When Nissa grows back, she appears as a silhouette as usual, but for the first time, metal plates do not converge onto her. Instead, there are golden ribbons. One wraps her waist and makes an hourglass figure from breast to knee. Tinier ribbons cling to her lower leg, and some weave into her hair.
There are more feathers from her shoulders, but they seem to be part of the outfit. Instead of forming useful wings, they simply flow over the right shoulder. They are red and gold, like phoenix down, and her dress is a shimmering gold. Her shoes look like what a Valkyrie might wear for a ceremony—and maybe the shieldmaiden twins on that old TV show wore those same shoes? Her hairdo is also a 1938 style.
Nissa may not have been among the top 25 in her 30-student history class, but the one memory she does retain is fashion.
She says to L.C., “Can you look at the page I bookmarked? The schematic’s a little unclear in a couple spots.”
You’re so clever, L.C.! So how do I play this?
If we should travel time, say: “You push that lever forward.”
If we should not, and cooperate means STALL, say, “You pull the lever back.”
Also, what of Dr. Moore? Can he be trusted?
If yes (I mean no different than usual), say, “The pedal on the right.”
If no because he’s with Portly, say, “The pedal of the left.”
If unsure, “The pedal in the center.”
And lastly, I’m madly in love with you. I seriously never felt this way about anyone, and never thought I would. You don’t need to respond. I just want to tell you, in case anything goes wrong, I don’t wanna regret not telling you.
~♥️,
Nissa
P.S.~ Regardless of your answers to the above, if you need to add a message, say, “Oh... I see your confusion now. Let me edit Step 4.”
If you CAN’T write back, say, “I think no edits are necessary.”
If you simply don’t need to, say, “Do you need any other clarifications?”
"Stop being oblique. Who are you trying to save and why?"
"We haven't kept this a secret for 250 years by bragging about it," says Mr. Portly huffing. When he sees Verve isn't budging he answers, "Fine, the American government killed an alien in 1938. We did something similar at Roswell a few years later, but we covered this one up better." Mr. Portly makes it sound like improper cover-ups bother him more than murdering aliens.
"It turns out the alien was an emissary, a messenger from a very distant world. We didn't know that, however, until 2195 when we finally decoded the data-crystal they sent it with. It could have remained a regrettable historical incident, but we received a similarly coded transmission a few weeks ago. The alien's people have contacted us and they are coming to take their ambassador home. We don't even have a body to show them! Its corpse was destroyed during one of the Naruto runs on Area 51 back in the 2030s. We need someone to go back in time and rescue this alien from, well, from us."
"Look, you're civilians. I can't order you to go. It's possible we'll be able to use the angel-head over there to send someone else through. We know it works and we could give Dr. Moore a lot of money to make it work well and for someone else. But, frankly, we don't know how long before the alien fleet arrives and we'd rather not wait to find out."
"And I assure you, making this one terrible secret disappear from history, will do nothing to change history in any way. It's just one dark secret removed from the very crowded pit into which we throw our dark secrets. We did't learn anything from the alien anyway."
L.C. is hearing this for the first time, as is Colonel Greer. They're both a little stunned by what they are hearing. L.C. soon shuts out the news and focuses on her microscope which she is using to examine the very, very tiny book on which Nissa has written. "I can't even write this tiny with lasers and a computer" she mutters as she zooms in further.
Nissa says, “It’s okay, L.C. Clarify when you can.”
[ooc]The post script is about adding written notes, which may have caused confusion. The idea is that what LC says of levers and pedals will be understood by Nissa, but to anyone else, it seems like she’s clarifying a schematic in the manual.
For now, she focuses on the mission. “So why do we suddenly care about a 300-year-old injustice? Did our 20th century government, by any chance, murder a peaceful alien who’s from a technologically-superior world that could retaliate by, oh… I dunno… say, launching a device at our sun that reverses the polarity of its photons, turning them to gravitons, which I think makes the sun a black hole.
“Sorry… been reading stuff to try to understand my powers. But they will wipe out Earth if this mission is unsuccessful, won’t they?”
Charles's eyes go a bit wide at the explanation. "Well... I guess I'm on board for that."
He's not at all 'on board' for cooperating with Mr. Portly and working with Dr. Moore, but... no need to say *that* out loud.
"Do we have any idea how that cloak that makes me look human translates my clothes so we can make me fit in?"
Charles's eyes go a bit wide at the explanation. "Well... I guess I'm on board for that."
He's not at all 'on board' for cooperating with Mr. Portly and working with Dr. Moore, but... no need to say *that* out loud.
