Title: Hedging Her Bets
Author: blackknight5
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Four Aliens and Baby & Roswell Books "A New Beginning" and "Nightscape".
*Author's Note: This is the longest chapter I've written so far, and as I got through I realized that there was too much here for one chapter. So Chapter Five should be out by tomorrow. Anyway please Read and Review.*
Part 4
Jim Valenti looked over his shoulder one last time before turning off the road, and turning off into the desert. He'd believed his days of late night meetings in the desert would be over when the kids had fled Roswell. Instead I'm going out here more and more. He'd been spending more time outside the pod chamber ruins holding meetings now then when the Pod Squad had been here. It was one of the few places the parents could gather without worrying if the FBI was listening in on them. Although he had a feeling the 'Special Unit' had loosened it noose around the parents in Roswell. So they could concentrate on catching Max, Isabelle, Michael, Liz, Maria, and Kyle. He was not about to start taking chances that could end up endangering the lives of his son, and the others who had become like his own children.
His life had changed so drastically since Max Evans first came to his attention. First he'd hunted Max, and then become the protector in place of the ones that abandoned them. Now he'd become protector for the parents they'd left behind. Although Maria would probably object to how closely he was protecting her mom. Looking over the scenery, he figured it would be about five more minutes.
Jeff Parker had arranged this meeting, and that was definitely bothering him. Jeff Parker had not taken the revelations in Liz's journal as well as the Evan's or even Amy Deluca. Still Jeff Parker seemed to be fighting against what he wanted to believe, and what he had known for a lifetime as impossible. If the kids ever were able to return home they would definitely need to have a long talk with Jeff Parker especially Max. Although I think it would have to do more with running away and marrying his daughter then anything else. Yet, Jeff Parker's struggle over the revelations in Liz's journal had at least contained a belief that this truly happened, his wife was another matter.
Nancy Parker had become a problem for the other parents, and especially him. Her refusal what the journal said about Max, Michael, and Isabelle or their lives had already caused a number of fights.
I felt like I was on the witness stand being grilled by a district attorney. I still remember the look of anger on her face as I refused to concede that it had all been some kind of delusion in Liz's mind. Her anger at him was only surpassed by her anger for the Evan's. He still remembered the fist fight that nearly broke out between Diane and Nancy when she had compared their excuses had about as much veracity as Germans who claimed not to know what was happening in the Concentration Camps. He and Jeff had eventually been able to calm Nancy down.
So far the only ground Nancy Parker had given was that she did accept that the kids were in danger. The threat of the 'Special Unit' she had seen with her own eyes and despite her belief about this 'alien' business she did realize at least some people in the government believed it. The events of Graduation had separated all of them from the rest of Roswell, and they had been forced to come together in the face of that. That meant Nancy's anger had separated her from the only people who could really understand what she was going through.
She was the only one quiet at the meetings, the only one who never asked me to tell some story about of the group. Diane and Phillip had taken comfort in his memories as they realized the true character of the children they'd raised. Amy had finally understood why her car had needed so much repair work. The Parkers never asked him anything about Liz, and that he thought was a great tragedy. Especially considering the quality of the daughter they had raised.
Taking a deep sigh as he decelerated, and finally brought his car to a complete stop next Amy's Jetta. Stepping out of his car Jim Valenti began the familiar uphill walk toward just outside the pod chamber where the other parents had already gathered. He suddenly found himself looking over the group of parents and comparing them to their children as unintentionally they were standing in a hap hazard manner that was too much like the pod squad for him to stop the smile that he found stretching across his face.
"Sorry I'm late," Jim said as he managed to wipe the smile from his face.
"Its okay, Jim," Phillip Evans said
"So what's this about?" Jim said as he did a quick check over of the others.
Phillip seemed to wait till I was looking back at him to continue wonder why? Jim thought. "I've been thinking on how vulnerable we are to the 'Special Unit' and how much of a danger that is to the kids. I want to change that," Phillip said.
"How do you plan on doing that?"
"I want to rig our houses with cameras, and then get them to charge in. The cameras won't have tapes, but will be sending the signal somewhere else. I have a friend who I met in college that works at CNN. I can set it up so he will get the tape. I know he will move heaven and earth to get that tape on the air. It would definitely give us some leverage against them."
"What does everyone else think?" Jim asked. The Evan's were all for it, and surprisingly so were the Parkers. The only one who seemed uncomfortable was Amy. She probably sees this as a violation of her privacy.
