Legends of Amacia: Mysteries of Tiamat
The Child and the Cats

“That must be Dennis,” Mary said,rising from her seat and going to the front door. She looked out to see Denniscoming up the driveway with his backpack in tow and a downcast expression onhis face. “It’s Dennis,” she said over her shoulder as she opened the door.Stepping out of the house, she closed the door behind her, going to meetDennis. “What’s the matter, honey?” she asked him as they slowly walked back tothe front door.

Dennis hemmed and hawed and finallysaid, “I told my friends at school about what Hannibal gave us and told us lastnight.” He paused a second, and then continued as they reached the front steps,adding, “They didn’t believe me and worse than that, they made fun of me.”Dennis sighed deeply, obviously upset by what had happened at school.

Mary put her arms around him andconsoled him. “They’re just jealous of what you know. It doesn’t matter whatthey think,” she said, kneeling down in front of him. “You know it’s true,don’t you?” He nodded yes. “That’s all that matters,” she said warmly.

“Is Hannibal still here?” Dennis asked,noticing Hannibal’s truck still in the driveway.

“Yes, he is and some of his friendshave come to visit too,” Mary said, trying to suppress her excitement aboutwhat Dennis would think of Selina as she stood up. “They came a long way justto see us and you.”

Dennis cast an uncertain look at hismother. “They came to see us?” he asked as he remembered the stories Hannibalhad told the previous night. His mood changed a bit as his excitement slowlybegan to grow while they walked to the front door.

Mary opened the door, letting Dennis inand following him in, closing it behind her. She smiled as Dennis surveyed thescene. Everyone sat snacking on sandwiches and chips. Dennis saw his dadsitting in his favorite recliner with a drink in his hand. Hannibal sat on thesofa with Selina at his side. Dan sat next to Hannibal on the kitchen chair.Everyone looked at Dennis. “Dennis, I’d like you to meet some of Hannibal’sfriends. They showed up here about lunchtime. This is Dan,” Harry said pointingto Dan.

“Hi there, sport,” Dan said,introducing himself. “I’m Dan.”

“And sitting over there next toHannibal on the sofa is Selina,” Harry said, smiling.

Dennis dropped his pack and walked overto Selina with his eyes as big as dinner plates, ignoring everyone else in theroom. He rubbed his eyes with his hands and stared with his mouth hanging open.Hannibal sat silently, smiling as he finished his sandwich.

“Hi,” Selina purred, leaning forward tolook Dennis square in the face. “How are you?”

“Wow!” Dennis finally replied. “You’re– you’re a cat!”

“Yes, I am,” Selina purred, smiling.Dennis started to reach out to touch her, but hesitated.

“Go on and touch her, Dennis. It’sokay,” Hannibal said. “She doesn’t bite.”

Dennis looked at Harry, who nodded thatit was okay. “Go on. It’s all right,” Selina purred, holding out her hand andarm.

Dennis reached out and touched her handand arm, beaming with delight. “Wow,” he cried. “I have a real cat woman in myliving room! How cool is this!” Selina smiled as he stroked the silky soft furon her arm. “I’ve never felt anything this soft. Dad, you’ve got to feel this!”he bubbled with excitement.

“I already have,” Harry answered.

Her fur enthralled Dennis as he strokedit. “Do you purr like the cats we have around here?” he asked.

Selina smirked. “Yes, I can,” shereplied, letting him sit next to her. “Listen closely,” she instructed and theroom got very quiet. She began to purr softly as she put her arm around Dennis.

Dennis listened intently and his facelit up in pure joy. “She can purr like a cat, dad!” he beamed.

Both Selina and Hannibal chuckledsoftly, absolutely enjoying the moment. Harry, Mary, and Dan smiled whilewatching Dennis make one discover after another.

“I can see that,” Harry answered hisson with a pleased look on his face.

“What about your claws?” Dennis askedSelina, looking into her delighted face. “You do have claws, don’t you?”

“Why yes, little one,” Selina answered,holding her hand so that Dennis could see it, “watch.” She flexed her fingers,extending her inch long, razor sharp claws.

“Your claws are an extension of yourhands and feet like the cats here on Earth, aren’t they?” Hannibal asked.

“Yes, they are,” Selina replied with apurr, “although I haven’t had much use for them here recently. It does make itso much easier to climb things, to keep my footing in treacherous spots, and todefend myself.”

“You’ve got some long claws. It’s justlike a tiger. I like tigers myself but you’re much better than a tiger. I wouldnever be able to touch a tiger,” Dennis crowed. Selina chuckled again as sheretracted her claws. “Where are you from?” he asked intently, looking up intoher deep catlike eyes.

“Are you sure you want to know that,Dennis?” Hannibal asked.

“Yes…yes, I do,” Dennis pleaded.

Hannibal looked at Harry, who nodded.“Go on and tell him,” Hannibal ordered Selina, smiling wryly. “He’s a man. Hecan handle it.”

“I’m a Lynxian, Dennis,” Selina purredin her smooth melodious voice. “My planet was called Kaitia and it used to beon the other side of the galaxy.”

Dennis gave her a blank look as whatshe said sunk in. Then his countenance lightened with understanding. “So you’rea real alien from outer space,” Dennis stated.

“Yes, I am,” Selina declared, nodding.

Dennis beamed with delight. “This istoo cool. I always knew there were aliens out there. But how did you andHannibal get together?” he asked.

“Hannibal saved my life when my homewas blown up,” Selina answered. Before Dennis could ask any more questions, sheasked, “Would you like to see what my planet looked like?”

Selina looked at Hannibal for approvaland he nodded as Dennis said, “You bet! But how will I be able to see yourplanet? You don’t have a spaceship we could go there with, do you?”

Selina chuckled again. “We don’t haveto go there to see it,” she answered. “But I have special pictures of it. Whydon’t you show him the pictures, Dan?”

“Okay...just give me a minute,” Danreplied. He rummaged through his satchel and retrieved both the disk withKaitia on it and the hologram projector. He changed the disks while Denniswatched in utter fascination. “Hold on to your hat, sport,” Dan said as hepunched the start button on the projector, and then sat it on the coffee tablenext to the sandwich platter. Dennis watched as it hummed, and then a lightshined out of it with the holographic representation of Kaitia materializing inthe living room. Dennis looked on in awe as Dan tweaked the holograph so thatit would zoom in on Kaitia.

“That’s where I’m from, little one.It’s a long, long way away,” Selina said, pointing to Kaitia.

Dennis’ eyes sparkled with wonder as hegot up from beside Selina, going to touch the planet. His hand passed throughthe three dimensional image. He stood there looking at his hand, and then theimage with wonder and puzzlement. Finally, it dawned on him what he was lookingat. “This is a hologram isn’t it?” he asked.

“Why yes, it is, Dennis,” Hannibalanswered.

Dennis stood there, staring at theholographic projection in complete wonder. “This is where you come from?” heasked. “Wow! It’s so pretty, just like you are.”

Selina sat back and smiled. “Why thankyou, Dennis,” she said after taking a sip of lemonade from her glass.

Dennis continued drinking in the holographicimage. “Where is this?” he asked abruptly.

“Can you show the Earth’s position inrelation to where Kaitia was?” Hannibal asked Dan.

“I think so,” Dan replied as heretrieved the projector. He pressed a series of buttons, which allowed theimage to zoom out, giving a view of the entire galaxy. Seconds later, the Earthand Kaitia lit up on opposite sides of the galaxy, highlighting theirpositions. “We’re here,” Dan said, pointing to the Earth deep within the secondspiral arm in from the edge of the galaxy. “Kaitia is over here,” he continued,pointing to Kaitia in the center of the outer spiral arm of the galaxy on thefar side of the galaxy from the Earth. “It’s about eighty-five thousand lightyears away.”

Dennis stood there for a moment,digesting what he saw. “Your planet is way over there?” he asked Selina.

“Yes, that’s where it was,” Selinareplied, nodding.

“Can we go and see it?” Dennis askedhopefully.

“I’m afraid not, little one. Dan, couldyou bring Kaitia back into view?” Selina asked.

Dan nodded and zoomed in the hologramin on the whole Kaitian system.

“Why not?” Dennis asked in a puzzledmanner.

“Do you know what a supernova is,Dennis?” Selina asked Dennis.

