Days Of OTMA's Lives: The Revival

[Tim]

Anichkov Palace, two days later...

Olga: It's so good to be home again!
Dimitri C-B: Uh, Olga, we don't live here anymore.
Olga: You know what I mean! Opens the door.
Nicholas, Alexandra, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia, the Ivan's and Dimitri M: SURPRISE!
Olga: Taken aback. What??
Nicholas: We just wanted to show you how proud we are of you, Olga.
Alexandra: You were wonderful.
Olga: Well, thank you all. Looks around. Where's Sam?
Maria: In Perm. Gavriil wanted to go and see his parents graves, and such. They decided to make a weekend of it. They'll be back tomorrow.
Tatiana: It's good to have you back, Olga.
Olga: It's good to be back.
Anastasia: Of course, there is a welcome back meal coming.
Maria: Which I'll prepare, of course.
Olga: Smiles. I can't wait.


At dinner...

Olga: So, despite the fact that both Dimitri and I wanted to punch Carol's lights out, we didn't.
Anastasia: That's good to know. However, from what you've told us, I wouldn't have blamed either of you if you had.
Tatiana: Nastya!
Anastasia: Come on, the guy's a creep through and through.
Nicholas: That may be true, but you don't go around punching out heads of state, no matter how tempting it might be.
Alexandra: How did the rest of your trip go.
Olga: It was great. We even saw the castle of Vlad the Impaler. Exchanges glances with Anastasia.
Dimitri C-B: The children were blown away. How often does one get to visit the home of a famous legend, after all.
Alexander: It was so cool!
Elizabeth: It sure was.
Victoria: I am so jealous of you al right now.
Everyone laughs.


In space...

Kole: What are you doing there, Alexei?
Alexei: Holding the laptop. I'm recording a message to send back to Earth. Since we can't talk directly to them anymore...
Kole: I know.
Alexei: Do you want to say anything, Kole?
Kole: Sure. Takes the laptop and begins to speak. Hello, everyone. As I record this, we're approaching Mars and will be in orbit in a couple of days. If all goes well, soon Alexei and I will be speaking to all of you from the surface of Mars. Maria, I hope little Marie is behaving herself. Alexei and I miss her, and the rest of you, very much. Until later.
Alexei: Takes the laptop back. Well, I guess that's it for now. Give Marie kisses from both of us. Signs off and presses SEND. How long will it take to reach Earth?
Kole: Does some calculations. About twenty minutes.
Alexei: And if they send a message back, we won't get it for forty minutes.
Kole: The life of space travel. Perhaps someday, there really will be such a thing as subspace communications.
Alexei: Sub.... What??
Kole: It's from Star Trek. Explains.
Alexei: So the crew of the Enterprise can instantly talk to someone hundreds of light years away.
Kole: Yes, they can. Mind you, it's all fiction. However, they once said the same thing about space travel.
Alexei: Actually, they're saying that now about space travel.
Kole: Duh! Sometimes I forget when I am. Even as we fly this mission, space travel is just science fiction to most people.
Alexei: Yet, we're both living it. I can't wait to get to Mars.
Both look out at the approaching red planet. They can see the polar caps and other features.
Alexei: Points. What's that?
Kole: Sees what Alexei is pointing at. That's Olympus Mons, a volcano.
Alexei: A volcano!? It's huge!
Kole: If you put it in the state of Texas, it would almost cover it.
Alexei: No chance of that thing erupting while we're there.
Kole: Shakes her head. No, it's been extinct for centuries. The only off Earth active volcanoes that have been found so far are on Io.
Alexei: Io?
Kole: One of the moons of Jupiter. In the late 1970's, a automated probe called Voyager One will make a flyby of Jupiter and its moons. One of the discoveries made by that probe will be the volcanoes of Io.
Alexei: Cool!

[Tim]

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


The next day, after Sam and Gavriil are back at Anichkov...

Sam: Gavriil, don’t you want to tell me what you wanted to say before we went to Perm? I don’t want to push you though.
Gavriil: I’m not ready just yet. Give me some time.
Sam: It’s no trouble at all. Tell me whenever you feel you’re ready.


Little Pair’s room...

Gavriil: Maria, can we talk?
Maria: Of course. What’s troubling you?
Gavriil: Paces up and down. I’d like to tell Sam something, but I’m just unable to do so. Recounts his latest conversation with Sam in his room.
Maria: I think I know what you’re trying to say to Sam. And I can guess why it is so hard for you. You feel that it would be like a betrayal of your true mother to call Sam “Mom”.
Gavriil: Yes, exactly. I love Sam, and a little more every day. I think of her as my mother, but how can I call her that? I had a mom before. It’s not because I don’t remember her, and that she’s dead, that’s she’s not my mother anymore.
Maria: Let me tell you a little story. Recounts how Ivan S and she adopted Little Tatiana and how Maria Krycek, Little Tatiana’s birth mother, appeared to her and gave them her blessing. Do you know what she said when I saw her? She said “I just wanted to say thank you. You will be a wonderful mother to Little Tatiana”. And if your parents would appear to you, they would say the same thing about Sam.
Gavriil: Yes, you’re right. Well, I’m going to get going now. I have something very important to tell her.
Maria: Smiles. You sure have. Come on, go see her. She will so happy to hear that.


Sam’s room...

Sam: Sees Gavriil enter. Hey Gavriil, is there something you want to tell me?
Gavriil: Yes, there is something, Mom.
Sam: Mom?
Gavriil: You don’t like it?
Sam: No, it’s not that. I’m just surprised. It’s the first time you've called me that. So this is what you wanted to tell me all along?
Gavriil: Yes, that’s it. It took me some time. I wasn't ready to say that word, but Maria helped me. She made me realize that it’s not because my birth mother is dead that I can’t call someone “Mom”.
Sam: Well, you don’t know how happy I am to hear that. It shows I’m not such a bad mother after all.
Gavriil: You’re not a bad mother at all, you’re a wonderful one.
Sam: At least I'm trying to be.


Later, Maria, Anastasia and Tatiana are in the nursery...

