The War

by domino84

Sequel to After the Cave, but works on its own. Future story with flashbacks to the past. M/M, M/L, A/I, K/T. College, Marriage, Babies, War...Surviving it all. COMPLETED!!!

2. Part 2

The War

by

Domino

Part Six

2008, August 22
Still Somewhere in Oregon

The radio cackled, "Gamma, you clear," Maria's voice came through with slight static.

"All set, beta," Kyle replied, a little unclear because of his underground position.

"We're moving in now."

"Be safe, sis."

"Always. Over."

**********************

Alex and the soldiers protecting the camp immediately moved back to their posts after the troops pulled out. He was in the surveillance van monitoring communications.

"Beta to home base."

"Home base here," Alex answered Maria's signal.

"We're here. Confirming alpha in position."

"Please Maria, you know more about Michael's position than I do."

"Alex can you please be serious for a minute and forget about my Michael radar. Let's do this right."

"Okay Ria. Alpha in position. Waiting for your signal."

"Going to move in. Wish me luck."

"You know I do. Tell Izzy I said hi."

"Will do. Over."

**************************

"Home base to alpha."

"Alpha here," Michael's voice came over the Comm system.

"She's ready."

"I know."

"I don't why I bother. You two don't need radios."

"Sure we do Alex. If we didn't have them how would we get to talk to you."

"You're mocking me."

"You think?"

"Come home safe, Michael. I don't want to have to deal with her if anything happens to you."

"I always come back to her. Over."

*************************

Maria waved her arm and pointed to the trees in the north about 20 metres away.

"Commander Reese, take your men to that corner and await my orders," she instructed.

"Yes ma'am." In quick careful movements the soldiers moved behind cover to their position.

Maria placed two more groups in other places making sure all her bases were covered.

"Home to Beta," the radio cackled again.

"Beta here."

"The skins are closing in. You ready."

"As we'll ever be. I'm telling Michael to go."

"Alright. Hope this works. Over." The radio switched of.
"Me, too," Maria said softly to thin air.

"Echo 1, Echo 2, Echo 3 get ready. The skins are almost here. Fire on my command." Maria said.

Three affirmative responses came in.

Over the ridge a large number of skins were heading towards them.

"ReadyOn my markFire," Maria yelled. And immediately the silence was destroyed as gunfire shook the area. The first line of skins fell but the next line retaliated immediately. And the battle commenced.

"Lizzie, keep your men ready. Isabel, Max, are you guys ready?" Maria asked her friends directly behind her. She didn't wait for an answer, shooting at the two skins that got close enough to her. Before any more could cut through their front men swooped in from three sides. They followed her orders but at the same they were determined to let nothing happen to her. She was, they were too important for the Rebellion to lose.

**************************************

Some kilometres away the alpha team were about to slip into the Zarian camp , otherwise known as enemy headquarters or the skin base. Michael had just given the order to go after receiving word from his wife. Twelve people dressed entirely in camouflage were moving in the shadows while two other worldly beings were taking care of any security measures. They were undetected for the moment but that wasn't likely to last.

After they gained entry the team split into two where one half followed a small petite woman whose famous blonde curls were hidden under a cap and the remainder moved with easy confidence behind a commander they would all die for. The blueprints of the Zarian Camp were not difficult to get since they were using a former police station they had commandeered upon their invasion. Everyone who formed part of this special infiltration force was required to memorise it.

Tess had determined that the prisoners of war were being held in the former holding cells or prisons of the station. She and her team moved towards that while Michael took his force around the entire building where the men quickly wired the entire place with dynamite and other explosives. They ran into a number of skin guards at certain points but as they moved in total silence they took out the enemy in that same silence before the alarm could be sounded. The skins own arrogance that no one would dare attack them on home ground was going to be there own downfall. They didn't have many beings around - all were at the front fighting against Maria's men.

It wasn't necessary to speak at all. Any communication were in the form of hand movements, a certain military sign language. These men and women were the best that the military had to offer. In addition they had been given special training in dealing with skins by both Michael and Maria.