His expression narrowed as he thought.“Yeah,” Dennis replied after a moment of contemplation. “It’s when a star blowsup and makes a neutron star or black hole. That’s what they taught us inschool. But what does that have to do with going there?”

“We can’t go and see it because itisn’t there anymore,” Selina declared with just a hint of grief in her voice.“Do you see this star?” she asked Dennis, pointing to the blue giant member ofthe trinary system.” He nodded yes and she continued, “This sun exploded as asupernova the day I met Hannibal. It vaporized everything you see here and itwould have gotten me and my father had Hannibal not showed up and rescued us.”

Dennis sat down next to her and letwhat she said sink in. He looked up at her with a genuinely concerned look.“You can’t go home then,” Dennis stated in a worried tone.

Selina saw the look of concern and asmall tear welled up in her eye. “No, I can’t. But I’m here and that’s all thatmatters,” she purred.

Dennis saw her expression and responseto his question and hugged her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry,” heapologized.

“That’s all right,” Selina responded,returning the hug. “It seems that I have a new family and a new home now.”

“You can stay here if you want,” Dennisoffered with complete sincerity, looking into her eye.

“That’s sweet of you to say that butI’ve already got a place to stay. Hannibal has given me a place to call home,”Selina said, gently touching his cheek. “But if I ever need a place to stay,I’ll know where to come.” Her answer satisfied Dennis, who began to bubble withjoy and excitement again. He helped himself to one of the remaining sandwichesand some chips. Immediately, he offered some to Selina who graciously declined,informing him that she already had a sandwich.

Mary rose and asked Dennis whether hewanted anything to drink. He answered that he wanted a soft drink. Mary wentinto the kitchen, got him a drink, and brought it to him. After giving Dennisthe drink, Mary asked her guests, “You’re staying for supper, aren’t you?”

Hannibal looked at Selina and Dan,asking, “Do you want a good home-cooked meal? Mary’s a very good cook.”

“You make too big a deal over mycooking, Hannibal,” Mary said, blushing. “I just do what I can.”

“Sure. I haven’t had a real home-cookedmeal in ages,” Dan replied.

Selina glanced at Hannibal, and then atMary. “It’s a day for new experiences,” Selina stated. “I’d be honored to havedinner with you.”

“I’ll go on and start supper then,”Mary replied, pleased with the answer as she went into the kitchen. Selinalooked after her briefly, and then brought her attention back to Dennis, whosat quietly next to her, eating his sandwich and drinking his soda.

“If we’re done with the projector, I’llturn it off,” Dan said as he finished his snack.

Hannibal leaned back and placed his armaround Selina on the sofa back, saying, “I think so. Go on and turn it off.”

Dan picked up the projector and turnedit off. The hologram vanished in an instant and he put the projector in hissatchel. Dennis gave a slightly disappointed look when Dan turned off thehologram. Hannibal noticed it, so he motioned for Dan to come over beside him.He whispered into Dan’s ear and Dan replied in a whisper so that Dennis couldnot hear, “Yeah, I think that could be arranged. I’ll have to return to theTemple in order to do it, though.”

“Excellent. I’m sure he’ll love it,”Hannibal whispered.

Dennis then suddenly looked up atSelina and asked, “If your home is eighty-five thousand light-years away, howdid Hannibal rescue you?”

Selina prodded Hannibal gently in theribs with her elbow. “He wants to know how you were able to rescue me sinceKaitia was on the other side of the galaxy and you don’t have a spaceship,” shesaid.

Hannibal withdrew his arm from behindSelina and leaned forward so he could see Dennis. “Remember last night when Iwas talking about the Temple?” he asked. Dennis shook his head yes and Hannibalcontinued, “We found more things in there than what you heard about last night.Now what I’m about to tell you, you mustn’t tell anyone else. It’s a secret.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.Even if I did say something, no one will believe me. I told my friends aboutlast night and what you said,” Dennis said in a humbled tone. “They laughed atme and didn’t believe a word I said. They said that I made you up and that I wascrazy for telling such stories. After I told them, they teased me unmercifullyfor the rest of the day. I shouldn’t have told them anything.” His demeanor hadchanged and his features were downcast. “So you don’t have to worry about mesaying anything else,” he added.

Selina looked down at himsympathetically. “I know about that all too well. I was the smart one, justlike you, when I was in school and my classmates treated me the same way. Itseems that this behavior is universal. But cheer up,” she said, gently turninghis head by the chin with her hand so that he was looking her in the face.“They’re just threatened by you individuality. Besides, you have a real catwoman in your living room today and I’m not the figment of someone’simagination.” She smiled pleasantly at the young boy and his face lightened up.

“You can’t tell anyone about Selinaeither,” Hannibal said sternly. “I think you know why too.”

“Yeah, if the government found out,they might try to take her away,” Dennis said profoundly.

“You’re quite the little genius,Dennis. It looks like you’ve got a pretty good bead on things,” Hannibal said,impressed with him. “Just know that we’re in…” He was cut off as his phonerang. He pulled it out and answered it. “Talk to me,” Hannibal said. He listenedintently for a few seconds and then replied, “Indeed? Well, that is news. Isthe Temple still secure?” He listened a few more seconds and said, “Good…verygood. Since the Temple is secure, would you like some home-cooking?” Helistened intently for a few moments. “All right…Home in on this signal. Butbefore you come, I need you to bring me one of those little projectors,”Hannibal stated. He smiled as he listened and replied into the phone, “We’ll behere. See you in a little bit.” He laid the phone down just as he did when Danand Selina used the portal. “Do you mind if your father comes for a littlevisit, Selina?” Hannibal asked.

Selina’s face lit up. “You mean youwere able to get him out of the Library?” she queried excitedly. “Of course, Iwouldn’t mind. It’s been a while since I’ve had a meal with my dad.”

“Hope you don’t mind one more,”Hannibal said to Harry.

Harry looked at Hannibal with a seriouslook. “You mean there’s one more coming?” Harry asked. “Damn! Why don’t youhave the whole world over?” He kept the serious look for a few seconds while heand Hannibal stared at each other. Hannibal began to think he had oversteppedhis bounds. Then Harry snickered and cracked a grin. “Had you going, didn’t I?”he crowed.

Hannibal chuckled. “I guess you did,”he admitted.

“Of course he can come. I’d better tellMary there’s one more coming,” Harry said, rising out of his recliner andheading for the kitchen.

Dennis sat there in puzzlement, tryingto figure out how Selina’s father was going to come and what he would looklike. His excitement began to grow at the anticipation of seeing someone elsethat looked like Selina. He looked up at Selina as she asked Hannibal, “Howsoon will he be here?”

“Oh...just a few minutes; I needed himto replace a spare projector for me. As soon as he replaces it, he’ll come,” Hannibalsaid plainly. Selina nodded in acknowledgment.

Dennis began to wonder how this wasgoing to happen. “Were you talking with the Temple?” he asked.

“Yes, I was,” Hannibal returned. “Thisis what I was fixing to tell you about. What you’re about to see stays in thishouse. Do you understand? We found things in the Temple that are way beyond ourpresent technology. People will kill for this stuff.”

Dennis scratched his head, saying,“Okay. No one will believe what I say anyway.” He sat there a few moments thenblurted out, “Could I write a story about it?”

As he spoke, Harry re-entered the room.“No problem for one more,” Harry announced.

Hannibal sat there a moment andconsidered Dennis’ request. He looked at Dennis’ expression of hope andeagerness about the request. “Harry...is Dennis a good writer?” he asked.

“He has a gift,” Harry replied, lookingat Dennis. “He aces every essay he writes and he seems to enjoy doing it. Hehas a vivid imagination too. I’ve read some of his work and it is good for akid his age.”

Dennis blushed slightly and tucked hishead in a sheepish manner. “So you can write. Do you do it often?” Hannibalasked.

“Sometimes,” Dennis answered.

“Is it for school or just for you?”Hannibal probed intently.

“Some of both, but mainly for school,”Dennis replied.

“Do you like to write, Dennis?”Hannibal asked, rubbing his chin. Dennis nodded yes and Hannibal hesitated fora moment. “Well, since you’re an up and coming writer, let’s encourage him,”Hannibal stated. “Yes, you can write a story about it as long as everyonebelieves it just a story and not real. Can you do that?”

Dennis bounced up and down next toSelina in absolute joy. “Yes, yes I can do that!” he exclaimed.

