Cobwebs of Pearl

Her eyes were closed, though bright sunlight was pouring through a window somewhere close by and painfully illuminating the insides of her eyelids. Her stomach hurt and, with eyes still closed, she ran her hands nervously over the large lump that was there. Her mind told her that it felt like a pregnant bump and that ‘Soon, a child will be born,’ and then her hands froze in terror as other thoughts rushed in to fill a doubt within her mind. ‘I am not pregnant! What is the lump in my stomach? Where am I?’

Her fear was so immediate and so strong that she could not open her eyes; her mind was trying to tell her that there was ‘something out there’ that she did not want to see! Her mind was trying to lock something deep inside her, something which would only cause her pain should it be released.

Forcing her arms to lie beside her, palms upward, she tried to control her breathing, which had increased rapidly from the moment of her conscious awakening. ‘Keep calm, keep calm,’ she told herself. ‘You have probably had a bad dream and there is nothing to worry about, there is nothing to be scared of!’

Another voice crept into her mind, saying, ‘Well, if you are so sure, then why do you hold back from opening your eyes?’

With her thoughts racing hauntingly around her head, racing down avenues that were only cul-de-sacs, questioning and prompting, and still not finding the address of clear sanity, she tried to think deeper. She tried desperately to recall where she was and how she had got here.

She knew that she was naked and lying down upon a bed and she tried to force her mind to reveal to her ‘where she was and how she had got here,’ but her mind refused to assist her and, involuntarily, she began to cry. This was no ordinary morning, this was no ordinary day and she knew that whatever was out there was not going to go away.

Pushing deeper into her knowledge, trying to find recent memories, she could not find any clear answers; they all seemed to hide around dark corners within her mind. Trying to make her mind reveal what was hidden from her, trying to get images that would help her ride back to tranquillity and sanity she felt, inside, that it would be a journey that she would not be going to take in her own near future.

Pictures began to swim within her mind, revealing two figures that she could not clearly see. She tried to look more closely at them, trying hard to hear the words that they spoke to each other and, occasionally, to her. Vaguely, she began to recall an event and almost immediately the names of the people who spoke to her came to her mind. She knew that their names were Ashley and Flack but, for the moment, her mind would not reveal her own name.

She clenched her already closed eyelids tighter, trying to force herself to concentrate on the memory, hoping that it would provide some clue to her own identity. Watching the scene in her mind as if she were seeing it being played back upon a moving picture screen, she was viewing two characters who she sensed she knew very well whilst the identity of the third, herself, remained constantly off screen or out of focus.

Continuing to watch the scene within her mind, and hoping to find the slightest hint of whom she was and where she was, she began listening intently to the words spoken by the images that came floating out of her memories.

The sky-watchers of Earth are aware of the comet already and they know that it has originated outside of the Solar System and that it is almost on a direct heading for Earth, or rather, where the Earth will be in space in approximately three weeks time, said the male figure, who she knew to be called Flack.

Can we be sure that it is an attack? asked the one called Ashley.

We cannot be sure until it arrives and, by that time, we will need to have someone in place that has the opportunity to be on hand when the comet arrives, said the one called Flack and then, as she continued watching the scene, the female called Ashley turned toward her and said, What do you think?

She could see the scene, and she could see that her back was turned toward her so that she could not even see her own face as the scene continued playing out within her mind.

She heard herself reply within the scene but she could not understand the words, although she was sure that somewhere in her unconscious she knew what has been said.

‘Why are these things being hid from me? Why will my mind not reveal all that I want to know?’

Raising her right arm a little she suddenly slapped it down hard upon the bed, annoyed and angry that she appeared to be in such a confused state over such a simple thing as knowing what had happened to her in recent times. She wondered if she had received a blow to the head and whether this was what had caused her apparent memory loss but, even as she thought this, her mind stepped in and told her that was not the case. She had not received any blow to the head and there appeared to be no physical injury that she had received that would cause the same effect.

She wanted to scream out, she wanted to open her eyes, but she knew that she could not, she knew that she was still not prepared for ‘whatever was out there!’ A feeling fear of fear began worming its way up from her stomach, winding sinuously as it tried to make its way to her brain.

Sending her mind back to the scene, which was still being carried out within her head, she continued staring into it, listening intently, hoping to find a piece of the jigsaw that would help explain her present situation.

She tried to see the images in the background of the scene that she watched with her mind’s eye but everything remained indistinct and out of focus. The only pieces of the scene that she could interpret clearly were those of Flack and Ashley and, from somewhere deep inside her, she knew that these were good people; these were her friends. Involuntary, she jerked in panic, fearful that something terrible may have happened to them.