Tess had to move through four guards before she got to the holding cells. They were crowded with a number of people whose first reaction was to make a noise upon seeing their rescuers. Tess immediately ordered their silence and after being imprisoned for a period of time, they obeyed without a question. Two men stood guard while the other four moved the number of POW's out in an orderly manner, while Tess let Michael know of their status.

"Jacks, Maver, Shiner, you three get those trucks ready. Tess is bringing the POW's up now."

The three men moved towards the abandoned Zarian trucks and started them in anticipation. It didn't take long. The total lack of skin personal around made the escape quite easy. The rescued prisoners were loaded into the trucks with one man in the front driving and another at the back holding a gun covering the civilians.

"Alpha to home."

"Alex here."

"We have the POW's."

"Great. Any casualties."

"None. This place is ready to blow."

"Great. I'll let beta know."

"She knows."

"You two annoy me."

"See you at home."

The Rebellion pulled out of the skin camp. As the last truck drove out, a large explosion was heard and the entire place disappeared in blaze of fire.

***************************************

"It's time. You guys ready?" Maria yelled above the sounds of the battle.

"Yes," Liz replied.

"Ready to go," Max yelled shooting at two skins about to hit three soldiers near them.

"Uh huh," Isabel shouted.

"Echo 1, Retreat now," Maria ordered over the radio. She watched as the men moved back indistinguishable in the chaos of the battle. When they were almost at the trucks, she lifted the radio again, "Echo 2, Retreat. Now."

"Yes, ma'am." The second troop started moving back. The skins started to notice what was happening. Without waiting for the men of the second troop to complete their evacuation Maria gave instructions for the third troop to move back. She, Liz, Isabel, Max and Liz's men covered the retreat. When all the men and women were safe enough, the injured carried away, Maria gave the final order.

"Now."

Immediately Liz's men held their weapons ready. These weapons were those taken from the Zarians and adjusted to particularly kill the skins. Isabel and Max held their hands out ready, the energy build up in them at maximum levels.

"Aim. Fire."

At to the surprise of the skins, large bursts of light headed towards them. The alien weaponry used laser as a form of bullets. The light was further emphasised by Max and Isabel who increased the energy from the weapon giving it more power and a greater range. The nearest skins disintegrated as the lasers hit them.

"Ready. Aim. Fire." Maria ordered again.

And the men lifted their weapons a second time. Isabel and Max held out their hands and at Maria's signal the second shot was fired. Dust floated in the air, all that was left of the skins. Those remaining started to back away. They dropped their weapons and ran, losing all their smugness as they felt fear.

Human soldiers started to follow but stopped when Maria's firm voice commanded them to let them go. The men didn't question and stopped.

It was a victory. They won the battle. Oregon was safe. While the war was not over yet this, was the first full victory that the humans had had since the beginning. It was time to go home. Tomorrow was a new fight but for today they could celebrate.

*******************************

It was a jubilant groups that returned to the base this time, so different from the day before. Maria jumped of the humvee and ran into the arms of her husband who met her half way. He swung her around before hugging her and kissing her.

Nearby Isabel did the same to Alex who had run out with Michael when Michael said that Maria was coming. Liz and Max hadn't let go of each other's hands since Maria had announced it was over. At that moment Tess was busy searching for Kyle. He pushed his way through soldiers celebrating to get to her and in a move that imitated Michael's swung her around. A few minutes later the group were enclosed by a number of soldiers who carried their leaders on their shoulders.

That day and through the night the humans and the Royal eight revelled. The town, the state rejoiced with them and the party continued all night long. The next day the Eight left for home, for Boston with their soldiers. Michael and Maria left one regiment behind, as was their practise, to protect the area in case the skins tried to attack again. With them, to Boston, came new recruits from the state that they had just rescued. As they travelled they picked up more people who all wanted to part of the Rebellion.

The tide had turned.

End part six.

