Mesaliko Reservation
Liz stepped out of the SUV and walked toward woman seated on the porch of the trader's post.
"Hi, um I'm looking for River Dog."
"You again?" a voice called from her left.
Liz spun towards the voice.
"Eddie! Hey. Hi. Um."
"Looking for River Dog?"
"Yeah, I, uh I have some questions," She stopped as everyone else exited the SUV, "Actually
we all have some questions for him."
"I'll take you to him."
Everyone moved to follow and Eddie shook his head. "Just you."
"This involves all of us." Max said moving protectively towards Liz.
"No, you know Max, it will be OK. I'll go, I'll explain what's happened, and he'll see all of
us."
Max looked torn for a moment, looking from Liz to Eddie and finally to Michael who nodded
quickly.
"OK." He reached out and squeezed her hand.
Liz returned twenty minutes later with River Dog. He nodded to each member of the group, his
eyes lingering on Serena.
"You do not remember me."
She shook her head.
"Come, I will explain everything."
The gang followed River Dog to the caves, the silence as they trekked through the woods was
grating on Michael's patience
"You knew there was another alien out there and you never told us?"
"It was not time for you to know."
"What the hell does that mean? You told us about everything else, what made this
different?"
"You have been mislead."
"Mislead?" Max asked, looking directly at Sera.
"You have been told that Nasedo was sent to protect you. That is false. Nasedo was not your
protector. He was to look after the one left behind."
"Tess." Liz choked out the name.
Nasedo's loyalty was pledged to her, your well-being was not his concern."
"There were two."
Everyone turned to face Michael.
"What?"
"There were two. Two older aliens. Nasedo and another. Hal, Hal Carver told me that there
were two in the crash."
The other, was your protector." River Dog explained. The one they captured, he was to
watch over you. You and Serena."
"I don't understand what that means. Why did we need protectors? And why aren't they
here with us?" Sera asked, looking from River Dog to the Pod Squad.
"Our details are pretty sketchy. We know we were in the '47 crash and we know that we
were sent here with a man, Nasedo, who was supposed to protect us.but as you saw last
night, he betrayed us."
Sera turned to look at River Dog. "But you said that this Nasedo wasn't our protector, that he
wasn't sent here for us."
"No. There is something you should see, to help explain."
River Dog reached into an alcove inside the cave and produced an orb. It was similar to the one
summoned the vision of Max and Isabel's mother. He held it out to Sera, who tentatively
accepted it.
The minute the cool metal slipped into her hands it sparked to life. A white light surrounded the
figure that appeared. (I see Anthony Geary from General Hospital as Max and Iz's Anterian
father. It was either him or Parker Stevenson, and not many people would understand why that's
funny, So its Luke and Laura as the 'rents.)
"Serena DuLac, daughter of my most trusted advisor. You have been sent to earth to
continue your sworn duty, to protect King Zan and Princess Vilondra. My children.
As you lived before, you were essential in our planet's fight for survival. Join hands with my
children and your past will be revealed."
Max immediately reached for Sera's hand. She took her eyes off the image long enough to accept
his outstretched hand. They waited for something, anything. Finally Liz's voice broke the silence.
"Max, I think you need both you and Isabel for it to work."
Getting Isabel to trust Sera won't be easy."
"She doesn't have to trust me, she just needs to trust you. She'll know."
"Don't tell me how Isabel will feel. You lost that right around eight o'clock last night."
Michael cut her off.
"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant, I just think if you tell her its important, she'll show."
"Well you don't know my sister when she sets her mind against something." Max cautioned.
"OK look, none of this is helping, we can't know anything until we contact Isabel." Maria
reasoned, reaching into her purse for her cell phone.
"Hey Iz, it's Maria.Wait, Isabel. Please don't hang up. We need." Maria was cut off as
Michael took the cell phone from her.
"You to come to the reservation, no, now! We're with River Dog. No, Iz it's important that
you get here. Please. Thanks." Michael glanced at the phone for a moment, before scowling at it
and handing it back to Maria who punched the off button.
Isabel arrived in short order, Eddie beckoned her to follow him. They traversed through the
woods silently. Reaching the clearing of the caves, Eddie nodded toward the entrance before
turning away. Iz sighed heavily and stepped inside.