“Just remember, if you have to shareit, keep it as a story,” Hannibal warned.

“Oh I will, I will,” Dennis bubbled.

As he spoke, the area in the middle ofthe living room began to get an odd look to it. Hannibal saw it and said toDennis, “Okay now. You wanted to know how I rescued Selina. Well, it’s showtime. Look!” He pointed to the middle of the room where the air went fromstrange to shimmering.

Dennis sat in awe, watching, as theshimmering turned into a glowing sphere, and then a ring large enough for someoneto walk through. His mouth hung open as a shimmering seven-foot figure appearedinside the ring, and then suddenly stepped out of it into the living room. Thering disappeared with a pop after the figure cleared of the portal.

Hannibal rose from his seat andextended his hand to the figure. “It’s good to see you again, Nathanael,” hedeclared.

Nathanael grasped Hannibal’s handfirmly, and then pulled him in for a big bear hug. “Oh it’s so good to see youtoo, son. It’s been a while since you’ve been to the Temple,” he said,releasing Hannibal.

“Yeah, it’s been too long since I’vebeen to the Temple,” Hannibal agreed.

Nathanael surveyed the scene andnoticed Selina sitting on the sofa with Dennis, who stared in fascination. “Hiprincess, how have you been?” he asked Selina.

Selina rose, giving her father a bighug, who reciprocated in kind. “I’ve been fine, dad. Just took a little breakto meet some new friends,” she said.

“I see that. And who have we heresitting next to you?” Nathanael asked as his piercing gaze fell on Dennis.

“This is Dennis,” Selina purred,sitting down and putting an arm around him. “He’s Harry’s son and a very cleverone at that.”

Hannibal spoke up as Harry rose fromhis seat. “This is Harry,” he said introducing Harry.

Harry reached out, grasped Nathanael’shuge clawed hand, and shook it firmly. “This day surely has been full ofsurprises. So, you’re Selina’s father. I can see where she got her looks from,”he said pleasantly to Nathanael.

“Well actually, most of her looks shegot from her mother. She got her strength, tenacity, and drive from me,though,” Nathanael answered modestly.

“Oh dad,” Selina purred sheepishly,running her hand through her hair.

“Now let’s have a look at the boy,”Nathanael said in a fatherly way as he squatted down in front of Dennis.

Dennis watched, as Selina’s fatherlooked him square in the eye. “Wow!” he breathed. “You’re a cat like Selina.”

Nathanael smiled broadly, showing hiscanines. “Yes, I am,” he stated. “I am a Lynxian, just like Selina.”

Dennis looked on in wonder, his eyessparkling like stars. “You’re so big too,” he observed. “Is your fur soft likeSelina’s?”

“Why don’t you replace out?” Nathanaelsaid, extending his arm so Dennis could touch it.

Dennis reached out and touched his arm,stroking the fur and satisfying his curiosity. “It’s different somehow,” Dennisstated. “Her fur is soft and smooth like silk. Yours is soft too, but just bitcoarser than hers and more like velvet.”

“You have a good eye, young man,”Nathanael complimented. “You’ll do well to keep that eye for detail. It mayhelp you someday.” While he was speaking, Harry went into the kitchen to bringMary out to meet Nathanael.

Hannibal edged over to Nathanael as herose from his position in front of Dennis, asking quietly asked if he hadgotten the spare projector he wanted. “Yes,” Nathanael whispered. “It took me afew minutes to replace it, though.” He pulled it out of his pocket and slipped itinto Hannibal’s hand.

“Good man,” Hannibal praised as he putan appreciative hand on Nathanael’s shoulder. Turning, Hannibal sat down nextto Selina and leaned over toward Dan, handing him the little projector. “Canyou copy the Kaitia disk onto this thing?” he asked Dan in a low tone.

“Yeah, no problem,” Dan murmured. Heimmediately started tinkering with the projector. Dennis didn’t notice what wasgoing on because his attention remained solely on Nathanael and Selina.Nathanael sat down next to Dennis and began to engage him with small talk.

A few moments after sitting down, Harryre-entered the room with Mary. “Mary,” he said. “This is Nathanael, Selina’sfather.”

Nathanael rose to greet Mary, who stoodsilently while wiping her hands on her apron. Before her towered an enormousLynxian seven feet tall with a build most football players would envy. Just aswith Selina, he portrayed the perfect combination of human and felinecharacteristics. His great mane of almost black hair streaked prominently withsilvery gray lay pulled back into a braided ponytail as long as Selina’s ponytail,reaching down his back to just between the shoulder blades. His fur was nearlythe same color as Selina’s, only a little duller and he wore tan khakis cut offjust below the knees with large pockets and a tan tee shirt that hung on himloosely. He had large piercing green eyes and his catlike ears poked out fromunder his mane. Nathanael emanated a profoundly powerful presence that seemedto reflect his confidence and intelligence. He saw Mary as she entered the roomand humbled himself so he would not frighten her. She extended her hand slowly,in awe of this giant cat. Nathanael dropped to one knee so he could look up ather, and then took her hand, gently kissing it. “It is an honor to be invitedfor dinner in your home. I hope my size and appearance doesn’t frighten you,”he said softly.

“No, sir,” Mary replied, blushing.“Your appearance doesn’t frighten me, though your size did take me back alittle. It’s my pleasure to have you here tonight. Any friend of Hannibal iswelcome here.”

“Thank you, ma’am. It seems thatHannibal is the common link here today. Everyone here is very close to him,”Nathanael purred. “I won’t detain you any further. I’m sure that this dinnerwill be one to remember.”

“Yes, I’m sure that it will,” Maryanswered. “If you folks will excuse me, I have some supper to get ready.” Sheturned and headed back into the kitchen.

“Maybe you would like to help her,Selina,” Hannibal suggested.

“Yes, maybe you could help,” Nathanaelagreed. “At the very least, it would give you a chance to see how humans cookreal meals.”

The suggestion intrigued Selina and sherose from the sofa. “You know, I think I will,” she declared. “I might learnsomething new.” Then to Dennis, she said, “I’m going to help your mom, allright?” Dennis shook his head okay and Selina followed Mary back into thekitchen.

“I thought it would be good if shecould see how a real meal is prepared by someone who knows how,” Hannibal saidto Nathanael after Selina left the room. “I remember how the food was at theTemple. Has any improvements been made since I’ve been gone?”

Nathanael and Dan looked at each otherbriefly and said simultaneously, “No.”

“Well,” Nathanael started. “Maybe alittle; the main problem is a lack of variety. We have, on occasion, retrieveda deer or boar from the jungle and prepared it. Still, despite that, it’s thesame old thing over and over again. Not that I’m complaining because I’m alwaysthankful to get it, but if we could just have something other than thoseblasted MRE’s that are so bland, it would make life a little easier.”

“Yeah,” Dan agreed. “We haven’t hadanything else for a couple of months and those things are getting old. LikeNathanael said, we kill a deer or wild pig from time to time just to vary themenu.”

“You should’ve said something,”Hannibal replied, rubbing his chin. “I’ll see if I can’t do something aboutthat. I absolutely understand about the MRE’s. I’ve had more than my share ofthose bland things in my lifetime. They were just the most convenient thing atthe time we went in there. Now that things are pretty much secure, maybe we canimprove the menu. Who’s getting the wildlife, anyway?”

Dan glanced at Nathanael and thenlooked at Hannibal. “Nathanael and Selina; they’re the most skilled huntersthat I’ve ever seen,” Dan stated. “In one instance, they actually ran the deerdown after wounding it.”

Nathanael looked down modestly. “Itwasn’t anything,” he stated. “The wildlife on this planet is pathetically slowin comparison to that on Kaitia. The lower gravity of this planet makes it easyfor us to overtake our prey.”

“I’ll bet those claws came in handy,”Hannibal commented with a smile.

“Yes, they did,” Nathanael agreed as hesat down between Dennis and Hannibal on the sofa. The sofa groaned under thenew weight of Nathanael, but held.

“We’ll do something about the menutomorrow; first thing,” Hannibal announced.

Dennis abruptly noticed the Relic onthe coffee table for the first time and went to it. “What’s this thing?Man…it’s weird looking,” he asked, staring at the Relic.

“It’s an artifact we found in theTemple,” Nathanael said.

“What’s it for?” Dennis asked.

