Days Of OTMA's Lives: The Revival

[Tim]

In space...

Alexei is drifting towards the cockpit of the shuttle. On the way, he notices a collage of pictures on a wall. The pictures are of him, Kole, little Maria, NAOTMAA, Sam, and Kole's parents, George and Amanda Munro. He smiles and moves on, reaching the cockpit. Kole is there.

Kole: How did you sleep?
Alexei: As well as can be expected. I'll have to get used to this zero gravity thing.
Kole: Smiles. Don't worry, you will. It'll just take some time.
Alexei: So, how are things going.
Kole: Fine. The NaviComp says we're right on course to Mars.
Alexei: Straps himself into the seat next to Kole. I guess we are. Looks out into the void.
Kole: Alexei, are you okay?
Alexei: I'm fine. It's just hitting me, we're alone out here, aren't we.
Kole: Well, if anyone else is out here, they're not from Earth.
Alexei: Are there any aliens, Kole?
Kole: Not in our solar system, it seems. Mind you, even in my time, there is still much about space we don't know. However, it seems Humanity has this solar system all to themselves. As for other solar systems, who can say. Does a Carl Sagan impression. There are billions and billions of stars out there.
Alexei: Laughs. What was that?
Kole: Of course, you wouldn't know who I was imitating, he hasn't even been born yet. Sometimes I forget where, or should I say, when, I am.
Alexei: I guess so. Still, I'm ready. I'm gonna take lots of pictures during this trip. Even if the only people I can show them to is our family. We'll have to be careful about that, Kole.
Kole: Yeah, wouldn't that be a thing for the National Intruder to print: 'Former Tsarevich and Wife Fly To Mars. See Page 2 for story'.
Both laugh.
Alexei: Kole?
Kole: Yes?
Alexei: I noticed those pictures you have back there, of us, and your parents...
Kole: George and Amanda.
Alexei: Yeah. Anyway, I was thinking, do you wish you could tell them about this trip.
Kole: I do, actually. Since they're already in 2071, it won't have any affect on history.
Alexei: Well, maybe when we get back, we can find a way.
Kole: Smiles. I'd like that.


Back on Earth, on the plane...

Dimitri C-B: How are you holding up?
Olga: As well as can be expected. Part of me still wishes I was with Alexei and Kole. I'd rather take my chances with Martians than see Carol again.
Dimitri C-B: Olga, I'll be right there with you.
Olga: Smiles. I know. It's just that the last time I saw him, he tried to put the moves on me. He knew I was a married woman, but he still did it. Who the hell did he think he was?
Dimitri C-B: A spoiled brat who was clearly used to getting anything he wanted.
Olga: Well, he's not getting me, that's for sure.
Dimitri C-B: If he thinks he can, I'll be there to remind him. Damn, it felt good slugging him that time.
Olga: I know, but we have to make a good impression, remember.
Dimitri C-B: I know. However, if he tries to get fresh with you again, I will step in and defend your honour.
Olga: I know, and I thank you for that.
A Flight Attendant walks up.
Flight Attendant: Your Highness?
Olga: Just call me Olga.
Flight Attendant: All right, Olga. Anyway, I just want to say that we'll be landing in about ten minutes.
Olga: Thank you. We'll be ready.
Dimitri C-B: Looks like it's almost show time.
Olga: Yes, here we go.


Anichkov Palace...

Maria: Olga and her Dimitri will be in Romania soon.
Anastasia: Let's hope Carol can keep his hands to himself this time.
Maria: Remember, Nastya, he also wanted to marry me.
Anastasia: Yeah, and you were what, sixteen, at the time.
Maria: Yeah, Papa sure shot him down.
Tatiana: Comes in. What are you two talking about?
Maria: Olga's trip to Romania.
Tatiana: I'm sure she'll do fine.
Anastasia: That's if Carol doesn't give her Dimitri reason to slug him again.
Tatiana: Don't even joke about that, Nastya.
Anastasia: I'm not joking.
Maria: We all know what a creep Carol is.
Tatiana: That's true. However, we shouldn't jinx it. This is Olga's first trip abroad as Heir to the throne of Russia. We should hope it all goes well.
Maria: Amen to that. Hears Marie crying. Looks like our niece needs me...

[Tim]

**This bit was written by Wakas and edited by me.**


Some hours later...

Anastasia: On the phone with Olga. How was your plane trip?
Olga: Uneventful. Now we’re on the Standart. We should reach Constanta in a few days. Unfortunately for me.
Anastasia: Teases her sister. I don’t see what the problem is. I always found Carol rather nice.
Olga: Falls for it. YOU CAN’T BE SERIOUS?!! HE’S A PRETENTIOUS JERK. I HOLD HIM IN A PROFOUND CONTEMPT. WHEN I THINK I’LL HAVE TO BE FRIENDLY TOWARDS HIM, IT MAKES ME SICK.
Anastasia: Giggles. Olga, if you could hear the tone of your voice. It’s hilarious.
Olga: Calms down a bit. Let’s talk about something else. How are things going with you?
Anastasia: Nothing special. We’re still waiting for Sam and Gavriil to come back. It’s a little depressing without you all being here, so Maria is preparing a great meal to cheer us up. Sees Maria coming. Ha, here she is. I’ll give her the phone, she wants to talk to you. And Tatiana does too. See you later, Olga.
Olga: Alright, bye, Nastya.
Maria: Takes the phone. Hi, Olga...


Back in 2011...

After everyone has kissed Gavriil goodbye...

Ronen: Embraces Sam and holds her in his arms for a long time. We'll miss you a lot, Sam.
Hadassah: Gives her daughter a big, big hug. Oh Sam, I wish you could stay with us.
Sam: Mom, oh please, don’t cry. It’s hard for me too.
Serenity: Hugs Sam. We’ll stay in contact, right?
Sam: With the magic mailbox, we sure will.
Jason: Take care of yourself, sis.
Jaheim: And don’t forget to send a message to tell us all that you have arrived safely.
Sam: Don’t worry, bro, everything will be fine.
Gharman: Throws himself into Sam’s arms. Mom, I love you. I’ll miss you so much.
Alaina: That goes for me too. Does the same thing as Gharman. She’s imitated by Jaelyn and Carley, who both try not to cry.
Sam: I love you too. And you know what, this isn’t farewell. I’ll be back. Soon. That’s a promise. With the Amulet of Hogthor, I can visit whenever I want.
Gharman: Smiles through his tears. Then I’ll hold you on that promise. Good bye Mom. Bye, Gavriil. Take care of yourself, buddy.
Gavriil: Yeah, you too. Bye, everyone.
Sam: Holds up the amulet. Come, Gavriil, it’s time for us to leave.
Sam and Gavriil disappear into thin air.


Meanwhile, back in 1928, TMA and their husbands are talking to Alexei and Kole by webcam...

Anastasia: Holding Marie in front of the camera. Marie behaved very well, didn’t she, Mashka?
Tatiana: As always, Maria was a great babysitter.
Kole:

[Tim]

Kole: Smiles. That's good to know. I hope she hasn't been too much trouble.
Maria: No, she's been a little angel.
Kole: Good.
Alexei: Appears on the screen besides Kole. What's going on down there?
Anastasia: We're preparing a big meal.
Alexei: Let me guess, Mashka is cooking.
Anastasia: That's right.
Alexei: Wish I was there. Sure beats the powdered food we have here.
Tatiana: Powdered food?
Kole: We can't have regular food in zero gravity. It would float around the shuttle.
Maria: I guess it would.
Kole: We have to sign off now.
Alexei: We'll be in touch again. Everyone says good-bye before the link is terminated.
Tatiana: Nice to know they're doing well up there.
At that point, Sam and Gavriil appear.
TMA: SAM! All run and hug Sam.


In space...

Alexei: It's nice that we can talk to them back there.
Kole: Well, soon direct communication won't be possible. There will be time delays.
Alexei: What do you mean?
Kole: The farther we get from Earth, the longer the signals will take to go back and forth. For example, we'll send a signal, but it won't reach Earth for ten minutes. If they reply, it will take the same amount of time to reach us. Those delays will get exponentially longer the farther out we get.
Alexei: Oh, so I guess that means we'll just record a message, send it home, and they'll record one and send it back.
Kole: Yes, that's right. So, how about dinner.
Alexei: Powdered food. Yummy!
Both laugh.