Part Seven

2005, September

"Man, I'm beat," Maria sighed as she collapsed on the couch in the living room, "I should have never run those 10 miles this morning."

"It's routine, Isabel. You can't change routine," Isabel mocked.

"Come on. It won't take long," Tess joined in, repeating the words Maria used to get them to come with her every morning.

Maria glared at her two friends, "Don't make me come over there and hit you," she threatened showing no sign of moving. Everyone just laughed at her.

"Oh, give her a break guys. She's just sang for almost three hours straight," Liz ever the peacemaker put in.

The eight of them had just returned from a Whits concert. Alex and Maria arrived last because they had to help pack up and then they were further delayed by various fans. The Whits, since its revival upon their move to Boston, had become a hugely successful if slightly underground band. Their CD's and concerts were always sold out. Last spring they had even done a week long tour of three cities. Both Alex and Maria had been approached by record labels but after a long discussion they decided to finish college first and stay in Boston with the others. It was a decision neither regretted.

"So spaceboy what up?"

"Yeah, I want to know what the big meeting is for?" Alex asked.

"Me, too," a few voices added in unison.

"Calm down. You guys are so jumpy. Relax. It's a good thing, I think," Michael answered.

"Yeah - then how come you look so nervous?" Max asked.

"I'm not nervous, okay," his abrupt movements belying his words, "Let's just start okay."

"Okay." They all looked at him expectantly.

Michael walked behind the couch, out of their view and picked up a clumsily gift-wrapped box. He handed it to Alex.
"You go first."

"What is it?" Alex asked, shaking the box.

"A present," Michael replied shortly.

"You bought me a present. For what? It's not my birthday or Christmas." Alex looked shocked.

"Alex, shut up. And just open it," Michael said a little uncomfortable.

Alex shut up. With all the glee of a small kid opening up birthday gifts Alex ripped of the paper and opened the box. He stared at the inside, without saying a word.

"Well?" Isabel asked when Alex didn't say anything. Michael looked anxious waiting for a reaction.

"Oh my God. I've been dying to get this. How did you know? This is so cool. The things I can do on my computer with this." Now that Alex got over his shock, words poured from his mouth. He lost his earlier exhaustion and jumped up and gave an extremely uncomfortable Michael a quick hug.

"You have kind of been going on about this for like two months. It was hard to miss. You like it?"

"Like it. I can't wait to use it."

Isabel and Max exchanged amused glances at Michael embarrassment and Alex's exuberance.

"Wait a second," Alex paused in his excitement as a thought occurred to him, "You know how expensive this is. How on earth did you afford it?"

"Umremember the gallery" Michael began before he was attacked as Maria also forgot she was tired and flew into his arms.

"You sold a painting," she squealed loudly, "I am so proud of you."

"Well actually," Michael leaned back to look into her eyes, "I sold three."

He wasn't disappointed by her reaction. She was Maria after all. But before he had a chance to breathe, Tess hugged him from the back. The others all congratulated him in a similar fashion.

"That is so cool."

"Wow."

"In only two weeks."

"I'm so proud of you."

"Is he blushing?"

it was the last statement that had Michael backing away. He wasn't used to being the centre of congratulations. Maria was the only one still attached to him.

"How much did it go for?" Michael whispered the amount in her ear. Maria's mouth dropped open in shock.
"I need to sit." She sat down. The others looked on curiously.

"Tell us. Now. "

"That is an obscene amount of money. You can't say it aloud." Maria went up to Tess and whispered it in her ear.

"No way," Tess said. She sat down next to Maria who had returned to her seat.

"Way, " Michael replied. Everyone immediately rushed to the three people who knew and after closing their opened mouths, sat down.

Michael interrupted the silence, "Kyle you're next." He handed Kyle an envelope. The envelope had Kyle's name printed on it neatly and a small cartoon drawing of Kyle in lotus position, meditating. He waited for Kyle's reaction. It was a strange one. Kyle began to some sort of dance waving the contents of the envelope around as he twirled. The others watched in bemusement.

