Written by Darala Starr :: [Monday, 18 November 2019 22:23] Last updated by :: [Thursday, 07 November 2019 18:16]
“Yes, that’s it, Darala Starr. Just take a few slow breaths.”
Darala woke slowly and faintly heard Julia Warren’s voice through the speakers in the ceiling above her. Darala breathed in, feeling more pressure in the air. The room itself was now more pressurized and this caused Darala to feel better, even to notice that strength was gradually growing within her. Looking through the large viewing port into the control room, Darala spotted Julia Warren standing behind her console, speaking into her microphone. Around her were several laboratory assistants in white lab coats with masks over their faces. They moved carefully around her, checking equipment and making notes on clipboards.
“I cannot have you too weak, Doctor Starr, that would defeat the purpose of my work. I’ve re-pressurized the room to a more adequate level for someone of your physical prowess. It may not be equal to Tau Ceti, but it should help you feel a little better.”
Darala stood up slowly and took a few deep breaths, her chest expanding, growing tight against her lycra suit. Indeed, the pressure seemed to help. She closed her eyes and focused on feeling the strength in her body very gradually increasing.
If I can gain my strength back, Darala thought, I could bend those doors wide open and escape.
“I know what you’re thinking, Doctor Starr,” Julia said. “That with your strength restored you can escape. But don’t be so quick to assume that. I have taken precautions. While you were sleeping I took the liberty of attaching a little device to the back of your neck. Can you feel it on your skin?”
Darala cautiously reached behind her neck, and felt a very small piece of metal there, somehow attached to her. She felt sudden alarm.
“What have you done?” Darala asked.
Julia said, “That is an injectable trigger. If you displease me, I will remotely inject you with a lethal dose of the gas that knocked you out when you first arrived. You’ll be dead within two minutes. But you’re no good to me dead, Darala Starr. So if you’ll just cooperate, this will be beneficial for both of us.”
Darala decided to play along because she wasn’t sure she had a choice.
“All right,” Darala said, crossing her arms across her flexing chest muscles. “You’re a shape shifter. Back home we have data about your people. I never studied in depth, but if I remember correctly you’re from the galaxy known as Andros 3. We have no quarrels with you. So what do you want from me?”
Julia smiled and said, “Exactly. But we do have other enemies that are intent on destroying us. Only our shape shifting abilities and superior intelligence keep us alive. But even that isn’t enough. No, Doctor Starr, we need more.”
Julia turned and pointed at something across the control room. Darala hadn’t noticed it before, but now she saw it. It was the robot, it’s bulky steel frame standing ominously in the dimness of the room while computer and TV monitor screens flickered light on it in an eerie way.
Julia Warren said, “This is my brawn for the time being: a mechanical robot with great power. It’s a crude marriage of sorts, but not nearly good enough. No, Doctor Starr, what I need is your strength in me. Think of it… a shape shifter with super intelligence and incredible strength, speed and agility. There would be nothing that could conquer my people.”
Darala planted fists on her hips and shook her head in bewilderment.
“Miss Warren, this is not science; it’s speculation, and very poor speculation at that. I can’t just give you my strength. It comes from living in a mega gravity environment, increased atmospheric pressure with Tau Ceti chemistry, and lots of hard, physical training. It’s not something that can be manufactured or handed out as a gift,” Darala said.
Julia Warren’s face suddenly morph-changed into the Torellian. The mimic was uncanny and this caused Darala to gasp.
“This wormy Torellian that you see now told me that by possessing your life support belt, a human man gained super strength,” the Julia Warren/Torellian thing said.
Darala said, “Well, I’m afraid he lied to you. He is a liar and there’s not one ounce of truth in his miserable little body.”
Julia’s face once again changed back into her own. She was not smiling.
“Well, that is very disappointing to hear. However, I suppose once I have the belt in my possession, I’ll have to try it myself.”
Darala said, “It’s highly unlikely your physiology would respond to it. In fact, it might even have the opposite effect.”
Julia Warren bled a smile. “Well, now, Doctor Starr, that sounds like a diversion… a lie. Perhaps I should send my robot in there to shake the truth out of you.”
Darala planted fists on her hips and pushed her iron hard chest out. “I’ll tear your mechanical monstrosity apart with my bare hands,” she said.
“Perhaps,” Julia Warren said. “In the meantime, I would like another demonstration of your prodigious power.”
Several of the masked, lab-coated assistants came to her side and stared in at Darala to watch also.
Darala stood defiantly and said, “I’m not in the mood for giving any demonstrations.”
Julia Warren said, “Then perhaps I should be done with you and activate the injection in your neck.”
