Roswell Fanatics

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty – Liz on a Mission

“She should be back by now,” Liz whispered to Maria.

“You think I don’t know that?” Maria whispered back. “Something must have gone wrong. We need to go find her.”

“No we don’t,” whispered Liz. “Look.” She nodded her head in the direction of the door, and Maria turned around to see Ava standing in the doorway, a triumphant smile playing around her mouth.

“Sorry I took so long,” she said, quietly. “I ran into someone. Don’t worry; everything is fine. I’ll tell you about it later on.” She stopped talking when Jara Kobodi entered the room.

“Natural healers, you will come with me,” she commanded imperiously.”

“Wait!” Liz whispered. “I need a sample of your blood.” She slipped two vials out of her pouch, and quickly filled them with samples of Maria and Ava’s blood. “I’m so glad Isabel taught me that trick,” she murmured, thinking back to the time they substituted Alex’s blood for Max’s.

“Thanks a lot, Vampira,” Maria said. Liz watched as her two friends followed the rest of the natural healers out of the room. She turned her attention to what Plash Nevenia was saying, but she couldn’t focus. Her mind kept wandering between her findings in her experiments, Ava’s cryptic comments, and the hatred, which emanated off of Jara Kobodi whenever she was around Maria and Ava. She’d never seen any teacher hate a student as much, not even Michael when he deigned to show up for classes.

“You are dismissed Elandria,” Plash Nevenia said, standing in front of her. Liz shook her head, and focused on the now empty classroom.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “I was thinking about something.”

“Yes, that is obvious,” said the instructor. “If you have a moment, I’d like to discuss the compound you and your co-workers created. What is its purpose?”

“Um, to eradicate infection,” said Liz. “I just need to find some infected cells to test it on.”

“Excellent,” said the instructor. “You are excused from the rest of your classes. You are to go to this address,” she wrote something down on a slip of paper. They will have everything that you need. Go, now, quickly, but be back in time for the evening meal. Bring your purchases to class tomorrow, and you can begin your tests.”

“Thank you,” said Liz. She quickly gathered her belongings and exited the classroom. She was very wary of Plash Nevenia. Experience had taught her that there were very few people on their side, and the fewer people they trusted, the better.

Liz ran up to her living quarters, and deposited her school things, and ran back down stairs. She slipped out a side door, and began to walk away from the Training Academy. Seeing the city on market day had been like seeing a carnival, but seeing it like this was even more exciting. The market place was less crowded, and Liz was able to engage in people watching. Everywhere she looked, she saw Antarians going about their business, but none of them were happy. There was a solemn feeling in the market place that she couldn’t begin to explain.

Liz paused before the restaurant where they had found Che’koth the first time they went into town, but she did not see him anywhere. She sighed, but continued on her way. A little bit of company would have been nice, but she wasn’t going to let a lack of it ruin her day. A crowd of people rushed past her, and Liz jumped out of the way to avoid being trampled. She stood to one side as more and more people began to rush down the street to the markets center. She continued walking down the winding street until it opened up to the giant market center. There, a large crowd gathered, listening to a man standing on a platform, making a speech.

“We must overthrow the tyrannical ropes that bind us!” screamed the man. We must free ourselves of the oppressor who has overthrown the one true king, Zan. Brothers, stand with me and fight for freedom. Fight for King Zan!” The crowd took up his cry, and soon the market entered with the roar of the crowd. “Fight for King Zan! Fight for King Zan!”

Liz tried to extricate herself from the chanting crowd, but found herself hemmed in on all sides. She fought harder as the chants turned to screams of pain. She looked toward the platform, and saw the man being dragged down by the Aberjani. She watched in horror as they began to beat him, and yet he still called out to the crowd to fight for King Zan, with his last breath.

“Let me out of here,” she cried as she tried to push her way through the throng of stampeding people. She was just about to break through the crowd, when a hand reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Not so fast, rebel,” crowed the Aberjani who had captured her. “You will join the other rebel scum we have captured to go on trial for treason against Lord Kivar.”

“I am not a rebel, you simple minded idiot,” shouted Liz as she struggled to break free from his grasp. “I got caught in the crowd. Now let me go.”

“Coward,” said the Aberjani. “You are willing to speak out against Kivar when you are but one of the faceless crowd, but how quickly you throw down your beliefs when you are confronted.

“I said let me go,” said Liz. She twisted her body so that she was facing her captor, and, using her free hand, grabbed the back of the hand, which held her arm. She applied pressure to the back of the hand the way Sheriff Valenti had shown her, and twisted his wrist, causing the Aberjani to drop to his knees in agony.

“What have we here?” said a loud voice behind her. “One of the rebel scum has brought one of my Aberjani to his knees?”

“If you please, Sir,” said Liz. “I am not a rebel. My instructor sent me to the market place to get some materials I will need for a project tomorrow. I got caught up in the crowd. I tried to free myself from the mob, but there were too many of them. See, I have a note from my instructor, telling me where to go, and what to purchase.” She passed the man the note given to her by Plash Nevenia, and held her breath.

The man took the note and read it. He looked at Liz, and at the Aberjani who was still on his knees.

“What did you do to my soldier?” he asked.

“I’m sorry, sir, but he was hurting me, and he wouldn’t listen. I tried to explain to him, really I did. But he wouldn’t let me go, and I just reacted or something, and he ended up on the ground.”

“Do you know who I am, little girl?” asked the man. Liz shook her head, and caught her lower lip between her teeth. “I am General Kobodi, head of the Aberjani, and second in command to Lord Kivar, and you, little girl, have shamed one of my warriors. I want to know how you did it!”

“Give me your hand,” Liz commanded.

“What?” said the aghast Kobodi. He was the general. Who was this mere snip of a girl giving him orders?

“You said you wanted to know what I did, well, give my your hand, and I’ll show you,” said Liz. She waited impatiently for a second, then reached out and grabbed the general’s hand, pressed her thumb into the pressure point on the back of his wrist and twisted his arm just enough to cause him some pain. She was smart enough to realize this was one person she didn’t want to bring to his knees. She relaxed the pressure on his hand, and stepped back and waited.

“Hmm, that’s very interesting,” blustered Kobodi. He glanced at the note he had taken from Liz earlier and shoved it back into her hand. “Fine, be on your way,” he said. “And I advise you to chose your path more carefully next time. You!” he shouted at the Aberjani that Liz had incapacitated. “You are to punished. You let that mere slip of a girl do this to you. You who are supposed to be the pride of the Antarian army!”

“Please General Kobodi, you don’t understand,” pleaded the other man.

“Silence, I grow weary of the sound of your voice!” shouted the General. He released a bolt of energy in the direction of the man. He screamed in pain. The screams intensified as the general released another bolt in his direction.

Liz stood transfixed in horror at the sight before common sense forced her to turn and run. She ran as if the hounds of hell were chasing her, straight into the arms of Che’koth.

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty-One Crash into Me

“Relax, Liz, it’s me,” Che’koth said, holding Liz tightly by the arms to stop her fall. “Plash Nevenia told me she was going to send you to me today. When you didn’t arrive, I became worried. Where have you been, Liz?

“Oh, Che’koth, it was horrible!” cried Liz. “There was an uprising or something in the market place, and I got caught in it. I tried to get away, but one of the Aberjani grabbed me.”

“Liz, are you alright?” Che’koth asked. He pushed her away from him slightly, and his eyes ran up and down her body, the way a parent would look over their child after she had been in a dangerous situation.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered, despite the pounding in her heart. “I-well, he wouldn’t let go of me, so I kind of made him let go of me.”

“Majesty, please tell me you did not use your powers on an Aberjani in public?” begged Che’koth.

“No, of course not,” said Liz. “I used a good old fashioned self defense technique which brought him to his knees. Unfortunately, that General Kobodi saw it. He had a major cow.”

“He had a bovine?” asked Che’koth, clearly puzzled.

“No, it means he freaked, he wasn’t happy, you know,” said Liz. “Come on Che’koth, stay with me here.”

“You sound much like your friend Maria, Liz. She above all of you consistently confuses me. I think she takes pleasure in it,” said Che’koth. “But let’s get you off of the streets. I want to hear the rest of your tale.” He lead her down a small alley, and into a dingy shop. “Before we do anything else,” he said. “Here is what Plash Nevenia sent you to get.”

“Can we trust her?” Liz asked. “I want to trust her. My instincts are telling me to trust her, but my common sense is saying trust no one.”

“You can trust her with your life, Majesty,” said Che’koth. “She, like I, would die to protect you.”

“Well, it’s not going to come to that,” Liz said, her voice grim. “Nobody else I know is going to die, at least not if I have anything to say about it. And don’t call me Majesty.”

“As you wish,” said Che’koth, with a nod of his head.

“Right, if only it were that easy. Look, Che’koth, I have a million and one questions for you, but I really have to get back to the Training Academy. Plash was adamant about that.”

“Come with me, Liz. We will talk while I show you something very important,” said Che’koth. He led her to the back of the store, and lifted up a trap door in the floor. “This tunnel will take you back to the Training Academy. It goes directly to the hidden room that Plash told you about.” He climbed down the ladder and waited to help Liz.

Liz climbed down the ladder, and missed the last couple of rungs, and fell into Che’koth’s arms. “Thanks,” she said, a bit breathless. “That really would have hurt my, um my dignity.”

“You are all right, Liz?” Che’koth asked. When he nodded, he relaxed his grasp on Liz and placed her on the floor. “Follow me,” he said over his shoulder. “You will want to know that an emissary was sent to Roswell, as you requested. He made contact with Sheriff Valenti. The emissary, along with Sheriff Valenti, met with your families, and explained everything.”

