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                Into the Life of Hadji Part 5


     "That is the best news I have had in a long time!"  beamed Hadji. 
"Miana, we have a wedding to plan." 
     "Not so fast, Mr. Singh.  It is best that she stay nearby for a while
before returning to India.  My suggestion is any wedding plans you have
wither be postponed for a time, or held here in the States." 
     "Thank you, doctor." 
     "By the way, she has been asking for you." 
     Hadji and Miana went back to Neela's room. 
     "Mother!" cried Hadji as he rushed to her. 
     "My son, thank you... I am so sorry I missed your..." 
     "You have not missed anything, Mother.  The doctor says you need to
stay in the States for a while.  Would you mind if we held the wedding on
the Quest compound rather than the palace?" 
     "I would be honored to have it here.  We can always have a formal
presentation in Bangalore at a later time." 
     "Thank you, Mother." 
     Just then, Hadji spotted everyone else outside the door. 
     "Dr. Quest!  Will you come in here please?" asked Hadji. 
     "Yes, Hadji.  Neela!  You look so much better!" 
     "All thanks to our son." smiled Neela. 
     "Hadji, what did you want to ask me?" asked Benton. 
     "Since my mother has to stay in the States for a while and she is
anxious to see Miana and me married..." 
     "No need to ask, Hadji.  Of course we can have the wedding on the
compound!" 
     The doctor wanted Neela to stay in the hospital another week as a
precaution, and the Quests used this time to plan the wedding. 
Arrangements were going well, especially considering the short span of
time in which they all had to put the wedding together. 
     Jessie did a marvelous job on both written invitations and those made
by phone call, while Race and Jonny worked on how to arrange the setting
on the compound.  Benton worked with Mrs. Evans on catering, and Jessie
helped Miana with wardrobe for all involved.  Wedding roles were
relatively simple-- since Miana had no family and friends (other than
Jessie) to speak of, Jessie was going to be Miana's Matron of Honor. 
Benton was going to give Miana away, and Jonny was going to be Hadji's
best man.  Race had the important job in making sure everything went
smoothly. 
     It wasn't long until Neela was released from the hospital, and the
day of the wedding arrived.  Important people from all over the world were
coming, but most of the guests were coming from India.  Most wore
traditional dress, including Neela and Hadji.  The wedding was going to be
a blend of American and Indian, as was shown by the fact that Miana and
many of the American guests were dressed in American style.  Miana wore a
beautiful white gown and long white veil with a diamond tiara.  Jessie
wore an emerald green taffeta gown that was elegant but simple in an
off-the- shoulder style.  Benton, Race, and Jonny all wore tuxedos, as did
most of the American guests.  Catering was a mix of American and Eastern
Indian food.  The wedding was being held outdoors under a white
trellace-style arch covered in ivy. 
     Jessie and Miana were in Miana's room getting ready, and Miana was
ready to faint from the excitement. 
     "Miana, you look beautiful!  In just a few minutes, you will be a
sultaness!" beamed Jessie. 
     "Don't remind me!  I'm nervous enough as it is." 
     Miana looked at her image in the mirror-- at the tiara her new
station reflected, her semi-low cut pearl-lined neckline, the long, pearl
studded sleeves, the long lacey train... and best of all, the fact that
she lost twenty pounds over recent months sent her self-confidence to an
all- time high.  This was most important to her, as she had a wedding
night to look forward to. 
     The music started, and knew it was time.  Jessie and Miana looked at
each other, grabbed their bouquets brought up to them just a few minutes
before, and started down the steps.  Benton met them at the bottom,
smiling happily. 
     Jessie started first down the aisle toward Race (who stood with them
at Hadji's request), Jonny, and Hadji.  When she reached the front, Benton
started down the aisle with Miana.  The guests that were standing on
either of them bowed in respect to the soon-to-be Sultaness of Bangalore. 
Miana was nervous and kept her gaze fixed up front, but all anxiety soon
melted away when she saw Hadji in his traditional gold robe and special
golden turban with the family jewel.  He was smiling widely as his bride
approached him.  When they reached the altar, Benton presented Miana to
Hadji, and the wedding began in traditional American style.  The time soon
came to exchange vows.  Hadji and Miana wrote their own, and Hadji went
first. 
     "To my beloved Miana, my soon-to-be wife and sultaness. 
 I could tell the first time I looked into your eyes that we were destined
for one another.  You are the most beautiful and precious person to come
into my life, and I will treasure our life together... forever.  I love
you." 
     Hadji and Miana were both in tears. 
