It is recommended that you start reading at Part 1.
CHAPTER SIX
"Phaedra, that's not possible. I'd know."
"On some level, you do know. Your mind is still not clear. It's the effect of carrying the burden you bear." Phaedra said, as she spread her hands outward as if that could explain everything.
Robyn closed the gap between Phaedra and herself, her face just inches from Phaedra's, "This much I do know. My brother is like you. He was the one memory I had, back in what I thought was my time. His existence, his affinity for his own kind was why I have held things back from Doug."
Phaedra panned the room with her hands again and said, "Nevertheless he is your brother. You will come to the understanding that this is so. You will prevail against him. You will restore the nation."
"For heaven's sake Phaedra, what is that thing you do with your hands. Are you trying to convince me, or you and the others who are listening?" said Robyn as she turned 360 degrees her own arms fanning out like the spokes of a wheel. "Yes, I know you are there."
This time Phaedra made her hands sweep together. There were now twelve in the room, ten others besides Phaedra and Robyn.
Robyn was no longer surprised by Phaedra, whose mission in life seemed to be leaving breadcrumbs for her to stumble upon, instead of just speaking out, telling what she knew, how she knew it, and to do it all in the given moment. No, she shared, if not reluctantly then begrudgingly, as if having assessed Robyn, she found her unready and ill-equipped to do what Phaedra knew must be done.
"Robyn, these women are family members of the ten who voluntarily stripped themselves of their sexuality and bequeathed it to you. That was not the original intent. You were supposed to return when the time was right and return to them what was theirs. But all of them disappeared after you were sent to the other world. Their sexuality lives on in you. These women now represent them. It is hoped that you will allow us all to guide you, to instruct you in what is necessary for you to do and know in order to defeat Zeuss, even if it should mean he no longer lives.
The whole time Phaedra had been making her presentation, the others had approached Robyn, stepping close to her, some taking her hand for a moment, others tenderly putting a palm to her cheek while looking deeply into her eyes. No words were spoken but their thoughts transmitted their thankfulness for her return and the willingness to do anything and everything she needed to bring Zeuss to his knees, and restore Astrafon to its previous wholeness. Robyn's 'urges' were quietened by the gentleness of the love that wrapped around her spirit and gave to her a clarity of purpose.
Robyn suddenly bent over, holding onto her abdomen and gasping for breath. The others laid hands on her. The acute pain left her. Robyn had momentary clarity and understood the scene she saw in her mind. It was Doug. He was hurt. There was a burn to his midsection, his face was pale, his breathing shallow. Robin tried to enter the room he was in. She could not find it. It was not in the Teachers' Hall. She wailed at her inability to find him.
"Stop it, Robyn." It was Phaedra's voice within. "Focus." she said, as Phaedra nodded her head to the ten who surrounded Robyn, each one with an outstretched arm, fingertips touching Robyn like the spokes on a wheel. The atmosphere began to electrify. The twelve bodies became like a single whirling source fading from where they materially were to Doug's side. While Robyn and Phaedra stooped to minister to Doug the ten women fanned out in a circular pattern surrounding Doug, Robyn, and Phaedra.
"He appears to have been struck by an energy force." said Phaedra. "We cannot deal with anything here." she said. "We must get him to safety."
Beneath Doug, there appeared a stretcher. Robyn's head was reeling as she held Doug's hand in hers. Her protectors once again set the atmosphere in motion and as their corporal selves faded, Doug's cell was entered by none other than Zeuss himself.
Robyn made an ok sign with the index finger and thumb on her right hand, stuck her fingers into her mouth and blew. A shrill loud whistle emanated from deep within her. She saw Zeuss's head swivel in her direction, their eyes meeting momentarily before she faded from his view. She heard his return whistle. So now they both knew. It was their code, their signal, from long ago when their lives were so different. They would meet!
The group materialized in a well-hidden suite of rooms in the Teacher's complex. Medea was there directing Doug's care. Robyn had not seen this Medea. She was a formidable creature. All take charge, directing, ministering. It was only when Doug's clothes were completely removed that Robyn realized how badly he had been burned. Robyn approached Medea, "What are you doing? What is that thing?" she asked as she put herself between Doug and Medea.
"It's past time you remember who you are and what's expected of you Robyn," said Medea as she pushed past Robyn all the while continuing the lecturing tone. "This is a Tricorder. Yes, the same as your Emergency Medical Hologram Mark I, used on the TV program you love so much, Star Trek, I believe. Only mine really works," she said as she moved Robyn aside. "If you want him to recover, I must care for him now, Robyn."
"But how?" Robyn said as she shook her head not quite believing.
"There are many worlds, some very backward while others are very advanced. Your planet is a middling planet. Every now and then one of the superior worlds will attempt to share something that would be useful and be of help to almost anyone at any time. Enter the Tricorder. The young man whose dream we had infused, one day wanted to be a doctor, and seemingly the next a writer."
Medea, the quiet mouse, the sensuous whirling dervish, a master healer. Of all the things Robyn was surprised by this was the most surprising. How had she, the intuitive being she is, have gotten it so very wrong.
She stepped back and allowed Medea to do her work. It was just like watching an episode of Star Trek. Medea directed the Tricorder over the area of burn and the healing began. The burned tissue healed from the inside out until there was nothing left of the burn save a pinkish patch of tenderness left over his skin. The trail of dark hair from Doug's belly button to his pubis was gone. Robyn felt some melancholy over its loss. She liked to trace the path to his burgeoning cock with her tongue, over the length of that hirsute bit of skin. Doug was beginning to rally. Robyn sat by his side, holding his hand. As he awakened, he pulled his hand from hers and simply asked to see Phaedra.
"What do you mean, we have to take him back." Robyn was clearly agitated.
Medea explained. "We only have his body here, so we could heal him. His Qi is still in Zeuss's prison cell. We have only a short time to reunite Doug's body and Qi or he will perish. I will take him back."
Doug woke up in his cell. He was naked and Medea stood beside him. "What happened?" he asked, shaking his head. "I thought I was burned."
Medea explained all that had happened then said, "Wait while I go and check what Zuess is up to as I'm not sure how much time we have."
Medea disappeared. Doug was almost used to this now. He waited patiently and shortly she returned.
"Now that was interesting. Zeuss apparently has a group of women whose only purpose seems to be to sexually entertain him. It appears his sexuality remains intact, and I think we can be sure he won't disturb us for some time. I am beginning to see a very different Zeuss to the one that has previously been portrayed to me."
Medea looked at Doug, who was still naked, and her eyes began to smolder. "Doug. These feelings are so new to me."
