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"A spy?" Larek repeated incredulously, "but who?" Rath shook his head, his hands clasped together on the table. "It could be anyone, that's the problem. Who do we trust?" Rath looked to Zan, who was lost in thought. "Whether I die tomorrow or fifty years from now, my destiny is the same – it's you …" "Zan?" Larek nudged the young king from his daydream. "What's going on with you Zan?" Rath accused, "you're lost in space and we have a real crisis on our hands." Zan cleared his throat. "I'm sorry," he apologized, leaning forward, "you say we have a spy?" "Yes," Rath stressed, "Kathana's plans have gone missing. I've searched everywhere." Zan stood, pacing the room. "Where were they last?" "My bedroom." "Who else has access to your bedroom?" Larek questioned, cocking his head to one side. Rath lifted his head. "Myself, my personal guard, and Vilandra." Zan's head turned. "My sister would not have taken those plans. She wouldn't even know what to do with them." "No one is accusing Vilandra," Rath stated, "of course it isn't her. My guard, however … I trust him, but who else could it be?" Rath noticed Zan playing with his wedding band and closed his eyes. Ava.
**
"What's going on Max?" Isabel queried, as the gang gathered in a circle at the UFO centre. Their formation resembled their stance just before the "dupes" made their first appearance, only this time, Kyle was added to the group. A look was exchanged with Michael, who gave a small nod. "Larek came back," Max began, "earlier today through Brody. He … he told us something that changes everything." "What, Max?" Tess' soft voice spoke aloud, her hand reaching down to clutch Kyle's. Max licked his lips, his gaze making contact with Liz. "Home," he finally said, "he told us we have to go home. To Antar."
The group was silent, shock overcoming them all. Alex felt the need to pull Isabel closer to him and Max reached for Liz's hand. "How?" Kyle's voice broke the quiet room, "and why?" "The granolith," Max answered, "it's not only a time machine, it's also a transport system. That's why it's so important to Kivar. It has power we've never imagined. With the right directions and coordinates, it will transport the four of us directly back to our home planet." He took a breath. "As for why … the other four planets of our solar system finally got together an army strong enough to fight Kivar. He's on the brink of defeat, we have to go back and finish it." Maria was skeptical. "How do you know this isn't just a set-up? That Kivar doesn't have his army waiting to ambush you the instant you go back?" Liz unconsciously squeezed Max's hand tighter. His gaze shifted to the top of her lowered head.
"We thought of that," Michael answered, "basically all we have is Larek's word. He's one of us, a friend. And besides, the granolith is coming with us, so unless Kivar is stupid, he's not gonna touch us until we hand it over – he wants it bad enough, apparently. Larek assured us that if there is an ambush, the armies of the surrounding planets will be fighting on our side. Besides, Kivar's army has pretty much been neutralized. We can't lose." "So that's it?" Isabel asked, her voice raised with a hint of panic, "we're just going to go? Leave Roswell? You've already made up your minds?" Alex placed a hand on her shoulder to calm her. "Look we haven't decided anything yet," Max insisted, "it's a decision that all of us have to make together." He shrugged. "Larek did say that we could return, after Kivar leaves of course. I just have to find a replacement for the throne. It will be like a vacation … of sorts." "How long would this 'vacation' last?" Maria wondered, casting a worried glance towards Michael. "Not long," Michael assured her, "a few months, tops." "We just wanted to let everyone know what the situation is," Max said, "and now that you know, we need to come to a decision before Sunday. Whether it's yes or no, if we don't all agree, we won't go."
Tess, still somewhat shell-shocked, but a little excited, found herself being led out the door by a slightly miffed Kyle. "Come on," Alex coaxed," his arm around Isabel's waist, "let's go somewhere and talk." She nodded slowly, her eyes wide as she followed him. Maria and Liz hugged each other briefly as Max and Michael whispered to each other. "Don't worry," Maria tried to assure her, "Max isn't going to leave you, not even for a few months." Liz wanted to believe her, but hesitated. She didn't know what Max was going to do. Michael appeared beside them. "Come on, I'll give you a ride home," he told Maria, his hand on her arm. "I brought the jetta," she scoffed. "Alright fine, you'll give me a ride home." "I'll call you later!" Maria called to Liz over her shoulder as they left.
"Liz." She took a deep breath and turned back to Max, her shoulder's slumping at the expression on his face. He approached her and took both of her hands in his. "My decision is made," he told her softly, "my answer is no. I'm not going to risk it. I won't put our lives in any potential danger … and I won't risk losing you." Liz stepped forward and leaned her head against his chest, feeling his arms encircle her back. "You won't lose me Max," she promised, her voice choked with emotion and muffled by his shirt. "We've gone through too much to lose each other now." He buried his face in her hair, praying what she said was true.
**
Liz sat up in her bed, her head in her hands. She had lost him. And now she'll never get him back.
