"Thus it is not a surprise that we may be encountering other intelligent agents in our efforts, such as the type which overrode my controls."

"And my mind as well," replied Jim. "The memories are still very strong and overwhelming."

"With Hatshepsut and Xiang out of Egypt we must allow the elements to play their natural course. Thera is now abandoned, but its major eruption is yet to come. The island is now uninhabitable. The numerous lava flows create an intense cloud surrounding the island as molten rock merges with the sea. The sailors rightly feared that region, because of legends of a lake of fire which is contained with the demonic mists. I was able to scan the sailors lips as they turned away in the pursuit."

"Then it seems that we must arrive at the palace of Minos before Moses confronts Pharaoh."

"This is correct, Jim."

"And Troy, where does that fit in?"

"Troy occurs after the destruction of the Minoan influence. The city controls access through the Hellespont, and will serve as a rival power to the newly emerging Greek city states."

"And Colchis?"

"Colchis is the major port with access to the China trade route. The king there controls access to the eastern sea, the Caspian. Another kingdom on that side maintains control of the east-west trade route."

"What is the status of Amazon emissaries in the Orient."

"Fortunately, we clean sweeped them when we intercepted the Pegasus. Isis had summoned all of the Amazons west for a conference."

"Idiot did you by chance select the intercept time because of this coincidence?"

"Probability routines revealed that it would be the appropriate time to launch our assault with maximum probability of success. I had managed to intercept the transmission while we were bouncing through hyperspace on a previous displacement event occurrence."

"You intercepted her communication summoning her oriental chieftains, and timed the interception for when they were all aboard?"

"Precisely, it should be no coincidence that your children were aboard. Xiang and Xuang ruled the orient, under their mother's tutelage."

Jim smiled. "I doubt if Xiang really ruled. He was merely the figurehead. He had no power to change the Amazon social infrastucture; and while Isis was active in the region, no force could counter her."

"Now that she is gone, Jim, circumstances have changed."

"Yes, but as long as she remains the probability of catastrophic paradox occurrence increases at an exponential rate, isn't that correct, Idiot?"

"Correct Jim, and the only window open to us just happened to be the one that we are taking. Their is no other course solution possible."

"What is the significance of our journey to Colchis?"

"The Greeks will be determined to wage war against the Trojans so that they can open up a trade route with Colchis."

"I just can't see Medea falling for Jason, not when she knows that I'm here."

"I don't believe Medea actually does fall for Jason, Jim. It wouldn't surprise me if you stage that romance to conceal your involvement with her."

"Now why would I do that?"

"I don't know. You're the one that makes the decision.."

"I would like to see her again."

"For mission or pleasure?"

"It might be advantageous to set her up in Athens for a while after we take her from Colchis."

"Until you and Antiope arrive to lay claim to the throne, and old Ageaus jumps off the cliff in despair."

"Unless he is I."

"Jim, why would you want to do that?"

"I promised to spend some time with Medea. I love her, and I will only be able to sweet talk her in Colchis if I promise to marry her and make her my queen. It may take some time, but I will need her cooperation."

"Legend has it that she attempts to murder Theseus, which is to be you also I suppose, and you are not the ruling kind, Jim."

"Well perhaps legend did not mention that I allowed Medea to have her way. She ruled Athens. She was the high priestess in charge of the oracle at Delphi, and effectively ruled Greece. I am sure that I will just be the figurehead."

"This is going to require me to have you simultaneously exist during the same time period at several different geographical locations."

"It seems that I have been doing that already."

"Yes but to maintain a relationship with Antiope and Medea at the same time? Now Jim that is quite foolhardy."

"I didn't say that I was going to do exactly that, but I must consider that course as a possibility. "

"Perhaps it would be best if we arrived at Colchis with the Greeks rather than the Amazons, Jim. I don't think it would be a good idea for you to have Antiope and Helen with you when you see Medea again."

"Negative, Idiot. Let Jason sail to Colchis on his own. I must lower my profile."

"It is hard to lower your profile if you are making history, Jim."

"Well. let me learn from my mistakes and let us minimize damage. We shall send Theseus to assist Jason. He can make up tales as to what Hercules needed to do with the Amazons. I'll need a little cosmetics so that the argonauts won't recognize me."

"I do recall that Hercules and Theseus were friends in legend."

"I didn't make the name up, Idiot. It seems they dubbed me with the title."

"Well then it could be reference to another Hercules, perhaps a King Hercules of Thebes. Hercules the Fifth rules there now I believe."

"That explains it then. It is a title of respect and they think I would make a good king for them."

"Perhaps so."

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