"It isn't much, and definitely won't end this. But it will give us some leverage on these people if they ever try and use us against the kids," Jeff finished.
"Alright, how long would it take to set up?" Valenti asked.
"No more than two weeks," Phillip Evans answered.
"Alright, set it up. Is there anything else?" Jim asked.
Just outside Boise, Idaho
Kyle shifted the VW van into park, and let his head drop to the steering wheel in exhaustion. Thank god everyone agreed to stop for the night, Kyle thought. I know that I will never get used to driving for twelve hours at a stretch. I should have insisted someone else park the car, he thought as he closed his eyes for a second. Then he felt pressure on his shoulder. Turning his head and forcing open his eyes he saw Isabelle looking at him with her hand on his shoulder.
"We got rooms?" Kyle asked.
"Yes, everyone else is already up there. I came back to get you, what took you so long?"
"I just left you guys out front a few minutes ago."
"Kyle, that was almost twenty minutes ago. I think you fell asleep."
"No way, I was just resting my eyes," he paused as he looked at the time on his watch. Crap, I did fall asleep. Stepping out of the car, and standing for the first time in twelve hours Kyle found it a little hard to stand for a second. Isabelle was there in a heartbeat to help steady him, and soon they were both on their way up to the rooms.
Almost as an afterthought Kyle began wondering which room he would be sleeping in, and who he'd be rooming with? "By the way, we figure out the sleeping arrangements?" Kyle asked.
Isabelle paused for a second before answering. "I don't know. But I would get ready for Michael's snoring if I were you."
Kyle just nodded his head. Michael wasn't bad, but it was one of those not really funny jokes that made this never ending road trip a little more bearable. "Wait Isabelle, please tell me we're not having a meeting now!" Kyle pleaded.
Isabelle turned toward him and gave him a sly smile. "Sorry, but I can not tell a lie."
"That was George Washington," Kyle fired back.
Michael leaned back and watched the television as Isabelle went to collect Kyle. Doubt there is anything interesting. Still it gave him a way of ignoring Maria's glare, which had not weakened in the twelve hours since his little off-hand comment. He'd tried to apologize, but Maria wasn't going to make it that easy. She wants to be mad then...why couldn't she accept he was sorry? She had to know he wasn't serious. Michael took a deep breath, and returned his focus to the television. Right now even commercials where better then listening to his thoughts.
"Are you in trouble? Do you feel like someone is chasing you?" the narrator said. Speaking to the converted buddy, Michael thought.
"This could be a sign of Antarian Syndrome," Michael shot up at that. What the hell? There is no way he just heard that did he? Looking over his shoulder he saw that Maria had been listening, and she too had a look of shock on her face. Max and Liz had moved to get a better look at the television.
The voice of the narrator was replaced by a personal testimonial. "My name is Zan. I came to LA a year ago looking for help. You see I'd just lost my son, and I kind of just made things worse. However, thanks to this miracle I was able to get back on my feet. Now I know when I need help I know where to go. Just call the hotline talk to my friend Cal."
"Max?" Maria didn't get a chance to finish. No one did, not that we would know what to say. Michael thought. Thank god Isabelle and Kyle chose that moment to enter the room. There must have been something on our faces because Isabelle and Kyle looked very concerned.
"Max, what's going on?" Isabelle asked.
Max turned around and looked at his sister. "Someone just sent us a message," Max said an edge of disbelief in his voice.
"Who?"
"Cal Langley," Max answered.
Los Angeles – Cal Langley's House
He had to admit it this was probably one of the most amazing things he'd ever set up. He'd needed to get a message to his King and Queen although thinking of them like that made him want to puke. Why did I leave that book on Tennyson in my damn house! Still for whatever reason he what he'd pulled off in the last twelve hours was spectacular even by his own standards. One of his friends had been working on a commercial for help hotline, and on a person favor he'd made a few variations for the commercial that would be sent to out to a specific area. Boise Idaho.
Then he'd pulled a few more strings and this little commercial would be running once an hour for the next couple of days. Now I just have to hope they stay in there long enough to see it. It was at times like this that he wished he could drown himself in alcohol like humans, but no matter how much he wished it he couldn't beat the imperative that way. He'd made sure that if Max called then his call would be direct here, and then he could finish the arrangements to bring his King back here.
