So this chapter was way hard to write. It's the first portion of a ginormous chapter that I got tangled up in. It's kind of transition chapter, but with lots of information and fill-in the blanks to tie previous chapters with the rest of story so we can move forward. So, not much action, but I feel it's needed.
I don't know how many more chapters after this ginormous broken into three pieces thing it will take for me to finish Royal child, but I'm really hoping to wrap up this story within the next two to three months. So hang in there, it hopefully won't be too much longer. Thanks to kBeth82 for the awesome reviews and support, you keep me wanting to write this thing. :)
Anyway, I hope you like this one and feedback is always so appreciated.
Arguing Allies, Expressions and Plans
At Michael and Isabel's house.
"Michael didn't tell us that much, except to come at seven thirty. Is he very different from you guys?" Alex asks.
"Physically, no. He looks human and so much like Tess people would believe they're brother and sister even easier than Max and I, except he's about as tall as Michael."
"But Kyle told me he's different. Really strong and just... he said he went from scary mad to shocked, sad and focused on Tess. He tried to kill Courtney and sent him, Max and Michael flying away. He could have killed everyone if he hadn't realized Tess is his sister," Liz adds.
"Yeah. He mind-warped us… showed us this horrible place with dead bodies all over and a monster behind him. He called it uncontrolled illusioning. It stopped once he realized Tess was Ava. Once we got him to the hotel in Ruidoso and settled down, Courtney explained that since he saw her right away he reacted as if he was in battle. He apologized for attacking us and the illusion thing. Courtney said he reconstructed the last memory he has from his previous life. He showed us what he saw right before he died," Isabel answers. They are quiet for a few seconds.
"So, we'll need Courtney around more to translate and if he needs help, right?" Liz asks.
Isabel nods. "She says she can talk to him in Conventional Intergalactic, which is a common language that the planets in our Galaxy created thousands of years ago. That he also speaks Plateian, Antarian, and Solamase. But she doesn't know those languages, only conventional, Golderian and English."
"Are you okay?" Alex asks, noticing the worried expression she's had since they arrived.
"Yeah."
"Izzy."
"I don't know," she says and lets out a breath. "It's all… more real. Before, Tess, our mother, Larek, they all talked about saving a galaxy and destiny. And you told us about Kivar invading Earth and the future," Isabel says, looking to Liz. "But seeing Anquio's memory… it was right in front of us, war, so much blood and death and destruction… there were children and… it was horrible, really really terrible. Kyle is right. He's so strong. I can tell he knows how to use his powers in ways we're are clueless about. He explained some of it through Courtney. Mostly for Tess since it was about mind warping."
"Then he'll be great help," Alex says, doing his best to sound optimistic.
"I know. It's just… he said it will be his greatest honor to train and fight at our side to end the war, which we want, but… he just seems really eager to train Michael and then Adam and take them to face our enemies. Like he wants them ready more than me or Tess, or even Max. And… if our enemies can kill him…"
"You worry about what they could do to Michael and Adam," Alex says. She nods.
"Anquio may want Michael and Adam to be warriors like him and even to fight first, but we are a team. We will never let them go and fight on their own," Liz says, remembering Kyle and his words a few days ago.
"That's right," Alex adds. "And Larek said Anquio was defeated one to one by Rath, so Michael is stronger than him. He just needs to learn. And Max is in charge and he'll never let Michael or Adam be in danger, at least alone."
"You're right. I just don't want to see any of us dealing with things like what Anquio showed us. But it's a war so I guess I'll have to find a way to handle what we will probably see sooner or later."
"You'll handle it," Liz says. "And if Adam is the boy I met then it will be worth it."
"And if it's too much, we will be there for you, for you four and Adam," Alex adds. "We're gonna be okay." Isabel nods in agreement and seems much calmer. "Where's Michael anyways?" Alex says trying to stir the conversation to a better place.
"Went to get Maria and Larek at the UFO center. Max had a few errands to run for mom and you know how she's been about the abductions since this thing with Anquio started."
"Right. The schedule and making sure one of you deals with Larek ASAP," Alex says.
"She's just trying to have the abductions be as short as possible and less traumatic for Brody. They really do affect him," Liz says.
"She really cares about him," Isabel says.
"She does," Liz agrees.
They hear a knock and let Michael, Maria and Brody inside. "Princess," Larek says, bowing his head slightly.
"Hello, Larek, come in and join us."
He looks to Liz and Alex. "Greetings." Isabel smiles at him, thinking their last talk about treating everyone as equals seems to be working. He follows her and sits on a chair across from her.
