Author's Note: For those of you not familiar, Stephen Fry is a British actor/host with an unique voice, it can go rather high, or be deep and commanding. He was the voice of the Chesire Cat in Tim Burton's version of Alice in Wonderland.

Long, around 1769 words

Limelight, Chapter 10: Lester at the Helm

Lester was on his phone when Chuck, the video director walked in.

"Yes, it looks amazing," Lester said into the phone. "Your narration was just the thing needed to push the piece over the top. It's smashing, Stephen. Thank you."

He hung up. "What can I do for you?"

Chuck smiled. "Let's make a video together, Lester."

"Me? You want me to star in a music video. Are you joking?"

"Not at all Mr. Lester," said Chuck. "I think it could be dynamic."

"Dynamic? Hmm. No, I think it's too far from my character."

"No! Your character screams music video!"

''It does?"

"Oh, yes, Mr. Lester. The best rock videos are powerful…"

"I am powerful…"

"Thought provoking…."

"I provoke thoughts…"

"Breath-taking…"

"I've taken a few breaths in my time..."

"Awe-inspiring, trendy, newsworthy!"

"I am indeed all of those things, Charles."

"I know! Lets' make a music video together."

"Well, no. I have far too much work to do, and I already have a promotional piece filmed."

"My video will be the perfect companion piece. While the other one tells about you, my video will show the British people James Lester in all his magnificence!"

Lester thought. Then a slow smile spread. "And assaulting their eardrums with a musical score brilliant enough to sing my praise?"

"Definitely. Do we have a deal?"

Lester smiled. "We do indeed."

The team walked up to Lester's office. He stood, cheerfully ushering them in.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Becker.

"I am feeling good today, Captain. I don't think you can upset me, not today."

"Not even if he's finally requisitioned a tank?" asked Jess.

"Not even that Miss Parker."

"Wow," said Connor.

"Come in, all of you. I'm eager to play the latest ARC promotional video."

"You are?" asked Abby.

"Indeed. Now, help yourself to some popcorn and champagne."

"Popcorn and champagne?" asked Jess. "I don't think they go together."

"Champagne goes with everything," Lester said.

"What's the occasion?" asked Matt.

Lester smiled. "You shall see," he said, taking a remote and playing the commercial.

The video opened with Lester, seated at his desk, wearing a stern, solemn look on his face.

Then a narrator said, "Heavy is the head that wears the crown."

"Is that Stephen Fry?" asked Jess.

Lester smiled. "It is. Who else would narrate my promotional piece? My regal bearing and authoritative presence demands a deep, stirring voice to accompany them."

Matt shook his head.

Becker said, "We're a bloody delicatessen."

"What?" asked Jess.

Becker smirked. "All the hams here."

"Clever," said Connor.

"Can we please get back to the video?"

"Sure," said Becker. "Sorry."

"Quite alright, be prepared to be amazed," said Lester, re-starting the video.

The camera zoomed in on Lester, staring intently.

"See how I express great concern and worry with only my eyes?" asked Lester.

Abby and Connor exchanged amused looks while Jess stifled a laugh.

"It began with a rash of anomalies and fearsome creatures from the past and future," said Fry. "Buildings were demolished."

A clip played of the ARC crashing in on itself under the weight of pteranonadons and other creatures.

"Thousands hurt and displaced. Thousands more missing. So many lives lost."

A montage of horrifying scenes spread across the telly: wave after wave of future predators descending on the population, terror birds chasing their prey, even children being attacked by prehistoric chickens.

"It truly was Armageddon."

Then the video went back to Lester in different scenes of action: giving orders, over-seeing ARC reconstruction, talking to wounded soldiers. "One man rose up to lead us; one man, charged with protecting our lives and safeguarding our children's future."

"Oh, brother," said Matt, exchanging incredulous smiles with Becker.

"One man to help us rebuild the empire. One man: James Lester."

There were giggles and snickers in the room.

"Always on the front lines. Never backing down even in the face of snapping jaws. Running only to defend us, never cowering in shame. This is James Lester."

Stephen Fry's narration built up, swelling with patriotic music.

"I'm so glad you didn't overdo it, James," said Matt.

"I'm a heroic figure. I refuse to apologize."

Jess giggled.

"Quiet! This is the sad part," said Lester.

"Buried in the debris of his destroyed facility, James Lester did not give in to helplessness or pity. That fractured tomb could not contain him and he rose up from the ashes, flying majestically above it all!" cried Fry, his voice flying majestically as well.

The team looked at Lester, smiling smugly.

"Lester, you were carried off by medics," said Becker.

"While unconscious," said Matt.

Lester puffed his chest out proudly. "Poetic license. Plus, you weren't there, so prove it."

Becker and Matt chuckled.

"And now that the anomalies are waning," continued Stephen Fry, "and as the creatures are contained, who leads us forward? Who has the experience, the sheer will power to drive this great country, nay this planet, into the new millennia?"

The room was giggling again.

"Say it with me," said Fry, enunciating the letters, "James… Lester."

Lester smiled cheekily.

The others all rolled their eyes.

Then a long-distance shot of London was shown. The camera slowly moved toward and focused on a single Union Jack blowing triumphantly in the wind.

