The journey only lasted an instant. There were no swirling mazes of light, or strobe-light tunnels, just a blink of darkness, the ship shuddered as if travelling through rough turbulence, and then they were through.
Tom checked the rear camera views. There was no sign of a space tear in this universe. Flicking a switch he asked, ‘Everyone ok?’
The crew mumbled responses at their captain, before settling again. ‘Now hear his,’ Tom continued, ‘if we start telling tales of mysterious parallel universes and the like, we will more than likely be detained at some mental institute where they will administer electro-shock therapy until we are green in the face! Your orders are to act normal, tell no one about who you really are, and try to live your life as best you can. Is that understood? I said, is that understood?’
‘Yes Captain!’ they are barked. He even got a salute from Lex.
A tinny voice sounded over the intercom, ‘this is NASA HQ, can you read me, Xavier?’
‘Captain Fairchild here, reading you loud and clear, awaiting further instructions, NASA’
‘Well Tom, why don’t you bring that big bird back home, you guys deserve a rest!’
‘Thank you NASA, we are on our way!’
Deana looked out of the ship’s main viewing screen. The Earth looked the same. She could even recognise some landmarks as they made their descent.
The landing was very smooth, and after completing all on-board checks, the crew left the Xavier and headed for Mission Control. Cadets Lara and Deana were herded off into a room to the side, while the returning heroes were ushered into the main presentation area. They received a hearty welcome from many familiar faces, and also from people that they didn’t recognise.
With the bland speeches out the way, Director Thompson granted both Tom and Lex permission to begin their well-earned vacation. After saluting they started making their way towards the exit. They heard loud screams coming from a nearby doorway and both of them instinctively ran towards the screams.
They stopped for a second in sheer disbelief as they entered the side room. The two cadets, Deana and Tasha were being gang raped by a group of technicians. Deana’s top had been ripped completely off, and she lay pinned to the floor. A technician held her arms down, another held her legs and a third was unbuckling his overalls to begin his assault. Deana was screaming as loud as her lungs would permit.
Lex looked over at Tasha. She had been stripped completely bare, and a technician was already fucking her, while four others held her down, cheering on their colleague.
Tom instinctively started towards the assailants, but the calculating Lex stopped him in his tracks.
‘Listen Tom, and listen well,’ Lex spoke in a whisper, ‘this might be perfectly normal behaviour in this world. If you go breaking this up, you might land yourself in that mental institute you were talking about!’
Tom’s sense of right and wrong demanded more than that. He replied, ‘I can’t let this happen, those two are my responsibility!’