“Oh, God,” whispered Liz. “How bad was it?”

“That is not important,” said Che’koth. “What matters is that your families know the truth, and they support you.”

“They know everything?” Liz asked, faintly.

“Yes, they know the truth about the crash, and about Max and the others coming out of the pods. They know how Max saved you, and how Tess tried to destroy you all,” said Che’koth.”

“Do they, do they know about?” Liz asked softly, her voice breaking slightly.

“Yes, they know that you were married, and about the child that you lost in battle.”

“Oh, God,” whispered Liz. “They must hate us.”

“On the contrary. They are awed by your resourcefulness, and saddened that you were not able to share these burdens with them,” said Che’koth. “They want all of you to know how much they love you. They wish that they could be here to fight with you, but know that it isn’t possible.”

Liz stopped and grabbed Che’koth by the arm. “Just who was the emissary that went to see Jim?” she asked.

“I did, Majesty,” said Che’koth. “Along with a contingent of guards.”

“Guards, why?” asked Liz.

“To protect your families from the Aberjani,” said Che’koth. “If this angers you, Majesty, I can arrange to have them removed.”

“Angers me? Che’koth, it’s a wonderful idea. I only wish I had thought of it myself, and don’t call me that,” said Liz.

“If you will remember, Liz, you had a great many things on your mind the night we discussed sending somebody back to Roswell to tell your parents. And, even if you had thought of it, you never would have requested it. You find it so hard to even hear your title, you would never use it for yourself,” said Che’koth.

“Well, I will this time,” said Liz with a smile. “I command you to give me a hug.”

“That is one thing you will never have to order me to do,” said Che’koth, hugging Liz. “Now, we must make haste, Liz, for it is getting late.”

The two hurried down the dark tunnel. Liz felt herself begin to go down a slight incline, and then the tunnel widened out, and stopped at a heavy door. Che’koth reached out and opened the door, and escorted Liz into a small room. “Where are we?” she asked. “Is this the room in the Training Academy?”

“It is,” said Che’koth. “Now, I want you to walk out that door, turn left, and go up two flights of stairs. You will come out in a small hallway adjacent to the common study area. Are you able to find your way from there?”

“I’ll be fine Che’koth, but what about you?” asked Liz.

“I will wait here until you and the others return, tonight. We have much to talk about. Be safe, Liz.”

“And you,” said Liz. She smiled, and slipped quietly out the door, and into the hallway.

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty – Two – Antarian Eraser Room

Ava gave a small scream when she felt a hand grab her shoulder. “What are you doing here?” a heavy voice inquired, harshly. She turned, trying to smother scream.

“I, I – Oh, Alex, it’s you. You big jerk, you scared me,” she said. She hugged him tightly.

“This is like no man’s land for you,” said Alex. “Why are you up here, is anything wrong?”

“No, actually, everything is good for a change,” said Ava. She filled Alex in on the meeting place, and gave him a copy of the note, explaining how to find it. “And listen Alex, I need a favor from you.” She pulled him down and whispered something in his ear, and Alex exploded with laughter.

“You are so evil, Ava,” laughed Alex. “I’ll take care of everything.”

“Great, I’ll see you tonight,” said Ava, placing a quick kiss on his cheek. “I have to run. I’m supposed to be in class. See you tonight.”

Alex watched as the petite girl ran down the hall, then he turned on his heel and made his way back to his room to complete his given assignment.


Liz slipped into the dining hall just as the evening meal was beginning. She popped one of the pills she created, and sat to eat her meal. She had barely taken one bite before she heard a call to attention.

“Attention, attention, may I have your attention, please,” came a voice from the dining hall. “Congratulations to all of you. You have successfully completed your first two weeks at the Training Academy. As you enter the next phase of your training, you will find that things will ‘relax’ a bit. As you may, or may not know, the first two weeks are a training period for new students. As you have all successfully passed this training period, the administration would like to announce that you may now have the hours after the dinner hour free for recreation, or study. Enjoy your time, and use it wisely.”

Cheers filled the dining area as the students celebrated this bit of news. Liz looked over to where Max and Zan sat, and smiled. This would make their meeting a little easier. When the dinner hour ended, she joined the throng of students exiting the dining area. She followed the crowd for part of the time, in the direction of the common study area, but when the majority of the students turned left, she ducked down a side corridor on her left. She looked around to make sure nobody was observing her, and went down the two flights of stairs, and located to door to their meeting area. A sign over the door, written in English caused her to burst into laughter.

Liz opened the door, and slipped inside to find Che’koth, and Alex waiting for her.

“Your idea?” she asked Alex.

“No, I simply executed the plan. Ava is the master mind behind it,” explained Alex. “I bumped into her when she was slipping a note under Michael’s door. I scared the shit out of her, so I figured I owed her this.”

“What are you two talking about?” Che’koth asked, like an indulgent father.

”Nothing much,” said Alex. I just put up a little sign for Maria, but relax, I’m going to take it down, after she sees it. No sense in drawing too much attention to our meeting down here.”

“You are a very wise person, Alex,” said Che’koth. “You are right, there is a time for levity, but there is also a time for discretion.” Che’koth paused when the door opened, and Ava, Michael and Max walked in. Max and Michael were smiling, and Ava looked extremely proud of herself.

Kyle and Zan walked in next, with Kyle explaining the significance of the eraser room in their lives. “Cool sign,” he said. “Who thought of it?”

“Talk to your wife, Valenti,” said Alex, “It was all her idea.”

“And just who are we supposed to be amusing with said sign?” asked Kyle.

“Maria,” said Ava. “She was complaining about it the other day.”

“Aw, isn’t that nice,” said Max. “She misses you, Michael.”

“Shut up, Maxwell,” said Michael, his face suffused with color. He looked around the room. “Nice place. “What are those things over there?” he asked Che’koth.

“All in good time,” said Che’koth. “I’d rather make my explanations one time only. He was interrupted by squeals of laughter from the other side of the door. “I assume that means Maria is here,” he said.

Ava ran to open the door, and bowed low. “Welcome to the Antarian Eraser Room,” she said. “Where all manner of debauchery can be found.”

“You are such a twit,” said Maria hugging her, while Isabel reached up and pulled the sign down.

“Nice sign, Alex,” she said, tossing it to her husband.

“How’d you know?” he asked as he caught the sign.

“Well, it was either you or Kyle,” said Isabel. “Neither Max or Michael have such a well developed sense of whimsy. I don’t know about Zan, but I’m guessing he’s right up there with Max in the chuckles department, and if it had been Kyle, he wouldn’t have been able to keep it secret.”

“Hey, I can keep a secret!” shouted Alex over Max and Michael’s cries of character assassination.

Che’koth watched as the group teased each other back and forth for a while. He knew that after the past few weeks, they needed this time to relax and have fun. Chances are there wasn’t going to be much fun in their immediate futures. When their carefree laughter died a natural death, he stepped forward to address his king.

“Majesty, I have returned from my recent journey to your planet to explain to your families what is happening. All of them,” he said, now addressing the entire room, “Send you their love and support. They are saddened that you did not take them into your confidence before now, but they understand why you felt that you could not. Kyle, your father was tantamount in explaining some of the precarious situations that all of you have faced.”

“Are our families in any immediate danger?” asked Kyle.

“No,” said Che’koth. “I left a squad of our best soldiers down with them to protect them from any attacks. They will be safe.”

“That’s not enough,” said Max. “We need to eliminate the Aberjani, and to do that, we have to get rid of Kivar.”

“We will, Max,” Liz said, her voice resolute. “After my run in with them today, I can’t wait to see them all dead.”

“Run it?” asked Max. “What run in?”

Liz explained what she had seen in the market area, and her encounter with both the Aberjani, and General Kobodi. Max was furious at the thought of Liz being in such a dangerous situation, but he was also proud of the way she was able to take care of herself.

“Chica, I can’t believe it,” said Maria. “That’s it, no more secret errands for you. From now on you take one of us with you.”

“Why, so it can happen to both of us?” Liz asked. “Listen, it’s not important. I doubt I’m going to be running around town again, any time soon. But I have some other news that’s even more important. I made a major breakthrough today on the special project I’m working on.”

“The penicillin one?” asked Maria

“What penicillin experiment?” asked Kyle.

“Oh, nothing, we’re inventing penicillin,” Maria said, airily. “That’s all.”

“Not wanting to burst your bubble or anything, Maria, but penicillin has already been invented you know,” Kyle said, his voice dry.

“Not here it hasn’t,” laughed Maria. “So we’re going to invent it, and get that fat witch Jara Kobodi off our asses.”

“Oh, well in that case, cool,” said Kyle. “Maybe after that, you can invent Flintstone chewables or something.”

“Kyle, you are such a jerk,” said Liz, with a laugh. “And maybe you can invent the banana split or something? Do you all want to hear the rest of my news, or not?”

“Sorry, Chica, go ahead,” said Maria.

“It’s the other project that I’m working on, the one for the Aberjani. I found some chemical compounds that will focus in strictly on one person’s blood. I’ve only tested it on myself, but it was great. It eradicated all my blood cells on contact,” Liz said, her voice excited. She looked at her friends, her eyes shining with discovery.

“Liz,” said Isabel. “I don’t want to rain on your scientific parade or anything, but how is this a good thing? You’re giving them a weapon to destroy us.”

“No she’s not,” said Zan, unexpectedly. “She can use their blood as a trigger.”

