21 - Life Goes On

<< Capture Death

Ages - Kurtherian Gambit - The Kurtherian Gambit

Life Goes On, tells of just that- how Bethany Anne and everyone planned for their departure (keeping MANY secrets), how they planned for best ways for Lance and Federation to function,planned for safety of Earth from alien invaders, in case it was discovered. Many individuals had to make decisions, have concerns- going, or staying? Ships actually depart for Earth. Tells of Bethany Anne's and Michael's reunion, and activities concerning Elites, survivors, after arrival. Suggests future adventures of the many people and entities developed in the Kurtherian Gambit.

Federation Problems; Glory of Ghosts battle; Strom Political Group Battles

Chapter 03

ArchAngel II, andRanger Prime over Ixtali. Ixtali Cabinetouncil meeting to ask Bethany Anne to step down as Empress. Reported by Ixtali News Agency Duonto. ArchAngel II and Ranger Prime over planet, to ensure peaceful meeting. (Bethany Anne, Gabrielle, Eric, Scott, John Darryl, Kiel).

Bethany Anne explains to Council that two groups with to take control of Ixtali- the traditionalists, who want to go back to the old ways, and the politicians, who want to bring their people into positions of power to operate the government. Leaves them to discuss possibilities.

Battle with the traditionalists: Bethany Anne needs 7 volunteers to go on operation to take out Glory of Ghosts traditionalists. . (Barnabas, Tabitha, five Tontos - Hirotoshi and Ryu, Katsu, Jun, and Kouki. Transported, cloaked, on QBS Shinigami.)After battles on many floors, killing almost all of the 100 members being taken into the group. Barnabas discovers that the Master had no chip, himself. Group destroyed. Bethany Anne, Gabrielle, Eric, Scott, John Darryl, Kiel go on operation to destroy political group, the Strom, who wished to take over Ixtali planet. On Seventh Level, meet and destroy four-armed robotic sentry. Karel (Leader) and Feeglie watching from another area. Bethany Anne attack this group, kill Feeglie, others.

Ixtali Council/cabinet will now decide for themselves.

Planning

Chapter 04

General planning: Lance and Bethany Anne plan:Personnel from military drawdown-40% will want to leave military. Bethany Anne will take 20 - 30%. Will have to disappoint many, as only way secret can be kept.

For Departure; Translocation event, blowing up dreadnaughts; Bethany Anne's Good-bye speech.; First translocation through Gate, on way to Earth

Chapter 17

Dan, Bobcat, William, Marcus, Tina, Dad, Admiral Thomas, Kael-ven, et al, discuss how to “blow up” Gate, ships, AIs, etc. and still hide then securely. “Best way to hide it is to destroy it (Dan Bosse) Need to hide Gate so others don’t find Earth(Tina). “So we blow it up in front of God and everyone, especially the news agencies. (Dan). “Destroy” Gate and ships at same time (Tina).

"We have a Gate to move (into Etheric Empire territory as part of war reparations), a Gate to hide (so path to Earth will be secret), and some superdreadnoughts that need to be destroyed (Federation’s demand), and yet miraculously not.(Need to be hidden, and all used in Earth adventure). Federation is playing ‘gut the Empire’. AIs need to “go”, as well.

Translocation Gate: We translocate the Gate to a hidden location in space, then translocate in a large fake Gate and blow it up (with nanotomic explosion). We are all going to have to sell this. Will need minimum safety distance to hide secrets (Temp weapons platforms to enforce)

Cheryl Lynn, Tabitha, Richard, Samuel, all in Universal News Room on QBBS Meredith Reynolds. “We are about to transfer the Annex Gate from the Leath System to the Yollin System. To do that, we will be using six of our Leviathan-class superdreadnoughts to help power the transfer, employing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence.”

“An explosion shattered the sphere and three of the ships immediately and a gravity wave shot out, light exploding in a ring…” Everything blew up, ships, Gate, drones, platforms, all sucked into black hole developed.

Empress was crying out and sobbing. She fell to her knees, her hands over her eyes as tears dripped to the floor beneath her.

Those in the Command Center were celebrating. It worked! Cheryl Lynn, Tabitha, Richard, Samuel had not known of secret. Will be mind-wiped to protect the secret, with their approval.