Back on Earth, the meal is under way...

Tatiana: So, Sam, how did your visit home go?
Sam: It went great. It was nice to see my family again. And I can now keep in touch with them.
Anastasia: With the magic mail box you brought back with you.
Sam: Yes, we can send letters back and forth.
Anastasia: Hey, we can get movies from the future again. You can ask your family to send them back to us.
Sam: Yes, I guess I could. Pulls out the Amulet Of Hogthor.
Tatiana: You still have that.
Sam: Yes. I can use to visit my family whenever I want. I was thinking that Kole could borrow it to visit her family in 2071.
Maria: Well, if you want to lend it to her now, it might be a bit hard. She's a few million miles away and getting farther as we speak.
Sam: She and Alexei are on their way to Mars?
Maria: Yes, they are.
Tatiana: By the way, Sam, you don't have to worry about Lothos anymore. Kole took care of him.
Sam: How?
Tatiana: Well...


On the Standart....

Dimitri C-B: We'll be there soon, Olga.
Olga: I know, and I'm ready.
Dimitri C-B: The captain just told me that there will be a reception in our honour when we arrive. And Carol will be there.
Olga: With a sigh. Happy, happy, joy, joy.

[Tim]

**This bit was written by Wakas and edited by me.**


On the Standart, near Romania...

Dimitri C-B: Olga, don’t you think the situation in Romania has been complicated since King Ferdinand’s death? And it won’t get any better.
Olga: What do you mean?
Dimitri C-B: Well, I’m speaking of the regency. Carol was supposed to be the Heir, but because of some kind of scandal, he had to wave his right to the throne, remember.
Olga: Yeah, I remember. And despite the fact that the Romanians wanted his brother, Nicholas, to succeed Ferdinand. Yet, Carol managed to put his own son, Michael, on the throne.
Dimitri C-B: And Sam told us that in a few years, Carol will break his promise and seize power in the place of his son thanks to a coup d’état.
Olga: And then he’ll deprive Nicholas from his royal privileges and titles and then he’ll exile him.
Dimitri C-B: Ah boy, what a guy he is.
Olga: Rolls her eyes. Tell me about it!
Dimitri C-B: Look! I can see the coast. We’re very close to Constanta.


Constanta, Romania...

The whole Royal Family is there to greet Olga and Dimitri C-B. It’s now Carol’s turn to say hello.
Carol: Kisses Olga’s hand. Hello, Olga, glad to see you again. Last time we saw each other, it didn’t go so well. All because of a stupid misunderstanding.
Olga: Thinking to herself. Misunderstanding? There wasn’t any misunderstanding! He’s got some damn nerve to say that, it was entirely his fault! Aloud. Hello, Carol. Nice to see you again. Thinking. Yeah sure, lucky me!
Carol: Refuses to shake hands with Dimitri C-B. Sorry, I’m not used to do that with a commoner.
Dimitri C-B: Flushed with anger. Hey you...
Olga: Puts her hand on his arm to calm him and whispers to him. Dimitri, ignore him.
Dimitri C-B: Mutters to himself. It’ll be hard.


After the reception, on the terrace of the palace...

Carol: Olga, when you become Tsarina, what title will your... Er, husband have? He can't be called Tsar or even Prince Consort. He's just a commoner. Dimitri C-B tries very hard to keep his cool while Carol goes on. I sympathize with you, Olga. It's quite a problem when you marry someone of a social rank far below yours.
Dimitri C-B: Mumbles. God, help me, I'm about to kill him.
Carol: What is your opinion on this matter, Olga?
Olga sees that Dimitri is exasperated, but doesn't dare to say a thing.
Carol: Hears someone calling him. I gotta go, Olga. I'll see you later. Moves away.
Dimitri C-B: Furious. I'll gladly punch him in the face! Olga, why didn't you even try to defend me? I'm your husband, and you stayed silent during the whole time he was insulting me. I felt as you were ashamed of me.
Olga: It's not that, Dimitri. I didn't want to cause an international incident. I know how he is, he hasn't forgiven us for last time we saw him, when we put him to his place. He can't do nothing against me, since I'm the Heir, so he attacks our weak point.
Dimitri C-B: Weak Point?!! The fact that I'm a "commoner", to speak like Carol, is a weak point?? Your husband's parentage is obviously a problem for you. Then I don't know why you agreed to marry me. Storms off.
Olga: Very upset. Dimitri, you're wrong, that wasn't what I meant. Dimitri, please!

[Tim]

Later, Olga is in her suite, talking to Tatiana via webcam...

Olga: I knew this would happen, Tanya. I knew I should have stowed away on Kole's shuttle and gone to Mars instead of coming here.
Tatiana: On screen. Olga, what happened?
Olga: Well. Recounts what just happened. I could tell Dimitri wanted to punch Carol in the face. Heck I wanted to punch Carol!
Tatiana: I hope you didn't, Olga.
Olga: Of course not. I know that Papa and Mama are counting on me. Heck, all of Russia is counting on me.
Tatiana: Have you talked to your Dimitri about what happened?
Olga: No, not yet. He needs time to cool down. However, I will speak to him when he gets back.
Tatiana: Good.
Olga: So, what's going on back home?
Tatiana: Sam and Gavriil just returned from 2011. From what they told us, they had a great visit with Sam's family.
Olga: Sighs. It sounds like everyone is having a good time except me.
Tatiana: Trust me, Olga, things will get better. Pauses. I have to go into work now.
Olga: Okay, I'll talk to you later. Signs off.


Later, Dimitri C-B returns...

Olga: Dimitri, please believe that that I am NOT ashamed of marrying you. Your my husband, I love you and always will. It's just that...
Dimitri C-B: Yes?
Olga: You have to understand the position I'm in. So many are counting on me to make this visit a success. Personally, I would have loved to see you punch Carol's lights out, heck, I would have joined you. However, as much as we loathe Carol, we have to put up with him.
Dimitri C-B: Yeah, it's just that his comments about me being a "commoner" really got to me. What century is that guy living in?
Olga: I know. However, I have an idea.
Dimitri C-B: What is it?
Olga: As you know, the Constitution removed all the political power from the Russian throne. However, one power remains to the Tsar or Tsarina, and that power is to designate a title to the spouse of said Tsar or Tsarina. My great grandfather, Prince Albert, was Prince Consort. How would you like to be my Prince Consort. Of course, I can't do anything until I ascend the throne...
Dimitri C-B: I'll take it.
Olga: Good. Looks at her watch. We have a state dinner with Carol in an hour. We better get ready for it. Just remember...
Dimitri C-B: Grin and bear it. Yeah, I'll try.

[Tim]

In space...

Kole: Damn!
Alexei: What is it?
Kole: There's a fault in the antenna. I can't fix it from here, I'm gonna have to go EVA.
Alexei: E... What?
Kole: Extra Vehicular Activity.
Alexei: You mean go outside?
Kole: I have to. Come on, give me a hand getting into my spacesuit.
And soon, Kole is in her spacesuit...
Alexei: Are you sure I can't help you with this, Kole?
Kole: Smiles. Alexei, I'm trained to do this kind of thing. Nothing is going to happen, trust me. Now, hand me my helmet.
Alexei: Okay. Watches as Kole puts her helmet on.
Kole: Okay, once I go outside, we can communicate via the intercom, which will connect you to the receiver and transmitter in my helmet. Points to some controls. Push the green button to turn it on, once I've gone outside.
Alexei: Right.


A few moments later, Kole is outside and floating towards the antenna...

Alexei: On intercom. Kole, can you hear me?
Kole: Loud and clear.
Alexei: How does it look out there.
Kole: Pauses and looks at the stars, and the now distant Earth and Moon. Incredible.
Alexei: I wish I was out there with you.
Kole: Perhaps we can arrange something another time.
Alexei: I'd like that.
Kole: Great, it's a date. She reached the antenna and gets to work.


