Maria, Olga and Hazel were sitting at the captain’s table. A navel tradition carried over to this new 29th century space faring society. Hazel had devoured one peperoni pizza on her own. Olga was cautiously eating a slice of Hawaiian. Hazel’s response was a wrinkled nose. Maria was sipping a bottle of coffee flavored Synth-O. She hadn’t poked much yet. Letting the girls settle and eat. Once Hazel had slowed down after her tenth slice of pizza, she felt comfortable enough to broach the first of many subjects. It still amazed Maria how much the apparent teenager could eat. She didn’t know much of wolf-born anatomy, but it seemed like they required vast amounts of food. She took another sip of her Synth-O and looked at Olga then Hazel.

“Okay, lets start with this young lady.”

Maria motioned towards Olga. Olga looked at the youthful looking raven-haired vampire. She had never met someone with such a commanding presence before. Sextus had an air of leadership about him but this woman seemed used to commanding armies. She wasn’t familiar with the rank markings of this new time but it was obvious Maria was someone important. Hazel swallowed her current bite of pizza and put the slice down on her plate.

“Uh, this is Olga Popov, former KGB, from 1967.”

Maria steepled her fingers looking at Olga.

“Welcome to Pluto Station, Ms. Popov. I am Fleet Admiral Maria Aurelius. Commanding Officer of the station and Director of Systems Alliance research division.”

Olga swallowed the bite of Hawaiian pizza hard. Fleet Admiral in the USSR was like the head of the entire navy. She felt like she was bit in over her head. Especially since Maria was quite scary looking. Not in stature but in presence. A voice disturbed the uneasy silence.

“Admiral, we have a damage report for Operation Blackhole.”

Maria tapped her wrist in annoyance.

“I will review it later. Please direct all further notifications that don’t involve an imminent attack on the station to my XO. We’ll discuss the difference between an emergency and a notice later Ensign.”

She tapped her wrist again and looked at Olga again.

“My apologies. New staff officer. Where were we?”

Olga shrunk in her seat. Maria reminded her of everything she’d heard about high-ranking military officers. This woman should not be trifled with.

“So, where on Earth are we?”

Hazel laughed. Maria gave her a withering glance. Hazel blushed and took another bite of pizza.

“We’re currently orbiting the planet Pluto. We are about five billion kilometers from Earth.”

Olga spit out her drink without meaning too. Maria looked at Hazel. Hazel blushed again. She turned her attention back to Olga.

“I apologize, I was under the impression my niece had explained where you were heading.”

Olga used a napkin to wipe off her face and the table. Maria offered her a replacement slice of pizza which Olga took from the box.

“I am so sorry ma’am. I did not mean too; It is just a bit of a shock.”

“It is quite alright. You seem frightened. I assure you; You will come to no harm here. However, this station is classified, so is time travel. I assure you that if you speak of anything of your past or of this station, or how you reached the 29th century the repercussion will be quite severe. I am guessing my niece left that part out as well.”

Olga nodded. Hazel started to find the table looking very interesting all of a sudden. Maria stood up and motioned for Olga to join her.

“But it is not all threats and dire consequences, come, I will show you something you would have never seen in your lifetime.”

Maria put her on the wall and the viewport in the dining room opened showing a beautiful view of Pluto.

“Welcome to Pluto.”

Olga dropped her pizza on her plate and walked towards the view port. She reached out her hand. She had never dreamed she would ever lay eyes on another planet Pluto looked close enough to touch. She looked at Maria who smiled.

“Welcome to the 29th century. You are lucky, there was enough science fiction in your time, most of it will seem rather predictable.”

Olga looked back to Pluto. Then gasped when she saw a large capital ship fly by. Its silvery hull shining in the lights off the station. Maria pointed at it.

“That is the Saturn. An assault carrier. She is on her way to one of our colonies.”

Maria pointed at a massive structure that suddenly flared to life with a shimmering vortex of light. Olga pressed against the viewports to see it better. The Saturn moved into the vortex and vanished as if it was disintegrated. The vortex vanished. She looked at Maria.

“Where did it go?”

“It is now 120 light years away at Gaia, our third perspective colony world. Ran into some ancient automated defenses. She is joining the rest of her battle fleet to deal with them. Interesting technology, cannot wait to get my hands on it.”