"Where are they?" Maria asks.
"Don't look me," Michael adds defensively as he sits on the couch next to Isabel who smiles at him.
"Honestly, we settled on a schedule for a reason. Brody shouldn't have to deal with so many empty spaces in his head," Maria says, sounding dismayed.
"Ria, I'm sure they'll be here soon. It's barely seven right now," Liz says in a placating tone.
"You two are here because you understood. You were probably early like Spaceboy. Even alien abductor with his 'I'm organizing against a war, so your human concerns are insignificant' attitude was on time! Space Slut and -"
"We're here!" Tess announces as she barges in with Kyle, Anquio and Courtney. She sees Maria and adds, "Settle the motormouth, we're on time and I even used my powers to get in here quick and start."
"You're actually a minute late," Maria says, but still seems pleased at the effort they are making to keep abduction time to a minimum. "Where's Max?"
"Commander Anquio?" Larek says. Anquio stares at him with distrust.
"You must be the infamous Anquio. I'm Maria and this is my boyfriend Brody, but his body has been abducted and is being used by your buddy Larek," Maria says. Anquio looks like he's ready to talk, but Maria continues. "Where is Max?"
Tess answers. "Max is on his way. We talked half an hour ago and he was trying to escape Mr. and Mrs. Evans. They were on him about safety and meeting my brother for themselves. Still on that overprotective streak and thinking we're only safe if Jim is around."
Isabel looks at Maria. "Give him a few minutes. The thing with our parents is surreal. They even tried to have Michael and I move into my old room and offered to turn dad's study into a nursery."
Anquio bows his head slightly. "Princess. General." The room goes quiet. He turns to the people he hasn't met before. "Motormouth DeLuca, Alex Whitman, and Liz Parker?" He asks while pointing at each of them correctly.
Tess nods while Kyle says, "We told him about you."
"It's actually Maria, Maria DeLuca."
"It's an honor to know you."
"Nice to meet you," Kyle says. "It's normal to say nice to meet you."
"Right."
"He speaks English now?" Michael questions.
"He learned from Tess," Courtney says, conveying she had nothing to do with it.
"Commander," Larek calls.
"Are you truly Lord Larek?" Anquio asks, looking like he could strike the other alien down if needed. Larek seems annoyed and then speaks.
"The only command the General and Queen gave when they took over the Galaxy was to protect the essences, the seals and the Granilith. We fed the enemy at the gates bogus intel. Got them to think you and a contingent of officers had left for Plateia with a team of Elders and the essences of the Princess and the King to find a way to bring them back, while Rath and Ava planned to use seals in battle and win without using forces from any other planet. Instead, you stayed close enough to the General to create the illusion that he had the seal of power while he fought Kivar, Nickoli and their troops. Your sister created the illusion of the seal of wisdom for herself and faced Khalora and her forces. You followed orders and had to watch them die and escape with the seals after, while Falamal and Jokhar escorted me to get the essences to the ship heading for Earth. Only you and the Queen mother knew where the seals were hidden and agreed to reveal the location if the signal of the life bringer arrived and the four hadn't found them. I have given the seals to the Royals."
Anquio sits on a chair and looks like the wind just got knocked out of him. Tess sits next to him, looking concerned.
"Rath and Ava died on purpose!" Courtney says.
"Only a few us knew that," Larek answers.
"You had to use the Adtorks to be here and take over a human. Falamal?" Anquio says.
"Condolences. She completed what you started. Gave Ratakia and the Queen Mother time so we could take every Antarian and Plateiaian found alive to safety."
"How many?"
"Her last mission, close to three hundred. We still have Antarians and Plateiaians in the tens of thousands, hidden in the stars. We even have some enloars and architects and ten elders. That's how the Queen Mother got you here."
"Then Fallie died well."
Larek nods. "I know she was-"
"Jokhar is in charge now?"
"No. He's dead, too. Anir commands the defense."
"Good. Anir is good."
They hear a knock and Maria hurries to open the door. "You're exactly seven and a half minutes late."
"I'm sorry, I-."
"Just get in here."
"Hey," Max says.
"Your majesty," Larek and Anquio answer, standing and bowing their heads. Tess explains to a confused Max that Anquio learned from her.
"What did you do to her?" Max questions protectively and with surprising authority.
"I told you it's called an absorption," Tess answers.
Courtney crosses her arms as if she's getting ready to tattle tell on a nutty child. "That's illegal, commander."
"Not among family and if you ask for permission," Anquio answers.
