Chương 180: Chapter 178 – Been There, Done That

"Daddy, are we going to go see Mommy now?" Thai whined impatiently.

"Aunie Roxie and Grandma left, like forever ago. When is it going to be our turn?" She asked, looking up at her father.

"Soon, Sweetie." Rowan said, giving his daughter an exasperated smile.

"We have to wait for Shirley to finish updating the fob thingy for us," Celestia said, crouching down to eye level with Thai.

"I know you're in a hurry because you have missed your mommy so much, but we need the fob in order to travel. Isn't that right Shirley?"

"Yes, Celestia, it is just one of the many upgrades I made to the teleport system. I think you will find your travels to come far more simplified. For instance, you are now able to travel to any realm directly. You will no longer have to go to the Fairy Realm and use one of the gates."

"So, we will go right to Mommy?" Thai asked excitedly.

"No, Thai, I haven't quite been able to figure out how to teleport to a person, only to a place. Let me see if I can explain it to you." Shirley began.

"The teleport system upgrades use my database to pinpoint a specific geographic location in all known, mapped realms."

"So basically you are working on geographic coordinates to guide the teleport to the destination, circumventing the need to use the fairy gates, which are stationary fixed locations." Celestia said, turning toward the computer. Alex, Elena, Rowan and Mikale all turned to Celestia baffled.

"This is the same girl that not even ten minutes ago could not operate the stove to make a cup of tea." Elena whispered, before commenting to Alex.

"Yes, Celestia, the teleport now works on a geographical coordinate system, tethered to my databases." Shirley replied.

"But how would we know the coordinates?" Celestia asked, her brows furrowing in confusion.

"And there's the girl we know and love," Elena whispered, before commenting.

"Her database is set up to translate the destination. Let's just use Fairy Central as an example…" she paused, thinking of a way to explain easily.

"You say take me to Fairy Central and Shirley's database looks up Fairy Central then tells the teleport the coordinates to take you to," she said hoping that was clear enough for her.

"That's what the key fobs do now, they act as a communicator for the transporter to communicate with Shirley."

"So…" Celestia began.

"Instead of talking to you in the teleporter I can talk to you with that fob thingy?" She asked hesitantly.

"Not quite. The system you spoke to using the teleports in Fairy Central is the original Shirley system. I guess you could say I am a version of that Shirley, but I have been upgraded extensively since its inception," Shirley said flatly.

"In other words, Celestia, we will not be able to communicate through the teleport system. I am however working on a device that will allow us to communicate regardless of your geographical location."

"Well, that will certainly make travel more efficient," Celestia began.

"I'll miss our chats, I mean chats with the other Shirley," she said standing up.

"What if there is a miscalculation in the coordinates the database directs the teleport to and sends us to the wrong place? Like Mordak's office or something." Celestia said looking suddenly panicked.

"I assure you the coordinates in my database are quite specific. Celestia, you will not get lost in time or space," Shirley answered in a reassuring tone.

"Knowing you, I'm sure they are," Celestia giggled, "but that wasn't what I was getting at. Say, hmm…let me see." She began, her expression thoughtful.

"Okay, we are going back to the dwarven realm, there are lots of mountains, what if the coordinates are off and the teleport drops us off the edge of a cliff?"

"I understand your concern, Celestia. This is an excellent question. The teleport can not complete its programming unless it detects terra firma at the destination. In other words, it will not engage unless there is solid ground detected in the precise drop off location," she said, firmly.

"That programming does not apply, however, for a departure. For instance, if you found yourself falling from said cliff, you could use the teleport system to extract yourself by telling it to take you home."

"Well that is very good to know!" Celestia beamed.

"It's like a guardian angel plucking you from the sky." She commented.

"Are there any other new features we should be aware of?" Celestia asked, as the rest of the group sat silently watching, except for Thai, who was now becoming restless in her impatience to leave.

"Daddy… now?" she asked, tugging on his jerkin.

"Soon, baby," he said, picking the girl up and kissing the top of her head, shooting the group a harried glance.

"Yes, there are some new features that I think you will find helpful on your journey." Shirley said before pausing.

"I know that you are eager to see your mother, and rest assured you will get there soon. You just need to give me a chance to explain a few things first. Can you wait just a little bit longer, Thai?" Shirley asked in an exceptionally motherly tone. Thai looked over at the sound of Shirley's voice and rolled her eyes.

"I think so, but it's getting really hard to keep waiting and listening to all this boring grown up talk."

"I understand, Thai, but…" Shirley began before being cut off by Thai.

"A minute's worth of patience can prevent a lifetime of regret." Thai said, casting her eyes down at the floor. As the group's eyes widened at the statement. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Yes, Thai, that is correct. Very good. I'm glad you remembered that." Shirley said, still using her motherly tone before shifting gears to a more serious tone.

"The original Shirley system had strict filters to prevent timeline disruptions," Shirley began.

"Previously, any technology or item not existing in the destination realm would be automatically converted to its closest technological equivalent. This meant complex tools often became nearly unrecognizable. For instance, a precision laser measuring device might transform into a basic wooden ruler in a realm with less advanced technology." Celestia's brow furrowed as she processed this.

"So the conversion was more about maintaining the realm's natural technological development?"

"Precisely," Shirley confirmed.

"Now, the filter has been modified to allow more nuanced transfers. Instead of whole conversion, specific items can now be transported but with quantity limitations. This helps preserve the realm's technological integrity but allows you to proceed more efficiently on your journey."