She began trying to recall if any harm had befallen her two friends but she found that no answers would come to mind and so she returned her inner eye to the scene in her mind once again, which appeared to have paused, quietly waiting for her attention and, as she looked upon it once again, the scene began playing once more.

I’ll go! she heard the voice of the one that she knew to be herself reply. I was only there for a short while last time and I would like to go there again if that is all right with you two?

She saw the figures begin to nod their heads though she heard no words come from their mouths.

She heard the one that was herself begin to speak again, and she tried to recognise the voice, searching for something that would help her recall more as the image of the back of a person in the scene continued speaking, saying, I’ll be all right on my own this time and I do not think that you two need to come. I am hoping that this will be a waste of time and will turn out to be nothing more than a holiday and a distraction for me.

Hearing the voice speaking in her mind, she could hear nothing within the tones of the voice that she recognised. It was as if she had spoken in another language and, by some strange mechanism, her mind had interpreted it for her.

Slowly, the image in her mind began to fade and, though she tried to keep hold of it, she could not prevent it from sinking down into the depths of forgotten-ness. Once again she was returned to her self-made prison of darkness, a void of much needed information. Alone in this place, she was angry that the image in her mind had gone, though it had left her with the knowledge that she had come to this place of her own freewill. She now knew that she had come here in search of a distraction, a break, just something to do for whatever the reason that she had wanted to find something to do.

Feeling a ball of sweat ride down the side of her head, stopping as it melted into her hairline, she knew that she could not remain here awake and unmoving for much longer. Something in her mind told her that soon, whether she wanted to or not, she would have to move and she would have to open her eyes, and the inner voice which spoke to her telling her this seemed to be a voice not of her own, but a voice that belonged to something else entirely. She knew that if her memory would not serve her, then her eyes would have to do the work and try to provide her with the evidence of who and where she was, and why she was so afraid of something as yet unknown. She knew that, soon, she would have to open her eyes and she began hoping that what was revealed to her when she did so would be of normal things and not in any way out of the ordinary.

Turning her palms downwards, she began tightly gripping the bed-sheet that was beneath her in each of her hands, she began pulling strongly against the sheet that was pinned to the bed by her own weight as she began forcing herself to open her eyes slowly, little by little, allowing the bright sunlight to reach them, allowing her eyes to grow accustomed to the overpowering intensity of the brightness.

Streaming light came pouring in through a window ahead of her and to her right, the wall ahead of her was white and bare, to her left she saw a door, again all in white, and the wall to the left of the door, which ran parallel with the bed on which she lay, was white also, though it was not bare for high up upon the wall was a picture frame that contained a scene of painted yellow flowers.

Breathing easier, and feeling as though all of her imaginings had been for nothing and feeling as though it were only a back-lash from a nightmare that had caused her to behave in such a manner, she began to relax. Then she thought about her stomach and, looking down between her naked breasts, she saw the huge mound that sat upon and within her, looking as if it were something that could be detached and yet knowing that it was not. There was something inside her stomach and what it was was something she did not want to know or recognise. Gently, almost timidly, she began raising herself up onto her elbows. She felt and heard a slight movement to her right and, as she swung her head in that direction, with her eyes flitting past a closed door, she saw a fleeting movement somewhere above her where, suddenly, a withered human hand fell into view.

Staring upward in terror, she saw a grey cocoon of silk almost completely disguising the presence of a human body within. She screamed loudly and long, her hands almost ripping the bed sheet to shreds.

In horror and disgust, and trying to keep her eyes away from the withered arm that had fallen free from the webbing of the cocoon upon the ceiling, she suddenly leapt from the bed, her back jarring up against the wall that held the picture of yellow flowers. Pressing her wrist into her mouth and trying to stop the gasps of her dying scream, her winning was only achieved by digging her teeth deep into her own flesh.

Staring at the giant spider’s web that clung to the ceiling in the corner of the room, she knew that she could not call out for help. She could not allow anyone to enter this room, not now that she remembered what her mind had been trying to hide from her.

Moving forward on weak legs, she began staggering around the bed, moving toward the door in the wall that was opposite her. She knew that it was the bathroom and she knew that she needed it now. Lurching forward toward the door, her outstretched hand began turning the handle rapidly as soon as she touched the cold metal, immediately beginning to push the door open, whilst all the time her eyes never moved away from the spider’s cocoon that held the dry and withered body of Charles McKenzie.