Two hours later...

Alexei: Thinking. Kole is taking too long out there. I'm gonna go and help her. Heads for the other space suit and begins to put it on.
Meanwhile, outside the shuttle.
Kole: Thinking. Damn, this is taking longer than I thought it would. Still, I have an a few more hours of oxygen in my suit, I should have time to finish. She gets back to work and doesn't realize Alexei has left the shuttle until he joins her. What the....
Alexei: Thought you could use a hand.
Kole: What are you doing out here?
Alexei: Relax, you did show me how to put on a space suit and work it.
Kole: Yes, but only the basics.
Alexei: Look, I'm here and I'm fine. Tell me what to do?
Kole: Sighs. Okay. Hands him the light she's been using. Take this and hold it steady.
Alexei: Right. Takes the light.
Kole: Okay, this shouldn't take long now.
Alexei meanwhile is starting to feel light headed, but doesn't say anything.
Kole: There it is. I'm almost finished.
Alexei: Giggles. Great.
Kole: Alexei, are you all right?
Alexei: I'm fine. Starts feeling pretty euphoric. In fact, I never felt better in my life.
Kole: Well, just keep that light steady. I'm almost done. She works for a few more moments. There, I'm finished.
Alexei: Wheeee! I feel goooooood! Begins to sing.
Kole: Alexei, what is wrong with you!?
Alexei: Drunkenly replies. Wrong? What should be wrong?
Kole: Realizes what is happening. Oh my God!
Alexei: Hey, Kole, look, I can fly. Propels himself away from the ship. Wheeeeeeeeee...
Kole: ALEXEI! Switches on her suit jets and quickly retrieve him before he floats out of range.


Later, in the shuttle, Alexei wakes up and realizes he's wearing an oxygen mask. Kole is there with him...

Alexei: What happened to me? I felt like I was drunk.
Kole: You had Nitrogen Narcosis.
Alexei: And that is...
Kole: Too much nitrogen got into your blood stream. One of the symptoms is like being drunk.
Alexei: How did...
Kole: Suddenly becomes angry. Because when you switched on the life support systems in your suit, you made a mistake and added too much nitrogen into the mix!
Alexei: You don't have to snap at me, Kole.
Kole: The hell I don't. Alexei, you were nowhere near ready to try a space walk on your own. What the hell were you thinking!?
Alexei: But Kole...
Kole: Don't you "but Kole" me! Don't you realize what could have happened out there. You could have been killed! We're in space, Alexei, we can't afford to make stupid mistakes like that. It could mean BOTH of our lives!
Alexei: Are you done yelling at me?
Kole: Starts to calm down. Okay, sorry for losing my temper. I should have realized it wasn't all your fault. I was trained for months to handle missions like this, you weren't. Still...
Alexei: Yes?
Kole: I could have lost you out there. You, my husband, Marie's father. I would have to tell your family that you got killed on my watch.
Alexei: I'm not the sickly child I used to be, Kole.
Kole: No, but out here, I'm just a responsible for your safety as your sailor friend was when you were ill. I'm the qualified astronaut, you're the civilian passenger. That makes me the responsible party. Please try to understand that.
Alexei: Yeah, I suppose you're right, Kole. I just got worried about you, that's all. You're still my wife, after all.
Kole: Smiles. Yes, that's true. I guess I forgot about that. Look, why don't you rest for a few more hours. After that, I'll give you an in depth lesson on how to use the space suits.
Alexei: I'd like that...

[Tim]

**This bit was written by Wakas and edited by me.**


Romania...

Olga: Dimitri, I think I know how to get rid of Carol.
Dimitri C-B: I have a plan too. I heard Carol can’t swim. Tomorrow, on the boat ride, I’ll push him into the water and enjoy the show.
Olga: Dimitri, I was talking seriously.
Dimitri C-B: And so was I.
Olga: Smiles. There are times when you’re really impossible.
Dimitri C-B: I'll take that as a compliment.
Olga: It’s not that I don’t want to drown Carol, but I have a better idea. Let’s report his behavior to Nicholas. He’s not a fan of his brother, he will listen to us.
Dimitri C-B: If he agrees with Carol on the whole “commoner” thing, then, no, he won’t listen to us.
Olga: Come on, honey, Nicholas isn’t like that. He doesn’t resemble his brother at all.
Dimitri C-B: Excellent. Then I think I’ll get along well with him. Anyway, all the people who don’t like Carol are my friends.
Olga: Holds back her laughter. And why not create a group called “I hate Carol” on the Net while you're at it.
Dimitri C-B: I had thought about that, but there would be so many registrations that the site would be blocked.
Olga laughs out loud when she hears that.


So...

Prince Nicholas: I'm so sorry about what happened. Carol acted like a jerk all the time, his attitude is unspeakable. I'll take steps to ensure he won't bother any of you anymore. And, Dimitri, I'll personally make sure that he apologizes to you.
Dimitri C-B: Thanks, Nicholas.
Prince Nicholas: You're welcome. And, Olga, at dinner, instead of sitting next to my brother, you'll be next to me. If that suits you, of course.
Olga: It's perfect.
Prince Nicholas: Good. I'll promise you there won't be other unpleasant incidents during your stay in Romania. I'll do everything in my power to make it as enjoyable for you as possible. What place would you like to visit?
Dimitri C-B: I may have an idea. Our sister-in- law, Kole, would have liked to see Bran's castle, where Count Dracula lived. Unfortunately she couldn't make it, so I thought we can go there, take some pictures and bring back some tourist souvenirs for her.
Prince Nicholas: Laughs. Then I suggest you take a clove of garlic and a crucifix for your visit.
Olga: No need to. We're not superstitious.
Dimitri C-B: You don't believe in that legend, Nicholas, do you?
Prince Nicholas: Of course not. Vampires are just a part of our folklore, just like the Loch Ness monster in Scotland. No one has ever seen them, still a lot of people believe they're real.
Olga: To herself. I can assure Nessie IS real.
Dimitri C-B: Thinking. Nicholas, if you knew we're friends with a former vampire.


Anichkov Palace, after nightfall...

Maria: Looks at the stars. When I think that Kole and Alexei are somewhere out there...
Tatiana: Strange feeling, isn't it?
Maria: Yes. Pauses. I miss them, Tanya, they're so far away. I tried to contact them today but they were offline the whole time.
Tatiana: I'm sure they're alright. They were probably busy today and they forgot to give us a call.
Maria: I'm gonna check the computer to see if they sent us a video message.
Tatiana: Follows her. Good idea.
Maria: By the way, how is it going for Olga and her Dimitri in Romania? Did she solve her problem with Carol?
Tatiana: I have no news yet. She might call me around 10 o'clock, that means... Looks at her watch. In 20 minutes.
Anastasia: Appears with Sam. Hey you two, you'll never guess what Sam just told me.
Maria: Go on.
Sam: When I was in 2011, my family revealed tp me that Gavriil will play an important role in Russian History. Explains. Of course, I can count on you to say nothing to him.
Maria: Amazing that such a little guy will one day be the one who'll save St. Petersburg.
Anastasia: Gavriil Baranov's story or how to go from thief to war hero. Seeing Sam's look. Relax, Sam, I was just kidding.
Tatiana: Everyone, we just got a message from Kole...

[Tim]

Soon Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, and Sam are gathered around the computer...