The screen went black and the team began clapping.

"No! No! There's more!" cried Lester. He motioned for them to sit back down and pay attention.

Lester's face reappeared on screen as music played.

After a few moments, Connor asked, "Is that…? It is! Lester, you got Muse!"

"Yes, I suppose I was inspired, visited by a muse as it were. So was Charles, I can't take all the credit."

"No, no, no," said Connor, chuckling. "The band that's playing is named Muse."

"Oh. Whatever. I left the music up to Charles."

Lester was shown firing an EMD. Future predators swarmed around him. The scene was cut so it focused on Lester, but it was briefly apparent that he was not the lone defender.

"I think that's me in the background," said Becker. "It's hard to tell."

"It's you."

"Jess, all you can see is my backside."

She smiled. "I know that butt, honey."

Connor made gagging noises.

"Hey, there's me," said Abby. "I recognize the hair."

"And me and Connor, just behind you," said Matt.

"Nice that they allowed a few small shots of the rest of us," said Becker dryly.

"Wasn't it though?" agreed Matt, chuckling.

"I'm sorry, did the two of you think you had the monopoly on heroics?" asked their boss.

"Yes, I believe that is what they supposed," said Emily.

Jess giggled. "Right. They do." Becker shot her a glare but she just smiled. "So, when was all of this?" she asked. "I'm confused. I know I've seen this footage before."

"There's a shot coming…there it is," said Lester. "The pile of debris and rubble." A softer part of the song 'Survival' played as Lester stood heroically atop the pile.

"Is that not the ARC?" asked Emily, "after the creatures destroyed part of it?"

"Oh yeah, when you dug us out," said Jess.

Lester nodded. "Fortuitously, someone caught me standing majestically on top."

"Majestically?" asked Connor.

"Indeed."

The song continued to play, moving into the heavier rock sections. As it did, the camera focused on Lester's determined face. He shot with fury, felling several predators. They kept coming though, dozens of future predators swarming over the remains of the ARC.

"Oh, here's the big action showstopper," said Lester.

The line played, "And I choose to survive. Whatever it takes" as the future predators chased Lester while he retreated down the hill.

"Oh, no. They're about to get you!" cried Jess, nervously biting her nails.

"We know he survives. He's standing right there."

"Sh! Let the poor girl enjoy the riveting drama!" snapped Lester.

Becker and Matt chuckled.

"I think it's cool," said Connor, bobbing along to the rock song.

Just as Lester was about to be overcome, he turned and fired as Muse sang, "And I'll show my strength to the whole human race."

Lester kept up the brilliant assault. It was perfect beside the lyrics, "Vengeance is mine."

"Yay! Go Lester!" cried Jess.

Lester smiled. "I am dashing. I must say I look extremely majestic."

"You're hung up on 'majestic,' aren't you?" asked Abby.

"Indeed. It's the theme of the video, and I do pull it off marvelously."

"Lester, you could eat a grilled cheese sandwich to this song and it would look majestic," said Connor.

"Indeed. Fortunately, I do not."

Jess giggled. "I love the song, but how on earth did you get permission from the Olympic committee?"

"Are you joshing?" asked Lester. "We saved the whole bloody empire! I could get James Bond to parachute with me into a packed stadium if I asked."

"Someone's ego is 'majestic,' whispered Becker to Jess. She giggled but hushed him.

The song played out and the video ended. Everyone applauded, but there were far more laughs and giggles. Lester seemed to only hear the applause. He actually bowed.

"Exceptional, isn't it?"

"You mean fantastic."

"Oh, thank you, Captain," said Lester, smiling in appreciation.

"No, I mean fantastic, as in 'of fantasy."

Matt laughed. "I was going to offer the adjective, 'exaggerated."

Lester gasped. "How dare you! However, neither of you have my breeding or intellect so I forgive you."

"Thanks," they said in unison.

"Not at all."

Jess giggled. "It had a happy ending."

"Yes, I wanted it positive. Thank you for noticing, Miss Parker. Any more critiques?"

"Powerful?" suggested Abby.

"Yes, quite right."

"Ooh! I know. It was majestic!"

Lester beamed. "Exactly, and once again, Connor you've proven that you're the group genius."

Becker shook his head, as he and the others chuckled.

"Do have a response, Lady Merchant?"

"It was…unbelievable?"

"Hmm. Quite. Quite. I too find it hard to believe our outstanding results."

"I don't think that's what she meant," muttered Matt to Becker.

"Thank you all for the praise. It is duly noted."

"I didn't give praise," said Becker. "Did you hear me give praise?"

Matt shook his head. "Me either."

"I liked it," said Jess, "and if you want to compare ham-y-ness, I suggest you re-watch your videos."

"Ooh! Bam, Jess!" cried Connor. "Way to put them in their spot!"

Abby laughed and nodded.

Lester removed the DVD saying, "This concludes today's special treat," Lester said. "Leave the champagne and get out."

"Oh, we finished it," said Connor, tossing him the bottle.

They all left as Lester hollered, "Champagne guzzlers! Oh, but jolly good, leave the over-salted, calorie increasing popcorn! Neanderthals!"