"Elena, how do we know which items and the quantity restrictions are?" Elena asked.

"If you will kindly look at the monitor, I have displayed a chart that clearly outlines what types of items, and their quantity restrictions on the screen." Shirley replied.

"You will notice that different realms have different restrictions. These are very important and I cannot stress enough that these guidelines must be adhered to." Elena leaned forward, studying the monitor intently.

"These restrictions are more complex than I expected," she muttered.

"Each realm has unique technological and cultural sensitivities," Shirley explained.

"The Human Realm, if the group chose to travel there, for instance, has the most stringent limitations." Rowan, still holding Thai, looked over Elena's shoulder, "What kind of limitations?"

"No electronic devices," Elena read aloud.

"Two small communication devices, other than the system approved general communicator, no computing devices, and absolutely no weapons with combustion mechanisms." Celestia tilted her head.

"So, everyone can have a general communicator, but only two can bring specialized ones and you can't bring a gun to a knife fight?" She laughed, raising her eyebrows.

"Precisely." Shirley replied.

"The general communicators are still in production and are not available for use yet. I took the liberty of working with Mikale to devise a device that passes the thresholds for all realms. Upon a cursory examination of the communicator it will appear to be a necklace of sorts. It will be a multifunctional device that will not only allow you to communicate with me or HQ but will replace the fob for teleport initiation." Mikale stood up and reached into his pocket.

"This is the prototype of the device. As you can see, it looks very much like a medallion that can be worn as either a pin or a necklace. After the missing fob incident, with Roxie and Illianna, we needed something that would not be easily lost and readily accessible." The group stood up and glanced at the round medallion that Mikale held. Thai seemed particularly interested, she leaned over making it difficult for Rowan to continue to hold her.

"Thai, stop it, you're going to make Daddy drop you." Rowan said, trying to readjust her.

"But Daddy, I want to see it closer. I have seen that picture somewhere before." Thai said excitedly, while she tried to place it.

"Yes, Thai, you have seen the image before." Shirley said, matter of factly.

"It was a very long time ago, in what most would call another life." This sparked a glimmer of memory in the young girl's eyes.

"I remember it was a lot bigger, that it was important." She said, "Daddy, please let me see it closer. Mikale, can I touch it please?" Thai asked, her voice reflecting the urgency she felt.

"If I could touch it, I know it will make me remember." Mikale handed her the medallion. Thai turned it one way then another.

"See these," she said, showing her father the runes that encircled the image.

"I know what it says Daddy! It says 'to see is to learn, to learn is to grow, to grow is to evolve, to evolve is to transcend.' The picture is… is… Shirley, that's my family crest, well my old family anyway. My new family does not have one."

"Yes, Thai, in your old life, a long, long time ago." Shirley began.

"It is the tree of life and knowledge and the symbol your family chose to represent your line." The group looked at Shirley then back at Thai, captivated and confused.

"Other life?" Elena asked.

"What does that even mean?"

"Are you saying that Thai has lived before, but how?" Celestia asked. Rowan looked down at Thai who was still studying the medallion closely.

"Yes, Elena. Thai's spirit, her essence if you will, has lived many lives prior to this incarnation. You all have." Shirley began.

"It is not by chance or accident that you have all come together this time. Whether or not you are aware of it is irrelevant, but you always come together, in every incarnation, to do what must be done."

"That's complete and utter…" Elena began, her look reflecting her opinion of the matter.

"Elena, I understand that it is a difficult concept to embrace but I would like you to consider the facts prior to making your conclusion. How do you explain the fact that I was immediately able to recognize each of you, without ever knowing you? It is because this is not our first encounter, Elena, we have met countless times through several incarnations." Elena searched her mind for an alternative explanation.

"How would you explain the deep and sudden connection you not only feel for Thai, but for each other?" Shirley asked.

"How do you explain Thai's ability to communicate with Rowan and Sheera, despite lacking the ability to form words? Or her advanced knowledge beyond her years?"

"Well that sure would explain a lot." Celestia said, looking at Thai.

"Elena, you have brought all of these people together. You have, without even consciously realizing it, sought out this group, this distinct group, across realms and overwhelming obstacles. Deep inside you knew who to choose, even if you were unable to recognize why." She paused momentarily as if collecting her thoughts.

"The thing that escapes you even to this day, is that you are the beacon, calling them to you. So while you are seeking them out, something inside them is looking for you as well." Elena looked at the group, letting Shirley's words sink in.

"There will be more Elena, somewhere inside you know this. Even as we speak they are looking for you and are not even aware of your existence." Shirley said, matter of factly.

"This is why every member of the group looks to you as their leader, you always have been."

"Elena, she is not wrong," Mikale said.

"Everyone has always deferred to you as our leader, right from the start. There have been none of the hierarchical struggles that any group faces. We all look to you for what we need to do next." Elena looked flustered, she had a lot to think about and she couldn't do that here or now.

"Well, on that note," she said hurriedly, "I think we need to get our band of travelers off to their destination, don't you?"

"Yes, I concur, Elena," Shirley said.

"Does that mean we are leaving now?" Thai asked excitedly.

"Yes, baby, I think it does." Rowan said, kissing the top of his daughter's head and taking the medallion from her hand. He carefully looked at it before handing it back to Mikale.