Tatiana: Check it out, I think Marie is trying to walk on her own.
Anastasia: Hold on a second, I’m going to bring a camera. I want to film this scene for Alexei and Kole. Walks off and comes back a few minutes later with a video camera in hand. Facing the camera. Kole, Alexei, you’re about to see a historic moment. Prepare yourself! Zooms in on Tatiana and little Marie, who is walking around the room with Tatiana’s help. Come on, Marie, show us what you've got!
Tatiana: To Marie. Slow down, baby, or you will fall.
Anastasia: That’s okay, Governess. This little girl can face anything, she’s a warrior, like her mother.
Maria: That’s true, she has the same assurance as Kole. Like mother, like daughter.
Tatiana: Let see what happen if I let go of her hands. Does so.
Maria: Come on, Marie!
Tatiana: You can do it. Marie hesitates and then timidly begins to make a few steps, then a few more, without anyone’s help.
Maria: She did it!
Anastasia: I told you she would. To the camera. Alexei! Kole! Did you see it? Your little daughter just made her first steps all by herself.
Olga: Enters. Hey everyone, how are things going here?
Maria: It’s great. Marie just made her first steps, thanks to our help.
Olga: Really? Marie, you have to show this to me. Come see me. Marie walks towards her. As she comes near her, she almost falls and is caught by Olga. Well, there’s still room for improvement, but you’re doing it very well already, Marie.
Tatiana: I hope Alexei and Kole won’t be too disappointed for having missed this.
Maria: They will still be able to enjoy it as Anastasia filmed it all.
Olga: Yeah, but it’s not quite the same as seeing it in person.
Maria: By the way, Olga, there’s something about Carol we didn't tell you yet, that you need to know.
Olga: What about that creep?
Anastasia: Explains what Carol will do in World War II. Sam says there’s nothing we can do. History can’t be changed.
Olga: This is all my fault. This was my first official trip as the Heir and look at the result. I've screwed it up.
Anastasia: Don’t blame yourself. You did nothing wrong.
Maria: And you’re not responsible for Carol’s decisions.
Olga: No, I shouldn't have asked Nicholas to send him away. It is my fault.
Maria: Olga...
Olga: I told you I was rubbish at being the Heir, but you didn't listen to me. I quit. I’m not made for this, I’ll only cause catastrophes. Tatiana, I’m sure you’ll be a much better Heir and Tsarina than me.
Tatiana: Olga, we told you countless times, you will be a great...
Olga: No, Tatiana. You can’t make me change my mind. I’m out of this all now. Runs out of the room.

[Tim]

Anastasia: Here we go again!
Tatiana: I'll handle it. Heads out after Olga.
Maria: Why does Olga always see the bad side of things.
Anastasia: That's just Olga being Olga.


Olga is in her former bedroom, pacing, when Tatiana finds her...

Olga: I knew I'd mess this up.
Tatiana: Olga...
Olga: All of Russia was counting on me. I've let everyone down.
Tatiana: Olga...
Olga: Why couldn't Tatiana have been the first born, then she...
Tatiana: OLGA!
Olga: Huh? What?
Tatiana: Are you done feeling sorry for yourself yet?
Olga: Tatiana, how can you say that. I screwed up.
Tatiana: No, Olga, you didn't. Haven't you been paying attention. It's history!
Olga: Yeah, and I messed it up.
Tatiana: No, Olga, you didn't. It happened the way it was supposed to happen.
Olga: Huh?
Tatiana: Sam's from the future, remember. This is all history to her. If she read about it in her time, it happened and always happened. Nothing you did would make any difference.
Olga: How can we be sure, Tanya? Perhaps if I...
Tatiana: Don't even go there, Olga. You remember what happened when Alexei decided to try and change history. He only made things worse, not better.
Olga: Are you saying that what happened in Romania was always supposed to happen.
Tatiana: Yes, and if you don't believe me, talk to Sam. As I said, this is all history to her.
Olga: Yeah, I guess it is.
Tatiana: Olga, you have to stop doubting yourself. You are going to make a great Tsarina, and you will make Russia proud.
Olga: Sometimes it doesn't feel that way. Sometimes I feel I should just step aside for Alexander.
Tatiana: Olga, how are you going to know if you don't try. Besides, as we have told you, it won't be like what poor Papa had to deal with.
Olga: That's true. Tatiana, you've given me much to think about.


Meanwhile, Sam has joined the Little Pair...

Sam: I have great news.
Maria: What is it, Sam?
Sam: Gavriil called me Mom.
Anastasia: That's great.
Maria: It sure is.
Sam: I have you to thank for that, Maria.
Maria: Well, Gavriil wanted to do it, I just helped him.
Sam: Yes, but it was your help that did it. Yawns. Well, I'm off to take a nap. See you both later.


Sam takes a nap, and find herself in the Misty Field...

Sam: I'm here again.
Alexander III: Ah, there you are, Sam.
Marie F: There are some people here who want to meet you.
At that point, Peter and Elena Baranov appear.
Sam: You're Gavriil's parents!
Peter: Yes, we are.
Elena: We just want to thank you. You've given our son a new life and a new hope.
Sam: You're welcome. He is a wonderful boy. I promise you both that I'll raise him well...


In space...

Alexei: Kole, you gotta see this!
Kole: What is it?
Alexei: Anastasia just sent this video from Earth. They watch Marie taking her first steps.
Kole: Look at her go!
Alexei: I wish...
Kole: Yes?
Alexei: I wish we could have been there in person.
Kole: I know. However, we didn't know this was going to happen while we were away.
Alexei: That's true. Looks at the video again. I think she takes after you.
Kole: Oh you!
Alexei: It's not just me. Maria and Anastasia feel the same way.
Kole: She does have a lot of you in her too.
Alexei: True... Falls silent.
Kole: Alexei, what is it?
Alexei: I was just being thankful that we won't have to worry every time she falls and bumps something. That's the worry my poor parents had with me.
Kole: Yes, I'm thankful for that too.
Alexei: Mind you, hemophilia only affects males, but you know what I mean.
Kole: Yeah, I do. Anyway, we should send a thank you back for that video of Marie they just sent us.
Alexei: Smiles. I'm always on it...

[Tim]

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


Maria and Anastasia join Tatiana and Olga...

Maria: Olga, are you feeling better now?
Olga: Yes, a little. It’s just... Sometimes I wish I had more control over my life.
Anastasia: What do you mean?
Olga: Well, did I choose to become the Heir?
Tatiana: Olga, don’t you start again.
Olga: I’m not. Figurehead or not, being the Tsarina is a big thing, and I wish they'd left me the choice of saying yes or no to it. I know it was impossible, but I can’t help feeling that way.
Maria: I understand you. I would hate to be forced to do something I didn't freely choose to do. Especially something as important as that.
Anastasia: I second that. However, for Olga, it’s a good thing she didn’t have the choice.
Olga: What?! How dare you...
Anastasia: Olga, you never believed in yourself. This position that circumstances gave you, will help you to realize what you’re capable of, instead of always doubting yourself.
Maria: Nastya is right. Being the Heir is what you need for you to see your full potential. Perhaps it's a good thing that you didn’t have the option of choosing.
Tatiana: Otherwise you would have run away from it, and you would have spent the rest of your life doubting your abilities.
Olga: In short, what you’re saying is that you understand it’s hard for me to be compelled to be the Heir, but this is nevertheless a good thing for me?
Maria/Tatiana/Anastasia: Definitely.
Olga: Well, after all, you may not be entirely wrong.