"Okay, what the hell is he doing?" Tess asked the others as her boyfriend yanked her up to twirl with him.

"it looks like a version of Maria's happy dance." Alex answered.

"Yeah, the seriously demented version. Make him stop now," Maria groaned burying her head in Michael's shoulder to block the sight.

"What on earth did you get him to get that reaction?" Liz questioned.

"Season's tickets," Michael answered. And everyone nodded in understanding.

"Quick, if you give the next present he will have to stop," Maria told her boyfriend. He smirked at her but obliged. He gave Max another envelope, while Tess dragged her ridiculously happy boyfriend down.

"Here's the thing, Maxwell. You work too hard. And you stress too much. So I'm giving you"

"A holiday," Max took out the plane tickets. He hugged Michael, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Michael gave him his famous smirk and the others smiled at the two of them. "I guess the girls are next. Of course if you guys are tired we can always do it tomorrow," Michael teased, with immediate protests from the girls.

Michael took out a small jewellery box from his pocket and walked up to where Isabel was. He handed it to her. She opened it slowly and gasped. Inside lay a gold chain with a locket. The locket had a special pattern to it. Right in the centre was a diamond, surrounded by the gold lines forming the image that had been on the chain they had found at Atherton's place so many years ago.

"I chose this one for you because it was you that found it, because of what it represents of our past lives and our future. You're always be my best friend and sister, Isabel," Michael said softly. Isabel started to cry. She held him tightly in her arms before giving him to chain to clasp behind her neck. She lifted her luxurious hair he clipped the necklace in place.

"This one is for you, Tess." Tess's behaved similarly when she opened her jewellery box. Hers also contained a gold chain but the locket was different. It consisted of four small diamonds liked together by two gold diagonal lines.

"Four square," Tess said softly staring at her gift.

"Four square," Michael agreed, "For completing us. Making all of us whole. Our destinies may be different to what you originally thought but we, all of us are a team and we need each other. Don't ever forget that."

"I won't. Thank you so much Michael. It means a lot to me," she smiled through her tears and Michael placed another chain around another beautiful girl.

Everyone was a bit emotional after that. Isabel was firmly encased in Alex's arms and Kyle held Tess tightly. Liz and Max were holding hands and Maria was watching from the side, a look of pride on her face. Michael walked up to Liz next.

Her jewellery box, like the others had a chain with a locket. This one had a diamond on the centre with 7 gold lines extending from it.

"It's so beautiful, Michael," Liz said her voice choked.

"Do you remember that day you asked me if I regretted Max saving your life and I said I didn't know."

Liz nodded.

"I lied. You brought me, us everything that day. You linked all of us together forever. You gave me Maria. The circle in the centre is you. You were the one that brought us together and the lines are us. Do you like it?"

Liz nodded again, too full with emotions to speak. Wordlessly she handed him the chain and turned around so he could clasp it at the back. She hugged him tightly.

"I'm so glad you're a part of my life, Michael." He smiled down at her in thanks.

Maria was still seated on the sofa. Michael walked up to her last. He knelt down in front of her.

"I couldn't decide so I got you a few things, actually it's a whole set." He handed her the first box. It was like the others and contained a necklace - a gold chain with a pendant. Maria's pendant had five diamonds set in a 'V' shape.
Tears filled her eyes, "Your constellation," she said. Michael didn't reply and just moved around her to tie the necklace at the back while she lifted her hair.

"It's beautiful."

"Not done yet." He handed her another box. In it lay a set of matching earrings. Maria slipped them on.

"Just one more thing," Michael said and knelt down in front of her again.

Around, the others watched, the girls fingers lightly playing with their pendants, smiling, some tear tracks still visible. It was rare to see Michael so open and they were determined to enjoy every minute of it. They leant into the arms of their other halves and observed the unfolding drama. The thing to remember about Michael was that while he was rarely so giving, when he did give, he went all out.