"I told him it was okay," Tess says defensively.
"I doubt the Queen knew what she was agreeing to," Courtney accuses, looking at the new alien. "The resistance put a lot of effort to get you here and I'm supposed to assist you. You'd just throw it all away by getting your brain to overload and dropping dead."
"I'm not concerned," Larek says. "If being reborn part-human but with his full memories didn't overload his brain and kill him, an absorption isn't going to do it."
"Are you kidding me? You said you were sending one of the commanders chosen by the Royal four before they died, a leader of the galaxy, not a fool with a death wish."
"I have no wish to die again," Anquio argues then looks at Tess. "I have more reason to live now than when I was with Queen Daharia."
Larek looks at Courtney. "You should stop, the only ones that could lawfully admonish his actions are the Royals."
"He could have died," she says with annoyance.
"Don't exaggerate," Anquio argues. "She's my sister and I am a fully trained illusionist and -"
"And illusionists are not immune to the risks of excessive absorptions," she interrupts with a 'you idiot' tone.
"No, but they can handle more than average," Larek says. "The Royals didn't choose a Commander and a Queen from their clan by accident. I have full faith the Commander knows what he's doing."
"Stop all three of you," Max says. He looks to Anquio. "We got you because you are Tess' family and we need your help to prevent a future where we all die, and Earth is lost along with your Galaxy. We need to make sure you are healthy, and have you train us and explain things."
"A future where Earth is lost?" Courtney questions.
"It's nothing," Michael states.
"I can't believe this! I almost got killed getting crazy commander asshole out of his pod and you won't even share all you know!"
"They shouldn't trust you," Anquio says.
"Max told you all to stop," Liz says. "You need to work together."
Tess follows. "Courtney, we were able to get some information about the future using the Granilith. It's important that we keep what we learned to ourselves or the future might get worse. I'm sorry if you don't like that. Anquio, tell them what an absorption is so this can be settled, and we can move on."
"Forgive me, your majesties. I did my best to have my sis- my Queen understand and give permission. I was thinking of my orders and the mission assigned by the General. I wouldn't be able to protect the life bringer or train you if we don't understand each other."
"You may have a point, but that doesn't help us understand what you did," Max argues.
"Apologies. I know Taktra, Courtney, said you don't remember. It just may take me time to get used to having to explain things you knew as well if not better than me."
Larek murmurs something they can't quite understand. The room turns to him. "Apologies. Continue."
"An absorption is a way to access a particular area of the brain in search for a piece of knowledge. Parents allow children to do it as a way to pass vital information, usually something that they feel must be given to the next generation without room for misinterpretation or doubt. It's not a common thing for siblings to do to -"
"A common thing for siblings? Is that so?" Courtney says.
"Fine. Parents usually only give permission for one or two absorptions in their lives and having siblings do absorptions it's almost unheard of, but this was an emergency."
"You shouldn't have risked it and taken advantage of her unknowing Royal brain," Courtney says.
"You cannot give me orders. And now I don't need to depend on a Golderian to act as intermediary between me and those who can. That would have been stupid at best and lethal at worst."
"You wouldn't even know who they are if I hadn't been in that cave when you came out all psycho."
"I would have simply requested the absorption earlier."
"Would that have happened before or after you passed out?"
"I may believe what you have said and even meant my apology for trying to kill you, but the confusion of being reborn is gone. I will not trust anyone but the four. And there were no risks, my sister and I have done this before."
"Wait. Back up. You invaded Tess' brain?" Maria asks. The irony.
"Most certainly not. I did an absorption focused on language, only in the klomuneqs." Everyone looks at him like he's crazy. He lifts his hand and a 3D image of a brain appears in front of them. "These are the klomuneqs," he says, pointing two specific spots of the image.
"Those areas of the brain are called Wernicke and Broca. They are thought to be vital for human communication," Liz says.
"That's pretty in dept human knowledge," Max adds. "We studied genetics, anatomy and a bit about brain structure when we were getting ready to do the transfer for Adam… the book had some references to these things in his pages. How could you know?"
"Forgive me your majesty, but I am not privy to the contents of the Destiny Book. I got the information when I scanned my sister. Her part human brain is not much different from a regular Zaubratais." Everyone looks confused. "That's what we are, our species, whether we come from Plateia, Antar, Ratakia or even Golderia, we're still Zaubratais," Anquio says. "Except her," he adds, looking at Courtney.