"Do we have any idea how that cloak that makes me look human translates my clothes so we can make me fit in?"
Mr. Portly beams, "This one was Colonel Greer's idea. Backpacks!"
Mr. Portly summons Greer with a beckoning hand.
Colonel Greer grimaces at Portly's enthusiasm and summoning, but he lifts a very old military backpack onto the table. "Broke this out of the Greer family museum. Belonged to one of my ancestors," says Greer as he brings it over to Charles. He shows Charles where he has cut a slit in the antique backpack for the cape to be both worn and tucked into the back pack practically invisibly. "Just wear the cape, but tuck the bulk of it through this hole and carry it inside the pack. Wear the pack high up on your back."
He helps Charles try it on. As he does, he casually says, "Charles, remember what I told you about trusting your instincts? You'll need them on this mission."
L.C. looks up from her "I see the problem in the instruction. You need to push the lever forward and only then press the pedal on the left. I'll add some notes." She goes back to working on the micro-scopic book.
"Yes, we are a little worried about this advanced alien species. We aren't sure what kind of weapons they have, but the assumption in their last message was that the 'Emissary' they sent would be running things by now. It seems a rather bold assumption that just one lone member of their species would be ruling our entire planet 250 years later, but not one we are eager to test their reasoning for."
Verve is still unconvinced.
"So, what is plan b? I ask because even if we save him (that's a big if, mind you) we still will be in trouble once it tells it's people that we have super powers and can time travel."
Verve is still unconvinced.
"So, what is plan b? I ask because even if we save him (that's a big if, mind you) we still will be in trouble once it tells it's people that we have super powers and can time travel."
"Frankly, if this plan fails, the U.S. government will be prevailing on the local superhero community to once again step in and save us from ourselves again by risking life and limb to stop a potentially Earth-ending alien threat that we could have and should have avoided in the first place. This way risks fewer super-lives," explains Portly.
Nissa gives LC an appreciative nod.
She listens to Verve and Portly, and finally interjects, “Better we intervene now than later, then. Sarenrae blessed me with this stellar outfit, which is maybe a sign that the timeline’s as robust as you say. I can’t believe the gods would give us power to erase a soul from existence. So as soon as Dr. Preston updates the manual, we’re good to go.”
Nissa turns to Verve and says, “I trust her tech. If you wanna hear about the new features, I’ll tell ya like 300 years ago.”
It’s apparent to Verve that Nissa and LC somehow communicated in code. Whatever was said, Nissa will share after traveling time.
"Right. I'll remember, sir," Charles replies.
He falls silent, ears twitching as he tries to pick up the undercurrents in the conversation (and fails). He has other questions, really, but doesn't trust asking them.
"Fine, I'll go." she points at Moore. "but he stays here."
Mr. Portly nods a little, but then says, "Dr. Moore insists he is the only one able to do the calculations necessary to operate the head, seeing as it isn't attached to ... what was it, an angel?"
Dr. Moore leaves the Flight Deck and enters the control room. He seems excited, "So, is everybody ready to get some head?"
Colonel Greer jumps in, "Dr. Moore, we've talked about appropriate humor for work environ-"
Dr. Moore waves his hand in Colonel Greer's face cutting him off and says, "Did Portly tell you that I'm in charge?"
Dr. Moore also thinks if he comes that he'll just escape. So do Col. Greer and Dr. Preston. Mr. Portly is the only one who doesn't seem to worry about that.
"I can preset the head to return them to the Flight Deck," offers L.C. Preston.
"But, I mean, this whole thing ... I'm the one, ..." sputters Dr. Moore.
Portly ignores L.C., "I'm not afraid of Dr. Moore escaping, because I am going to let him go. Once Dr. Moore returns you to the present, with the Emissary, I promised to release him from ... what are we calling this extra-judicial imprisonment? Trans-dimensional asylum seeker detention? Medical quarantine?"
"As far as Dr. Moore going on this mission, my objections ..." begins Col. Greer.
"Have been ignored because it is FATE that determines whether this particular card flies from the TAROT deck," replies Mr. Portly, pointing at Dr. Moore. "However, I cannot ignore the concerns of our superheroes. If they feel Dr. Moore should not accompany them on this trip, then I will respect that. The integrity of the timeline is of parallel importance."
Dr. Moore begins to object loudly. "But, how are they going to trigger the gate to re-open on their way back without Uncanny Valerie? That dead head isn't going to do it for them!"
"I can preset--," L.C. begins again.
"I've got an idea, perhaps we could have L.C. preset the head somehow to return our heroes to the Flight Deck," says Mr. Portly.