Sometime later, in the gardens of Anichkov Palace...

Olga: I thought about you said and, I have to admit, that you were right. I promise henceforth that I never say I'm rubbish at being the Heir again.
Maria: Good, cause I’m so fed up of hearing that phrase. If you ever say it again, I swear I’ll move to Canada.
Tatiana: And I’ll pack my bags as well and move to the North Pole.
Anastasia: And I...
Olga: Laughs. Okay, enough, I get it. I will keep my promise.


Later...

Maria: Checks the computer. Alexei and Kole enjoyed our little video very much. They sent us a message to say thank you.
Anastasia: I knew they would like it.
Sam arrives at that moment.
Sam: Everyone, I have some news.
Ivan S: Go ahead.
Sam: I went to take my nap and I found myself in the Misty Field and there I saw...
Olga: Our grandparents as usual?
Sam: Yes, but not only them. Gavriil’s parents were there as well. We talked for a while. Recounts the meeting.
Maria: Wow, so what I said to Gavriil about his parents came true.
Sam: Seems so. I told the whole story to Gavriil and he was overjoyed. He now knows his parents still care for and watch over him from the Afterlife.
Dimitri M: I’m happy for him, as I know how hard it is to lose your parents so young. Mine died when I was nine. I was raised by my uncle.
Tatiana: Dimitri, why did you never tell me this about your past?
Dimitri M: I’m sorry, Tatiana. I don’t like to talk about it. After all these years, it’s still painful for me to look back at it. Pauses. Well, I’d better check on the children now. See you all later.

[Tim]

Tatiana: I can't believe it.
Anastasia: Can't believe what?
Tatiana: Dimitri and I have been married for ten years now, and this is the first time I'm hearing about this.
Olga: He did say it was a painful memory for him. Obviously it still hurts him.
Maria: I myself can't imagine losing your parents so young.
Tatiana: Still, part of me feels guilty for not knowing about this.
Sam: Tatiana, how could you have known. You can't read minds.
Tatiana: Yes, that's true. I wonder, should I go to him about this?
Olga: All I can say is follow your heart, Tanya. Dimitri loves you, if anyone can get him to open up about this, it's you.
Sam: Sometimes I get so jealous of all of you.
Anastasia: How so?
Sam: You all found your soul mates. Kole found hers. As for me...
Maria: Sam, don't talk like that. I'm sure you'll find someone.
Sam: Maybe I already did, William.
Olga: Your first husband.
Sam: Yes, him. He gave me four wonderful children, we were so happy. Then he gets killed in some stupid accident.
Anastasia: You couldn't have done anything about that.
Sam: I know. Gharman told me the same thing when I was back in 2011.
Tatiana: Well, you should listen to him.
Sam: True. Pauses. Listen, there is something I need to tell all of you. Remember when I got pregnant a few years back.
Anastasia: Yeah, we remember. Then that fanatic shot you, and you lost the baby. I had to talk you out of your depression.
Sam: Yes, and I thank you for that. Anyway, none of you ever asked who the father of that baby was.
Maria: We felt it wasn't our place. You would have told us.
Anastasia: Although we were curious about it.
Sam: Well, the reason I didn't tell you is because I didn't even know his name.
Olga: What do you mean?
Sam: It was the anniversary of William's death. I was feeling depressed and went to a bar. I fell off the wagon that night.
Tatiana: You mean...
Sam: Yeah, I got drunk and then just met some random guy and... Well, you know. Anyway, when I found out I war pregnant, I knew I had made a mistake and was going to own up to it. I vowed to raise that baby right, and I would have, if that nut case hadn't shot me.
Anastasia: And we would have helped you raise that baby.
Sam: Thank you. Anyway, now I have that chance with Gavriil, and I'm not going to blow it.
Olga: We know you won't.
Tatiana: Anyway...
Maria: Yes?
Tatiana: I'm going to talk to Dimitri now. See if I can get him to open up about his parents.
Olga: Good luck, Tanya.


Tsarskoe Selo...

Alexandra: Nicky, what are you doing?
Nicholas: Just catching up on some paperwork, Alix.
Alexandra: You know you're supposed to take it easy, right.
Nicholas: I know. It's just that sometimes I feel like a complete invalid at times.
Alexandra: Don't say that, Nicky, no one thinks that of you. However, you did have a major heart attack. You can't blame me for worrying about you.
Nicholas: I know. It's just that...
Alexandra: Yes?
Nicholas: I guess this heart attack was a rude awakening to me that I'm getting old.
Alexandra: We all are, but we just have to accept it.
Nicholas: I guess you're right, Alix.
Alexandra: Listen, Nicky, it's a beautiful night. Let's go for a walk in the garden.
Nicholas: Well, Tatiana did say I needed to exercise. Let's go.


In orbit of Mars...

Alexei: Wow, I can't believe we're really here.
Kole: Working the controls. Now, to punch in our landing destination.
Alexei: Where are we landing?
Kole: In a place called, or will be called, Utopia Planitia.
Alexei: And that is?
Kole: It's a basin on Mars. In the late 1970's. the Viking 2 probe will land there. Explains about the Viking probes.
Alexei: So, that's where we'll be landing.
Kole: Yes. Here we go. Begins the landing procedure. Landing in ten seconds, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. The shuttle lands.
Alexei: Are we here. Are we actually on the surface of the Red Planet?
Kole: Yes, we are. Welcome to Mars!

[Tim]

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


Anichkov Palace, in the nursery...


Tatiana: There you are, Dimitri. I thought I’d find you here. Dimitri M stays silent. I just came to tell you that if you ever want to talk, I’m here. I’d understand if you don’t want to, though.
Dimitri M: Tatiana?
Tatiana: Yes?
Dimitri M: You’re not hurt, because I didn't tell you about my parents?
Tatiana: No, I’m not. It’s okay if you don't want to. I understand it’s still hard for you talk about it.
Dimitri M: Yes it is. I’m happy my children are not going through this. I hope they won't have to.
Tatiana: Do you want to tell me more about your parents, I’d like to know about them. But, as I said, if you don’t wish to.
Dimitri M: No, that’s fine. You deserve to know.



Meanwhile, in Victoria and Alexandra’s room...

