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.
Author's Note Well, my goal was to have this finished before the DVD's were released. Obviously, I didn't make it, but I'm pretty close . Hopefully, our story will be wrapped up by the end of the week.
Chapter Sixty – Two – Return to Earth
"You are very lucky, Kobodi," said Kivar as he exited the Training Academy. "Your trainees are very loyal. They were willing to lie to me to protect you. Why is that, do you think?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean, My Lord," said Kobodi.
"You were trying to find out if one of them was Zan, of course," said Kivar, his voice almost cheerful. "Obviously, they banded together to protect one of their own. It is just as obvious that you mind warped them into confessing to that ludicrous plan. It is lucky for the trainees that I realized that, because my initial impulse was to kill them for lying to me."
"Lord Kivar, I did not mind warp the trainees to say that," said Kobodi, struggling to keep the fear from his voice.
"Kobodi, haven't you learned yet it is wise not to lie to me?" said Kivar. "You are lucky I do not have time to deal with this right now. I want you to oversee the recalling of the Aberjani. I want them back from Earth as soon as possible."
"Yes Lord Kivar," said Kobodi.
"Don't think, for an instant, that I have forgotten your insolence, Kobodi. You will be punished."
"Yes, Lord Kivar,' said Kobodi, striving to keep the hatred from his voice.
Che'koth exited the Granolith, and looked around. He checked the timepiece that Jim Valenti had left. He was unable to tell time by traditional Earth methods, but the Sheriff had kindly marked the hours that he would stop by and check to see if there were any messages. Che'koth was pleased to see that he didn't have long to wait before Jim arrived.
While he waited, Che'koth looked again at the pods that had housed his family, and brought them to safety. Tucked inside one was the blanket he had wrapped around Liz when she lost her child. He felt a tear roll down his face, but he didn't brush it away. Liz was such a strong woman; she would make a wonderful Queen.
Che'koth shook his head sadly, for he knew deep in his heart that Liz would not remain on Antar, nor would Max. A choice had been made when the pods had been sent to Earth. If they survived, they would build their own lives. They couldn't be expected to return to live on a planet they knew nothing about.
A sound drew his attention away from the pods, and he turned to find Jim Valenti watching him.
"It amazes me too," said Jim. "I come out here and stare at them all the time. I can't believe that those kids traveled here in those, and they protected them for so long."
"It was a terrible risk, but we had no choice," said Che'koth. "I'm glad to see you my friend," he added, trying to shake off the sadness that he felt.
"What brings you here Che'koth?" asked Jim. "Do the kids need more food?"
"No, I am here to bring back the troops we left down here," explained Che'koth. "Kivar is recalling the Aberjani, so there will be no need for them to remain."
"That's great!" said Jim, excitedly. "That means the kids will be home soon!" He looked at the expression on Che'koth's face, and his exuberance faded. "They will, won't they?"
"I'm afraid that they won't be home right away," said Che'koth.
"Are any of them hurt?" demanded Jim. "What aren't you telling me?"
"Relax, Jim Valenti, they are fine. They have, decided however that they cannot leave Antar until they rid our world of Kivar."
"Rid your world of Kivar? He rules your world, he has armies behind him, and a band of nine kids think they can overthrow him? Are they insane? Are you insane for letting them?"
"You forget, Jim Valenti, that Max is my King. I have sworn an oath of loyalty to him."
"You swore an oath to a person that doesn't exist anymore, Che'koth. You swore an oath to Zan, but he's not there, and Max is. He isn't your king. He's just a boy!"
"So Max keeps telling me," said Che'koth, a small grin playing at the corners of his mouth. "However, this is their decision, and nothing I say will change their minds."
"Then get the hell out of my way, and I'll go up there and tell them that they're being stupid," said Jim.
"You know I can't allow that to happen Jim," said Che'koth. "Max and the others have come up with a rather remarkable plan. They began to implement it almost immediately. I'd like to tell you about it if you are willing to listen. I think you'll find that they've thought things through and are going into it with their eyes open."
Jim agreed reluctantly. Che'koth explained everything the group had done so far, and what their plans were. Jim was amazed at everything they had accomplished in such a short time.
"They've only been gone for a few weeks," he said. "How did they manage to do this?"
"As you know, time passes differently on Antar," said Che'koth, "But even so, they have done some remarkable things in a very short time."
"No kidding," laughed Jim. "Inventing penicillin, that's classic Maria."
"You laugh, but it served to throw suspicion off of Liz at a time when a classmate was accusing her of treason."
"Treason?" asked Jim. "What are they doing that's treasonous? Never mind," he added as he realized what he had just asked. "I suppose trying to overthrow Kivar would be along the lines of treason. So this is all my fault, huh?"
"What do you mean? asked Che'koth. "How could you have possibly started this?"
"Well, if I hadn't sent that cd up to Maria, she never would have heard that stupid song, and then none of this would have happened," sighed Jim.
"I'm afraid they already had reached that decision before Maria found that cd," Che'koth said. "It just gave them, ah, I believe Maria referred to it as a theme for the prom."
Jim laughed, knowing the expression was pure Maria. He asked after each of the kids, and passed messages along from their parents.
"They all send their love to you, as well," said Che'koth. "And they ask you not to worry. This is something that they have to do. None of them felt that it would be right to return to Earth without trying to do something."
"They're good kids," said Jim. "I hate this, but I understand why they feel they have to do it. I don't think I should tell their parents though, do you?"
"That is wise, Jim Valenti. You will bear a difficult burden, keeping this secret, but it is for the best."
"So, should we start rounding up the troops and bring them back here?" asked Jim.
"No, that will not be necessary," said Che'koth. "Alex managed to duplicate the technology used by the Aberjani to travel. He sent me back with the belts the Aberjani use. It will allow our people to return to Antar, to a specific location."
"I still think we should bring them all out here," said Jim, the start of a plan running through his mind. "It would be just our luck to have somebody see one of them disappear."
Che'koth agreed, and he and Jim drove into town and began to recall the rebel troops. They brought the first group back to the Granolith, and they, along with Che'koth transported back to Antar. Moments later, Che'koth returned, with the belts to allow the second wave of rebels to return to their planet.
"I do wish you'd let me go back with you," said Jim. "There must be something I could do that would help those kids."
"The only thing you can do is stay here, where you will be safe. I have no doubt that you would be a worthy ally any other time, Jim Valenti, but you are not equipped to fight a battle on Antar."
Jim grudgingly agreed, and he and Che'koth brought the remaining troops back to the Granolith. Jim watched closely as Che'koth instructed the rebels on the use of the belts.
"I'm going to send them back in pairs this time," said Che'koth. "The area Alex programmed them to return to was a bit cramped when the first batch arrived simultaneously."
Soon, all the rebels were back on Antar, and Jim and Che'koth remained in the Granolith Chamber.
"There's nothing I can say to persuade you, is there?" asked Jim.
"I'm afraid not," said Che'koth.
"Are you a parent, Che'koth?" Jim asked suddenly.
Che'koth smiled sadly as he thought about his beloved Zan and Vilondra and how he lost them, only to have them return as Max, Zan and Isabel, and how he would soon lose them again.
"Yes my friend, I am a parent," he said.
"Good, then you'll understand why I have to do this," said Jim. He reached up suddenly and brought the handle of his service revolver crashing down on Che'koth's head. He quickly removed the belt Che'koth wore and fastened it around his own waist. He activated the belt and faded from sight just as Che'koth opened his eyes.