Unsolved Mystery: Season 4, Episode 3

Old Acquaintances

Written by Mina Skywalker, Justin W. Toner, Shelbs, and Nekka

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The Kromagg spoke to Justin now. He said, "Well, Justin. Long time no see."

Justin look confused at the Kromagg. The Kromagg continued, "Well, I thought you would like to meet the Kromagg that killed your Master Tain."

Justin started to get up, to strike the Kromagg. But Mina held him back.

"No, Justin, Master Tain would not want you to strike out of anger. That is part of the Dark Side."

Justin looked into Mina's deep blue, pained eyes and knew she was right. He relaxed his arms, but still held Mina's frail form to his chest.

Shelbs looked suspiciously at the Kromaggs. Why weren't they attacking?

Mina looked at the Kromagg. "What are you doing to me?"

The head Kromagg said, "Well, Mina, when you were with us, sometimes you'd need a little extra persuasion. This is our persuasion. It will slowly crush your lungs till they collapse."

The Kromagg pressed the button again and Mina gave a strangulated screech and her muscles tensed in Justin's grip. Mina arched her back in pain. Mina could feel her lungs start to cave..........

Then the Kromagg's communicator activated. The Kromagg let go of the remote. Mary's small voice came from it.

"Commander Jke,gad, the dynasty head wants your troops to go to Earth 43.875.123. It seems our ships need some more back-up."

The Kromagg held the button for a second, then let go. Mina took in a deep breath. Justin put his hand on her cheek, then moved it right over her lips. Mina coughed. Justin moved his hand, and saw it was covered in Mina's blood. Justin gripped her tighter now. The Kromaggs turned. The head Kromagg said, "So, Justin, are you going to kill me? Or are you going to help Mina?"

Justin wanted to jump up and kill the Kromagg bastard right then an there. But Mina was lying in his arms, nearly dead. Justin stroked Mina's thick blond hair. He spoke softly to Shelbs. "Please, go get him. Kill him, Shelbs."

Shelbs nodded. Mina mumbled, "Shelbs, come here."

Shelbs leaned over Mina. Mina pulled a small blaster from our of her boot. She handed it to Shelbs.

"This should be able to take care of them," she croaked. Shelbs took the blaster.

Shelbs said, "Take care of her, Justin."

Justin nodded and cradled Mina's body. Shelbs turned and ran in the same direction as the Kromagg soldiers.

Mina convulsed again; the Kromagg must have turned back on the remote. Justin wrapped his arms tighter around Mina. She whispered, "Justin, go with Shelbs. I'm done for."

Justin shook his head. "Sorry, sweetheart, you're not going to get rid of me that easily. I’m not going to let you give up."

Mina shook violently again, this time for longer. Mina could barely get her words out. "Please, leave me. I'm dying."

Justin could feel Mina's heavy breathing. He held Mina tightly. Mina put her hand on Justin's cheek. He recoiled at how cold it felt. Mina whispered, "Justin, go after the Kromaggs. I'm a lost cause."

Justin shook his head. "You're not a lost cause...... I love you too much to leave you."

Mina turned and looked at Justin, stunned. She gazed into his deep brown eyes and replied, "I love you too."

Justin smiled and held Mina close. She winced in pain as the Kromaggs must have cranked up the remote. Justin pushed her away from him and carefully traced an invisible line down her throat and on her chest. Justin felt with the Force. He reached with the Force and opened up her air passages. Mina took in a deep fresh breath. Her breathing became normal and she hugged Justin tightly. He pushed away and looked at her face and leaned forward to kiss her.

"Shelbs!" Mina exclaimed, pulling away from Justin. She got up off the ground and started to run in the direction of the Kromaggs and Shelbs. Mina then saw Shelbs. She ran up to Mina and Justin.

Shelbs said, "The Kromaggs have gone to our Earth. I don't know if Lexie and W.A. will be able to hold them off. We have to destroy the ships. But....."

Shelbs trailed off.

"What is it, Shelbs?" Mina asked.

Shelbs mumbled, "One of the Kromaggs is still here. He's after you, Justin."

Justin spoke softly. "Commander Jke'Gad."

Shelbs then said, "There is good news--I got this."

