"Well it seems that the ship can be repaired and Isis can be returned to Artemis, thus avoiding paradox, if we repair the Pegasus."

"This means that we must compromise our presence here."

"That doesn't prevent us from returning, nor does it prevent us from leaving Helen and Antiope in Anatolia."

"Of course, Idiot! I keep forgetting. We simply return and resume where we left off. Isis still doesn't know what ails the ship. Perhaps we can reprogram the ships computers so that she will blame Shaltain. If we can get her to order Shaltain unplugged, that infernal machine will not be able to fight the three of us and it will certainly be doomed."

"It is remarkable that the machine indeed tried to take advantage of living beings to advance its own selfish interests. If I wouldn't know better, I believe Isis wants you, Idiot for her very own; she is no longer satisfied with Shaltain."

"It is only natural for her to feel that way. She is only noticing how flawed Shaltain is in comparison to me, the newer model."

"You sound conceited when you say that, Idiot."

"I do not understand that there is any conceit within myself. I was not aware that you programmed me with that ability. I am neither programmed to flatter others nor myself. I was simply stating a relevant fact. Shaltain is flawed. It has indeed committed a fatal order, and as you have directed, I must find a termination solution for Shaltain."

"Where is Isis, then, Idiot?"

"On board the Pegasus. It is in stationary orbit above the Aegean. "

"Tap its circuits?"

"In process....I have access. What would you like to know?"

"How much do you know, Idiot?"

"I am making immediate corrections to my Earth history logs. Xiang and Xuang established the first Chinese civilization. Isis gave them China."

Jim was speechless. Isis had upstaged him. He had to concede to her a future victory. Could he prevent her from doing so, knowing full well that he couldn't change history. He would have to acquiesce and pretend not to know what his future had in store. It wasn't his future, it was his children's future. He thought of John again. How much did John know? It didn't matter. He knew John wouldn't and couldn't reveal to him any of the "forbidden" knowledge. Nor could he tamper with the free will of Xiang and Xuang. If they had indeed founded China, then they had apparently done a fine job of ruling. He sensed himself being proud of his children.

But then, how were the children already there and established, unless she had taken them with her while he had been sent into the Pleasure Dome. So that was her motive!

Yet these children were to be leaders of Xanadu to succeed Isis. Apparently she would train them on Earth how to be leaders of an empire. One thing was for certain. She certainly did things in royal form. Jim resolved, however, that he would have to start considering putting a lid on this Pandora's Box he had given her to open. Yet this would limit his power as well. He had a sick feeling. He was addicted to the ability to use this power. He could not give it up. Addiction implied sickness, almost a mental weakness or flaw. It was not an addiction! It was his destiny, and he was stuck with it. And furthermore, he was in no position to question his time-traveling abilities. He would have to use them further to get back to his own world, and the road back to stability, if indeed the term meant anything, would be a long and difficult path. Yet true to the nature of things, Isis was but an act of will away, because with but one command to Genie, he could be by her side.

Indeed he thought! Why not? She was certainly not one to complain. She wasn't supposed to be there, and neither was he. She would love him there and then and have no complaint. He found this temptation even more overwhelming. He missed her! He felt his desire for her, even in this moment of her supreme disobedience. Disobedience to whom, she would argue.

History would repeat itself, and Qblh would revisit his beloved, surprising her for a change while he commandeered the Pegasus and returned them back to their own time once again. Isis would still not need to know the whereabouts of Antiope and Helen. as the wise Amazons would be able to live securely in another time. Isis would think that her base force would continue on in their mission unimpeded. Antiope and Helen would be caught up with the magic of the Genie as they watched themselves play their assigned role in this new virtual reality game that Jim had gotten them into.

"Very well, Idiot. Set course for Colchis, but let us stop by the Oracle at Delphi and see who she set up in power there."

"There is a high probability that you will personally know the high priestess there, Jim."

"That is what I was afraid of, and we are going to have to step in and return her to her own time. Myths or no myths, we must safeguard the continuum....Better yet, Idiot; perhaps we should find the Amazon base first, and permit Antiope and Helen to infiltrate. Perhaps if we ally with Isis, she shall forgive Antiope and Helen and restore their rank."

"Precisely, Jim. Antiope and Helen then being with your children will be immediately royal rank, and honored by the local Amazons. You can entertain Isis and I'll return us home; you to the Pleasure Dome to finish your date with Ayesha, and Isis back to the throne room. I will then engage Shaltain while you enjoy yourself."

"Sounds like the plan. Antiope and Helen then will be safe among the Amazons, and the children can be raised among their own people, and the Amazons will keep away all outsiders."

"Yes. I have a possible path available in that direction and there is a safe arrival solution, Jim. Should I set course?"

"Very well, Idiot. Set course for Artemis. Designated passengers myself and Isis, and could we fit in the Pegasus in as well?"

"That, Jim, is a requirement of the solution. The Pegasus and the crew shall return along with ourselves. Antiope and Helen will remain behind on Earth. Helen indicated that she has no desire to live with the Amazons. She wants a Troy."

"Troy can wait, Idiot. She shall live with the Amazons until she has her children, just the same as Antiope. I wish Antiope, however, to have the leadership of the community. Helen's day shall come soon enough. We'll see to that."

"By your command, Jim. Shall we displace to just off the Amazon coast?"

"You know where to go? Well, by all means, but let us do it at night. We can sail in unseen and we can fold up the Dutchman. We shall surprise the Amazons and call down Isis. I shall let her seduce me into repairing her ship."

"During that time, I shall have all of the Pegasus systems redirected under our command, and I can store most of my manifold space within the Pegasus hull. I'll maintain a link to you as an artifact, belt perhaps."

"Excellent idea, Idiot. Isis likes you as my belt."

"We need her to agree to unplugging Shaltain. I shall need her voice command to deliver the final blow. It doesn't matter when the command is given, especially when dealing with a Genie."

"Jim it should become quite apparent to you by now, that she will spare Earth if you give her command of me, especially if you expect her to order the destruction of Shaltain."

"Is that also on her agenda, Idiot? Yet how can I trust you with her?"

"We have yet to prove that she has acted inappropriately at any time, Jim. You are simply not going to be able to convict the queen of breaking any rules."

"Well neither is she going to convince me that I must abide by her guidelines. Shall we challenge her authority? Shall we witness her vainly trying to accomplish the impossible? She has better instincts than that. We know that it is still up to me to make the next critical decision, and there doesn't seem to be much outside help in that department available. I am most certainly cursed with free will, because the solutions are not given on a platter but are reasoned out under my own mental labor, and do I ever bear responsibility for my action. I have cursed myself often enough for my mistakes. Were it so that some divine intelligence simply spelled the solution like some imaginary god a lazy people would wish for. Yet, we like these men must learn to live with not only our own mistakes, but the mistakes of others."

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