Chapter Thirty Four


" Maria are you ok? " asked Brody crawling toward her.
" Yeah I'm fine " she said shaking. " Don't I look fine? "
" No you don't "
" I'm scared to death if you have to know. Who knows what they'll do to us "
" We're going to make it, " said Brody
" I know. I'm just worried about Michael " she hugging her knees. " At least I know where my mom is so I can take care of her. I'll be fine. I just don't know what he's thinking "
" They'll find us "
" If what I think is true then we'll be seeing Liz any moment to join us "
~~~~~~~~~~~
" I am nervous about meeting him " said Ryu.
" Don't be nervous. I know he'll be happy to see you "
" Do you think so? "
" I know so. He's been worried about what's happened to you. We were just scared that you would hate us "
" Hate you? "
" Uhuh " she said. " Hate us for not being there for you. For me not being your real mother and married to your father "
" I could never hate you or my father "
" I'm glad to hear that " sighed Liz again. Each time he told her that she melt more sure. He didn't look like the type to lie.
" Yes I do. There are not many people who would give up their happiness to save the world "
" Thaman told you about that too? " said Liz shyly.
" He told me a lot of things. He said he had to watch you so that he could some day tell my father's children about you "
" I don't know why Thaman likes me so much. I haven't really done anything "
" That is the reason. You do not think you do much but you do "
" Did Thaman ever talk to you about Isabel and Michael? "
" Yes he has. How my aunt is a great person who gave her life for my father in the previous life and how great of a warrior my uncle is "
" You have a great family Ryu, " said Liz. " I hope you never forget how special your father is and how much you are " she smiled at him warmly and then she started feeling dizzy. Her mind was whirling but she was in concentration. Her eyes zoned out a little but and she looked at him with empty eyes. Ryu knew what she was doing and smiled to himself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
" Liz " Max whispered. They were all in the UFO Center but he couldn't see anything. There was just the blinking green lights and the displays. He tried to concentrate on anything. He closed his eyes and concentrated. " Liz " his mind called.
" Max " he heard faintly. He looked around. He looked at Isabel but she didn't hear it. Michael, Kyle and Serena was beside him now waiting.
" Liz where are you? " he said in his mind.
" Under the Center " she replied. She didn't sound scared, just urgent. She wanted him to come quick.
" Where under the Center? " Max turned around. " She's underneath the Center " he said aloud to everyone else.
" What? I didn't know there was anything underneath the center " said Kyle.
" Max you worked here. Don't you know? " asked Michael.
Max turned around and looked at the little model tower in the middle of the displays. He had passed that many times when he worked here. He had been pushed against it too when Brody had gone crazy and held them hostage. It was solid but something about it was calling to him. Max held out his hand.
" Max what the hell are you doing? " asked Michael.
" No Max " said Isabel grabbing his hand.
Max looked at her, he was about to ask her why..
" Not yet " she said looking around.
" I feel it too " said Serena looking around.
" Definitely not human " said Kyle.
Max stretched out his hand and his shield formed into a dome, covering them all. Then they saw a figure coming toward them. He was in human form. He stepped right in front of Max just beyond the shield and smiled.
" Finally we see each other in person Zan " he said. He looked around. " Show yourselves to your King " he ordered. Slowly, all the figures in the displays started morphing into soldiers. They all looked human but they had been alien figures and mannequins before. Now stood before them, about 30 guards.
" Hail to Zan! " they said as they all stood behind the first figure and knelt down, in a bowing position.
" Who are you? " asked Max.
The figure laughed a little. " I guess you cannot recognize me when I am not possessing Brody "
" Laric? " said Max as he let go of the shield.
" It is I, Zan. I have finally come to help you " he said. " We fight for the hopefully the last time "
" Have you been here the whole time? " asked Michael.
" No, we came here with your son and Thaman "
" Where is Thaman? " asked Max.
" He thought it best to not show himself to you until he is absolutely needed "
" How did he get the Granolith back? " asked Kyle
" Your son stole it from Kivar and escaped to Earth " said Laric. He waved his hand and all the guards got up and saluted. Max noticed that they were all armed in some special way. The symbol of their planet tattooed on their arms.