"Thanks for coming Iz." Max said, as his sister entered the cave.
"Well I knew Michael had to be desperate to say please."
Michael tossed a look in Iz's direction, but remained silent.
Max explained what had transpired before Isabel's arrival.
"God, How many other family members are going to pop out of these things." Iz quipped,
pointing at the orb in Sera's hands.
"Should we try again?" Sera asked tentatively.
Max nodded and placed one hand under Sera's as she held the orb. His other hand reached for
Isabel, who looked at him for a moment before placing her hand in his.
{Authors Note: Anytime there is a scene with no dialogue, assume we are getting VERY short
images of life on Antar. (}
The orb sprung to life again. Soon the cave was filled with images of a beautiful planet and
majestic castle before the scene shifted to reveal four children playing a game.
"Vilondra, I believe your brother is cheating."
"I am the future king, Serena. I never cheat."
"Indeed?"
"As you will be my second in command, Rath perhaps you should remain in concurrence
with your leader."
Rath looked at Serena and howled with laughter.
(Scene Shift)
Now teenagers, Vilondra and Serena are discussing a party.
"Larek said this girl was just standing on Dimaras Rock, watching Zan swim. You fail to
find that odd?"
"I think this girl was probably taken in by your brother.most women are. In case you
have neglected to noticed, half the kingdom is attracted to Zan."
"And that includes you." Vilondra teased knowingly.
"Shall we talk about you and Rath?"
"Let's just get dressed for the party."
(Scene Shift)
At the party Larek introduces Ava and Zan, the attraction is obvious.
Rath steps in front of Serena and offers his hand.
"Care to dance?"
"Did Vilondra send you over here to make sure I'm not moping?"
"No, I came of my own free will. And to spirit you away before Count Nicholas has a chance
to ask you to dance with him."
Serena looked over her shoulder and sighed. "He's been chasing me all night."
"You could agree to one dance."
"Only if he puts a Molonte blaster to my head."
"You don't think that's a bit harsh, he doesn't seem so bad."
As they glance to Nicholas, he is fuming at a servant who has presented him with too weak a
drink.
Rath threw a look to Serena. "On second thought, you were right."
"As always."
Rath shook his head before leading her to the dance floor.
(Scene Shift)
Sometime after the party, Vilondra and Ava are in the gardens talking. Rath, Zan and Serena
enter the gardens, Serena is carrying a beverage for Vilondra.
"Serena, when you've finished with your duties here. You'll need to turn my bed down. I
like my sleeping quarters to be fully prepared when I am ready to retire."
Vilondra fought the urge to toss her drink in Ava's face, but Zan interceded.
"Princess Ava, Serena is not a servant. She's our friend, one that should be treated as a
member of this family."
"But she is not of royal blood." Ava protested.
"Perhaps not, but NEVER again ask her to do your bidding." Vilondra warned with an icy
look.
(Scene Shift)
Ava and Zan's engagement is announced. Vilondra makes no effort to hide her displeasure to her
bother. Zan, who is now preparing for not only his wedding, but also his coronation, has no time
to hear his sister's complaints.
(Scene Shift)
Zan and Ava wed. Zan is crowned King and a new threat has presented itself in Khivar. Count
Nicholas, who has returned to Antar, has brought a message. Khivar would like to arrange a
meeting with the new king.
Zan is hesitant, there have been rumors in the outer systems that Khivar is ruthless and will stop
at nothing to gain as much power as possible.
As a mollifying gesture, Zan invites Khivar to Rath and Vilondra's wedding.
Khivar lays eyes on Princess Vilondra for the first time and is stunned by her beauty. Vilondra,
has no time for this man. She is happy with her husband.
Count Nicholas makes another play for Serena. This time she is forced to oblige at least a dance.
Rath is busy and cannot rescue her.
(Scene Shift)
Queen Ava notices Nicholas' attraction to Serena and works to use that to her advantage.
"So you see Senator Du Lac, I think Nicholas would be a perfect candidate for Serena. He is
a well sought after bachelor."
"My dear Queen. I do not know if my daughter has expressed an interest in Count Nicholas.
Truthfully, she spends most of her hours with the Princess and Lord Rath, that we rarely
see her."