Falling to her knees as she entered the bathroom, and ignoring the pain caused by hard tiles, she began lifting the toilet seat, only just raising it completely as she began to vomit. She now knew what the lump in her stomach was; it was the digested flesh of Charles McKenzie!

Her stomach heaved, her hands gripping tight upon the sides of the toilet bowl as she arched her back, forcing the revolting package from her insides. Keeping her eyes closed, so as not to see the vile desecration that was being pumped from the depths of her stomach, she allowed her mind to travel back in time and to see the events that had led to this moment. Her tears began straining to push through her closed eyelids as she realised what she had become!

02 - Nemesis of Oort

Recalling the scene of a strange city, a city that glowed gently as the substance upon the walls of the structures emitted a calm light, she stared into her memory of that city as it rose before her, reaching up into a sky that she could not see. She knew that place; it was called the Heart of Atleenia and it was her home.

Her memory showed her talking to others, Flack and Ashley, and how they asked her if she would be all right travelling alone. She recalled how she had nodded and how she had laughed, asking them if they had no faith in her.

But you did not have a good time when you last visited the Earth, Flack had said, Perhaps if me, or Ashley, came with you…

There is no need, she had replied, and then laughingly, I have seen you two for too long. I could do with a break and a chance to see new faces.

You know what? Ashley had said, I think she is hoping for a little romance and a chance to spread her wings!

Spread my wings? That would be more your vocation, Kolay’sha! she had said laughing, looking directly at Ashley.

Do not call me by that name, Ashley had replied, or you might just get a fireball where you least expect it!

She and Ashley had laughed together whilst Flack had stood there watching them and listening to them until, as their laughter died, he had said, I think Megan will be fine, and it will be a nice break for the two of us. Smiling broadly, Flack was laughing as he placed his arm around Ashley’s waist. He had given a quick wink to Ashley and then Ashley had turned to her, saying, Yes, I think it would be good for Pearl to get away for a while and leave us to be alone together as I am sure she is fed up playing gooseberry all of the time.

Oh, you two, she had replied, pushing Flack in the chest, playfully.

Ow! Flack had said, Now you have gone and hurt me, and then, releasing his arm from Ashley’s waist, he had taken a step menacingly toward her and she knew that he was about to try to tickle her and so, with that thought in her mind, she had turned and fled, laughing aloud as Flack kept pace behind her as she twisted between the small trees and bushes which ornately decorated this section of the park.

Stop trying to steal my man, Ashley had called after them, with obvious amusement in her voice.

When you have quite finished, shouted a voice, interrupting their play and, as she had looked beyond the flowering plants toward the field, she saw a large white unicorn moving across the park toward them. If Megan is ready to depart soon, then we need to go over all that we know so that she is well-prepared and watchful while on Earth.

Hi, Dad, Flack had called out, promptly forgetting his pursuit of her, whilst turning to run toward the approaching unicorn.

That’s men for you, Ashley had shouted toward her as she walked from behind a clump of bushes and began to make her way toward Ashley so that the two of them could head back toward the main building that housed the ‘Changing Room.’

Are you going to carry me back? she had heard Flack shout toward the unicorn.

The unicorn, Laranki, had looked toward his son and, feigning fear with a shake of his head, he had replied, You are younger and fitter than me, how about you carrying your elder back?

What about a race then? Flack had shouted as he neared the unicorn and then there came a brief flash of blue-white light that slowly began to shrink inwards. From the ball of light, a long beam was stretching toward the sky, which also quickly began to diminish and then, as the light winked out of existence, it revealed that Flack was no longer there. At least, not in human form.

She was looking toward the two unicorns that now stood within the field and, as she approached Ashley and linked her arm, she saw the two beasts rear on their hind legs and then begin to sprint across the field, heading back toward the city.

I’ll miss you, Pearl Ashley said, I do not like it when we are apart.

I will be fine. It is a good chance for me to spend a while with the humans, you know how rusty I get in interacting with them when I have been away too long, she had replied to Ashley. Besides, my last time there was not a very good experience and I would like to do this so that I can put that memory behind me.

I know. It is just a pity that we three cannot all go together and have a holiday. That is the word that they are using out there now, isn’t it? Ashley had asked her.

Yes, I believe so. Holiday’s are quite an important thing to the humans in these times. Perhaps Laranki will allow us a holiday together after I have returned, she had said to Ashley.

I hope so. Anyway, just you be careful while you are there, okay? said Ashley, turning to face her, blocking her path and then, reaching out her arms, she had pulled her toward her, hugging her, as she had put her own arms around Ashley, hugging her too.