" Is this all your brought? " asked Michael.
" Only for this area. There are others all over. We needed as many as possible for this location " he looked at the guards. " Back to your places "
" What's here? " asked Serena.
Max turned towards the tower and moved it effortlessly aside, revealing a hatch. He walked over to it and opened the hatch. He looked at Isabel and Michael before he jumped in. The distance was longer than he had thought but he somehow landed lightly on his feet. He moved aside as he looked up. Isabel landed softly beside him. Followed by Serena, Michael, Kyle and Laric. The five of them gaped at the ship they saw in front of them. It was like nothing they had ever seen before. The technology was so advanced looking that it would take hundreds of years for Earth's technology to catch up. It looked like an impenetrable fortress. It had beams of light following along the walls searching for intruders. There was no entrance to it. No visible windows.
" That's where Liz is " said Laric nudging Max closer to the ship.

Max looked at Laric and then back at the ship. He slowly walked forward.
One of the lights immediately shone it's lights at Max. It said something that Max couldn't understand. He looked at Laric again.
" Just step up to it. It'll do a scan " said Serena.
" How do you know that? " asked Laric.
" I've been studying all kinds of techs in my life. This looks standard " said Serena.
Max looked at her and stepped forward. The light came right to his face and began to stare at him. It looked like it was alive. Then a second machine flew just behind Max's head. It shot out a blue glow in the back of Max's head and from Max's head shot out a ball. It looked like a planet. Then they saw four other balls and Max's line up to form a V.
" It's checking to make sure he's a royal " said Laric.
The ship lit up and the invisible shield opened up. The door started opening slowly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~

Liz " called Maria running across the room to her. " Liz, how did they get you? Where's Max? "
" Max? " asked Liz. " What do you mean Max? "
" Wasn't Max with you? " asked Maria.
" Why would Max be with me? "
" Liz what's wrong with you? " asked Maria eyeing her. Liz was not acting all together. It was like she didn't know who Max was.
" Who are you? " she asked stepping back from her.
" Liz's it's me. Your best friend Maria " said Maria looking at her with her arms stretched out. " Liz what's wrong with you? "
" Maria " she repeated thinking. " Oh you must be Liz's friend "
" Liz what are you talking about? Oh God. You're a shape shifter aren't you? "
" Shape shifter? " asked Amy " What does that mean? "
" I'm not a shape shifter. I'm not the Liz that you know " laughed Liz realizing what was going on.
" What do you mean? " asked Maria. She realized it as soon as she spoke. " You're the dupe " she in disbelief. Why would the dupe be in Roswell?
" I don't like to be called that but yeah I am " said Liz seriously.
" So that means that Zan is in Roswell too " said Valenti.
" Yeah, we came here to help you guys but then we got separated and they took me " said Liz almost crying. " Zan is going to be crazy when he finds out I'm missing "
" Well at least there are two Max's out there who are looking for us " said Brody.
" What is going on here? Am I the only one that doesn't know what's going on? " cried Amy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ava had just dropped Sydney off at the Day Care Center. She was driving happily down the road and could see the house in sight. She had, had another nightmare last night about the other dupes. In it Zan was alive and Lonnie and Rath were trying to kill him again. But this time she was with Zan as he got run over by that truck. It had taken her so long to forget about Zan, who seemed like the love of her life. She was happy now with Brody. He was very sensitive and understanding. That's what she loved about him. No matter what he understood. He didn't get possessed anymore. The last time was when Kivar was in him. Ava hadn't been there when it happened but had heard plenty of times what he was capable of as Kivar. It did scare her that she was married to someone that could kill her but Brody himself, was a great person. You couldn't meet him and not love him.

She slowly pulled up to their driveway and started to get out. She turned towards the door to lock it when she saw a familiar reflection in her window. It reacted faster than she did and before she knew it she had her arm around her back and her mouth was covered.

" Why are you so stupid to get your dumb ass mixed up with these cornballs? "

She couldn't talk cause his hand was still on her mouth. She tried to scream but it only came out as a squeal.