     "To my love-- Sultan Hadji Singh and my soon-to-be husband.  From the
first time our eyes locked I knew we'd be together.  I felt the love grow
between us from the beginning-- you changed my life.  My life took another
interesting turn when I learned your station and what mine would be.  At
first, I was scared-- but then I realized we're in this together-- that no
matter what the situation, I'll never be alone.  And through the
adventures we've had and those yet to come-- I give myself totally to
you-- my mind, body, loyalty, devotion... and most importantly-- my love. 
I love you." 
     At this time, Neela came up to the altar and stood with the minister
before the young royal couple. 
     "By the power vested in me by the state of Maine,"  started the
minister. 
     "And by the power granted me as the Sultan Mother of Bangalore,"
continued Neela. 
     "We now pronounce you husband and wife, Sultan and Sultaness of
Bangalore." they continued in unison. 
     Hadji lifted Miana's veil and kissed her with a power that moved all
present.  Miana had been presented with a wedding set in the American
tradition, but following the kiss, Neela motioned for Miana to approach
her.  Miana knelt before her, and Neela produced a small bowl with a
reddish paste made of Henna in it.  Neela took some, and made a small red
dot in the middle of Miana's forehead.  The kumkum wasn't ' permanent, but
was a traditional symbol of marriage in Indian culture.  Following this,
all present cheered praises to the royal couple, and bowed as they exited. 
The reception was an overwhelming success as they imbibed various drinks
and wedding cake.  Many dances of both cultures followed, and the
celebration lasted well into the night, leaving Hadji and Miana anxious
for time alone together.  Jessie and Jonny picked up on this right away,
as they could see the hungry looks on their faces as they looked at each
other.  Jonny could feel for Hadji, so he went up to Benton and suggested
a discreet end to the festivities. 
     Race called for attention, and Benton took a microphone. 
     "Ladies and gentlemen-- we thank you so much for coming here this
evening, however, it is getting late and our guests of honor have a long
trip ahead of them." 
     With this, the guests started dispersing, and Hadji and Miana had to
prepare for their honeymoon in Bangalore (that Neela insisted they take
while she remained on the compound under the care of Benton and the
hospital staff).  Hadji and Miana were very anxious to consummate their
marriage, but decided to wait until their arrival as such an event would
be very unromantic on a jet. 
     As they were packing, they kept looking at the bed. 
     "Tempting, isn't it?" asked Miana. 
     "My words cannot describe what I feel-- the hunger that has built
inside of me since we met-- especially after our adventure in Jonny's
game..." answered Hadji. 
     "And we have so long to wait... almost done?" 
     "Yes." 
     "So am I... let's get out of here Now..." 
     They grabbed their bags and ran down the steps, past the throngs of
guests lingering to see them off.  They gave rushed good-byes to the
Quests and Neela, and hopped into Race's car, waiting for him to live up
to his name and "race"  them to the airstrip. 
     Race did live up to his name, and before long, the three of them were
on the Dragonfly bound for Bangalore, India.  Many hours that seemed like
millennia passed, and they finally reached Bangalore.  They said their
good-byes to Race, and they immediately rushed to the Sultan's suite,
right past the enthusiastic greetings of all the palace staff and loyal
subjects who did not attend the wedding. 
     They reached the suite at last.  Miana was amazed at the high,
ornately decorated cathedral ceilings and equally ornate double doors that
stood before them.  They dwarfed Hadji as he opened them (he demanded
privacy-- even from servants to open his door on this night), and they
stepped into an extremely large suite with a canopy bed in satin sheets
that made a king size bed look like a twin.  Miana was floored by the
luxury of the royal suite, but was quickly distracted from that when she
looked in Hadji's eyes.  They were so anxious to leave the compound that
they did not even change out of their wedding clothes. 
     It was then that they realized that they were finally alone, and as
they looked into each others eyes, they proceeded to consummate their
marriage. 
     "Oh, Hadji-- I..." said Miana when all was said and done. 
     Hadji put a finger over her lips, followed by his full, glistening
lips.  He kissed her with a kiss endowed with his love, and they fell
asleep. 
     Hadji and Miana slept late into the day.  The next day, when they got
up, they went downstairs and were served a large breakfast.  The rest of
the day was spent touring the grounds at a slower, more relaxing pace that
their first trip to Bangalore didn't allow. 
     Meanwhile, back on the compound, it was strangely quiet- - too quiet. 
     Jonny sat around bored, trying to entertain little Benny, but was
