communications device wasn't working. He was no
longer in contact with his vessel orbiting nearby! He could imagine the
alarms going off and turned to tell his host that he'd have to retreat
from the shielded area and notify his ship, when the stun beam hit. He
and everyone with him slumped to the floor.
8 A few minutes later they woke in a security area. Outside the force
field stood their Host's wife, smiling joyfully. "So easy," she
laughed, "to deal with the superior gender! So easy to lure them into
the right position and pull their teeth!"
9 North's hands had already gone to his dagger and battle com. They were
both gone! "Whatever your game is," he snapped, "it won't do you any
good. I have to check in every few minutes. This ship will be
surrounded quite soon."
10 "Oh, but you HAVE checked in," the woman smiled, "you've already
talked to your ship on that neat little communicator implanted in your
skull and already told them everything is just fine, haven't you,
General North?"
11 "Yes, Madam! " North's voice answered from outside the force
field. The woman motioned and to North's surprise he saw HIMSELF step
into the doorway beside her.
12 "You see, General," the woman laughed, "we're far smarter than you
give us women credit for! You see, I have my own General North that no
one will be able to tell from the original. He's exactly like you, dear
General, except he obeys my orders exactly." The woman reached up and
touched the other North's cheek. "Don't you, my treasure?" she cooed.
13 "Yes, my Empress," the Second North answered.
14 "Perhaps your friends would also like to meet their counterparts.
Bring them out!" the woman snapped.
15 The force field dropped and a group of uniformed women armed with
daggers entered the hall, escorting