"My point exactly. As you know King Zan and myself are extremely happy, and with
Vilondra and Rath now wed, nothing would make us more pleased than to see Serena
experience that level of joy."
"And you think that Count Nicholas is the answer."
"I do. He will well provide for her."
"Thank you my Queen, I shall keep it under advisement."
(Scene Shift)
"She planted that seed in his mind. She made my father believe that Count Nicholas is the
perfect mate for me."
"Serena we'll work this out. Zan will talk to your father." Vilondra placated.
"I don't think it will matter. The Senator seems pretty set on this." Rath noted.
"I'll refuse."
"Serena."
"I won't do it Vilondra. I cannot marry someone I don't love, and you couldn't either.
You've seen how Nicholas is with the servants. I can't imagine that his treatment of a wife
would be any different, and he's close to Khivar, that's not someone I trust. "
"You can take asylum here."
Vilondra and Serena turned to face Rath.
"What?"
"It's the only way Vilondra. We can keep her away from him."
"My father would never go for that."
"He will if the King commands." Zan proclaimed from the doorway.
"Your Highness!"
Zan crossed to Serena and takes her hands in his.
"Serena, you are my friend, I will not have you enter into a marriage in which you will not
be comfortable."
"I cannot ask you to intercede."
"You are not asking, I am offering, and you are accepting."
(Scene Shift)
"Serena has accepted asylum here at the palace." Zan explained to Senator Du Lac, Khivar,
and Nicholas.
"Asylum? From her betrothed? Why would she require asylum."
"The King need not explain himself to you." Rath spat at Nicholas.
"Your Highness, Count Nicholas is one of my most trusted advisors, I assure you that he
will make Serena an excellent husband."
"That is not the issue. The issue is Serena does not wish to marry him."
"Then she is going against her father's wishes. On our planet, that is grounds for death."
Khivar noted.
"We're not on your planet." Zan warned, fire in his eyes.
(Scene Shift)
The negotiations between Khivar and Zan have reached an impasse. Khivar threatens an attack. In
the meantime, Serena discovers Khivar and Ava's affair. (Yep, AVA, not Vilondra.) Serena
confides in Rath, who takes immediate action by reporting to Zan. Zan refuses to believe his wife
would betray him. Khivar makes repeated plays for Vilondra who rejects him everytime. This is
the last straw for Khivar, he begins attacks on Antar.
During the first attacks, Vilondra is killed and Serena is captured by Nicholas' guards
Rath learns where she is being held and rescues her. Before they can make their escape, Nicholas
discovers them and kills Rath. Serena fights her way out and runs to the Zan and the High King
and Queen and tells them of her plan to clone the royals.
"I couldn't save Vilondra or Rath now, but you have my promise that in their next life I will
protect them with my own."
They agree but assist on Ava being cloned as well.
With neither Rath nor Vilondra to support her dislike of the Queen, Serena has no choice but to
assent to their request.
When Zan dies in the final attack, Serena sends the pods, along with Nasedo- a representative
from Ava's planet, a guard from the palace to watch over Zan, Vilondra and Rath, and a clone she
created of herself to fulfill her promise to the High King and Queen.
When Khivar enters the chamber and discovers what she's done, he takes great delight in
murdering Serena.
(Sorry its so long but I wanted everyone to have my idea of why Serena fits with the Pod Squad.)
Once the images ended, All the girls were teary while Max and Michael looked stunned.
"So that's how it really happened," Iz was the first to speak. "She said it was me."
"What?" Michael asked.
"Whittaker, when she kidnapped Tess. She said it was me. I was the one who betrayed you
with Khivar."
"Not according to this." Maria said looking at her friend.
"Why didn't we know this before." Max asked wheeling on River Dog.
"You said there was nothing more you could tell us. That there was nothing left to learn.
Don't you think you left out a big part of the story?"
"I told you what I promised Nasedo I'd tell you." River Dog explained.
"Sera?" Liz took in the frightened and devastated look on her friend's face.
"This is, how do you.."
"Sera, I know its a lot to."
"No, Liz you can't know. It's bad enough to find out that I'm an alien who crash-landed in
1947, but now I'm told I've been alive before.its just too unreal. How do you handle this?"
"Day by day." Max replied.
"Its going to take a few days for me." Sera turned to River Dog.
"You gave me to my parents and for that I will be forever grateful."