"Brilliant," sighs L.C.
Mr. Portly nods, agreeing with L.C.'s assessment of his leadership.
The Olympian grumbles, "Uh, Zeus! Can we go? From what I can sift through office politics, this is an important mission. So let's FU<KING GO!!!"
Nissa says, “Seems we’re all in agreement… except on the matter of Dr. Moore. The fact we’re even discussing that he might actually attempt to escape and live in the past is alarming.
“I would only want him along if his presence makes us less likely to leave our mark in the past, not more likely. I’d ask him to promise, but, y’know—
“Oh… I totally forgot Uncanny Valerie actually did tell us we have some magical treasure. One gets the truth outta people, and the other… doesn’t that make us less likely to travel the wrong way? ’Cause piloting the Bombshell to another time’s a first for me. First for everyone, if no one’s ever time-traveled earlier than 1938.”
"I'd rather have the preset option than Dr. Moore, after our shared past," Charles states warily.
Verve is about to say something else, but stops herself and goes and finds something to wear.
“Oh… I totally forgot Uncanny Valerie actually did tell us we have some magical treasure. One gets the truth outta people, and the other… doesn’t that make us less likely to travel the wrong way? ’Cause piloting the Bombshell to another time’s a first for me. First for everyone, if no one’s ever time-traveled earlier than 1938.”[/b]
"Wait", The Olympian interjects, "you mean the chalice? Kinda stands out on a rescue mission. I suppose it can stay on the ship. If you think it will help, I'll be right back." The godling rockets off at incredible speed back to his room to grab the magical vessel.
Dr. Moore grumbles as L.C. Preston takes charge of the angelic head from him. She's using a handheld device to program it. "These are based on Dr. Moore's calculations. When you pierce that little transdimensional portal inside not-Valerie's head here in the Flight Deck, we are going to blast it with the crossdimensional coordinates he's given me for the target in 1938. That's similar to what we did when you traveled to Beowulf actually."
L.C. gets excited as she explains this next part, "But, for the trip back, I've packed those crossdimensional coordinates into a single use transmitter attached to the back of the bombshell. Nissa will have to drop this bomb at the right time to trigger the trip home. I'd rather we have a couple weeks to practice this, but, just make sure the bomb gets released as you enter the portal."
Dr. Moore interjects, "It seems rather risky. Perhaps-"
"I'm actually rather proud of this," replies L.C.
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The Flight Deck does not have the large metallic disk in the center that it did before. L.C. has significantly scaled down the head-cannon device now that she knows what it actually does.
Not-Valerie's head looks a lot like Valerie. Maybe members of her species could tell each other apart, but you can't see a difference. It's attached to a tripod in the center of the Flight Deck. One eye is held open with little pins so some wires can run in and out. The eye is moving independently, perhaps in reaction to the wires moving, but it looks like Valerie, decapitated and one-eyed is looking around the room randomly.
Surrounding the head is an old-fashioned duffel bag, five bicycles appropriate for the era, two pairs of binoculars, rope, a shovel, and a case to carry Not-Valerie's head in. All of this looks appropriate for the era you're going to.
Any last preparations?
Nissa returns wearing a cornflower-blue sun dress and black flats, along with a wide-brimmed hat.
"So what is our cover identity?"
Nissa returns wearing a cornflower-blue sun dress and black flats, along with a wide-brimmed hat.
"So what is our cover identity?"
"Hopefully none will be needed. If Dr. Moore's calculations are correct, you will see the alien ship land, retrieve the Emissary, and return to our time. The cover-up of the alien ship will simply have one corpse missing," explains Mr. Portly. "If you do meet anyone, just make something up!"
"I'm smellin' alot of if comin' off this plan." mutters Verve to herself.
The godling returns with the mutli-colored chalice and hands it to Nissa. "I know I'm sounding like a broken holo-recording, but I want it back", Theo smiles sheepishly.
The Olympian goes back into a private room to put on his era clothing..and comes out looking like a half a billion dollars!
"Hot Damn!" The Olympian pronounced as he returned to the others. "Starlets of old Hollywood, watch out! A son of Zeus has 'made the scene'!"
"I think we're staying far away from Hollywood," Charles comments with a completely straight (illusionary) face in response to Theo's outburst.
There were about a million things wrong with this plan, but frankly Charles wanted to get away from Mr. Portly before discussing them any. He was more than a little worried by the information they'd be landing not long before the alien ship, but... they'd have to make do somehow.
Nissa grins as Theo shows up in his outfit.