Darala felt tension bleeding into her stomach. It was possible the shape shifter was bluffing, but then again, what if she wasn’t?
“Fine,” Darala said. “I’ll bend a steel bar.”
She walked over to the neatly ordered pile and pulled one of the shiny silver bars free. She held it in her hands, examining it. It was four feet long and an inch thick.
Darala held the bar up in front of her chest so Julia Warren could see it clearly.
Julia said, “I know you can bend that bar, Doctor Starr. But can you tie a knot in it?”
Darala took a deep, frustrated breath. Not saying another word, she closed her eyes, refocusing her mind.
Remember, Darala, she thought, focus on your strength, not the steel.
Darala opened her eyes and applied her massive strength, and immediately the bar began to bend in the middle. There was a terrible creak and cry in response to the enormous stress of her might. Darala kept steady pressure on the bar, now drawing the ends across each other. Resetting her grip, Darala took another deep breath, and began to curl the steel back through itself into the beginning of a loop, her hands literally reforming the metal to her will. The distressed bar cried loudly like a wounded animal.
Julia Warren was transfixed, her face is total astonishment. Her lab assistants were also in shock.
“Listen to that,” Julia Warren said. “She’s causing the steel to protest audibly! The pressure to cause such a reaction is remarkable!”
Her lab assistants nodded and jotted down some notes on their clipboards.
Darala was using all her strength to roll the steel back around itself, and then to draw the ends apart in order to create a knot. She pulled the tangled bar against her chest and with all her might cried out loudly, drawing the ends apart, the knot in the middle of the bar now tightening in on itself with a hideous, tortured screech!”
And then it was done! The steel bar now had a tightly fitted knot in the center of it. Darala was half out of breath, her chest heaving up and down, up and down. She held the bar out with one hand to display it for Julia and her assistants. They were all dumbfounded.
“There,” Darala said. “Did I give you a good show?”
“Doctor Starr,” Julia Warren said, “I have never felt in my body what I am feeling right now having watched your impossible feat. You’ve done well.”
Darala dropped the bar at her feet with a loud clang. “Yes, well I think I’ve had enough fun for the day,” Darala said, then turned her back on the woman.
Julia Warren turned off her microphone and said softly to her assistants, “We must find a way to transplant this magnificent strength of hers. We must have that life support belt. And should recovering it fail, we will have to draw blood from our Tau Ceti Superwoman, and extract her very DNA.”
The assistants nodded and began to disperse.
“And after that,” Julia whispered to herself, “we will permanently dispose of Doctor Darala Starr.”
Jason and Tina listened closely as the Torellian explained about the laboratory, the detention chamber and the shape shifting Julia Warren. It was all so fantastic and very hard to believe.
Tina cocked her hips to one side, her satin shorts pulling tightly against her thighs. She planted her hands on her hips and said, “I don’t know, this all sounds made up.”
Jason stood with his powerful arms crossed in front of his chest, his shiny tank top snug against his rippling muscles.
“I agree, it does sound fantastical,” he said to Tina. Turning toward the Torellian, who was seated in a chair in the corner of the room, Jason said, “If you’re playing games with us, Torellian, I swear we’re going to….”
The Torellian snapped and said, “I’m telling you the truth! This strange shape shifter has made a laboratory up there in the old abandoned silver mine and she’s captured Doctor Starr!”
Suddenly, Darala’s wrist communicator lit up and the ship’s computer voice said, “If anything happens to Darala Starr, I will tractor beam the Torellian on board the ship and then evacuate him into space.”
The Torellian cringed and grimaced. “There will be no need for that. I will do everything I can to help. I don’t want anymore trouble.”
Tina said, “Well, I’d say you’ve already caused more trouble than you’re worth. After we save Darala… I never want to see your sniveling little face again.”
“That goes double for me,” Jason said.
The Torellian lowered his head in sudden shame. “Message received. Once Doctor Starr is safely back, I will disappear. You’ll never see me again.”
Jason asked, “Now, Torellian, tell us what kind of security do they have at this laboratory?”
The Torellian said, “There are laboratory assistants and they seem pretty harmless. But there is a robot.”
Tina said, “A robot?”
“Yes,” the Torellian said. “It’s huge and very powerful. Extremely dangerous.”
Tina and Jason exchanged a nervous glance.
“How powerful?” Tina asked.
The Torellian shook his head. “I cannot be certain of its exact capabilities, but it is built like a tank. I would not underestimate the machine if I were you.”
Tina took a deep breath, her chest expanding, and her shoulder muscles tightening into iron hard ridges.
“Nevertheless,” she said, “we must proceed.”