Little Alexandra: Looks around. I’d like to change the wallpaper of this room.
Little Nicholas: Guys, I have an idea. Let’s do it ourselves.
Victoria: Yes, let’s remove this wallpaper and repaint the room ourselves. Papa and Mama will be happy to see we have done everything on our own.
Elizabeth: But we don’t know how to do it all ourselves.
Little Dimitri: I do. I watched Papa and the others when they did the work to enlarge the Palace. I’ll show you what to do.
Alexander: Alright. There are paint cans and a few tools in the basement. We’ll go get them tomorrow. It's too late today.


Back with Tatiana and Dimitri...


Tatiana: So your parents both died of scarlet fever?
Dimitri M: Yes. First my mom caught it, and you know how contagious this disease is. It wasn't long before my dad fell ill too.
Tatiana: What happened then?
Dimitri M: I was sent to live with my uncle at that time. Shortly after my arrival, I was told both of them died.
Tatiana: I’m so sorry for you. It must have been such a shock.
Dimitri M: I wasn't able to say goodbye to them. And that’s the hardest part for me. It... It happened so quickly. It was like my whole word had collapsed at my feet. I don’t know if you'd understand.
Tatiana: I haven’t lost either of my parents, but I know a thing or two about the feeling of a crumbling world. That’s what my family and I felt when the Revolution happened in 1917 . It took us by surprise. We were all aghast. Not to mention how we felt in that cellar in Ekaterinburg, when Yurovsky pointed his gun at us, after reading our death sentence.
Dimitri M: Sorry, I should have thought about that.
Tatiana: No offense taken. So you see I understand how you felt. And I’m glad you told me the whole story.
Dimitri M: I’m glad I did. I feel much better now.
Tatiana: Yeah, it helps to talk to someone.
Dimitri M: Laughs. Eh, you’re not just “someone”, you know. You’re my wife, the love of my life. If I had decided to tell all of you about my parents earlier, you would have been the first I’d come to see.
Tatiana: Aw, that was sweet. Thank you, Dimitri.


The next day, Alexander Palace, Nicholas and Alexandra are watching the video of Little Marie walking...

Alexandra: She’s so cute.
Nicholas: Amazing to see how fast our grandchildren are growing up. I remember Little Marie’s birth as if it were yesterday. And look at her now!
Alexandra: How do you think of going over at Anichkov? I want to see her walking with my own eyes.
Nicholas: Same here.
Alexandra: We're off then.


Later, in Victoria and Alexandra’s room...


The room is in an indescribable condition. The wallpaper has been ripped off here and there, and you can see open pots of paint in the midst of this whole mess.
Little Alexandra: I’m hungry. Let’s have our snack, we’ll get back to work later.
Little Dimitri: I vote for that!
Elizabeth: Brilliant idea, let’s go.
All the children head to the kitchen. While they’re gone, Little Samantha and Catherine, hand in hand, come into the room. They see the paint cans and, shouting with joy, rush towards them...


A short time later, totally unaware of what’s going with the children, Tatiana and Maria enter the room while chatting...

[Tim]

Tatiana: Yes, but... Breaks off when she sees the room.
Maria: What the.. Sees little Samantha and Catherine playing in the mess. NASTYA! GET IN HERE!!
Anastasia: Arrives on the scene. What's all the yelling about?
Tatiana: Look what your daughters have done to this room. It looks like a tornado blew through here!
Anastasia: Hey, my girls couldn't have done this all themselves. Look at the torn wallpaper. Samantha and Catherine are much too short to have done that!
Maria: Nastya's right. Clearly others were involved here.
At that point, Olga arrives with the rest of the children.
Olga: And here they are!
The children see the glaring eyes of their respective mothers.
Little Dimitri: I think we're in trouble...


Utopia Planitia basin, Mars...

Kole's shuttle is on the surface and we see the hatch open. Alexei and Kole, both in space suits, are standing there.
Alexei: I think you should go first, Kole.
Kole: No, I insist you do it.
Alexei: How about we do it together.
Kole: Agreed.
Both step out of the shuttle and onto the surface of Mars...
Alexei: In a formal voice. I claim this planet in the name of Nicholas II of Russia!
Kole: Oh, you silly.
Alexei: I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. I better start recording. Switches on his camera and does a pan of the Martian landscape. Mama, Papa, OTMA, DIID, Sam, we're here. We're on Mars.
Kole: Let's get the equipment set up.
The two of them set up their equipment, Alexei recording the whole time.
Alexei: I don't want to leave anything out.
Kole: We'll take rock and soil samples, and do a little exploring of the landscape around us. Then we can.... What's that you have there?
Alexei: Holding the Russian flag. Just want to plant this. Does so.
Kole: You know you can't leave that there.
Alexei: I know. However, I can record it for everyone back home. Takes a recording of the flag.
Kole: I'm sure they'll enjoy seeing that. Russia being the first country to send astronauts to Mars.
Alexei: I was just imagining that probe, what was it called again?
Kole: Viking 2.
Alexei: Right, I was just imagining Viking 2 landing here and seeing this flag. It would blow their minds!
Kole: Yeah, and it would also have to blow history. We can't leave any trace of our presence here behind, Alexei, you know that.
Alexei: Yeah, but it kind of sucks that we did this and no one can know.
Kole: We'll know, and our family will. And perhaps....
Alexei: Perhaps?
Kole: Perhaps someday the world can know. After my time, 2071, of course.


Later...

Kole: Well, that's the last of the equipment.
Alexei: Say, Kole, I'm hungry. Can we get a bite to eat.
Kole: Sure.


Soon, back in the shuttle...

Kole: At least now we can have real food. I defrosted some of the food Maria made for us.
Alexei: Now that we have gravity again, we don't have to worry about it floating around.
Kole: Right.
Alexei: Still recording. Well, we're about to eat, so I'm going to sign off now. I'll update you all later. Switches off the camera.
Kole: Let's eat. The two of them begin eating.
Alexei: Kole?
Kole: Yes?
Alexei: While we were out there setting up the equipment and such, I....
Kole: What is it, Alexei?
Alexei: This is going to sound silly, but I got the impression something was watching us.
Kole: Well, we are the only ones on this entire planet. That's bound to stir the imagination.
Alexei: That must be it. After all, there can't be anyone else here.
Kole: No one human.
Alexei: Martians?
Kole: Alexei, I told you. There is no native life on Mars. It's just the two of us.
Alexei: Yeah, you're right. Thinking. At least I hope you're right.

[Tim]

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


Anichkov Palace...

Little Alexandra: Mama, we can explain everything. Looks around the room. Okay, perhaps not why there is paint everywhere.
Victoria: THAT is not our work. We just removed the wallpaper.
Tatiana: AND WHY ON EARTH DID YOU DO THAT?!
Little Nicholas: Victoria and Alexandra didn’t like the wallpaper. We decided to change it ourselves to prove to you that we could do it.
Maria: WELL, THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!
Little Dimitri: We didn't intend to do anything stupid, we just wanted to...
Tatiana: I know. Still it WAS a pretty stupid thing to do. You should have asked our permission first.
Victoria: Mama...
Tatiana: First, clean everything up. We'll talk about this later.