“Speaking of Hollywood,” she asks him, “do you need to see some 1930’s film to familiarize yourself with the vernacular?”
She presses a button on her comm link, and a high-pitched male voice says, Vernacular? That’s a doiby!
In a more serious tone, Nissa says, “If we can get the alien and get out, that’s best.” She makes sure to bring a flask in her purse so she can pour water into the chalice for the return trip.
A resentful Dr. Moore encourages you to gather on the Flight Deck.
Despite Dr. Moore claiming he need to 'pilot the head' he's standing with his arms crossed when Ron the tech initiates the portal opening deep inside Not-Valerie's head.
Mr. Portly stands very closely behind L.C. Preston
Dr. Preston and Col. Greer go through a 'pre-flight check list' which includes a new procedure, checking equipment installed to destroy anything offensive that tries to come through an open gate while you're travelling.
Nissa says to LC, “I’ll give your edits a careful read, then I’ll be off!”
She asks Verve to give her a full minute before launching.
Nissa then shrinks out of sight and reads LC’s edited manual in the cockpit of the Bombshell X2.
The Olympian is ready to board, his weaponry well hidden in his custom-made period clothing.
"I've input all of the spatio-temporal-frequency data for the target location in 1938," says Ron.
"These parameters are similar to the last ones," muses L.C. Preston. "I'd expected entirely different processes to be in play."
"This is time-travel by transdimensional means," says Dr. Moore. "you wouldn't understand."
"If you say so," says L.C.
Mr. Portly puts his hand on L.C.'s shoulder.
Her voice is just a bit tighter when she says, "T-60 on your signal, Verve."
The countdown begins as soon as Verve indicates she's ready.
"Alright, let's do this I guess." said Verve as she levitated up the ship and prepared to fling it into the ether.
"Alright, let's do this I guess."
"That's the spirit!" chirps Mr. Portly with unrelenting positivity.
The equipment you're using this time is more streamlined and looks less like something Dr. Moore read about in a book on transdimensional archaeology. Over the next 60 seconds, and following a number of checks and steps along the way, Verve guides the Bombshell 2x into position within the giant needle, and fires it using a frictionless telekinetic force.
Once again, Nissa is moving through the subatomic world toward the tiniest of gates possible. This time though, she knows it's supposed to explode. Ron immediately activates the pulse designed to 'tune' not-Valerie's gate to the desired spatio-temporal-frequency when it pops.
Mr. Portly gives a thumbs up.
Dr. Moore looks like he'd like to shoot Mr. Portly.
"Whoa!" The Olympian blurts out. "So this is what happens when you're awake!"
Verve closes her eyes this time, not wanting to see what comes next.
Charles grimaces as he braces himself. So many things could go wrong...
The new Bombshell is easier to control—or maybe it’s just that Nissa’s done this before. She takes in the strange interior of the head, and wishes it didn’t look so much like Valerie.
Is this head just a machine? Was Valerie? Nissa can’t believe Valerie is anything but a person, just like the people in the Beowulf world felt so alive.
Remembering L.C.’s note, she says aloud (though no one can hear her), “I trust you too, L.C.”
She takes the Bombshell to 1938, and trusts everyone else is swept in her wake…
When the Bombshell enters the tiny quantum gate and Nissa pulls the lever, the quantum gate expands.
For those on the Flight Deck, it's a sudden burst of light originating in not-Valerie's head and engulfing everyone, blocked only by the omnissium shielding on the walls. It happens very quickly.
For Nissa, it looks like she's shooting across a vast expanse of stars that have suddenly appeared around her, targeting one that is burning brighter than the others. The Bombshell rockets across the sky of infinite possible points of re-entry into normal space-time. She might experience this as taking a much longer time. Her destination on this trip burns brighter because of the pulse that Boston Theoretical is pumping into the lab. The return coordinate frequency is packed in the Bombshell's only ammo--a single pulse weapon that should light up the star home when you decide to return.
When the light that engulfs you fades, it takes a while for your eyes to adjust to the dark. Shades might be a good idea.
Once you can see again, you find yourself standing on a grassy hill. It's a full moon, but still somewhat dark. You can see spots of light in the distance. Possibly a town. Certainly some houses in different places.
In the grass around you are the bicycles, the extra cases, some shovels, some chains, and some rope. Also, one of the cameras recently added to the inside of the lab was caught up in the area of the gate. It falls with a thunk in the grass as soon as you arrive.
"Damn it. We need to collect up as much of this stuff as we can. We're already making changes." Verve says as she picks up the camera.