The Torellian wormed his way out of his chair and said, “Yes, well, I wish you both the very best of luck and fortune on your rescue operation.”
Tina laughed out loud and Jason also chuckled.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Jason asked. “No, my little green eyed friend, you are coming with us.”
The Torellian swallowed a big lump in his throat.
“Me? Oh, no, no, I cannot go back in there, it’s too dangerous, the robot… the shape shifter… Darala is going to kill me!”
Jason smiled, “Now that is something I would like to see.”
***
“Sheriff,” Diana Dunn said, “I know this sounds impossible, but this man, Jason Prince, bent these cell bars with his bare hands and walked right out through them!”
Sheriff Tim Keys examined the bars of the holding cell where the lovely Sheriff Diana Dunn of Mede County was pointing.
“These bars right here?” He asked.
Sheriff Diana walked to the bars and grabbed them firmly.
“Yes, these two bars. He pulled them apart like they were made of some soft material, but look….”
Diana tugged on one of the bars with both hands, the steel completely solid and unmoving.
“These are solid steel,” she said.
Sheriff Tim Keys scratches his head and said, “I don’t really know who this man is, I only heard a rumor there was some kind of ‘alien wonder man’ in our midst. I just chalked it up to stories and wild imagination.”
Sheriff Diana said, “It’s not a story, it’s real. He’s real! You believe me, don’t you?”
Tim examined the bars, which were perfectly straight.
“I’d like to believe it, but the bars are straight, just like they should be. How can you explain that?”
Sheriff Diana said, “Well, that’s going to shock you even more! Your new mayor, Tina Carter, showed up here to collect this man, Jason Prince. Apparently they are very, very close, if you know what I mean.”
Tim Keys was surprised. “Wait,” he said, “Mayor Tina Carter was here?”
Sheriff Diana said, “Yes, she was. She was in those tight satin gym shorts and a tank top. Her muscles were incredible. They looked as hard as iron, just like Jason Prince’s. Tina Carter is the one that straightened these bars!”
Tim Keys gasped. “What? Mayor Tina did that? That’s impossible!”
He grabbed the bars himself and began tugging on them, trying to bend them even the slightest bit. It was useless, the bars were impossible to persuade.
“Sheriff Keys, I’m telling you the truth,” Diana said. “Mayor Tina Carter bent these solid steel bars back together with her bare hands. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes I would never have believed it. Both of them have superhuman strength beyond reason!”
Sheriff Tim said, “Come to think of it, she did have a very strong grip. I noticed this morning when I shook her hand… but bending solid steel bars is just… it’s not possible. Not for a woman.”
Sheriff Diana Dunn crossed her arms in front of her chest, cocked her hips and frowned.
Sheriff Tim said, “Uh, what I meant was, it’s not possible for anyone on Earth.”
Diana said, “I’d suggest you have a conversation with your Mayor about what is going on in Pleasant Valley, Sheriff.”
Sheriff Tim nodded and then, after considering her for another moment, cleared his throat. “I uh… don’t suppose you’d like to come with me? Official business and all since you witnessed these events first hand.”
Diana cracked a smile and said, “I’ll grab my things.”
Mary was puzzled as Sheriff and Keys and Sheriff Diana Dunn entered the Mayor’s office.
“Hello, Sheriff,” Mary said politely. “May I help you?”
Sheriff Keys said, “Yes, I’d like to introduce the Sheriff of Mede County, Diana Dunn.”
Mary nervously turned and smiled at Diana. “Hello.”
To Sheriffs? What was going on here, Mary wondered.
“What can I help you with?” Mary asked.
“I really need to see Mayor Tina,” Sheriff Keys said. “It’s really important. Is she available?”
Mary said, “Actually she’s out running some errands. I guess it’s taking a bit longer than expected, she was supposed to be back here over an hour ago.”
Sheriff Diana gave Sheriff Tim Keys a look—I told you so!
“Do you know when she’ll be back,” Sheriff Diana asked.
“I really can’t say,” Mary said. “What’s this all about?”
“Mary,” Sheriff Diana said, “Have you noticed anything strange about Mayor Tina? Anything unusual in her… physical abilities?”
Mary straightened her glasses and said, “No. I mean she’s very fit. She exercises like crazy, runs and lifts weights, but… I don’t really know what you mean.”
Sheriff Diana looked at Sheriff Keys as if for a prompt.
“Um, that’s okay,” Diana said.
Sheriff Keys said, “We’ll come back later. Please let the Mayor know that we stopped by. We really do need to speak to her. It’s urgent.”
“I will,” Mary said nervously.
Slowly, Sheriff Tim and Sheriff Diana left the building and all was quiet. Suddenly, the phone rang and startled Mary badly. She caught her breath and picked up the phone hesitantly.