Later...

Maria: Your twins are little devils, Nastya. Look at what they've done to the room. There is paint all over the place.
Olga: Seems they take a lot after you, Imp. Well, that bodes ill for the future.
Anastasia: If I remember correctly, neither of you were exactly the perfect little angel as children. And do I have to remind you who tore out the wallpaper? In terms of getting into mischief, obviously your kids have nothing to envy to mine about.
Tatiana: You got a point. Even your son took part in it, Mashka.
Maria: Still, the prizes goes to Samantha and Catherine. They're only two years old, remember?
Olga: And they spilled paint everywhere. Wow, what a feat. You would not have done better yourself at their age, Nastya.
Anastasia: Havha, very funny. You know what, you...
Tatiana: Okay, I see things are getting hot. Maria and I will let you continue your little discussion while we'll go find the guys. We'll need their help to remove the paint stains.
Maria: Yeah, we prefer to get away from the war zone. See you both later. Tatiana and Maria take off.


Gavriil passes in front of Victoria and Alexandra's room...

Gavriil: What the heck happened here? A tsunami!?
Alexandra: No, just us trying to change the wallpaper.
Gavriil: Laughs. I see you mastered the technique. Congratulations.
Alexandra: It's not all our fault. Fills him in.
Gavriil: Want some help to clean it up?
Alexandra: I wouldn't say no.


That evening...

Ivan S: Holding the computer. Look, another video from our two astronauts. Everyone gathers around him to watch the video.
Nicholas: So they did it. They actually landed on Mars. Wow.
Anastasia: Look at Alexei! He takes his role of explorer very seriously. Mimics him."I claim this planet in the name of Nicholas II of Russia". Who does he think he is? Christopher Columbus?
Everyone laughs.
Dimitri M: They're having quite an adventure. I wish I were there with them.
Maria: We too are having our share of adventures here. Like the tornado in your daughters' room.
Tatiana: Don't remind me. It took us four hours to make it look like a bedroom again and not like a disaster zone. I was tempted to ground the children until the end of the century...

[Tim]

Utopia Planitia basin, Mars...

Alexei is coming back to the camp, camera in hand...
Kole: There you are. I was getting worried.
Alexei: I'm fine, Kole. I was just exploring, and recording videos to send back home.
Kole: You have been busy.
Alexei: And I've given a few names to some places here. There are the Nicholas Romanov Mountains, the Alexandra Feodorovna Valley...
Kole: What about your sisters?
Alexei: I'm still working on that. Hmmmm... What was the name of that volcano again?
Kole: Olympus Mons. Why?
Alexei: Because I'm calling it Mount Olga. Kind of fitting, the way Olga erupts all the time. Holds up the camera. Hear that, Olga. I'm naming a massive volcano after you.
Kole: You realize what she'll do when she sees this video.
Alexei: Well, she is a few million miles away, after all.
Kole: Laughs. You're really loving this, aren't you.
Alexei: I sure am, Kole. After all, we are the first human beings to set foot on this planet. Okay, it has to stay a secret, but we are HERE!
Kole: Yes, that's true. No other human will come here for more than a hundred years from now.
Alexei: So you can understand why I'm naming all these features. Yes, those names, like this trip, have to stay secret. However, we'll all know them. It will be our private joke on the rest of the world.
Kole: Yes, it will. They'll have the names that everyone knows, but we'll have our own secret names for them.


Night descends and the two Martian moons, Phobos and Deimos, rise...

Kole: A moonlit night.
Alexei: Two of them. Looks down. I have two shadows. Cool.
Kole: Pointing. See that blue star. That's Earth.
Alexei: Wow, it looks so small.
Kole: It sure does.
Alexei: I wish...
Kole: Yes?
Alexei: I wish we could take off these space suits and enjoy the moonlight in our regular clothes.
Kole: Me too. However, unless you've found a way to breathe carbon dioxide, I'm afraid we'll have to settle for things as they are.
Alexei: "Oh brave new world, that has such people in it"
Kole: That's Shakespeare, right.
Alexei: Yep, The Tempest. Mind you, there are no people here, but the Brave New World part seems fitting.
Kole: That it does.
Alexei: Holds up the camera. And there, everybody, are the moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos.
Kole: Those videos are going to keep them busy for hours.
Alexei: Well, they should get a look at Russia's most far flung province.
Kole: Oh, you silly...

[Tim]

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


Anichkov Palace, the study...

Maria, Anastasia and Tatiana are watching Alexei’s video while Olga is at the opposite side of the room, all her attention focused on the book she's reading. Suddenly, she hears her sisters bursting into uncontrollable laughter.

Olga: What’s going on?
Maria: Uh, nothing.
Tatiana: Yeah, nothing.
Anastasia: Nothing at all. The three of them exchange glances and giggle.
Olga: Comes closer. Okay, what is it in this video that’s so funny? Let me see. Rewinds the video a little and presses the start button:


On Screen...

Alexei: What was the name of that volcano again?
Kole: Olympus Mons. Why?
Alexei: Because I'm calling it Mount Olga. Kind of fitting, the way Olga erupts all the time. Hear that, Olga. I'm naming a massive volcano after you.


Olga: What??? Alexei, how dare you? Types a message to her brother: "JUST WATCHED YOUR VIDEO, ALEXEI. WHEN YOU GET BACK HERE, I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU. OLGA."
Maria: Is there something you didn't like in that name, Olga? As for myself, I found it perfect. To quote Alexei, it's kind of fitting, the way you. Olga shoots dagger eyes at her. What? What is something I said?
Olga: Keep it up, Maria, just keep it up.
Maria: Go fetch your camera, Imp, we're about to see Mount Olga erupting!
Olga: YOU'VE GONE TOO FAR THIS TIME! I'M GOING TO SKIN YOU ALIVE! Races after Maria who dashes away from the room, laughing.
Olga: GET BACK HERE, MASHKA!
Maria: Rushes in the living room. You'll have to catch me first, Mou...
Olga: Hot on her heels. DON'T SAY IT, JUST DON'T...
Maria: Runs back into the study. Mount Olga! Oh, too late I just said THE words...
Olga: THOSE WERE YOUR LAST ONES!
Maria: I wouldn't count too much on that, Mrs. Volcano.
Olga: Comes dangerously close. DARE TO REPEAT WHAT YOU JUST SAID?
Maria: YAAAAAAA! Gotta go now! Zooms off with Olga in hot pursuit.
Anastasia: Do we intervene, Governess?
Tatiana: Are you kidding?! No, we don't, this is too funny. Let's follow them and enjoy the show.
Anastasia: That's fine with me.