failing miserably. 
     "Jonny, what's the matter?" asked Jessie. 
     "It's so quiet with Hadji and Miana gone." 
     "Sweetie, one day they'll be living in Bangalore, and we'll be back
in California." 
     "I know, but I got used to his company all over again.  You know, you
spend your life with someone..." 
     "I know what you're thinking.  You're relieved that Neela is ok, not
only for Hadji's sake, but he'll be able to stay here." observed Jessie. 
     "You're right.  I'm glad he's ok for the reasons you just said.  I'll
be so glad when things get back to normal." 
     "Yeah... Hadji and Miana will be back in school, and we would meet
them after class... they'll have to repeat this semester all over again. 
I hope Hadji doesn't lose his teaching position." replied Jessie. 
     "I don't believe that would happen in a million years."  replied
Jonny. 
     "You're probably right," answered Jessie.  "You know, it is quiet. 
Where is everybody?" 
     "I think our dads are discussing Bangalore's food problems with
Neela." 
     "They have been working on that for weeks!" stated Jessie. 
     "World hunger isn't solved in a day." said Jonny blandly. 
     Three weeks passes and Hadji and Miana had yet to return.  The doctor
at Rockport General also gave Neela the go-ahead to return to India.  The
Quests figured that Hadji and Miana had plenty of time for honeymooning,
so it was time to take Neela home and make a trip of it for themselves as
well.  Neela had plans to hold a formal celebration in honor of Hadji's
wedding. 
     Neela decided that their arrival should be a surprise, so the Quests
made the arrangements and they were on their way to Bangalore. 
     Back in Bangalore, Hadji had got so caught up in the affairs of the
region that they had lost track of time.  Miana was adjusting well to life
in Bangalore, and was finding that Indian clothing was very comfortable. 
     Hadji and Miana were seated at breakfast. 
     "Your Highness," replied a servant as he entered the dining hall. 
"Your mother and the Quest family is here." 
     Hadji and Miana both stood up and ran to meet them. 
     "Mother!  You look wonderful!" beamed Hadji as he embraced her. 
     "You have been gone so long without any word, we got worried." 
     "I am sorry, mother.  We got so caught up with things here..." 
     "Ahem!" interjected Jonny. 
     Hadji and Miana went and greeted the rest of the family.  Miana and
Jessie were excited to see each other again and had a lot of catching up
to do. 
     Hadji caught Neela up on recent events and then she took her leave of
him to make plans for the surprise celebration, and Hadji left to take the
family around the grounds. 
     Over the next few days, everyone had noticed that Neela had made
herself rather scarce-- all but Hadji knew what was going on.  One
afternoon, Neela told everyone to dress traditional for a special dinner
that evening.  The Quests, Hadji, and Miana got out the same clothes that
were worn to the engagement party.  Neela had asked Jonny to keep Hadji
and Miana occupied while the guests arrived and everything was being set
up. 
     It was a hard chore, but Jonny pulled it off-- he kept Hadji and
Miana in the upper levels of the palace, until they heard music and what
sounded like a formal introduction.  Jonny and Jessie had done a wonderful
job of convincing them to dress up without giving away what was going on,
but when they went downstairs to investigate what they heard, they were
met by a palace full of guests and an entourage that escorted them to
thrones that Neela had made for them.  Miana was amazed at all the pomp
and circumstance surrounding Hadji and herself. 
     Hadji and Miana were seated, and Neela stood up front to speak, but
off to the side as to not take attention away from the royal couple. 
     "Ladies and gentlemen-- we are assembled here to pay homage to the
Sultan and his new bride, Miana Singh.  This party is to celebrate their
union, and present them to you-- the people of Bangalore." 
     Cheers filled the palace, and music started playing.  Hadji look at
Neela, and she nodded.  Hadji stood before Miana, bowed, and offered her
his hand.  Miana took it, and he lead her to the floor.  After a few
moments, the floor was filled with celebrants, and later, all dined on a
huge banquet that was a variety of Indian and American foods. 
     Hadji and Miana enjoyed their surprise party greatly, but were
thankful for the peace and quiet that followed. 
     After another week's stay, it was time for the Quest team to return
home.  On the Quests' last night in Bangalore, they were all spending the
evening outdoors around a camp fire in a wooded part of the palace
grounds. 
     "Well, Hadj-- tomorrow is the day.  Have you and Miana decided
whether or not you are going to return with us?"  asked Jonny. 
     "Don't pressure him, son." prompted Benton.  "A lot of things have
changed for him.  With all things to consider, it won't be an easy
decision." 
     "It is alright, Dr. Quest.  To answer your question, Jonny-- we will