Why did this have to happen? Has to be the universes idea of payback, but I'm not sure for what? As he let his thought wander he found himself walking to the library. He'd avoided the library since the incident the other day, and he'd planned on avoiding it for awhile yet. In there thoughts of Tennyson would not escape him thoughts of heroes, thoughts of a time when he would have tried to live up to such rubbish. Rubbish, is that what it is? For a second he actually thought about it before slamming his fist into a wall.
"Damn it! Why is this happening? Can I never be free? Am I to spend eternity fighting for things I no longer believe in simply because my king tells me?" Cal screamed. The scream echoed through the empty house like some mournful cry. He receive no answer, there was no one to comfort him. His only company was the competing thoughts in his brain. One said to protect, the other to run like hell. He was saved from further introspection when he heard the phone ring.
"Hello, this John Jeff..."
Interrupting so he could avoid wasting time, "I assume you have Max waiting?"
"Yes, I'll connect you."
Taking a deep breath, Cal waited. Then he heard it. "Hello," a familiar voice said on the other end of the phone.
"Hello, Max. I see you got my message."
Perhaps antagonizing his King was not the best thing he could do, but he really didn't care. The imperative might make him protect the King and Queen, but it did mean he had to be nice about it.
"I thought you said you never wanted to see me again?"
"Can we avoid having this conversation on the phone? How about we arrange a meeting?" Hoping Max would accept that, and not push him.
"How soon can you get up here?" Langley took a second to figure that out. His private Jet could get him there quickly. "It should take me about an hour and a half to get up there. Meet me at Walsh airfield."
"Alright, see you then."
The short conversation had done little to ease Langley's state of mind, but it did give him something new to focus on. Now I just need to make two phone calls, and then just half an hour before I can take off. For some reason at that moment a line from Tennyson popped into his head. 'Theirs was not to reason why, theirs was not to make reply, theirs was but to do and die.'
Boise, Idaho
Max hung up the phone and wondered at the new strange twist this day had taken. First, Liz had collapsed, and now Cal Langley had sent them a message. Turning around Max watched as everyone's eyes focused on him. Putting aside his guilt and doubt for the moment Max started filling in the group about his recent conversation with Langley.
"Is anyone else here thinking there is more going on here," Michael said when Max finished.
"I mean come, Liz collapses and sees some strange building, and now out of the blue Langley contacts us. The same Langley who told Max never under any circumstance to talk to him again?" Maria added.
Isabelle spoke next. "Plus remember who we all reacted to what Liz said. I don't know why Langley sent that message, but if he has answers I think we need to find them."
"Yeah, like the last time a protector of yours, and his little blonde told you they had answers? Max do you really trust this Langley?" Kyle asked.
Max could feel the pressure of the eyes on him, but for the moment ignored them. Did he trust Langley? That is the question isn't it. "I wouldn't say I'd trust him. However I don't think he'd try and hurt us."
"I think we need to go see him. If there is something going on he might know, and with all his connections he could definitely help us," Liz said to the group, but in a strange sense Max felt it was also just for him. Liz's support always seemed to ease his concerns, and make him more comfortable with deciding things for the group. Now if I was just better at it.
"I agree," Maria said.
Followed by Michael's, "Me, too."
Kyle just nodded his head as did Isabelle. Then Max turned to Liz. "Okay then I guess we check out, and head for the airfield."
"Fine by me, as long as someone else drives," Kyle said.
"But you're so good at it. I was thinking of naming you Royal Chauffeur," Michael said with a smirk. Kyle shot Michael a dirty look, and for the second time that night Isabelle laughed. Max watched as some of the tension in the group melted away. Moments like this were too few for them either because of aliens or the 'Special Unit'. Langley had told him that he shouldn't go searching for the truth about his past because his true strength came from his human side. He'd felt that meant his relationship with Liz, but maybe that wasn't all of it. Maybe it was moments like this, or maybe he really needed to stop watching Babylon 5 reruns with Kyle. All that sci-fi is getting to my head.
"Michael make another comment like that, and you have to watch as many chick flicks as Isabelle, Liz, and I can find." Maria said as she began moving so she was standing next to Liz. Isabelle did the same.
Then Isabelle added her own little added torture. "Cause I really don't think there is a limit on the number of times you can watch '16 Candles'. Don't you agree Maria?"
