Disclaimer: Roswell, and its characters do not belong to me. Melinda Metz, Jason Katims and 20th Century Fox have that particular pleasure. I'm simply borrowing them until the Season 2 DVD's get released.

Tomorrow's Yet to Come

Chapter Twenty – Five – Max Evans Reporting for Duty.

"Today, before we go out to the agility course," the instructor said. "We will adjourn to the large hall, to listen to a very special speaker."

The class stood, and began to file out of the classroom. Max hung back and maneuvered himself back to where Michael stood.

"How's it going?" he asked.

"Not to bad," answered Michael. "The living quarters suck in a big way. What do you suppose this guest speaker thing is about?"

"I don't know. Have you seen Liz at all. I'm worried. I haven't seen her, or Alex since we got here," said Max.

"I haven't seen anybody. I've barely even had a chance to talk to you, or Kyle. Hell at this point, I'd even settle for talking to Zan," Michael responded.

"Him I've seen," said Max. "Because we're 'twins' we get to share living quarters. He took a seat in the large hall, and Michael sat next to him. They tried to continue their whispered conversation but the instructor stood up at the podium and began to speak.

"Students, we are fortunate today to have with us, General Kobodi. I am sure you will find his speech to be very enlightening." There was a polite round of applause as the instructor took his seat, and an imposing figure dressed in gray took his place at the podium.

"You are the best the Training Academy has to offer," he began. "You among all others are the most elite. Great things are expected from you. But a small percentage of you may go on to even greater things. Starting this week, all of you will begin training with the Antarian Guard. I, personally will also be conducting interviews to see if any of you meet the criteria for the Aberjani."

The sounds of whispering filled the hall as the students discussed this information. From different parts of the room, Kyle and Zan turned to look at Michael and Max. With four of them, there was a good possibility that at least one of them would be selected for the Aberjani.

"Quiet!" roared General Kobodi. "There is no need for discussion. The interviews will begin later today. The list will be posted outside of this room. That will be all." He stepped down from the podium, and the instructor jumped back up and took his place.

"Before you are dismissed, I have one more announcement," said the instructor. "While you are here at the Training Academy, you will be exposed to various social situations which allows the students from the different areas of study to intermingle. We will be having one of these events this evening."

A tremendous roar of applause filled the room, and Max looked at Michael and grinned. He'd finally get a chance to see Liz, and to make sure she was okay.

They exited the hall, along with all the others, and made their way to the board where announcements were posted. Max scanned the list, looking for his name, and found it, near the top. Zan was directly after him, and Michael was in the middle. Max kept looking until he found Kyle's name; first on the list.

Max stepped out of the way, and the crowd surged forward. The warriors in training were talking excitedly as they waited their turn to view the list. Apparently entrance to Kivar's assassination squad was a big deal. He signaled to Kyle, Michael and Zan, and the four retreated to a quiet corner to talk. Max gave them the times of their interview, and they started to discuss their strategy for their meetings.

"I suppose just taking this Kobodi guy out isn't a great plan?" Kyle asked.

"As enjoyable as it may be," said Max. "I'm going with no. Anybody have any ideas?"

"Kobodi is an arrogant asshole," said Zan, suddenly. "But he likes to have his ego stroked. Play him that way, and you should be fine."

"And you came up with this information from where?" asked Michael. "Cause unless you went to a different meeting then us, I'm thinking you don't know what the hell you are talking about."

"I do know, and so do you, if you let yourself think about it," said Zan. "The memories, remember? Che'koth told us that as part of the royal family, we have access to memories of all those who came before us. Zan, the other Zan, knew Kobodi. He had several run ins with him before the war. If you search your mind, you'll find the information yourself."

All of them were quiet, and all of them looked deep into their minds, and found the memories that Zan was talking about.

"The son of a bitch turned his own father in for being loyal to the royal family," said Michael. "We can use that, or at least you two can," he added, looking at Max and Zan."

"Yeah, if he signed his own father's death warrant, imagine how jazzed he'd be to see on twin willing to sacrifice the other," said Max. He turned to Zan. "If we both go in, and say as much, it may look good."

"I may have another idea," said Zan. He started to explain his plan to Max, when he caught sight of Kyle's face. He was white, and looked like he was going to kill someone.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked.

"These memories, exactly how does it work again? You, Max, Michael, Isabel and Ava are the only ones who can gain compete access to the memories of the former royals, right?"

"Yeah," said Zan. "That's what Che'koth said, anyhow. So?"

"Cause Che'koth was wrong," said Kyle. "I'm seeing everything Ava saw before she died. She was raped, over and over again, then, when he was finished with her, Kobodi left her dead, naked body out in the courtyard of the palace for everybody to see," finished Kyle, his voice filled with anguish. "That bastard did that to my wife."

"Kyle, no," said Michael. "That wasn't you're Ava, any more that I was the Rath who failed to protect his king. You have to keep reminding yourself that it wasn't Ava."

"Kahtair Ariey, please report to the training room," called a voice. "Kahtair Ariey, please report to the training room immediately."

"Yeah, well, I guess it's my turn," Kyle said grimly. He pushed angrily past Max and Michael and walked across the hall. He paused outside the training room, to stare at the two Aberjani who guarded the door.

"I'm Kahtair Ariey," he said. They stepped aside, and the door slide open to reveal General Kobodi waiting inside. Kyle clenched his fist, and stepped through the door, and it slid shut, effectively sealing him off from his friends.

One by one, the young warriors were called in, but none emerged. Max managed to find out that they were escorted out another door, and kept segregated from their fellow students so that the interview process would remain secret.