"I'm an eighth Zaubratais on my mother's side." Anquio stares at her. "But I'm mostly Taunobi. Not too different, but we're native to only Golderia, which is how he knew where I'm from. We're actually our planet's most common species and surviving anywhere else means we need protective shells that mimic a common species of that planet, hence skins. For Earth, Kivar had us make the husks we talked about before. He never figured out how the King and the elders managed to mix human and Zaubratais DNA, so he used the idea of Taunobi skins for us and his Zaubratais to be able to come after the Royals."
"Okay," Kyle says. "So what are you like green while they're purple or something like that?"
Courtney laughs. "Nah, some of our genetic markers and our breathing and body temperature control systems are different. But all in all we both look almost human, except for a bit bigger eyes, and the physical expressions of our powers, those are totally alien to this place."
"What does that mean?" Liz says.
Larek takes over. "Our powers manifest on our bodies, often as skin marks, stripes, dots, slight hues, a few times as an additional eye or one less or changing eye colors, some of us like the commander, the royal four, and me can also glow. Whatever the expressions, we Zaubratais have evolved to have them stronger than any other species in the Galaxy. And the Royals showed some of the most intense expressions among us, some of the best of our powers."
"What about Kivar?" Tess asks.
"He's full Zaubratais, like the rest of you," Courtney answers. "That's why his clan, the Liktrehns, and their allies, have always ruled our planet. The Taunobis in Golderia outnumber all the Zaubratais in the Galaxy, but Kivar and his family are stronger and have always had the support of the other Golderian Zaubratais. That's why he was in the pool of suitable matches for the Princess, him, Nickoli, Flaktos, and Malorik were the final candidates."
"Let's not speak of them," Anquio says. He waves his hand and the image in front of them disappears. "Your majesty, in terms of the absorption, my sister was never at physical risk, or in danger of me seeing any of her private thoughts. I can't access anyone's full brain. It takes a mind glider to do that."
"The Princess is a mind glider, genius," Courtney says.
"Apologies, Princess, I knew that about you. Though I never got a chance to be around you during a mind glide, so… I guess you could do that if needed.
"Kivar sure does," Courtney says.
Now Isabel looks upset. "Don't compare her to that jerk," Michael orders.
"Actually, it's a good thing. We'll need all the powers we can get against him, especially ones he uses himself," Anquio says.
"Speaking of powers and Zaubratais, what else can you do? You must be more than an illusionist if you can glow and they picked you as the commander in charge after the General," Courtney asks.
"That's not your business."
"What are you two like twins against me?" she asks, looking from Anquio to Larek.
"Traktra, I am a Lord and an Ambassador. Even if I thought you were working against us I would try to find some use for you. If the commander finds you to be a threat to the four or the life bringer, you'll be dead before anyone has a chance to reconsider."
"No one is killing anyone here," Kyle says.
"I knew I liked you, but not much you can do," Courtney says. "Not if a Zaubratais palhar wants to see me dead. And you wonder why Golderians accepted Kivar's terms."
Anquio looks angry and speaks forcefully. "I have never illusioned younglings into madness while their parents watch or had destroyers see things that got them to annihilate their own and then themselves. I do what I must to end the war, but I'm not a monster nor I have worked for one. Can you say the same for you and your Golderians?"
"My clan is trapped in our own planet and can't say anything about disagreeing with Kivar and his forces, even thinking it is dangerous. And I've been here spying and waiting. I have been at this for over five suns turns!"
"So have we," Larek says. "Except we didn't get the luxury to sit in a safe planet, waiting while knowing our clans are alive and toeing the line."
"You are not the only ones that have lost in this! And both of you have some family at your side right now!"
"And you haven't had to watch as half of your species gets overrun and enslaved by Golderians, mostly Taunobis trying to steal our powers," Larek says.
"You know I have every reason to kill a Golderian on sight."
"Anquio!" Tess admonishes, seeing the effect his words are having on Courtney.
"You two really still believe this is our fault?"
"He was your Lord," Larek says calmly. "Golderians let him do what he did and either helped him or moved out of his way. If you hadn't allowed his madness, he would have never taken over the Galaxy."
"We had no choice!"
"There's always a choice," Anquio says. "You just have to be brave enough to make it."
Courtney stands and starts to walk towards the door as if she wants to never see any of them again. "Leave and I will renounce our deal. Your clan will have to stay exactly where they are even if you are exposed to Kivar," Larek threatens.
"No. You won't do that," Isabel says. Larek turns to her, looking confused. "My brother asked you to stop fighting and explain things to us and Liz told you we need to work together. But it's like impossible for you to stop fighting over who did what when and who is to blame." Everyone remains quiet. "You made a promise to help people that Courtney cares about and who, by the way she talks, can't fight for themselves. She wants a safe home for and her family which is what I think is something we all want."
