Angelika Queen Of Mars

Chapter 31

Chapter 31 One Last Fling

Angelika's visit had come to an end, she received word that the cruiser had now joined the Kombaric, and the Narjasic on the dark side of the moon. The Giuffrida was now ready to depart as well, I had rented a truck, so Dori, Carman and I spent the day hauling coffee and peanuts out to the farm where we then loaded everything on the ship. Robert and Kaitlan prepared the video putting it on a disc. Just before Dori and I left with Angelika, she honored the two teens by giving them small items from her jewelry collection.

"I was extremely impressed with your ideas, and enthusiasm in helping me with this project, I've want to give you each a little something to remember me by." She gave Robert a small pin about the size of a quarter that was black and copper colored with outlining in dark green.

"This emblem was awarded by my father when he was king to those that ventured beyond our galaxy so long ago. It is very old, so take very good care of it Robert, that emblem is made from the first Grocyrian spacecraft ever to leave our planet." Robert was awed by the fact that the Queen of Mars would entrust him with such an artifact. Not knowing what else to do, he bowed and replied.

"Uh, your highness, uh I mean ma'am, thank you very much, this is like totally awesome, I will take very good care of this, thank you very much."

She then presented Kaitlan with a small jeweled necklace, a bright silvery color with a distinct bluish tone to it.

"Kaitlan, I'd like you to have this, I have one as well given to me by my great grandmother, wear it on your wedding day, but not before, it is a charm of Kalika. She will bless you with luck as well as a fruitful life. I wore mine on my wedding day and so far, everything seems fine. This too is made with a metal called Thelveren that tiny jewel is a Zhalan crystal, very rare, that too I doubt can be found here on your planet." Tears were coming to Kaitlan's eyes, she reached out and hugged Angelika,

"Oh thank you very much your highness, I know your not a queen anymore, but you will always be one to me." She then whispered something in the commander's ear causing surprise on Angelika's face.

"Well I can't promise you anything Kaitlan, but I will certainly try." Kaitlan would never tell anyone what she had asked the commander, but it was clear Angelika had a new admirer.

It was then time to preview the production. Everyone gathered in the living room where we watched the video on TV, I really have to say that the kids along with their father did an incredible job.

"Someone at work gave me a software program that lets you make titles, and intro's to home movies, this was the first time I've actually used it." The opening was just like the original Star Wars movie, with the original theme music coming up and the screen roll beginning.

Caleb's re-working of the intro had us all laughing,

"In a galaxy far far away…Hold on a minute, what am I saying? It's our galaxy…!"

The scene opened with the commander , Tarf, and Sharla sitting in front of a modest campfire toasting marshmallows. I had forgotten that was one of Kaitlan's suggestions which came off great.

Angelika smiles as she looks up into the camera and says,

"Greetings Earthlings, we were in the neighborhood and thought we'd stop to toast some of these delicious treats enjoy the lovely evening, and answer this young lady's questions." At that point, the camera turned to Kaitlan wearing her princess Leia mask and giving a small wave, then panned back to Angelika. Off screen, Kaitlan asked,

"Your highness, before we begin the interview, would you mind introducing your friends?"

"Of course not," replied the "queen."

Allow me to introduce my longtime friend Sharla Danth, and over here is my bodyguard Tarf Edipon. Tarf merely grunted, while Sharla gave a greeting in her own language, (another Kaitlan suggestion.) Kaitlan's voice was then heard off screen asking,

"I truly appreciate this interview, and you taking up your valuable time to stop by and answer some questions many of us here on earth have about the doings on Europa."

"Well young lady, I'm more than happy to clear up any misunderstandings your people might have."

As I was watching, I noticed the way the campfire lit just enough of Angelika, Tarf, and Sharla, along with a small part of the Giuffrida. You could clearly see the ramp, one of the landing struts, along with some of the Grocyrian markings on the ship. Besides running the camera, this was Robert's contribution to the production. As they were setting this up, I was busy with other things, so this was my first chance to see what the boy had accomplished, all agreed, there was just enough of the ship visible to whet the appetite, and the "experts," to realize that this was a real spacecraft, and not merely a prop. Angelika then began in earnest,

"First of all, I want everyone to put their fears aside, we are not preparing to invade, this isn't "War of the Worlds," or anything like that, what you are seeing through your telescopes is the process of a planet developing new life where there was none." Earlier, she had watched the 1950's version of "War of the World's" thinking it rather silly, but since observers in the film had reported strange goings -on, on Mars prior to the invasion, Kaitlan thought the similarity worth mentioning. At this point, Angelika's expression changed, she put down her marshmallow skewer and said.