Maria left the viewport open and walked back to her seat. Olga stared at the stargate for several more minutes before returning to her seat she looked at Hazel an apology on her lips. Hazel shook her head and smiled at her. Olga looked to Maria.

“Ma’am, I just want you to know that Greta… I mean Hazel told me about this time, but I didn’t believe her.”

Maria nodded and took another drink of her synthetic blood.

“The two of you are heading back to Earth on the first ship heading there. Hazel your sister is extremely upset with you. You have missed three weeks of school.”

Hazel blushed and nodded but then her eyes went a bit wider and her fists clenched.

“I’m not leaving mom.”

Maria quirked an eyebrow.

“You really are not in a position to make demands. You broke several laws. It is by the grace of your stepmother, myself and your sister you are not in the brig at this very moment. Do not press your luck. We are quite capable of taking care of my sister here.”

Hazel nodded.

“Yes ma’am.”

Maria’s eyes softened.

“Hazel there is not much you can do for her. We have a fully featured medical bay. We will get Olga some new clothes and set you two up in quarters. Then you and I can have a discussion in my office about the mistakes you have made and what exactly happened to your mother.”

“Yes ma’am.”

*****

Maria and Hazel were in her the CO’s office. Hazel had just finished relating the story of their most recent trip to the past. Hazel was in a more fitting 29th century military jumpsuit sans unit patches. Maria had a half empty bottle of Synth-O on her desk. Hazel glanced at it.

“Aunt Maria, you drink a lot of blood.”

Maria shrugged.

“Vampire.”

Hazel smiled.

“Hazel, I understand your frustration. Trust me. Look at me. I have been dealing with people looking at my appearance and making assumptions about my age, knowledge and expertise. Your mother understands as well. You keep acting like a teenager, so we treat you like one. I get that your stuck like this so beating you on the head with the need for you to show more restraint is like yelling at someone without legs to walk more. However, infiltrating secure military facilities, sneaking on ships, breaking out of brigs and jumping through random time gateways is not acceptable, even a teenager can understand that.”

Hazel’s cheerful demeanor slowly vanished as Maria calmly dressed her down.

“I could not find the beacons your mother was given. What happened to them?”

Hazel mumbled an answer.

“What was that?”

“I know you heard me.”

Maria nodded.

“I want you to take responsibility for your actions. What happened to the beacons?”

“I smashed them so she couldn’t send me back.”

“Do you know how reckless, and dangerous that was? You and your mother may have never made it home.”

Hazel mumbled another answer. Maria quirked an eyebrow.

“What was that Hazel?”

Hazel stood up and slammed the desk with her fist.

“This isn’t our home. This isn’t where mom is from, she’s from 2027.”

Maria blinked at her niece slowly.

“Did punching my desk make you feel better?”

Hazel blushed and sat back down and nodded.

“I know the feeling. I have gone through six of them. Now, your mom has made a life here with Amee, and you have too. You are going to school, I know you know all of it already but here is the thing, you need to play the game. Once you finish high school you got to post-secondary school then, you live your life as an adult, regardless of your physical shape and your maturity level. You do want to be treated like an adult here, correct?”

Hazel sighed and nodded. Maria took a drink of blood.

“You need to sort your… life out. This behavior was as unacceptable in the twenty-first century as much as it is in the twenty-ninth century. I understand you probably saved your mother’s life on this trip on multiple occasions. You have more than earned her respect. I do not have the benefit of remembering my children, so you will have to forgive me. I do not know how to guide you. Eyre does remember and you need to trust her guidance. If she thinks you are better off here then in the past with your mother, then she is likely right. Now my sister, if she says you should come with her, that is her choice. But if she says no, I say no, and Eyre says no, you should listen to us, we are all a lot older then you and we know better.”

Hazel frowned and nodded. Her hands were on the desk now she was fiddling with her empty mug that had recently been filled with hot chocolate. Maria smiled at Hazel.

“I think what you are missing from this is that we all love you very much. What worries us is that we are more concerned about your safety then you are. You are not invincible. I know you feel like you are. It is a teenage thing, and you are a wolf-born, so in many ways you are far more durable than a normal human girl. But you are not invincible.”

A few tears dripped down Hazel’s cheeks as she stared at the cup.