Shelbs then pulled the remote out of her pocket. She gave it to Mina, who cut it in half with her lightsaber. She smiled at Justin, then at Shelbs.

"Come on; we have to get that Commander Jke'Gad."

Shelbs and Mina started to run. But Justin held back. Mina turned and ran back to Justin. He said, "I don't know if I can do it, Mina."

She kissed his cheek lightly and grabbed his hand. "I know you can do this, Justin. The Force is with you."

Mina, Justin and Shelbs then ran to the command room, where the Commander and the ship computer waited.

Mina Skywalker

Justin, Mina and Shelbs raced down the corridors, trying to find the command room where Jke'Gad was. Justin was so relieved Mina was alive. The crisis finally forced out what he had know all along: he loved her. He had loved her since they first met, but he was afraid something would happen to her as it had to his parents and Tain, so he tried to deny the truth to himself. Now he knew better.

"Where is he? We are running out of time!" exclaimed Justin.

"Shelbs, how much time till we slide?" he asked her.

She took out the timer and looked. "Less than 20 minutes," she replied.

Then Mina noticed a sign; it was in Kromaggese. "There it is, guys! Around the corner. It says 'Control Room.'"

As they approached the door, fear begain to creep into Justin's mind. Mina could sense it and told him, "Don't worry. We have the Force with us. You can do this."

Justin nodded in agreement and said, "All right.... Let's do it!"

Shelbs took the blaster Mina had given her and used it on the door, and it blasted to the ground in a heap and our heroes jumped through.

Inside was a room full of computers and monitors. In front of the biggest monitor was a seat. The seat turned around to face them. The occupant was Jke'Gad. "I have been waiting for you, Justin. The circle is now complete. Here it will all end, for you and your friends!" he said with an evil grin on his face.

"You and your kind will not triumph today, Jke'Gad! Not if we have anything to say about it!" said Justin.

"We shall see, human!" he exclaimed. And with that he pressed a button on the chair, and a secret panel opened on the far wall to his right.

From it emerged several Kromagg guards! "Kill the humans, but the human boy is mine!" he said and pulled out a laser sword and lunged at Justin!

"Look out!!" screamed Mina.

Justin ducked in time and punched Jke'Gad in the face sending him to the floor, and Justin jumped on top of him and the two struggled.

The guards came at Mina and Shelbs. Mina pulled out her lightsaber and cleaved a Kromagg in half. Shelbs disintegrated two more with her blaster, but another grabbed her from behind and knocked her to the floor. Mina ran to help her, but laser blasts exploded around her and she ducked for cover behind a desk.

Justin continued to struggle with Jke'gad. Justin was full of rage! He picked up the Kromagg with the Force and hurled him at the Control Panel. Jke'gad recovered and pulled out a thermal detonator!!

"Time to die, human, just like your precious Tain!" he shouted as he threw the detonator at Justin. Justin used the Force, stopped it in mid air and sent it back at Jke'Gad. He jumped out of the way and the detonator exploded on the control panel, destroying the Kromagg link to the Manta Ships!

"NNNNOOOOO!!" screamed Jke'Gad.

Mina looked over at Shelbs. She had knocked out the Guard attacking her and ran over to join Mina.

"Justin did it! He destroyed the network!" said Shelbs.

Mina said in reply with a smile, "I knew he would."

Shelbs pulled out the timer as laser fire rained over their heads from other guards. "We have less than 5 minutes left!"

Justin stood over Jke'Gad and said, "It's over; you're finished!"

"Not yet, human," he replied and pulled out a dagger from his uniform and tried to stab Justin.

Justin blocked the dagger and plunged it into Jke'Gad's heart! "That was for Tain, you son of a bitch!" Justin said, and the commander fell to the ground motionless.

Justin turned around to see the last two guards had Mina and Shelbs pinned behind a desk. He reached out with the force and knocked both of them unconscious. Mina and Shelbs ran over two him.

Mina hugged Justin as she said, "You did it, Justin! And you didn't kill in anger."

Justin looked at her and said, "WE did it, and by the way, here is something I forgot to give you," and with that he gave her a very passionate kiss on the Lips. They held each other very close and when he finished, Justin said, "I love you, Mina Skywalker."

"And I love you," she replied.

