Xavier peered at the figure in the huge hologram: a tall, world champion bodybuilder type. Well, maybe it was the size of the hologram that made her look that way. But still, even if the stocky, matronly woman were no taller than his 5 foot, 6 inch tall mom, she'd have been impressive enough. Her olive-skinned biceps were a little larger than her head, and even under the toga he could tell each breast was about as big. He couldn't make out the stuff below the waist very well, but he could tell the hips were wide and curvy, and the legs were thick and muscular. And her dark brown, frost-ended, Katherine Hepburn-style short hair made her look elegant. And if her eyes had been dark brown instead of piercing bright hazel, she would've looked like an anaglam of every race on Earth.

Hogan sneaked a peek at the TV screen. "She looks like the ultimate school principal," he muttered.

Xavier didn't agree 100 percent: more like somewhere between school teacher/principal and his irritated, angry Grandma. Like someone who wanted to spoil you and fill you with with cookies fresh out of the oven, but you just tracked mud all over her Oriental rug. Her expression was saying, you're in trouble, young man. Big time. Despite that, Xavier thought she was definitely a babe in her time... and was still pretty attractive today: she looked more experienced than aged.

And at long last... she spoke.

"People of this world Earth:

"We are the Hegemony of Eugenia. I am Summa Matrei, the Prime Mother. We have been monitoring your world for hundreds of your solar years. We wish that our first contact here could be happier, but it is a grand pity that this world has done many, many things that demand an answer."

Summa Matrei's face softened with sympathy. "We have seen much beauty, loveliness, and even goodness in your world, its natural state, and even in much of the people themselves. Sadly, though, it is all drowned out by even more intense wrath, viciousness and wickedness. You have unlocked many dark secrets, and devised many abominable uses for them. You have proven yourselves very petty, greedy, cruel, hateful, and murderous even among your own beings millions of times over."

She shook her head. "Normally, we would let such a world self-destruct, sweep up the rubble, and start all over again with what survivors remain, if any. But there is another factor that commands our attention. You have uncovered the ways to send craft beyond your solar system. In fact, a probe sent from your planet has reached our own... something that could easily carry one of your dreaded mass-killing weapons."

Her eyes tightened. "The Hegemony cannot, must not, and will not abide this. Your world must dismantle your methods of space travel, and destroy your weapons of mass destruction, and not make them again. Then you must show proof positive that you have complied. You will have six of your solar days to do this; specifically, at the time of sunrise in the community you call London, England. We will monitor your activities throughout this time, and representatives will come down and check on you."

Her eyes softened, and her brows slanted up a tick, as if pleading. "We do not want to be a terror to you, but a joy. But you must remember, the arms of Eugenia are now around all the Earth. Whether they hug you to the Hegemony's breast or crush you to powder is up to you all."

She nodded. "Six days. We will watch and wait... and hope."

Her form faded from the hologram. The beam turned off and receded back into the pod, which slid its panel shut. Then it spun around, and flew back to its floating city-saucer.