Sacrifice
A Sequel to Quietly into the Night
Conventional Couples
Rating: PG-13

Chapter Thirty-Four

Antar – Capitol City

"I cannot believe you have been unable to find them!" shouted Kivar. "We have captured almost all of the rebel forces, and yet, none among them know anything about Elizabeth and that bastard son of hers. I want them found, immediately!"
"Yes My Lord," said Londro, Kivar's new second in command. "The guardsmen are working tirelessly on this. It is just a matter of time before we track them down. If that doesn't work, I'm sure one of the rebels will break under torture and reveal their whereabouts."
"Don't be too sure of that Londro," said Kivar. "They are incredibly loyal to the Royal Family, and are willing to die for them. They've proved that time after time." Kivar got up from his throne and began to pace about the room. "They have thwarted me too many times, I refuse to allow it to happen again. With the rising of the DoubleMoon, the executions will begin. I want it announced far and wide. Make it known that if Elizabeth surrenders herself and that brat of a child, I will spare the rebels lives."
"What about the other one? The one called Kyle?"
"Him, he should be destroyed on sight," commanded Kivar.
"As you wish My Lord," said Londro, bowing to Kivar. He backed out of the room and left Kivar alone, staring out the window.

Antar – Outside Capitol City

Naloch made some final adjustments to the orbs, muttering to himself as he worked.
"There," he said. "They should work, but it's going to take some time for them to charge sufficiently before they can be used. If I make a suggestion, I think it would be wise for all of us to travel back to Capitol City together. Once the orbs have charged sufficiently, Maria and the children can leave together."
"I think that's a good idea Naloch," said Max. "We can't stay here until the orbs are charged, and we don't want to be split up any sooner than necessary. So do we all agree?" he asked, looking at the others.
They all nodded to show their agreement.
"Then it's settled, we can pack up and head back down the mountain. Naloch, I'm assuming you have someplace safe for us to stay until the orbs are charged?"
"We shall have a safe place to stay. The accommodations may not be quite to our liking, but we will be warm and dry."

In less than an hour, the group started back down the mountain. Kam and Lexie road piggyback on Michael and Max's backs. To them, it was a grand adventure. The others, however, realized that it far more serious than that. Naloch lead the way down the mountainside followed by Michael and Maria, who walked in silence. Max and Liz followed behind Michael, thereby allowing Lexie and Kam to keep each other in sight. The twins had formed a strong bond in their short time together, and didn't want to be separated from each other. Behind them were Isabelle and Jereon, who were arguing amicably over everything under the sun. Kyle and Saranara walked several paces behind them. Isabelle looked back once to say something to Kyle but saw that they were discussing something intently and decided not to interrupt.

"I'm afraid Kyle," said Saranara. "I don't want to be here without you, but I'm afraid to leave the only life I've ever known to go with you."
"I know Saranara. And it's not something I'm asking you to decide. I'm willing to stay here with you. I just need to go back for a while. I need to see my Dad, and let him know that I'm okay. I haven't seen him in so long. I know Max and Michael explained to him that I'm alive, but still, I really need to see him."
"Oh Kyle, of course you do," said Saranara, taking his hand as they walked. "I would hate to be separated from my family like that. I know how hard it's been on you."
Kyle smiled, but her words caused his heart to ache. He knew then that she'd never want to leave Antar and come to Earth with him, and he didn't know if he could stay on this planet any longer.
"Don't worry, Saranara. We'll figure something out," said Kyle, squeezing her hand

     Their long arduous journey was almost at an end, as the buildings of Capitol City came into sight. From the woods, they could see streams of people making their way into the city for the Festival of DoubleMoon. Jereon's plan was incredibly simple. They would join the groups of people heading into the city, and to the safe house that Naloch knew about. They had managed to duplicate the papers that every Antarian needed to carry, and had changed their appearances yet again. Once they were left Maria and the children in a safe place, they would make their way to where the rebels were being held. From there the plan got a bit more difficult. The first order of business was to free as many of their followers as possible. After that, there was still Kivar to take down.

Naloch left the others in a bustling tavern while he made sure the place he had set up for them to stay was still safe. He walked down a crowded street, followed, unknown to him, at a discreet distance by Michael. The building looked safe, but Naloch approached it carefully, keeping an eye peeled for guardsmen. He opened a door to a nearby building and stepped inside. Michael started to follow him, but was pushed to the ground by a squadron of guardsmen rushing past him. He quickly jumped to his feet and ducked behind another building. He peered around the corner and watched as the guardsmen led Naloch out, his hands fastened behind his back. As he walked past Michael's hiding place he shouted out, "Have faith loyal citizens of Antar. Deliverance will be yours. Freedom is forthcoming. Have faith. The Royal House of Antar will never fall!"
Naloch was quickly subdued by the guards, and was led away. Michael followed at a safe distance. He quickly realized that they were taking Naloch to the Royal Palace, which was already in the process of being rebuilt after Liz's little arson escape act.