Shelbs spoke up and said, "Sorry to interrupt you two love-birds, but we have 30 seconds left to slide."

"Right. Let's get out of here; we still have a lot of work to do," said Mina.

As Shelbs prepared to open the wormhole, Jke'Gad began to move. He was reaching for a pistol dropped by one of the guards.

Shelbs began the coutdown. "5..4..3..2..1, time!" and she activated the vortex.

Shelbs jumped in first, Mina looked at Justin--"After you," he said and she went next. As Justin prepared to jump in, Jke'Gad lifted the blaster and pointed it at Justin. Justin ran at the vortex and Jke'Gad fired at him with his last ounce of life..and finally died.

Mina exited the vortex back on the Earth they left. Shelbs was already up. She turned to see Justin pop out and the wormhole closed, but Justin didn't get up. Mina became concerned.

"Justin, are you ok?" she asked, but he didn't reply.

Shelbs and Mina went to him, they turned him over. A laser

blast had hit him near the heart! He was unconscious, and not breathing!

"Oh no!!!" said Shelbs.

Mina had tears in her eyes as she screamed, "NOOOOO!"

Justin W Toner (I am NOT DEAD, because Mina will save me. The end is a homage to "Luck of the Draw." I will not die; Mina won't allow it!!!)

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(Darn right Mina won't allow it! I'm not going to let my "boyfriend" die!)

Mina held Justin's body to her chest. She cradles his motionless head. She cried onto his chest. She then wiped the tears out of her eyes.

"Justin, if you think I'm going to let you die on me after you saved my life, you have a lot of thinking to do, darling."

Mina put her hands over his wound. She felt sick as she felt his blood on her hands. But she closed her eyes and traced the wound. Softly and carefully she ran her fingers over the wound and let the Force flow through her into Justin. It would heal him. Mina's thoughts strayed to her parents. After Mina's father faced Darth Vader he was badly injured and Mina's mother had to heal him. It was the same now. Mina felt the Force as it came through her fingers and rejuvenated Justin's life force. Shelbs watched intently as Justin's wound healed and melded back, so there was not even a scar. Mina opened her eyes. Justin looked okay, but his condition didn't change.

For a second. After that Justin started to breath again. Mina let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Justin's eyes fluttered open and saw Mina's smiling face. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.

He said, "Hey, Mina, be careful. I did almost die!"

Mina ignored him and kissed him again. She then came up and said, "If you thought I was going to let you die you have another think coming, lover."

Justin grinned back at Mina and threw his arms around her neck and they kissed again.

Shelbs groaned, then rolled her eyes and turned away. Justin and Mina laughed and kissed each other.

Shelbs then exclaimed, "Hey guys, I hate to break up the party. But the Manta ships are still here!"

Mina and Justin got up off the ground and looked up at the sky. They looked at each other.

Mina said, "We may have only weakened the ships. I don't think they have any shields. They should be easy to attack. But we need to get somebody to attack them."

Shelbs asked, "Do you think the army is available?"

Justin shook his head. "I hope Lexie and W.A. have gotten some help. Because if not, we may have to go to Spindoctor to get help if they don't."

Mina grabbed onto Justin's arm. "We can't go to Spindoctor!"

Shelbs asked, "Why not?"

Mina sheepishly said, "Because I punched him out."

Shelbs’ eyes widened. Justin came to Mina's defense. "He was going to kill us!"

Mina hugged Justin. She bit her lip and looked at her friends. "He may be our only choice."

Shelbs nodded. She said, "But he's only a last resort. Let's see how Lexie and W.A. are doing. We may not need Spindoctor's help."

The three started to walk along. Justin then grabbed Mina's hand and pulled her back. She said, "Justin, what is it?"

Justin looked at her--gosh, this was difficult. He had never liked, let alone LOVED, a girl before. He then thought, man, she's pretty.

So Justin mustered up all of his courage and said, "Mina, I was wondering, if this ever ends--after it's over, would you, uh, be my girlfriend?"

Mina laughed and kissed him. She said, "I'll be your girlfriend before this is over."

Justin kissed her again. Shelbs turned and said, "Come on, you to. We have to save the multiverse!"

Mina Skywalker (See, I told you I wouldn't let Justin die!)