“Mayor’s office.”
“Mary? Mary, it’s Mayor Tina,” Tina said on the phone.
Mary was relieved. “Oh, Mayor Tina, I’m so glad it’s you! Where are you?”
“I’m on the other side of town. Is everything all right?” Tina asked.
Mary said softly into the phone, “I think you should come back here. I just had Sheriff Tim and another woman Sheriff from Mede County come in here. They were looking for you.”
There was a moment of silence and then Mary heard Tina say, “Mary, did they explain what it was they wanted?”
Mary said, “They wanted to see you. Said it was urgent. And the woman sheriff was asking me questions about you and if I’d noticed anything strange about your athletic abilities. Mayor, this is really weird, do you know what she was talking about?”
Tina said, “No, Mary, I’m afraid I don’t. Listen, I don’t think I’m going to make it back to the office today. Since it’s Friday, why don’t you lock up and go home. I’ll see you back on Monday morning.”
“Okay,” Mary said, “Goodbye Mayor Tina. See you then.” Mary hung up the phone and then gathered her purse to lock up and leave when suddenly, there was another knock on the door. A very loud knock!
***
Tina put the phone back in its cradle and looked earnestly at Jason.
“Well it seems Sheriff Diana Dunn has decided to roll into town with Sheriff Tim Keys. They’re looking for me.”
Jason said, “Then we’re running out of time. We have to leave now.”
Jason hauled the Torellian to his feet from the chair and said, “It’s time to go, Torellian. You remember what I said?”
“Yes,” The Torellian said. “I will cooperate completely.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it,” Tina said.
Jason considered the Torellian once more and said, “I really don’t trust you. I think you need some handcuffs.”
“Handcuffs,” The Torellian protested. “I’m not a criminal.”
Tina said, “Oh, really?”
Jason looked at the dirty workbench, and spotted a piece of scrap iron, about sixteen inches long and a half-inch thick.
“Tina, will you hand me that bar,” he asked.
Tina grabbed the bar and said, “Let me do it, please.”
Jason nodded appreciatively.
Tina walked up to the Torellian and said, “Put your hands out, wrists together.”
“Do not do this, I beg of you,” The Torellian said.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t trust you. Now, hold very still,” Tina said.
Tina held the iron bar centered directly over the Torellian’s wrists. She took in a deep breath and then applied her strength. The iron bar curled instantly in her grip as she wrapped it around his wrists. The agony of the iron was immediate in a long screech as Tina bent the ends past each other and then drew them back around and up into a second loop, tightening the steel around the wrists of the stunned Torellian.
Jason smiled, admiring Tina’s incredible strength and the bulge in her biceps as she dominated the steel with her bare hands. And he felt a growing rise beneath his tight satin shorts watching her do it.
Tina pulled the ends of the bar back together and then with only her fingers, gave the ends a twist once around each other. The iron squealed in agony as she finished. Examining what she’d done to the solid iron bar, Tina felt the tingling of arousal begin. It was so amazing to have super strength!
The Torellian squirmed, “It’s very tight! It hurts!”
Tina said, “Well, we can’t have you running off to cause more trouble.”
Tina turned and smiled sweetly at Jason, and then noticed the rise in the front of his shorts.
He stared deeply into her eyes and said, “I can’t help it, Tina.”
Tina said, “Well, mister Prince, that is something I will help take care of later.”
Suddenly Jason grabbed Tina in his arms and drew her against his body. He kissed her deeply and moved her away from the Torellian into the next room.
“Oh, Jason,” Tina said, feeling her arousal skyrocket.
“Tina, will you marry me. Please,” Jason said, breathing strongly.
Tina looked deeply into his eyes. “Do you mean it? What about Darala?”
Jason said, “Tina, I’ve realized over the past few years that it could never be. Darala and I are from two completely different worlds, neither one of us could survive long term on either world. I care deeply for Darala. But I love you, Tina. I’ve always loved you. And I’m so sorry I vanished. I was so wrong. Please forgive me. I want to be with you the rest of my life.”
Tina smiled and kissed him more deeply. And then she said, “Yes, Jason Prince. I will marry you.”
Jason picked her up, the feel of her tight satin shorts in his hands, the rippling muscles underneath was about to drive him crazy. But he had to calm himself, for the task of rescuing Darala still loomed before them.
“Jason, I could make love to you right now, and I think you know that,” she smiled and kissed him again. Then, between heavy breaths she said, “but we’d better get this recue operation going. We’re running out of time.”
Jason nodded. “Then let’s collect our Torellian trash and get out of here.”