"You're father was special to me. He was my son."
Additional tears welled in Sera's eyes; she closed the gap between her and the old Indian and
threw her arms around him.
River Dog returned the embrace and pulled back to gaze at his grandchild.
"Max is right. You should have told us she was out there." Michael admonished.
"By the time I knew I could trust you, my son was dead and his wife and daughter knew
nothing of what brought them together. I would not be the cause of more harm to them."
"My mother doesn't know?"
"She believes the story that you were found on the reservation and the elders knew your
proper home was with them."
"So she has no idea of the powers, the other life stuff. Any of it."
"No, only your father, I thought it important for him to be aware in case Nasedo ever found
you."
"You said Nasedo was your friend. Why would you hide Sera from him. Did you know
something?" Michael asked.
"Atherton had discovered something in the caves, He had noticed Nasedo's strange
behavior of late and came to me, rather than trust Nasedo. When I followed Atherton to the
location, that was when I found Serena in her container. I hid her on the reservation."
"You took her to keep her safe." Liz said.
River Dog nodded, "I believe Atherton was killed because Nasedo suspected he was hiding
Serena."
"Someone was murdered because of me?" Sera asked, glancing from her friends to River Dog.
"I am not certain that is the reason, but that's what I suspect."
"I have to get out of here."
"Sera."
"Maria, this is just too much to take in, I need a break."
"Sera, we need..."
"Max please, can we talk about this tomorrow. I'm just having a real hard time accepting
all this."
"OK. We'll talk later this week, I don't think I need to tell you."
"I know. Don't say anything to anyone."
Sera hugged River Dog once more.
"Can I come back and see you."
"Only when it is safe. The others will guide you."
Sera nodded and exited the cave.
The Pod Squad and company nodded to River Dog and followed Sera outside.
Sera dropped the gang off at the Crashdown.
"Sera if you need to talk."
"Thanks Liz."
As Sera drove away Michael turned to his best friend.
"I still don't trust her Maxwell."
"You saw what we saw Michael. We have to try."
"I just don't want a repeat of last year."
"That's not going to happen. I promise."
Everyone headed inside the Crashdown.
Liz stepped out of the SUV and walked toward woman seated on the porch of the trader's post.
"Hi, um I'm looking for River Dog."
"You again?" a voice called from her left.
Liz spun towards the voice.
"Eddie! Hey. Hi. Um."
"Looking for River Dog?"
"Yeah, I, uh I have some questions," She stopped as everyone else exited the SUV, "Actually
we all have some questions for him."
"I'll take you to him."
Everyone moved to follow and Eddie shook his head. "Just you."
"This involves all of us." Max said moving protectively towards Liz.
"No, you know Max, it will be OK. I'll go, I'll explain what's happened, and he'll see all of
us."
Max looked torn for a moment, looking from Liz to Eddie and finally to Michael who nodded
quickly.
"OK." He reached out and squeezed her hand.
Liz returned twenty minutes later with River Dog. He nodded to each member of the group, his
eyes lingering on Serena.
"You do not remember me."
She shook her head.
"Come, I will explain everything."
The gang followed River Dog to the caves, the silence as they trekked through the woods was
grating on Michael's patience
"You knew there was another alien out there and you never told us?"
"It was not time for you to know."
"What the hell does that mean? You told us about everything else, what made this
different?"
"You have been mislead."
"Mislead?" Max asked, looking directly at Sera.
"You have been told that Nasedo was sent to protect you. That is false. Nasedo was not your
protector. He was to look after the one left behind."
"Tess." Liz choked out the name.
Nasedo's loyalty was pledged to her, your well-being was not his concern."
"There were two."
Everyone turned to face Michael.
"What?"
"There were two. Two older aliens. Nasedo and another. Hal, Hal Carver told me that there
were two in the crash."
The other, was your protector." River Dog explained. The one they captured, he was to
watch over you. You and Serena."
"I don't understand what that means. Why did we need protectors? And why aren't they
here with us?" Sera asked, looking from River Dog to the Pod Squad.
"Our details are pretty sketchy. We know we were in the '47 crash and we know that we
were sent here with a man, Nasedo, who was supposed to protect us.but as you saw last
night, he betrayed us."