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As the three walked along, Shelbs began to mull over everything that had happened. It seemed like such a long time ago that she had worked peacefully in a research laboratory.

At least she didn't have family to miss. Growing up in an orphanage had taught her independence and a bit about fighting and surviving. Still, she was glad two of her friends from her home world were along for this ride.

"I mustn't think of that," she whispered and turned her attention on formulating a plan. She hadn't told Mina or Justin yet about the necklace "mom" had given her for protection. This charm had turned out to be some sort of Kromagg key that had been helpful on two occasions. With it and her ability to fly a manta ship (having been taught out of necessity the few times she had escaped) they might be able to seize a craft for themselves. Once on board, maybe they could use the Manta's onboard assault weapons to fire on and destroy as many enemy craft as possible.

Shelbs sighed.

"What are you thinking about?" Mina asked.

"Hmm?" Shelbs looked at Mina through her own blue eyes. She was glad they were friends again.

"Ohh, I was just trying to come up with some sort of plan. Do you want to hear it?"

shelbs

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Mina looked over to Justin. He nodded his head in agreement, so Mina turned back to Shelbs and said, "Sure, what's your idea?"

"Well," replied Shelbs, "what if we commandeered a Manta Ship and used it on those Kromaggs? I know how to fly one; that's how I got here. So, what do you think?"

Justin said, "Sounds good to me--pay them back using their own technology against them. How about you, Mina?"

Mina said, "I like it too, but we should get in contact with Lexie and W.A. first, to let them know we are back, and of Shelbs' plan."

Shelbs was really excited that they liked her plan; she just hoped it would work. "Thanks, you two, and you're right, Mina, let's find the others; maybe they have a plan too." With newfound confidence, the three of them continued on looking for Lexie and W.A.

Meanwhile....on Outpost Earth 113.....

A silent and dark figure walked the halls of the Outpost, scanning over every little detail; he knew what he was looking for....then he came upon what was left of the Control Room door, and he sensed it. The young man had been here, and the girl had been with him as well. Then from behind an older man walked up to him to feel the place.

With the Dark Side of the Force on their side, nothing could be hidden from them. The older man asked his companion, "They were here, weren't they?"

"Yes," replied the other, shorter man. "Justin was here, and Mina Skywalker was with him. As we suspected, they are together. The feelings they have for each other are strong. They do love each other."

The older one was visibly angry by this revelation. He had spent a long time searching for Mina, ever since she left him. He then said, "Well, Jason, what do we do now? They have left this world and gone to another, how are we to..."

Jason put up his hand into his partner's face. "Patience, Alex Starkiller; soon we shall both have what we desire; you your ex-girfriend Mina, and Justin will be belong to me," he said with and evil smile on his face. "These Kromaggs may be of some use to us. Let us seek an alliance with these foul creatures; they may have the resources to help us achieve our goal."

Alex was skeptical of this. He didn't trust the Kromaggs, and Jason as well, but as long as he had Mina back, he didn't care how it was to be done.

"I don't like it, but let's do it."

The pair proceeded inside, where they saw dead Kromaggs littering the floor, a destroyed command console, and Commander Jke'gad dead gripping a blaster. Jason pointed to Jke'gad and said, "He may be of some use to us. Let us bring him back; he can help us seek the deal with The Emperor himself!"

Alex rolled his eyes and said, "Fine, if you think it's a good idea, but I don't!"

Jason didn't trust Alex as far as he could throw him, but put up with his complaining because he needed his abilites. Jason was a Darkmaster, and Alex was a Dark Jedi.

The two stood over the lifeless form of Jke'gad and began to concentrate, calling on the power of the Dark Side to give back the Kromagg its life energy. Jke'gad began to glow, and the dagger wound to his heart disappeared, and he awoke with a start.

"What...What's going on? I was dead! How am I alive, and how did you humans get in here?"

"Silence, fool!" said Alex. "We will do the talking; we can kill you as easily as we brought you back from the dead!"

Jke'gad was frightened; these humans had powers like Justin and Mina did, so he kept silent.

Jason spoke to him. "We seek to help you people. We offer our services in exchange for your help in obtaining Justin Warren and Mina Skywalker for us."

Jke'gad was puzzled. "Why do you want them?"

Alex replied "It's for personal reasons; they belong to us."