Aware that there was nothing more that he could do, Michael turned around and began to make his way back to the tavern where the others were waiting. He made several wrong turns before he found his way back. He stepped inside the overheated main room and searched until he found them sitting at a table in the back. He crossed the crowded floor and sat down with the others.
"We have a problem," he began.
"Where is my Father?" asked Saranara.
"I'm sorry," said Michael. "He walked into a building and within seconds, guardsmen were all over the place. There wasn't anything I could do."
"You left him?" she asked in a rage filled voice. "You just left him then?"
"No, I didn't just leave him. I followed them to the palace, but there wasn't anything I could do to rescue him. Don't you think I would have tried if there was?"
"You should have," began Saranara but Maria interrupted her.
"He should have what, gotten captured too? So then none of us would have known what happened. Oh right, that makes a lot of sense. Use your head. I'm sorry they captured your father. He's a wonderful man, and we'll do anything and everything we can to save him, but there is no way in hell Michael could have done anything and you know it!"

Liz grabbed Maria's arm and whispered to her to calm down.
"You're drawing attention to us Maria. Calm down, Saranara's upset, and she doesn't mean half of what she's saying. Remember, she spent the last few years thinking her father was dead. She just got him back and now he's been taken away again."
"Yeah, all right, fine, but she better leave my husband alone," Maria, muttered.
"Listen, this is bad, but it isn't the worst thing that could happen," said Max. "Naloch's still alive, and we know where he is being kept. We can get him out too."
"I don't think it's going to be quite that easy," said Isabelle.
"We'll just divide into two teams, most of us on the major rescue, but two of us will break into the Palace and find Naloch."
"I should go," volunteered Kyle. "None of you know your way around in there as well as I do."
"Great, Kyle," said Max. "I was hoping you'd volunteer, but I wasn't going to ask."
"Max, what about the kids?" asked Liz. "We can't bring them on a search and find. It's too dangerous."
"I don't know," admitted Max. "I want them out of here as much as you do. I'm just out of ideas."

Jereon looked thoughtful, and then smiled. "I may have an idea. When I was younger, my friends and I had a secret place where we used to meet. It was a part of the tunnel system, but this particular access point was useless due to so many cave ins. We could check it out, and if it's safe, Maria and the twins could hide there. I doubt any of the rebel network even remember it, it's been inaccessible for so long."
"That sounds perfect," said Michael. "Okay, we need at least one more person to go in with Kyle to get Naloch out. Any volunteers?"
"I'll do it," said Liz and Saranara together."
"No Liz," said Max. "I don't want you anywhere near that palace again."
"Max is right, Liz," said Isabelle. "That is so not a place you need to be. I'll do it."
"Princess, do you think that is wise?" asked Jereon.
"It doesn't matter if it's wise or not," said Saranara firmly. "I said I would do it, and I will. Where Kyle goes, I go!"


They ironed out the last details of their plan, and set out across the city to the old building Jereon spoke about. Once inside, they were pleased to find that it looked as though it had been deserted for a good many years. Maria bid Michael a tearful goodbye, holding tightly to her husband for a long time. Liz and Max pressed hugs and kisses on their children and urged them to behave and do whatever Maria asked. The goodbyes said, Jereon led the others out of the tunnel and back upstairs and out into the streets. They were in sight of the palace when Isabelle took him by the arm and held him back.
"Don't you ever," she said furiously. "Interfere with my life again. How dare you say anything about my wanting to go with Kyle."
"But Isabelle," said Jereon softly. "It wasn't because I didn't think you could handle it. I've no doubt that you could deal with anything that comes your way. But I've noticed that you still hold yourself responsible for what Vilondra did. I didn't want those old feelings to cause you any more pain. That is all," he said simply.
Isabelle was speechless for a moment. Finally she smiled and thanked Jereon.
"By the way, you never told us," she said. "Where is Kivar holding the rest of the rebels?"
"Right outside the palace, there is an old detention center that the Royal Family used to contain the criminal element on Antar while they were rehabilitated. I had heard rumors at one time that Kivar had outfitted it as a torture and execution facility. I'm ninety-nine percent certain that he is holding the rebels there. It is the only place large enough."
"Plus," added Michael, who had moved close enough to overhear the last part of their conversation. "I'm sure it has all the equipment he needs to torture and kill all the rebels.
"Exactly," said Jereon.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?" asked Max. "Lets move out!"

The two groups split up, Kyle and Saranara heading towards the tunnel entrance to the Royal Palace, while the others, led by Jereon, circled around the palace to the detention center. They moved in as close as possible, keeping their presence hidden by a large stand of trees. Jereon and Michael moved in to reconnoiter the site and them came back with information.
"They are there," said Michael. "Jereon nailed it, dead on."
"Let's do it," said Max and Liz together, their voices hardened by anger.