She turns to Anquio and then Courtney. "Would you want the things that you showed us from your memory to happen to others? All that pain and death… could you really allow that to happen to the people she cares about just because she's from this Golderia or some other species? And how could you just walk away when you have claimed to be loyal to Michael from the moment we found out you were a skin? You say he should be the leader and leave Max and I behind, but you would turn your back on him just like that." The skin seems ready to argue, but Michael looks at her as if anything she says will just piss him off.
"My sister is right," Max says. "Why should we train to someday leave Earth and the people that we love? Why do all that when you seem unwilling to be a team in order to help your own planets, your own people?"
"My King… it's your... the life bringer's destiny…" Larek says shocked.
"Screw destiny! I may want to free our planets because I remember some of the promises from my past life, but I'm not gonna risk my family and friends, specially Isabel and Adam, for you to get a chance to fight over what's left once the dust settles," Michael states. He looks to Courtney. "I will never leave Iz and Adam to rule a planet or galaxy. That's Max's job."
Anquio looks to Tess. "I… I am so happy you are here… with me," she says. "But they're right. I… Nasedo and Kivar manipulated me and played on my desire to go home and have a family. I grew up filled with distrust and the need to leave Earth and fulfill my destiny at all cost. When I got to Roswell… everything I thought was true slowly fell apart and I felt like I had nothing. And I really wanted to take it out on Max and his humans and even Isabel and Michael. It would have been easy to just hate them, but Adam stopped me. And then Alex and Kyle were there, and they were kind to me and then so was Isabel. They showed me friendship when I thought I was all alone. Eventually I got Max and Michael's friendship too, and ended up in a truce with that one and got an ally almost friend out of it," she says, pointing to Maria.
"I think… that's what you should aim to feel for each other someday. I'm not saying it will come easy," she adds, looking now at Liz. "Trust is hard when you have viewed someone as your rival, the one that gets to have what you yearn for when you can't come close. But it gets better when you realize that the other person is just doing the best they can, for their own reasons, and probably hurting too."
Isabel looks at Anquio, Larek and Courtney. "Maybe you can't show each other kindness, but you could start with no more threats about hurting the other or of walking away."
"We, the eight of us, need all the help, explanations and ideas we can get. We can't do this without you, but if you keep fighting this way then you're no help," Max adds.
Anquio nods and looks at Tess. He turns to Courtney. "Forgive my words of anger. Just don't betray them. I have to protect them. I must. But I do not want to kill you or let those you love get hurt. It's not something I would find joy in."
The room stays quiet. "Seriously," Maria says. "The just reborn universal soldier, who's probably confused and unstable, is the one apologizing first. You two need to get it together." She looks straight at Larek. "You call yourself an Ambassador?"
"What kind of patience does this human have?"
"He really is wonderful. But FYI, I've even had aliens into me." Her friends laugh while Larek looks confused.
"You are all crazy," Courtney says. "Sorry I almost walked away and implied anyone here is as bad as Kivar. I know better."
Everyone turns to Larek. He looks at Courtney. "You have my apologies and I will honor our agreement. Your majesties, I value your opinions and… I want you to return home not just for us and our freedom, but because I think it will be best for you and the Child King. Kivar won't stop until he gets the Princess and kills the rest of you, especially that baby. I don't know what you meant about losing Earth in the future, but he knows exactly where you are. Sooner or later he will be done with us and go there. And he will destroy every being that gets in his way and level the place if it means getting what he wants."
"He doesn't have the power to level a planet," Courtney says.
Larek gets a sad look. "He can level an entire planet?" Alex asks alarmed.
"So far just two of six moons that he wanted," Larek says.
"Where? Which ones?" Anquio asks.
"Vega. The six Sakaytan moons."
"The Sakaytans?" Courtney says. "They could never… they've always been neutral, always respected and trusted to protect the-" Her eyes get big and she swallows hard.
"Kivar has taken control of the flow of nuleonon?" Anquio says.
"Yes."
"Explain," Max orders.
Anquio speaks. "Nuleonon is a special material in the galaxy. It can mold itself to be as strong or flexible or conductive as needed. It is... magnificent. But, using it is dangerous. Only someone with certain skills and knowledge can control what it will do. The Sakaytan moon system in Vega is an area of the Galaxy where nuleonon grows spontaneously and abundantly. Sakaytans have a balance with it that keeps it alive. To them is like… like..."