Holding Ashley tightly, she said, I will be fine, please believe me. I will not take any silly risks. After all, it is only a vague chance that the comet that the humans have detected coming toward the Earth is a threat. It is most probably a natural occurrence and is not influenced in any way by the aliens.

I hope you are right, Ashley had replied, rubbing her arms up and down her back, I just have a tendency to worry about the ‘little deer called Pearl’ that I grew up with! she finished, laughing.

She began pushing Ashley a little way back and, looking into her eyes, she had said, You will have to learn to trust me!

I do trust you. It is your inquisitiveness that worries me. Just you try and stay out of trouble okay, and if you need help then promise that you will call us, Ashley had said to her.

She had nodded her reply and then, linking arms with Ashley once again, she began looking across the field, trying to see Laranki and Flack, and was not surprised to find that there was no longer any sign of them.

I wonder who won the race? Ashley said.

It will have been Laranki, he always wins. She had laughed as she said this and Ashley had laughed with her while the two of them headed back across the field to the ‘Changing Room’ where she knew Laranki and Flack would already be waiting for them.

We had best hurry. You know how grumpy Laranki can get if he is kept waiting, Ashley had said and then, laughing more, the two had begun to run across the field, running side-by-side, heading toward their special city; the Heart of Atleenia.

***

Coughing harshly, her mind was interrupted from its remembrance pursuit and, as the coughing died down, she tried not to think about the here and the now. Leaning away from the toilet and pressing her back against the cold wall of the bathroom tiles, she tried to breath deep, keeping her eyes closed, knowing that if she opened them they would reveal that she was in a place that was not as wonderful a place as the place that she had been thinking about.

She began to cry a little more, cries of pity and helplessness and then, trying to ignore her tears, she sent her mind back to the time where she was with people who loved her and whom she, too, loved dearly. These loved ones had now become people that she did not want to meet again in the here and now, nor see their faces when they saw what she had become!

***

Returning to her memories, she saw that she was walking beside Ashley as they turned to their right, moving toward a white screen of shimmering light which was the doorway to the ‘Changing Room.’ She felt a brief tingling as she passed through the wall of light and immediately began searching the room upon the other side as she entered. Her eyes quickly fell upon the human figure of Flack sitting at a large table away to her right and, as she smiled toward him, acknowledging his wave, she cast her eyes beyond him, searching the alcoves to see if she could see Laranki.

Hello, you two, I hope we have not kept you long, came a voice from her left.

Startled, she turned to see the figure of Laranki moving out from one of the alcoves, his hooves making no sound as he moved across the floor. She knew straight away that he was playing sarcastic with her and Ashley and, more so, she knew that he was only joking with his tones. Feigning being scared, she and Ashley had walked quickly to the table where Flack was seated and they had taken seats beside him, with Ashley sitting directly next to him.

The three watched in silence as Laranki moved toward the far side of the large table and she thought about how strange, and yet how natural it was, to see Laranki walking calmly and purposefully within the ‘Changing Room.’ Whenever she had ventured to Earth in recent times, she had always noted how strange it seemed that only smaller animals moved freely within the dwelling constructions of the people there.

For that reason, it was strange to see the unicorn walking proud and free within this room and yet, to her, it was also natural, for this had been the way for her for all of her time in the Heart of Atleenia.

Her thoughts were distracted from their roaming when Flack spoke out saying, Father, how sure are we that this comet has come directly from the Oort Cloud?

Laranki had stopped moving and had turned to face his son, saying, As on most occasions we cannot be absolutely sure but we have no choice other than to investigate. I think it is unlikely to be an attack from the aliens because, for the most part, the comet appears to be quite large and easy to track and, also, there is every chance that it will pass harmlessly without influencing the Earth.

Flack leant forward, resting his right elbow on the table, asking, There is little doubt that the comet is not from the Kuiper Belt?

Laranki replied, It would be preferable if the comet had originated in the Kuiper belt, out beyond Pluto, for we believe that the aliens have never influenced any of those bodies that drift there but, because of the approach of the comet, it is fairly certain that the comet has come from the Oort Cloud itself.

Ashley leapt in with a question of her own, saying, How safe will Megan be?

Megan recalled how she had turned to Ashley and gave her a playful punch on the arm, inferring that she wished Ashley had not asked the question.