Liz watched the look of horror that crossed Michael's face, and struggled not to laugh. She watched Max trying to do the same thing. Then she realized something both Maria and Isabelle were standing at her sides. Flanking her almost like how Isabelle and Michael would flank Max. Could there be a reason for this? No, they probably didn't even realize they had done it. I'm probably tired, she thought. Better get this show on the road.
Reaching over Liz touched Maria's shoulder to get her attention, and she did just not the way she wanted. The world suddenly warped away. *Isabelle sobbing uncontrollably* *The Crashdown in being consumed in flames* *Then she heard something, but she couldn't make it out. The words were jumbled.*
Then suddenly she was back. The room untouched, and looking at her wondering, what she had seen? I wonder if I will ever get used to this?
"Liz, what did you see?"
"I don't know. I saw Isabelle crying, and then the Crashdown burning. Then I'm not sure it didn't make sense."
Michael rolled his eyes, and sighed. "Not exactly your most helpful vision Liz."
"Spaceboy will you ever learn to think before you speak?" Maria practically screamed as she turned from Liz to glare at Michael.
Clearly not wanting to get into another fight with Maria, Michael tried to back off. "I was just making an observation, Maria."
"Just making an observation my a..."
Interrupting before Maria could finish his statement Isabelle stepped between the two. "Maria! Michael! Look before the two of you get into another fight how about we get our stuff together, and check out?"
Michael and Maria mumbled replies and moved off. Liz went over and whispered to Isabelle. "Nice save."
Isabelle just smiled, "I've been waiting to do that all day."
Antar – Resistance Central Command
Bal'elt watched off to the side as the Dowager Queen gave her orders to the soldiers. They were to protect the King and his new Queen at all costs. The risks did not have to be explained to them. They knew if they accepted this mission their odds of returning were slim to none. They might not even be able to swing the tide of events, and the King would die anyway. But each one of them was a descendent or former member of the Antarian Royal Guard. They had failed to protect the King once they would die before allowing it again.
Anyone who knew these soldiers would never question their honor, but in their minds that single failure had tarnished them. That their honor was stained beyond redemption, and Bal'elt knew that when the Queen offered them the choice of going or not going not a single one would take it. Even those who were descendents of former members of the guard felt that way. He knew it. It was a topic of concern brought up on occasion by new resistance commanders because sometimes they would attempt mission that were pure suicide to a erase a sin that no one but them could see.
Informants in the palace had let them know that Khivar would be leaving in two days. That meant they would have to leave today, and push the limits of the ships engines to make it there before Khivar. It was also a new chapter in the history of the Royal Guard. For it will be the first time the Guard Commander would leave Antar. Tradition dictated that the Guard Commander never leave Antar, and only subordinates lead the Guard on mission off Antar. But Guard Commander Garen would have not have allowed anyone else to lead this mission. For of all the Royal Guard he blamed himself the most for King Zan's death.
Garen had been one of the most honored soldiers in the Antarian History, and despite not being of Noble birth he was promoted to officer's rank. As commander of the 7th Royal Army Regiment he had a massive impact on a young officer named Rath. Rath learned everything he could from the older soldier, and used those lessons extremely well. The two had become very good friends. When Rath became Zan's second in command years later Rath appoint Garen as Guard Commander. Yet, when a short time later Khivar was able to kill Rath, Ava, Vilandra, and Zan; Garen had taken it as a personal failure.
Despite several attempts by himself as well as others to convince him otherwise Garen would see it as nothing else. Even though Garen had rallied the Royal Guard to drive Khivar back long enough to rescue the Dowager Queen, and the DNA of the Royal Four. Bal'elt had given up counting the number of times Garen had saved the resistance, and now when most soldiers of his age and reputation would be content to step away from the battlefield he had agreed to go on what amounted to a suicide mission.
The Queen finished, and the Guard snapped to attention. I how can it be that we could have such people as this and Khivar still hold this world? Garen lead the guard from the room.
"Why do you stand in the shadows Bal'elt?" The Queen asked him without looking at him.
"I have as ever been your loyal servant, and I would do anything you asked of me. Yet, I know that I would never have a tenth of the courage that these people have."
The Queen said nothing for a moment. "Then let us pray that their courage may give them strength beyond their numbers. That they may prevent Khivar from killing my son again, and offer him the chance to end this war."
"With such as those, can we even doubt?" Bal'elt said as he looked his Queen in directly into her eyes.