Michael began to speak, "In my art class, my teacher told us to close our eyes and draw a picture of home. And I just drew. I didn't think and never knew what I was drawing but the thing is Maria, when I opened my eyes I couldn't decide if I was surprised or not. But I do know I was terrified."

Maria sat staring into his eyes, listening but not sure where this was going. The others in the room were listening intently. Max and Liz moved closer so they could hear better, unnoticed by the couple.

"It was a picture of you. That's when I realised fully, Maria, that it didn't matter where I was or which planet I was on or from. None of that mattered because as long as I was with you I was home. You have been there for me since that little motel on 285 South," he paused.

Maria reached down and hugged him. She opened her mouth to speak. He placed her finger lightly on her lips.

"Uh-uh, not yet. I have to finish first."

She nodded, her eyes filled with unshed tears.

He reached down with his fingers to where to locket lay, "That's why I made this one for you. I always thought that up there, in that constellation was where home was, but it not. It's you so now"

Again she opened her mouth to speak. He shook his head. "I have to finish. I am not good at those whole Max thing, you know. Anyway I made one more thing for you. This one is special. You have to decide if you want it or not." With that he took out a third box, covered in velvet and opened it.

The ring inside was shaped like the necklace and the earrings. It had a small 'V' made from diamonds, the one at the point an emerald. Maria's mouth dropped open. Six other people wore the same shocked expression. Whatever they had been expecting it wasn't this.

"I was wondering, Maria, if you wouldman am I nervousif you would mind marrying me. Before you say anything, I know I am not perfect and I can be really bad at the whole romance thing but I I do love you more than anything and"

This time Maria didn't wait for him to finish. She leaned forward and kissed him.

"Is that a yes?" he smirked, all signs of nervousness gone.

"What do you think, spaceboy?" They both leaned forward and kissed. In the middle Michael took her hand and not releasing her lips slipped the ring on. It fit perfectly.

Their kiss was rudely interrupted when the others, who were in a state of shock slipped out of it and realised what just happened.

"Oh my God," Liz yelled in a shriek worthy of Maria, "You're getting married. Oh my God." She jumped up and since they were wrapped in each others arms hugged the nearest person. Tess.

Tess screamed and hugging Liz jumped up and down until Isabel joined in. The boys who hadn't yet snapped out it watched as the newly engaged couple kiss surrounded by their girlfriends dancing around in excitement before pulling Maria out of Michael's arms and hugging the both of them.

End part Seven.

Part Eight

2008
Zarian Headquarters.
Command Room

"You idiots. Can't you do anything right? Eight years and every plan you have come up with has failed. These are kids. They know nothing. How can they possibly win?" he yelled. They knew better than to respond.

"You," he pointed to his second in command, "Eight years of screw ups. First that stupid plan. Tell them their destiny. Messing with their mother's hologram sure didn't help divide them much. Telling Michael he was the 2nd in command and max he was the leader was suppose to create friction. You assured me that it would. They were suppose to be too busy fighting with each other to get anything done. We all saw how that went." Nicholas kept his face carefully blank. You were not suppose to show regret or remorse. It could prove fatal.

"And if that plan wasn't stupid enough," he now pointed to another commander, "Please can someone explain to me the disaster that was the kidnapping. Four totally inexperienced teenagers - children - two of them human," disgust was evident in his tone, "a girl at that, managed to evade capture and rescue the other four, this despite injuries. Not only did you lose MY prisoners, you also didn't retrieve the granolith. Plus the lot of you managed to alert them to our presence. We haven't been able to get close enough to them for six years."

Kivar was on a total rampage by this point. His hand shot out and a poor unfortunate soul who happened to be in the way was shot by a blast of energy and disintegrated before their eyes. He didn't stop but moved on to the next failure.

"To top it all of, you idiots destroyed their homebase without killing a single one of the Rebel Leadership and in the process lose all track of their current whereabouts. An entire intelligence agency, control over the most powerful surveillance equipment and you can't find the littlest trace of eight tiny people and their new base of operations."