We are just being cautious, Laranki replied. We expect no problems and really only expect Megan to be acting as a spectator while she is on Earth. Chart and Brand returned recently and they have been watching the media commentary on the approach of the comet for quite some time now and there is still no reason to believe that this is not simply another comet that will pass close to Earth before continuing upon its journey; perhaps never to be seen by the eyes of Earth for another ten million years. As you know, a number of the comets that inhabit the Oort cloud can, from time to time, fall into the inner Solar System and come under the gravitational control of the planets - becoming long period comets - and this is probably another occasion when the orbit of a distant comet was changed by star motion from the Milky Way, or perhaps by a supernova that has occurred in recent galactic time.

If Megan is away for a time then she will miss the ‘Heart Change’ will she not? Ashley asked, totally ignoring the topic at hand.

Before Laranki could reply, she herself had spoken, saying, I think that would be more exciting. To be able to come back and everything has changed. I did not realise that we where near that time again. Has it really been three hundred years since the last time the city changed? she asked, though she already knew that the answer was yes.

Laranki continued speaking, ignoring the question asked by Ashley and the reply from herself.

Megan, Laranki began, I want you to ensure that you will be careful. I want you to enjoy yourself and I want you to enjoy the break you want away from these two. He flicked his head in the direction of Flack and Ashley and then continued, saying, We have found a contact on Earth for you. His name is Charles McKenzie and he is the Astrogeologist who first observed the approaching comet from an observatory in the Hawaiian Islands. It appears that our Charles McKenzie is a bit of a character and it was his presence in the media that caught Chart and Brand’s attention initially. From what Chart and Brand have been able to make out you will have little difficulty accompanying him during his investigations and, as long as you make sure that you play up to his ego, then there is little chance that he will dig too deep into your background and qualifications.

Oh, that could be interesting, Megan, said Ashley, You have not even got there yet and already you have been lined up with a man!

She turned toward Ashley, trying to hide her blushes, playfully punching Ashley on the arm. Ashley looked at her, pretending to be hurt and then, as an ominous silence cruised through the air, she knew that Laranki was not impressed by their playful behaviour at this time. She turned to face Laranki, folding her arms across her chest, whilst trying to look as though she had done nothing but give Laranki her devoted attention.

"Megan, it may be that there is no real danger from the comet but that does not mean that you may act irresponsibly while you are on Earth. You must make sure that no one suspects you of being anything else other than another human being. Do what you need to accompany this Charles McKenzie, and let us know if there is anything worrying attached to the arrival of the comet in this system.

Flack and Ashley will be able to join you if there is any danger. They will be here awaiting your call and assisting me with the new city layout."

A large groan exploded near her and, turning her head, she saw Flack leaning forward, saying, Do we have to? I did that last time! Cannot someone else be given a chance?

Laranki looked at Flack in a stony silence for a few moments and then, ignoring Flack’s question completely, he continued talking, saying, So, Megan, if you are sure you want to take this trip then I suspect that we had best get you prepared.

I am leaving now? she had asked.

Certainly, you know all that we know of the situation and there is a need for you to make contact with Charles McKenzie quickly as he is due to be leaving for North America within the next few days and you have to make sure that you accompany him.

And I have found a nice place for you to appear on Earth, somewhere where you will blend in quite easily, Ashley had chimed in beside her.

Turning to Ashley she had said, And where would that be?

Oh come on, Megan. You like surprises and I have found the perfect place so that no one will notice you. You will blend in completely with your surroundings, Ashley had replied.

Flack added further comments, backing up what Ashley had said, saying As long as it is not just appearing naked in the middle of a city, then you’ll be okay. Every time that has happened to me has proved to be unsettling…

She had recalled then that, when she first arrived on Earth, she would be totally naked. No garments were worn because the difference in their chemical makeup to that of the Earth grown materials, though only small, was enough to alert any nearby aliens of their arrival. She recalled the threat of the aliens that were already on Earth and though, for the most time they existed and sought out opportunities to take over the Earth, there were only rare occasions when they would attempt a more dramatic move and that was when she, and the others, would go down to Earth to stop the aliens and any plans that they were in the process of bringing to fruition.

The sudden appearance of the comet coming into the Solar System, on a trajectory that would bring it close to Earth, would either be a natural cosmic event or part of a plan hatched by the aliens in their endeavour to take over the world. And, while they determined which it would be, then it would be her task to gather as much information as possible to make a decision on the nature of the comets arrival. Was it friendly or alien enemy?

And where will I appear? she had asked Ashley.

Trust me, Megan, I know of a great place close to where you need to be, Ashley had replied.

Where will it be? In the sea off a nudist beach or in a nudist club itself? she had asked quickly.

Ashley had looked deflated as she finished her sentence and so she said, I knew it! You are going to put me down in a nudist camp!

