Chapter Thirty Nine

" Get outta there " said Lonnie pushing Isabel out in the open along with Brody and Kyle.

" Did you think you could hide? " laughed Rath.

" God and I thought Michael looked stupid, " said Kyle.

" What'd you say? " yelled Rath in Kyle's face.

" Nothing you could understand " said Kyle rolling his eyes. " Cause I speak English. I don't know what you speak "

" Kyle I wouldn't provoke… "

" Man I oughta kick your punk ass right now " said Rath putting up his fist.

" Cool it, " said Lonnie holding the gun at Isabel's face. " I oughta do ya right here ya know "

" Would be easy wouldn't it Lonnie? " asked Isabel squinting at her. " It was so easy for you to kill your own brother and to try and kill Max. Why don't you just kill me? " Threatened Isabel as she glared at Lonnie.

" You got guts " she said smiling. " But there be only one Vilandra. And that's me " she said pointing to herself.

" So what are you going to do? " asked Kyle as he watched Isabel and Lonnie eye each other.
" Where Thaman at? " asked Lonnie, ignoring Kyle.
" What do you want Thaman for? " asked Isabel still glaring at her.
Lonnie looked at her with knowing eyes. " Now I know you knows why "
" You're not going to have him " said Isabel standing up to Lonnie.
Lonnie smirked at her. " You thinks you gotta a chance gainst me? "
" I'm more than enough for you " said Isabel taking her challenge.
" Really? " she asked amused. " You sure you wanna protect someone who don't eve knows you? "
" What are you talking about? "
" He didn't tell yous? " said Lonnie circling Isabel.
" Didn't tell me what? " asked Isabel turned to look her in the face.
Kyle looked at the both of them and decided it would be best that he didn't say anything. The last thing he wanted right now was to be the blow up for two alien girls about to get in a catfight. It was a little amusing at the same time. Vilandra v. Vilandra for Thaman. Man that guy had it made.
" Why you thinks Thaman took so long to come back? " asked Lonnie, apparently enjoying her story. " He was with mes all this time "
" What? He was with you? " Isabel could feel her blood rushing to her face.
" We was togetha " she looked closer to Isabel " Togetha all the nights "
~~~~~~~~
" We dead unless you do sumethin " said Ava as she clutched tightly to her seat.

" Working on it " answered Zan still trying to maneuver the joy stick. " I have to learn to aim this thing "

" I would hurry, " said Serena trying to remain calm.

Liz looked around nervously. She felt so helpless in the ship. There really was nothing she could do to help. All she could do was hold onto her seat and pray that Zan figured out how to fire back.

" I will figure this out Liz " said Zan without looking at her.

Liz looked at him in total shock. " I'm, I'm not worried Zan "

" I'm sure you're not, " he said as he laughed at her.

" Fine time to laugh " said Serena. She was trying desperately to dodge the oncoming attack. The ship was totally in her hands. She felt this pride at being in control but this sense of dread. She had no idea what she was doing. Her flying was like someone desperately trying to escape and that was exactly was she was. If it had not been for the strong shield on the ship, they would have been dead ten minutes ago.

" You just gotta look at things in perspective " said Zan. He was still calmly looking around to find the firing button.

" This is not a good time " said Serena.

" I don't thinks you should talk to Zan like that " warned Ava.

" Cause I'm the man " said Zan as he pushed another button. Suddenly a fire was shot from below them. All four of them looked in awe as this squid looking missile was shot from them. It seemed to swim through the air towards the other ship. The other ship's captain was way more experienced and managed to dodge their missile by inches it seemed.

" Well 'man' " said Serena. " Better aim them before you shoot them "

Zan sucked in his breath. There was no way he was going to have an explosion in front of Liz. He swore to himself as he looked at his screen and started to aim. When he had the ship locked in his vision he pushed the button again. Once again another squid looking missile was shot out from the ship. Sliding through the air gracefully it hit the oncoming ship. They all gasped as they watched it wrap itself around the ship. Before any questions could be asked they saw what looked like lightning come from the squid and into the ship. Moments later the ship exploded and the beautiful missile had successfully accomplished its mission.

" I see three more coming towards us, " said Serena calmly.
" I don't sees nuthin " said Ava looking out at the scenery.
" They're not here yet but they will be "