Meanwhile, Alexei receives Olga's message...

[Tim]

Utopia Planitia basin, Mars...

Alexei and Kole are having dinner in the shuttle, when the computer beeps.
Alexei: We got a message from Earth.
Kole: What does it say?
Alexei: This. JUST WATCHED YOUR VIDEO, ALEXEI. WHEN YOU GET BACK HERE, I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU. OLGA."
Kole: Well, I can't say I'm surprised.
Alexei: Yeah. You know, Kole, I was thinking, how about we go to Jupiter or Saturn next.
Both laugh.


Anichkov Palace....

Olga: Come out, Mashka! You can't hide from me forever.
Tatiana: She's doing a good job of it so far.
Anastasia: Yeah, it might take hours to find her.
Olga: Well, if that's as long as it takes...
Suddenly, Little Victoria appears, looking ill.
Tatiana: Victoria, what's wrong?
Victoria: Mama, I don't feel so well.
Tatiana: Let me take you to the Infirmary.


Infirmary, after Tatiana has finished her examination...

Tatiana: Victoria, I need to see your siblings and cousins, right away.
Victoria: Why, Mama?
Tatiana: Just get them for me, please.


Later, Tatiana calls a family meeting, forcing Olga and Maria to temporarily end their disagreement....

Olga: Measles! Are you sure, Tatiana?
Tatiana: I'm afraid so, Olga. The symptoms match what we went through in 1917.
Anastasia: Who's infected so far.
Tatiana: Little Dimitri, Victoria, Alexandra, Alexander, Elizabeth, and Nicholas.
Maria: All the older children.
Tatiana: Sam, I have to ask...
Sam: Gavriil had the measles five years ago, so he's okay.
Tatiana: Right now, we need to keep the younger children away from the older ones. We can't risk them getting infected.
Maria: I'll get right on that.
Anastasia: Man, is this a blast from the past.
Tatiana: Yes, Nastya, however, it's likely that the children won't suffer as much as we did.
Olga: How so?
Tatiana: Since the measles mainly attacks children, their immune systems are better equipped to fight it. However, as one grows older, that immunity weakens.
Maria: That's why it hit us so hard, we were all older. So the children may have an easier time than we did.
Sam: And it helps that the country is not falling apart this time.
Anastasia: Can we do anything to help.
Tatiana: I'm afraid not. The older children need to rest, until this runs its course.
Olga: How did they get it.
Tatiana: Apparently there was an outbreak at the school, any one of them could be been infected at that time.
Sam: Well, we'll help any way we can.
Tatiana: Sam, could you take Marie back to Alexei and Kole's apartment for now. I would prefer to have her there for now.
Sam: I'm on it...

[Tim]

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


That night...

Ivan S enters the sick room to find Dimitri M already there.
Ivan S: What are you doing here, Dimitri?
Dimitri M: Just checking on the children. And you?
Ivan S: Same thing. Maria was worried about Nicholas and the others. I told her I’d go see how they're feeling.
Dimitri M: Same with Tatiana, she's worried too. She can’t sleep at all because of this measles thing.
Ivan S: Our wives seem quite upset by all this.
Dimitri M: I guess it brings them back memories, and not happy ones.
Ivan S: Touches his son’s forehead. He's burning up! Do you think we should tell Tatiana?
Dimitri M: It’s normal they have a fever, Ivan. It’s part of the process.
Ivan S: No, I mean really, really hot. See for yourself.
Dimitri M: Puts his hand on Nicholas’s forehead. Ouch, that's not good. His temperature is way too high.
Ivan S: So do we...
Dimitri M: Yeah, we’ll need Tatiana’s help. I’ll go get her.


So...

Ivan S: Is it bad, Tatiana?
Tatiana: He has a temperature of 104°F. We have to lower his fever.
Dimitri M: How?
Tatiana: Take his blanket off and give him some water. I’ll get some paracetamol.
At that point, Maria arrives.
Maria: I heard you talking from my bedroom. What’s going on?
Ivan S: It’s Nicholas. He has a high temperature.
Tatiana: You should get some sleep, Mashka. I’ll take care of him.
Maria: No, I’ll help you. I’ll get some rest only after we bring his fever down.


The next morning, at breakfast...

Tatiana: Guys, I’m sooo tired. I hardly slept last night.
Dimitri M: You look exhausted. You should take the day off. I’ll call the Center. Sees that Tatiana is about to say no. Sorry, you have no choice. You need to rest.
Tatiana: Okay, fine, do it, call Irina. Dimitri M takes his mobile and walks off.
Anastasia: I didn’t sleep well either. I was concerned about our children.
Olga: So was I. Seems we all were. To Maria. We heard about Nicholas. Is he better now?
Maria: Yeah, he’s much better, thanks to our doctor. Smiles at Tatiana.
Ivan K: Good to hear. What about the others?
Tatiana: They all have a fever, but nothing to worry about for the time being.
Nicholas and Alexandra come in.
Nicholas: Sam told us about the children. We thought you might need our help, so we came to give you a hand.
Dimitri C-B: Thank you both. Your help is more than welcome.
Olga: Do you know how things are going with Sam, Gavriil, and Marie at Alexei and Kole’s?
Alexandra: Fine, I believe. She said she’d call here for news. The phone rings. That must be her now.

[Tim]

Maria: Answers the phone. Hello?
Sam: On phone. Hi Maria. How's it going over there?
Maria: As well as can be expected. We had a scare with little Nicholas last night.
Sam: What happened?
Maria: His temperature shot up to 104°F, but thankfully, we got it back down again.
Sam: Oh my...
Maria: Mama and Papa have just arrived to help out.
Sam: That's good to know.
Maria: How are things with you?
Sam: We're okay. Little Marie is fine and Gavriil had video games to keep him occupied. Have any of you informed Alexei and Kole about this yet?
Maria: Nastya just sent them a message a few moments ago. I'm sure they'll be relived to know Marie is safe.
Sam: I'm sure. Anyway, keep me posted.
Maria: We will.


Soon, Nicholas and Alexandra are looking in on the sick children...