Well, at least you would fit in. I wanted it to be a surprise because I know how much you like to deal with unexpected situations, Ashley had said to her.

She recalled how she had smiled smugly at Ashley, letting her know that she had calculated what Ashley would try to do.

If you are ready, Laranki’s voice came into her ears, causing her to turn toward him, listening intently, as he said, We will go now to the Changing Room and we will get you on your way.

Laranki turned and began to walk back towards the alcove that she had seen him come out of when she had first entered the room. She stood up, walking around the table, following Laranki and then, hearing sounds from behind her, she had turned and then, seeing Flack standing and beginning to follow her and Ashley, she had said, And you can stay there, thank you very much! Even before she had finished speaking, she had seen Ashley turn and begin to slap Flack on the arm playfully.

Aarh, why can I not come with you? he had asked, trying to sound hurt.

You know why, Ashley had replied, as she turned from him and walked towards her. Come on, Megan, I will get you safely to the Changing Room, she said.

Walking with Ashley beside her, she had moved toward the alcove that Laranki had already walked into and then, reaching the rear of the alcove, she had turned to her right, moving into a dimly lit room that was in the shape of half a sphere. Reaching the centre of the room, she looked up at the domed roof that curved downwards around her, staring at the small points of irregular and scattered lights that lit up the ceiling.

A number of the small points of light were stationary, whilst others sailed slowly amongst them. She knew that she was seeing a map of Earth’s sky, a map that showed her the positions of the planets and of the known asteroids and comets which sailed within Earth’s skies. This was where they kept a watch on the Earth’s skies, constantly examining the heaven’s for any indication of unusual motion which would denote the presence of the evil aliens.

Come on, Megan, said Ashley, playfully pushing her from behind, Me and Flack have some city designing to do and we cannot wait around here forever!

She had lurched forward, moving toward the silhouetted figure of Laranki who was standing a little way ahead of her and to her right. Beside him, she saw the glass panel door which was the actual Changing Room and, for a moment, she wondered at the marvel of the device.

Though the device could do many things, it did have two main purposes. One was to transport the ‘Special Angels’ to Earth whenever the need arose, whilst the other main use of the device was to remove memories from the person who travelled by the device. This had been necessary on a number of occasions, particularly when it was important that should the person on Earth be captured by the evil aliens then they could not reveal any information about their origins and purpose. That was the most important thing for all of those who dwelt within the Heart of Atleenia; the aliens must never suspect that there was a group of ‘humans’ who were ready to challenge them in their attempt at global domination of Earth. Their existence had to remain secret and they had to carry out all of their work in total anonymity, otherwise the stars could one day be witness to the greatest war of all time. It was hers and the other occupants of Atleenia’s prime purpose to ensure that this did not happen.

Laranki interrupted her thoughts, saying, "Chart has informed me that the documents that they have already sent to Charles McKenzie - to introduce you - will have been received by him before your arrival. They have already placed other documents and information in key locations should Charles McKenzie, or any others, decide to investigate your past any further than what is declared on the documents that they will receive.

Your main asset in this area is to use your skills to read their minds and gather any information you need during conversation. However, until we know that the comet poses no threat for sure then I would ask you, as always, to use your special powers wisely, limiting their use to only when absolute necessary until we know that all is safe."

She had nodded toward Laranki and then, as she had begun moving toward the glass panel door, Laranki had stepped to one side. The door hissed for a moment, indicating that mechanisms had detected her direct approach and then, slowly, it began to move toward her, allowing a faint and sweet smelling mist to pour into the Sphere Room. She loved that smell because it was so fresh and light and it reminded her of the forests that she had roamed within when she had existed in the form of a deer.

Suddenly stopping its forward motion, the door began to slide to the right, revealing the inside of the Changing Room, showing blue light pulsing behind the blue mist that swirled gently within the chamber.

As she began turning, to speak to Ashley before she entered the device, before she had a chance to speak, Ashley had said to her, You just be careful and have a good time. It is good that you are taking this opportunity to have a break, as well as taking the opportunity to get out and mix with other people.

She knew immediately what Ashley was referring to and, instantly blocking her mind from revealing to her any images of what had happened to her in the not-so-distant past, she relaxed, knowing that she had placed the block on those memories just in time. She knew that if she had allowed the memories through then the pain would have hurt her as much as if the events had happened this very day.