Maria: Kole, good to hear from you. I was getting worried.
Kole: On screen. Well, we had some problems with the antenna. I had to go outside and fix it.
Anastasia: Outside? You mean leave the shuttle?
Kole: Yes, it's called EVA, that means Extra Vehicular Activity. Thankfully, we had no problems.
Tatiana: That's good to know.
Alexei: Appears on the screen beside Kole. How is Marie?
Maria: She's fine, Alexei. She's been well behaved.
Alexei: I knew we made the right choice to have you watch her, Mashka. So, how are things going back there on Terra Firma?
Tatiana: Well, Mama and Papa have returned to Tsarskoe Selo, although they've asked us to keep them updated every time we hear from you.
Alexei: I thought as much. I guess Papa is doing much better.
Tatiana: He is.
Kole: Are my eyes deceiving me, or is Sam there.
Sam: I'm here, Kole. Gavriil and I got back from 2011 not too long ago. In fact, I learned something interesting about Gavriil. Fills Alexei and Kole in.
Alexei: Whoa! You learn something new every day.
Sam: Of course, we can't tell him about it.
Kole: Don't worry, Sam. Besides, even if we wanted to, it would be a bit hard for Alexei and I to tell anyone anything right now.
Everyone laughs.
Alexei: How are things going with Olga in Romania.
Tatiana: Well.. Tells Alexei about her last conversation with Olga. In fact, Olga wishes she were there in space with you.
Alexei: I can't blame her. Carol sounds like the same jerk he's always been.
Tatiana: Tell me about it. I'll fill you in the next time I hear from her.
Kole: Well, I was going to bring this up anyway. This may be our last direct conversation.
Maria: Why?
Kole: We're passing out of range of Earth. That means that there will be time delays. It will take a little time for message to go back and forth between us, and the time delays will get longer the farther we get from Earth.
Anastasia: So that means recorded messages, right?
Kole: Yes.
Maria: Well, we can live with that.
The conversation goes on for a few more minutes, before Alexei and Kole sign off.


Soon...

Maria: Sam, I was thinking about something.
Sam: What is it?
Maria: Gavriil being a big war hero. I was thinking that perhaps it's because of you.
Sam: Me?
Maria: Because you are going to do a wonderful job of raising him. You will inspire him to become more than he is, and to step up when his country will need him.
Sam: I've never thought of it that way. Thanks, Mashka.
Maria: You're welcome.


In space...

Alexei: Thanks for not telling them of my little mistake, Kole.
Kole: It wasn't my place to do that.
Alexei: I know, I should have done it. It's just that...
Kole: Yes?
Alexei: I didn't want them to worry about me. Most of my life, they all worried about me, especially poor Mama. I don't want to put any of them through that again.
Kole: I guess it was hard for you, growing up.
Alexei: Tell me about it. It's a miracle poor Mama didn't end up in an insane asylum. Imagine having to worry every time I fell down. Ten years ago, she would never have allowed me to do something like this.
Kole: That's true, Alexei, considering that ten years ago, you were fourteen years old.
Alexei: Laughs. You know what I mean, Kole. If I were still in invalid, I would never have been allowed to come to Mars with you.
Kole: Yeah, but thanks to Sam, you're fit and healthy. Your family doesn't have to worry about you anymore. That's my job now.
Both laugh.


Back on Earth, at Anichkov Palace, Sam goes upstairs to check on Gavriil, and runs into Crowley, the King Of Hell...

Sam: What the hell are you doing here, Crowley!?
Crowley: Now is that any way to great an old friend?
Sam: We're not friends.
Crowley: Touché.
Sam: Maybe you haven't heard, Crowley, but I don't have my powers anymore. I'm out of all that now.
Crowley: I know. Castiel informed me of that little development. Ah, what a shame, you were a worthy opponent, Samantha Cohen.
Sam: So why are you here?
Crowley: I just came to make a pick up.
Sam: A pick up? You don't mean...
Crowley: No, none of your Russian friends. In fact, it's an enemy. Crowley snaps his fingers and Lothos's ghost appears.
Lothos's ghost: What!?
Sam: Where did he come from?
Crowley: He's been moping about here since your astronaut friend blew him out of her shuttle. Rather clever way to deal with him, I say. Anyway, he was getting ready to harm that boy you've adopted.
Sam: Gavriil?
Crowley: Don't worry, I got here first. Turns to Lothos's ghost. Come along, Irwin.
Sam: Irwin!?
Crowley: You didn't think Lothos was his real name, did you?
Sam: Well, we were never on a first name basis. He was too busy trying to kill me.
Crowley: I see. Anyway, I'm just going to take him to Hell now. He won't be bothering you or your friends anymore.
Lothos's ghost: NO!
Crowley: Come now, Irwin, let's not make a scene. Waves his hand and Lothos's ghost disappears. There we go. Anyway, Samantha Cohen, farewell. Vanishes.
Sam: Okay, I wasn't expecting that. I better check on Gavriil...


***a cameo appearance from Crowley, one of my favourite Supernatural characters***

[Tim]

**This bit was written by Wakas and edited by me.**


Sam: Well, that was weird!
Anastasia: Comes on the scene. What is it, Sam?
Sam: I bet you hundred rubles that you’ll never guess who I just saw.
Anastasia: Deal! It was Lothos.
Sam: What? Ho… How did you guess?
Anastasia: It was easy. I was in the hall and I saw the whole ghostly incident. And now you've lost one hundred rubles.
Sam: You’ll never get that money. You cheated.
Anastasia: Hey, sorry to be smarter than you. You never asked me if I had witnessed the event. I don’t feel that I cheated. So, would you so kind to... Extends her hand. Give me my money, please?
Sam: Never. And don’t even think of looking in my wallet.
Anastasia: Who? Me? Perish the thought!
Sam: I’m not convinced, but I’m going to act as if I were. Now I have to see if Gavriil is okay.
Anastasia: I’m coming with you. By the way, Sam, who was that man with Irwin AKA Lothos?
Sam: He’s Crowley, the King of Hell.
Anastasia: No way?! Oh that’s totally awesome.
Sam: Not really. He and I are not exactly friends.
Anastasia: Tell me the story. Both enter in Gavriil’s room.
Sam: I’ll do that later, if you don’t mind. Turns to Gavriil. Gavriil, are you alright?
Gavriil: Yeah, what’s up?
Sam: To cut it short, it seems like Lothos managed to come back from the afterlife to target you again.
Gavriil: I’ve seen nothing. He didn’t try to come here.
Anastasia: Oh, he did. The King of Hell stopped him in time.
Gavriil: The… What?
Sam: Let me explain...


Tatiana is on a phone conversation with Olga...

Tatiana: Any news?
Olga: Yeah. We are finally rid of Carol. And this time for good.
Tatiana: What do you mean? Is he...
Olga: Dead? No such luck. We had a serious conversation with his brother, Nicholas, and everything is arranged. He sent Carol packing.
Tatiana: No? That’s too good to be true.
Olga: Yes, I too could hardly believe it when I heard it. I guess it’s because of the success of this diplomatic trip matters a lot to the Romanian government.
Tatiana: That’s excellent for you. You’ll finally be able to enjoy your stay in Romania.
Olga: Speaking of which, tell Kole that Nicholas will show us around Bran Castle.
Tatiana: Count Dracula’s castle? I see your program is fun. It looks like a holiday.
Olga: If you except the long boooring ceremonial dinners. It’s so dull I almost fell asleep last time. Of course, there’s no getting away from it.
Tatiana: Something just crossed my mind. Olga, when you get back, I’ll need your help for the Committee we talked about. I set everything up, all you’ll have to do is to come with me to St. Petersburg once a week to collect the money and twice a month to attend meetings.
Olga: Hey, hello, I WON’T attend any meetings, is that clear? I’ve already told you I won’t.
Tatiana: Come on, Olga, it’s not that hard. You will basically...
Olga: Be bored stiff for two long hours twice a month. No way! Ask me to do anything else, but not that.
Tatiana: Olga, this is not the Old Empire. I'm sure we can find a way to make those meetings less boring. There’s no binding protocol anymore, we can do whatever we want.
Olga: Then let’s revolutionize things a little bit.
Tatiana: Alright, let’s do exactly that.


Later, when Tatiana told everyone the latest news from Olga and Dimitri...

