The turnout was incredible in the room at Gaia's landing. There were hundreds of people crammed into the small room and thousands more flowed out into the hallways on the outside of the room. Everyone on planet knew what was happening. Meskha would be brought to justice.

She was alone in the center of the room, separated from the masses by three feet of open space. Her hands and legs were attached to a device that would ultimately serve as her prison cell; at least, as far as Zakharov cared.

Directly in front of Meskha stood the people most directly afflicted by her: Deirdre, Yang, Shila, and most of all, Zakharov. Although his skin still showed signs of where the device had seared his skin, he otherwise had recovered from his short stay inside of the sphere. Before the experience, he absolutely hated the device and its purpose…and he still did. However, he'd make an exception. Just once.

"Meskha Treibek", Yang began, "The charges upon you are many…and many are atrocities. The charges are as follows: Mind control against unwilling non-drone participants, murder against former governor of Mandelev College, corruption of the planetary council resulting in law change, unlawful entry of computer programs, attempted mass genocide. In addition, Deirdre's charges are your own, as they were orchestrated by you and your people. How do you plead to the charges?"

Meskha's eyes were half closed as she learned her head against the device. "Guilty."

Deirdre took a step towards the girl. "Then, as re-elected Planetary Governor, I declare you guilty of all charges and placed into punishment for four-hundred and seventy years, effected today. In addition, all Remnant bases and army brigades will be transferred to the control of the University of Planet. Any last statements before we begin your sentence?"

The ex-leader yawned and spoke. "You destroy your own planet…pollution, crime, war, corruption, and more…and then you take off on ships, just to repeat the process. You think that because the land is red instead of green and that the water is green will change anything? You think you can hop onto a new world and expect your own nature to change?"

Shila shook her head. "How can you blame them? You've stolen bases, you've corrupted minds, and you've committed entire factions to war…"

Meskha laughed. "Oh, my dear girl, I spoke in the only language that you can understand. You think had I not been so intent on purifying Planet of the Earthborn-"

Zakharov interrupted her. "So, you're another Hitler now?"

Meskha turned to Zakharov angrily. "Do you understand NOTHING!? My attempt was to rid Planet of future Hitlers, just like you and the rest of the faction leaders!"

Deirdre smiled. "But your genocidal surge was halted, and justice will be enacted. By the power given to me by the Planetary Council, I begin your sentence now."

Deirdre nodded to the Gaian that stood near the device, and watched as the machine slowly surged to life. The poles of the sphere surged visable bolts of electricity throught he girls at several points in her body. For a split second, the room was quiet…then, the screaming began.

Zakharov had expected some sort of cheer or rush of excitement from the crowd, but instead there was no sounds made. No sounds, of course, save for heavy breathing…possibly of pity, but most likely of relief. The scientist began to notice the crowd around him slowly beginning to dissolve. Eventually, only Yang, Deirdre, Shila and Zakharov were left in the room, staring at the prisoner.

Yang tightened the muscles in his hands. "It's over."

Deirdre nodded but said nothing. Shila took Zakharov's hand and leaned against him. "We're free…we're finally free."

Zakharov didn't acknowledge her. Instead, he leaned a little closer towards Meskha, who was no longer screaming…just murmuring, silently suffering. He wanted to hate her…and he did…so why wasn't her torture more enjoyable?

He shook it off and kissed Shila on her forehead. "C'mon…let's go home."

----------------------------------------------------------------

A black-suited Zakharov twiddled his fingers anxiously. The front of the aisle, as any groom can attest to, is one of the most nervous places in the world to be.

One of the first acts Deirdre had passed after her re-election was to declare Shila a sentient being, and therefore subject to all the rights and responsibilities of a human. It was nothing short of a victory for Zakharov and Shila, as now…

Zakharov watched as Shila slowly walked down the aisle, escorted none-other by Sheng-ji Yang. Shila was dressed in a long white traditional style of wedding gown, and Yang sported a white suit, as he also doubled as Zakharov's best man.

The audience also watched the beautiful hologram walk down the aisle. The entire population of Ground Level Sea Base had finally been brought to the surface after almost four years…including Samuel Edin, one of his groomsman. The area around them was now loaded with people from every faction and every caste.

The two reached the front of the aisle fairly quickly. Yang kissed her hand, and then took his place next to Zakharov. He looked visually uncomfortable.

"You know I'd only wear this suit for you, right?" he said, pulling at the sleeves.

Zakharov ignored Yang and smiled as Shila took her place next to him. A priest from Ground Level Sea Base began.

"Citizens of every land, nation, and faction, you've been invited here today to witness the marriage of Prokhor Zakharov and Shila. Groomsman, do you accept this union?"

Yang and Samuel nodded.

"Lady Deirdre, do you accept?"

The Gaian leader, who was standing near to Shila, nodded her head.

"If there are any objections to this union, speak now." As expected, the field was quiet. "Then let us move on to the exchanging of rings."

Zakharov and Shila exchanged their rings, and then smiled. The priest continued. "Do you both wish to honor and love one another, and share in love until you must part from this life?"

"I do", the two said in unison.

The priest nodded. "Then by the power invested in me by the University of Planet and by our mutual faiths…on this day, at the site of the late University of Planet, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Now go on, Provost…you know you want to."

Zakharov smiled at the man, and then looked down at the girl, who had tears in her eyes. She smiled at him. "Just so happy…" And then the two kissed. A whirl of thoughts rushed through Zakharov's mind.

I created you…yet you've grown so much from what you were. You've developed your own mind and your own experiences. I never made you to create this kind of attachment to me, but it happened anyways. To me, you'll never be anything less than the perfect gift…

The kiss ended and Zakharov looked out at the crowd, which had by now erupted into a loud cheer. Shila and Zakharov both exchanged smiles then walked down the aisle again. Starting with this chapel…University Base would once again be rebuilt someday…but for now, Zakharov was didn't care…he was happy. For the first time in his life, he felt like that seagull back on earth, flying high above Earth.

----------------------------------------------------------------

"I shoulda known I'd find you in here."

Zakharov turned around to see Shila standing in the doorway of the Astrometry Lab. He smiled at her presence. "I just came down here to do some thinking."

She slowly walked towards him. University Base had been rebuilt within the year and research was once again being done within the University Labs. "I'd have thought you'd been done gazing at stars by now. There's still so much data to go over from Ground Level Sea Base…"

Zakharov walked across the room, pointing to a floating light. "Five years ago, I asked why it wasn't named. I now wonder to myself…if one scientist decided that this star wanted to go throughout its life without a name, I wonder to myself…why? Everything needs a name."

Zakharov picked up a monitor and pushed many of the buttons on it…and then smashed his hand against the keyboard. He smirked and looked up at the floating light. The space right underneath of it changed, from unnamed to 5ws4rk. Zakharov put the monitor down and pulled Shila close to him, then sat down, pulling her with him.

"Let's stop worrying about everything and enjoy life for once, Shila...even if just for a second."

She smiled. "Sounds like a good plan," she said with a kiss.

~fin

----------------------------------------------------------------

And so that's it. ^_^ I finally completed it. I'd like to thank all my reviewers, and everyone who read/reads this story in the future.

Oh and there will most likely be a sequel.

Ciao! (Takes a breather and gets some sleep).