be returning.  Mother's doctor has said she can resume her
responsibilities in my place, and Sukinder will keep a close watch on
things and take over if needed.  Miana and I have things to finish up
before we can be totally ready to take over here." 
     "Finish up?" 
     "Nothing to be concerned about, Jonny.  It will take a number of
years to finish our educations." 
     "So you are returning to class?" asked Benton.  "Will you be able to
resume teaching?" 
     "I have been in touch with the Dean-- it took some negotiations,
convincing, and as you would say-- 'sucking up', but I managed to
straighten things out." 
     "You? Sucking up?" asked Jonny, in shock. 
     "Yes-- in my own way, of course." 
     "Of course." smiled Jonny. 
     Everybody laughed. 
     Soon after, all went to bed, and were up early the next morning to
head back to the States.  Race was up early preparing the Dragonfly, and
Hadji was giving his good-byes to his mother and wrapping up loose ends. 
Miana and the rest of the Quest family were packing. 
     "The last month here has been wonderful, but I am so looking forward
to returning to the compound," replied Miana.  "It will be wonderful when
things return to normal." 
     "Are you looking forward to starting classes again?"  asked Jessie. 
     "Oh, definitely!  I especially can't wait to see the looks on the
faces of the bubbleheads in Hadji's classes when they find out we're
married!" 
     Jessie and Miana busted out in hysterics. 
     Jonny stuck his head in. 
     "We're outta here, girls!  Race is ready to head out." 
     Jonny grabbed their bags with the help of some palace servants, and
left for the Dragonfly. 
     Hadji and Miana went to say their final good-byes to Neela. 
     "Well, mother-- I guess this is good-bye." 
     "Hadji, thank you so much for all your help-- please give further
thanks to your family on my behalf." 
     "I will, mother.  I love you." said Hadji as he embraced his mother a
final time. 
     "If you need me..." 
     Neela nodded. 
     "Miana-- this is good-bye.  Welcome to the family, daughter." replied
Neela as she took Miana in her arms. 
     "Thank you, Neela." smiled Miana.  "Good-bye." 
     "Good-bye." 
     Neela waved to them as they were the last ones on the Dragonfly.  The
long trip back passed rather quickly, and all were glad to be back home. 
     Hadji picked Miana up, carried her up the steps, and into his room. 
     "Carrying me over the threshold?" asked Miana. 
     "Of course, love," he answered as he set her on the bed.  "Now that
we're married, there is no need for your room.  Is my room ok for you?  Or
would you prefer us to choose a different one?" 
     "This room is fine, love." 
     Hadji nodded and left to get their bags. 
     Everyone else settled in, and then gathered downstairs around the
fireplace.  Mrs. Evans served them all hot cocoa. 
     "It is so good to be back!" exclaimed Jonny. 
     "Agreed, my friend.  I am looking forward to things returning to
normal." answered Hadji. 
     "You are the third person to say that." quipped Jonny. 
     "When do classes start?" asked Benton. 
     "Next week." answered Hadji. 
     In the days that followed, things did indeed return to normal. 
Benton resumed his work, and Hadji assisted him and prepared for class, as
did Miana.  Race and Jonny spent time adventuring, while Miana and Jessie
spent time with little Benny. 
     The first day of class, Hadji went into the philosophy class, dressed
in his usual style of clothes for teaching, namely dark pants and his
button-down shirt (complete with turban, of course).  As usual, most of
the students in class were the same admirers he had the previous semester,
and still stared at him blankly.  Miana walked in, but went straight to
her seat without letting on her relationship to Hadji.  She did, however,
get strange looks as they noticed the red dot on her forehead (that she
applied purposely that morning from the paste Neela showed her how to
make). 
     Hadji have a subtle look to the back of the room at Miana as he
started calling off the role. 
     "Cindy Simmons... Bradley Simpson... Miana Singh..." 
     People's heads started turning and whispers went around the room. 
     "Now, Mr. Singh-- you know it is unprofessional to pull jokes in the
classroom," winked the Dean, sticking his head into the classroom.  "Mrs.
Singh, now that you and Mr. Singh are married, I'm afraid you will need to
attend another class.  Regulations, you know." 
     Miana grabbed her books, walked up front, and Hadji embraced her and
kissed her deeply as she left the room.  Miana and the Dean (who was
sympathetic to Hadji's cause)  savored the looks on the students' faces as
they left the room. 
     Hadji smiled and continued with his lesson. 
     That evening, Hadji and Miana shared their story with the rest of the
family who burst out in laughter after having heard it.  After the funny
events of this first day, everybody on the Quest team agreed that things
indeed, did return to normal. 

