"X-heroes, x-heroes, come in please..." The base is quiet but for clicking of high heels, and subdued conversation. "X-heroes, x-heroes, come in please... we request assistance!"

"Midnight Song, we're getting an S.O.S.!" says Aurora Dawn, as she hurries towards the receiver. Aurora Dawn doesn't really have a set uniform: she double shifts as a model when she's not busy saving the the world, and today she's wearing a cream Chanel tweed suit, with gold buttons, bow, and shoes. She is extremely beautiful, tall and blond, with an aura of gold light following her everywhere, exemplifying her mutant gift from God to manipulate light in the red-green area of the spectrum.

"X-heroes, this is Aurora Dawn, I read you, over!"

"This is Security Central. Where have you been, X-heroes? We've been trying to contact you for over 5 hours!"

"I just got back from my honeymoon, Security Central. We walked in and the base is empty! I can detect cosmic radiation... I think the rest of the team has been teleported to space against their will!"

"X-heroes, Nuclear command has beed taken by hostile forces. We need assistance!"

"Have you contacted them, Security Central?"

"We've tried, Aurora Dawn, but the house address system at Nuclear Command has been jammed!"

"Well, it's just me and Midnight Song here, but we'll do what we can! Over and out!" Aurora Dawn ends the transmission by putting down the receiver, and turns towards Midnight Song.

"I can get there faster than you," says Aurora Dawn. "I'll try to delay them as long as I can, while you take the jet!"

Midnight Song nods silently. She never speaks unless she needs to: Allah granted her the mutant ability to rearrange space and time by singing. She hides whatever beauty she has behind a mask that covers her eyes and cheeks, and a hooded purple cape that extends down to her ankles,where only the heels of her long black boots are to be seen. Underneath she wears a short purple dress, for her spouse. She's a bit top-heavy, and it can be seen underneath her shroud. She steps moderately towards the hangar, while Aurora Dawn transforms herself into a golden flash, and arrives at the mountain where the underground complex of Nuclear Command is hidden, getting there at the speed of light.

She stands at the base of the mountain, looking around. The wind blows softly, The ground is covered with evergreens and snow, nothing is to be seen other than an eagle, circling high above her. She transforms herself into a golden aura again, and uses her mutant talents to detect the electrical system of the base. That's how she gains entrance into the mountain, but unfortunately she sets off the alarms. Floating in front of the giant LCD monitors, she identifies her adversaries, as they rush toward her bearing arms.

Aurora Dawn ducks behind a console and solidifies. "Nuclear Command has been taken by the evil minions of the Hypocrites!" she screams into her communicator, bullets whizzing over her head. "Hurry up and get here!"

"I'll be there in 2 minutes," replies Midnight Song. "Hang in there!"

"I can't keep talking to you while I'm solid," hisses Aurora Dawn. "I gotta go, or I'll get killed!" She turns into a gold aura again, and darts between the control booths, bullets passing through her intangible self. She enters the electrical system again, shorting out the power, and turns the base pitch-dark. This proves to be her undoing, because the only thing to be seen in the place is her gold aura.

"That's Aurora Dawn!" shouts the leader of the Hypocrite minions. "Energize the ultraviolet laser system!" In a few seconds, the base fills with a crossfire of ultraviolet photon projectiles, with the gold light that is Aurora Dawn frantically darting from cover to cover. One of the beams grazes her gold self, neutralizing her light, and she cries out in pain.

Outside, Midnight Song steps out of the jet, lifting her head as she thinks she can hear a cry. She strolls into the shadow of a pine tree, and twirls herself in a pirouette singing, "In the name of Allah, most Gracious, most Merciful!"

Suddenly the mountain transforms into a landscape 1000 million years ago, a flat valley filled with primitive marigolds and sunflowers. The soldiers and invaders suspend in mid-air for a second, like a cartoon, then plop down to the valley naked. Naked because their clothes and technology hasn't been invented yet. They all run away scattering, tearing up at marigolds and sunflowers to hide their shame.

Only Midnight Song isn't affected. She stands amidst the flowers, and watches silently as a golden ball of light floats down towards her. The aura transforms into Aurora Song, nude as she struts towards Midnight Song. "Thanks, that was too close... Hey! I want my clothes back!" says Aurora Song, blushing as she realizes she is naked. Midnight Song takes her by both hands, and pulls her down to her knees. They face kneeling toward each other, in silence. Midnight Song plucks a marigold and tucks it behind Aurora Song's ear. Slowly she takes off her mask, and drops her shroud. She kisses Aurora Song on the lips, as an eagle circles high above them.

Wait a minute! How can these two be married?

Well... they are mutants... one of them is actually a guy...

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Claudia's horoscope

July 17, 2008

You are super-sensitive today, and this can be rewarding or damaging, depending on how you handle it. If you focus on others, your understanding will enable you to fit into any group. This ability is helpful in any job. If however, you get caught up in your own feelings, you are likely to see only what you want to see. This attitude can cause a lot of problems. In any event, save the decisions that require clear logic for another day.

July 18, 2008

Today is a good time to work out a difficult situation with a friend or associate. Cooperation and flexibility are the keys. It's also a great day to clean up all those pesky little jobs that have been nagging at you for so long.

July 19, 2008

Accent on communication. Trading points of view with others should come easy today for both sides. Also a good day to assess your goals, and how they are coming. Travel is favored, especially if it'sfor your own R & R. Find a good book store, museum, or concert. Recharge your batteries!

July 20, 2008

Superficiality will not be tolerated today. Leave those details for another time, and concentrate on your ideals and spiritual needs. If a call for help comes from a friend or associate, make sure it is a reciprocal relationship, not one where you always do all the giving.

July 21, 2008

You might feel a bit rudderless today. Try to avoid making really important decisions. Stay out of uncharted waters- the course will be much clearer tomorrow.

July 22, 2008

To paraphrase Garbo, today you may prefer to be alone. No big deal. You just feel like being solemn. If you must confer with others, you would rather it be over something important. Save the small talk for another time. If ever you needed a day for methodical or contemplative work, this is it!

July 23, 2008

To you dreamers of impossible dreams, you just might make them come true today. Don't let your high spirits get too far ahead of the discipline, and attention to detail necessary to make any dream a reality.

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O People of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you; that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with God, that we erect not from among ourselves lords and patrons other than Allah.

You are the ambitious one, and the prettier one of us, my dearest. I'm not all that pretty- Allah granted me beautiful music, and sometimes that drips onto my face, but really I'm not that pretty. I don't really have much ambition, either. Just an illusion of it. By the will of Allah, the music can have a powerful effect. Some troublesome people claim that it is me who is seeking to be violently powerful, but no! I really don't have much ambition, Allah be my witness! While I live, I would like to please Allah with music, and perhaps Allah will grant me happiness in this life and the Hereafter with my mate.