Dreams

Ten years ago:

Commodore Christopher Blair hung suspended in the air inside a Nephilim nest. Slime covered most of him. He shivered despite the fact that the temperature was well above comfortable limits for a human being. "What do you want from me?" he demanded.

"You are the one who shall destroy all those who oppose us!" came a voice that resonated from all around him. "The Nephilim!"

"No! Never!"

"You cannot escape your destiny! You are war! You are destruction!"

"I won't do it! NO!"

"It is useless to resist us!"

Images ran through Blair's mind at the speed of light. Images of the Nephilim destroying both Humans and Kilrathi. He saw himself at the controls, pushing the buttons, firing the weapons, and killing those he loved and cared for.

"This is your destiny, this is your fate!"

Blair was almost broken with grief.

"You were born to destroy both of them. It is unavoidable."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"


"Why are you doing this, Blair?" asked Maniac.

"Billions of human lives will be lost if I don't," said Blair. "I have to get to that tower so Casey can collapse that gate and prevent the Nephilim from succeeding at their plan. This is how it has to be. It's the only way."

"Killing yourself is not a solution," snapped Maniac. "There has to be another way."

"No, there isn't. Once the tower is disabled I won't have enough time to get out before Casey blasts it."

"Damn you! You always have to be the hero!"

"It's who I am. It's who you are. Todd, you're the best wingman I've ever had, and the best friend I've ever had. But my time has come. And this is where we part ways."


Shortly after the destruction of the Gate:

"We knew you would return to us! Now it is time to prepare you for your destiny!"

"No! What have I done?"


The new Nephilim warrior hissed as it awoke. Its mandibles clicked loudly as it stood from its resting place. It threw back its head and let out a cry of pure and utter despair.

To be continued…