“No one seems to know what it’s for,”Hannibal answered. “Now that you’re here, Nathanael…maybe you can help withthis. What do you think?”

“Could you hand it to me?” Nathanaelasked Dennis, who promptly picked it up and handed it to him while sitting nextto the cat. Nathanael examined it closely. “You know, this is the eighth orninth time I’ve looked at this thing and it still baffles me. Look at thiswriting on the Relic,” he said referring to the glyphs inscribed on it. “Thisis some sort of language that I’ve never encountered before and I’ve beenaround. The metal is the same as that in the library books and in the machinerythat we found.” He scratched his head in puzzlement.

“I asked Selina about it too and shehad as little a clue as you. But she did tell us about the Ammkar in yourmythology, saying the Relic reminded her of it,” Hannibal declared. “The storywas that the Ammkar was some kind of device cooked up by some people calledEtherians. Does that name mean anything to you?”

“Hmmm…the Etherians,” Nathanaelmurmured as he thought. His mind whirled and churned at the mention of thename. “Yes, that name is familiar to me. Selina told you the myth, did she?” heasked.

“Yes, she did, at least what sheremembered of it. At this point, we shouldn’t dismiss anything, no matter howcrazy or weird it sounds,” Hannibal said. “Someone went to a tremendous amountof trouble to keep this thing hid so no one could get it.”

“The Etherians are a mythical speciesthat were conquerors of the known universe many eons ago,” Nathanael declared.“They pillaged and plundered entire galaxies in their onslaught. No one wassafe. Their capabilities were far beyond what either your or my civilizationscould ever dream. They could literally invade any space at a whim, usuallyenslaving whole worlds and stripping them completely of anything of value,including the people. In essence, they were the ultimate warlords or pirates. I’veencountered in my explorations several references to the Etherians; however, noone seemed to know anything about them except that they were extremely savageand cruel. There are no descriptions of them and no one knew where they camefrom or why they swept across the universe like a plague. The one thing the fewreferences that I’ve encountered about the Etherians said is no one everwithstood their onslaught. I have even seen some of their written language,though we never accumulated enough of it to attempt deciphering it. The writingon this Relic is similar to the Etherian writing but it’s not the Etherianwriting that I’m familiar with. I’m at a loss as to what this writing means orwho wrote it. One thing I am sure of, this Relic is a key to something veryimportant. Of what it’s the key to, I don’t know.”

Dennis sat reverenced silence listeningintently to Nathanael. “What happened to those guys?” he asked.

“They ravaged the universe for eons,and then suddenly they vanished,” Nathanael informed. “They were like locustsyou have here. They would swoop in from out of nowhere and utterly spoil entirecivilizations, usually destroying them and leaving dead worlds in their wake.Only God knows how many civilizations they destroyed. Their name became a thingof dread. People panicked at the mere mention of these world-enders coming.Then for some mysterious reason, they themselves vanished without a trace. Allthat’s left of them are bits and pieces of their technology scattered aroundthe galaxy, the myths of their existence, and where they stashed the spoil often thousand galaxies. I personally know of hundreds of people from Kaitia andour part of the galaxy who tried to replace that fabled place. I never saw any ofthem again.” He paused a moment, remembering one of his friends from Kaitia whowent off in search of the fabled spoil of ten thousand galaxies. “It’s saidthat they hid their treasure on their home world that is in the farthestreaches of the universe. Legends say there was so much spoil that they hid itthrough a dimensional rift they created in the center of their planet,” hestated.

“You seem to know quite a bit about theEtherians, Nathanael,” Hannibal said. “How did you come to know about them?”

“The knowledge about the Etherians camefrom a lifetime of study at archaeological excavations from all over our partof the galaxy, including Kaitia,” Nathanael replied. “I have personally seenthe name of the Etherians mentioned in the digs of forty different starsystems. We know what we do about them because of what the indigenous culturesof those planets said about them. As of the time when Kaitia was destroyed,there hadn’t been anything found that could help in deciphering the Etherianlanguage. Maybe one day it’ll be found and who the Etherians were will finallybe known. In nearly every case, the mention of the Etherians was part of theirancient lore and myth. Whether or not this Relic is the key of the Ammkar, Idon’t think so. The writing on this relic is Etherian-like, but not Etherian.It’s some weird variation of it that I’ve never seen before.”

“So do you think there is a possibilitythat the Relic we have here may be some retro-developed alien technology?”Hannibal asked.

Nathanael looked at the Relic closelyand said, “No, this is not the same technology we’ve encountered in the Temple.This is definitely alien in origin and not the same technology of the Temple.The more we uncover, the more convinced I am that the technology in the Temple isof alien origin that humans modified so they could operate it. Humans hadlittle input in how most of the technology in the Temple was created. Who orwhat made it I don’t know, but it wasn’t the people of this planet. It was onlyaltered so they could operate it.”

“That’s quite a hypothesis, Nathanael,”Hannibal replied. “If humans didn’t make it, then would you venture a guess asto who did?”

“I don’t have enough data to answerthat question,” Nathanael stated. “But whoever created Tiamat had the technologicalcapability to tap the power of an entire planet and use it for their benefit.What the Temple’s purpose was initially, I have no idea, but it’s a feat ofengineering surpassing even what my people did, and we tamed a black hole forour purposes. There’s no way your people could have created Tiamat. Take theportal for instance. Do you have any idea of what happens when we engage thatmachine?”

“Not really,” Hannibal admitted. “Ifigured it must have a way of creating wormholes to make the connection. Ourpeople don’t even know if wormholes exist yet. We just know that they are atheoretically possible.”

“Wormholes exists naturally in manyplaces and forms throughout the galaxy,” Nathanael stated. “Some are stableenough for us to use as shortcuts from one sector of space to another. Othersare violently unstable and tear apart anything that comes near them.”

“That’s very interesting,” Hannibalmurmured. “So what do you think the portal does? Is it a wormhole generator orsomething else?”

“This is only a theory,” Nathanaelanswered. “But I think the portal does more than just create wormholes. Ibelieve when the portal is activated, it does what our people were trying to dojust before our blue sun exploded. It actually folds space to connect two pointsseparated by time and space. This is why I suggest that humanity had no hand inmaking the machinery at Tiamat. To fold space and create a stable doorwaythrough which people and material can move unharmed requires a level oftechnological sophistication that even my people didn’t have. Yes, we hadfaster-than-light capabilities with our starships. We also had matter-energytransporters that allowed us to teleport people and material, and yes, we didoccasionally use stable wormholes found around singularities, pulsars, andquasars to make long distance jumps. But we never had the ability to make agate the way the portal does.”

“Whoa,” Dennis breathed. “So aliensmade the machine that brought you here from the Temple everyone is talkingabout?”

“Yes, Dennis,” Nathanael stated. “Butapparently at some point after the machines in Tiamat were created, they weremodified so humans could operate them. That’s where the human fingerprint is onthe machinery: in the adaptation of the machinery for human use. But it’s stillearly yet to draw a conclusion about the machinery or the human influence on itsince we’re still looking through the Library. The answer to this conundrum maylie in one of those books. That reminds me, Hannibal. We found a second levelto the library down through one of the sarcophagi. We found it just thisafternoon right after lunch after Dan and Selina left.”

“Yes, I remember you saying somethingabout that over the phone,” Hannibal returned. “What did you replace down there?”

“There’s another chamber below thefirst much larger than the first and there are many more sarcophagi that are asbig as the ones in the main Library,” Nathanael explained. “These, however arelocked with a strange new mechanism. It looks like they will require some kindof key to get into them. Moreover, these sarcophagi are different from the mainlibrary too. They’re not made of stone but of a strange translucent crystallinetype of material. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. You’ll have to comeand take a look. I do suspect that the key to those sarcophagi is in the Templesomewhere, probably in an area that we haven’t found yet.”

“Were there any traps involved withgetting into the second level of the Library?” Hannibal asked.

“None that we’ve seen so far, although,we haven’t tried to open the sarcophagi yet,” Nathanael answered. “I’veinstructed everyone to stay out of that level until you have a look. I expectthat we’ll need your help down there.”

“That was good thinking, Nathanael.It’s not a good idea to just let anyone down there,” Hannibal chimed. “Youclosed it then.”

“Yes, only three people know whichsarcophagus is the entrance: my two assistants and me. I left strict orderswith them that no one was to go back down there until I got back,” Nathanaelinformed.