                           THE END
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII; name="veng3.txt"Content-ID: 
Content-Description: 

The Ultimate Vengeance Part 3

	"Dr. Mitsuma, thank you for coming to the states on such short
notice." replied Julia.  "With the help of the Rachel program developed by
Dr. Quest, combined with this latest Japanese invention, we can bring
Jeremiah's mind back into reality, and make his body whole." 
	"What I do not understand, Julia, is why you don't go back before
his accident occurred." replied Dr. Mitsuma. 
	"History would be changed too much." answered Julia. "And we don't
want things changed too much, now do we? Especially with still do much
work to do..." 
	"I see your point." agreed Dr. Mitsuma. "When do you want to
start?" 
	"No time like the present.  We'll go into Questworld in stealth
mode through a backdoor, enter spy mode to see if anyone's logged on,
disable security, and go from there." 
	Julia then put on a console, and after Dr. Mitsuma got familiar
with the program, snuck her into Questworld.  After seeing that no one was
on, Julia disabled security and continued on with the program. 

***********************************************************************

	"Your anger has made us evenly matched, Doctor," said Surd as he
grew larger and grew six arms simultaneously, pinning virtual Benton to
the ground in Jessie's subconscious, while Surd was getting ready to take
a circular blade to Benton's throat. 
	"Nooooooooooooooo!" shouted Benton, attempting to resist. 
	"Hahahahaha! As you said, this ends now, Quest!" 
	"I don't think so!" shouted Jessie as she grew large and picked
Surd up by one arm and ripped off the blade. 
	"Nooo! How did you--" 
	"This is my head, you sicko!  Figure it out!" 
	"Noooo!" 
	Jessie was getting ready to throw Surd into a vortex, when all of
a sudden, he disappeared. 
	Jessie shrunk and took Benton and Jonny back out. 
	"Hadji, bring us home." 
	"With pleasure." 
	"Jessie, please..." pleaded Race. 
	"Hey, Jess-- come on, wake up!" prompted Jonny as the console was
taken off Jessie's temple. 
	"Does anyone have an aspirin?" asked Jessie, opening one eye. 

***********************************************************************

	From that point, Surd was pulled from Questworld in the nick of
time, and all made their escape before police could find them. 
	"And somehow, I was able to remember everything.  I thought that
once we brought you back, the time line would have been totally altered,
but instead I have two sets of memories-- what happened the first time,
and that which happened after Dr. Mitsuma and I retrieved you." explained
Julia. 
	"The nature of time travel and its effect on minds is not fully
known." replied Surd.  "However, it is good things did not change, or
else the good doctor most likely would not be here to restore me, and my
revenge would not have a chance to be completed." 