"This is ridiculous! The Emperor wants them dead, as do I!" said Jke'gad.

Jason responded, "Get us in touch with your Emperor, and I assure you, he WILL accept our deal, or we can make you die, again!"

Jke'gad realized he had no choice but to help these mysterious humans.

"Very well; follow me," he said and walked out of the control room.

As Jason and Alex followed, both had evil thoughts.

"Soon," Alex thought, "Mina will be mine again, and then I will kill Justin!"

"Soon" Jason thought, "Justin and I will be together again, and Mina Skywalker will die!"

Both turned and smiled to the other as they went to meet the Emperor.

Justin W Toner (Doesn't look good for Mina and me. Hope you love this one, Mina!)

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Still on Earth 113

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Nekka gulped at the imposing Kromagg that stood before her. She twiddled her fingers in the Kromagg's face and uttered, in a squeaky voice, "Hiya . . ."

A few seconds later, everything went dark. . . ..

Nekka awoke, feeling very heavy. Her head was pounding, and she couldn't move. Her eyes fluttered open and looked around her. There were flashing lights passing over the walls, blinding Nekka as they came over her face. Out of nowhere, she heard a booming combination of human, and something else that she couldn't quite place. ..

"I am Mary," one of the voices said. Nekka followed the source of the voice and saw a Kromagg and a human, staring down at her.

"And who's that?" she croaked, her vocal chords not fully functioning.

"I am Bob," the Kromagg replied.

"Bob?" She supressed a laugh.

Nekka felt a crushing force envelop her body, that released after a few seconds, leaving her gasping for breath.

"What, are you masters of the gravitational sciences or something?"

Mary and Bob exchaged glances and said, "Yes. Now . . . What is your name?"

Nekka thought back to her training, and the protocol that was to be followed. Under no circumstances, reveal your name.

After Nekka didn't respond, Bob hit a button that sent the crushing force down on her again.

"OK, OK!" she gasped "My name is Nekka . . " she stopped.

The crushing force came again.

Wheezing, she uttered, "Nekka, Nekka Mallory . . ."

A look of surprise came across Mary's face, she shook her head and asked. ..

"What is your mission?"

"To seek out new life, and new civilizations, to bodly go . . ." The gravity began to crush her again.

Mary quickly continued. . . "What . . is your favorite color?"

Bob elbowed Mary in the side, and then he hit the button again.

Nekka sat, wheezing and holding her stomach in the Kromagg cell. The interrogation had continued for several hours, but they had gotten nothing out of her. Mainly because she didn't know anything.

"I have to find myself another line of work . . ." she said, as she stood up, favoring her aching parts.

She walked over and touched the electric field, pulling back at the slight shock she received.

Nekka sighed, and slumped against the wall. ..

Nekka (I'm NOT Quinn's sister or wife . . .)

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Alex Starkiller gripped a timer in his hand. He said, "Commander, I plan to go to Mina's Earth to bring her to me."

Jke'Gad nodded at the evil human. Jke'Gad asked, "And you will kill her, right?"

Alex smiled at the Kromagg. "No. But Justin Warren will no longer be a problem for us."

Jke'Gad exclaimed, "But Jason wants him alive. And I would like the honor of destroying him!"

Alex opened the vortex and said, "We can't all have what we want. But I can!"

With that he jumped through and landed on the earth where his future wife and evil queen was.

Mina, Justin and Shelbs walked along through the dark alley near Spindoctor's lab they had left W.A. and Lexie at. It was the best place they could think of looking for them.

Mina walked along, next to Justin, with Shelbs leading the way. Mina smiled; she felt better now that Jke'Gad was dead and she had her friends trusting her, and that she had Justin. Then Mina felt a presence. It was a presence she had not felt in a long time. It was evil. The presence hit Mina so quickly she fell. But Justin turned and caught her in his arms quickly. Justin held his arm around Mina as she pulled herself to her feet. "Hey, Mina, are you okay?" Shelbs asked, concerned.

Mina nodded. She didn't pull away from Justin though. She let him hold her for a second. Justin hadn't felt the presence, but he knew something was wrong.

"Hey, sweetheart, what's wrong?"

Mina wrapped her arms around Justin's waist. Justin smiled as the girl held herself close to him.

