Maria looked out of the window, the car had been quiet for some time. It seemed that the four newcomers had talked themselves out. Maria felt insecurity wave over her, these people were trying to tell her that the person she had been for the last 17 years was the wrong person! Just up ahead she saw Max and Isabel's house.

As soon as the car screeched to a halt, Michael and Adam leapt out and ran into the house.

'Max? Where the hell are you? Get your butt down here now!' commanded Michael.

Max ran out of the sitting room, 'Michael where have been? What took you so long? Liz is in…'

'In trouble, we know.' interrupted Michael.

'We?' Then he saw the four strangers, 'Who are they?'

'Sit down Zan, where's Vilandra, we need to talk.' spoke up Adam.

Max' mouth dropped in astonishment at Adam's words. Michael dragged him into the sitting room and threw him down onto the sofa. Isabel looked up in fright as they entered.

'Michael! What? Who are they?' she asked.

Adam, Will, Sandy and Lana sat down next to Maria and Michael. 'Give us your hands, we'll show you.' said Sandy in her quiet, low voice.

'We don't have time!' said Max in exasperation. He was panicking, Liz had been taken and he didn't know why.

'If you don't take our hands then there's nothing you can do to help Liz!' ordered Adam. The four newcomers reached out and grabbed Max, Isabel, Michael and Maria's hands. The room went dark.

***

Ten people sat talking and laughing under the light of a setting sun. Eight of them were singing and dancing to music coming from and unknown source. But two of them sat a little further off entwined in each others arms. They smiled at each other lovingly and then turned their gaze back to their friends.

Although the remaining eight were in a big group they seemed to be somehow indescribably coupled off.

The scene around them was that of a walled garden, there were trees, vines and flowers of all the colours of the rainbow. The sky was a deep crimson that gave the scene and unnatural glow.

'Hey Leandre, how long are you gonna sit there with lover boy?' said Rath.

Leandre stuck her tongue out at him playfully, but she began to detach herself from Zan. She smiled at him sweetly, 'Come my king, your subjects call you.'

Zan smiled lovingly up at her and got to his feet. 'Would my lady like to dance?' he asked holding out his hand.

Leandre curtsied and laughed, she dragged him over to the dance floor.

***

It was different scene, the sky was dark but the ten were again together in the garden. The garden looked different, the colours of the flower looked tainted and the moon was dull. The men looked tense, and the girls afraid. Zan stood, his arm protectively around Leandre's shoulders.

'Zan, it doesn't feel right! something's wrong…' whispered Vilandra.

Alathon pulled her close and began to stroke her hair. Her whispered something into her ear, she gave a weak smile.

'Zan, I…' Leandre's speak was cut short by a loud blast.

All the aliens became suddenly alert. They all turned towards the sound and the men raised their hands. All at once there were two deafening blasts, one from behind them and from in front. The boys seemed uncertain as to which way to turn, the girls threw up their arms and erected a force field.

The fight was short and vicious, the girls could not hold up the force field, when that went down the enemy moved in. One man in particular stood at the front.

'So Zan! It looks like the boy king just wasn't up to the job!'

Zan's eyes burned, 'You'll never win Kivar! The people will never obey you!'

'Perhaps not! But Leandre's child, I think perhaps, they will obey him! He will be a powerful child, my son!'

Zan roared! He threw up his arm to blast Kivar, but Kivar was quicker, he raised his arm and shot a bright blast. 'NO!' screamed Vilandra, she ran at Kivar. Her body crumpled and fell into a heap on the floor.

'Lonnie!' cried Alathon, as Zan looked on in horror.

***

Leandre stood struggling against two sets of guards, tears were streaming down her face as she stared down at the dead bodies of her friends. Zan's body just lay slumped in a heap at her feet, she screamed in anguish.