Strange New World
by Fred Wong
Part II
“Make yourselves at home,” offered Galaxy Ranger as she opened the door to her apartment to allow Ms. Victory, Stardust, Tara, and Synn inside. “I should have dinner ready in about an hour or so.”
“Thanks, but we shouldn’t impose, Oriana,” said Ms. Victory. “Can’t we at least help out?”
“I kind of like being in control of my kitchen,” replied Oriana, a little embarrassed.
“Nice place you have,” complemented Synn as she flopped on the living room sofa. “It’s been a very, very long day,”
“Tell me about it,” replied Tara as she stretched out before sitting down. “How are you feeling, Stardust?”
“My head still hurts,” muttered Stardust. “Would an aspirin help? It’s acetyl salicylic acid,” said Galaxy Ranger.
“Yes, it would be fine. Why the chemical name, may I ask?” commented Stardust.
“I wasn’t sure how the chemicals here are Earth would react to your alien chemistry, Stardust,” replied Galaxy Ranger as she handed her two aspirin and a glass of water. “Which planet are you originally from?”
“Thank you. I’m the top scientist from the planet Rur. Have you been there?” asked Stardust.
“No, sorry. I’ve been to Aldeberan Seven and Typhorus One, though,” replied Galaxy Ranger. “Either of those planets sound familiar to you?”
“No, I’m afraid not,” answered Stardust. “I guess we’ll have to compare star charts some time!”
“I suppose so,” said Galaxy Ranger pleasantly as she starting boiling a large pot of water.
Galaxy Ranger prepared a large pan of lasagna for the dinner meal along with a large salad and Italian bread to go with it. She figured it’d fill them up well enough while not breaking her food budget. About three hours later the five heroines consumed the dinner meal and loaded up the dishwasher for the night before relaxing in the living room.
“That was wonderful. Thank you,” said Ms. Victory as Synn let out a couple hiccups.
“You’re welcome,” replied Galaxy Ranger. “I have enough blankets and pillows for everyone, but am not sure who’s going to sleep where. I only have one guest bed in the spare bedroom. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Stardust was hurt the most in today’s little scuffle, I’d say she gets the spare bed,” suggested Tara.
“I do not need preferential treatment,” stated Stardust.
“Tara’s right, Stardust,” added Synn. “You need rest.”
“Yes, I saw first hand how much beauty sleep you received at the hospitality of that villain,” replied Stardust.
“Okay, I know where this is going...” muttered Galaxy Ranger, who knew all too well that despite their amazing powers, they were still strongly emotional women prone to bickering now and then when given the opportunity. “I have a plan.”
Galaxy Ranger went to the kitchen and returned with four pieces of dried spaghetti. “Okay, you know the drill. Take one. Small stick gets the spare bed,” said Galaxy Ranger.
“You’re kidding,” replied Ms. Victory. “We’re drawing straws?”
“And, your problem is...?” joked Galaxy Ranger.
“Not at all,” said Ms. Victory as they each drew a piece of dried spaghetti, with Tara getting the spare bed.
“Clever thinking, Oriana,” said Ms. Victory pleasantly.
“Thanks, but get used to this method. It’s how we’re deciding who uses the bathroom first tomorrow,” replied Galaxy Ranger.
Ms. Victory, Synn, Tara, and Stardust burst out in laughter.
* * *
It was around 11:45 PM and Tara was fast asleep on the spare bed in the guest bedroom, while Ms. Victory and Synn slept on the floor in other room used as a study room in some borrowed sleeping bags Galaxy Ranger got from her neighbors down the hall. Stardust elected to sleep on the living room couch, but was still wide awake as Galaxy Ranger entered in long sleeve workout shirt and pair of boxer shorts, finding her watching some late night talk shows.
“Anything good?” said Galaxy Ranger.
“Strange, we have the identical television personalities in our universe, but there I never watched them. Now that we’re here, I was relieved to see them on these channels,” commented Stardust. “Why is that?”
“It’s probably because they’re familiar and remind you that you haven’t gone insane, Stardust,” suggested the Galaxy Ranger.
“I suppose so,” agreed Stardust. “Oh, my name’s Mara.”
“Mine’s Oriana,” said Galaxy Ranger. “So you can’t sleep, either, can you?”
“I am still wondering how we got here and how we are to return home,” conceded Stardust. “And yourself?”
“Tara snores like a buzz saw and Synn talks in cartoon voices in her sleep. I don’t know how Ms. Victory can sleep at all,” replied Galaxy Ranger.
“Jennifer stuffs cotton in her ears and then wraps a towel over her head. It works for her,” responded Stardust.
“Well, staying up all night isn’t going to help either of us,” commented Oriana as she heated up some milk and poured them into two mugs with some chocolate syrup. “This always helped me when I was a stressed out undergrad.”
“Thank you,” said Stardust as the two drank their warm milk cocoa. Within 30 minutes, Stardust was asleep on the couch and Galaxy Ranger was asleep in her bed also, although with a pillow over her head as Tara snored and Synn giggled aloud.