Nicholas: I guess this brings back memories for you too, Alix.
Alexandra: It does. What an awful time that was. Alexei, the girls, and poor Anna, so ill, and not knowing what had happened to you.
Nicholas: I know. I tried to get back to you as fast as I could, but the government at the time had other plans, namely my abdication. I would have contacted you, but they wouldn't let me.
Alexandra: I remember the girls asking me about the gunfire we kept hearing, and me telling them it was just military maneuvers. I hated lying to them like that.
Nicholas: I know, but you didn't want to frighten them at that time.
Alexandra: Well, at least this time we don't have to worry about drunken, gun toting, soldiers showing up in the middle of the night.
Victoria: Wakes up. Grandmother?
Alexandra: Yes, dear. How are you feeling?
Victoria: Lousy.
Alexandra: I know. However, you will get better soon.
Victoria: Like Mama, Uncle Alexei, and my aunts did.
Alexandra: Your Mama told you about that.
Victoria: She did. She said she and the others got sick with measles a long time ago.
Alexandra: They did. However, they all got better, as will you and your siblings and cousins. Do you want me to get your Mama?
Victoria: No, Grandmother, I think I'm going to go back to sleep now.
Alexandra: That's a good idea. You rest and get better. Watches as Victoria goes back to sleep.
Nicholas: You handled that wonderfully, Alix.
Alexandra: I guess there's still a bit of a nurse in me after all.


Utopia Planitia basin, Mars. In Kole's shuttle...

Alexei: Kole, you're not going to believe this, but I just got a message from Anastasia. Tells her about the measles outbreak.
Kole: Is Marie okay?
Alexei: Yes, she is. Sam took her to our apartment to keep her from being infected.
Kole: That's good. I remember you telling me about when you and your sisters got the measles in 1917. It sounded bad.
Alexei: It was. Of course, in my case, I had my pre-existing illness to contend with as well. Still, it knocked us all down, Anna Vyrubova too.
Kole: Your mother's friend, right?
Alexei: Yeah. She lives in Finland now, but she and Mama still keep in touch. Anyway, she got the measles too. From what I understand, since we were all older, it hit us harder than it would have had we been younger. Add the fact that we were at war, and a revolution was going on at that time, and you can guess it wasn't a happy time for any of us.
Kole: At least no one has to worry about that in this case.
Alexei: That's true. How about you, Kole, did you ever have the measles.
Kole: No, but don't worry. In my time, children are immunized from things like that at an early age. In fact, hemophilia can also be controlled. There are drugs that can cause the blood to clot, like the blood of a normal person.
Alexei: Sounds great. Had I grown up in your century, I might have had a better life for my first twenty years. Don't forget, I was 21 when Sam cured me. My whole childhood was overshadowed by that damned disease. Pauses. Sorry about that, Kole.
Kole: Don't be. I understand how it must have been for you.
The two of them embrace.
Alexei: Thanks, Kole.
Kole: Are you still up for going outside today?
Alexei: Yeah, why not. It might cheer me up. Besides, there's nothing we can do to help out with the measles outbreak, we're millions of miles away.
Kole: That's true. Let's go.


And so, outside the shuttle...

Kole: Well, that should be enough samples for now.
Alexei: Kole...
Kole: Perhaps tomorrow we can..
Alexei: Kole!
Kole: Concerned. Alexei, what is it?
Alexei: Remember how I said I felt we were being watched. Well, now I think I know why. Points.
Kole: What is... Turns and sees three blue spheres hovering over the two of them.
Alexei: Kole, can you sense it? Those things are alive.
Kole: I know, I can feel it too. However, I don't understand. All the studies of Mars have indicated that it's a dead world.
Alexei: Well, maybe the studies are wrong. Or maybe...
Kole: That whatever these things are, they didn't want to be seen.
Alexei: Until now that is.
As the two of them watch, the blue spheres rise up into the sky and disappear.
Kole: We're going to have one heck of a message to send home...

[Tim]

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


Anichkov Palace...

Ivan K and Anastasia come into the sick room...
Ivan K: Don’t turn on the lights, it would hurt their eyes. Because of the measles, they're sensitive to light.
Anastasia: Don’t worry, Comrade Ivan, I know. I’ve been through this too. I remember how painful this was for us.
They see Elizabeth tossing in her bed.
Ivan K: Elisabeth, are you okay?
Elizabeth: My throat hurts a lot. It’s so painful.
Anastasia: I know how you feel, darling. In a few days, it will go away.
Ivan K: For now, just try and rest. You’ll see, you’ll feel better soon.
Dimitri C-B and Olga enter in the room too.
Ivan K: See you later, Elizabeth. We’ll leave you with your parents. Anastasia and Ivan K exit.
Elizabeth: Mama, Papa, can you stay with me a little?
Dimitri C-B: Sure, sweetheart.
Olga: We won't leave you until you're asleep. Sits on Elizabeth’s bed and takes her hand.


In the kitchen...

Tatiana: As all the children have sore throats, they have difficulty swallowing solid foods. I think it’d be best if you make them something liquid or soft, like soup or mash potato.
Maria: Okay, I’m on it.
Ivan S: I hate seeing our kids so ill. I wish I could do something to help them.
Ivan K: I have the same feeling, although none of my children are sick.
Tatiana: There’s not much we can’t do, unfortunately. If everything goes well, all our little patients should be up and healthy again within a week or two. For now, the disease seems to be running its normal course, there are no complications so far.
Maria: That’s good news.
Tatiana: Of course, I’m keeping an eye on them in case something happens.
Ivan K: Let’s hope nothing will happen.
Ivan S: Fingers crossed!


Later, OTMA, DIID, Nicholas and Alexandra are reading Kole and Alexei’s message...

Nicholas: I wonder what those blue spheres are. Any suggestion? What do you think, Alix?
Alexandra: I don't have the slightest idea. Kole told us Mars was a lifeless, desert planet. She’s from the future, so she knows a lot more about it than we do here in 1928.
Dimitri C-B: Still she’s as clueless as we are about the origin of those things.
Tatiana: Do you think Alexei and Kole might be in danger?
Olga: Whatever those spheres are, their behavior seems to be peaceful. They don’t look aggressive. If there is some kind of people inside, perhaps they're just as curious about us as we are about them.
Anastasia: Yeah, you could be right. Yet that doesn’t explain what or who they are. According to Kole, Martians don’t exist. However, I don’t really see any other explanation.
Ivan K: We saw a lot of weird things in our lives, but I have to say that this one is wow! Aliens!? That sounds cool. I regret I’m not with Alexei and Kole right now.
Anastasia: If the children were not so sick, I would have certainly used the Amulet of Hogthor to teleport myself to Alexei and Kole’s shuttle. Just so I could catch a glimpse of those aliens.
Dimitri M: Although you promised you wouldn’t use the Amulet again.
Anastasia: Oh you know, promises only bind those who believe in them.
Maria: And despite the fact that the Amulet is currently in 2011, in the possession of Sam’s family.
Anastasia: I would have found a way. I always do, no matter what.
Alexandra: Yeah, tell me about it! We all know you’re very good at it!