" We have to get to Max and the others, " said Liz. " They'll know how to get this thing moving. Hurry guys we have to get there fast "
" Is that such a good idea? " asked Serena looking at Zan.
" You think I'm gonna kill Max? " asked Zan. " I have to find my Liz or else this I'm going to raise hell "
Ava looked at Zan. What did he mean by his Liz? She could feel this tension between him and Liz. She was dreading the answer and couldn't ask the question. She always knew that Zan didn't really love her, she told Liz that. But to have it in her face that Liz was the dream girl for both Max and Zan it made her crazy. She started to understand just how Tess felt about Liz. But she couldn't resent Liz, she was the one that took her in when nobody would take her. She had no right to really be upset with her, but she felt this overwhelming sense of jealousy. It was something she almost couldn't control.
~~~~~~~~
" Jim, " heard Valenti. He jerked his head up.
" Thaman? "
" Do not speak aloud Jim. Where are you? "
Valenti closed his eyes. " The networking room "
" Bring Amy and the dupe to the Exit "
" But it's blocked off "
" Trust me. I am going to cut the power keeping the doors closed. Hurry Jim, we do not have any time "
" Ok my friend " thought Valenti. He picked up Amy and Liz and they started running as fast as they could down the hall.
" Jim where are we going? " asked Amy. She was so frightened she almost couldn't move.
" We're getting out of here "
~~~~~~~~
Thaman was in the control room. He could see the cameras showing Max and Ryu fighting together. He smiled at the connection they already had. He had no fear that they couldn't defeat the guards. He looked over the controls and turned all the doors off. He wondered if his Highness was on her way to Roswell right now. But he knew her better than that. She would wait for them. She would not leave. He had to hurry. He finished his task and started running down the hall. He stopped running when something caught his eye.

In one of the rooms was a large flat table. Something was upon the table but it was not living. There was a constant blue light hovering over it. Thaman felt this urge to look at it. Slowly and cautiously he walked into the room and over to the table. It was an old manuscript. It was very old and torn. Thaman recognized it immediately. It was part of the ancient manuscript that they thought was lost. How did they find it? It held the instructions on how to use the Granolith. He almost couldn't believe his eyes. He could see that pieces were missing but most of it was still intact. He waved his hand across it, scanning it into his brain. Whether this was the real instructions or not, he was not going to take a chance. He ran out of the room quickly and headed down the hallway. He could feel a stinging presence in the back of his head and he didn't like it. He was half way down the hall when the presence felt too strong. He turned around to face it.
" Give up Thaman " said a female voice.
Thaman looked at her with dark eyes. " You give up first Ishtar. It is you who is on the wrong side " He could feel the blood in his veins go to his head. He was looking straight at a person who he had, at one time, called his friend and trusted ally. He felt his sudden violent impulse to lose control. But like in all other times his facial expression gave a look of indifference.
" I do not think so Thaman. Kivar will be victorious. Just like before " she said tauntingly. How much he had not changed since he left Antar so many years earlier. She had been strangely aware of his presence the many years he had been secretly teaching Ryu. At the times she felt his presence the most she thought she was dreaming. For she knew that his mission was to be on Earth.
" He was only victorious because of chance. He will not win again "
" You really think so? I doubt it. The odds all seem in his favor " she said happily. " And you know I speak the truth "
Thaman couldn't help but lose his feeling of hatred for a second. He just couldn't understand. " How could you have betrayed your own people Ishtar? How could you have turned against everything that you believed in? "
" That is funny you ask me that " laughed Ishtar circling him. " That was the same question Nathan asked me before I cut him up "
Thaman's expression grew darker again as he lowered his face. " You killed Nathan " he said.
" Right before I killed the Queen Mother " she said with a look of pride on her face.
~~~~~~~
All the guards lay dead at their feet now. Max looked at Ryu.
" Have we done well father? " asked Ryu.
" Very well " said Max. " Now we have to find the others "
Just then Valenti came running towards them with Amy and Liz.
" Thaman wants us here " said Valenti.