Sam: Thoughtfully. The die has been cast.
Anastasia: What do you mean, Sam?
Sam: Well, I mean that what Olga did has sealed the fate of Romania.
Maria: You lost us here, Sam. Olga just went to see Nicholas and all he did is to send Carol away until Olga and her Dimitri’s stay is over.
Dimitri M: It’s no big deal.
Ivan K: I don’t see either where the harm is. It’s good news for Olga, isn't it?
Sam: Okay, obviously, you have no idea what I’m talking about. Let me fill you in. At the time of World War II, Carol will still hold a grudge against Olga and Nicholas for what they’ve done. You already know that, in 1930, he’ll dethrone his own son to take power and he’ll exile Nicholas away. That’s not all. During the war, out of hatred towards Russia, he’ll choose the side of the Axis. Romania will be defeated by Russia, but at the cost of thousands of lives on both sides.
Ivan S: That’s awful. Is there something Olga can do to fix it?
Sam: I’m afraid there’s not.
Ivan K: Even if Olga tries to reconcile with Carol now?
Sam: It won’t work, we can’t change history.
Maria: If you knew, why didn’t you warn Olga before?
Sam: As I said, Mashka, it's history. Events were meant to happen this way. If I had told Olga, history would have been modified and perhaps something worse would have happened to both countries.
Anastasia: Still, it’s unfair how such a little event will have so much impact in the future. Carol was the guilty one there, it wasn’t Olga’s fault. How can he blame her?
Sam: I know. Since there’s nothing we can do, don’t tell Olga and her Dimitri just yet, it’ll spoil their trip. Wait until they come back home.
Ivan K: Right. Sam, by the way, Anastasia told me you received a strange visit today. So what’s this about a King of Hell who wanders in our hallways?
Sam: He didn’t wander, he... Explains what happened.

[Tim]

Ivan K: So Lothos's real name was Irwin?
Anastasia: I can see why he changed it. "Irwin the Vampire Hunter" does not exactly inspire fear. So, he's gone for good?
Sam: Yep. That is why Crowley came here, to collect him.
Maria: So, you know this King Of Hell?
Sam: I had a few run ins with him during my time as a witch. Nothing serious though.
Anastasia: We won't be seeing more of him, then?
Sam: No, I told him I was out of all that. He understood.
Ivan S: Still, it's not often that the King Of Hell drops by your home.
Sam: No, I guess it isn't.


Tsarskoe Selo, that evening...

Nicholas: Alix, what are you doing out here on the balcony at this hour.
Alexandra: Just looking at the sky, Nicky, and thinking...
Nicholas: About Alexei?
Alexandra: Yes, you see I'm having second thoughts about letting him go on this trip to Mars.
Nicholas: It's a bit late for that, don't you think.
Alexandra: I know. However, part of me wants to tell Kole to turn that shuttle around and get back here to Earth.
Nicholas: Alix, he's not that sick little boy anymore. He can take care of himself. Besides, he's not alone out there, Kole is with him. She knows what she's doing.
Alexandra: I know that, Nicky. However, I'm still his mother, the mother that looked after him all this life. That's not an easy habit to break.
Nicholas: Alix, how do you think he'd feel if you demanded he return to Earth. Do you think he'd be happy.
Alexandra: No, he'd probably never forgive me for ruining his trip.
Nicholas: Then perhaps we should be happy for him. He's having the adventure of a life time. We can't take that away from him.
Alexandra: No, I suppose we can't.


Anichkov Palace, Tatiana and her Dimitri are upstairs, having just checked on the children...

Dimitri M: So, the King Of Hell paid us a visit.
Tatiana: So it would seem. However, from what Sam said, I don't think we have to worry about a return appearance.
Dimitri M: There is still so much of her life we don't know about.
Tatiana: Stops and looks into Sam's room. That's true. She spots the Amulet Of Hogthor on the dresser and picks it up.
Dimitri M: What are you doing with that?
Tatiana: Oh just wondering. Sam said this could take you anywhere you wanted to go.
Dimitri M: And?
Tatiana: Oh, I was just curious. Like if I said I wanted to visit Alexei and Kole, would that mean... Vanishes.
Dimitri M: TATIANA! Runs to the top of the stairs. SAM! GET UP HERE! NOW!


In space, on Kole's shuttle...

Alexei: Tatiana!?
Tatiana: What? How did I get here?
Kole: That's what I'd like to know.
Tatiana: I was just thinking of how it would be nice to visit you and that next thing I know, I was here. Holds up the Amulet. I was holding this at the time.
Kole: Isn't that the amulet that Sam used to go to her time.
Tatiana: It is.
Alexei: Well, if it can take a person through time, it must be able to take someone through space as well.
Kole: That thing has power. We're millions of miles from Earth.
Tatiana: Millions of miles?
Kole: Yes, Tatiana. We're farther from Earth than any human in this time has been.
Alexei: And now you are.
Tatiana: That's a lot to take.
Kole: Tatiana, you can't stay here. This trip was planned for two, not three. Our food and water supplies are only enough for Alexei and myself.
Tatiana: I guess I get back the same way I came here. Looks at the Amulet. I want to go home. Vanishes.
Alexei: Well, well, I sure didn't see that coming.


Anichkov Palace, Tatiana reappears...

Tatiana: I'm back. Holds up the Amulet. You are powerful.
At that point, Dimitri M and the others arrive on the scene...

[Tim]

**This bit was written by Wakas and edited by me.**


Dimitri M: Tatiana, you scared me. What the hell have you done?
Tatiana: I’m perfectly fine, Dimitri. Calm down.
Dimitri M: Sorry, I freaked out when I saw you disappear like that.
Sam: Guys, what happened here? Tanya, why are you holding my Amulet?
Tatiana: I took it off your dresser out of curiosity. I thought of Alexei and Kole at the same time. Before I knew it, I found myself on their shuttle. They were as surprised as I was. I couldn’t stay there, so I pictured our palace in my mind and the Amulet brought me back here.
Anastasia: That’s terrific. Give me the Amulet, it’s my turn to try. I’m going to pay a little visit to Olga and her Dimitri. Before anyone can make a move, she takes the Amulet and vanishes.
Sam: Laughs. Same, silly Imp.
Ivan K: Sam, there’s nothing funny about what just happened.
Maria: I agree with Ivan. I don’t understand how you can find this amusing. Anastasia just disappeared into thin air and here you are, laughing out loud.
Tatiana: There’s no danger. She will come back, just like I did.
Sam: Yes, it’s all right. She just went to see Olga, there’s no harm in wanting to have a little fun.
Ivan K: What if she then decides to do something crazy, like going back in time to see the dinosaurs? Or something even more insane?
Sam: Oh no. I haven’t thought about that.
Tatiana: And neither did I. Knowing our Nastya, it’s very possible. Then we’re in trouble.
Sam: In big, big trouble.
Maria: Sam, what can we do?
Sam: We have to call Olga quickly. Anastasia must be with her by now.
Maria: Let’s hope she’ll be able to reason with our impish little sister and to persuade her to return here.


Romania...

Anastasia: Behind Olga. Hey Olga, how is it going?
Olga: Turns and jumps in surprise. WHAAA! WHAT’S THE HECK ARE YOU DOING HERE?
Anastasia: I thought you were missing me, so I came here to cheer you up.
Olga: Instead of that, you just scared me to death. I thought my heart had stopped beating when I saw you behind me. Don’t EVER do that again!
Anastasia: Okay, if that’s what you want. As for me, I found that hilariously funny.
Olga: It was not. Not at all. How on Earth did you manage to come so far this quickly?
Anastasia: With this. Shows her the Amulet. The Amulet of Hogthor. The fastest and the cheapest mean of transport in the history of the mankind. You should try this, it’s great.
Olga: I’d love to. But I don’t think that would be reasonable and…
Anastasia: Come on, Olga, live a little.
Olga: Still reluctant. The children, I can’t leave them like this.
Anastasia: Olga, we’ll be gone for a few minutes, no more than that.
Olga: I have to tell my Dimitri at least. Otherwise, he'll worry.
Anastasia: Grabs Olga’s arm. There’s no time to procrastinate. Hold on to me. Closes her eyes and concentrates.
Olga: NO, WAIT! I don’t even know where we’re goi... Before she can finish her sentence, both of them disappear.


Meanwhile, at Anichkov Palace...