Big Party on ArchAngel II, to celebrate. The group, which included Bethany Anne and Ashur, Lance and Patricia, the Empress’ Bitches and their spouses, Barnabas, Stephen and Jennifer, Peter and Tabitha, Ryu, Hirotoshi, and the rest of the Tontos, and thirty others

A small ship observed the activity and noted it for later. Collecting supplies, hiding them before departure. Bethany Anne talks to Shinigami, asks AI to handle tasks. Shinigami agrees.

Bethany Anne’s Good-bye speech, formally stepping down from Empire role. Large throne room, ceremony. The Empress’ personal bodyguards walked out in their pristine armor, and the videographers took time to get great shots of them all.Then Barnabas came out to represent the Rangers, Peter the Guardians, and Gyada for the Guardian Marines, having taken Todd’s place as leader. Many of the reporters focused on her, but were able to give the audience only the barest hint of her background.The barest hint was all they had.

Covered by Franath D’Tzaa, D’tereth vid-reporter who also wrote The Etheric Empress—the Story of Our Galaxy’s Most Powerful Alien.”Was pleased with Bethany Anne’s presentation,, in armor, as Bethany Anne Nacht. “I AM THE BITCH WHO GIVES EVIL NIGHTMARES!” “Be good to the Federation, because I will be watching!” “Goodbye.” Franath D’Tzaa smiled. “The gloves just came off!” Lots of discussion as to how much all lost or won on Bethany Anne’s speech.The Guards had bet on various aspects of her appearance and speech. Winners and losers!

Three months later, ships went through first Gate to take them back to Earth

For Earth's Future

Chapter 05

Team BMW: Planning BYPS system to protect earth.Cannot be handled by AIs (will go crazy with isolation), other problems(deploy these damned satellites in three concentric circles across millions of miles)Plan how to transport BYPS to Earth, using code system suggested by American Indian Code Talkers’ system, but use AC/DC musical group as code base

QBBS Asteroid, R2D2 “Are in the final stages of construction of a huge ark to facilitate bringing back vast amounts of diverse terrestrial genetic material. Some will never be introduced anywhere, just frozen for the future in case they need to reseed Earth.. (Discussed in relation to Tiger Mountain Beer).

Will need a space archeologist, for Earth studies, to search for Kurtherian Tech. Talk to Giles Kurns. (Martial Arts to improve, weapons practice, Sacred Clan info from ADAM, (Keep it secret that he is going)Lance gives Giles biometrically coded tablet, to take to Earth. If he loses it, it will automatically erase.

Arrival on Earth; Michael on ArchAngel II, re-establishing relationships

Chapter 22

Michael, Akio watch as first ships become apparent. Two groups in Park, one watching Pod coming down, the other watching welcoming party of 6 watching Pod coming down.

Bethany Anne and Ashur appear ten feet above ground. ‘She had on boots, black leather pants, and a black blouse over a skintight shirt of some alien substance, and she wore a gold necklace. She and the dog floated the few feet to the ground and started walking toward the six (Michael, Yuko, Akio, Jacqueline, Mark, Eve). The man in the cowboy hat strode ahead of the others, his eyes for her alone.’ Michael and Bethany Anne met, kissed. Bethany Anne tries to slap him for dying. Michael gets angry, two begin to appear/disappear into Etheric, fighting, cursing, yelling.

Other group still watching Pod approach landing/welcoming area (John, Eric, Darryl, Gabrielle, Scott and a few others) Akio to welcome them.

Two groups meet while Michael and Bethany Anne fight, begin to make bets on how many times they will appear. Lots of discussion, Gabrielle wins, with guess of 21 times, the fewest number. (20 or 21?) Guards learn that Jacqueline, Mark are Michael’s wards, a legacy from Gerry, Jacqueline’s Dad, who had survived on Earth long enough for Michael to come back and assume protection/guidance for them.

Michael and Bethany Anne and entourage arrive on ArchAngel, exiting from Shinigami. Anthony Brian Binz, dockworker, watches the rest of the passengers come down the ramp. Not only was the famed Michael with them, but if he wasn’t mistaken the group included Akio, Yuko, and Eve as well, plus the Bitches, Gabrielle, and two humans he didn’t know. Requested permission to tape arrival, permission granted by Bethany Anne herself, as she passed fifteen feet from him.