“Do you think they’ll follow thoseorders?” Hannibal asked. “I know human nature pretty well. Tell someone not todo something and a lot of the time, they’ll go and do exactly what you tellthem not to.”

“Well, I think they will. I told themthat if anyone went down there while I was gone, that I would personally eatthem,” Nathanael said, smirking. “I believe their instincts forself-preservation will keep them in line.”

Hannibal chuckled. “Nice going; that’llwork. If it had been anyone else, it probably wouldn’t have worked, but becauseyou’re a seven-foot Lynxian from the far side of the galaxy, the threat hassome real teeth. Very good!” he exclaimed. “Is there anything else of interestyou need to bring to my attention?”

Nathanael thought for a moment, andthen said, “No, that’s pretty much it.”

“How many people do we have there now?”Hannibal inquired.

“We still have a full complement ofresearchers there,” Dan interjected. “The people we lost in the altercationwith the militia were security personnel. All of the researchers were in theTemple when that happened. Because of that skirmish, we could use a few moresecurity personnel.”

Hannibal sat there with a stern look onhis face. “I thought you said the Temple was secure,” he replied in a concernedtone.

“Well, it is,” Dan returned. “I wasjust saying that I would feel a little better if we had just a few moresecurity personnel. I’m not so much worried about problems from outside as I amencountering some unknown still in the Temple. Who knows what else we’llencounter in there after replaceing those giant spiders and other creatures.”

“Oh, I see,” Hannibal answered in amore understanding tone. “I’ll see what I can do. It won’t be easy replaceing somemore trustworthy associates though.”

“That’s all I can ask,” Dan returned.

“Now Dan,” Hannibal began. “In the nottoo distant future, I’m going to need you to take care of the Temple for me.The decisions that I usually make will be relegated to you. Do you think thatyou can handle it?”

“Absolutely…I’m your man,” Dan answeredwithout hesitation. “The work will go on and when you’re done with Amacia,we’ll be here waiting for you.”

“Good man. Before I leave, I’ll putyour name on my accounts so that you can pay for anything that needs to bedone,” Hannibal stated. “I’m going to trust you with this. Don’t disappointme.”

“I won’t,” Dan said plainly. As hefinished speaking, Selina came out of the kitchen into the living room andannounced, “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. What do you all want to drink?”One by one, they gave their preference and Selina disappeared into the kitchen.The odor of roast beef and gravy subtly drifted out of the kitchen and into theliving room.

“Something smells good,” Hannibalannounced.

Nathanael sniffed at the air. “Yes, itdoes,” he agreed. “It definitely smells better than those MRE’s we’ve beeneating for the last two months.”

“If you need to wash your hands, thebathroom is just down the hall to the left,” Harry offered.

Dan looked at his hands and said, “Ithink I need to.” He rose and headed to the bathroom.

Nathanael sat for a moment consideringwhether he should wash. A few moments later, Dan reappeared and Nathanael rose,saying, “I think I’ll do the same.” He then promptly disappeared down the hall.

“Go wash your hands, Dennis,” Harryordered.

“Do I have to?” Dennis whined.

“Yes,” Harry insisted. Nathanaelsuddenly appeared out of the hall and Dennis went to wash his hands.

Nathanael was about to sit down on thesofa when Selina reappeared. “It’s ready,” she announced. Hannibal and Harryrose promptly.

“After you,” Hannibal said toNathanael.

“Thank you,” Nathanael returned andeveryone followed Selina into the dining room where a modest meal of roastbeef, gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and corn on the cob awaited them.Mary pointed out where everyone was to sit as Dennis came in.

They all sat around the table and Harryasked Hannibal, “Would you like to say grace?”

“Sure,” Hannibal replied. “Our Fatherin Heaven, we come before you this evening to give thanks for this food, whichyou have so generously provided us. I would also like to give thanks for Harryand his family for their friendship and hospitality to us. Thank you forbringing Nathanael and Selina into our lives and broadening our perceptionsabout the true nature of your creation. Thank you for Dan and the researchteam, which you have brought to me to help explore and understand the mysteriesof the Temple for without them, this pleasant evening with my friends, wouldnot have been possible. Bless them and all that sit at this table that we maydo that which pleases you, o Father. Bless this food that it may keep us strongand sound in our bodies, minds, and spirits. As always, thy will be done in allthings that we do. In Jesus name we pray and ask these things, Amen.”

“Okay, just dig in,” Harry declared.“We’re not fancy around here.” With that, they helped themselves to the food.

Nathanael and Selina looked at eachother, and then at Hannibal as he filled his plate with the sumptuous mealprovided by Mary. Selina hesitated for a few moments as she decided what to getfirst. “You are just full of surprises, aren’t you Hannibal?” Nathanaeldeclared in an impressed tone while grabbing generous portions of the roastbeef, potatoes, green beans, and gravy. “From where we come from, what you justdid would classify you for the padded room and a full frontal lobotomy.”

“Really?” Hannibal returned with araised eyebrow. “It’s not that far from the truth on this planet, either. Whatdo you think?”

“Actually, I think it is ratherrefreshing. I’m sure that Selina has given you some idea of where we stand onGod,” Nathanael answered.

“Well, yes,” Hannibal stated. “I got apretty good idea. I just wanted to hear it from you.”

“Go on and tell them, Dad,” Selinainsisted as she poured some gravy over her roast beef and potatoes.

“Oh, all right. My schooling and booklearning despise this, but I know better than let it dictate my beliefs.Apparently, your god and my god are the same God. Just a couple of your yearsago, I wouldn’t admit it openly because of what it would do to my career and myfamily. Selina was the same way. We were in the closet with a very close circleof friends that believed the way we did. We were among the very few to havepaid attention to those crazy prophets who said our blue sun was going tosupernova because of the Kaitian people’s abandonment of the Lord. It’s themain reason we were on the Interceptor when the blue sun went supernova.”

“How long did your prophets warn yourpeople about the impending supernova?” Hannibal asked as he ate.

“They’d been warning our people foralmost one hundred of our years,” Nathanael answered. “I was just a lad when Ifirst heard the prophets while at my grandfather’s home. He was a firm believerin the great Ancient of Days…Maker of all things. It’s because of him that Ibecame a believer.”

“So your people had adequate warning?”Harry asked, sipping from his drink.

“Yes,” Selina stated, “if you don’tdismiss what these prophets said as the ravings of an unstable fanatical mind.Every time the government shut one up, two more would rise in their place, sowe were amply warned.”

“Especially when these people thegovernment and our culture considered raving lunatics started makingpredictions that came true with unusual accuracy concerning our blue sun,”Nathanael declared. “The prophets revealed the time and intensity of flares,coronal mass ejections, magnetic storms, and solar quakes among other thingsand how these events would affect our civilization. When their accuracy becamemore than just coincidence, the people became irate and irrationally fearful.They forced my brother, the King Milineus, to decree that anyone who listenedto or repeated what these prophets said would be arrested and jailed forfomenting insurrection against the Kaitia Empire. Tens of thousands werearrested and jailed, forcing those who believed in the prophets to gounderground. Some were even executed for treason just for believing what theprophets said. It was completely irrational for them to have tried to silencethe prophets after what they predicted came true with the pinpoint accuracy.”

“Whoa,” Harry murmured. “That’s almostwhere we are now on this planet. The only difference is that we don’t have aworld government that openly rules the planet and a sun fixing to explode.”

“No kidding,” Hannibal agreed. “Whendid they silence the final prophet, Nathanael?”

“The same day you plucked us fromoblivion,” Nathanael replied bluntly. “It was all over the news and broadcast toevery corner of the Imperium. They caught and publicly executed the lastprophet the same day they captured him. His final words before they decapitatedhim were that the Lord would destroy the blue sun for the sins of the KaitianEmpire and for all believers to flee the Kaitian star system and not look back.It’s eerily similar to the story in your Bible about the Lord destroying Sodomand Gomorrah. We were on the Interceptor when they took his head in a ritualresurrected from our ancient past just for what they considered the greatestthreat to the stability of the Kaitian Empire. As they held up that poorprophet’s head to the cameras, the blue sun went dark briefly before it flashedwith the initial detonation of the supernova, sending out the EMP that shutdown the entire solar system, destroying or disabling nearly every piece oftechnology we had, including the Interceptor. I’m sure millions of us perishedwith that initial hit because of the life-support cybernetics widely used inthe main population.”