Kivar turned around and all the commanders bit back a cringe, while they prepared to duck if another energy missile shot their way. They waited but he wasn't finished. "Let's not forget the cream of the crop, the Royal Four and those damn humans of theirs are now leading the Rebellion against me. And somehow they have managed to take 30% of MY land. Thirty percent. and of course we can't be remiss in forgetting to mention how they have prevented my empire from spreading. Those puny humans defended against my armies, the most powerful armies in the galaxies."

The more Kivar spoke the more logical and reasonable he sounded, the softer his voice went, the more controlled his actions became , the more fear his commanders felt. They were not stupid after all. They knew that this was all about Oregon. Everything so far was just a lead up to the humiliating and complete loss that had occurred in Oregon.

Kivar faced his commanders and gave each one a penetrating stare before speaking again, his voice so soft they strained to hear, "Would someone care to explain what it is that happened in Oregon. You are aware that my occupation there was essential to my plans."

No one spoke. There was nothing to say. No explanations. No justifications for a loss that should have never occurred.

The meeting ran for another 20 minutes. The commanders left severely chastised. There were two results to the meeting - the first one was the hatred felt by the skins for the Rebellion, the humans and their leaders had increased, and the second was the conclusion that whatever it took, the Rebellion was to stopped, all costs irrelevant. The Zarians were very aware that the Rebellion armies had increased since the beginning of Earth's occupation, particularly since the Oregon loss. For the first time the humans had hope and they were going to do everything it took to crush that.

It was time for some drastic action. The Zarians needed to send a message of fear. Fear of reprisal, fear of fighting back, fear to join the Rebellion. The Zarians had been ruling with fear for decades spanning many galaxies. They didn't know how else to rule. They were not accustomed to feeling that same fear for another species, and as the humans felt hope for the first time the skins lost some of that assurity that winning the war was a sure thing. For over 50 years they had chased the Royal Four to have a complete victory on Antar. They were the one thing that had kept hope alive on that faraway planet and to have that loss doubled with losing a war on earth was not something they wanted to watch Kivar react to.

That was the reason, the war was just about to be taken to a whole new level. Being beaten by the Royal Four and the legend that surrounded them was bad enough but to beaten by humans was completely without honour. It was time to send a message. One that would leave no doubt about who was in charge.

End part 8

Part Nine

2008
Enemy Territory
10miles from Roswell
The Desert

The girl breathed heavily as she ran. She stumbled and almost fell but caught herself in time. All around , the desert surrounded her , sand in every direction, and the darkness blocking any and all other shapes. Something fast shot pass her. It looked like a laser light. She watched almost detached as the lights flashed behind and around her. When one hit her arm it was more of and observation then pain that flashed through her brain. She didn't have time to feel it right now. Her one and only thought was to get to him, to get away from this.

In the near distance the flashing lights lit up the desert and she spotted her car parked slightly behind some rocks. It gave her renewed hope that she just might make it. A fresh burst of strength, the last she had, allowed her to reach the car. She gave a small prayer of thanks that she left the door open and the keys in the ignition. Every second counted and was crucial to her getting away. Behind her she could hear the sound of running feet and shooting.

She started the car. It fumbled a bit. Her life began to flash before her eyes and tears ran silently down her face. Today was not a good day to die. She wasn't going to give up, not without seeing him and giving him his heritage. Another prayer passed through her lips and a thank you was given fervently when the sound of the ignition was heard in the night.

The girl reversed with out looking behind her and turned her car around in one quick motion ignoring her nerves screaming in protest from the use of her hand to change the gears. Her hand reached down and felt for the small pocket in her jeans. It was a reflex action, the checking if the object that all this was fought for was still there. It formed a lump in her clothes and caused a small smile to appear on her lovely face. As quick as the smile appeared it disappeared as the situation she was in was further reminded to her with the loud sounds of glass breaking in the night as her windscreen crumbled.