“Right,” said Max, picking up Zan’s train of thought. “Or, given enough time, she can figure out a way to mask our blood so that the chemical compound doesn’t recognize it.”

“That’s brilliant, Liz,” said Alex. “And now it’s time for my news. I’ve been assigned to the team that’s building the guidance system for the Aberjani’s new weapon. And I got a good look at those things they use to travel back and forth to Earth.”

“How close a look?” Michael asked. “Could you re-create one?”

“Um, I don’t have too,” Alex answered. He reached into his pouch and pulled out a belt similar to the belt worn by Glenarra, the Aberjani that Zan had killed in the Granolith chamber.

“Hey, I’ve seen that, before,” said Kyle. “That Aberjani chick was wearing one when she attacked us. But now that I think about it, she wasn’t wearing it when we arrived here.”

“That’s because they’re programmed to self destruct if the person wearing it dies,” said Alex. “This one hasn’t been coded to an Aberjani yet. I, uh, I also managed to get these.” He pulled a folded packet of papers out of the pouch and passed them to Che’koth. “They’re the plans to build these suckers,” he said. “Maybe our side can use them to their advantage or something.”

“These are not the originals are they?” Che’koth asked, sharply.

“No,” Alex said in his d’uh voice. “I’m not that stupid. I made a copy.”

“I did not mean to imply that you were less than intelligent, Alex” said Che’koth. “I just do not want you to put yourself in greater danger, that is all.”

“Okay,” said Michael, in an uncharacteristic attempt to defuse an awkward situation. “We have Liz’s revelations, an the stuff that Alex brought. Is there anything else? Because I for one, am dying to find out what’s in those boxes over there. Weapons or something for us to use?”

“No, nothing like that, I’m afraid,” said Che’koth. He turned to hide his grin as he went to remove the covers from the boxes. “Just some things your parents sent up to you.”

“Oh my God,” cried Maria, rushing over. “Peanut butter! Chicken noodle soup, saltines. Food, real food!”

“Candy, chips, popcorn!” Liz took over the cry. “And tonic!” She grabbed a can of Pepsi and opened it and took a drink.

“Thank you Buddha,” said Kyle, reaching for a Hershey bar. “And thank you Dad,” he added when he saw his favorite canned chili in the pile.”

“How are our parents, really, Che’koth?” asked Max. “How are they dealing with everything?”

“Far better than you ever would have expected,” said Che’koth. “They are not pleased at the thought of you fighting a war on another planet. But they understand that if you don’t, your lives will never be your own. They were full of advice, most of which they wrote down for you. I must say, Maria, your mother was quite disturbed at first at the thought of you fighting a war, but even she came around.”

“Yeah, my mom was the original protest girl. Make love, not war, and all that,” said Maria. “She was all about standing up for your rights,” her voice trailed off.

“Maria, what’s the matter?” asked Ava. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Maria answered. “But I have an idea. It ties in with what happened in the market today. Listen up everybody, you’re going to love this.”

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty – Three – Make love, AND war

The next morning, the student dining area was awash with quiet conversations. Students were huddled in groups examining small pieces of paper. Max listened to the various bits of conversation he overheard as he made his way to his table.

“Do you think it’s true?” one person asked.

“It can’t be. I mean, everyone saw the bodies,” said another.

Max sat down at his table, and looked across the room at Michael who was blatantly eavesdropping on a group of students behind him. Zan sat down next to Max, and smiled. “Look, they’re everywhere.” He passed Max a small square of paper that had a silver hand print on it and the words Long Live King Zan. “That Maria is pretty smart,” he said. “I wouldn’t have expected this to work in a million years.”
“Who would have thought that something so simple would get everyone talking?” asked Zan.

“I know,” said Max. “I can’t wait to see what it’s like at the market area today. “General Kobodi said we were going to be patrolling there today. Let’s hope he hasn’t checked it out first.”

An alarm rang throughout the student dining area, and those training for the Aberjani stood, and exited the room. They assembled in a small instruction room near the front of the Training Academy.

“Today,” said General Kobodi. “We will patrol the market area. Yesterday, there was an incident. I want no such incident to occur, ever again. Am I understood?”

A hand went up among the warriors, and a voice called out. “General, how can we prevent such an incident from happening if we do not know what it is?”

General Kobodi strode over to the speaker and punched him in the mouth. “Silence!” he shouted. “An Aberjani doesn’t question. He or she simply does what they are instructed to do! Is that clear!”

“Yes, General Kobodi,” chanted the trainees. The General turned, and signaled for them to walk out of the room. Most of them stepped over their fallen companion, but Max and Zan watched in horror as the General stepped right on him and continued out of the room. Max bent down to heal the warrior, but Zan grabbed him and pulled him out of the room.

“Are you crazy?” he asked. “Do that and it will be like pointing an arrow in our direction.”

“Isn’t that what we want to do?” Max asked. “Let them know we’re here!”

“Yeah, but this is too obvious,” said Zan, propelling Max out the door. “We’d be caught for sure. Damn, you are too soft hearted,” he continued. “I get wanting to help him, but not at the expense of my neck, thank you very much.”

Max jerked his arm away from Zan, and stormed out of the room. He was angry. Angry at what General Kobodi had done, angry at his inability to help the other warrior, and angriest of all at Zan for being right. He and Zan quickly caught up with the rest of the warriors, and began the march to the market area of the city. The Antarian sun rose up above the horizon, burning of the mist that had settled on the city during the night. Max looked around, eagerly, anxious to observe as much about the city as he could.

It could be almost any city on Earth, with the exception of the lack of personal vehicles. He searched his memory, and found that vehicular traffic had been banned from all cities as a way of preserving the environment. Zan nudged his side, and pointed surreptitiously at the palace that rose up from the center of the city. The morning sun touched upon the spires of the palace, and he watched as a flag was unfurled. It had a red background, and Max fully expected to see the planets that comprised the Royal Seal on it, but instead it carried a symbol he didn’t immediately recognize.

“That’s Kivar’s family crest,” Zan whispered. Max looked back into his memory, and knew that Zan was correct. Kivar was trying to eradicate anything that spoke of the royal family, and that included the flag of Antar that had flown over the palace for countless millennia.

They walked on, both lost in thought, until a roar from General Kobodi shook both he and Zan from their respective reveries. Max looked up, and saw the market area covered in graffiti, proclaiming Zan as the real King of Antar. Another cried that Antarians should rid themselves of the pretender. Max smothered a grin. Liz, who had recently read a history of the kings of England, had thought up that particular slogan.

“I want these taken down before the market opens!” shouted Kobodi. “You!” he pointed at on of the senior Aberjani. “Go to the palace, and inform Lord Kivar of what has happened. The rest of you, begin removing this vile filth!”

Max and Zan split up, and Max found himself working next to Kyle. The two pulled down signs very slowly, as the market came alive. Voices whispered in hushed tones. A few workers came over and began to remove the signs. Kyle nudged Max, and he saw that instead of pulling the signs down and destroying them, they took them down carefully, and tried to hide them from the Aberjani.

A sudden roar of support from the crowd caught them unaware, and they looked around to see what had caused the outburst. Max saw it first and grabbed Kyle and pointed upward. Kyle looked to where Max was pointing and smiled. A large bed sheet with a silver handprint was flying from the top of a tall tree. “You can thank Zan and yours truly for that,” he said.

“Well, it does explain why Zan wouldn’t let me heal that kid that Kobodi punched and then stepped on,” said Max. “Seriously, though, do you think this is going to do any good? I mean, I love Maria and all, but she’s not usually the one to come up with the plans.”

“It’s a good plan, Max,” Kyle said. “Look around you, look at the people. They look hopeful. They want to believe it. They NEED to believe it. They want their king back.”

“Yeah, but Kyle, I can’t stay here and rule. I have a life on Earth, and I can’t ask Liz to give that up. She’s lost so much because of me already.” Max silently thought back to all the losses Liz had suffered, especially the loss of their child. “I can’t expect her to give up her life to live here.”

“Look Max, I think you’re kind of putting the cart before the horse, you know? We’re here, we put up a few signs, that’s it. You’re a long way from taking back the throne,” Kyle said.”

“Aberjani!” shouted General Kobodi. “Citizens of Antar. Your Lord Kivar is here to address you!”

Max turned in the direction of General Kobodi’s voice. He was standing on a low rooftop, and next to him was a man who made his blood boil. Max didn’t realize he was capable of such feelings of rage. Anger stirred deep inside some primordial part of him. Without realizing it, he stepped forward and raised his arm, stopping only when Kyle grabbed him and wrenched his arm back down.

“Good people of Antar!” said Kivar. “Do not allow yourself to be taken in by those wishing to bring evil back to our world. We fought against the tyranny of the royal family. Finally we are free from a world of oppression!” Max shuddered as he felt Kivar’s mind warp. It was worse than anything Tess had ever tried. It was insidious, and evil, pressing at the edges of his mind, trying to take hold.

“Long live Lord Kivar!” shouted Max. Kyle whipped his head around and looked at him in shock, then carried on the chant.

“Long live Lord Kivar! Long live Lord Kivar!” It galled Kyle to even say the words, but he knew why Max had done it. It was the one thing that would keep suspicion off of them. As he chanted, Kyle looked around. The Aberjani had taken up the cry, but many of the citizens of Antar looked like they were only paying lip service to Kivar.

“I command you to remove this filth from our city!” shouted Kivar. “We will find those who have perpetrated such a heinous crime. Keep your eyes and ears opened my people. Riches will abound for any who can assist in the capture of the criminals who did this to our city!”