“Holy cow,” Harry breathed. “It wasthat quick?”

“Yes,” Nathanael stated with a sigh.“The EMP detonation from our blue sun occurred precisely one minute after theycut off the prophet’s head. It was literally the last time that government everdid anything. I replace the timing of that EMP beyond coincidence.”

“Why were you and Selina on theInterceptor?” Harry asked, nibbling on a piece of beef.

“Officially, we were on our way to oneof our colonies on the outer rim to take over another archaeological excavation,”Nathanael stated. “Ruins of unknown origin had been located in the Triaskussystem and they needed someone to oversee the dig so Selina and I volunteeredto go.”

“But what you were really doing isheeding the prophet and getting away from Kaitia, weren’t you?” Hannibal asked.

“Yes,” Selina answered after sipping onher drink. “But we didn’t leave quickly enough. The EMP overtook us right afterwe left Kaitia. We were just about to engage our ion drive when the EMP slammedinto us and wrecked the ship. Had the EMP been thirty seconds later, we wouldhave escaped unharmed.”

“But it didn’t happen that way,” Marysurmised.

“No,” Nathanael stated softly. “Itdidn’t. Only a handful of us on the Interceptor were believers and we had tohide our faith because of the persecution. All the government knew was thatSelina and I were on our way to Colony 656 in the Triaskus system to overseethe archaeological project underway there. The energy wave hit the Interceptorand the last thing I remember seeing is the science station blowing up in myface. When I woke, I was at the infirmary in the Temple with Selina whileHannibal and several other humans treated our wounds. Eventually, I came tounderstand what happened while I was unconscious and I thank God for Hannibal’stimely rescue. It’s strange how something like that changes one’s perspectiveon things. And when we found out how you and the people who associated with youbelieved, well, as they say, the writing was on the wall. At that point, I knewbeyond any doubt that our rescue was a divine deliverance and we could nolonger hide our beliefs. Besides, what was the point of hiding it? My careerand Selina’s career and life in the Kaitian Empire vanished in an instant witha supernova so there was no point hiding it any longer.”

“Well said, brother. Well said,”Hannibal chimed. “The Lord is great and marvelous. What can He not do? Hebrought us together, did He not?”

“Amen to that,” Nathanael agreedwholeheartedly.

As ate their fill, the conversationturned to small talk about the meal itself. Selina and Nathanael reveled in themeal and Dan thoroughly enjoyed his first good meal in months. About a halfhour later, they finished up and Mary brought out some ice cream for dessert.Everyone had some. Hannibal watched with pleasure as Selina and Nathanael lovedthe ice cream, heaping praise upon it and Mary for the fine meal. Finally, asthe meal winded down, Hannibal decided to tell Selina and Nathanael about thevision he, Mary, and Harry witnessed to the night before.

They went into the living room andHannibal began to spell out what they saw while Harry and Mary cleaned up thetable. Selina, Nathanael, Dan, and Dennis listened intently as Hannibal spentnearly forty minutes telling the vision. Harry and Mary came into the livingroom about ten minutes into the account. Hannibal didn’t say much about hispast because of Dennis, but he did share the whole vision. Once he finished, helooked at them and said, “I believe the Black Prince knows we’re coming so we’llhave to be extra careful.”

Nathanael looked at Hannibal sitting onthe sofa with Selina and Dennis from his seat in a recliner. Dan looked on fromthe chair he’d used the whole afternoon while Harry relaxed in his favoriterecliner with Mary sitting on a chair next to him. Nathanael rubbed his chin,sitting in silence as he contemplated what he had heard. Selina sat next toHannibal, leaning back with her arm around Hannibal’s back. She had a puzzledlook as she tried to comprehend what was just said. Hannibal prayed a silentprayer for understanding to come to Selina and Nathanael. Finally, Nathanaelspoke. “You know,” he murmured. “It seems to me that our God has some reallybig plans for you and it seems everyone here is part of it. All I know is there’ssome kind of serious shit that is fixing to go down and we’re going to be inthe thick of it. This may be why we were rescued from the supernova…to helpHannibal with this task. Otherwise, we would have no doubt perished.”

Selina squeezed Hannibal’s shouldergently. “I agree,” she stated. “We’re in this together. Where you go, I go.That’s my instinct, and it’s not usually wrong. The Lord wants us together todo this. You need our help.”

“Well,” Harry declared. “It looks likewe’ve got some more help, Hannibal.”

Hannibal smiled. “I guess so,” heanswered. “But I’ll warn you now. This isn’t going to be easy. Where we’regoing, most people never come back from, not to mention that we’re going to runheadlong into the most powerful being on the planet that can do pretty much ashe pleases. We may all die doing this. That’s the risk. If we fail in this, theplanet may very well be destroyed by this malignant demon.”

Nathanael gazed at Hannibal with agleam in his eye. “Our God has given you this task and He’s brought us to youto help you achieve this goal,” he announced. “I’m with you to the end even ifit means going into abyss with you. I’ll be there at your side watching yourback to the very end. Besides, He’ll not abandon us to face this evil alone.”

Selina moved in close and lookedHannibal square in the eye. “I’ll be there too,” she declared. “We’re family,and I’m not about to lose you like I lost the rest of my family. Family stickstogether and helps each other. I’ll be there at your side right to the end ofthis matter. It’s what our Lord wants and it’s what I want.” With that, shekissed him on the cheek and sat back. Harry noticed it and the way Hannibalreacted to it, but remained silent.

“All right then,” Hannibal said softly.“Just as long as you know and understand the risks of this expedition.” Helooked at Selina and stated, “You’re my friend and have been since that fatefulday when I pulled you from that burning starship. I love you more than youknow. I’d hate to see you get hurt or worse.”

“Don’t worry,” Nathanael reassured. “Idon’t plan on getting hurt. Together, we will stand or fall. Our fates areinexplicably intertwined by the will of our God.”

“That’s the truth. We know the risksand gladly accept them,” Selina agreed. “We’ll stand or fall as a family.”

Hannibal sat there in silence, stunnedby the outpouring of support from Selina and Nathanael. “So be it,” Hannibalsaid after a lengthy pause, “friends and family to the end.” He grabbedSelina’s hand and squeezed it firmly, adding sincerely, “I’m honored to haveyou on board.” For the next half hour, they discussed the expedition.

“I think we’d better get back to theTemple,” Dan stated, looking at his watch. “It’s getting late.”

“Yes, I believe that’s a good idea,”Nathanael agreed. “Thank you for the delicious meal and your hospitality,Harry…Mary. I certainly did feel welcome here.”

“You and Selina are always welcomehere,” Harry insisted. “Oh, before you all leave; let’s get a picture ofeveryone for posterity. I have a digital camera and can make photos with it onmy computer.”

Hannibal’s eyebrows lowered a bit as heconsidered the request. “All right Harry,” Hannibal said cautiously. “Justdon’t let the pictures circulate. The governments of the world mustn’t knowwhat we’re up to or about Nathanael and Selina.”

“They’ll never leave here. I’ll makesome hard copies for everyone and then erase it from my computer,” Harry saidin an understanding tone as he stood and disappeared into the house to retrievethe camera. A couple minutes later, he reappeared with the camera. “Hannibal; Iwant you in the middle with Selina and Nathanael either side of you. Dennis,you can stand next to Selina and Mary can stand kind of behind you and Selina.Dan, you can stand over here by Nathanael and I’ll stand by Mary and Dennis,”he ordered as he set up the camera on a tripod and set the timer. Selina andNathanael each put an arm around Hannibal. After setting the timer, Harryrushed forward, standing behind Mary, Selina, and Dennis. The camera wined thenthe flash blinked, taking the picture. “All right, now let’s get one withSelina and Nathanael. Dennis, you can stand here in front of them,” Harryordered with modest excitement. Dennis, Selina, and Nathanael moved intoposition and Harry took the picture.

As Harry took the picture, Hannibalasked Dan quietly if he had finished with the spare projector. He nodded andslipped it to Hannibal, who patted him on the shoulder in appreciation.

“Okay, let’s get one with Hannibal andSelina,” Harry announced. “Hannibal…put your arm around her.” Hannibal blushedand Harry added, “Just think of it as two good friends posing for a picture.”

“All right,” Hannibal conceded, puttinghis arm around Selina as she slid her arm around him.