The next morning Galaxy Ranger pulled out five pieces of dried spaghetti to determine who would get the bathroom first. Synn drew the shortest straw and was the first one inside showering up as Galaxy Ranger started preparing breakfast.
“What exactly is a Galaxy Ranger, Oriana?” asked Stardust.
“It’s kind of like an interplanetary cop,” explained Galaxy Ranger as she began beating the eggs. “We’re each assigned a sector to patrol and round up alien criminals who seem to pop up on Earth a lot.”
“Why’s that?” asked Tara.
“I don’t know. Maybe the shopping?” commented Galaxy Ranger humorously. “My predecessor could probably give you a more thorough explanation about the whole organization; I try to stay away from all the bureaucracy involved.”
“Could your superiors help us? Their technology is clearly more advanced than what’s here on Earth,” suggested Stardust.
“Possibly, but only as a last resort,” said Galaxy Ranger. “It’s primarily a law enforcement group, not a lost and found service. I’d prefer to show them that we’ve exhausted our options here before going to them for assistance.”
“Sounds fair enough,” said Ms. Victory as Synn came out from the hallway in a bathrobe. “Where to, this morning?”
“I was thinking about taking Stardust with me to meet with Kyle again at Wean Hall. He has some prototype devices on quantum theory that she might be able to advance with her expertise,” suggested Galaxy Ranger. “I don’t see a reason to take the rest of you along, you can relax here or hang out in the city. Everything’s in walking distance and I can leave you a little cash if you need bus fare or to grab a bite to eat here and there.”
“I like this woman,” whispered the starry eyed Synn. “She’s paying us to hang out.”
“Shhh...!” muttered Tara.
“Are you sure?” said Ms. Victory skeptically. “Wouldn’t it be better if we came with you?”
“The two of us entering would be less conspicuous,” explained the Galaxy Ranger. “Having you four coming with me at the same time, even in regular clothes, would create quite a stir of curiosity that we don’t need.”
“I’m not following,” replied Ms. Victory.
“Think Baywatch meets Revenge of the Nerds,” suggested Galaxy Ranger.
“Ohhhhh....” said Ms. Victory in an epiphany.
* * *
About three hours later all five heroines were finished cleaning up in the bathroom, changed into regular civilian clothes, and eaten breakfast. As Galaxy Ranger took Stardust to Wean Hall on Carnegie Mellon University, Tara decided to go to the arboretum in Schenley Park outside the campus area while Ms. Victory and Synn hopped on a bus line to the Allegheny Center planetarium located near the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.
Upon entering the planetarium as it opened, the eager and wide eyed Synn first walked up to one of the child activity units illustrating the operation of the lunar lander as Ms. Victory paid the entrance fee for the two of them.
“Oooh, what does THIS button do?” giggled Synn.
“It’s going to be a long day,” thought Ms. Victory. “Nightveil’s so much better at keeping an eye on Synn than I am.”
* * *
Elsewhere Tara was among the first to enter the arboretum, a welcome change from the wintry weather she was dealing with while in Pittsburgh. Lush tropical trees and flowers from around the world filled the robust complex, making Tara a little homesick as a bald man wearing glasses greeted her.
“Hello, first time at the arboretum?” said the man as he handed her a tour guide pamphlet.
“Yes, thank you,” replied Tara as she took a good, hard look at him, as he looked strangely familiar. Tara then scanned his nametag, which read, “Dr. Heinrich Rittmeist.”
“Could it be him? The Nazi scientist behind Lady Panzer and Lady Luger?” realized Tara. “Or is this just a coincidence on this world?”
“This can’t be her! It’s impossible. A wild coincidence, it must be!” thought Dr. Rittmeist. “Still, there’s a way to find out.”
“How would you like a free tour? I’m one of researchers here,” offered Dr. Rittmeist.
“Oh, I couldn’t impose...” replied Tara.
“Not at all. You look like a nature lover yourself, Miss...” said Dr. Rittmeist.
“Fremont. Tara Fremont.” answered Tara.
“Tara Fremont of the accursed FemForce! How could they have tracked me here?! It’s impossible! This is a coincidence, it has to be!” thought Dr. Rittmeist.
“Shall we go?” offered Dr. Rittmeist.
“Lead on,” said Tara pleasantly.
For the first twenty minutes Dr. Rittmeist gave her a guided overview of the arboretum, slowly gaining a basic trust before leading her into his private laboratory, a secluded section that was newly added to it over the past two years.
“How long have you been in Pittsburgh, Miss Fremont?” asked Dr. Rittmeist.
“Oh, I’m just visiting,” replied Tara. “I reside in Florida, actually. How about you?”
“Ah, Florida’s a beautiful state in a beautiful country,” replied Dr. Rittmeist. “I’ve been here about two years, give or take a month or two.”
“What kind of plants are these?” asked Tara. “I’ve never seen them before.”
“Ah yes, they’re a special breed. They
emit a most fragrant scent that lasts quite a while; I’ve been trying
to develop it as a substitute for using animal materiel like ambergris in
the production of perfume,” explained Dr. Rittmeist. “Why don’t
you sample it?”