She smiled and nodded at Ashley and then, as she turned and began stepping into the chamber, she heard Laranki say, Soreecilor says that you are under instructions to have a good time and so you had best make sure that you do, otherwise…

Laughing as Laranki said this, she quickly turned to give Ashley a hug and then, turning once again, she began walking quickly into the chamber. She felt the warmth of the mist flow around her body and then, closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, enjoying the greater strength of the scents now that she was completely within the chamber. With the mist blossoming around her she began turning around once again until she was looking back out through the door through which she had entered the chamber. She could barely see the shape of Ashley, though she knew that she was standing a little way ahead of her. She knew that it was impossible for Ashley to see her for the mist prevented that and then, realising that the chamber door would soon close, she quickly began removing her clothes. As each garment was peeled from her body she threw it through the mist ahead of her and into the outer room, knowing that Ashley would gather the items for her. Then, with a final flick of her right ankle, a shoe sailed out of the chamber and then, with a rise in the humming sound around her and an increase of the blue light, she knew that the chamber door was beginning to close.

For a moment, she saw Ashley standing before her, holding the top that she had discarded and she knew that, for a brief moment, Ashley would be able to see her completely as the intensified blue light had the effect of rendering the mist invisible, and she thought to herself, ‘That was the reason why Flack had been instructed to stay within the main library room!’

Her mind began to ponder the issue of being seen naked and, though none of them had any answer for it, it still amazed each of them that whenever they were in beast form then there was nothing wrong or unnatural about seeing each other naked. However, when they were in human form they did have a tendency to need to have a portion of their flesh covered. She had long since come to the conclusion that this was an affect of the time spent on Earth, moving amongst the people there and absorbing their customs.

Closing her eyes and inhaling deeply, she knew that within a brief moment the scent would be gone because she would no longer be within the Heart of Atleenia; she would be on the Earth instead.

She saw the bright light intensify through her still closed eyelids and she tried to use her skin to feel the mist riding across it, feeling it caress her, listening to the absolute, peaceful silence that she was in now that the chamber door had completely sealed.

The times of being sent from the ‘Changing Room’ were moments that she always enjoyed because, for a few brief moments, she felt as though she were in the chamber and yet, somehow, just before she was sent from the chamber to Earth, she felt that her body was stretching out amongst the stars with her fingertips dancing upon suns that shed light upon worlds that she had never yet seen. She would always try to feel the presence of the Dragon world, the world where her mother now lived and who would, one day, be returning from to see her.

She began to think about her adopted mother, Grafee, and of her adopted father, Creevan’ay, and also of her adopted brother. The memory of them leaving her behind, taking Kolay’sha with them when they left the Earth and unable to take her with them still cut into her like a knife. She did not blame them for what had happened, she knew that they would have taken her with them if they could have but the Quareem knew that they could not take her, for the journey within their craft would have killed her and so she had been left behind.

The haunting vision of her family rising up into the sky, being carried away on a beam of light that would take them into the Quareem spaceship, still frightened her. It was the loneliest time in her whole existence that she had ever felt and it had seemed like an eternity before Kolay’sha had re-appeared to take the loneliness away.

She missed her dragon mother, the one who had loved her and taught her the way of the dragons, the one who she really wanted to speak with again. She knew that she could talk to Ashley about anything that she chose to but it was not quite the same as talking with her mother. She knew that Ashley still dreamt of the day when she, herself, would see their mother again. It had been almost four thousand years since she had last seen her mother and, if truth be known, she did not know whether her adopted mother and family still lived. There had been no contact with the Quareem since that day and even though the Quareem had promised to return to Earth one day, bringing the dragons with them, there had been no communication or indeed any evidence to prove that the Quareem themselves still existed.

Feeling a silent tear upon her cheek, she began imagining it rolling down from her face and then hanging in the space around her before beginning to move off and sail amongst the stars that she sensed around her; riding the currents of space until it found a home close to a very special planet. She imagined that it would swing within an orbit close to the Dragon world, wherever that may be and, from her ‘tear’ planet, she would be able to look across the gulf of space and once again be able to see her mother.

With the chamber continuing its preparation to send her to Earth, she continued stretching her mind’s boundaries, roaming the stars around her, trying to find that one special world, the one world that would reunite her with Grafee. Then, as an intense yellow-gold light swam into her mind, destroying her reach upon the stars, the chamber re-organized the particles of her body and sent them shooting out across space, directing them toward the world that was her first home, the world that she knew as Earth.

There came that moment of utter silence and total serenity, in which the particles of her body were being thrown across the void of space, and she began preparing herself for her arrival on Earth. Her ears could hear the sound of a heartbeat, thumping loud and seeming to come from everywhere around her and, as the sound began to diminish in intensity, her mind told her that she was now somewhere upon the Earth; a place of Ashley’s choosing and a place in which she must be prepared to act normally and naturally.