“Okay…say Lynxian,” Harry chimed.Hannibal laughed at the phrase and Selina suddenly kissed him on the cheek in abit of comic relief as the camera flashed.

“Selina!” Hannibal scolded. “What kindof picture is that going to make?”

“A good one I hope,” Selina crowed.“What do you think, Harry?”

Harry chuckled at the picture on thedisplay of the camera. “I’ll show you in a second,” he said. “Now let’s get onewithout the practical joke. Just stand there and look at the camera.”

“You’re no fun,” Selina pouted.

“He wants to get a good shot of ustogether like the other pictures,” Hannibal stated.

“All right,” Selina chimed. “I’llbehave. How’s this?” She smiled broadly, showing her canines as she heldHannibal close with one arm around him and her other hand on her hip.

“Perfect,” Harry called out. “Don’tmove.” He clicked the shudder and the camera flashed, taking the picture. Harryscanned the result on the camera’s display, replaceing it perfect. “Got it; thatought to be enough pictures,” Harry said. “Come see them before I print them.”

Hannibal, Selina, Nathanael, Dan,Dennis, and Mary gathered around the camera’s display. “Here’s the last one,”Harry said, pulling it up on the display. “What do you think?”

“Oh that’s a good one,” Mary declared.

“It is,” Nathanael agreed. “It shows howwell matched they are.”

“I agree,” Dan chimed in. “Hannibal…youand Selina are truly two of a kind that belong together.”

Hannibal blushed. “You’re just sayingthat,” he rebuffed mildly. “But I must admit it is a good picture. Somehow, itcatches our friendship.”

“That it does,” Selina stated, “thatand so much more. We’re kindred spirits and this shows it.”

“If this picture shows that, then Iwonder what the other one says about you two,” Harry replied. “Let’s see.” Heindexed the camera back to the picture of Selina kissing Hannibal playfully. Abroad smile crossed Harry’s face. “I guess this one shows what a playful kittySelina is,” Harry chimed, chuckling. “Better watch out, Hannibal. This kittenknows how to be a joker.”

Everyone broke out laughing, includingHannibal. “But it is a good picture of them too,” Mary stated. “It shows whoSelina is at heart. I like it.”

“So do I,” Nathanael agreed. “I want acouple of these, Harry.”

“You got it,” Harry answered briskly.“But only if Hannibal will let me do it.”

Hannibal shook his head as he smiled.“Of course Nathanael can have a couple of these,” he stated. “It is a bitembarrassing, but it was done in fun to get me to lighten up, right Selina?”

“Of course,” Selina stated. “I want acouple of these too for my scrapbook. This is the first time I was able tosneak up on him and kiss him like that.”

“Sure,” Harry stated. “Now let’s reviewthe other pictures to make sure they’re okay.” He indexed through the othershots he made, getting their feedback on them. Everyone agreed the pictureswere very good and for Harry to make hard copies of them. “Now that’s settled,”Harry announced, “I’ll print out copies for everyone and give them toHannibal.”

“That’ll be quite all right. And onceagain, thank you, Harry, for letting us visit and dine with you,” Nathanaelsaid, shaking Harry’s hand firmly while looking deep into his eyes. “It hasbeen truly a memorable evening.”

“You’re most welcome. The honor hasbeen mine. I hope that you will come again to visit. You and Selina are alwayswelcome here,” Harry answered in humble gratitude.

“Do you have to go now?” Dennis asked,clinging to Selina’s hand.

“Yes, I’m afraid so. We have a lot ofwork to do. But don’t worry; you’ll see us again. I promise,” Selina reassured.“Whenever we need a break from the Temple, we know we can come here.” Thenturning to Mary, she said, “Thank you for having us over and letting me assistyou in the kitchen. I learned much this evening.” She gave Mary a big hug,which Mary reciprocated.

“You’re very welcome, Selina. Comeanytime,” Mary replied pleasantly.

“All right, Dan,” Hannibal said in abusinesslike tone. “Let’s open the portal so you can go.” Hannibal picked uphis phone and keyed a sequence, at which time the center of the room began toshimmer.

In an instant, the portal opened.“Hannibal,” Dan said with a parting gesture as he disappeared into the portalwith his satchel. Dennis once again watched in wonder as the portal did itsjob.

Nathanael knelt down and looked Dennissquare in the face. “Remember to keep that eye for detail, son. It’ll not failyou when you need it most,” Nathanael told Dennis, gently shaking Dennis’ hand.“I’ll see you soon.” At that, he rose and turned to Mary. “Thank you for thedelicious meal once again. It’s been a long, long time since we’ve had suchgood eating,” he said, gently shaking her hand.

“It was my pleasure, Nathanael,” Maryreplied. “Please come again anytime.”

“I just might take you up on that,”Nathanael stated. Then he turned to Hannibal and said, “I hope to see you atthe Temple. The Library is waiting for you.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’llsee what I can do about the menu and the extra security first. It won’t belong, though,” Hannibal replied.

Nathanael nodded soberly. “Farewell fornow,” he stated and vanished into the portal.

“I guess I’d better get going too,”Selina told Hannibal. Then turning her attention to Dennis, she knelt down andgave him a big hug. “You be sure to do what Harry tells you,” she instructedDennis, who nodded with a down look on his face. “Oh cheer up. I’ll come back.You’re my friend and brother and I’ll always remember you,” she said in aloving tone. Her voice purred, soothing his feelings of sadness about herleaving.

“Okay,” Dennis said. “Bring me somethingthe next time you come?”

Selina glanced at Hannibal, who nodded.“Maybe if you’re good, Dennis,” she replied. “But you will see me again. Ipromise.” Her words seemed to satisfy Dennis as she rose and looked atHannibal. “Thank you for allowing me to meet Harry and his family. They’retruly special,” Selina said as she threw her arms around Hannibal’s neck,kissing him on the cheek.

Hannibal responded in kind with a hug.“It was my pleasure, Selina,” he answered. “It’s the least I could do. I’ll seeyou tomorrow. I’m going to see if I can make some improvements in the livingquarters at the Temple tomorrow.”

“That’ll help greatly,” Selinaanswered. “See you tomorrow.” She stepped through the portal and was gone. Theportal snapped shut with a pop, leaving Harry, Hannibal, Mary, and Dennisalone. Hannibal plopped down on the sofa and Harry sat back down in hisrecliner. He looked at Hannibal with a wry grin on his face. He had watched theinteraction between Selina and Hannibal closely.

“She’s quite an imposing creature,isn’t she?” Harry asked.

“Yes, she is,” Hannibal returnedquietly. “She is completely unique and special in ways that she doesn’t evenknow.”

“You care a great deal for her, don’tyou?” Harry queried.

Hannibal just looked at him and hislook said everything. “Yes,” he finally answered. “She’s very special to me. Ireally don’t want to see her or her father hurt or killed.”

Harry gazed at Hannibal with acompassionate look. “It seems to me that you love her deeply,” Harry observed.“I’ve watched how you two interacted this evening. Your body language screamsit even though you try to hide it. You love that cat and can’t hide it.”Hannibal blushed as Harry added, “Don’t be embarrassed, Hannibal. It’s okay toadmit it. I know what you’re feeling towards Selina because I’ve tasted of thatsame fruit myself when I met Mary. You’ll do anything for her; even sacrificeyour own life for hers. It’s a feeling that’s somewhat alien to you too andyou’re having trouble dealing with it, aren’t you?”

Hannibal looked at him and sigheddeeply. “You’re right,” he admitted. “The feelings I have for Selina are asalien to me as she is. I’ve never felt this kind of love for anyone. It’s aconundrum; a paradox that I cannot solve, but also one I cannot deny. That’swhy I was taken back so by their joining the mission. I don’t want anything tohappen to her or her father.”

Harry scanned Hannibal’s face, seeingthe genuine concern about Selina and her father there. “You know Nathanael isright about them joining us,” Harry stated. “The Lord didn’t have you rescuethem for no reason. Has it ever occurred to you that they may be safer with us?You know the government is going to replace out about them eventually. If they’rewith us, the government will never get them.”