“Okay,” agreed Tara as she walked over to it, when suddenly vines ensnared her wrists and ankles at first before ripping off her clothes within seconds, revealing her green camouflaged bikini and knife strapped to her leg.
“WHAT THE....!” yelled Tara.
“So, it IS you. Tara of FemForce!!!!” realized Dr. Rittmeist. “I don’t know how you tracked me across the dimensions, but my carnivorous plant will finish you once and for all!”
“YOU!!!” shouted Tara, realizing that it really was Dr. Rittmeist, formerly of the infamous Third Reich who oversaw the creation of Lady Panzer and other super powered muscle fighting for the Nazis. Using his own version of the V-45 formula, he’s been able to stave off the effects of aging to an extent, and somehow transported himself from their home dimension into this one. “ALL THIS TIME...!!!! WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!!!”
“No, simply disappeared,” replied Dr. Rittmeist sinisterly. “I’m sure in some other dimension Elvis is having a grand old time.”
“AAARRRGHHH!!!” yelled out Tara as the vines tightened their grip around her. Tara managed to grab her knife, but with her wrist ensnared she could cut herself free.
“It’ll be over soon enough,” cackled Dr. Rittmeist. “How’d you do it?” grunted Tara. “How’d you get from our world to this one?”
“A lucky accident, really,” conceded Dr. Rittmeist. “I was trying to develop a quantum energy bomb to annihilate you all in one fell swoop but the prototype went off prematurely and created a dimensional rift that warped space and time itself, it seems. I ended up here. A lucky event, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yeah...great...” muttered Tara. “I hate to do this, but you leave me no choice.”
Tara bit down on the vines, piercing its vegetated flesh with her teeth to free her wrist. Tara immediately impaled the plant as she rammed the knife backwards, driving it deep into its core as she pulled it out and stabbed again. Mortally wounded, the carnivorous plant released its grip on Tara as it flailed wildly while Dr. Rittmeist ran to grab one of his weapons.
“OH NO, YOU DON’T!!!” yelled Tara as she jumped off the plant and delivered a hard kick into the back of Dr. Rittmeist, knocking him to the floor out cold.
Tara activated her communicator to Ms. Victory and Stardust. “Meet me at the arboretum. We’re going home,” said Tara sternly.
* * *
An hour later Ms. Victory, Stardust, Synn, Tara, and Galaxy Ranger had Dr. Rittmeist in custody and were reviewing the design schematics he recorded on his desktop computer. Coincidentally, he had another prototype of the quantum bomb constructed in his private lab that was inactive.
“It won’t work. It has no power source,” blurted out Dr. Rittmeist. “I wasn’t able to steal something to power it up without getting caught.”
“Which was why you worked at the arboretum, to try and steal some of the experimental energy sources they’ve been working at the universities in town,” deduced Galaxy Ranger.
“Yes, very clever,” muttered Dr. Rittmeist.
“Quantum theory is based on photon energy, right?” said Tara.
“Yes, that’s what Kyle told me,” agreed Galaxy Ranger.
“Yes, that’s true,” added Stardust.
“Can’t you two charge it up?” suggested Tara. “The Galaxy Ranger’s lasers and Stardust’s star energy just might be enough to start the chain reaction to get us home.
“It also could blow everyone to kingdom come,” commented Galaxy Ranger. “True, but Synn can create a shield so if the worst happens, it’ll only affect us,” said Ms. Victory. “It just might be our only way home.”
“It’s up to you,” said Galaxy Ranger.
“I’m for it,” said Tara.
“Me too,” said Synn.
“I, as well,” said Stardust.
“And you know how I feel,” stated Ms. Victory. “Let’s do it.”
Synn created a defensive field around them as Stardust and Galaxy Ranger began charging the quantum bomb with their star and laser blasts, feeding a steady stream at a low level. Slowly, they increased more and more power as the quantum bomb began activating with a short countdown.
“No time for long goodbyes, Oriana, get out of here or you’re coming with us,” said Ms. Victory.
“Good luck,” said Galaxy Ranger as she gave them a quick hug and flew out of the lab through a temporary hole in the shield Synn created and watched overhead as a large glowing orb engulfed them within Synn’s shield before imploding in on itself. Galaxy Ranger descended and surveyed the area, finding no sign of them.
“God speed,” whispered Galaxy Ranger.
* * *
Ms. Victory, Stardust, Tara, Synn, and Dr. Rittmeist blacked out from the implosion of quantum energy and awoke on a rooftop with the hot sun beating down on them. Ms. Victory was the first to awake, seeing everyone sprawled and out cold. Ms. Victory walked to the edge of the roof and scanned around the immediate area, finding several large billboards posted.
The first read, “HIDALGO, ONLY ON CHANNEL 10”
“No way,” said Ms. Victory as a smile started to form on her face.
The second read, “USE STELLA STARGAZE COSMETICS AND BE THE TRENDSETTER!”
“No way,” added Ms. Victory as the smile started to grow.
The third read, “SEE RAYDA IN ACTION WOMAN RETURNS, OPENING FEB 4TH! ONLY IN THEATRES!”
“Way,” said Ms. Victory with a beaming grin. “We’re home.”
THE END