Mina said, "Nothing. It's just... nothing. But if I fall again, promise to catch me?"

Justin kissed Mina's lips and said, "Of course, darling. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Justin looked up and saw Shelbs tapping her foot impatiently. She said, "If you two are ready, we should go find Lexie and W.A."

Justin and Mina looked at each other and walked along. Mina kept her arms around Justin the whole time.

Alex Starkiller felt his anger as his girlfriend, Mina, kissed Justin Warren. He became enraged when he saw the pair walk along in each other' arms. It made him sick.

Alex knew that Mina had never loved him. But she needed him to be her teacher. Alex never got more than a peck on the cheek from her. She was a tease. And Alex liked it that way. Mina had always intrigued him. She was mysterious. She was beautiful. She had to be his.

Alex wanted Mina more than any of his other conquests, because he had never gotten Mina. She was strong enough to hold him off. But he knew that his charm was almost as great as that of a Falleen and his charm had worked on her, because during her training she became his girlfriend. But she left him when she was strong enough. Alex had tried to sleep with her that night she left. He had ended up with a broken arm and a sore groin. Mina had kicked him, then broken his arm.

Alex learned how to slide when Jason Warren came to his world. They joined force, on the condition that he got Mina, while Jason got his brother Justin. Just Alex's luck Mina fell in love with Justin. Now he had to die. And Mina would be his evil queen. Alex called out with the Force:

"Mina. I'm here. Now come and get me."

Mina turned around, lightning fast. Justin was startled as Mina pulled her arms out from around his waist. Mina started breathing fast and heavily.

Justin said, "Mina? What is it?"

Mina whispered, "He's here," and ran down the darker alley shoot off.

Justin and Shelbs looked at each other and ran after her.

"Hello, my love," Alex said.

Mina sneered at him. "Cut the love crap. I hate your friggin' guts."

Alex smiled at his ex-girlfriend. He grabbed her waist. She tried to pull away. But his grip was too tight. He moved closer to kiss her. Mina spat on his face. Alex wiped the spit off his face and slapped her.

Mina held the side of her face and staggered. Alex had hit her hard. She wound up to hit him back. She smacked her fist on his jaw. Alex hardly reacted and hit her again. Mina held her head because of her dizziness. Alex grabbed her arms. Justin and Shelbs ran to the fight.

"Mina!" Justin yelled.

Mina hit the brick wall behind her. Then Alex's timer hit zero and he slide. He yelled, "I'll be back later, Mina!"

Justin ran to Mina; she was out cold.

Mina (so, what do you think, Justin? Is Alex mean enough?)

Justin shook the love of his life. "Wake up, Mina, wake up!"

Finally Mina came to. She smiled upon seeing Justin's face.

She asked him, "Where is he? Where's Alex? I want to kick his ass so bad I'll...!"

"Hey," said Justin as he stroked her hair. "Relax, the bastard is gone. He slid out of here, to where I don't know. Besides, when I find him I'll kick his ass myself for what he did to you!"

Mina smiled and said, "That's why I love you, but save some for me!" and with that they kissed again while Shelbs just rolled her eyes.

Meanwhile on Earth 113 Alex Starkiller exited the red vortex back to the secret room he left. Jke'gad was there, and so was Jason, and he was not happy.

"How dare you, Starkiller!" Jason said with rage. "How dare you go after Mina and my brother like that. You may have practically ruined the whole plan, you idiot!"

Alex got up and stared Jason down. "Sorry, but I wanted Mina! So I went there after her. I wasn't going to touch your brother!" (But Alex was lying. He had planned to kill Justin, but the timer ran out.)

Jason seemed to calm down and said, "I'll forget this act of stupidity... for now. I just spoke with The Emperor. He has accepted our offer. We assist the invasion, and in return they will help us get Mina and Justin."

"Excellent!" said Alex. "So when do we leave?"

"In a few minutes. Jke'gad, prepare our ship for departure, and tell the Emperor we will meet his flagship as planned."

"As you wish," he replied and left the room.

"Now," said Jason, "It's time my dear brother and I had a family reunion."

And with that, he took the timer Alex had, set it for several minutes, opened a vortex and jumped in.

Justin W Toner

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Read Unsolved Mystery: Season 4, Episode 4