Michael visits Tabitha, to apologize for his prior treatment of her, and to reassure her that she had not been responsible for his death. Got onto good terms.

Bethany Anne and Michael talk about Demon (his cat, acquired in escapade before she got back SDA04/7,8, 9), a new fashion revolution(his hat), his lack of hair upon returning, 150 years of happenings. Reunites with Stephen, meets Jennifer. Works out with Guards in Work-out area. They master him for first ½ hour, then he begins to “teach.” “Work-out” video-taped to rest of ship, to remind them of why he was called “ArchAngel, Warrior of God.”

Meets with Barnabas, in Bethany Anne’s suite. Both are different- more considerate, less interested in taking offense, more concerned with person they are talking to. Barnabas states,“I’ve been in charge of enforcing the law for the last hundred and sixty-plus years. I think I’m ready for a change of pace. Violence.” Is thinking of working for Lance in clean-up of Devon (High Tortuga). Already has Ranger Prime, but wants a smaller ship with a Gate. Bethany Anne suggests Shinigami for him.

Barnabas meets with AI Shinigami, asks her what she would like for a future, perhaps with him, making their own rules. He will get answer on next day. He and Shinigami would uphold justice in their own way. He could call on her if needed

Bethany Anne and Michael go on a “date”. Take guns.Team BMW and Guards go on “Boys’ Night Out drinking time, to New York, while Bethany Anne and Michael out on their date. Find it to be desolate.

Post -arrival activities; Rescuing Queen's Elite

Chapter 23

Has pulled Queen’s Elites (6) from underground graves. An earthquake had dropped a building on them during WWDE, and they had survived by altering body metabolism.

All are in ship, are landing in San Francisco to meet with more WWDE survivors. Colonel Terry Henry Walton, his wife, Char, and their children, Felicity and Ted, and many others who had helped Earth survive while she was gone.“I want to invite you to take the War Axe through the Annex Gate and join my father, Lance Reynolds, in securing and expanding the brand new Etheric Federation.” There is a little side business called ‘the Bad Company’ I think you and your people would be perfect to slide right into.” She looked at TH and Char. “What do you think about exporting your brand of justice to the whole fucking universe?” Dokken ran out of the ship towards them all. War Axe picks up Boris (Russian werebear) and his group, to take them to their new future.

New Kurtherian Contact/Information

Chapter 22

QBS Minelayer202. Ship in charge of laying BYPS items around Earth’s space, etc. One of its fleet, QBS 988, encountered a cloud, intercepted, hit something, and was delayed by disruption of BYPS items from ejection rails. Eighteen hours to replace on rails, disperse. Commander Silvers enraged. Team BMW on QBS MineLayer Prime, supervising laying of BYPS satellites. Checking on placement in various spheres.

EI 202 alerts Commander Nickie Silvers that fleet communication is being received from fleet, but the answers going out are not from her. Something is blocking us while letting the fleet believe we have actively confirmed our status.” Cannot move ship, either. Why blocked? Silvers receives message from entity that has blocked them. “Because you,” the voice answered, its language translated by her chip, “are the leader of this group. And you,” it went on to say in a weird cadence that sounded like two voices speaking on different octaves, “can take us to the Exalted One.”"I am one of a Five Clan, who recognizes Kurtherian Technology within ships, and would like to meet Exalted Leader to tell news of Seven Clans."

Bethany Anne and TOM go out to speak with Kurtherian contact (Glorious Pain in the Ass), who recognizes TOM as a famous Pilot, and names him as the Exalted One. Has news of the Seven. Upsetting to Bethany Anne, because when he communes with Glorious, his presence was gone from her body

Devon (High Tortuga); Vigilante services; Rebirth of Devon; Medusa Shipyard

Chapter 24

Bethany Anne, Ashur, John meet with Addix, thank her for all of her help, ask her if she is interested in helping Bethany Anne to govern another planet, “someone I trust to operate independently and wield quite a bit of authority.” Would “die”, become a “Nacht”, rejuvenated. Addix agrees..

Stephen to make it happen, with Jennifer (wife). Also in charge of “garages”, parking places for superdreadnoughts.