"Like air is to humans, but more, something they cherish and care for," Courtney finishes.
"Yes, they need it close to survive. It controls their body temperature, feeding from their excess heat and keeping them from reaching a boiling point that would kill them, while growing from their thermal energy. It's a remarkable process and Sakaytans treat nuleonon as an extension of themselves, a basic pillar of their species... something that should be respected," Anquio says.
"So Kivar controlling this Nuleonon means he controls those people?" Alex says.
"Yes and no," Larek says. "Kivar controls the four remaining moons, but the codependency of nuleonon and Sakaytans doesn't mean they can control it. Like the commander says, it takes not just Sakaytan approval, but also great skill and power to manipulate the material. The only one in this room that has done it is the Queen."
"Me?"
"You made the book."
"The destiny book?" Alex asks. Larek nods. "The book survived the crash intact, yet a piece broke off easily as well. This Nuleonon is what you said was as close to the material of the seals as possible." Larek nods again and looks at Alex as if he's examining him.
"But I couldn't even read it," Tess says.
"The life bringer wouldn't be on his way if you hadn't," Larek answers.
"Alex helped and then Max and we needed a supercomputer and Alex's programs."
"They could have never read it if you had not wanted them to. You made the book. It's connected to you, like the Granilith is connected our family and to the Royal Four," Anquio says.
"The Granilith is made out of nuleonon?" Courtney says, alarmed. "That can't be! You cannot make weapons out of it! It's impossible!"
"It was, until Anlo," Anquio answers.
"Your brother? He made a weapon out of nuleonon?"
"The Granilith is the ultimate weapon due to its many qualities and capabilities. Being made from nuleonon is near the top of the list."
"No shit! How could he do that? That's impressive but irresponsible and -"
"My father thought the same. But when the King commissions, Plateiaian enloars build, or they did before Kivar took over."
"That's why he went after your planet, isn't it? You wouldn't build him another Granilith."
"Even if Anlo and the galactic enloar meet had been willing try, the Granilith was too big a project. Anlo, father, Ava, me, ten of the best enloars from six planets, two Sakaytans, a crew of hundreds, and it still took bringing it to Antar and using the power of the Royal four and the seals to be able to control it. What Kivar wanted from Plateiaians was impossible. The moment he killed the Princess and the Kings, he made the Granilith and its technology useless for all of us."
"He killed me!" Isabel says, sounding surprised and angry.
"You opened the gates and only his signature registered as a visitor into the palace. It had to have been him."
"Son of a bitch!" Michael exclaims.
"What is it?" Larek asks, seeing Isabel and Michael's faces.
"That asshole has put all this shit in our dreams about loving her, having her first, and it being my fault that she died! But he's the one that killed her!"
"Bastard," Isabel exhales.
"You've had more dreams, besides the ones you told us about?" Max asks.
"Yeah. He mostly targets Michael, but we've both had more," Isabel says, sounding defensive.
"Nothing as bad as the first time. Izzy shows up quickly and kicks him out of mine and can pull me into hers."
"You can kick Kivar out of his subconscious and get him to do the same for you?" Courtney asks.
"Umm… yeah," Isabel answers.
"Wow," Courtney says.
"Extraordinary," Anquio says, staring at Isabel as if he's never seen anything like her.
She slides closer to Michael, slightly hiding behind him. He looks at Anquio and then starts glowing. His eyes grow big and get fully brown, losing all the white in them. Isabel gasps then moves to kneel in front of him. She gets close, hugs him and murmurs in his ear. Then her skin turns a strange translucent color until a golden hue takes over. The seals on their foreheads start emitting light intensely and strange marks appear on them. Larek and Courtney look as if someone just gave them a present or something. Anquio smiles. The rest of the room is quiet and unsure of what to think. Michael says something they can't quite hear and Isabel smiles at him. Then they turn and face the room.
"We're good," Isabel says.
"I don't think it's me seeing things but you two don't look so hot... or maybe too hot… like on fire and shining gold. I mean we saw you light up before but this is... you sure you feel okay?" Kyle says.
"Flashback," Michael says.
"Flashbacks don't make us glow or have fire veins," Tess says.
"They do for us lately," Isabel counters.
"Since when?" Max asks.
"Since they do, okay," Michael says defensively.
"You've mated?" Larek asks.
"What!" Max says.
"If Princess and the General began mating again, it may explain the intense outward expressions of their powers when they feel challenged or protective, even through their half human bodies."
"You had sex with her?"
"Max, please," Isabel says, sounding mortified.
