Several
months ago, renowned interviewer and author, Nonnie Jules, accompanied author,
John Fioravanti to planet Genesis seven centuries into the future. Dr. John, as
he’s called on Genesis, possesses unusual teleportation powers, which he uses
to travel through time and space. He can travel with another person just by
laying his hand upon them.
Yesterday, Nonnie and John made a return trip to planet
Genesis – to the orbital station, Genesis One, to be precise. After
their guided tour of the orbital, Nonnie had the opportunity to interview the
CO, ArcGeneral Graham Manchester. When Nonnie reached out and touched John’s
arm to get his attention, they suddenly disappeared.
An instant later, they found themselves standing in the
corridor of a massive Earther First Rate Navy vessel, the Agamemnon. Nonnie is visibly shaken once more by the teleportation
from the orbital to the Earther Embassy docked with it.
Nonnie: (In an
angry whisper)“You did that… that thing
again, John! I need you to stop… please!!”
John: “I do apologize, Nonnie. You touched me when
I was thinking about how much you’d enjoy meeting the Ambassador.”
(At that moment, a very large, uniformed Kodiak bear steps
through a hatch into the corridor in front of the pair of humans. She stops in
surprise, then recognizing John, she flashes him a grin showing her teeth.
Nonnie steps back, startled by the show of rather dangerous-looking teeth. John
steps forward to greet the Earther.)
John: “Admiral! So good to see you again! This is
my writer friend I told you about.”
Nonnie: (To John,
a little annoyed.)
“Is there anyone on
this planet you haven’t told about me?
(Steps forward to meet the Earther Ambassador while not
taking her eyes off those teeth.)
“My name is Nonnie
Jules and I’ve heard a lot about you too!”
Andra: (chuckles,
notices Nonnie’s eyes on her teeth and closes her mouth.)
“Well, Mrs. Jules, we
can compare notes over drinks. Good to see you too, Dr. John – please follow me
into my cabin. I have about an hour before my meeting with Liz and Marco, and I
can’t think of a more pleasant way to spend it.”
(Nonnie and John follow Andra into her cabin, where Nonnie
gasps as she surveys the gigantic suite.)
Nonnie: “They sure treat Admirals well in your navy!
This cabin is huge – beautiful too!”
Andra: “Mrs. Jules… may I call you, Nonnie? (Nonnie
nods her assent and Andra continues) “Excellent
– I’d like you to call me Andra. Now what can I get you to drink?”
Nonnie: “Just water for me please, Andra. John, what
are you having… not alcohol, I hope.”
(John asks for water and Andra directs them to take a seat
on the large leather sofa. Within moments, she arrives with a tray of drinks
and sets it down on the table. She takes a seat in a giant easy chair that
matches the sofa and takes a long drink from her very large glass.)
Andra: “There’s nothing quite as refreshing as a
glass of ice-cold water!”
Nonnie: (Looking at her glass in astonishment)
“This is the best
tasting water I’ve ever had!”
Andra: “Water is all we Earthers can drink, so we
have perfected our water treatment systems over time. Do you drink alcohol like
many of my human friends, Nonnie?
Nonnie: “Never touch it, Andra – and I’m trying to
get Dr. John here to swear off that nasty stuff.”
Andra: (Chuckles
at John who is smiling as he raises his glass of water in a salute.)
“So what have you been
told about me, Nonnie?”
Nonnie: “That you are a great naval commander, a
no-nonsense gal, and Setter Caine’s ace in the hole. I’d really like to know
why you accepted this post among the humans of Genesis. There’s a lot of crazy
stuff going on here!”
Andra: “Nonnie, you left out one important thing in
your description. Liz Hastings is a very good friend of mine from before the
Krogg War, and now her Vice President, Marco Rossini is a good friend too.
While I live and breathe in Genesis space, I am their ace in the hole.”
Nonnie: I met Liz briefly last year, but Dr. John
and I spent a lot of time with Marco. I just adore that man! Do you think he’s
up to this battle with those awful terrorists after almost dying in space?”
Andra: (Pauses a
moment to take a drink, and then locks eyes with Nonnie.)
“I spent a few days
with Marco on the trip back here and he impressed me a great deal. But to
answer your question, I believe he’s just the man Genesis needs right now.
Setter Caine has great faith in him… and I’ve never seen Setter misjudge
anyone… ever!”
(Andra pauses and Nonnie remains quiet, waiting for more. So
Andra continues.)
“We Earthers have instincts
similar to our non-Earther ancestors on Earth. We’ve learned to control the
violent and predatory side of our inherited nature, but those instincts allow
us to sense things in people. Marco has a good heart, a bright mind, and a
desire to serve. He’s still learning about leadership, but he’ll get there –
and I have his back.”
Nonnie: “If you use the military might of this
Earther ship, won’t that make things worse for Liz and Marco in terms of public
opinion?”
Andra: “Yes, exactly! I’ll be using this (taps
the side of her head) to outfox those
Rouge thugs. They have no idea what it means to mess with me!”
John: “Are you two sure you two aren’t twin
sisters? I had to blink, Andra. I thought that was Nonnie talking!”
Nonnie: (Giving
John one of her withering looks)
“I’ll take that as a
compliment, Dr. John.” (Turns back to Andra)
“Did you meet Marco’s
lead security agent on the trip back here to Genesis? I’m wondering what you
think of him. Do you think he’s the right man to lead Marco’s security team?”
Andra: “Of course, Captain Ted Gallo. I had a couple
of meetings with him and some of our security people. He wanted to see what he
could learn from our methods so he could do his job more effectively. He’s a
good man.”
Nonnie: “Dr. John, I’d like to meet him – he might
have more insights into his boss, Marco. Wait! Let’s say goodbye to Andra
before we zap out of here, please.”
Andra: (Grins at
John) “Still doing that disappearing act,
Dr. John? I’d love to learn how to do that!”
Nonnie: “Andra, be careful what you wish for! Thank
you for your hospitality. It’s been an honor chatting with you.”
(They said their goodbyes as the Ambassador
escorted them back to the hatch leading to the corridor. As she watched them
leave, Nonnie took John’s arm and they vanished before Andra’s startled eyes.