“I must apologize to you. I am not very good at dealing with my emotions. So instead of explaining how much I love you and how scared I am for you, I get angry, I lock you up for what I think is your own good, but it is so I know you are safe. I have been military now for centuries, it has had an impact on my strategy for handling things. While it is great for a military officer dealing with military issues, it is not great for dealing with family. Hazel. Please do us a favor: Go back to Earth, enjoy your time with your boyfriend and your school friends and just live your life. You seem to have put everything for you on pause for your mother. That is not healthy. It is not what she wants, it is not what any of us want for you.”

Hazel nodded. Maria opened a drawer and pulled out a wrapped package and put it in front of Hazel.

“We missed your birthday while you were gone.”

“Missed three.”

Maria smiled.

“Well, this will have to do for all three.”

Hazel opened it and there was a holo-picture of her with Miko, she remembered it well. Miko was sitting on a railing and Hazel was leaning beside her. They were looking out the viewport at Pluto. Miko was smiling. There were also several beads for the braids she often sported. More tears dripped down Hazel’s cheeks and she walked around the desk and hugged Maria. She squeezed so hard Maria probably would have been injured if she weren’t an ancient vampire.

“Thank you, Aunt Maria.”

“I am sorry she is gone, I had it made before… I thought you would still appreciate it.”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Hazel clutched the holo-photo display to her chest. She sat down and broke down crying. She had not really processed her sister’s loss. She’d been so concerned about her mother. Maria came around the desk and hugged her from behind tightly kissing her on the head. She didn’t say a word she just held her niece tightly.

*****

Hazel stood by her mother’s bed in the medical bay. She was holding her pale hand tightly. Her mother was hooked up to a nutrition pack. The display behind it were showing minimal brain activity. Her mother looked so weak and small here. Like the teenager she appeared to be. Hard to imagine her as the larger-than-life warrior, space explorer and Empress. A nurse stopped by and checked the IV line and monitors. She was a younger woman. Likely recently trained. She smiled at Hazel.

“Your sister is doing fine. She’ll wake up soon, I’m sure. She must have some friends in high places to be here.”

Hazel blinked at the nurse.

“She is my mother. Do you not know her name?”

“Enid.”

Hazel corrected her.

“Enid Aurelius.”

The nurse went a bit pale. Made a mumbled excuse and left quickly.

“I’m not sure leaving you here with these people is best mom, but Aunt Maria says my welcome is limited here. She promised you’ll be okay. I’ll be on Earth waiting for you.”

She squeezed her mother’s hand one last time and left the med bay. She adjusted her pink backpack. Her belongings had been returned to her, the ones that the security staff had taken from her when she was caught trying to board the station. She tapped her wrist and then tapped one of her playlists and Bon Jovi started to play through her translator. She smiled and walked to the gardens. She sat down at the edge of the 2nd tier and looked out the viewport. She had a great view of the ships of the seventh fleet. Freshly returned from Gaia. Her Aunt Maria had been hard to find since they’d come back. She could see drones hovering over their surface repairing armor. Beside them floated six captured alien ships they had brought back with them. She guessed her aunt was probably poking around this new strange technology. Her music was so loud she didn’t hear footsteps behind her, and she jumped when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked back and it was Olga. She tapped her wrist and stopped the music. Olga sat beside her and looked back at the gardens. She wouldn’t have guessed they were on a space station if it weren’t for the fact the gardens had two levels and there was a massive view port to space.

“How is your mom?”

“Still the same.”

Olga glanced at her wrist. The civilian holo-phone Hazel had bought her at the station’s shopping plex was configured to show the station time.

“You know our ship is leaving in half an hour.”

Hazel nodded.

“Don’t you have to get ready?”

Hazel shrugged.

“Everything I brought with me is in my backpack.”

Hazel patted it.

“It is very pink.”

Hazel laughed.

“I like pink.”

Olga laughed.

“I had no idea.”

Olga pointed at Hazel’s hair.

“I see you have braids now.”

Hazel shrugged.

“It is how I like my hair. I wasn’t allowed to keep it this way in Russia.”

Olga gently picked up one of the small braids and looked at the colorful beads at the end of it.

“I like it. You look good. Much less stressed than usual.”

Hazel smiled at Olga.

“You seem to be less freaked out.”

Olga looked out at the ships being repaired.

“It is very different, but also the same. When I would go on vacation in the summer to the ocean, I would watch warships coming back to port for repairs. The water is just different here. I can’t wait to see the world. We were never allowed.”

