QBLH
by
So let me surmise some possibilities here. I can be queen of the Amazons or I may not be queen of the Amazons."
"One thing is for certain, Antiope. You are an Amazon, but from whence come the other Amazons of that era?"
"And what of Helen, Genie? Is there a legendary Helen of human history?"
"There just happens to be a legendary Helen of Troy who seemed to have certain men in common with Antiope."
"Oh really! And what of these men?"
"They were Greek heroes of extraordinary strength and cunning."
"Yet all the details are nothing but legends."
"Just as the Flying Dutchman is nothing but a legend."
"Tell me more about these legends, Genie."
"Allow me to show you what Jim wants you to know."
For the next several hours, Antiope gained a tremendous understanding of Greek history. She sensed that the Amazons under investigation may be of her own planet, but perhaps not. It was obvious that Jim intended on finding out.
Eventually she grew tired and became hungry. Remembering the pizza she wondered why they weren't already at Gino's. Genie certainly seemed to take a while getting there. Then she sensed the van wasn't moving, nor did she remember when the van quit moving.
"Where are we, Genie."
"I am parked near the restaurant. Am I to assume that you are ready to eat supper?"
"Yes, let me wake up Jim. You get the van ready for our departure."
Jim, wearing his belt, and Antiope left the van. Upon arrival at the restaurant they discovered a rather long line. Many at the end of the line were discouraged to find that they could not be accommodated.
Antiope did not intend to be disappointed. Antiope simply walked to the host and requested immediate seating. The host being somewhat startled replied that it would be impossible. Antiope released a little fragrance of ambrosia, an ever so subtle amount; yet the effect on the host was very intense and immediate.
"This way, my sweet lady. I just happened to have a table become available."
She smiled and winked at Jim. "Come on lover; it is dinner time."
One offended guest made a remark, but Antiope tapped his head and knocked him out cold. The rest looked on in amazement; some laughed; but no one else said a word to Antiope and all yielded space to allow her to bring Jim inside.
"How did you manage front of the line privileges, sweetheart?" Jim inquired.
"Someone here likes me."
"Yeah, I bet."
After ordering a deep dish sausage and mushroom, Antiope began to quiz Jim concerning Greece. "Do you think Isis is going to time travel again?"
"There seems to be a very high probability that she will do such. She may be up to something this very second while I am away, but maybe not. There is no way of knowing nor should we incriminate her of doing such."
"That sounds mighty unusual coming from you. Defending her?"
"I must. I can not corrupt my thinking with false illusions or ghosts of what might be."
"So you must see for yourself. I heard about Troy. Where is it? And what time frame do you have in mind?"
"Didn't you tell Genie? You were programming the course. I simply asked Genie to interrogate you so that a suitable environment in the past could be found."
"You yourself suggested Antiope and Greece, Jim. What are you saying? "
" Yes but all we have are myths. Did you give Genie any idea of what you liked about that environment. You did simulate being there, did you not? But remember, my true name is to remain secret. The people of that time can not know from where we come, and we must not tell them loosely about their future. This will be my rules concerning any venture into the past. Agreed, Antiope?"
"Of course, Jim."
"We are targeting initially for sometime around 1500 BC Genie will materialize us in the ocean out of sight to anyone."
"Jim, how is it so easy for you to consider time travel to the past now, after you were so reluctant before?"
"Because I have been there, and am an element of the past. Genie remembers the way from before and can calculate a possible path of return."
"All right Jim, what are we really doing? I'm not buying this Antiope line. I think you are up to something. Tell me. What is it?"
"Shall we make a game of it? Let's hook up at the console."
Jim entered subtle program commands to the Genie as imagery simulated them sailing in the Aegean Sea. A Cretan ship could be identified as approaching. To outrun the ship would be against the rules. Genie was programmed to allow the simulated ship to sail only 12 knots. Antiope commanded the Genie to outrun the ship.
"I would rather us explore an island before we deal with the natives. Do you know this simulation reminds me a little of our first Earth landing. It was as equally strange as this environment, only now I naturally desire to avoid prematurely encountering the natives. Did you simulate Earth scenarios on Artemis before you stole the Pegasus?"
"Before I appropriated the Pegasus," corrected Jim. "I didn't have enough information concerning Earth to generate simulations. The forty two planets did provide enough of a database to adequately train me. I had been simulating for years prior to the escape."
"And all this while, you kept Genie secret?"
"No one thought much of Genie back then, and it wasn't named Genie until I plotted the escape."
"Well then as before with our Earth landing we should be prepared for an encounter with Isis?"
"I suspect she may establish a stronghold on Crete."
"Why is that, Jim?"
"Goddess worship. She set herself up as a goddess when she conquered Earth and her worship has somehow survived the great flood."
"Isn't that just a legend Jim?"
"No, Genie simulate Earth at the time of our departure."