The reminder caused her to increase her speed as she slammed down on the accelerator and cursed the small engine her car held. A frantic look behind her saw her pursuers now on motorbikes slowly catching up to her. She reached out with her mind to him to call him but the pain was too strong to overcome the distance and send a coherent message through, only emotions and fear slipped through. An idea to call for her help had the girl reaching for her cell phone and then a quick glance at it bled that last bit of hope away. The cell phone was obviously broken and looked completely shot up. Its strategic position on her meant the state of the phone had no doubt saved her life.

Yet despite the hopelessness of the situation the girl's almost fragile looks and personality belied the inner strength that held her in good stead in many a past situation although none as serious as this one. She wasn't ready to give up yet. They were not going to get what belonged to him and his. Not while she had a breathe left in her.

Her mind ran through various possibilities at a lightning speeds searching for some solution that would let her get away. Her only prospect at the moment lay in her knowledge of the desert. She made the assumption that they didn't know it well as her. Very few did. Her car clearly didn't have the capabilities to outrun those that chased with no sign of letting up.

In a quick decision she had no real time to make the girl swung the car around shocking those that followed and raced straight at them. Her game of chicken declared her the winner as they scattered to the sides leaving the way clear. Two of the four cycles turned over in the sudden swerves that they made while the other two barely righted in time.

By the time the two remaining bikes were back in their riders control, the girl, her plan a success, was already a good distance away and moving further away into the desert into the darkness. She switched of her headlamps and drove blindly her aim more to hide now than to outrun. Relying solely on memory the girl drove further into the desert heading for a rock formation she and only seven others were fully aware of.

Her pursuers lost sight of her with the lack of light. They were mere visitors to the desert and were not willing to get lost in an environment that was more detrimental to their bodies than any other on this planet. They gave up in disgust. Disgust that a mere human beat them. A mere girl. A girl outnumbered by 4 times her number. Disgust and fear of the repercussions for their loss.

A short distance away the subject of their thoughts sat parked in her faithful car clutching her injured arm and biting her lip to prevent the moans of pain that was threatening to escape into the night.

End Part 9

Part Ten

2008
50miles from Roswell
3 Sublevels Below Ground
Rebel Headquarters.

Liz Parker was slightly worried. She was supposed to meet her best friend for some girl's night bonding. Maria hadn't shown up yet. While being late occasionally was part of Maria's make-up, their free time was so limited, practically non existent since the rebellion began that if she was late it meant another attack had occurred. There were two reasons why Liz was worried - the first one was simple, basic. Liz had tried phoning Maria's cell phone like a hundred times.

It wasn't like Maria to have it off, not in these times. The second was more of a feeling. After years of being best friends you kind of got to the stage when keeping things from each other was particularly difficult. It was why Liz had to tell Maria Max, Michael and Isabel's secret. It had also been why it was her idea to do a girl's night, just the two of them. While they 8 of them had been running the war effort they had rarely spent any time apart but it was usually doing something serious or in couples. She wanted to get Maria alone to see if she could get the secret out of her.

A few metres away from Liz , in the room they shared, someone else was also worried about Maria. When he first felt her fear, it was light - more like apprehension. He ignored the breathes of feelings that was not his for a while, they were so light it was practically unnoticeable but as the feelings became stronger and more intense Michael found the fear that was someone else's become his as well. It was the first sign of pain that caused him to spring into action. it would have been hard to explain to anyone but Michael was pretty sure that Maria was in trouble and scared.

When he reached out with his tendrils of his mind to talk to her, something he had done time and time again before, he was worried. When it didn't work, he got scared. After trying her cell phone a couple of times with no success, he began to visibly panic. When the phone beside him rang, he grabbed it the faint hope it might be his wife foremost in his mind.

"Hello, Michael," Liz's voice came through the line.

"Liz," his reply was flat, even slightly rude. She didn't notice. He was Michael. Being rude was normal for him.

"I I was just phoning to check if Maria was there. She's supposed to meet me now and she never showed." Michael's heart stopped for a second when he heard that. It was confirmation for him.