“All hail Lord Kivar,” came the shout. Max looked over and saw that this time Michael had started the chant. The Aberjani pushed forward and continued to rip down the signs that covered the market area. Max watched as Zan scaled the tree and tore down the flag he and Kyle had made only hours earlier. Max watched has Zan violently ripped the makeshift flag in half and threw it to the crowd. He smiled when he saw that an old woman caught the pieces and kissed them before stuffing them into her bag.

“I think I have an idea,” he said to Kyle as they removed the last two signs from a stone wall.

“Hold on to that thought for a second,” said Kyle. He pressed his hand against the wall, and Long Live King Zan – the True Ruler of Antar! Appeared on the wall in flaming red letters. Another roar went up, and Kyle smiled, and then began to shout. “Get that filth off of the wall! Who dares to betray our leader, Lord Kivar. Long live Lord Kivar!”

“Nice touch,” said Max. The crowd began to disperse as the Aberjani pressed forward, trying to find out who had defaced the wall. So, are you ready to listen to my plan?”

“Don’t be a baby,” said Kyle. “I saw an opportunity and I took it. So go ahead. What’s the plan?”

“Platinum, and lots of it. Kivar is laying a heavy mind warp on everybody. I had a hard time throwing it off, even with my ring on. These people don’t stand a chance.”


“And where do you propose to get all this platinum?” asked Kyle as they lined up in formation. “And more importantly, how do you propose to get it to the people? What are you going to do, go around and propose to everyone you meet? That might make Liz a little cranky.”

“Shut up, Kyle. I said it was a plan. I didn’t say it was a fully thought out plan,” grumbled Max. They began to march back to the Training Academy, while Max tried to figure out a way to get enough platinum jewelry, and how to get it to the people of Antar.

“Well, if you’re interested, I kind of had a thought,” said Kyle. “We never did figure out what it was about the platinum that blocked the mind warp. I mean, is it one element of it or all the chemicals that make it up all together. I was thinking, if we could figure that out, maybe we could just get that one thing and, I don’t know, sprinkle it in the water supply or something.”

“Kyle that’s a fantastic idea,” said Max. “But how? I can’t ask Liz to take on anything else. She’s ‘discovering’ pennicilian, and she’s working on that whole thing to not get us killed.”

“Don’t look at me,” said Kyle. “Remember, Maria and I were in the same remedial science class for three years. Wait a second, Max. Che’koth must know. Whoever wrote the destiny book knew. I mean, they put it in there. Someone here on Antar has to know how it works. We nee to talk to Che’koth about this.”

“See, I knew you’d figure it out, Kyle,” Max said with a grin.

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty – Four We Rock, We Roll, We Rule

Kyle looked at Liz, trying to contain his excitement as he laid down his idea for them to find out what in the platinum made the platinum break a mind warp. “So what do you think?” he asked. “Can you do it?”

“It can’t be done,” Liz said. “Platinum is an element. Basically, it is what it is, in its simplest form. There is no breaking it apart into components. If there is, I can’t do it.” She turned to Max and pulled his head down to hers. “You know I can’t do that,” she whispered. “Why did you let Kyle get all excited?”

“Well, it’s just that he was so excited about coming up with a scientific theory,” said Max. “I just didn’t have the heart to shoot him down. He really put a lot of thought into it, and for someone who took remedial science, it’s a pretty sound idea. Besides, after he thought of that, he did come up with a viable idea. If the information about the platinum was in the destiny book, that means someone here on Antar must know how it works. We need to find him or her, and figure out how to use it to our benefit.”

“You know, maybe Kyle was on to something,” mused Liz, opening a jar of peanut butter. “But instead of isolating a component, maybe we just need to amplify it somehow. Of course, I don’t know what it is,” she added.

“Okay, okay, break it up,” said Maria, walking into the room. “Other people are joining you, all activity of a sexual nature must hereby cease and desist. So, what’s going on?” she asked, sitting down next to Liz. “Any more care packages from the parental units? Cause I’m telling you, in the next one, Mom had better send some cd’s to listen to. I’m going nuts without any music.”

“Excuse me, I am here, there can’t be anything too sexual going on unless Max and Liz are into the kinky things,” said Kyle.

“Maria, can you be serious,” laughed Liz. “We’re trying to plan here. And Kyle, don’t encourage her! ”

“Plan, shman,” said Maria. “It’s time for some chicken noodle soup, and a pb&j sandwich.” She jumped up and walked over to their food supply and started rummaging around. “No bread. How could they not send any bread? I’ve got my p, I’ve got my j, but I don’t have any b.”

“Here, use these,” said Max. He tossed Maria a package of the saltines Liz had been snacking on.

“You know Max. I always thought that out of you and Michael, you were the more refined one, the one with a bit of class,” said Maria. “But now I see just how wrong I was. You’re a cretin. Saltines? One does not make a pb&j using saltines!”

“One does if one gets hungry enough,” said Max, fighting to keep the smile off his face.

“Beast,” said Maria with a sniff, while she opened the peanut butter. “Okay, all kidding aside, do you think we could send a list back with Che’koth next time? Because there are a few things I really need to have.”

“Yeah, I think so,” said Max. “There are a few things I want, too, like our translations of the book and stuff.”

“Why, what can you find in the book that you can’t find here, the home of the book?” asked Maria, her mouth full of crackers.

“Look who’s calling whom a cretin,” said Max. “I want to find out more about the platinum, and how it throws off the mind warp,” he explained. “We never did really read the entire book, we just kept going back to it to find the answers that we need.”

“You won’t find that knowledge in the book,” said Che’koth, entering from the tunnel.

“Damn, we need it,” said Max. “Why isn’t it there? I mean, it told us that it would work, why won’t it tell us how it works?”

“Max, that book was not intended to be a complete set of instructions for you. When you emerged from the pods, you were supposed to have all your memories, and the knowledge you acquired on Antar intact. The ability to mind warp, belongs only to members of the royal family.”

“That means,” Liz said slowly, “That Kivar, and that General Kobodi are both members of the royal family?”

“Very distant, but members never the less,” admitted Che’koth.

“We were killed by members of our own family?” Max asked, incredulously.

“I guess there are just some things that evolution doesn’t change,” said Liz. “Man’s lust for power being one of them.”

“Buddha always says ‘All beings tremble before violence. All fear death, all love life. See yourself in others. Then whom can you hurt? What harm can you do?’ Maybe if the people of this planet could embrace the teachings of Buddha, they wouldn’t have quite so many problems,” said Kyle, eating another Hershey Bar.

“Yeah, great, that’s nice, Kyle. Now, shut up and keep eating, we have to think,” said Maria.

“So, Kivar knows how to break a mind warp then?” Max asked Che’koth.

“No, that information belongs only to the king, and whoever he chose to share it with. It is passed down from ruler to ruler,” explained Che’koth.

“Michael!” said Maria. “Michael must know too, even if he doesn’t realize it! That’s why he was able to throw off Tess’ mind warps without wearing platinum.”

“That is quite true,” admitted Che’koth. “None were closer than Rath and King Zan. Max, you must search your memories. I am sure the answer is there. But it will be hard, for Zan will have buried those memories deep within.”

“I’ll try anything,” said Max. “But I still want to bring back the book translation, if you wouldn’t mind,” said Max. “It’s in a bunch of stuff we left at Kyle’s house. I’m sure Jim wouldn’t mind taking you to get it.”

“And music,” said Maria. “Bring back music. I need music in my life, and there isn’t any here. At least not anything good!”

“Hey,” interrupted Kyle. “I have an idea. Do you remember how Tess did those memory retrieval things with Max. Well, I know what she did was just mind warp stuff, but Ava says she can really do crap like that. Maybe if she worked with Max and Michael, they’d have better luck remembering what they need to remember.”

“Kyle, that is a great idea,” said Max. “I don’t know why we didn’t think of it before.”

“Well, I kind of have another idea that I hate, and you probably will too, but I’m going to say it anyhow. Maybe Zan ought to be included too. I mean, he has the same memories as you, right?”

“Yeah,” agreed Max. “And I’m not hating it as much as I would have even a few days ago. He’s got a huge chip on his shoulder, but every once in a while, he forgets about it, and he isn’t that bad.”

“I will make plans to return to Earth,” said Che’koth, “And I will bring back the items you request. Is there anything else you will require, Majesties?”

“Don’t call me that,” Max and Liz said together.

“Now I feel horrible,” said Liz. “We’re treating you like an errand boy Che’koth. I’m sorry. Maybe we could wait a while before someone goes back.”

“Don’t worry, Liz,” said Che’koth. “I need to go back and make sure that our troops are well, and see if they need anything as well. Will you have time to check with the others to see if there is anything they require?”

“How soon do you need to return?” asked Max.

“Time is of the essence,” admitted Che’koth.

“Then go now,” decided Max. “I assume you’ll be going back and forth on a regular basis to keep track of the troops down there?”

Che’koth nodded.

“Fine, then we’ll get the others to make a list for the next time,” said Max. “Right now, the book translations are what we need. Actually, there is a whole box of what we called our alien artifacts. Bring everything back with you, okay?”

“And cd’s!” chimed in Maria. “Bring back anything you can lay your hands on!”

“Liz, is there anything you require?” Che’koth asked, respectfully.

“No, I think I’m good,” said Liz. “Just give my parents my love.”

Che’koth nodded, bade the goodbye, and started down the tunnel.

“Hey, wait!” shouted Kyle. “Can you bring back some Ho-Ho’s?”