Sera turned to look at River Dog. "But you said that this Nasedo wasn't our protector, that he
wasn't sent here for us."
"No. There is something you should see, to help explain."
River Dog reached into an alcove inside the cave and produced an orb. It was similar to the one
summoned the vision of Max and Isabel's mother. He held it out to Sera, who tentatively
accepted it.
The minute the cool metal slipped into her hands it sparked to life. A white light surrounded the
figure that appeared. (I see Anthony Geary from General Hospital as Max and Iz's Anterian
father. It was either him or Parker Stevenson, and not many people would understand why that's
funny, So its Luke and Laura as the 'rents.)
"Serena DuLac, daughter of my most trusted advisor. You have been sent to earth to
continue your sworn duty, to protect King Zan and Princess Vilondra. My children.
As you lived before, you were essential in our planet's fight for survival. Join hands with my
children and your past will be revealed."
Max immediately reached for Sera's hand. She took her eyes off the image long enough to accept
his outstretched hand. They waited for something, anything. Finally Liz's voice broke the silence.
"Max, I think you need both you and Isabel for it to work."
Getting Isabel to trust Sera won't be easy."
"She doesn't have to trust me, she just needs to trust you. She'll know."
"Don't tell me how Isabel will feel. You lost that right around eight o'clock last night."
Michael cut her off.
"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant, I just think if you tell her its important, she'll show."
"Well you don't know my sister when she sets her mind against something." Max cautioned.
"OK look, none of this is helping, we can't know anything until we contact Isabel." Maria
reasoned, reaching into her purse for her cell phone.
"Hey Iz, it's Maria.Wait, Isabel. Please don't hang up. We need." Maria was cut off as
Michael took the cell phone from her.
"You to come to the reservation, no, now! We're with River Dog. No, Iz it's important that
you get here. Please. Thanks." Michael glanced at the phone for a moment, before scowling at it
and handing it back to Maria who punched the off button.
Isabel arrived in short order, Eddie beckoned her to follow him. They traversed through the
woods silently. Reaching the clearing of the caves, Eddie nodded toward the entrance before
turning away. Iz sighed heavily and stepped inside.
"Thanks for coming Iz." Max said, as his sister entered the cave.
"Well I knew Michael had to be desperate to say please."
Michael tossed a look in Iz's direction, but remained silent.
Max explained what had transpired before Isabel's arrival.
"God, How many other family members are going to pop out of these things." Iz quipped,
pointing at the orb in Sera's hands.
"Should we try again?" Sera asked tentatively.
Max nodded and placed one hand under Sera's as she held the orb. His other hand reached for
Isabel, who looked at him for a moment before placing her hand in his.
{Authors Note: Anytime there is a scene with no dialogue, assume we are getting VERY short
images of life on Antar. (}
The orb sprung to life again. Soon the cave was filled with images of a beautiful planet and
majestic castle before the scene shifted to reveal four children playing a game.
"Vilondra, I believe your brother is cheating."
"I am the future king, Serena. I never cheat."
"Indeed?"
"As you will be my second in command, Rath perhaps you should remain in concurrence
with your leader."
Rath looked at Serena and howled with laughter.
(Scene Shift)
Now teenagers, Vilondra and Serena are discussing a party.
"Larek said this girl was just standing on Dimaras Rock, watching Zan swim. You fail to
find that odd?"
"I think this girl was probably taken in by your brother.most women are. In case you
have neglected to noticed, half the kingdom is attracted to Zan."
"And that includes you." Vilondra teased knowingly.
"Shall we talk about you and Rath?"
"Let's just get dressed for the party."
(Scene Shift)
At the party Larek introduces Ava and Zan, the attraction is obvious.
Rath steps in front of Serena and offers his hand.
"Care to dance?"
"Did Vilondra send you over here to make sure I'm not moping?"
"No, I came of my own free will. And to spirit you away before Count Nicholas has a chance
to ask you to dance with him."
Serena looked over her shoulder and sighed. "He's been chasing me all night."
"You could agree to one dance."
"Only if he puts a Molonte blaster to my head."
"You don't think that's a bit harsh, he doesn't seem so bad."
As they glance to Nicholas, he is fuming at a servant who has presented him with too weak a
drink.
Rath threw a look to Serena. "On second thought, you were right."
