Time Travel Chronicles Part I

Chapter 9

Angie's fleet plowed through space in a universe that looked the same as hers. However, the Milky Way galaxy of this universe was slightly out of sync with that of the prime universe, and because of it, the parallel Earth was in the second quadrant of the Milky Way, instead of the first. 

"Prepare to send out fighters," Angie said. "We need to search for Mysterious aliens." 

Marty saluted. "Yes, ma'am. Have you assigned crews?" 

"No, but you may take Anna and Brigit, and if you wish, you may choose another." 

"That's okay. Two's company; three's a crowd." 

Angie smiled. "Very funny, dear." 

Marty returned her smile before disappearing. 

The equipment deck was busy with crews suiting up and procuring weapons. These crews were assigned to Marty, Meagan, Tiana, and Caroline. 

Marty greeted his little crew with a welcoming smile. "Good morning, ladies," 

"Hello, Commander, "Anna said with a beguiling smile on her sharp-featured face. "We are here to do your bidding, literally." 

"Yes, Commander, command us," Brigit said with a ornery grin on her pretty face. 

Marty scanned his eyes up and down both of them, conjuring up images of their bodies. "I'm more than pleased to have you do my bidding, ladies." 

They giggled. 

He pointed at the X-901. "Get your beautiful behinds on board, ladies." 

Once on the command deck of the X-901, Marty prepared for separation from the mother ship while Anna and Brigit manned the astronomy and navigation stations respectively. 

Other fighters waited for departure behind the X-901. When the hangar had been evacuated and the door retracted, Marty moved his lighter out, firing the engines to accelerate away. 

"Take us to jump, Delphi." 

"Where are we going?" Brigit asked. 

"The last known location of the Mysterious aliens," Marty told her. "But, I doubt that we'll find them there."

"I hope not," Anna said. "They're bad asses." 

"As opposed to good asses, as Uma would say." 

"I'm surprised you didn't take Uma along," Brigit said. "You like busty women." 

"Ours are pimple tits in comparison," Anna said. 

"I hear that from Lia, but you two ladies have nice . . . you have nothing to be ashamed of." 

"Coming from you, that's a generous compliment," Anna said. 

"Jump will commence in three minutes, Martin." 

"Execute on count, Delphi." 

"Yes, Martin." 

After a fifteen-minute jump: "We are now in normal space, Martin." 

"Put us in stealth, Delphi. Yellow alert status." 

"Yes, Martin." 

"I'm not picking up any enemy energy signals," Brigit said. "I think you're right about the Mysterious aliens abandoning this system." 

"The second planet has a high carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide concentration in its atmosphere," Anna said. 

"That's it," Marty said. "It's an ugly planet. You and I were held underground, Anna, after they captured us." 

"These are the idiots that crucify people, aren't they?" Brigit said. 

"Yes. They nail your wrists to a board and suspend you. It's a excruciating way to die." 

"I’m getting sick just thinking about it," Anna said. 

"They can't do it to us anymore. I can transport us out." 

"I'm glad we're with you," Brigit said. "For more than one reason." 

That made Anna laugh. 

"We'll hang around for awhile just to be sure," Marty said. 

"I'm not detecting any suspicious energy profiles," Brigit said. "I don't think anyone is home." 

"Unfortunately, we're going to have to prove it by going down." 

"I don't like the idea of going into a snake pit." 

"We'll suit up in armor and carry weapons," Marty said. "I can transport us." 

"How do we know that it's safe?" Brigit asked. 

"Can anywhere in space be safe? Ours is not to reason why . . . " 

Brigit made a face. "Yeah, I know."