Ladeia3 wrote:Loving this story as always... Hurry back with more. How are they going to demindwarp all of the Antarian residents?

yeah, about that. I'm not really sure yet, therefore, this next chapter has nothing to do with that whole train of thought

________________________________________________

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty - Five Isabel the Spy

“Isadra, a word if you please,” the instructor said, as the students filed out of the class. “I’m very pleased with the progress you have made here. Your diplomatic skills are very developed. You seem to have an insightful grasp of our diplomatic process. I’d like to recommend you for an apprenticeship with the diplomatic corp.”

“Oh, I, um, what would it involve?” Isabel asked. “I mean, I’m flattered that you thought of me, but I’m not sure I’m ready.”

“Believe me, Isadra, if I say you’re ready, then you are ready. You will observe at first, and possibly run errands for the ambassadors, but as I said, your main task will be to observe. Learn how things are done. Are you interested?”

“Yes, yes, I guess I am,” said Isabel.”

“Excellent,” said the instructor. “The diplomatic consul will come in to interview you later today, and if you meet with his approval, two days a week, you will observe the meetings at the palace.”

“Th- the palace?” asked Isabel, her voice trembling. “I don’t know, I mean, the palace, I’m not sure.”

The instructor looked at her curiously. “Of course the palace, Isadra. Where else would the diplomatic corp be housed? You will of course, continue studying here, and be housed here as well, but as I said, two days a week, you will be allowed to travel to the palace. It is an honor for a first year student to be chosen for this task.”

Isabel struggled to compose herself. The thought of entering the royal palace was unnerving, and the thought of possibly seeing Kivar, scared her to death. “Thank you,” she said to the instructor. What time will the interview be held?”

“Directly after the midday meal. Report to this room, and you will be taken to the interview. Now, go, you have another class I believe. Relax, Isadra, I would not have recommended you for this position if I thought you would not be successful.”

“Thank you,” said Isabel. “I will do my best to make you proud.” She quickly gathered up her belongings, and rushed to her next class, all the while, thinking about her upcoming interview. She pulled the Antarian version of a notebook and pencil out of her pouch, and made a list of all the benefits of doing well on the interview. Then, she made a list of all the cons.

God, this is not helping, Isabel thought to herself. I wish I could talk to Alex, or Max, or God help me, even Michael or Kyle. If it were night, I could dream walk one of them, but I don’t have the luxury of waiting for bedtime.

Suddenly, Isabel sat up straight, as an idea took form in her mind. She surreptitiously took off the locket she was wearing and opened it to reveal a picture of Alex on one side, and Max on the other. She placed a finger on each picture and concentrated, allowing herself to slip into the dream state that would connect her with Max and Alex.

We need to talk, her dream self said to the two images that appeared before her. I need to see both of you. It’s urgent. Meet me at lunch in the, she stopped, unsure of what to call their new meeting place. Meet me in the eraser room. She broke the connection and allowed herself a small smile. She wasn’t sure if she was successful, but she had made an attempt, and that alone made her feel a bit better.


“Isabel, what is it, what’s wrong?” Alex practically shouted when she walked through the door. “Are you okay?”

“Alex, I’m fine,” she said. “I’m sorry if I scared you, but I needed to talk to you and Max, and it had to be now. It’s important, but no, I’m not hurt or anything.”

“Isabel?” Max shouted, running through the door. “What happened? Are you okay?”

Isabel rolled her eyes skyward, at Max’s entrance. “Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “Do I look hurt?”

“Excuse me, but I was in the middle of weapons training, when all of a sudden, you appeared in my head, demanding a meeting. What was I to think? Of course I thought that something was wrong,” Max said.

“Can we all just calm down for a second,” said Alex. “Max, Isabel obviously has something important to say, or else she wouldn’t have risked scaring us half to death to get us down here,” Alex’s voice rose slightly.

“Okay, listen, I’m sorry about that, but I don’t have much time. I was selected to be a part of some diplomatic apprenticeship program, and I’m being interviewed right after lunch. I wasn’t sure if you thought I should go through with it, or purposely tank on the interview,” she explained.

“Well, what is it going to involve?” asked Max.

Isabel paced nervously around the small room, anxiously rubbing her hands together. “Well, mostly just observing, and playing gopher from the sounds of it,” she began.

“Well it sounds great,” interrupted Alex.

“Two days a week, at the palace,” Isabel said over Alex’s voice.

“It’s a shame you won’t be able to do it,” Alex continued without missing a beat. “There is no way in hell, you are going anywhere near that palace without me! Right, Max?”

“You can’t make this decision for me, Alex,” Isabel said.

“No, well, then Max can. Tell her, Max,” said Alex.

“I don’t like it Isabel. It’s too dangerous. Besides, you don’t know how being back there is going to make you feel,” said Max.

“Right, because being on Antar has elicited so many deep feelings already,” snapped Isabel.

“Okay, fine, your right, being here hasn’t really effected any of us, but Isabel, what happens when you see Kivar?” asked Max. “Have you thought about that?”

“That’s the one thing that’s keeping me from doing it,” said Isabel. “But think about it, both of you really think about it. How can I not put myself in that position. The information I gain may be very helpful to us.”

“I still don’t like it,” Alex said, flatly. “But I’m also not stupid. I can’t tell you what to do, Isabel, but I can tell you to be careful. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.”

“Right, Alex, I’ll try to stop myself from blowing that bastard up the second I see him,” snapped Isabel. “Max,” she said, turning to her brother. “Go away. I need to speak with my husband.”

“Good luck,” Max said to Alex. “And go easy on him,” he said to Isabel. “Liz will hurt you if you do anything to messy to him.”

“Good bye, Max,” Alex and Isabel said together. They watched as he walked out the door, then Alex pulled Isabel into his arms and held her tightly.

“You do know how much I absolutely hate the idea of this,” he said to her.

“And you know why I have to do it,” she replied.

“That doesn’t mean I have to like it,” Alex said. “In fact, I despise the thought of it. But yes, I understand why you have to do it. But Isabel, I want to see you every night when you get back. I need to know that you’re safe. Agreed?”

“Of course,” Isabel answered. “Alex, if you really hate the idea, I won’t do it.”

“Of course you will,” said Alex, “And you’re going to be great. You Isabel Amanda Evans Whitman, are capable of anything, and I think you are going to make one world class spy.”

“Thank you, Alex. Thank you for understanding why I need to do this.”

“Isabel, I love you. I love everything about you, and part of that everything has to do with what’s going on here. You’re a part of it; I’m a part of it. We all are a part of it. I’m not going to stand in your way, but I’m also going to worry like hell every second you’re in the palace.”

“I love you, Alex,” Isabel whispered. She pressed her lips against his, marveling in the passion that flowed between them. All too soon, their kiss ended, as Isabel pulled away, regretfully. “I’m sorry, I have to go. I have to go do that interview.”

“Be careful, Isabel, and if you need me, now you know how to contact me. I’ll get to you somehow,” said Alex. He watched as Isabel gathered up her belongings and rushed out the door. “Be safe, my love,” he said to the empty room.

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty-Six –

Zan paced restlessly around the small room, waiting for the others to arrive. He still wasn’t sure about his place in the group. They hadn’t exactly welcomed him with open arms, but then, he hadn’t given them much reason to do so. They were different, that’s for sure. He couldn’t believe letting all those humans in on their secret, but apparently, it worked out. One thing he knew for certain, that Isabel and Michael were nothing like Rath and Lonnie. Where Rath and Lonnie were evil, through and through, he could sense openness and a sense of honesty that he never felt from their New York counterparts. He wasn’t crazy about that character that Ava hooked up with, but that may be because he didn’t think anyone was good enough for his Ava.

Zan completed another circuit of the room as he thought about the relationship he shared with Ava. He didn’t think he was jealous of Kyle. He an Ava had discovered a long time ago that they weren’t meant to be together. Maybe what he felt was a kind of big brother thing. Except, that was Michael’s role.

“Where do I fit in?” he asked the empty room. “What’s my role within this group?”

“You fit in fine,” said Michael, walking through the door. “Don’t worry about it, Zan. You’re what Liz calls an integral part of the group. Not that I have a clue what the hell she’s talking about half the time, but if Liz says it, then it must be true.”

“She is pretty cool, isn’t she?” asked Zan. “Max did good, when he saved her.”

“That’s not how I saw it for a very long time,” said Michael. “I did everything I could to stop him from saving her, and then, I did everything I possibly could to keep them apart. I was so evil to her, but did that stop Liz? No way. She just kept pushing her way into our lives, wanting to help us, and now, I can’t imagine life without her or Maria, or even Alex and Kyle. We need them, and they need us, and now, we need you too. Max always says we’re stronger together than we are apart, and he’s right. And Zan, that includes you, too.”

Zan looked at Michael in amazement. He didn’t think he had ever heard Michael string so many words together at one time.

“Great, so Liz thinks I’m in, but what about the rest of you?” Zan asked, his heart in his throat.

“Hey, now that I know you’re not trying to stalk us or kill us, or whatever, I’m cool,” said Michael. “I know Max is a bit freaked, but only because of the whole looking in the mirror thing. I was the same when I saw Rath. Isabel’s okay with you too, she says any guy that wears Armani like you do has to be okay.”

“Antar’s princess makes her decisions based upon the person’s wardrobe?” Zan asked, trying to contain his laughter and failing.

“Yeah, don’t ask, it works for her,” said Michael. “Logic abounds in Isabel land. And as long as Isabel is cool with you, Alex is too, but don’t piss of Isabel, because Alex will kill you without a second thought,” continued Michael.

“He doesn’t really seem like the type,” answered Zan.