***********************************************************************

	The events and minds of those on the Quest compound remained
unchanged, save the fact that following Jessie's ordeal, Jeremiah
disappeared and hadn't been heard from since. 
	Moniri and Miana still weren't up yet, and Hadji went to the
lighthouse with Benton to keep his troubled mind occupied. 
	"Dr. Quest--" 
	"Yes, Hadji?" 
	"There are signs of tampering in the system.  It looks as if there
was a transmission a few days ago, but whoever did it covered their tracks
well.  There is no way to tell exactly when, who did it, what was
transmitted, or to where the transmission went." 
	"Any other signs of illegal entry?" 
	"None, Dr. Quest." 
	"I'll have to look into this more closely-- meanwhile, tighten
security." 
	"Yes, Dr. Quest." 

***********************************************************************

	"Jeremiah, I have been doing some research into other goings-on in
Questworld, and I think you may find this interesting." 
	"Yes, Julia?  What is it?" 
	"The first use if the Rachel program was used by the Quests to
stop one Ezekiel Rage from splitting the Earth apart using a nuclear bomb
he dropped two miles beneath the surface seven days prior.  He chased the
Quest kids back into the time corridor to retrieve the bomb before it
went off, only to go through the wrong corridor and end up 60 million
years in the past.  He was never seen again." 
	"Ezekiel Rage-- yes, I have heard of him.  His mind is as dark and
devious as mine!  And what an irony to save him, using the same technology
that doomed him to begin with... But all in good time, Julia.  The good
doctor here has some work to do first." 
 
***********************************************************************

	Miana and Moniri came down late in the afternoon.  Hadji had left
Benton in the lighthouse, and Race took Benny out for the day.  Jessie was
at work.  The only other person in the house was Jonny, and he fell asleep
on the couch for lack of anything better to do. 
	Hadji sat down with a book when Miana and Moniri walked into the
room. 
	"Miana..." 
	"I have nothing to say to you, Hadji." 
	"Miana, I am so sorry-- I had no idea..." 
	"You were standing there in the dark, with my practically naked
sister..." 
	"Love, I had no idea what was going on all this time until this
last incident happened!  You have to believe me!" 
	"Hadji, she had you against the wall!  A second later, and your
loincloth would've hit the floor!" 
	"I would not have allowed that." 
	"You almost did." 
	Moniri saw the pleading look in Hadji's eyes. 
	"Miana, a moment please." 
	Moniri pulled Miana into the kitchen. 
	"Miana, he's sincere.  Can't you see it in his eyes?  He honestly
didn't know!  Also, how do we know Mica didn't plan this?" 
	"You're right, Min.  She could have, but Hadji never offered any
resistance, either.  I find it hard to believe, even with his chaste past,
that her advances totally escaped him all this time." 
	"Mi, cut him some slack!  I know you love him-- don't let your
pride destroy your marriage." 
	"I'll have to think it over." 
	Miana left the kitchen and went back up to her room. 

***********************************************************************

	Dr. Mitsuma had finished adjusting the machinery he had brought
with him to restore Surd's body.  He opened Surd's chair, and layed him in
a compartment in the large box-shaped machine.  A lid closed over him,
much like a tanning bed, only this was open from the chin up. 
	"Dr. Surd, this machine uses electricity to stimulate the nerves
in your body to regenerate.  Your body will be surrounded by a magnetic
field, and when the two interact, it should accelerate the healing
process.  However, don't expect immediate results, as you will have to
retrain your muscles to do everything you used to do before.  In the
meantime, you will have to use electrobraces." 
	"Just get on with it, Mitsuma!" screamed Surd. 
	Dr. Mitsuma closed the lid, and turned on the machine.  The
apparatus glowed with an electric blue as they heard screams emanating
from the machine.  A few minutes later, they opened the lid to discover
the process had worked.  He was very weak from atrophied muscles, but he
could move.  Dr. Mitsuma helped him into a conventional wheelchair, and
fitted him with braces that delivered and electric charge to his muscles
that would aid in his physical therapy.  After they were on and
activated, with the help of Dr. Mitsuma and Lorenzo, he stood on his feet
for the first time in twenty years. 
	Surd shook them away, and even though he was unsteady, he insisted
on standing by himself.  He managed to get his balance, turned around, and
regarded them. 
	"I intend to be free of these braces inside of six months.  During
this time, we are going to go back in time and retrieve Ezekiel Rage, and
together, we will get the ultimate vengeance-- first on the Quests, and
then on the world!" proclaimed Surd, with clenched fist in the air. 