Alexei and Kole’s apartment...

Gavriil: How are Alexander and the others at Anichkov?
Sam: There is no improvement yet. They’re only at the beginning of the disease, but Tatiana says there’s no need to be worried. Currently there’re no complications expected.
Gavriil: That’s good to know. I guess they must be all relieved to learn this.


Later that evening...

Sam: Sees Gavriil pointing binoculars towards the sky. What are you trying to do with that, Gavriil?
Gavriil: I’m trying to observe Mars. I don’t have a telescope, so I make do with what I have.
Sam: You won’t be able to see much with that. There’s a telescope in the other room if you want. Alexei gave it to Kole for her last birthday. She won’t mind if you use it.
And so...
Sam: As Gavriil is looking through the telescope. Isn’t it better now?
Gavriil: Definitely! I can see a lot more details. That is so amazing! Mars really looks like a desert.
Sam: Can I have a look?
Gavriil: Of course.
Sam: Uses the telescope. It’s so beautiful. To think Kole and Alexei are up there at this very moment.
Gavriil: I’m very curious about those blue spheres they saw. So there IS life on Mars.
Sam: I'm not sure, but it could be.


That same night, at Anichkov...

Anastasia: Cries out in her sleep. HAAAAA! NOOOO! Wakes up, her whole body shaking.
Ivan K: Apprehensive. What’s wrong, Anastasia?
OTM and their husbands arrive at that moment.
Tatiana: Was it Anastasia we heard screaming? What happened?
Anastasia: Still shaken. I… I had a nightmare. I was back in 1917, at the time when...
Ivan K: When you all had the measles?
Anastasia: Nods. It was so scary. I relived all those events in my dream. When we started to fell so ill, one after the other... When the doctor told us Maria was dying... And when we were so anxious about Papa, waiting for him to come back home... When I finally learned he had abdicated. Bursts into sobs. It was really Hell.
Ivan K: Nastya, it’s okay, it was just a nightmare. 1917 is long gone.
Olga: And now we live in a better Russia, where our children are safe and sound.
Anastasia: I know, it’s just... When I learned they came down with the measles, I couldn’t help thinking it was 1917 all over again. I felt awful.
Tatiana: And so did we. I felt truly miserable when I found out our kids were sick. Yet, as Ivan and Olga said, the time of the Revolution belongs to the past. It’s over now. Our children won’t go through what we had to endure.
Maria: Try to get back to sleep now, Nastya.
Anastasia: Regains her composure. Okay, I’ll try.
Maria: Your Ivan is right here, and we’re next door if you need us.
Anastasia: Thank you. I think I’ll be fine now.

[Tim]

At breakfast...

Alexandra: What's all this about Anastasia having a nightmare last night?
Anastasia: Yes, Mama, I did. Recounts the nightmare. I guess the children getting measles brought it all back for me.
Alexandra: I can understand that. It was a horrible time for all of us. What with everything going on.
Nicholas: At least this time we don't have to worry about the country falling apart around us.
Tatiana: We pretty much said the same thing. 1917 is long in the past.
Maria: I was wondering, we won't have to shave the children's heads, will we?
Tatiana: No, Mashka, medicine has come a long way since then.
Olga: Good, our children won't have to go around bald.
Dimitri C-B: Smiling. Oh, I don't know. You all looked cute being bald.
Maria: You did NOT just say that!
Ivan S: Joining in. Yeah, I liked those pictures you showed us. Four beautiful chrome domes.
Ivan K: Yeah, I might use one of those pictures for my screen saver.
Anastasia: Et Tu, Ivan.
DIID all laugh.
Maria: Oh you guys...
At that point, the phone rings, Tatiana answers it.
Tatiana: Hello?
Sam: On phone. Hi, I'm just checking up. What's going on over there?
Tatiana: Can I put you on speaker.
Sam: Sure.
Tatiana: Okay. Does so.
Sam: On speaker. I thought I'd check up on you guys.
Anastasia: Hi Sam. Well, I had a bad nightmare. Recounts it again. Aside from that, everything is fine.
Sam: How are the children?
Tatiana: The same. I'll be checking on them in a minute.
Maria: How are things over there?
Sam: We're find. Gavriil and I have been using Kole's telescope to watch Mars.
Olga: I can imagine.
Sam: I must say, we're curious about those blue spheres Alexei and Kole saw.
Anastasia: Join the club.


Utopia Planitia basin, Mars. In Kole's shuttle...

Kole: Hello, what's this?
Alexei: What is it, Kole?
Kole: Someone, or something, has accessed our computer files.
Alexei: Anything damaged?
Kole: No, it just looks like someone accessed them and read them.
Alexei: What about?
Kole: Everything that had to do with Earth and humanity as a whole.
Alexei: Do you think those blue spheres had something do with it?
Kole: Who else is here besides us.


Later, Kole and Alexei are outside, examining the equipment, when...

Kole: Alexei, look.
Alexei: They're back.
The blue spheres are once again hovering over the two of them. Suddenly, a voice comes from one of the spheres.
Voice: Can you understand us?
Kole: Did you...
Alexei: Yeah, I did.
Kole: They're speaking to us!
Voice: We learned your language when we probed your data systems.
Kole: Who are you?
Voice: There is no word in your language that describes us. Call us the Ancient Ones, as we have existed for thousands of your years.
Alexei: Wow. That is old.
Kole: Well, to us humans, anyway. To the spheres. We always thought this planet was lifeless.
Voice: We are not native to this world, or this solar system. We have roamed this galaxy for centuries.
Kole: Why?
Voice: The same reason you came here from your native world. We're explorers, like you.
Alexei: And you're visiting Mars, like we are.
Voice: That is correct. When we observed your arrival here, we thought we'd examine you. We were planning to visit your world next.
Kole: Earth? What if someone saw you?
Voice: We can make ourselves invisible to you if we wish.
Kole: So you desired to make contact with us. After you read our computers.
Voice: We did. Your species is still young, with much to learn. As we once were.
Alexei: You used to be like us.
Voice: Yes, once, long ago, we had physical form. However, we evolved beyond it, to creatures of pure thought. Perhaps, one day, your race will do that same.
Kole: Probably not for millions of years.
Voice: In cosmic time, a blink of an eye. When that happens, perhaps you will seek us out. We will have much to discuss.
Kole: Perhaps.
Voice: Farewell, people of Earth. With that, the blue sphere rise up into the sky and vanish.
Alexei: Whoa!
Kole: I think we just had a close encounter of the third kind. Alexei looks at her. I'll explain later...