“Yeah, and that’s why he’s so dangerous,” said Michael. “He got dragged kicking and screaming into the whole alien adventure we called our lives. Max and Liz got into a car accident, and they wanted to test Max’s blood. Liz got Alex to give us a sample of his blood, but it caused some really hard feeling between them, because she wouldn’t tell him why.”

“And he did it anyhow?” Zan asked, amazed. The loyalty between these people amazed him at times.

“Yeah, but it was a long time before Liz finally told him what was going on, and even then, he didn’t really believe her, but he believed that she believed, and that was good enough for him,” Michael explained.

“Incredible,” said Zan, shaking his head. “What about Valenti,” he asked.

“Oh, Kyle hates you,” said Michael. “But only because of Max.”

“That makes all the sense in the world,” said Zan.

“Sit down, will you,” said Michael. “All that pacing is making me nervous. “Look, Kyle and Liz were dating when Liz got shot. Max saved Liz, they connected, and Kyle lost Liz to Max. He gets over it, falls in love with Ava, and you show up, a Max look alike with, and you already have a history with Ava. He’s nervous.”

“Yeah, but Ava’s like my sister, man. Why doesn’t he get that?” Zan asked.

“Look, on some level, he gets it. Don’t worry; Kyle’s got your back. If you’re in trouble, he’ll be the first one there to help you. He’s cool, much as it pains me to say it.”

“You don’t like him?” Zan asked Michael, curiously.

“Not at first,” admitted Michael. “I couldn’t stand him. It’s taken a while, but I know I can count on Kyle, and he knows he can count on me.”

“Amazing,” said Zan. “The whole freaking crew of you is amazing. You let humans in on your secret. You save them, turn them alien some how, and marry them. It’s freaking bizarre.”

“Yeah, we may be bizarre, but I didn’t notice you just standing there and letting that Aberjani kill Max in the Granolith Chamber. You saved his ass down there, and from where I stand, it probably would have been easier on you all around if you had let him die,” said Michael.

“Yeah, well, whatever,” said Zan, clearly uncomfortable with Michael’s revelation. “It’s not important, but I do have something important I want to talk about. I think we need to have one of your never ending, mind numbing meetings.”

“Yeah, what about?” said Michael, his interest piqued.

“I,” began Zan, only to be interrupted by Isabel dancing through the door, laughing in delight.

“I did it, I did it, I did it,” she sang. She stopped suddenly and looked around the room. “Oh, I thought I was alone,” she said, her face flushing a becoming shade of red.

“Nice dance, Iz,” said Michael. “I take it this means you were successful in your meeting?”

“Max told you?” she asked.

“Yeah, he told us,” answered Zan, “And that’s kind of what I want to talk to everyone about. But I really think we ought to wait until everybody is here. This may be kind of important.”

“Well, Alex and Max will be down here in a little while, and I bet Maria and Liz and Kyle will too, on their never ending quest for food that tastes good,” said Isabel. “So that means Ava will be with them. Voila, instant meeting!”

As if she summoned them, Max and Liz, along with all the others entered the small room, talking rapidly. Max sat in a chair, and pulled Liz onto his lap. Maria kissed Michael, quickly, and then joined Kyle over by the stash of food, rummaging around for something to eat. Alex ignored everybody, with the exception of Isabel. He walked over to where she stood, and took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.

“How’d it go?” he asked. “I was so worried about you all day.”

“It went great,” said Isabel, proudly. “I’m in. It couldn’t have gone any better if I had planned it.”

“That’s what has me worried,” said Zan, raising his voice to carry over the various conversations in the room. The room quieted almost instantly, and everyone stared at Zan, varying degrees of shock on their faces at the sound of his pronouncement.

“What’s up?” Max asked. Liz slid off of his lap, and he stood up and crossed the room to stand next to Zan. “You think there’s a problem?”

“Yeah, actually, I do. Ever since we’ve arrived her,” said Zan. “Things have gone almost too well for us.”

“Like what?” asked a now curious Maria.

“Well, we all got into our programs of study,” said Zan. Then the four of us,” he pointed at Michael, Max, Kyle and himself, “Got chosen to join the Aberjani training program, the group we’re here to destroy. Liz was chosen to work on a special project for the Aberjani, and then Ava and Maria are assigned to work with Liz. Then we find out that Alex is going to be working on another aspect of Liz’s Aberjani project, and now, Isabel is chosen to be a part of a diplomatic apprenticeship program in the palace. It’s all too easy. I think we have to step back and take a look at the big picture. Someone is playing us, and we could all be in danger!”

Everyone began to speak at once, filling the room with a cacophony of sound. Suddenly, a piercing whistle silenced everybody. Ava jumped up on a table, and waited, to make sure that everyone was paying attention.

“Zan’s got a point,” she said. “Now, I’d like to think that we’ve achieved all these things on our own, because we are exceedingly smart, but I don’t think so. I think we’re being manipulated.”

“Astute observations, my young friends,” Che’koth said from the tunnel. “And not entirely incorrect.”

Sorry about the delay in updating - I had computer issues this week


Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty-Seven Secrets and Lies

“You’re really one for the big entrances, aren’t you, Che’koth?” Michael said, calmly. “Now, before everybody, myself included has a giant freak out, why don’t you tell us what you’re talking about.”

“Listen to mister calm, cool and collected,” Maria whispered to Liz, Ava and Isabel. “I bet you if someone were to sneak up and grab him, he’d,”

“Blow them up,” finished Liz with a smile. “Right, like you want to freak Michael out? You know how his powers get.” The four girls shook with silent laughter, and tried to calm down to listen to whatever ominous warning Che’koth had brought.

“You are right about the manipulation,” said Che’koth, setting a large bundle down on the floor. “Zan, you lack the trust that the others have. You are wise to question the ease in which you have attained so much in such a short time. However your trust has not been misplaced. There has been manipulation, but it has been done on your behalf. Liz being chosen to work on the special project, and being paired with Maria and Ava was set up by Plash Nevenia. And Isabel being one of the students chosen to interview was also arranged by a member of the resistance who is on staff here. However, she will either be accepted to the program on her own merits, or not. We have no control over that. We also could not have arranged for the four of you,” he pointed at Max, Zan, Michael and Kyle, “To be chosen for the Aberjani was something you accomplished on your own.”


“So what you’re saying then, is that they,” Liz pointed to the four guys, “Are capable of accomplishing great things on their own, be we need our hands held to get anything done?” She shot a wink at Maria, and tried to keep a serious face as she posed her question to Che’koth.

“No, Majesty, that is not what I meant,” said Che’koth, clearly flustered by Liz’s comment. “Nobody helped you with the project you are working on, any success is yours, and yours alone.”

“Right,” said Maria, drawing out the word, slowly. “And I suppose Ava and I are simply here for decoration?”

“No, I, that is,” Che’koth said, wildly, turning to face Maria. The room exploded with laughter, and Liz hugged Che’koth.

“Gotcha,” she said. “That couldn’t have worked out better if we had planned it.”

“You arrogant little whelps,” said Che’koth with a smile. “I ought to put each and every one of you over my knee. I believe that is the correct Earth expression.”

“You would dare to spank the royal bootay?” asked Maria. “I think not.”

Again the room filled with laughter, and each one of them, reveled in the sound, and the relaxed feeling it engendered in each of them. Max turned to Zan and clapped him on the shoulder.

“You were right to be worried, and to question, Zan. You don’t know us, you don’t know Che’koth, and you are right, everything was coming too easy. We’ve had the luxury of dealing with Che’koth already, and we knew he’d do anything he could to smooth our path.”

“Yeah, yeah, enough of the boring stuff,” said Maria. “Whatcha got in the bundle, Che’koth?”

Leave it to Maria to cut right to the chase,” said Michael.

“Actually, you’re parents had already started a collection of items to send back with you,” said Che’koth. “And Kyle’s father has decided to check the pod chamber on a daily basis, and we’ve agreed that he will leave items for you there, as well as pick up the things I bring back to the soldiers that are guarding your families.”

“Hot damn!” shouted Maria. “Give me my music.”

“About that,” Che’koth said, hesitantly. “I’m afraid we have a bit of a problem.”

“Problem?” asked Maria. “Exactly what do you mean, we have a problem. Either you brought me some music, or you didn’t. If you did, we don’t have any problems, and if you didn’t, WE still don’t have a problem, Che’koth. YOU have a problem. One thing, one simple little thing, that’s all I asked for, and are you going to stand there and tell me that you couldn’t bring me back a few freaking cd’s?” By now, Maria wasn’t talking, she was shouting, louder than anyone, including Michael, had ever heard her shout.

“Maria, what’s wrong?” Michael shouted, pulling her into his arms. “Tell me what’s wrong, and I’ll fix it.” He rubbed Maria’s back ineffectually as he tried to soothe her. “It’s okay,” he said, moving his hand up and stroking the back of Maria’s head as her tears moved to slow sobs. “Maria, talk to me.” He looked over Maria’s head, panicked by her outburst, and unsure of what to do next.

“I- I just hate it here,” Maria sobbed. “I never get to see you, and that woman is always criticizing me, and telling me how hopeless and worthless I am.”

“What woman?” Michael asked, his voice hard. “Because I’m going to kill her, right now.”

“Jara Kobodi,” Ava said, softly. “And for some reason, she seems to take great pleasure in constantly deriding both Maria and myself. It’s almost as if it’s become her soul purpose in life.”

