"My goodness! Is this for real?" I had caught myself leaning on the edge of my seat. "Please tell that the inquisitor didn't carry out his plans – that's horrible!"
Aaron didn't seem to be enjoying his storytelling. He nods his head to reassure me. "Thankfully, no."
I asked this question before, but it was never answered. "Who are the Brotherhood of the Good Book? They remind me of agents of the Spanish Inquisition."
Aaron nods. "They were of a sort, I guess. They were the only ones taught to fight and to use jet-packs. Oh yes," Aaron responds to my eyebrows rising at that last statement. "Since their air is Oxygen-rich but very thin, it must not have been easy to develop winged flight or gunpowder weapons. I guess their technology grew to use personal flight and energy-based weapons the way we on Earth took advantage of our thicker atmosphere to learn hang gliding and slug-throwing guns."
Aaron cut short his tangent and got back to his story. "In the end, I'm glad I gave Adam that knife – that turned out to be a life saver..."
The second inquisitor is still inspecting the balisong as the first inquisitor reaches the door of the cell. The cell door opens.
"One last question," the second inquisitor asks of Adam. "What is this little box, really?"
Adam tries to regain his focus after fuming over the first inquisitor's threats. Adam tries to be a good guy, but he has never taken well to insults or threats against people he cares about. He take a moment to plan a strategy and responds. "Flip that little pin and the box will swing open."
The second inquisitor follows Adam's instructions, and the handles of the balisong swing open to reveal a blade. The second inquisitor cuts his finger on the blade and howls out as glowing blood seaps from the wound. Adam lunges for the blade as it falls from the inquisitor's grip and catches it, then brings the blade to the first inquisitor's throat. The second inquisitor simply holds out his hands in a gesture of mercy for the first inquisitor.
"You fool!" The first inquisitor chides his associate. "You are letting him escape!"
Adam takes the rifle from the first inquisitor and motions the two inquisitors farther into the cell as Adam backs up towards the door. He collects his wallet, bandanna-sunglasses and a handful of breath mints, and slyly eats them in front of a surprised second inquisitor. "You two can keep the rest – you may need them."
With a flourish, Adam salutes a farewell (a gesture not found on Rann) and closes the cell door on the two inquisitors. He then calmly starts to walk down the hallway, the muffled cries of the two inquisitors quickly disappearing behind him as he slips on his bandanna-sunglasses.
He doesn't travel far before he walks past some police officers at a break station getting snacks and drinks. They look at him oddly, and he turns to them and tries to come up with the best bluff he can think of. "The two 'Brothers' who came to see me told me I can go home. Which way is the exit?"
They stare at Adam, trying to figure out if his story checks out. Adam turns his head to see an interviewing room with Alanna and two other police officers. Without waiting for a reply, Adam strolls into the room and brandishes the rifle from his shoulder.
"I believe we are free to go," Adam interrupts their interrogation.
The police officers back off, and Alanna hops up from her chair, nervous and excited to be released by Adam. She rushes to his side and takes the rifle from him. "I'll handle this for you," she muses, knowing that Adam may not know anything about the kind of weapon he's carrying.
The two of them slowly egress from the room and are back in the hallway, but soon find themselves in a windowed lobby without exits. Ten police officers with stun batons quickly arrive and corner the two of them. Alanna yells out "Back off, or I *will* shoot!"
The two inquisitors soon join the police officers, angered and armed with the other rifle. "Your reign of terror is over, Thanagarian!" The first inquisitor shouts as he takes the second inquisitor's rifle. He wastes no time in bringing the gun to bear against Alanna.
There is a sudden, sharp crack & a buzz that fills the air with the smell of ozone. Adam sees the first inquisitor explode with a bright red and blue glow, then drops down lifeless on the floor. Adam turns to face Alanna, who's rifle is still smoking from the discharge of some kind of energy.
"What kind of weapon is that!?" Adam gasps.
"A rifle," Alanna returns, as she trains her weapon on the others. "They are illegal to possess unless you are a Brother of the Good Book. Only they are authorized by law to discharge a rifle. But it doesn't mean others can't learn how they work."
Alanna surveys the situation. "This is turning out badly, Adam. I am sorry you had to see this. This is a beautiful and peaceful world – I wish you could have seen it with me."
Adam turns to look out of the pitch black windows around them. "Maybe we still can. Ready?"
Alanna turns to face Adam, unsure of what he meant. The second inquisitor take the chance distraction to grab the rifle and motions the police officers to rush her. Adam swoops up Alanna and jumps into the windows, shattering them.
They freefall from the third story window and hit the soft ground. Adam breaks the fall by tucking Alanna tight to him and rolling forward onto his back. He feels pain shoot up his legs, back and head, but unfurls Alanna from his grip safe and sound. He removes his bandanna-sunglasses and checks the sore spot on his head, and finds it feels wet.
Adam gets up, sore but alive. "Adam!" Alanna cries. "You're bleeding!" She points to the gash on his head. Although Rann has a good selection of medical treatments, bleeding is considered a very desperate situation for one's health. Hemophilia is a common problem, so seeing blood is often seen as a harbinger of death. Alanna can't help but be moved by seeing Adam's bright red blood with her red-sensitive eyesight.
Adam surveys the landing site, and the dark blood on the palm of his hand. "Really?" Adam smiles. "If we were on Earth, I'd be dead right now. I think I'll accept some bleeding and call it even." Adam puts on a tough demeanor and tries to apply pressure to the crack in his scalp. He aches, but doesn't feel like anything is broken – he was lucky.
Alanna starts to see movement back at the window of the police station. She fires a wild shot at the windows and the police scatter for cover. She beckons Adam to move, and they soon find themselves a taxi to take them home.
Within the hour, Adam and Alanna return home with a desperate story. The authorities know about Adam, and know that Dr. Sargath had something to do with his presence on Rann. Dr. Sargath has prepared for such a contingency, and makes a quick call to a friend who will offer some asylum to the family if they leave quickly.
Dr. Sargath, his wife, Alanna and Adam go back to Dr. Sargath's lab. As part of the contingency plan, they have to shut down and disable the Gateway – permanently. Dr. Strange and his wife are at the other end, getting in their last chance to say goodbye to the wonderful family they have come to know on Rann.
As everyone is in tears, knowing that they have only minutes before the police arrive, hugs and handshakes are exchanged. Mrs. Strange calls for her son to come over as Dr. Sargath starts the shutdown process. Adam turns to face Alanna, who's face is moist from crying. He holds her hand, and doesn't move from his place as he gives a sad look to his parents. It is evident that Adam is choosing to stay on Rann.
Dr. Strange nods. "I love you, Adam. And – I'll always be here. When you are ready to return, we will open our side of the Gateway. I will be waiting for your signal. Take care, son."
Mrs. Strange screams and cries as Adam nods and speaks in English for the last time. "Mom, dad – thank you. I love you both. Farewell."
Alanna touches Adam's arm to comfort him as he sees his last images of his mother, crying, and then vanishes into nothing.