"As always."
Rath shook his head before leading her to the dance floor.
(Scene Shift)
Sometime after the party, Vilondra and Ava are in the gardens talking. Rath, Zan and Serena
enter the gardens, Serena is carrying a beverage for Vilondra.
"Serena, when you've finished with your duties here. You'll need to turn my bed down. I
like my sleeping quarters to be fully prepared when I am ready to retire."
Vilondra fought the urge to toss her drink in Ava's face, but Zan interceded.
"Princess Ava, Serena is not a servant. She's our friend, one that should be treated as a
member of this family."
"But she is not of royal blood." Ava protested.
"Perhaps not, but NEVER again ask her to do your bidding." Vilondra warned with an icy
look.
(Scene Shift)
Ava and Zan's engagement is announced. Vilondra makes no effort to hide her displeasure to her
bother. Zan, who is now preparing for not only his wedding, but also his coronation, has no time
to hear his sister's complaints.
(Scene Shift)
Zan and Ava wed. Zan is crowned King and a new threat has presented itself in Khivar. Count
Nicholas, who has returned to Antar, has brought a message. Khivar would like to arrange a
meeting with the new king.
Zan is hesitant, there have been rumors in the outer systems that Khivar is ruthless and will stop
at nothing to gain as much power as possible.
As a mollifying gesture, Zan invites Khivar to Rath and Vilondra's wedding.
Khivar lays eyes on Princess Vilondra for the first time and is stunned by her beauty. Vilondra,
has no time for this man. She is happy with her husband.
Count Nicholas makes another play for Serena. This time she is forced to oblige at least a dance.
Rath is busy and cannot rescue her.
(Scene Shift)
Queen Ava notices Nicholas' attraction to Serena and works to use that to her advantage.
"So you see Senator Du Lac, I think Nicholas would be a perfect candidate for Serena. He is
a well sought after bachelor."
"My dear Queen. I do not know if my daughter has expressed an interest in Count Nicholas.
Truthfully, she spends most of her hours with the Princess and Lord Rath, that we rarely
see her."
"My point exactly. As you know King Zan and myself are extremely happy, and with
Vilondra and Rath now wed, nothing would make us more pleased than to see Serena
experience that level of joy."
"And you think that Count Nicholas is the answer."
"I do. He will well provide for her."
"Thank you my Queen, I shall keep it under advisement."
(Scene Shift)
"She planted that seed in his mind. She made my father believe that Count Nicholas is the
perfect mate for me."
"Serena we'll work this out. Zan will talk to your father." Vilondra placated.
"I don't think it will matter. The Senator seems pretty set on this." Rath noted.
"I'll refuse."
"Serena."
"I won't do it Vilondra. I cannot marry someone I don't love, and you couldn't either.
You've seen how Nicholas is with the servants. I can't imagine that his treatment of a wife
would be any different, and he's close to Khivar, that's not someone I trust. "
"You can take asylum here."
Vilondra and Serena turned to face Rath.
"What?"
"It's the only way Vilondra. We can keep her away from him."
"My father would never go for that."
"He will if the King commands." Zan proclaimed from the doorway.
"Your Highness!"
Zan crossed to Serena and takes her hands in his.
"Serena, you are my friend, I will not have you enter into a marriage in which you will not
be comfortable."
"I cannot ask you to intercede."
"You are not asking, I am offering, and you are accepting."
(Scene Shift)
"Serena has accepted asylum here at the palace." Zan explained to Senator Du Lac, Khivar,
and Nicholas.
"Asylum? From her betrothed? Why would she require asylum."
"The King need not explain himself to you." Rath spat at Nicholas.
"Your Highness, Count Nicholas is one of my most trusted advisors, I assure you that he
will make Serena an excellent husband."
"That is not the issue. The issue is Serena does not wish to marry him."
"Then she is going against her father's wishes. On our planet, that is grounds for death."
Khivar noted.
"We're not on your planet." Zan warned, fire in his eyes.
(Scene Shift)
The negotiations between Khivar and Zan have reached an impasse. Khivar threatens an attack. In
the meantime, Serena discovers Khivar and Ava's affair. (Yep, AVA, not Vilondra.) Serena
confides in Rath, who takes immediate action by reporting to Zan. Zan refuses to believe his wife
would betray him. Khivar makes repeated plays for Vilondra who rejects him everytime. This is
the last straw for Khivar, he begins attacks on Antar.