" She was always retarded " said Lonnie. " So dearest sista, did you miss me and jour brotha Rathy? "

~~~~~~~~~~~~
Max looked at the opening and hesitated.
" Go in " said Laric.
Max looked at Isabel and Michael. Then he turned around and walked through the door. As he walked through, he looked at the interior of the ship.
" This is awesome " said Kyle admiring the interior. He felt like he was in a sci fi movie. Unlike in most though, where the ship is dimly lit, this ship was brightly lit. It was like being in the white room almost. But without the confining feeling. Most of the walls were see through, like a glass house. The walls were like a one way mirror. He looked at Serena with excitement. She smiled back at him with the same excitement. She was studying the work.
" Max this is incredible " said Michael. He was looking out at the place outside they had just been standing.
" This is our ship " said Isabel in awe. The ship was beautiful.
But of course Max couldn't see this, he was too busy looking at Liz talking at a table. She looked happy and relaxed. Not what he had expected to see when he came in here. He couldn't see the person she was talking to but he had an idea. The thought made him nervous. She was laughing when she saw him.
" Max! " she cried as she jumped from the table and ran over to him. She jumped on him and kissed him.
" Liz, are you all right? " he asked as he touched her face.
" I'm fine " she said laughing. She could feel his breath on her face and she welcomed his closeness. " Max, he's just like you and he doesn't hate us " she whispered in his ear.
Max looked over at the figure in front of him. Liz slid down and looked at Ryu.
" Liz " said Isabel. " Is that...? "
Liz smiled at her and then walked over to Ryu. She looked at him encouragingly. " Don't be nervous. They've been waiting for you a long time " she said taking his hand and leading him toward Max, Isabel and Michael.
Ryu gulped as he walked towards his father. This was the first time he had ever seen him. But this person in front of him was not a stranger, he could see himself in his eyes. He noticed how he looked vulnerable but strong. The way he stood was humble but firm. He almost wanted to laugh at how ironic it was that he was just like him but he had never known him. He looked at his aunt and uncle nervously. He bowed to Max and slowly lifted his head. " I am Ryu, " he said.
Max wouldn't help the tears from his eyes as he looked at his now grown son. He hugged him. " My son " he said laughing and crying. " You're really here " he said looking at his face. " You're so big " he said laughing.
Ryu laughed with him and looked at Isabel.
" Come here " said Isabel coming towards him and hugging him. She stepped back and examined him. " You are Max's son. You even have those eyes. I'm your Aunt Isabel " she laughed patting his shoulder.
" Yes I know " he said laughing with her.
" I'm Michael, close friend of your father " said Michael.
" Uncle, " said Ryu shaking his hand.
" Just give him a hug Michael " said Isabel.
" Come here Nephew " said Michael hugging him. " You'll learn never to mess with your Aunt. "
" Ryu these are our friends, " said Max pointing at Serena and Kyle " This is Kyle and Serena. "
" Yes Kyle and Serena, " said Ryu " Thaman has told me a lot about you "
" Good things I hope " said Kyle.
" You know Thaman? " asked Isabel.
" Yes " he answered.
" So where is he? " asked Michael.
" He had to go on a mission " answered Ryu. " He should be back at any time "
" Do you know why they're taking the humans? " asked Kyle. " They've already taken my parents and Maria "
" They're using them as collateral "
" Is Liz next? " asked Max
" He already saved me from them " said Liz.
" What? " asked Michael.
" They were going to take me but then Ryu saved me " she said smiling at him.
" Being Kivar's stepson helped. But Ishtar will not stop the next time? "
" Ishtar? " said Isabel. " That name sounds familiar "
" She was part of the five special bodyguards that were supposed to protect you "
" Thaman said she was dead " said Isabel.
" No she is not dead. She joined Kivar and faked her death " said Ryu and then he added.

Author's Note: I'm sorry my description of the ship was very vague. I couldn't think of anything very interesting to say about describing it. I didn't want it to look like a ship from Star Wars or Star Trek. Hopefully later I will think of something more interesting about it.

Thaman has not made his appearance to anyone yet. Don't worry about that. He's coming and there will be more drama. The final battle is about to begin. I'm just leading things towards it.