Snowfur--I appreciate your reading and the reviews! There is a whole lot more to come. Part III introduces a new enemy in the Ori, and confronts the last remaining Antaran agent on Earth. It'll be a fun ride, I hope.

Gogolu--Thank you for reading a for the review. I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Future Borne

Synchronous Orbit With Jovian moon Himalia, 11,480 kilometers from Jupiter, Wednesday, January 29, 2002, 5:33 a.m. GMT (Monday, January 27, 10:33 p.m. MST)

Commander Ostrael handed the flimsiplast report to Captain Shintre as the two stood on the secondary command deck of the Dragon's Claw. The primary bridge was unavailable, and based on preliminary reports from the repair teams, was likely destroyed beyond repair.

"Final casualty reports," Ostrael said tiredly. Like Shintre, the man had not slept in thirty-five hours.

Shintre stared at the number with a sense of shock. "So many?"

"The enemy return-fire after we depleted our hardpoint armaments was vicious," Ostrael explained. He rubbed blood-shot eyes. "Captain, we may still lose the ship. This gas giant is releasing significant amounts of radiation and our ray shielding power is down to single-digits. Our hyperdrive system was already scavenged from our escort ships because of the crossing to this galaxy, and has been so thoroughly destroyed that it requires a complete replacement. We do not have one. And we're down to a crew of just twenty thousand. We don't have the staff to make any significant repairs, much less maintain the ship."

"You think we should abandon ship?" Shintre asked. "And go where?"

"The Tau'ri home world obviously has natural resources. And we could bring our atmospheric scrubbers with us to aid in rebuilding. It's only a minute by hyperspace from here—we could ferry the whole crew in shuttles and missile boats in just an hour or so."

Shintre shook his head. "Let me think about it, Commander."

Ostrael nodded curtly. "Yes, Captain. Thank you, sir." He turned with military crispness and walked to his post. As he arrived, the ship's clarions activated again. Shintre ran to join him. "What's the situation?"

"We have an unknown ship in the gas giant's system," Ostrael reported. "Forty-thousand klicks out and coming fast. They will be here in…"

A loud voice burst through the destroyer's speakers. "Attention Imperial Star Destroyer. This is Jedi Master Kyle Katarn speaking to you from the bridge of the Asgard warship Baliskir II. Darth Krayt is dead. Both the Antaran and Gao'uld fleets have been destroyed. You are ordered to surrender immediately. In return for a peaceful surrender and your ongoing cooperation, the people of Earth are prepared to offer limited amnesty and settlement on their world. If you refuse, we will drive you into the gas giant."

"Well," Shintre said as Commander Ostrael joined him, "that appears to make the decision easier." He nodded to a nearby communications ensign. "Jedi Master Katarn, this is Captain Han Shintre of the Imperial Star Destroyer Dragon's Claw. We offer our unconditional surrender and request aid. We have suffered massive casualties and have lost all propulsion systems."

"We know," Katarn said. "The Asgard will tow you back to Earth's moon, and from there we will give you coordinates to ferry your people down. Keep in mind your ship just wiped out a large chunk of the planet's population, so medical care will be sparse and short coming. But we will allow you to treat yourselves to the best of your ability."

"All things considered," Ostrael noted to his captain, "that's more generous than we would be."

"That's because we were controlled by the Sith," Shintre said, nodding. "Very well, Master Katarn. We thank you for your mercy and await further communication."

Las Vegas, Nevada, Little White Wedding Chapel, Saturday, February 2, 2002, 12:32 a.m. MST

Thirty-two minutes after turning eighteen and thirty-one minutes after obtaining the marriage license, the exact time it took to walk from the Clark County Clerk's office to the Little White Wedding Chapel, Elizabeth Claudia Parker declared her love to Max Evans before God, Elvis, two Jedi, and all their friends.

Agents Mulder and Scully were able to attend the wedding with their son in Scully's arms. Although General O'Neill was unable to attend, Dr. Samantha Carter, the newly appointed Director of Research at the Grooms Lake, Nevada facility, was there. Teal'c and Daniel Jackson were also able to attend.

Sitting in the front row were Liz and Max's parents, all four of whom were weeping. Isabel, Maria and Siana served as bridesmaids, while Michael, Jim Valenti and Kyle Katarn, of all people, served as groomsmen.

Even Tess was there, her face still as she watched her husband from another life marry another woman. The young Antaran hybrid felt no resentment, however, as she cradled Max's son in her arms. Only loss. She allowed one tear and one tear only to roll down her cheek, and then wiped it away. She was not going to let anyone see her cry.

After the vows were said, the whole party moved to a reserved suite in the penthouse of the Bellagio Hotel and Resort where cake was served. No alcohol was made available for two very good reasons—one, none of the Roswell kids were 21 yet, and even if they were, past experience showed how powerfully Antaran hybrids (at least Max and Michael) were affected by alcohol. Michael Guerin's one drinking binge, for example, left him levitating with a temperature of 112 for five hours. He had had one beer. Max lost all control for hours and almost passed out after one sip of rum.

The lack of alcohol didn't stop the party, however.

Finally, at 2 a.m., the last guests arrived. Roberta Lincoln and Rain Robinson had been busy, traveling around the world acting as unofficial messengers for the White House in organizing an international summit in two months' time. But they still found the time to come. Their gift to Max and Liz made the Evans and Parker parents look on in puzzlement, but Max and Liz both grin.

"It's set for the St. Croix," Rain said to the happy couple, gushing as she handed them the training servo. The pen-like device only activated the communication channels and the transporter. "We checked it out and it came through Judgment Day in pretty good shape. Your room's been reserved and paid for, and they're expecting you."

The two gave her a hug, and then went around the room making sure all the guests were thanked.

Kyle Katarn had managed to move to the door, so he was actually the last person they saw. Both hugged him, and he hugged them in return. Then he held them both out at arm's length and looked at them seriously.

"Enjoy this time," he told them. "Cherish it. And when you return, be ready. This is just the beginning for you."

"We know," Max said. "And we'll be ready."

Kyle nodded. "I know you will. May the Force be with you both."

"And may the Force be with you, Master," Liz said with an infectious smile.

The two stepped outside into the hall. A moment later, as the guests followed them out, they saw nothing but a wisp of odd blue smoke.

End Part 2