Author: blackknight5
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Four Aliens and Baby & Roswell Books "A New Beginning" and "Nightscape".
*Author's Note: This is the longest chapter I've written so far, and as I got through I realized that there was too much here for one chapter. So Chapter Five should be out by tomorrow. Anyway please Read and Review.*
Part 4
Jim Valenti looked over his shoulder one last time before turning off the road, and turning off into the desert. He'd believed his days of late night meetings in the desert would be over when the kids had fled Roswell. Instead I'm going out here more and more. He'd been spending more time outside the pod chamber ruins holding meetings now then when the Pod Squad had been here. It was one of the few places the parents could gather without worrying if the FBI was listening in on them. Although he had a feeling the 'Special Unit' had loosened it noose around the parents in Roswell. So they could concentrate on catching Max, Isabelle, Michael, Liz, Maria, and Kyle. He was not about to start taking chances that could end up endangering the lives of his son, and the others who had become like his own children.
His life had changed so drastically since Max Evans first came to his attention. First he'd hunted Max, and then become the protector in place of the ones that abandoned them. Now he'd become protector for the parents they'd left behind. Although Maria would probably object to how closely he was protecting her mom. Looking over the scenery, he figured it would be about five more minutes.
Jeff Parker had arranged this meeting, and that was definitely bothering him. Jeff Parker had not taken the revelations in Liz's journal as well as the Evan's or even Amy Deluca. Still Jeff Parker seemed to be fighting against what he wanted to believe, and what he had known for a lifetime as impossible. If the kids ever were able to return home they would definitely need to have a long talk with Jeff Parker especially Max. Although I think it would have to do more with running away and marrying his daughter then anything else. Yet, Jeff Parker's struggle over the revelations in Liz's journal had at least contained a belief that this truly happened, his wife was another matter.
Nancy Parker had become a problem for the other parents, and especially him. Her refusal what the journal said about Max, Michael, and Isabelle or their lives had already caused a number of fights.
I felt like I was on the witness stand being grilled by a district attorney. I still remember the look of anger on her face as I refused to concede that it had all been some kind of delusion in Liz's mind. Her anger at him was only surpassed by her anger for the Evan's. He still remembered the fist fight that nearly broke out between Diane and Nancy when she had compared their excuses had about as much veracity as Germans who claimed not to know what was happening in the Concentration Camps. He and Jeff had eventually been able to calm Nancy down.
So far the only ground Nancy Parker had given was that she did accept that the kids were in danger. The threat of the 'Special Unit' she had seen with her own eyes and despite her belief about this 'alien' business she did realize at least some people in the government believed it. The events of Graduation had separated all of them from the rest of Roswell, and they had been forced to come together in the face of that. That meant Nancy's anger had separated her from the only people who could really understand what she was going through.
She was the only one quiet at the meetings, the only one who never asked me to tell some story about of the group. Diane and Phillip had taken comfort in his memories as they realized the true character of the children they'd raised. Amy had finally understood why her car had needed so much repair work. The Parkers never asked him anything about Liz, and that he thought was a great tragedy. Especially considering the quality of the daughter they had raised.
Taking a deep sigh as he decelerated, and finally brought his car to a complete stop next Amy's Jetta. Stepping out of his car Jim Valenti began the familiar uphill walk toward just outside the pod chamber where the other parents had already gathered. He suddenly found himself looking over the group of parents and comparing them to their children as unintentionally they were standing in a hap hazard manner that was too much like the pod squad for him to stop the smile that he found stretching across his face.
"Sorry I'm late," Jim said as he managed to wipe the smile from his face.
"Its okay, Jim," Phillip Evans said
"So what's this about?" Jim said as he did a quick check over of the others.
Phillip seemed to wait till I was looking back at him to continue wonder why? Jim thought. "I've been thinking on how vulnerable we are to the 'Special Unit' and how much of a danger that is to the kids. I want to change that," Phillip said.
"How do you plan on doing that?"
"I want to rig our houses with cameras, and then get them to charge in. The cameras won't have tapes, but will be sending the signal somewhere else. I have a friend who I met in college that works at CNN. I can set it up so he will get the tape. I know he will move heaven and earth to get that tape on the air. It would definitely give us some leverage against them."
"What does everyone else think?" Jim asked. The Evan's were all for it, and surprisingly so were the Parkers. The only one who seemed uncomfortable was Amy. She probably sees this as a violation of her privacy.