Maria: Olga doesn’t pick up. It’s the third time I've gotten her voicemail.
Ivan S: Try Dimitri’s mobile then.
Maria: Good thinking. Types Dimitri C-B’s number on her phone. Hello, Dimitri, sorry to bother you, but it’s an emergency. Is Anastasia with you?
Dimitri C-B: What?!! Maria, are you sure you’re okay? Anastasia can’t be with us. We’re in Romania right now, in case you've forgotten.
Maria: It’s too long to explain. Where’s Olga?
Dimitri C-B: In her room, I believe. I’ll get her.


A few moments later...

Dimitri C-B: On the phone. Maria, are you still here?
Maria: Yes.
Dimitri C-B: I can’t find Olga. I searched everywhere. She’s nowhere in sight.
Maria: Oh no, we warned you too late.
Dimitri C-B: I have the feeling you know more to the story than you told me. Where did Olga go?
Maria: I have no idea, Dimitri. I can only tell you she’s with Anastasia at this very moment. Before any of us could intervene, Anastasia took the Amulet of Hogthor and vanished in front of our eyes. She said she wanted to come see Olga and you. My supposition is that Anastasia then convinced Olga to do a little time travelling.
Dimitri C-B: Are you telling my wife is gone and we don’t even know where or when she is!? Please tell me this is a horrible nightmare and I’m going to wake up in a minute.
Maria: No it’s not. This is real. Dimitri, don’t panic, we are looking for a solution at this moment.
Dimitri C-B: So what can we do?
Maria: According to Sam, some legends say temporal portals exist but no one has ever found them.
Dimitri C-B: This isn’t really helping us.
Maria: I know, I’m sorry.
Dimitri C-B: So there’s nothing we can do?
Maria: Apart from waiting for them and hoping they’ll come back safe and sound, no, there’s nothing we can do.
Tatiana: And also praying they won’t do something that’ll change the past. By “them”, I mean Anastasia, of course.
Maria: Dimitri, call us when you have some news, okay?
Dimitri C-B: What if something bad has happened to them?
Maria: Don’t dramatize. They’ll be back very soon, I’m sure of it.
Dimitri C-B: I hope so. Bye, Maria. Thanks for calling me. Hangs up.


Meanwhile, in an unknown place, somewhere in Romania...

Olga: Where and, above all, when are we?
Anastasia: We’re still in Romania, Olga. Tatiana told me you were about to visit Bran’s Castle, right?
Olga: Yeah, that’s true.
Anastasia: Well, there it is in front of you.
Olga: This castle ahead us is Count Dracula’s?
Anastasia: Yes. According to tradition, Bram Stoker was inspired by Vlad the Impaler for his character of Dracula. Contrary to what historians claim, some evidences suggest Vlad was not just an impaler, but a vampire too. It’s time to find out if there’s some truth in those statements.
Olga: You mean you brought us back to the fifteenth century?
Anastasia: Yep. You can thank me later. I’m offering you a free history lesson. Let’s go.
Olga: Oh no, you're joking?!! Sighs. You're crazy. You're gonna get us killed...

[Tim]

Soon, some guards appear, led by a captain...

Guard Captain: Halt! Who goes there?
Anastasia: Uh....
GC: Well, you two certainly don't look like Turks. So I guess you're not here to cause trouble.
Olga: Speaks up. That's because we're not. My sister and I are emissaries from the Grand Duchy of Moscow.
GC: So, Ivan III sent you.
Olga: Yes, he did. We're expected by your master.
GC: I wasn't informed.
Olga: Well, with this war with Turkey that you're having, maybe the invitation got lost somewhere.
GC: Very well, take them to see his Excellency.
Anastasia: Whispers to Olga. Good thing you remembered what Russia was called at this time.
Olga: Whispers back. Unlike a certain sister of mine, I paid attention during history lessons.


Anichkov Palace, 1928...

Tatiana: Well, now what. Olga and Nastya could be anywhere, or any when.
Maria: I guess we wait.
Sam: Well, I... Hang on, I got something in the magic mail box. Takes out a letter. It's from Mystic Falls. They must have sent this letter to my family, who sent it here to me.
Tatiana: Your vampire friends.
Maria: What did they send you?
Sam: One way to find out. Opens the letter and reads it. Whoa!
Tatiana: What is it?
Sam: Well, my vampire friends have, over the centuries, collected stories and legends about other vampires, real and imagined. One such legend involves Vlad The Impaler.
Maria: You mean the guy that inspired the Dracula legend?
Sam: Yes, him. Anyway, this particular legend speaks of two young women who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, met with Vlad, and then vanished as mysteriously as they came.
Tatiana: You're not saying...
Sam: Apparently, these women stated they were sent from the Grand Duchy Of Moscow.
Maria: Which is what Russia was known as in Vlad's day.
Tatiana: Olga and Nastya! It has to be them.
Maria: Great, Nastya took them to meet Count Dracula himself.
Tatiana: Or the man behind the legend.
Sam: Well, at least we know where, or should I say, when, they are.


Tsarskoe Selo...

Nicholas: Alix, if you keep drinking coffee like that, you'll get so jumpy that you'll go into orbit.
Alexandra: Smiles. At least that will put me closer to where Alexei is.
Nicholas: Alix, he'll be fine. You have to stop worrying about him.
Alexandra: It's hard, Nicky. I know he's fit and healthy now. However, as I said, old habits are hard to break. I don't think I'll breathe normally again until both he and Kole are safely back here on Earth.
Nicholas: Alix, you need to take your mind off this. Perhaps you can call Olga and check on how her trip to Romania is going.
Alexandra: I'll do that. Calls Olga, but gets her voicemail. That's odd. I'll try Dimitri. Does so.
Dimitri C-B: Voice on phone. Hello?
Alexandra: Dimitri, this is Alexandra. I was just calling to check on Olga. However, I can't seem to reach her. Do you know where she is?
Dimitri C-B: Uhhhhhhhh....


In space...

Kole: There it is!
Alexei: There what is?
Kole: Points out the window. See that red speck in the distance in front of us? That's Mars.
Alexei: It looks so small.
Kole: Yes, but it'll get bigger. Soon we'll be able to see Mars, as well as Phobos and Deimos.
Alexei: Buh?
Kole: The two moons of Mars.
Alexei: Ah, I see. I can't wait to get there.
Kole: Me neither. We'll be there before you know it.

[Tim]

**This bit was written by Wakas and edited by me.**


The conversation on the phone between Alexandra and Dimitri C-B continues...

Dimitri C-B: She is... Not here at the moment.
Alexandra: What do mean by “she’s not here at the moment”?
Dimitri C-B: She’s... Well, Alexandra, I don’t know where she is.
Alexandra: What? What happened?
Dimitri C-B: She left with Anastasia.
Alexandra: Anastasia? How can that be possible?
Dimitri C-B: The thing is that Anastasia, for reasons known only to herself, took the Amulet of Hogthor and came here to see Olga. It then appears that both of them decided to go time travelling.
Alexandra: Sighs. Why doesn’t this surprise me. Any idea where they went?
Dimitri C-B: No. There are too many possibilities. I don’t understand how Olga could do this to me. She left without even telling me.
Alexandra: Maybe Anastasia didn’t leave her any time to do so. You know how impulsive she can be.
Dimitri C-B: I know but I’m still mad at Olga. She should have done something to stop this nonsense from happening.
Alexandra: I agree. She’s as guilty as Anastasia is.
Dimitri C-B: Alexandra, I think I have some news. Sam just sent me an email and apparently she found where and when Olga and Nastya are. You will never believe me when I’ll tell you.
Alexandra: With Anastasia, I always expect the worst. I’m blasé.
Dimitri C-B: They’re back in the time of Vlad the Impaler. Explains.
Alexandra: Ooh, I didn’t see that one coming.
Dimitri C-B: However there is good news. The text says they went to see Vlad, and then soon after they suddenly vanished. That means Vlad’s men didn’t do them any harm.
Alexandra: That’s good. And their little trip seemed to have been short, they should be back soon.
At this moment, Anastasia and Olga appear in front of Dimitri...
Dimitri C-B: Mind blowing, I can’t believe it!
Alexandra: On the phone. What is it, Dimitri?
Dimitri C-B: They’re back! They're right here in front of me.
Alexandra: Oh thanks heavens! I’ll inform the others right away. I’ll call you back later. Hangs up.
Dimitri C-B: Now, both of you, and especially you, Olga, could you explain to me how come you pulled this crazy stunt? You can’t imagine how mad at you I am.
Olga: Dimitri, I’m so sorry, I didn’t want to leave like this, but Anastasia gave me no choice. She grabbed my arm and before I could do anything, she used the Amulet.
Anastasia: It’s true, Olga wasn’t very keen on it, but I got her to come with me.
Olga: You’re still mad at me, Dimitri?
Dimitri C-B: Not anymore. I admit my reaction was excessive, but I was so anxious about you two. It was really crazy to do something like that.
Anastasia: “Life is dangerous. That’s what makes it interesting.”
Olga: Sorry?
Anastasia: Just a quote I heard from Sam. Dimitri, yeah, what we just did was risky, but it was also super fun. And now we know the historical truth about Vlad.
Olga: Do you want us to tell the story?
Dimitri C-B: I’d like to. It sounds exciting. But first, Nastya, you have to promise you’ll never ever do this again.
Anastasia: I had planned to do a little trip with Maria. However I promise it’ll be the last.
Olga: No, Dimitri is right, no more time travel. It’s too dangerous. If I had not been there this time, you would have been killed.
Dimitri C-B: WHAT?!!
Anastasia: Olga always exaggerates. So I’ll be the storyteller here. Recounts their adventure.