“She’s a vile, evil, bitch, and I’d kill her myself in a second if it wasn’t going to put everyone in jeopardy,” sniffled Maria. “I just thought that maybe, if I had some music or something to listen to, it would, oh I don’t know, relax or something, and now Che’koth is saying that he didn’t bring me any. I know in the grand scheme of things, it isn’t important, but I really wanted my music.”

“Jara Kobodi is a horrible woman,” agreed Che’koth. “But Maria, you are right, you can’t kill her, but I promise you this, if the opportune time ever does arise, I will personally paint a target on her and hold her still, just for you.”

“Are you saying I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn, Che’koth?” Maria asked with a watery smile.

“No, and believe me, she is as wide as some of your Earth barns, isn’t she?” asked Che’koth. “Now Maria, I believe you misunderstood me, before. What I was trying to tell you is that I was unable to get any of your music, but Kyle’s father sent you everything he had in his truck, even though he wasn’t sure it was to your liking. He also asked me to bring you this.” Che’koth withdrew from the small room and went back into the tunnel. When he returned, he was carrying an old guitar. “Kyle’s father already had this in his truck for me to bring back to you. He said you would need this to feed your soul, as much as the food he sent would feed your body.”

“Oh Che’koth, I’m so ashamed,” said Maria, taking the guitar into her hands and caressing it lovingly. She sat down, and immediately began to strum the guitar, and hum softly.

While Maria played, and Che’koth unloaded the rest of his bounty, Michael pulled Max and Alex aside.

“I think we need to send Maria back,” he said. “This is too much for her, and I don’t want to put her to have to go through it.”

“Maria’s tougher than you think,” said Alex. “Not to mention the fact that she’ll kill you if you try and send her back.”

“Yeah, I know, that’s why I was hoping one of you could talk to her instead, and convince her that she should leave,” said Michael.

“Are you insane?” Alex asked, his voice rising slightly with shock. “No way, no freaking way. I’d rather punch you in the mouth again.”

“You punched him in the mouth?” Zan asked, walking over and joining the conversation. “Why?”

“He was cheating on Maria,” said Alex.

“I was not cheating on Maria,” Michael said. “I keep telling everyone, Courtney was a Michael worshiper.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” said Alex. “There was this skin that had a thing for him, and I though he was cheating on Maria with her, so I decked him.”

“Was this before, or after you got your powers?” asked Zan.

“Before,” Max, Alex and Michael all answered.

“Man, you got guts,” said Zan.

“Yeah, but not enough to tell Maria that Michael things she should go back to Earth,” said Alex.

“Max, will you do it?” Michael asked, imploringly.

“No way in hell am I going down that path,” said Max.

“Zan?” Michael asked hopefully.

“Not a chance, besides,” he said, pointing at Maria, who was now laughing at some cd’s Kyle was showing her. “I think she’s going to be okay.”

Michael went to sit next to Maria, and took the cd out of her hand. “The Kit-Shickers?” he asked. “Who the hell are they?”

“Sad as it is for me to admit,” said Kyle. “It’s my dad’s band. He and some friends formed it our last year in high school. I can’t believe they spent money to make a cd.”

“Yeah, well, we won’t hold it against you, Valenti,” said Michael. He tossed the cd into a pile and looked at Maria.

“You okay?” he asked, softly.

“Yeah,” she replied. “And I’m not going back, so don’t even say it.”

“How’d you know?” Michael asked, his voice tinged with shock.

“You don’t do clandestine very well,” said Maria. “Hey!” she shouted to the room in general. “We don’t have a cd player.”

“I can fix that,” said Isabel. She took a cd and held it in her hand, and the room filled with music.

“Cool, I like Pat Benatar,” said Maria. “Can you show me how to do that, Isabel? Cause if you’re going to be all ambassador in training like, I don’t think you’ll have too much time to play music for me.”

“It’s not hard,” said Isabel. She explained to Maria how she used her powers to get the music to play, and in a few minutes, Maria had mastered the skill.

“Aren’t you worried about going into the palace, Isabel?” Liz asked softly, so that nobody else could hear.

“Terrified, and don’t you dare tell Alex,” Isabel admitted. “I’ve purposely kept myself from tapping into Vilondra’s memories, but I’m worried that once I’m in there, surrounded by everything she knew they’ll all come rushing back.”

“Promise me that if it gets to be too much, you’ll pull out?” asked Liz. “I’m sure Che’koth and all of his connections could find some way of getting you out of the program.”

“It’s not going to be too much,” said Isabel, her voice suddenly resolute. “I’m not going to let it be too much. Kivar killed my family, and he’s going to pay for that.”

“Kivar killed the royal family, Isabel,” Liz said, gently. “Your family is right here. Don’t forget that.”

“It’s almost time for lights out,” said Max, moving over next to Liz. “We need to get back.”

One by one, they bid Che’koth a good night, and thanked him for the food and other things he brought back with him. Maria hugged him, and whispered something in his ear, and he nodded slightly. “You guys go on ahead,” Maria said. “I just have a couple of things my mom sent that I need to get together.”

“Want me to wait and walk with you?” Ava asked.

“No, thanks, Ava,” Maria said with a smile. “I’ll be okay. I’ll see you in the morning, okay.”

“Maria, you coming?” Michael asked, hanging back by the door.

“I’ll be there in a minute, Guerin. Go on ahead without me. I promise, I’ll be okay,” said Maria as she made a shooing motion with her hands. She waited until everyone was gone before she turned to Che’koth.

“Okay,” she said. “This is what I want to do.” She quickly explained her plan, and waited while Che’koth thought about it. “Do you think we can do it?”

“Are you sure about this, Maria?” he asked. “It could be very dangerous.”

“Yes I’m sure, but what I want to know is do you think it will work?”

“Not only do I think it will work, I think it’s brilliant,” said Che’koth.

“Okay then, lets stop talking, and get to work.”

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty-Eight -

Isabel walked through the city, enjoying the time away from her studies. As she walked, she hummed one of the tunes Maria played on her guitar the night before.

Being here is so strange, she thought to herself. In so many ways, it’s no different than being on Earth. People work, the live, they love, they die. She continued walking, watching as the palace loomed higher and higher above her, the closer she got.
You know, she giggled to herself. It kind of looks a little like the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz. Except for the green color that is.

Isabel paused to look at the list of detailed instructions she had been given.

“Go through the main gate, show your badge and wait. Somebody will escort you to the Ambassador’s quarters. Do not engage the guards in any other conversation. As you know from your studies, it is considered unseemly for the Royal Guard to consort with people while on duty.”

Isabel grimaced at the note and crumpled it up and stuffed it into her pocket. She wasn’t stupid, and she didn’t need to be reminded of the proper way to act. She glanced at a nearby store, and stopped while her brain tried to make sense of what she saw on the window. A poster with a large silver handprint was taped to the outside of the window and scrawled beneath the handprint in red was the phrase ‘We can’t afford to be innocent.’

The phrase tickled the back of Isabel’s mind, but she wasn’t able to place it. She shrugged her shoulders and continued her walk to the palace. As she walked, Isabel paid closer attention to the sites of the city that her former self had called home. It wasn’t dissimilar to Roswell, in that there were residential, and commercial areas. And where Roswell had the park where she had presided over so many Christmas festivities, Antar had the central market place where people gathered.

As she walked, Isabel noticed more and more people leaving the buildings, and making there way to the central market area.

Damn, she thought to herself. I hope this isn’t another protest like the one Liz got stuck in. She increased her pace, and kept close to the buildings, when she spied another sign, this one stuck to a statue of Kivar. Unwillingly, she found herself crossing the road to get a closer look at it. This sign has the orb symbol that was on the communicators, and underneath it was a message as cryptic as the one on the first sign. “Stand up and face the enemy,” she read.

She quickly crossed away from the sign and continued her journey to the palace as she mulled over the two phrases.
We can’t afford to be innocent. Stand up and face the enemy, went through her brain like the refrain from a song.

“A song,” she said out loud. “Oh my God, that’s it, it’s a song. Damn it, Maria. A little warning would have been nice.” She fought back a grin that threatened to spread across her face. Actually, she thought. It’s a great idea. Way to go Maria!



Michael smothered a yawn as he carried his plate of food across the dining area, looking for a place to sit. He looked around and spied Kyle, sitting in a corner, a disturbed look on his face. Michael sighed to himself and walked over to where Kyle sat, wondering what had happened to put that worried expression on Kyle’s face.

“Hey, man, what’s up?” Michael asked, placing his plate on the table, and sitting down next to Kyle.

“Hey,” Kyle responded, pushing his food around on his plate, apathetically.

“Kyle, snap out of it,” said Michael. “What’s wrong with you? Is breakfast that disgusting?”

“Hmm, oh, no,” Kyle replied, a distractedly. “N’ah, I’ve got a Pop Tart in my pocket.”

”So what’s the problem then?” asked Michael, shoveling food into his mouth at a prodigious rate.

“God, you are disgusting, Guerin,” Kyle said, watching Michael eat. “The problem, is that evil witch that is persecuting Maria.

“Yeah, what about her?” asked Michael.

“Well, she isn’t just making Maria miserable, she’s also making Ava miserable, and it got me thinking,” Kyle explained. “Do you think she’s doing it because she’s on to us somehow?”

Michael stopped chewing as he pondered the ramifications of Kyle’s thoughts.

“No, that can’t be it,” said Michael. “Think about who she is, and who her husband is. She would have done something more than just be nasty to them if she knew who they were. I guess she’s just a bitch with a hair across her ass.”

“Who’s a bitch with a hair across their ass?” asked Alex, sitting down across from Michael.

