frangelica, glad you're back.

Hi Observer! Good to see you aga... Oh, wow Artsy, that's really beautiful!

Frangelica gazes in awe at the memorial statues of Tacoman and Adon which now grace the far wall of Artsy's quarters.

That's truly amazing. What does the bit on the bottom mean, "Non est enim mortus, sed dormit?"

Kiehart, his knees still hurting from on the bridge, walks over to Furby. "Hey Furbs. Um, I'm not exactly sure what to ask here but-" He relays everything Frangelica told him about her encounter with Conclave to Furby. "So, what does that mean? Do you know what they're tlaking about?"

Well, my knowledge on Wanderers is certainly very limited but I think I remember having read somewhere that the body of a really dead Wanderer simply disappears. And yes, Adon's body is still in a stasis chamber behind sickbay. Sooo, what do you think?

Kiehart sighs, then looks up at the ceiling. "Well, for some reason the old joke about cats having 9 lives keeps popping into my head, but other than that I'm drawing a blank. How the hell are we gonna find the kids, that's the real problem."

I suggest we should find out first why his body didn't disappear. Well, I hope it's not because I did bite Terror-Adon and injected them with Furby venom. Terror purged his body from it but that apparently weakened him enough to be defeated by Adon. Oh-oh...

Sometime later, Tacoman and Kent reemerge onto the bridge
...so the guy says "honey, that one's eating my peanuts!"
Anyway... I've got the basics of the controls down. Now, what I think is amazing is its ability to combine with the ThunderWolf... now that's something I'd like to see one of these days.
Commander, how about that dinner invitation? As Rocket Ranger said, we can go to Ghanri Prime...
Hmm.... do any of the eateries at Kesprit serve Gvvash, or does the best come from Ghanri?

Artsy blushes pale pink and shifts uncomfortably. "I'm not very good at translation. It just came to my mind while I was working on Adon's statue and it seemed to fit so well I had to include it." She frowns, staring at the inscription. "Observer thinks I was a bit off on a couple of words, but it just felt right."

"Non ist enim mortus, sed dormit," Observer intones softly. " 'He is not dead, only sleeping'." He shakes his head and sighs.

(Observer appears lost in thought as he looks away from the statue)

A powerful statement, and prophetic, perhaps?

(Artsy and Frangelica stare at Observer curiously)

Never mind. Oh, all languages preserved down to this day are at least a little corrupted, it's not fair of me to nitpick. Artsy, you did a wonderful job.

(Marissa's door deedles and she curses obscenities at whomever is causing it. The deedling continues and she drags herself out of bed, still cursing. Her hair's a mess, she has bags under her eyes & basically looks like hell. She opens the door.)

WHAT!?!

Steven: Aaaaaaah!!!

I have to work doubleshifts so this better be important!

S: *gulp* Y-y-yes, my lo... Marissa. H-h-have you checked your email today?

(Marissa glares at Steven and finally says)

Maybe it's just my bloodshot eyes, but is that a red shirt you're wearing?

S: *gulp* I-I-I I think you really should check. I think it'll be worth it.

(Grumbling Marissa turns and heads over to her monitor. Steven waits outside.)

Well come on in! If I'm gonna kill you I'd prefer there were no witnesses.

(Marissa looks at her email)
47 pornospams, 23 business opportunities from "Your Friend in high places", 13 remailings of bad jokes, rumors & affirmations, & 10 death threats from disgruntled K-NIT Viewers. Oh, yes. This was worth giving up sleep for.

S: You missed one.

Hmmmph. An offer of employment for the Chancellor of Ffiltar. Yeah, I can just imagine what the offer is. (She reaches to delete it.)

S: No wait! Check it out first!

Dear Marissa Marrisa:
Have heard many great things about your abilities. Would like to offer you the captaincy of one the ships in the Ffiltar fleet.

(She glares at Steven) This isn't funny! I am not in the mood for whatever game you are playing!