" He probably plans to shot off the shield to the door " said Ryu.
" How can we open that thing manually? " asked Amy.
" They can do things like that " said Liz smiling in excitement.
Max looked at Valenti. " Where's Thaman? "
" He hasn't come back yet " said Max.
" Here give him this " said Valenti holding out the communicator. " I know he'll need it "
~~~~~~~
" Let's go get them now " said Michael.
" I think it's about time we should " said Brody.
" It's been too long " said Laric. " I know they must have summoned reinforcements by now. We have to get them before they come "
" Brody you get in the other car " said Michael. " We have to be quick "
~~~~~~~
" You and Thaman... were together? " asked Isabel in disbelief.
" Why do you think I'm not dead? I came back from Antar to keep him from you "
" Insecure " stated Isabel. " I guess I do stand a chance then "
" Bout yous? We the same Isabel. You think he would say no to me? " asked Lonnie.
" You're just saying this to get me off balance "
" Really? I don't need mind games this time Isabel. Cause it be the truth. I wanted you to know before I kills you "
Isabel couldn't believe what she was hearing. It was unbelievable and logical all that the same time. Thaman never answered her when she asked about Lonnie. Isabel was devastated and broken. She could feel her heart stinging as she stood there trying not to show her feelings to Lonnie. The one constant person in her life had betrayed her to herself. She tried to understand. Lonnie was just as much Vilandra as she was. Thaman would naturally love the both of them. Then she felt disgusted. Thaman had touched Lonnie? He had kissed her and ... She wanted Lonnie to just kill her and get it over with.
The sound of an approaching ship broke her thought. Isabel looked around. Lonnie was gone with Rath again and the ship was approaching. She almost couldn't breath. She wished Lonnie would have just shot her in the head and gotten it over with. It was have been quick and easy. She wouldn't have resisted. She almost didn't seem to care when the ship's door started opening.
~~~~~~~
" You treacherous witch " spat Thaman. " You deserve nothing but death "
" You do not get it do you Thaman? A new order has arisen and you are so desperately trying to save an already dead one "
" You will all die "
" No, you will die. There are legions of ships surrounding Earth ready to strike. The only thing that can save you would be the Granolith " she said " But you do not even know how it works " She held her hands out for him. " I'm giving you a chance Thaman. Join us and you will be spared "
" You cannot be serious. " said Thaman resisting the urge to laugh. " Join you? I will never betray my King. You will die Ishtar and I will be the one that delivers the blow " he said holding out his hand to strike her. But Thaman could hear the fast approaching sound of a bomb falling. He dove out of the way and the ceiling collapsed onto the floor on top of Ishtar. Someone was shooting at the Royals outside. Princess, he thought. He had to get out of there. The hall was now blockaded with debris. He had to finish this later he thought. There were more important things he had to take care of now. He ran the rest of the way to the entrance.

Ishtar managed to stand up just to see Thaman turn the corner. She had tears in her eyes as she slammed her fists against the wall. " Damn it! " she screamed as she tried to calm the beating in her chest.
~~~~~~~
" Three are shooting at us " said Serena looking at her monitor. " Get them in here quick. The shield won't take much more "

" How could they be stupid enough to look at their own facility? " said Liz as she looked below her at the base.

" Maybe it was on purpose, " said Serena. She could see a small explosion and the doors leading inside the naval base flew open. She saw Valenti, Amy and Liz run out. Liz? She turned to look at Liz but Liz was gone.
Zan returned fire on the attacking ships.

~~~~~~~
" Look over there, " screamed Brody pointing at the ship. " Is it ours? "
" Look over there " screamed Michael. He pointed just beyond the ship at the three approaching ships. They looked totally different from the one that had just started to hover a little ways away from them.
" Drive faster " cried Maria.

~~~~~~~~
Liz jumped out of the ship and watched as Max and Ryu jumped out of the base together and a long ways behind were the Valentis. The ships kept coming over head and shooting down at the ship in a sweeping motion. But she didn't care. Max was going to make it. She watched in amazement as her dupe ran with Max and Ryu. They must be the same, she was wearing the same outfit as Liz. It was so strange to watch someone who looked so much like her running towards her.