"It isn't much, and definitely won't end this. But it will give us some leverage on these people if they ever try and use us against the kids," Jeff finished.
"Alright, how long would it take to set up?" Valenti asked.
"No more than two weeks," Phillip Evans answered.
"Alright, set it up. Is there anything else?" Jim asked.
Just outside Boise, Idaho
Kyle shifted the VW van into park, and let his head drop to the steering wheel in exhaustion. Thank god everyone agreed to stop for the night, Kyle thought. I know that I will never get used to driving for twelve hours at a stretch. I should have insisted someone else park the car, he thought as he closed his eyes for a second. Then he felt pressure on his shoulder. Turning his head and forcing open his eyes he saw Isabelle looking at him with her hand on his shoulder.
"We got rooms?" Kyle asked.
"Yes, everyone else is already up there. I came back to get you, what took you so long?"
"I just left you guys out front a few minutes ago."
"Kyle, that was almost twenty minutes ago. I think you fell asleep."
"No way, I was just resting my eyes," he paused as he looked at the time on his watch. Crap, I did fall asleep. Stepping out of the car, and standing for the first time in twelve hours Kyle found it a little hard to stand for a second. Isabelle was there in a heartbeat to help steady him, and soon they were both on their way up to the rooms.
Almost as an afterthought Kyle began wondering which room he would be sleeping in, and who he'd be rooming with? "By the way, we figure out the sleeping arrangements?" Kyle asked.
Isabelle paused for a second before answering. "I don't know. But I would get ready for Michael's snoring if I were you."
Kyle just nodded his head. Michael wasn't bad, but it was one of those not really funny jokes that made this never ending road trip a little more bearable. "Wait Isabelle, please tell me we're not having a meeting now!" Kyle pleaded.
Isabelle turned toward him and gave him a sly smile. "Sorry, but I can not tell a lie."
"That was George Washington," Kyle fired back.
Michael leaned back and watched the television as Isabelle went to collect Kyle. Doubt there is anything interesting. Still it gave him a way of ignoring Maria's glare, which had not weakened in the twelve hours since his little off-hand comment. He'd tried to apologize, but Maria wasn't going to make it that easy. She wants to be mad then...why couldn't she accept he was sorry? She had to know he wasn't serious. Michael took a deep breath, and returned his focus to the television. Right now even commercials where better then listening to his thoughts.
"Are you in trouble? Do you feel like someone is chasing you?" the narrator said. Speaking to the converted buddy, Michael thought.
"This could be a sign of Antarian Syndrome," Michael shot up at that. What the hell? There is no way he just heard that did he? Looking over his shoulder he saw that Maria had been listening, and she too had a look of shock on her face. Max and Liz had moved to get a better look at the television.
The voice of the narrator was replaced by a personal testimonial. "My name is Zan. I came to LA a year ago looking for help. You see I'd just lost my son, and I kind of just made things worse. However, thanks to this miracle I was able to get back on my feet. Now I know when I need help I know where to go. Just call the hotline talk to my friend Cal."
"Max?" Maria didn't get a chance to finish. No one did, not that we would know what to say. Michael thought. Thank god Isabelle and Kyle chose that moment to enter the room. There must have been something on our faces because Isabelle and Kyle looked very concerned.
"Max, what's going on?" Isabelle asked.
Max turned around and looked at his sister. "Someone just sent us a message," Max said an edge of disbelief in his voice.
"Who?"
"Cal Langley," Max answered.
Los Angeles – Cal Langley's House
He had to admit it this was probably one of the most amazing things he'd ever set up. He'd needed to get a message to his King and Queen although thinking of them like that made him want to puke. Why did I leave that book on Tennyson in my damn house! Still for whatever reason he what he'd pulled off in the last twelve hours was spectacular even by his own standards. One of his friends had been working on a commercial for help hotline, and on a person favor he'd made a few variations for the commercial that would be sent to out to a specific area. Boise Idaho.
Then he'd pulled a few more strings and this little commercial would be running once an hour for the next couple of days. Now I just have to hope they stay in there long enough to see it. It was at times like this that he wished he could drown himself in alcohol like humans, but no matter how much he wished it he couldn't beat the imperative that way. He'd made sure that if Max called then his call would be direct here, and then he could finish the arrangements to bring his King back here.