"They're living together and engaged," Tess says in a calming voice.
"And have been dating for what, two months?"
"Max," Tess says.
"You knew about this."
"Maxwell, just stop," Michael orders.
"That's my sister. Is that why you proposed? Oh god, are you pregnant?"
"No!" Isabel and Michael answer.
"Is mating a problem in this planet?" Anquio asks.
"No, mating is a normal human activity," Courtney answers, laughing slightly. The group snickers.
"Doesn't mean you should go and mate with every female that crosses your path. You're not in our galaxy," Larek warns, looking seriously at Tess' brother. "Don't even think to say you need to do your part in improving interspecies relations. Humans don't know about us, except these four."
"And Jim," Tess says.
"Who?" Larek asks.
"And our parents," Isabel adds, trying to stir the subject away from her and Michael.
"Why don't we just put it in the news and have the FBI collect you," Courtney says.
"None of us would ever betray them," Kyle says.
"I will trust your judgement," Larek says, looking at Max who nods.
"We still don't know why Isabel and Michael are like this and we need to talk about Adam's hatching and the skins," Liz states.
"Yeah, I don't know what else you guys have planned, but I'd like to get my boyfriend back and go home sometime tonight and we really need to know how baby Skywalker is supposed to hatch in less than two weeks," Maria adds.
"They're right, we need to talk about Adam," Michael states.
"Why are they like this?" Max asks, referring to his best friend and sister.
"I think Larek's correct and their powers are breaking through," Anquio answers. He closes his eyes and after a couple of seconds his body glows blue like in the cave, but this time they see dark dots cover the skin of his hands and a symbol like the one in the pages of the book about the Granilith shows up on his left cheek.
"Whoa man!" Kyle says.
"It's just my Zaubratais expressions," Anquio answers calmly. He turns back to normal.
"You can control it?" Isabel asks.
He nods. "It's strange… back home that's what I looked like all the time, but here... I have to focus and remember home and feelings I have about it so that I can be free, and my expressions can push through."
"You only got out of your pod two days ago, how can this be?" Max asks.
"I think it's because he remembers," Alex says.
"So that's it. We just have to remember," Tess asks.
"No, I don't remember everything, but I like… feel it… her," Michael says.
"Isabel?" Liz asks. Michael nods.
"They're right… it's not just about remembering," Isabel says. "It's these feelings and like… a connection. I've been able to feel when Michael is scared or really worried or… never mind. Even before… when I first made the flowers, I was with Michael and could feel how he was not happy and something inside me just had to... do something. Then I glowed, less than now, but I did."
"What was your flashback about?" Tess asks, looking at Michael.
"Him," he says, looking at Anquio. "We were outside in this place with red trees, standing on this floaty thing, like a stage, in front of a bunch of people of different colors and… other things. You were behind me, in a line with a few others. Then a spaceship landed next to the stage thing and Isabel, no Vilandra, got out. She gave a speech then approached and gave each of you something and congratulated you. She started to talk again, and you whispered behind me. Whatever you said made me really angry." Anquio lets out a snort. "What?"
"That was the end of the Plateiaian phase for intergalactic defense cooperation. My sister convinced the King to bring a battalion of Antarians to our planet to train as a team with our forces. The most promising officers were chosen to continue and go to Antar to be treated in equal standing as Palhars competing for the top posts in the defence of the Galaxy. You ran the same program in Ratakia, choosing thirty officers from the three planets. Supposedly, the same would happen in Golderia once the Princess bonded to the Lord and an additional ten officers would be chosen. That never happened. I was top Palhar of Plateia and made it. The Princess came to promote us in name of the Valyrs and the King and to take my family to Antar for my sister's bonding ceremony. What you heard was me joking about how it'd happily trade the defense post for a place in the ship where I could show the Princess what a real Zaus male is made of before she bonded to some Golderian kh'remik."
"Bore, bore is the word you want," Courtney says.
"You disrespected the Princess?" Larek says.
"It was forever ago. Ava hadn't even bonded to the King. You know how I was and a shiny Princess showed up in skin tight armor in the camp after the General from hell had tortured us and kept us away from the real world for moons. I didn't actual try anything in the ship, it as a joke, Ava would have killed me."
"So that's what you did," Larek says, as if a lot of things make sense.
"What are you two talking about?" Tess asks.
