Sailor Helga Prequel - Arnold and Helga's Past in the Future [COMPLETED]

Chapter 3

"Thank you," said Phoebe as she accepted the mug of warm tea from the muscular woman who had saved her.

She was brought to the house of the woman in the powersuit; it was a veritable mansion, and the three of them retired in the large room that made up the lounge. There, once she was examined for injuries, Phoebe sat on a plush red leather sofa and swaddled herself in a large throw blanket.

The woman in the pantsuit sat cross-legged across from her on red loveseat while the muscular woman continued to stand. "So how are you feeling? Better?"

"Yes, extremely," replied Phoebe; she blew the steam away from her mug before taking a sip. "Thank you for saving me, both of you."

The in the loveseat smiled, resting her chin in her hand. "I know who you are. You're Dr. Heyerdahl. Your reputation certainly precedes you."

Phoebe stared into the liquid of the mug. "Apparently..."

"Allow me to introduce myself," the woman stood from her spot from the loveseat. I'm Rhonda Wellington Lloyd. And over here is my personal assistant-slash-bodyguard, Patty Smith."

She gestured over to Patty, who merely nodded in acknowledgement.

Rhonda suddenly became flustered. "Oh dear – what's customary for your citizens? Do you bow? I don't want to offend you..."

Phoebe smiled. "Please, that won't be necessary. I should be bowing to you for rescuing me from my earlier precarious situation."

Rhonda looked relieved. "Well, contrary to what happened tonight, you are quite the celebrity around here. The illustrious doctor from the other side of the world, destined to rescue us all."

"I'm mainly here on reconnaissance, actually..."

"Do you know the history of Last Haste?" Rhonda walked over to a large map hanging on a wall on the opposite side of the lounge. "It's quite fascinating: when the Earth was on the brink of destruction, the ruler of the Eastern Kingdom used her power to heal the entire planet. Technically, the entire world is under her dominion," she pointed to a spot in the middle of the map, "except for right here. Not quite healed, survivors in this region had the autonomy to create their own nation independent of the Queen...."

"Because her reach was the weakest in the spot furthest away from her power," Phoebe chimed in. "It was the last vestiges of the old world – that's where the name 'Last Haste' originated."

Rhonda's eyes brightened. "I should have known you'd be well-versed."

"Of course – I was actually born in Last Haste."

Patty said nothing, but looked at Rhonda, alarmed at the revelation. Rhonda smiled. "My, you are certainly full of surprises. Let's go for a drive."

Phoebe removed the throw blanket from around her shoulders. "Actually, I should really get back to my hotel..."

"Pish posh! We promise to return you, but for now, let's go on a little trip."

Phoebe sat in the back of the Rolls Royce with Rhonda as Patty drove them through the dark streets of Last Haste. for the second time that day, Phoebe was treated to a tour of the city, only this time, the theme was tied around the several buildings and businesses that Rhonda owned.

"And I own this factory....and that building...ooh!...that place does amazing sushi..."

Eventually they pulled into a familiar area. Phoebe looked around in confusion. "This is..."

"That's right," said Rhonda.

"But how do you know about...?"

Rhonda smiled conspiratorially. "Who do you think funded this super-secret project?"