Why did this have to happen? Has to be the universes idea of payback, but I'm not sure for what? As he let his thought wander he found himself walking to the library. He'd avoided the library since the incident the other day, and he'd planned on avoiding it for awhile yet. In there thoughts of Tennyson would not escape him thoughts of heroes, thoughts of a time when he would have tried to live up to such rubbish. Rubbish, is that what it is? For a second he actually thought about it before slamming his fist into a wall.
"Damn it! Why is this happening? Can I never be free? Am I to spend eternity fighting for things I no longer believe in simply because my king tells me?" Cal screamed. The scream echoed through the empty house like some mournful cry. He receive no answer, there was no one to comfort him. His only company was the competing thoughts in his brain. One said to protect, the other to run like hell. He was saved from further introspection when he heard the phone ring.
"Hello, this John Jeff..."
Interrupting so he could avoid wasting time, "I assume you have Max waiting?"
"Yes, I'll connect you."
Taking a deep breath, Cal waited. Then he heard it. "Hello," a familiar voice said on the other end of the phone.
"Hello, Max. I see you got my message."
Perhaps antagonizing his King was not the best thing he could do, but he really didn't care. The imperative might make him protect the King and Queen, but it did mean he had to be nice about it.
"I thought you said you never wanted to see me again?"
"Can we avoid having this conversation on the phone? How about we arrange a meeting?" Hoping Max would accept that, and not push him.
"How soon can you get up here?" Langley took a second to figure that out. His private Jet could get him there quickly. "It should take me about an hour and a half to get up there. Meet me at Walsh airfield."
"Alright, see you then."
The short conversation had done little to ease Langley's state of mind, but it did give him something new to focus on. Now I just need to make two phone calls, and then just half an hour before I can take off. For some reason at that moment a line from Tennyson popped into his head. 'Theirs was not to reason why, theirs was not to make reply, theirs was but to do and die.'
Boise, Idaho
Max hung up the phone and wondered at the new strange twist this day had taken. First, Liz had collapsed, and now Cal Langley had sent them a message. Turning around Max watched as everyone's eyes focused on him. Putting aside his guilt and doubt for the moment Max started filling in the group about his recent conversation with Langley.
"Is anyone else here thinking there is more going on here," Michael said when Max finished.
"I mean come, Liz collapses and sees some strange building, and now out of the blue Langley contacts us. The same Langley who told Max never under any circumstance to talk to him again?" Maria added.
Isabelle spoke next. "Plus remember who we all reacted to what Liz said. I don't know why Langley sent that message, but if he has answers I think we need to find them."
"Yeah, like the last time a protector of yours, and his little blonde told you they had answers? Max do you really trust this Langley?" Kyle asked.
Max could feel the pressure of the eyes on him, but for the moment ignored them. Did he trust Langley? That is the question isn't it. "I wouldn't say I'd trust him. However I don't think he'd try and hurt us."
"I think we need to go see him. If there is something going on he might know, and with all his connections he could definitely help us," Liz said to the group, but in a strange sense Max felt it was also just for him. Liz's support always seemed to ease his concerns, and make him more comfortable with deciding things for the group. Now if I was just better at it.
"I agree," Maria said.
Followed by Michael's, "Me, too."
Kyle just nodded his head as did Isabelle. Then Max turned to Liz. "Okay then I guess we check out, and head for the airfield."
"Fine by me, as long as someone else drives," Kyle said.
"But you're so good at it. I was thinking of naming you Royal Chauffeur," Michael said with a smirk. Kyle shot Michael a dirty look, and for the second time that night Isabelle laughed. Max watched as some of the tension in the group melted away. Moments like this were too few for them either because of aliens or the 'Special Unit'. Langley had told him that he shouldn't go searching for the truth about his past because his true strength came from his human side. He'd felt that meant his relationship with Liz, but maybe that wasn't all of it. Maybe it was moments like this, or maybe he really needed to stop watching Babylon 5 reruns with Kyle. All that sci-fi is getting to my head.
"Michael make another comment like that, and you have to watch as many chick flicks as Isabelle, Liz, and I can find." Maria said as she began moving so she was standing next to Liz. Isabelle did the same.
Then Isabelle added her own little added torture. "Cause I really don't think there is a limit on the number of times you can watch '16 Candles'. Don't you agree Maria?"