Hazel rubbed the back of her neck. She glanced at Olga out of the side of her eyes then focused on the ships.

“So uh, there is something else.”

Olga looked at Hazel.

“I’m sure there is a lot of else.”

“Well Earth, it… it was frozen over. There was a sudden ice age like nine hundred years ago. So umm, like the surface is inhospitable, and in most places deadly during the night.”

“What? Why are we going there?”

“Because… there are domes, its like, always perfect temperature, it never rains, or snows. I mean except, New London, New Amazon and the Russian Federation Dome. They sometimes have condensation that turns into rain because they’re older.”

Olga blinked and leaned her head against the railing she was quiet for a while then looked at Hazel.

“Where are we staying?”

“NAFTA dome, its where Aurelius Headquarters is, and thus where my sister lives. I mean once you’re settled you can go wherever you want. There are colonies in other star systems now, and domes on other planets. They say Mars is being terraformed. Apparently, the System Alliance has begun magnetizing Mar’s core.”

“Such a thing is possible? To an entire planet?”

Hazel shrugged.

“According to the commercials it is? Come live on Mars, stake out your claim now. The atmosphere will be breathable in six standard Earth years.”

Olga’s wrist started to beep. A few seconds later so did Hazel’s. Hazel sighed and stood up scooping up her backpack. She offered her hand to Olga who took it. Hazel pulled her up.

“Well time to go see Earth. Uh, by the way, we’ll be traveling faster than the speed of light, sometimes people’s stomachs don’t keep up.”

Olga blinked at Hazel. Hazel looked at her in confusion.

“You thought were doing it sub-light?”

“Well yes.”

“That would take like six months at maximum speed. Even with FTL it takes like an hour. Unless we get a fast military ship, which I doubt we’ll be that lucky. They’re all off exploring and defending colonies.”

Hazel’s wrist vibrated she tapped it and Amee’s face appeared on the display. Hazel smiled.

“Hi stepmom.”

“Hello stepdaughter.”

Olga blinked at the woman on the other side of the holo-link. She looked no older than she did. Apparently, this Enid liked younger women.

“What’s up?”

“Your FTL transport has been rerouted. I’ve made alternate arrangements. You’re leaving from launch bay four. Also, you’ll be coming to New Amazon and staying with me.”

“What’s wrong with Eyre?”

“She’s indisposed and we figured you’d want to go to your real school and be near your boyfriend. I hope that’s alright.”

“Sure, beats attending by hologram and flying to see him.”

“Welcome back hon. See you soon. I have the spare room made up for the newcomer I can see peaking behind you.”

“See you soon mom.”

“That’s better.”

Amee broke the comm-link and Hazel had an extra bounce in her step as she headed towards their new departure point. She waved her hand over a pad by the security desk. The guard behind it motioned her through. Olga did the same. He nodded and waved her through. Olga hurried to catch up to Hazel who holding the elevator open for her. Olga scratched the back of her hand.

“It’s that easy?”

“Yep, it is what he ident-chit is for. Has everything you need. Your money, your ID, security access.”

“Is it normal for it to itch?”

“I don’t know, I have a different kind. Those ones don’t work for me.”

“Really?”

“You’re so lucky you can get cybernetic enhancements; My body rejects them. I had to get a biological chip.”

“Why?”

“Uh, I’m a shape changer. I guess I haven’t told you. So, uh I can turn into a wolf.”

“You’re a werewolf?”

Hazel nodded.

“Is that why you’re so big?”

“Uh, no not really. My dad was just a big guy.”

Olga blinked at Hazel who shifted to wolf and back again as they rode the elevator to the launch bay. Olga stumbled and leaned against the elevator. She stared at Hazel and continued looking after, still leaning on the wall of the elevator. Hazel wasn’t paying attention. Her eyes went wide and she ran forward.

“Oh my god. Apollo! You’re our ride?”

Hazel’s translator came to life.

“Yes, I am, it is nice to see you cousin.”

“I could just hug you. You beautiful purple starfighter.”

Olga heard the words starfighter and poked her head out of the elevator and was greeted by the most majestic and streamlined fighter craft she’d ever seen. Its metallic purple glistened in the bright lights of the landing bay.

“Blyat!”

Hazel took a few seconds to translate that as she didn’t have her translator app running currently so she had to do it with her own brain. She looked at Olga who was staring at Apollo.

