Real Epilogue

Commander Charlie Smith and his Mantis brother, Lieutenant Robert Smith were slowly prowling the dark corridors of a space station. "So what's our plan of action?" the Mantis asked, nervously sliding his claws together. He moved the beam of his torch across the hallway and found several clawmarks in the plating, along with acid burns.

"We go in slowly and quietly" Charlie said, leaning up against a door and peeking inside the dark room. He could barely make out the shadowy figures in the darkness.

A loud scream then pierced the air nearby, causing the two Federation officers to jump. "That came from over there!" Robert said, pointing down another hall.

"Holy crap. We might be too late! Forget the plan, hurry!" Charlie said, running in the direction of the screams. Robert followed hot on his heels before overtaking him, skittering down another corridor.

There was another scream, this one longer than any other scream Charlie had ever heard in his life. He stopped outside a pair of doors, panting for breath while his brother went about opening them, bathing the two officers in a bright shining light.

A large figure approached them, silhouetted in the light as Charlie's eyes adjusted. "Are we… am I?"

"You're just in time friend" the figure said, revealing it to be a humanoid creature made up of blue crystals and in a strange uniform. Next to him holding hands was a large Rock wearing ammunition belts as clothing.

"Just you two?" Charlie asked "Prince Ruwen Shattersphere and Princess Debbie Shattersphere-Vrachos…"

The Rock grunted "Ariadne getting married to Duna in a few days. You know the prenuptial ritual takes time."

There was shouting further up ahead. Charlie reached a hand into one of his pockets and headed towards the noise with everyone else in tow. He opened the doors to find himself looking at a ghostly-looking metallic purple-skinned woman leaning over a green Zoltan lying on a nearby medical bed.

Several Federation officers were present at the scene to which Charlie saluted. "Fleet Admiral Tully, Admiral Jensen and Admiral Slocknaw" he introduced himself before looking at the ghost "I came as quickly as I could. What's Trikko's verdict, Kassandra?"

Kassandra shrugged "I don't know. It's hard to tell with all the genetic engineering and the fact she's more energy than organic…" "It's a boy" Envoy Trikko interrupted, clutching a small green bundle of energy in her arms "A beautiful, healthy baby boy."

Charlie looked at the bundle and smiled, holding out a small green crystal from his pocket. The bundle reached out with a tiny hand and touched it. "A Zoltan-Human hybrid. I wonder what that'll mean for the galaxy?"

Tully shrugged "The galaxy has never been so united to consider the possibilities of the new hybrid species. But for the moment, I authorise that a celebration be in order over this momentous occasion."

He raised a glass of something slimy. Slocknaw did the same thing while the hardier personnel produced glasses of strong liquor.

"So where's Virus and Translator?" Charlie asked.

"They apologised that they couldn't make it – Dread Pirate Tuco is raising havoc in their sector" Slocknaw said "You turn your back for one second and every pirate and bandit wants a piece of you."

Douglas added "And before you ask, Two-Zar is on another mission, my father is away with one of Kazaaak's raids and General Turzil made it clear he wasn't interested in the birth of one of the first few alien hybrids in the galaxy."

"That's a real shame. You'd think such an event would be amazing" said a green/yellow Zoltan scientist "But I guess the Engies don't have the emotions for it."

Robert chittered "Until of course someone figures out how to hybridise Mantis with them. Make the ultimate killing and repairing machine. The Engies would be all over that like a Lanius to scrap metal."

Everyone laughed and knocked back their drinks. Charlie looked to his son and said "We're going to need a name for you…"

"How about Hope? As in the hope for the future being more prosperous?" Trikko suggested

Charlie said "That's more of a girl's name than a boy's. But I guess it'll work."

Trikko laughed weakly "Then it's settled. Our son will be named Hope."

The gathered personnel cheered again and had another drink. It was the start of a new era of galactic history with an uncertain but bright future for everyone.

The End