“That teacher Maria and Ava are saddled with,” said Michael. “Kyle was wondering if maybe she had an inkling of who they really were.”

“Damn,” said Alex. “I never thought of that. I bet if you had told Maria that, she would have been more than willing to go back home.”

“You told Maria to go back home?” Kyle asked, incredulously. “Are you insane.”

“No,” Michael said, self-righteously. “I didn’t”

“He didn’t, because he was afraid to,” Alex interjected. “He tried to get one of us to do it for him, but he soon found out, none of us, including Zan were that stupid.”

“Listen, I was wondering if anybody knew what this is,” said Alex. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper and passed it to Kyle and Michael.

“We can’t afford to be innocent,” read Michael from the paper. “Stand up and face the enemy.” He looked up at Alex and over to Kyle. “Never saw it before in my life. Why?”

“They’re up all over school. I was wondering if either one of you did it,” said Alex.

“Did it, did what?” asked Michael, clearly frustrated. “None of us have done anything since we put those banners up in the market place.”

“Well, one of us has done something, and I’ll give you three guess who it is,” said Alex, a knowing smirk on his face.

“Don’t tell me,” said Michael, rubbing his forehead.

“It’s Maria,” said Kyle, with a smile. “Guess she’s not letting the evil teacher get to her too much, after all.”

“No way,” Michael said, emphatically. “Maria wouldn’t do something like this without talking to somebody first.”

Alex and Kyle both stared at Michael, looking at him like he had grown horns, or was speaking in a foreign language.

“Ah, this is Maria we’re talking about, right?” asked Alex. “Maria who totally took over my band, Maria of the world famous Aqua bra. That Maria?”

“Yeah,” added Kyle. “The Maria who put not one, not two, but three giant wads of chewed up bubble gum in Pam Troy’s hair. The one who drove to Texas with you, rather than let you take her mother’s care. Remember her?”

“Damn,” said Michael, his voice coming out with a whoosh. “Okay, Mister Know – it – alls, what is this all about?”

“Actually, it should be Misters Know – it – all,” said Alex. And you know, I think I’m just going to let Maria tell you about it herself.” He got up and left the table quickly.

“What the hell is his problem?” Michael asked, angrily. As he spoke, the contents of his plate splattered up to hit him in the face.

“Looks like you need to work on the control, bud,” said Kyle. “If you want to borrow any of my books on Eastern Philosophy, let me know. I’ll have my dad send them up.” He stood up, ready to beat a hasty retreat.

“I do not need any of your stupid Buddha books,” snapped Michael.

“Right,” said Kyle with a pointed glance. Michael looked down at his plate, where Kyle was staring and saw that his eating utensils had fused themselves to his plate.


Isabel sat in the diplomatic waiting area, and surveyed her surroundings from her seat. Nothing in the room looked familiar to her. She was slightly disappointed that nothing she had seen since she entered the palace stirred even the smallest memory. She toyed with the idea of tapping into Vilondra’s memories, but she still resisted. That was one Pandora’s box she did not want to open.

“Come!” said the Ambassador, entering the room. “We are to meet with a party from a neighboring planet, immediately. They are waiting for us in the Great Hall.”

“Certainly,” said Isabel, rising gracefully from her chair. “Is there anything you wish me to attend to during the meeting?”

“No, no, not today,” said Ambassador Gara. For now you observe, soon though, we will make you work.” He paused to smile at Isabel. “Do not worry, you will be fine. I was very impressed during your interview. You possess a maturity that few people your age possess.”

“Thank you,” said Isabel. She followed him through the numerous hallways, do the arched doorway that lead to the Great Hall. She waited, and allowed the Ambassador to enter first, and then followed close behind. Ambassador Gara introduced himself to the visiting dignitaries, and was about to introduce Isabel, when a fanfare signaled the arrival of Kivar. Isabel turned expectantly, anxious to see the man who stole her brother’s throne in person.

There was a flurry of activity on the throne, and Isabel looked in the direction of the throne to see Kivar, and another person, a woman, seated side by side. She moved slightly, anxious to get a better look. The people in front of her shifted, and Isabel looked, and quickly put her hand to her mouth in an effort to stifle the scream that threatened to explode. There, sitting on the throne, next to Kivar, was a replica of Vilondra, complete with long flowing hair.

Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I’m simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD’s get released.


Tomorrow’s Yet to Come

Chapter Thirty-Nine – Mirror Image

Isabel whimpered softly, staring at the woman on the throne beside Kivar. Her hair was long and blond, curling softly about her shoulders; similar to the style Isabel had worn in high school. She wore a dress of sky blue, with an empire waist, and gold braid decorating the bodice.

“Isadra, what is wrong?” questioned the Ambassador.

“N-nothing,” Isabel whispered. “I was just feeling a bit overwhelmed. I don’t know what I expected, but this is a bit awe inspiring.”

“It’s meant to be,” said the Ambassador. “There is nothing wrong with engendering a feeling of awe in those you are trying to impress, or conquer. Would you like to meet Lord Kivar now, Isadra?” the Ambassador asked.

“Ah, no, not now,” Isabel said, trying to keep the panic out of her voice. She lifted a hand up to her hair, and slightly changed the hue to an even darker shade, then she rubbed her nose, altering its shape slightly. “No, I don’t wish to disturb Lord Kivar,” she added.

“Nonsense,” said the Ambassador. “He is always delighted to meet an up and coming member of the diplomatic corp. Also, this will give him an opportunity to show off his beloved bride, Vilondra. She has been gone for so long doing diplomatic work for Lord Kivar.”

“Th-that must have been very difficult for them,” Isabel said, mechanically, while she pondered the words of the Ambassador. She turned slightly to allow herself a better view of the throne while ideas spun through her mind. “How long was she gone, Ambassador?” Isabel asked. “I’m sure I know, but all intelligent thought has just flown from my head.” She smiled, and looked at the Ambassador like he was the Antarian version of God’s gift to women.

“Don’t worry, my Dear,” said the Ambassador, patting her gently on the arm. “Being in the presence of such a commanding figure as Lord Kivar, is enough to befuddle even the soundest of minds.”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s him that’s causing me to become so flighty,” she smiled at him, and lowered one eye, suggestively. Oh God, she thought, I’m going to make myself sick.

The Ambassador tried to straighten his aged body, and pulled in his stomach. He was flattered that such a beautiful young creature such as Isadra was showing an interest in him.

“Vilondra has gone for just over five years,” he told Isabel. “She was away when a King Zan went insane. He had taxed our people so badly that they could barely survive. Rath, his second in command ordered the beating of anyone who dared to question any of Zan’s policies.”

“There was an uprising in the city, and the palace was stormed. They breached all the security systems. With so many people, the king was powerless against them. They killed him, and his second in command, and left their bodies in the courtyard for all to see. Lord Kivar finally managed to quell the rebellion. He then went to Vilondra and told her of the uprising that robbed her of her family. When he returned, it was to announce that they had married, and that Vilondra was going to act as an Ambassador on a neighboring planet, while she dealt with her grief at losing her family.”

“That’s right,” said Isabel. “I remember. I can’t believe I forgot the tragedy that poor woman has suffered. It’s so sad,” she feigned a sniff, and dabbed at a non-existent tear. “If you’d excuse me for just a moment,” she added. “I’ll be back in just a moment.”

“Of course, dear,” said he Ambassador, patting her gently on the shoulder. “You take your time. I’ll wait right her for you.”

Isabel walked slowly out of the Great Hall, trying not to draw any attention to herself. She found a small room, and ducked inside and locked the door behind her, ensuring that she had some privacy.

“If he mind warped them, we can undo it, I know we can,” she said out loud. She sat down in a nearby chair, and reached for the locket around her neck, when she remembered Liz’s story about what happened in the market place. “Those people knew the truth, and Liz said Kivar talked to them about the evil tyranny of the royal family. So which is it, was there a rebellion, or did he overthrow the royal family, and murder us all?”

Isabel slumped in the chair, saddened by the realization that the only way to find out the truth was to access the memories of the first Vilondra.


“Let me out of here!” Vilondra shouted, banging on the door. “I am your Princess, and I command you to release me!”

“Really, Vilondra,” said Kivar, as the door opened. “What would your loyal subjects say, hearing you talk like a common piece of trash?”

“You are insane if you thing this stupid plan of yours is going to work!” she shouted. “The people of Antar LOVE the royal family. They would never believe the horrible lies that you are telling them.”

“You stupid bastard, the bodies of my brother, and his best friend are in the courtyard. People have seen that, they know what happened,” shouted Vilondra.

“No, Vilondra, you’re wrong. For years, I’ve had spies working throughout the city, stirring up unrest against the royal family. I’ve been stealing from the royal treasury, and instituting new taxes to make up for it. And the beauty of it is, your stupid brother was too involved in his little dreams of a better Antar, to even notice. He wanted to make too many changes, too fast. It was so easy to create a feeling of unrest. I would have been foolish not to capitalize on it.”

“Capitalize on it,” spat Isabel. “You bastard, you created it. But I’m going to end it, right here. She raised her hand to shoot an energy bolt at Kivar, but he was too quick, and he struck her with his own bolt, killing her instantly.

“Pity,” he said, looking at her charred body. “I needed her. But no worry, I can work around that.” He shot another bolt at the body, causing it to burst into flames and disintegrate into a pile of ash.


Isabel sat upright in the chair, pulling herself from the memories of Vilondra. Beads of sweat dotting her forehead, and pooled above her upper lip. She tried to stand, but her shaking limbs wouldn’t support her. She collapsed back into the chair, and began to weep.