It was an understanding they had had from that first summer 10 years ago. She always insisted on carrying her own weight. This time, she almost was.... Those damn cases were heavy!It was hot today, hot for this early in the season, hot for this high up the mountain. Still, the sun felt good on his back as it warmed him through his shirt. He impulsively pulled the shirt over his head, baring his muscled torso to the sun’s rays. His chest glistened from the effort of hiking up the steep slope. She knew she was part of the number thirteen.“No. No, I don’t.” Treece had thought this would be easy. After all he had gotten everything he ever wanted from Santa Claus and this man in front of him certainly looked the part.“How did you like the ride in the 665?” John asked.“Remarkable piece of engineering. How did that come about?” Treece asked.“Dad be careful, he is realizing he has made a mistake by coming here.” Gaia said.“Lockheed has had the plans for the 665 for over forty years. All. A sun-bright ball of primal energy blossomed behind the escaping lifeboat as his ship reduced itself to atoms. Hard gamma radiation sleeted through the light shielding of the desperately fleeing craft — through his body. He had almost been far enough away for dispersal to have reduced the radiation to an acceptable level — almost.What had happened? His last full-maintenance check, two days ago, had verified that the drive was in perfect condition, fine-tuned to four decimal places, and the. What Megan was saying was how beautiful Julia looked and how happy she was with the shopping they had done together. She also mentioned that after most of the twenty odd guests leave a small group of eight or ten was going to stay for some entertainment. She hoped that Julia and James could stay. As midnight approached, Julia, James, Megan and Diane changed back to their original pairings, waiting the stroke of twelve. As the midnight clock stuck, Julia gave James a deep wet kiss that nearly.