“He’s sure beautiful, isn’t he?”

“We get to fly that?”

“Him, would be a better description. And the answer is yes, he is our ride.”

“Him?”

“Olga, meet Apollo, sentient artificial intelligence. He identifies as male. He was created by my Aunt Maria, so we treat him like part of the family. So, he’s my cousin.”

Olga waved at Apollo.

“Uh, hello, I’m Olga.”

Apollo’s voice came out of his loudspeaker system.

“Hello Olga. Hazel, our flight was scheduled to leave five minutes. We should get moving.”

“Sure thing.”

She climbed up the ladder that had been formed out of the liquid metal that made up Apollo’s armor. She picked up the flight helmet that had been left in the seat and put it on. Olga got into the rear seat and did the same. The canopy closed. The 360 holographic HUD flared to life. Olga gasped.

“This is amazing.”

Apollo made a sound that emulated a chuckle.

“Thank you, Olga.”

Hazel looked over the controls on the hologram before her.

“Uh, so Apollo, I learned how to fight a jet but I am not familiar with hologram piloting.”

The liquid metal formed into more conventional jet controls.

“No problem. If you wish to take control there are the controls. Unlike more conventional jets I have antigrav generators.”

A control flashed for her on the holo-control panel. Hazel tapped it and the fighter lifted off. She tapped the button that said landing gear. She tapped the button that said comm-link.

“Pluto Station Control this is…”

Apollo wrote some words on holo-HUD, Hazel repeated them.

“Variable fighter One, Earth bound. Requested launch permission.”

“Permission granted. Have a safe trip.”

“Thank you.”

Hazel hit the throttle. Apollo slipped through the energy field that protected the ship’s air supply. She was in space now. Apollo flashed a warning that she was exceeding allowed Pluto Station system speeds. She slowed the fighter down and once they were outside of the Pluto Station controlled space she opened up. Olga cheered. Hazel laughed.

“Olga did you ever think you’d be in a starfighter?”

“No. How fast can he go?”

“Uh, faster than we can survive.”

Hazel did some barrel rolls and finally angled towards Earth.

“Apollo can you plot a course to Earth please?”

“Of course, how fast do you prefer?”

“Uh, Olga’s a newbie so maybe let’s take it slow?”

“Very well. Estimated time of arrival in Earth space is an hour and fifteen minutes. Shall we?”

“Uh yes, what is it they say? Engage?”

“Of course.”

The fighter felt like it lurched and then the blue-white vortex formed around them, and they were travelling to Earth. Olga groaned but a few minutes later she was feeling well enough to talk again.

“So…we’re going faster than light now?”

“Yes.”

“It’s pretty.”

“I know, I don’t usually get to see it. I’m usually in the back of a transport.”

“Feels like there is gravity. I thought we’re weightless in space…and actually why… were we not floating on the station?”

Hazel laughed.

“Artificial gravity. It’s the same reason we can pull very high G maneuvers in Apollo and we won’t feel a thing even near a gravity well.”

“Gravity well?”

“Uh… planet or star? Like something with gravity.”

“Oh, I see. I wonder why they’re called wells.”

“Honestly, I have no idea, I just hear people saying it a lot. Mom told me about how Apollo works.”

“I still can’t believe they let us use an actual fighter with weapons just to go from point A to point B.”

“Well technically it is Apollo letting us use him to get from point A to point B, and technically System Alliance doesn’t own him, my mom does. Not that it sounds right calling him owned. But since he’s not legally a person we have to just say that. I’m sorry Apollo.”

“No problem. I do not mind belonging to your mother. She treats me with respect.”

Olga swallowed hard.

“I’m sorry Apollo.”

“It is alright. You are not from our time. You’ll take some time to adjust.”

“Why is he purple?”

Apollo spoke up.

“I was black, but my armor was damaged in a battle and Enid was forced to use alien liquid metal to repair me. It is more advanced; However, it is purple in nature. My creator is still trying to figure out how to change the tinge. She’d have to rebuild my matrix to change the way light interacts with me. It is quite alright though; I have a cloaking device and can also using holographic systems to appear as something else.”

Hazel made a mmm sound.

“Does that mean we should land in disguise?”