Anichkov Palace...

Maria: On the phone. It’s a relief to know they’re both safe. Thanks for calling us, Mama. Hangs up.
Ivan K: They’re back?
Maria: Yes, both of them.
Tatiana: When Anastasia gets back here, we’ll have a little chat with her.


Back in Romania...

Dimitri C-B: After the guards escorted you, what happened?
Olga: That’s the interesting part of the story. They brought us before Vlad and...


Bran’s castle, fifteenth century...

Guard: Your Excellency, here are two envoys from the Grand Duchy of Moscow.
Vlad: Really? I didn’t receive any letter informing me of their arrival.
Olga: Well, Your Excellency, I guess it got lost because of the war.
Vlad: It could be that. I see you’re travelling un-escorted. Is it because your bodyguards were all killed by the Turks? Anastasia and Olga exchange looks.
Anastasia: Yes, it’s that, Your Excellency. We were attacked by these cowards at the edge of a forest and...
Olga: Whispers to Anastasia. Don’t overdo it, Nastya.
Anastasia: Anyways, they slaughtered our entire escort before our eyes. We just had time to escape.
Olga: Whispers again. Is that what you call “not overdoing it”?
Anastasia: In the same tone. You have a better idea to explain our presence here alone?
Olga: Well, no.
Anastasia: So shut up.
Vlad: I’m sorry for you. On your return, I’ll have men escorting you to the border, so that you’ll be able to travel safely.
Anastasia: Thank you very much, Your Excellency, but I don’t think...
Olga: Nudges her to silence her. We are very honored and we gladly accept.
Vlad: So tell me, what is the reason of your arrival?
Olga: Our Sovereign, Ivan III, wanted to strengthen the ties between our two countries.
Anastasia: For a possible alliance against the Turks.
Olga: Mutters to Anastasia. Why are you doing? You’re changing history!
Anastasia: To Olga. Sorry, I said the first thing that went through my mind.
Olga: Then, if it’s to say something stupid, don’t open your mouth at all.
Vlad: Excellent, excellent. I was hoping that one day Ivan would do something like this. Very well, you must be exhausted. We’ll continue this conversation later. I’ll tell my domestics to prepare rooms for you.


Anastasia’s room...

Anastasia: Olga, what’s your opinion? Is he a vampire or not?
Olga: Hard to tell. He looks very pale, but it’s not a proof. He can be ill.
Anastasia: Fine. Help me find evidence. Keep watch while I’ll search his room.
Olga: No, it’s way too unsafe.
Anastasia: Enters in Vlad’s room. Too late.


Later...

Anastasia: Leaves Vlad's room. Dammit, I’ve drawn a blank!
Olga: Not a single piece of proof?
Anastasia: None. However, I'm not giving up. I found a disturbing detail in his room, there was no mirror.
Olga: That’s doesn’t prove anything.
Anastasia: It’s easy to verify that my theory is correct. Let’s find a mirror.
Olga: There’s one in my room.
Anastasia: We must find a way to...
Vlad: Suddenly arrives. May I help you, ladies?
Olga: Er Yes. I... I forgot to give you a letter from Our Grand Prince Ivan. It’s in my room, if you wish to follow along.
Vlad: Very well, I follow you.


Olga’s room...

Olga: Pretends to look everywhere. I’m sorry, I can’t find the letter. I probably mislaid it when the Turks attacked us. But I remember its content by heart. The Grand Prince made us memorize it in case something like this would happen.
Vlad: Good. What was it saying?
Olga: Well...


Sometime later, when Anastasia and Olga are alone...

Anastasia: Olga, Olga! Did you notice?
Olga: Yes I did. I took a discreet look into the mirror when he was standing next to me. I could see my own reflection but not his. I felt paralyzed with fear when I saw that.
Anastasia: Ah, it's awesome! He is a vampire! I told you so.
Olga: Imp, now we proved he is indeed one, can we go back to our time, please? This place gives me the creeps.
Anastasia: Actually I’m a little scared too. Takes Olga’s hand and soon both vanish into thin air.


Back in 1928, Romania...

Anastasia: To Dimitri C-B. So this is how it happened...

[Tim]

Olga: It's true, Dimitri. Vlad WAS a vampire.
Dimitri C-B: Incredible.
Anastasia: Well, I better be getting back home now. See you later. Clutches the Amulet and vanishes.
Dimitri C-B: Are you sure you're okay, Olga.
Olga: I'm fine. We have a luncheon to attend now, right.
Dimitri C-B: Right.
Olga: Let's go.


Anichkov Palace...

Anastasia: Appears. I'm back.
Sam: Grabs the Amulet. I'll relieve you of that, if you don't mind.
Anastasia: What are you going to do with it?
Sam: Puts the Amulet in the magic mail box. I'm sending it to my family in 2011 for safe keeping. Clearly, I can't keep it here.
Anastasia: Aw come on...
Sam: It's not you I'm worried about, Imp. What if one of the children got a hold of it?
Anastasia: Yeah, that's true.
Tatiana and Maria arrive on the scene.
Tatiana: There you are, Nastya. What in God's name possessed you to take Olga back in time like that. WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?
Anastasia: Hey, I had it under control.
Tatiana: You "had it under control"? You risk changing history and you call it "having it under control"?
Anastasia: Get out of my face, Governess. In case you haven't noticed, I'm 27 years old!
Tatiana: You could have fooled me with his little stunt you pulled.
Anastasia: Look...
Maria: Okay, let's calm down here. Olga and Nastya are safely back, let's take comfort in that.
Anastasia: Yeah, and we uncovered something interesting, especially to you, Sam.
Sam: Curious. What is it?
Anastasia: Well... Recounts the adventure.
Sam: So, Vlad was a vampire. My friends in Mystic Falls and I had many debates about that, but there was never any proof. Vlad covered his tracks well.
Anastasia: Yeah, but Olga and I uncovered them.
Maria: Won't he check with Ivan III and find out that no emissaries were sent from the Grand Duchy Of Moscow?
Anastasia: He won't have time, Mashka. I chose my tine of arrival in the fifteenth century well.
Maria: What do you mean?
Sam: She means that soon after she and Olga left, the Turks invaded again. Vlad was killed in battle soon after. He would never have had the time to check out Olga and Anastasia's story.
Anastasia: So, history is safe, after all.
Tatiana: Well, that doesn't get you off the hook, Nastya. Mama is on her way over here as we speak.
Anastasia: Great! Turns to Sam. Can I have the Amulet back again? I think I'd like to go somewhere safe, like the Age Of the Dinosaurs.
Maria: And risk facing a hungry Tyrannosaurus Rex?
Anastasia: Anything is better than facing an angry Mama.


In space...