"Liz, I think that something's wrong with Maria. I just have the feeling that's she's in trouble and " he faded off not quite sure what to say next. He didn't have to say anything else for Liz. She had been through too many weird things since she had been shot to question now and they all knew about the link between the two.

"I'll be right there, Michael. Wait for me, okay."

"Yeah sure," he replied slightly relieved he didn't have to explain over the phone.

"I mean it, Michael. Don't go anywhere until I get there." Liz knew Michael. He was prone to doing things on his own without informing anyone until after the fact. And this was Maria that was missing.

"I won't. Come quickly, okay."

"Okay." They both hung up.

Liz scribbled a quick note in case Maria showed up to her and Max's room and then raced down the hall. On the way, she passed the dining hall where the soldiers all ate. Liz skidded to a stop and a quick glance to see who was there had her calling out.
"Max, Alex," Liz yelled getting the attention of most of the messhall including her subject.

Alex turned around in surprise as did Isabel, Kyle, Max and Tess. Liz was not prone to yelling without cause. The soldiers all looked up in curiosity, but a telling look from Kyle had them all returning to eating.

"Liz, honey. What's the matter? I thought you and Maria were going to bond tonight," Max asked.

"No time to explain but we really need to get to Michael's like right now."

"Michael's - why?" Isabel queried.

"It's about Maria. We think she's in trouble." Maria's name was all it took. The seven raced up the stairs to Michael and Maria's apartment. The door was already open.

Michael turned around as they walked in. He had been pacing. For a second he looked surprised to see all of them standing there in the doorway of his apartment.

"You brought all of them?" he asked Liz.

"They were at the messhall," she answered. He nodded almost absent-mindedly as he ignored his worried friends standing there again to continue pacing.

"Michael." Max called. Michael didn't hear, his mind occupied by the intense emotions of fear and pain he was receiving.

"Michael," Max called a little louder this time. Liz walked up to him and put her arm on his shoulder, halting his pacing.

"It's worse now, Liz. She's terrified and I can't do anything to help," his voice was soft and slightly unsure very unlike Michael. It was the tone that made everyone feel the fear for their friend, even if they were unaware of the reasons.

"She's scared and she's hurting. I don't know where she is. I can't reach her."

"I knew she was hiding something from me. I should have pushed it. Made her tell me, " Michael continued after a pause.

"Me too. That's why we were doing a girls night. So I could find out the secret."

The others looked at each other in confusion. Liz seeing the look quickly explained all that had happened. Alex took the phone and dialled Maria's cell number. The lack of success showed on his face when he quietly hung up.

"Iz, you have to dreamwalk," he said to his girlfriend. Michael looked up, some hope in his face.

"I need a picture."

Before Liz or Alex could reach for their wallets and take out the picture of the three of them that all three carried, Michael already reached into a drawer and pulled out a frame. He handed it to Isabel. The frame contained a picture of a younger Maria laughing at something.

Isabel took the frame and sat down on the couch one hand holding Alex's and the other running over the smiling face in the picture. Within seconds her head lolled to the side as Alex caught it and placed it on his shoulder. Isabel wasn't out long. In a matter of minutes she sat up her expression grave.

She focused on Michael when she broke the news.
"I can't reach her."

"Why not?" Michael's voice rose. Isabel glanced quickly at her boyfriend for support.

"I I think she might not be conscious," Isabel said softly. Michael began pacing again and Liz buried her head in Max's chest.

"What now?" Tess asked.

"We wait," Max answered. "Isabel can try another dreamwalk in a little while."

No one argued. Not even Michael. They all knew that there was nothing else they could do.

@@@@@@@@@@

In the desert, in a small car lying in the front seat lay the passed out form of a young, slim woman. She was covered in blood coming from various places. At some point during the hide from her attackers the lack of blood had caused her to lose consciousness. Her injured arm was cradled against her chest and unbeknownst to her a small internal injury in her stomach was haemorrhaging. Slowly she was running out of time.

End Part Ten

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