“No need. My existence is no longer classified. There was a System Alliance broadcast about your mother’s explorations where I was featured heavily. Your mother missing for three weeks caused some fear with the shareholders, System Alliance board and vampires. Questions were being asked why she kept vanishing. So, to cover the time travel they released a documentary that was prepared a while ago. They made it appear as if it was alive. With your ‘mother’ answering interactive questions, it was Eyre covered with a hologram. Their voices are so similar it wasn’t difficult.”

“Mom will be so pissed.”

“I know, but it was a better option then letting having a mini-recession. And vampire rebellion as they thought she may be imprisoned.”

“We are about to drop out of FTL. Prepare yourselves.”

Hazel wrapped her hand around the stick. The blue-white vortex gave way to real space. Causing their stomachs to feel like they were left behind on Pluto Station. It took a few minutes for Hazel to take control of the fighter. Olga burped a few times.

“You ready to land, Olga?”

“Yes. That is very… disconcerting.”

“Faster you’re going the worse it is, its why only vampires can go faster then ten times the speed of light.”

“What? Vampires?”

“Err, did I not say something about that?”

“No!”

“I thought the blood made it obvious. Uh there are vampires. My mom is one, Aunt Maria is one, Grandfather is one, my sister Eyre is one…”

“Your stepmother?”

“No.”

“Oh, she looks so young and you said she was President…wait is she the leader of… everything?”

“Yep.”

“You said your family was connected but I didn’t really understand.”

“My family are the largest shareholders of the biggest corporation in the System Alliance. Money is power here.”

Hazel tapped the comm-link button.

“Connect me to Earth Space Control please Apollo.”

“Done.”

“Hello this Variable Fighter One requesting clearance to enter the atmosphere and New Amazon.”

“Welcome home VF one. You’re approach to New Amazon is cleared.”

Hazel closed the channel and started towards the grey-white ball that was now earth. A thin band of green, brown and blue could be seen at the equator. Apollo provided the proper flight path and flashed the energy shield button for Hazel. She tapped it and she entered the atmosphere. There a serious of flashes as nanites burned up against the shield and they burst through the cloud cover to see the dome network for New Amazon in the distance. Olga gasped for what seemed to be the millionth time since her arrival in the 29th century.

“There are so many domes, what are they for?”

“The biggest one that is a mile high is New Amazon, the others are bio-domes. Plant farms. Factory districts. Completely self-sustained atmosphere and food production. One is the New Amazon wild-life preserve, another is the nature preserve, you can camp in the nature preserve. It has a lake, you can fish and everything.”

Hazel maneuvered Apollo towards the dome entrance for flying vehicles. It was already opened and she easily slipped the fighter inside. She skimmed above the buildings. She pointed at the tallest that had a golden A on it.

“Aurelius Corp, New Amazon.”

“Your family owns that?”

“Yes. But we’re heading to mom and Amee’s place. Actually Apollo can you take over I’m not sure I can land in such a small spot yet.”

“Of course. Plotting a course.”

The fighter nimbly maneuvered through the buildings and landed gently inside a hanger just under the penthouse of the Millennium towers. Hazel unstrapped herself and patted Apollo.

“Thanks buddy.”

“Of course, Hazel, I honored to have been asked to get you home safely. I hope you reuninon with miles goes well.”

Hazel blushed a deep crimson.

“Me too!”

She hopped out and the pair were met by Amee who hugged Hazel tightly.

“I missed you kiddo.”

“I missed you too, mom.”

They broke the embrace and Amee looked to Olga and offered her hand.

“Welcome to Earth, Olga.”

Olga took and shook it firmly she found herself staring at Amee’s magenta eyes she could see the cybernetics inside moving and focusing on her. She found it both amazing and slightly disturbing.

“I’m honored to meet you madam president.”

Amee smiled.

“When we’re at the house, Amee is fine, or Mrs. Morris if you must. Now come on, I have pizza on the way, six meat, like you always ask for Hazel. Also, Miles is on his way.”

Hazel reached into Apollo’s cargo compartment and snagged her pink backpack.

“You’re the second-best mom in the universe.”

“High praise.”

  Amee started to walking toward the elevator to the penthouse. Hazel followed close behind. Olga grabbed the pack with her meager belongings and joined them. Olga looked at Hazel.

“Hazel, why is Apollo called a variable fighter?”

“Because his skin is liquid metal, and it can be shaped to suit his needs.”

Olga blinked at Hazel. Amee hit the button to take them home.