Liz watched the look of horror that crossed Michael's face, and struggled not to laugh. She watched Max trying to do the same thing. Then she realized something both Maria and Isabelle were standing at her sides. Flanking her almost like how Isabelle and Michael would flank Max. Could there be a reason for this? No, they probably didn't even realize they had done it. I'm probably tired, she thought. Better get this show on the road.
Reaching over Liz touched Maria's shoulder to get her attention, and she did just not the way she wanted. The world suddenly warped away. *Isabelle sobbing uncontrollably* *The Crashdown in being consumed in flames* *Then she heard something, but she couldn't make it out. The words were jumbled.*
Then suddenly she was back. The room untouched, and looking at her wondering, what she had seen? I wonder if I will ever get used to this?
"Liz, what did you see?"
"I don't know. I saw Isabelle crying, and then the Crashdown burning. Then I'm not sure it didn't make sense."
Michael rolled his eyes, and sighed. "Not exactly your most helpful vision Liz."
"Spaceboy will you ever learn to think before you speak?" Maria practically screamed as she turned from Liz to glare at Michael.
Clearly not wanting to get into another fight with Maria, Michael tried to back off. "I was just making an observation, Maria."
"Just making an observation my a..."
Interrupting before Maria could finish his statement Isabelle stepped between the two. "Maria! Michael! Look before the two of you get into another fight how about we get our stuff together, and check out?"
Michael and Maria mumbled replies and moved off. Liz went over and whispered to Isabelle. "Nice save."
Isabelle just smiled, "I've been waiting to do that all day."
Antar – Resistance Central Command
Bal'elt watched off to the side as the Dowager Queen gave her orders to the soldiers. They were to protect the King and his new Queen at all costs. The risks did not have to be explained to them. They knew if they accepted this mission their odds of returning were slim to none. They might not even be able to swing the tide of events, and the King would die anyway. But each one of them was a descendent or former member of the Antarian Royal Guard. They had failed to protect the King once they would die before allowing it again.
Anyone who knew these soldiers would never question their honor, but in their minds that single failure had tarnished them. That their honor was stained beyond redemption, and Bal'elt knew that when the Queen offered them the choice of going or not going not a single one would take it. Even those who were descendents of former members of the guard felt that way. He knew it. It was a topic of concern brought up on occasion by new resistance commanders because sometimes they would attempt mission that were pure suicide to a erase a sin that no one but them could see.
Informants in the palace had let them know that Khivar would be leaving in two days. That meant they would have to leave today, and push the limits of the ships engines to make it there before Khivar. It was also a new chapter in the history of the Royal Guard. For it will be the first time the Guard Commander would leave Antar. Tradition dictated that the Guard Commander never leave Antar, and only subordinates lead the Guard on mission off Antar. But Guard Commander Garen would have not have allowed anyone else to lead this mission. For of all the Royal Guard he blamed himself the most for King Zan's death.
Garen had been one of the most honored soldiers in the Antarian History, and despite not being of Noble birth he was promoted to officer's rank. As commander of the 7th Royal Army Regiment he had a massive impact on a young officer named Rath. Rath learned everything he could from the older soldier, and used those lessons extremely well. The two had become very good friends. When Rath became Zan's second in command years later Rath appoint Garen as Guard Commander. Yet, when a short time later Khivar was able to kill Rath, Ava, Vilandra, and Zan; Garen had taken it as a personal failure.
Despite several attempts by himself as well as others to convince him otherwise Garen would see it as nothing else. Even though Garen had rallied the Royal Guard to drive Khivar back long enough to rescue the Dowager Queen, and the DNA of the Royal Four. Bal'elt had given up counting the number of times Garen had saved the resistance, and now when most soldiers of his age and reputation would be content to step away from the battlefield he had agreed to go on what amounted to a suicide mission.
The Queen finished, and the Guard snapped to attention. I how can it be that we could have such people as this and Khivar still hold this world? Garen lead the guard from the room.
"Why do you stand in the shadows Bal'elt?" The Queen asked him without looking at him.
"I have as ever been your loyal servant, and I would do anything you asked of me. Yet, I know that I would never have a tenth of the courage that these people have."
The Queen said nothing for a moment. "Then let us pray that their courage may give them strength beyond their numbers. That they may prevent Khivar from killing my son again, and offer him the chance to end this war."
"With such as those, can we even doubt?" Bal'elt said as he looked his Queen in directly into her eyes.