***********************************************************************

	Hadji was in meditation in his attic studio.  He saw a vision of a
restored Jeremiah Surd around a table with Julia, Lorenzo, and a Japanese
doctor.  Then, a flash, and Ezekiel Rage was with them. 
	"Oh, this is not good!" exclaimed Hadji to himself.  "Jonny!" 
	Everyone in the house heard Hadji's screams, and they all ran into
the living room as Hadji came bounding down the steps. 
	Miana looked dead into Hadji's eyes as he passed by.  He motioned
them all to sit down, then told everyone what he saw. 
	"So, you say you saw Surd and Rage working together." confirmed
Jonny. 
	"Exactly." answered Hadji. 
	Miana and Moniri looked at each other. 
	"Ladies, all this happened years ago, when Hadji and I were
teenagers.  Life here now is pretty quiet, but it wasn't always that way--
especially back then.  Our lives are about to get more interesting, and
you ladies are about to get a taste of it." 
	"Good!  We could use some adventure!" exclaimed Moniri. 
	"Speak for yourself." muttered Miana, who was still upset, even
though many days had passed. 
	"Waaaait a minute-- in order for them to work together, and in
order for Surd to have his mind back... they had and will have to use..." 
	"Questworld." finished Hadji.  "A few days ago, our system
showed..." 
	"Mica!" exclaimed the girls in unison. 
	Benton, Jessie, and Race same into the room after after some time
out on the Questor, and noticed the grave looks on everyone's faces. 
	"By the looks on your faces, it looks as if something serious has
come up."  observed Benton. 
	"It has, dad.  Have a seat-- Hadji will tell you all about it." 
	Hadji then explained the situation.
	"A few days ago, Jessie handed me a report that she had come up
with on Mica, and apologized for the delay, as she hadn't had time to get
it to me when everything was going on." said Benton as he produced the
paper.  "Jessie first went into local records .  Somehow those records
were falsified, but when Jessie got the story from Commander Bennett,
Mica's story sang a whole different tune." 
	"What does the report say?" asked Jonny. 
	"Mica was educated in computers from Oxford, but she was not
married to English nobility.  She was involved with a man named Thurston,
but in criminal activities.  She has done everything from drug trafficking
to espionage." 
	Benton passed around the report for all to examine. 
	"I wonder who Mica was working for all that time..."asked Race. 
	"My guess would've been Julia." answered Jonny.  "I did some
research on her a while back, and she has quite a past-- and a lot of
connections." 
	"I wonder what she sees in that guy..." muttered Race. 
	"Well, it can be assumed that Surd has probably regained use of
his mind and body by now.  But how..." started Benton, then his eyes grew
wide.  "RACHEL!!!!" 
	"Oh, my God..." whispered Jessie, as mouths dropped around the
room. 
	"Rachel?" asked Moniri. 
	"A time travel program developed by Dr. Quest." answered Hadji. 
	"Regained the use of his mind?" asked Jessie. 
	"Wait a minute-- there are conflicting memories here." started
Race.  "Jessie, you banished Surd's mind into Questworld following that
incident in which he tried--" 
	"But he was pulled out of Questworld before I could finish it!"
explained Jessie. 
	"Interesting!" observed Benton.  "We are experiencing the
overlapping of two timelines-- what happened before, paired with what
happened following Mica's tampering-- which is theoretically impossible!" 
	"With all due respects, Benton-- we haven't time to analyze this.
We have to stop them before they use the program again to go after Rage!"
exclaimed Race.