S: It's not a game! It's real! A real chance for you to be captain!

Then how did you know about it before I did?

S: M-m-my dad is the Chancellor of Ffiltar.

What?!? So I just got the offer because you asked daddy for it?!?

S: Not exac... well... sorta. But that's not important! It's a real spaceship. You'd be a real captain. Milkshake couldn't push you around anymore. And isn't what you do with an opportunity more important than how you got it? I know you have what it takes to be a great captain.

(Marissa is silent as it sinks in)

YES!!! (She jumps up & kisses Steven) Yes! Captain Marrisa! I love the sound of that! I'll miss you Steven.

S: B-but I'm coming along.

Do you have to?

S: Yes. I'm your first ma... uh... second-in-command.

Oh. Oh, well that's okay. Now leave. I have to get ready and compose a particularly biting letter of resignation. YES!!!

An expression of slow, confused epiphany wends its way across Frangelica's face. Well, considering I was practically told to come to you for help, I'd say there's no two ways about it! A whole bunch of supernatural forces are trying to make sure that this comes through to us: Adon is not dead!

Now what do they mean "merely sleeping"?

Frangelica chews her lip in thought. Something said by somone named Donna pokes at her cogitating equipment.

(Observer looks back at the statue, then at Frangelica)

I hate to say it, but yes, Adon is dead. Terror's trap was perfect. However, there is a great deal of difference between being dead and being dead-for-ever.

Maybe he's just mostly dead?

Next time we go to Earth I should stop by at the Garden Of Unresolved Storylines. I'm sure to find the Celestial Musician there.

"Dead for ever"??? Are we talking nine lives like a cat or three lives like a video game hero or a free get-out-of-jail pass to the afterlife?

I'm skeptical.

Artsy has been watching this back-and-forth between Observer and Frangelica, a confused grey and blue swirling over her. "Not dead? 'Not dead forever'? I thought it was just being poetic. How is Adon not dead?! I saw the video files!" At the images that brings back, Artsy flashes to deep silver....

He is dead, Artsy. I was simply pointing out that very few things, not even death, are permanent.

Artsy-Fartsy heard someone speaking to hear, but she didn't recognise the voice or the language. Nevertheless, she understood what was being said.

You are more right than know, young one. Have faith.

And rhen, the voice was gone.

"Ah, he seems to be waking up."
Rikard eyes slowly open. Light floods his vision. He squints as the area around him begins to focus. He looks up. Sickbay's ceiling. The Holodoc's head appears.
Mr. Rikard, welcome back.
Rikard: Welcome back? What happened?
EMH: Oh, just a bump to the head. During the battle, you were knocked unconcious. Actually, you had a mild concussion when you were beamed in. But, you're fine now.
Rikard: Is the battle over.
EMH: Yes, I believe it is.
Rikard layed his head back, sighing.
Rikard: Oh well, it would have been nice to do some dogfighting again. Am I free to go?
EMH: I don't see why not.
Rikard: Thanks Doc.
Rikard leaves Sickbay and heads for his quarters.

Milkshake, who has been working on several PADDs, finally looks up.

Right now we need to bury our dead, Alex. I'm arranging the memorial for tomorrow. If you want to take a shuttle or fighter over to Ghanri Prime for dinner, be my guest.

shaking her head
I dunno, Obsy. In my experience, death is one of the most permanent things I've encountered. The Powers That Be that run the Underworld have no patience with the Return Ticket. And they delight in making sure that anyone who is actually raised from the dead gets couple of demonic escorts on the way out and turns into a brain-eating zombie who has to be re-killed for the Good of Humanity. Even Commander Milkshake with his Great Destiny couldn't bring Tacoman back from Tantalus without the Powers That Be switching dimensions on him. I met some of those guys when I was a Crystal Accolade, and believe me, they are not generous beings!

DEATH MAY NOT BE CERTAIN, BUT I AM!

Go away, and don't come back until April 15.