The silence around her was suddenly blasted into non-existence as a barrage of noise descended upon her ears. Shocked, she prepared to open her eyes and, as she did so, the first thing that her eyes encountered was semi-darkness, though she could tell that there were lights pulsating to the sides of her. It took her a moment to realise that she was standing facing a section of hanging cloth-type material. She tried to imagine what part of a nudist club she was in, wondering if this were perhaps the changing rooms, when the whole area surrounding her lit up. She jumped in panic, spinning around quickly to see where the light was coming from and was instantly blinded by the glare of one dominant bright light, though she could see many other smaller lights distributed amongst the darkness ahead of her.

A voice, loud and booming was speaking and as she listened she heard, Here we go folks, another little lady wanting to have a go on our amateur night. Step up little lady, and let us see what you’ve got!

She had heard the murmur of many voices as she turned but these had now been replaced by the sounds of much cheering. Suddenly, she realised where she was! ‘Ashley! How could you? A strip club…’ she thought to herself, her mind racing, trying to find the quickest way out of the predicament that Ashley had placed her in. No immediate graceful plan of action came to mind and, as the shouting crowd of hidden voices called and whistled to her, she pulled one arm up and across her breasts while the other shot lower, covering her intimate nudity and then, seeing that she appeared closest to the left hand side of a stage, she turned in that direction and fled from the glare of lights and unseen eyes. She heard a loud voice over a microphone calling out and, though not by name, she knew that the request was definitely being made for her presence back out upon the stage.

Getting behind the curtain, she saw a doorway just to her left and then, still running and still covering her modesty, she entered a small dim lit corridor and then, seeing a small room with a mirror and a make-up covered desk within, she raced into that room, slamming the door quickly behind her. Pushing her back to the door, she breathed a huge sigh of relief and sent another curse in Ashley’s direction even though she knew that Ashley would not receive it. ‘I will deliver it personally,’ she thought. She could picture Ashley right at this moment, laughing at the trick that she had played on her, Oh, I will get you back for this, Ashley, she said out loud.

Been set-up by your friends? came a female voice from somewhere nearby.

Startled, she turned and saw a female emerging from a small room, which she recognised immediately as a bathroom and then, trying to think of a good reason for being here, and failing, she decided that she would accept the supposition made by the female. She nodded, feigning embarrassment.

Here, put this on, said the female as she threw a robe-type garment toward her. Eagerly, she took the garment, quickly feeding her arms through the sleeves and wrapping the material around her naked flesh.

Watching the female as she sat on the stool before the small desk beginning to casually, and quickly, apply a grounding of makeup to her face, she studied the female for a moment, determining that she would be somewhere in her mid thirties, and she could also surmise that this female would have no problem in presenting herself on the stage which she herself had so recently fled.

The best thing that you can do is to put on a costume and go and walk amongst the punters. Make sure they do not man-handle you though. A good slap will usually set things right and it will show your friends that you have got at least a little bit of nerve in you. My name’s Miranda, by the way. The female, turning toward her whilst applying bright red lipstick to pouting lips, studied her for a moment, looking thoughtfully at the intruder in her private room. Placing the lipstick back upon the desk and uncrossing her legs, she stood up, her eyes looking up and down the length of the ‘intruder.’

I guess you are about my size. Here, she said, turning to a rail beside her and then, quickly pulling from it a lavishly sequined bra and matching knickers, she continued speaking, saying, I could never fit into these. They were always a bit tight. Try them on for size and then go and strut your stuff girl. See how much your friends laugh at you then!

As Miranda threw the clothes casually toward her, she grabbed them from the air. My name is Megan, she offered, turning the garments over, studying them, and wondering what would be her best course of action. For the moment, there was not really anything else that she could do other than go along with the suggestion of the female, Miranda, and hope that soon she would have a chance to get away from this place and set out in search of Charles McKenzie. I do not know if I can wear these, she continued, I was not very good out on the stage…

I’m not surprised! Did your friends strip you and throw you to the wolves? I’ve seen that happen before. By the way, where are your clothes? Miranda asked her.

She shrugged her shoulders, feeling that it would serve her better if she pretended to be helpless and lost.

Is it your birthday or are you moving to a new job? Miranda asked her, turning back to the mirror and then, after moving her hand through a bowl on the desk, she extracted an item and then began to work upon her eye-lashes.

"Yes, it is my birthday. I guess my friends