Hannibal shook his head in agreement.“You’re right. I’m letting my own feelings get in the way of what the Lordwants. You’re right and Nathanael is right. They must come. It’s the way it hasto be. They are as much part of this operation as we are. Thank you, Harry, forpointing that out. Sometimes I just get too close to things,” he confessed. Ashe finished speaking, he remembered the spare projector and turned to Dennis.“I saw how much you liked the hologram of Kaitia. Well, it just so happens thatI have a spare projector here with a copy of that hologram. Would you like tohave it?” Hannibal asked.

“Would I? You bet!” Dennis answered,his eyes lighting up. “Can I show it to my friends?”

Hannibal considered the request for afew moments. “I guess so. Just don’t take it to school. As a matter of fact,”he said with a hint of mischief in his voice, “you say your friends at schooldidn’t believe that I was real?” Dennis nodded yes and Hannibal continued, “Whydon’t we show them just how imaginary I am. Why don’t I come in tomorrow andsee you at school.”

Harry’s expression narrowed. “You’renot going to do what I think you are, are you?” he asked smartly.

“Oh yes, I am!” Hannibal laughed. “Doyou have a show and tell time in class?” he asked Dennis.

“Yeah,” Dennis answered, chuckling. “Wehave that right at the end of the day just before we come home. It lasts aboutan hour so everyone can get a chance.”

“Really…then I’ll be there at that timewith some of my trinkets. You think they’d believe you then?” Hannibal asked.Dennis shrugged his shoulders, not knowing what their reaction would be.

Hannibal looked at Harry and reassuredhim. “I’m not going to do anything stupid or give away anything about theTemple or Amacia,” Hannibal stated. “I have some old artifacts from some of mydigs in the Andes that are collecting dust. I’ll just show them. They don’thave a thing to do with what we’re doing now. They were from some of my earlierdigs. Maybe you could let the school know that I’m coming in for a show-and-tellvisit and it’s okay for me to pick him up after school.”

Harry eyed Hannibal suspiciously, andthen his expression mellowed. “All right; I think we can arrange that,” heconceded.

“Would you like to show the projectorto your friends tomorrow?” Hannibal asked Dennis.

Dennis’ face was ecstatic. “You mean wecan show my friends the hologram?” he chimed.

Hannibal nodded and Dennis jumped upand rushed over to him, hugging, and thanking him.

“I’ll need to keep it tonight though soI can bring it. Is that okay?” Hannibal asked.

“Sure,” Dennis replied.

“Now let me show you how to work thisthing,” Hannibal stated. At that, he showed Dennis and Harry the sequence tostart and stop the hologram, even letting Dennis try it out several times tolet him get the hang of using it. Once Dennis knew how to operate theprojector, Hannibal pocketed the device. “After tomorrow, it’s yours,” hedeclared.

“I hope you know what you’re doing,”Harry said in a serious tone.

“Relax. I’m just going to get Dennis’friends to respect him so he won’t be such an outcast at school,” Hannibalstated.

“Oh that doesn’t bother me,” Dennisinterjected. “I like it that way. It’s just that I wish they’d believe what Itell them at least once in a while instead of calling me crazy every time Iopen my mouth.”

“Well, that’s what I hope we’ll be ableto do tomorrow,” Hannibal answered. “I can’t wait to see their faces. It’ll bepriceless.” He chuckled and told Dennis, “Now don’t breathe a word to any ofyour friends that I’m coming. I want it to be a total surprise.”

Dennis made a zipping motion with hishand across his mouth. “Mums the word,” he said. “I won’t say a thing.”

“After tomorrow, you can show thehologram to anyone as long as it’s here at home, all right?” Hannibal instructed.

“Sure thing, Hannibal,” Dennisreturned.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow atschool,” Hannibal said, rising from the sofa. “I have much to do and verylittle time to do it. Thank you for having us over for dinner. It certainly hasbeen an interesting twenty-four hours, hasn’t it?”

“Yes, it has,” Harry agreed, risingfrom his seat. “Did you leave anything in your room?”

“Yes, my duffel is still up there,”Hannibal said.

“Dennis, could you go get Hannibal’sduffel bag?” Harry asked Dennis more as an order than a request. Dennisimmediately went up to the guest room and retrieved Hannibal’s bag.

“Here,” Dennis said, handing it toHannibal after bringing it to the living room.

“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrowafternoon. Maybe we can silence some of those unbelievers,” Hannibal said,taking the duffel in hand. Turning to Mary, he gave her a hug with one armsaying, “Thank you for being so patient with me. I know that many strangethings have happened in the last day and you weathered it very well. Thankyou.”

Mary gave him a sisterly hug inresponse. “You and your friends are family,” she replied, smiling. “We’refamily. It’s the least I could do. Next time, just try and give us a littlemore warning if you’re going to bring along your friends.”

“I’ll try and keep that in mind. Ididn’t mean to bring my friends in on such short notice,” Hannibal replied.

“Fair enough,” Mary answered. “But justremember, they and you are welcome here anytime.”

Hannibal nodded and turned to Harry,grasping his hand firmly. “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said.

As he turned to retrieve his backpack,Dennis walked up to him with the Relic in his hands. “Don’t forget this,” hesaid, handing it to Hannibal.

“Thanks. I almost forgot about that.Dan will be relieved that I remembered to pick it up,” Hannibal said, droppinghis duffel on the floor. Opening his backpack, he carefully placed the Relicinside and closed it up. Hannibal slung his backpack over one shoulder andpicked up his duffel before heading to the door. Harry quickly moved and openedthe door, letting Hannibal out.

“Bye!” Dennis called out from the houseas Harry and Hannibal walked to his truck.

Hannibal reached in his pocket andfumbled for his truck keys, which he promptly used to unlock the truck. He satthe two packs in the back seat, and then turned to Harry. “When I come intomorrow, we’ll discuss the time when the expedition will begin,” Hannibaldeclared.

“Okay,” Harry answered. “I waswondering about that.”

“We’ll come to a decision about thattomorrow. For now, relax. My friends and I are out of your hair,” Hannibalcrowed. He waved good-bye to Mary and Dennis, who stood in the front door ofthe house, waving.

“Yes, that I’ll do. Moreover, I’llpersonally kick your ass if you do something like this again,” Harry respondedwith a bit of sarcastic humor.

Hannibal saw the smirk on Harry’s faceand laughed as he climbed into the truck. “Deal,” he answered, starting thetruck.

“Go on and get out of here,” Harry saidwith a smile, smacking the hood of the truck with his hand.

“Until tomorrow,” Hannibal yelled outas he backed out into the street.

“Until tomorrow...my dear friend,”Harry murmured, waving as Hannibal drove away.

As Hannibal, drove away, his mind racedwith the thoughts of what had happened. He thought about Selina and sigheddeeply. Lord, I really, really hope you know what you’re doing bringingSelina and her father in on this, he thought as he drove. A feeling ofgreat peace fell upon him about the idea as he drove on. Thy will be doneLord, he thought.

Harry went back into his house andplopped down in his recliner. Dennis had begun to amuse himself by drawing asMary sat on the sofa. She looked at Harry, who had a drained look on his face.“This thing is getting bigger by the minute, isn’t it?” she asked.

“Yes,” Harry admitted, looking Mary inthe eye. “I had no idea that Hannibal was in as deep as this. I’m still feelinglike the deer in the headlights because of Selina and Nathanael. Can youbelieve it? We had real alien beings from another planet in this house. Humansaren’t the only intelligent beings in this universe.”

“Yes, I know,” Mary answered. “I felttotally out of place. It’s like some strange dream but I know it wasn’t adream. We had real aliens here and they’re Christians like us. She was sobeautiful and knowledgeable and he was so ruggedly handsome and powerful. TheLord is truly wonderful in the things He does for us.”

“That is so true. The Lord has shown usgreat mercy and favor over this last day,” Harry returned. Suddenly, a thoughtoccurred to him. “These pictures will have to be guarded very carefully,” hedeclared. “I want to put the one of us all on the wall. But I’m not sure if I should.What if someone sees it?”

Mary mulled over his comments for amoment. “Well, if you really want to put it up, go ahead,” she answered. “Iwould suggest that you keep the pictures in your study though. That way, no onewill know about it because you don’t ever take anyone into your study.”

“Good call,” Harry answered in arelieved tone. “That’s where I’ll keep them.” At that, he picked up the cameraand tripod and took them into his study. Mary sat there silently and thoughtabout Selina and Hannibal. She, too, had noticed the close interaction betweenthem. I hope it works out. They’re meant for each other, she thought asshe watched Dennis draw.