"Now for you NASA "knuckleheads," a message, and I'm dead serious about this. Until earth receives a formal invitation from me or my people there WILL, be no visitations of any kind to Beta 6, or as you call it Europa."

"By this, I mean no probes, fly-over's, or any of those ridiculous robots you've got running around on our home planet. I cannot emphasize this enough, any attempt will be met with severe consequences. Said spacecraft or other devices will be destroyed, should you attempt to send…Um, what's the word I want?"

"Astronauts," came Kaitlan's voice from off camera,

"Ah yes, thank you young lady, astronauts. Should you attempt to send live beings, they will be arrested and never allowed to return home again, then any thoughts we might have had regarding an invitation will be permanently rescinded, is that very clear?

Show me that you have integrity and intelligence, by heeding my wishes, good things come to those who wait. Oh, there's one more thing, my young friend here mentioned this before the interview, and that is should you decide to send any of these "astronauts," they had better be able to get themselves home again, we certainly won't be providing any sort of transportation. Now I will wait and watch, as my friend here says, the ball is in your court."

Kaitlan then asked another question off screen,

"Your highness, one last question?"

"What is it my dear?"

"There are those who feel that Europa, as well as Mars belong to us, and that you are a trespasser with no right to be doing what your doing, care to answer that?"

"Most certainly," replied the "Queen."

When you are permitted to pay us a visit, please be sure to bring a signed and sealed deed to not only Mars, but Europa as well, and it had better be signed by someone with a lot higher authority than anyone on your planet, otherwise tough luck, we are here, you are there, I'm still waiting for one of you Earthling's to make a personal appearance here on Mars, so I suppose that means that you have no real way to travel here, so I guess your out of luck again." The commander then sighed, and said,

"Well the hour grows late, and it's time for us to return to Mars, bye, bye!"

The scene than faded to black, with the Star Wars theme ending the video. The video was not only funny and entertaining, but a warning as well, we hoped it would do the trick.

Colin asked the commander what would happen if the warning was ignored and probes or even astronauts did attempt to come.

"We will destroy the probes, but like I warned, living beings will be taken into custody, oh we have no intention of harming them, they would then be taken to Falth where they would be given positions with the university in the Kagorian studies program." She then thanked everyone for all their help with the proper terms, and phrases which would only confound scientists who would wonder as to who here on earth was helping her.

As everyone was preparing to depart, Dori and I had a surprise for Carman.

"Carman, Dori and I have decided to stay here, so it looks like you will be making your first trip to Falth, once you get there Sharla and Kha'Mak will see that you get an ID card like this, then you'll be able to get with Moreck and Tarsig. Be sure and ask them to show you around Falth while your there…What?"

Carman looked a bit nervous as she replied.

"I don't know Jake, I never thought of myself as an astronaut , I know I've always said I'd like to go, Tarsig invited me, but…Wow, I don't know." I gave her arm a squeeze,

"you'll do fine, Carman, the other guys went, they're doing great, buck up marine, you'll be fine."

"Well whatta you gonna do?"

"I've got to see about some plumbing and roof repairs that need doing on this house, as well as getting a heated storage shed built to store all our coffee and peanuts in until they can be loaded on the Giuffrida. Plus, I still need to find another man for our group."

It took a little more convincing, but Carman finally accepted her fate. One of the last things I told her was,

"Be careful when your hanging out with Tarsig, she'll drag you to some rather wicked places." Carman didn't know what to make of that but I let it pass. I also gave her instructions as well as training materials along with some equipment to give to Jeff, members of the Gandrigg and Blessing families were there to see everyone off, Kaitlan now more charged than ever to make the trip to Falth.

Dori and I would be accompanying the commander in the Kor'Math as we were heading for Montana, shortly after the departure of the Giuffrida so it allowed us to say goodbye to everyone, Carman was still a bit nervous, but Dori and I kept re-assuring her things would be fine. Everyone watched as the Giuffrida rose into the night sky, although it was varry difficult to see her save for some heat shimmers and the noise, as she was in cloaking mode. Then it was our turn, captain Yarod took us up to roughly fifty thousand feet, (I still tend to figure everything in English or metric units) heading for the southwestern part of Montana.