"Ma'nith Drania, please report to the training room. Ma'nith Drania, please report to the training room immediately," the voice called.

"Ready," said Max, looking at Zan.

"No, but let's do it," Zan replied. As one, the two men stood up, and walked across the hall. The Aberjani stood in front of the door and refused to step aside.

"The interview is for Ma'nith Drania," said one of the Aberjani.

"I am Ma'nith Drania," answered Max and Zan together.

"General Kobodi does not have time for your foolish games, now Ma'nith Drania step forward!" demanded the Aberjani. Max and Zan both stepped forward, and the door behind the Aberjani slid open to reveal a very angry General Kobodi.

"What is the meaning of this!" he roared. "Where is the next applicant?"

"Right here," Max and Zan answered in unison. "I am Ma'nith Drania."

"Very interesting," said the General. "Let them in," he instructed. The Aberjani stepped aside, and Max and Zan walked through the doorway together, each turning slightly so they could both pass through the door at the same time.

"I take it one of you is Ma'nith Drania, and the other is Za'nith Drania?" inquired the General. "You should know that I am not amused at this behavior."

"That is good, General," said Max. "Since our aim was not to amuse you."

"No, we wanted to show you the benefits of having the two of us as members of the Aberjani," said Zan. "We often think as if we were one person."

"Our mannerisms and speech patterns are the same," said Max.

"Which could be very confusing for our enemies," continued Zan. "One could be used as a distraction."

"While the other gather's information," concluded Max.

"Your theory is an interesting one," said the General. "However, it would lead me to wonder where your loyalty would lie. With Lord Kivar, or with each other?"

Max and Zan turned towards each other, and each aimed a carefully placed bolt of energy at each other. The two bolts met, and bounced off each other harmlessly."

"Brother would kill brother to get what he wants," said the General. "I like it. Very well, you will be notified."

"Thank you General," they said together. They saluted, and walked to the door that the general had opened. They entered another large room, where several of the student warriors waited, apparently for friends who had yet to interview. Max and Zan looked around. Zan tapped Max's arm and pointed to a dim corner where Kyle sat. The walked over and sat next to him.

"You okay?" Max asked.

"Would you be?" snapped Kyle.

"No, which is precisely why I haven't looked to closely at Zan's memories. I'm not really ready to see myself die."

"But it's not yourself," Kyle said, snidely. "Isn't that what Michael said?"

"Will you chill out," said Zan. "You're drawing attention to yourself."

"Why, can't Antarians argue with their so called friends?" snapped Kyle.

"Not in English, you idiot," whispered Zan, his voice hard.. "Look, we get it, what you saw sucked, and if and when any of us see anything like it, it's going to suck too." He reached up and grabbed Kyle by the lapels and pushed him up against the wall. "You're pissed, and that's good, because if you had seen that and weren't, I'd have to kill you myself, but getting us all caught is NOT going to solve anything. Do you understand that?" He released his grip on Kyle, and Kyle slid down the wall.

"Is there a problem?" one of the instructors asked.

"Ah, no," improvised Max. "Just a small argument over who was better suited for the Aberjani. Obviously, it's me, since I didn't get drawn into their foolish argument.

"Enough, Ma'nith Drania," said the instructor. "There is no need to try and impress me, I don't make the decision. Now the three of you, relax," the instructor continued. "This is the fifth fight I've had to break up since the interviews started." The instructor returned to policing the room, and Kyle glared angrily at Max and Zan.

"You didn't see it," he said, his voice filled with anguish. "See what they did to her, and to your sister, and then try and imagine Liz in one of their places, and see how you feel." He turned away from them, but it wasn't fast enough. Both Max and Zan saw the glint of tears in his eyes. They didn't say anything more, but sat down on either side of him, each lost in their own thoughts.

The wait for Michael seemed interminable, but he finally entered the room where the others waited for him.

"How'd it go?" Max asked.

"I don't know," said Michael. "He seemed to think he knew me from somewhere. He kept harping on it."

"That's because he killed you, too," said Kyle dully. "He severed your head from your body, and stuck it on a spike and drove it into the dirt next to the body of your sister."

Michael blanched at the graphic description of Rath's death. He took a deep breath and swallowed down the bile that filled his throat. "That's impossible, he couldn't recognize me," Michael said in an undertone "I don't look anything like myself, or Rath for that matter."

"It's the way you act," said Zan. "And the way you carry yourself. Rath was confident. He carried himself with confidence, and so do you. Maybe that's what he sees?"

"Is this another one of those memories?" asked Max.

"No, on Earth, our protector used to tell us all the time how much Rath resembled the Rath on Antar. He was so like him; so supremely confident. When he walked into a room, he owned it. You're a lot like that," he said, looking at Michael.

"Isn't that just freaking wonderful?" said Michael. "How can he remember that after like 50 years?"

Max concentrated, accessing the information that had been implanted in them. "Time passes differently here," he said. "It's only been about five years since our former selves ruled here."

"Nice," said Michael. "Why didn't anyone tell us about that little fact?"

"Let's not worry about it now," said Max. "It's almost time for this social thing to begin. Why don't we go get ready, and then we can find the others. Okay Kyle? You'll get to see Ava in a little while."

The social room was filled with students dressed in their finest clothing. By silent consent, they helped Kyle locate Ava first. Kyle's relief at seeing her was palpable. Maria was with Ava, and she and Michael managed to locate Isabel and Alex. They walked over to where Max stood, scanning the crowd.

"Hey, any of you seen Liz?" he asked. "I can't find her anywhere."

"Yeah, about that, Max," said Alex. "I don't know if she's going to make it tonight. She got taken away the first day we were here, and I haven't seen her since."