During the first attacks, Vilondra is killed and Serena is captured by Nicholas' guards
Rath learns where she is being held and rescues her. Before they can make their escape, Nicholas
discovers them and kills Rath. Serena fights her way out and runs to the Zan and the High King
and Queen and tells them of her plan to clone the royals.
"I couldn't save Vilondra or Rath now, but you have my promise that in their next life I will
protect them with my own."
They agree but assist on Ava being cloned as well.
With neither Rath nor Vilondra to support her dislike of the Queen, Serena has no choice but to
assent to their request.
When Zan dies in the final attack, Serena sends the pods, along with Nasedo- a representative
from Ava's planet, a guard from the palace to watch over Zan, Vilondra and Rath, and a clone she
created of herself to fulfill her promise to the High King and Queen.
When Khivar enters the chamber and discovers what she's done, he takes great delight in
murdering Serena.
(Sorry its so long but I wanted everyone to have my idea of why Serena fits with the Pod Squad.)
Once the images ended, All the girls were teary while Max and Michael looked stunned.
"So that's how it really happened," Iz was the first to speak. "She said it was me."
"What?" Michael asked.
"Whittaker, when she kidnapped Tess. She said it was me. I was the one who betrayed you
with Khivar."
"Not according to this." Maria said looking at her friend.
"Why didn't we know this before." Max asked wheeling on River Dog.
"You said there was nothing more you could tell us. That there was nothing left to learn.
Don't you think you left out a big part of the story?"
"I told you what I promised Nasedo I'd tell you." River Dog explained.
"Sera?" Liz took in the frightened and devastated look on her friend's face.
"This is, how do you.."
"Sera, I know its a lot to."
"No, Liz you can't know. It's bad enough to find out that I'm an alien who crash-landed in
1947, but now I'm told I've been alive before.its just too unreal. How do you handle this?"
"Day by day." Max replied.
"Its going to take a few days for me." Sera turned to River Dog.
"You gave me to my parents and for that I will be forever grateful."
"You're father was special to me. He was my son."
Additional tears welled in Sera's eyes; she closed the gap between her and the old Indian and
threw her arms around him.
River Dog returned the embrace and pulled back to gaze at his grandchild.
"Max is right. You should have told us she was out there." Michael admonished.
"By the time I knew I could trust you, my son was dead and his wife and daughter knew
nothing of what brought them together. I would not be the cause of more harm to them."
"My mother doesn't know?"
"She believes the story that you were found on the reservation and the elders knew your
proper home was with them."
"So she has no idea of the powers, the other life stuff. Any of it."
"No, only your father, I thought it important for him to be aware in case Nasedo ever found
you."
"You said Nasedo was your friend. Why would you hide Sera from him. Did you know
something?" Michael asked.
"Atherton had discovered something in the caves, He had noticed Nasedo's strange
behavior of late and came to me, rather than trust Nasedo. When I followed Atherton to the
location, that was when I found Serena in her container. I hid her on the reservation."
"You took her to keep her safe." Liz said.
River Dog nodded, "I believe Atherton was killed because Nasedo suspected he was hiding
Serena."
"Someone was murdered because of me?" Sera asked, glancing from her friends to River Dog.
"I am not certain that is the reason, but that's what I suspect."
"I have to get out of here."
"Sera."
"Maria, this is just too much to take in, I need a break."
"Sera, we need..."
"Max please, can we talk about this tomorrow. I'm just having a real hard time accepting
all this."
"OK. We'll talk later this week, I don't think I need to tell you."
"I know. Don't say anything to anyone."
Sera hugged River Dog once more.
"Can I come back and see you."
"Only when it is safe. The others will guide you."
Sera nodded and exited the cave.
The Pod Squad and company nodded to River Dog and followed Sera outside.
Sera dropped the gang off at the Crashdown.
"Sera if you need to talk."
"Thanks Liz."
As Sera drove away Michael turned to his best friend.
"I still don't trust her Maxwell."
"You saw what we saw Michael. We have to try."
"I just don't want a repeat of last year."
"That's not going to happen. I promise."
Everyone headed inside the Crashdown.