Kole: Reading. "They had a house of crystal pillars on the planet Mars by the edge of an empty sea..."
Alexei: Floats into the cabin. What's that book you have there, Kole?
Kole: The Martian Chronicles. It's a series of stories that was, will be, written by a writer named Ray Bradbury about twenty years from now. It's about the colonization of Mars.
Alexei: Sounds interesting.
Kole: It is. Mind you, it's not an accurate depiction of Mars. In these stories, humans can live on Mars and breathe the air, and there is a native Martian population. We both know Mars is not like that.
Alexei: Yeah, that's true. Anyway, where did you get that book, Kole? Did Sam conjure it up for you, before she lost her powers?
Kole: No, I had it with me here on the shuttle, before I came back to this time. Given our current journey, I thought I'd read it again.
Alexei: It is kind of fitting.
Kole: I was also thinking about Mars One.
Alexei: Mars One?
Kole: Mars One will be a non-profit organization, based in the Netherlands, that will put forward conceptual plans to establish a permanent human colony on Mars.
Alexei: When does this happen?
Kole: In my century. All the people will be volunteers, willing to take the risk.
Alexei: They must be brave to risk this. They must know that, should something go wrong, help won't be coming.
Kole: They are, Alexei, but they will believe in it. And they did it, Alexei, they did it. The colonization of Mars was still underway when I left 2071.
Alexei: I guess it's kind of like the Europeans colonizing the then New World, a few centuries ago.
Kole: Yes, it is. Some will want to go for the adventure, others will just want to get away from Earth.
Alexei: Get away from Earth?
Kole: A lot of bad things are going to happen in the next hundred years or so of human history, Alexei. You know of the coming war with Germany. Well, other bad things are going to happen too. Some people will just want to leave that behind and start fresh on a whole new world.
Alexei: Yeah, I can see why. Still...
Kole: Yes?
Alexei: We made it here ahead of all of them, Kole. Even if we can't tell anyone, we did it first.
Both smile.

[Tim]

**This bit was written by Wakas and edited by me.**


Anichkov Palace...

Anastasia: I hear Mama’s car coming. Boy, I’m in so much trouble. Do something, Maria, save me.
Maria: Okay, hide yourself somewhere upstairs. I’ll try to hold Mama off until she cools down and it’s safe for you to come down.
Anastasia: Thank you, Mashka. I adore you, you’re an angel. I’m off to hide. Tell me when the coast is clear.
Maria: Sure. Sees Alexandra opening the front door. Threat straight ahead!
Anastasia: Uh- oh, time to disappear. Goes upstairs as quickly as she can. Soon after, Alexandra comes in.
Alexandra: Where’s Anastasia? I need to talk to her right now.
Maria: You just missed her. She was here two minutes ago.
Alexandra: I see, she’s gone into hiding to avoid facing me.
Maria: Mama, I know you have legitimate reasons to be mad at Anastasia, but giving her an earful won’t change anything. What’s done is done.
Alexandra: But...
Maria: Please, hear me out. Scolding is a method that's never worked in the past with Anastasia. It’s not going to work now. Besides, she’s an adult, Mama, you can’t treat her the way you used to when she was little.
Alexandra: An adult, really? Her behavior reminds me more of a child than of a grown-up.
Maria: Mama, you’re being too hard with her. She’s just being the Imp, that’s all. Okay, what she did was dangerous and crazy. Yet I bet Nastya knows that deep inside. She’s probably ready to admit it, if you calmly discuss the matter with her.
Alexandra: You’re right, Mashka. I see it now. Smiles. The way you convinced me at this very moment reminds me of Tatiana’s ability to do the same. That’s kind of funny. Very well, I’ll follow your advice, I’ll speak to Anastasia very, very calmly.


Romania...

Prince Nicholas: Do you still wish to visit Bran’s castle?
Olga: No, not anymore. Enough for me.
Dimitri C-B: Olga, I’ve never been there. I’d like to see how it looks like in real life, and not only me, but the children too.
Alexander: Mama, say yes, say yes, say...
Elisabeth: Please, Mama, please, please.
Olga: Alright, I give up.
Alexander: Yippee! Transylvania, here we come!
Prince Nicholas: Good. I’ll keep you informed of the date of the visit.
Olga: Thank you, Nicholas.


Sometime later...

Olga: To Dimitri C-B. You didn’t tell the children?
Dimitri C-B: That their mother did some time travel and spoke to Vlad the Impaler, who turned out to be a vampire? No, I didn’t. I don’t want them to use it as an inspiration to steal the Amulet themselves.
Olga: Dimitri, I told you, I didn’t steal it. I didn’t even use it. Anastasia did.
Dimitri C-B: I know. I was just teasing you.
Olga: And you don’t have to worry about the Amulet anymore. It’s safe in the hands of Sam’s parents now, thanks to the Magic Mail Box.
Dimitri C-B: So Sam too thought it was dangerous to keep it at Anichkov Palace.
Olga: It seems so.


Gavriil’s room...

Gavriil: Seated on the couch. Sam, when we were at your parents’ house, you told me you’d done some research on my parents.
Sam: True. Their names were Peter and Elena. They were from Perm. They died when you were a few months old.
Gavriil: How?
Sam: Like many others at that time, they were murdered by the Bolsheviks during the Red Revolution.
Gavriil: Do you know where they are buried?
Sam: Yes, in the cemetery of Perm.
Gavriil: Could you take me there someday? I’d like very much to see the city where they lived.
Sam: How about tomorrow? I have nothing to do and you’re home schooled so it doesn’t matter if you miss a school day. You’ll catch up on Saturday.
Gavriil: Works for me. Stays silent for a long time. If I could get my hands on the bastards who killed my parents.
Sam: Gavriil, I’m sure your parents wouldn’t want you to react like this.
Gavriil: You don’t understand. Because of those people, I have no memories of my parents, I have no idea of who they were. I’ve never been able to say “Dad” or “Mom”. They died before I could say these words to them. Begins to weep. Sam just holds him tightly without a word. After a while both fall asleep.


Later...

Maria: So, Mama, you spoke with Anastasia?
Alexandra: Yes, and I have to thank you. Your advice was a success. Anastasia and I discussed the matter quietly and she promised me she will think twice before doing something crazy, stupid, and dangerous again.
Maria: Wow, she really promised this? What progress! I’m impressed.
Alexandra: Perhaps today it’s the last time we call her “Imp”.
Maria: I wouldn’t count on it, Mama. That’s who she is. She can’t change herself. Yes, I’m sure she will try to keep her promise as long as she can.
Alexandra: Let’s be optimistic. We’ll have a week, maybe two, of peace.
Maria: Mama, you’re very optimistic of this.
Alexandra: While there is life, there is hope.


One hour later, in Gavriil’s room , Sam and Gavriil have just woken up...

Sam: This couch isn’t very comfortable. I hurt all over.
Gavriil: Makes a grimace. Same for me. My old bones are aching.
Sam: Laughs. Old? And what should I say?
Gavriil: Sam, thank you for comforting me. Your presence means a lot to me. You’re like, well, you’re my... My...
Sam: Yes?
Gavriil: No , nothing. I’ll see you later. Walks off.
Sam: What is he trying to say to me?
Alexandra: Appears. What were you saying, Sam?
Sam: It’s just that Gavriil is acting oddly. He was trying to tell me something and then he stopped in the middle of his phrase and left the room.
Alexandra: Yeah, I noticed that he’s a child who gets easily upset. Is this the reason why you decided he’ll be home schooled instead of going to a real school?
Sam: Yes. Ask Tatiana or Maria or even Anastasia. I tried to convince him to go the school where their children are enrolled, but he kept crying and categorically refused. He seems to be very anxious at the thought of being separated from me.
Alexandra: I think he’s afraid of being abandoned again. That’s understandable considering his past.
Sam: That’s why I didn’t insist. When he's ready to go to school, he will go. There’s no hurry.
Alexandra: It’s a good decision. You are becoming a great mom to him. Well, go see him now, Sam. He needs you.
Sam: Thanks, Alix, I’ll see you at dinner.