Gabrielle, Richard, Samuel. Going after K’derrk, Yollin Arms dealer who was selling to Yollins L’ep and B’erk. B’erk wanted “….fine software for accurate weapons package delivery based on satellite support,” for ‘private amusement’. Really for munitions guidance. Deal stopped, buyers killed, Yollin police notified. Gabrielle asks Richard and Samuel if they want to do some work on ‘High Tortuga’. (Devon)

Barnabas Is thinking of working for Lance in clean-up of Devon (High Tortuga). Already has Ranger Prime, but wants a smaller ship with a Gate. Bethany Anne suggests Shinigami for him. Barnabas meets with AI Shinigami, asks her what she would like for a future, perhaps with him, making their own rules. He will get answer on next day. He and Shinigami would uphold justice in their own way. He could call on her if needed

New base to be renovated, opened. Named Medusa Shipyard, by Lance (Med-USA) This hangar had originally been a valley, which had made it easier to excavate. The top of the hangar looked just like the surrounding rock…because it was.

They had left the natural rock on the tops of the hangars. Some of the most sophisticated observation satellites tested day after day and week after week that the hangars were still hidden. The bedrock under the hangars had been compression-tested to ensure it could support the extra weight of the massive ships. BYPS system that ringed the planet . Nine month prep period before departure to find the Seven, on data given by a lone Kurtherian in Earth space.

Support of Coke and Pepsi would designate who their followers were, or those of the Federation. Bethany Anne had ordered twelve system-exploration ships for her fleet. Four would arrive within four weeks, and the others would arrive ten weeks after that.

She would use those 12 SE Ships to follow up on the clues Glorious the PITA had provided.

Personal Notes

Chapter 24

William’s date with Kathy. Team BMW’s History Retrospective reviewed. Joined by Bethany Anne, Tina and Gabrielle. Met her on Dating site. Patricia pregnant, Lance doesn’t know yet. Tells Lance he’s going to be a father again.

Jean and John at dinner. Jean shook her head. “Bethany Anne has promised me that lab on the ArchAngel and a permanent lab with robotics on her planet for testing and manufacturing when I need it. We will come back and see the family from time to time. Talk about Lillian, Nickie.

Talking to Lance. Bethany Anne starts to doubt her activities in the Galaxy space. “So my whole concept that this is Earth with aliens isn’t working?” Feeling badly about lying to everyone, about everything. Ok to do so, Lance there to take up slack when she’s gone. Visit with Ecaterina and Nathan, in her suite. Pepsi everywhere. Bethany Anne has lifted the “Coke only” requirement. Gives Ecaterina a terriliniam bear-trap pendant (Etheric resonances to find Ecaterina if she is close), and Jean Dukes pistols and rifle. Gives Nathan military arm (funding, people) to upgrade Bad Company.

Tabitha and Peter talk to Paul Jameson about not retiring, and staying active in TQB activities, either on Earth or on Yoll. To be determined.

Question arose as to whether Meredith had ascended to AI. Both TOM and ADAM think not yet.

Ashur and Bellatrix split up. Bellatrix wanted more puppies, Ashur wanted to go with Bethany Anne. Frozen sperm later, they will both get their wish.Ashur and Bellatrix re-unite when Bethany Anne comes back to Yollin space to finalize shipyard, etc.

Bethany Anne and Tom talk about what he would choose for a body, if he could separate from her. He found it disconcerting, and chose not to talk about it then.

Bethany Anne discovers she is pregnant, from the “Date Night” with Michael. Tells Michael he will be a natural father. Overjoyed

TOM was also a famous religious leader on his world. He never told Bethany Anne. She only knows that when he communes with Glorious, his presence was gone from her body. TOM and ADAM admit to each other that ADAM, also, has advanced enhancements, Kurtherian technologies, that have not become known to humans. ADAM is testing his abilities, slowly. They will both tell Bethany Anne about it after she gives birth, and is more stable emotionally.

People going to Earth with Bethany Anne

Chapter 11

Giles Kurns

Tabitha, Peter, (Guardians will be gutted), Guards, Johnny,

William asks to come to Earth with Bethany Anne, because Kathy is going. Tells Bobcat and Yelena

People staying with Federation

Chapter 15

Lance & Patricia

Nathan, Ecaterina (Dark Company activities), Bobcat and Yelena, Tina and Marcus, Mr. President and family. Stephen and Jennifer staying on Devon