"When I first met your brother, he was pathetic, a complete disaster. Rath had him training in the harshest possible conditions from his very first day. I thought he was trying to kill him, but he said he had tried the arenas himself and the Lieutenant would live but had to face reprimands for previous unacceptable behavior. His ranking got delayed for moons and he had to catch up to his team by serving in additional missions all over the Galaxy, while working on the Granilith and taking over Plateian trainings. He definitely had to prove himself."
"I paid my dues to Rath tenfold. I still feel stupid for not realizing the thing between them way back then."
"I was with both much more than you and didn't see it either. No one did," Larek says. He turns to Michael. "It makes sense that such a memory activates your expressions. Strong motivation, anger and jealousy."
"What about Izzy?" Alex aks. "She didn't get a flashback."
"I think he triggered her. When they came back from the stars and Ava got his freedom, they always glowed brighter together," Larek says.
"So, space boy is burning with angry jealousy and Ami has the hots for him. Well, first explanation, check. Now, the baby," Maria says. Isabel looks like she wants the ground to open and swallow her. The glow she's had begins to dim.
"Instructions for the hatching should be in the book," Larek says. "Whatever isn't there is up to the King."
Max exhales and looks stressed. "I've been trying to remember more. But I have nothing new about Adam besides what the book says. The pod should just open and we should be able to take Adam out." Michael looks at him as if he needs to say more. "That's all I know."
"We'll review Adam's pages again, but Max is right, that's all the book says," Tess adds.
"So, we're going into this with no memory of what to do, just blind?" Michael says, obviously annoyed. Isabel gently squeezes his hand. The fiery veins become less visible under his skin.
"Not really. You have the commander."
"Me? No. Like Kyle Valenti says, no way!"
"Way," Larek answers.
"I'm a Commander not an Elder."
"Do you know how to deliver Adam?" Michael demands.
Larek answers, "the life bringer probably no, but the commander delivered a Zaubretais child during service."
"More like the mother delivered and just let me catch the thing before she died. Again, not even an architect, or in training, send me to fight or kill something."
"You kept that child alive until the elders got to you. The Queen Mother is raising him."
"Larek! This is the life bringer! I can't just catch him, give him the basic support I can manage and hope for well."
"For the best," Tess says.
"That," Anquio adds.
"Of course, you cannot. I trust the pod will do whatever it is the King designed it to do and the child will end safely in his mother's arms. But as back up, you can instruct the Princess and the General to do what you did. They are his parents and have the seals, basic support from them will be tenfold the support from you. They'll be able to keep him alive while the King figures things out."
"Me?" Max says.
"You're the King, the leader of the elders and architects, the best of the healers. No one without that power can save one of our kind if we're spiraling into death, especially a new child," Anquio says.
"Newborn," Courtney corrects.
"Whatever. He really is the only healer on this planet? And he doesn't remember what he set-up for the life bringer?" Larek looks at him as if he's stupid. "You should have sent an elder instead of me."
"We're not just carrying essences around for our choosing. The machine was destroyed after we got yours. If you have a problem, take it to the Queen Daharia when you get back." Anquio looks chastised. "Didn't think so."
"Tell me about the skin squadron on Earth. I need a work I may actually be able to do."
"A job," Kyle says.
"Job, work, not the same thing?"
"We'll talk more," Tess says. Then Courtney explains about the Harvest and the husks.
"Who leads them?" Anquio asks.
"His human name is Nicholas," Max answers.
"Nickoli, your majesty, you're talking about Nickoli?" Anquio says sounding really angry.
"Yes," Larek says.
"Is that a problem?" Alex asks.
"No. If there is someone in this universe that deserves to die it's him," Anquio says.
"And we finally agree on something," Courtney says. "Make it a painful death if possible. I'll do whatever I need to help."
"Enemy of my enemy, well then we take him out first," Anquio says.
"Wait, we're supposed to go in and destroy the husks. We didn't agree to go around killing people," Alex argues.
"You don't know Nickoli," Courtney says. "He is not people. And who says you're coming?"
"Don't talk to him like that," Tess say.
"And we do know him. He kidnapped us and hurt Tess," Isabel argues.
"And Izzy," Tess adds.
"If he had really meant to hurt you, you would be dead or catatonic," Courtney argues. "Kivar would never allow him to hurt the Princess."
"What do you mean he wouldn't allow him? He killed her!" Michael argues.
"Because she was carrying the future King, a child that wasn't his. He wants her alive and safe, able to provide a legitimate heir to the throne," Larek says. He looks at Isabel. "And... in his own twisted way, I think he feels for you."
"I don't want him to feel for me! I'm having Michael's baby in a few days! I'm marrying him! I love him!"
"Calm down," Max says, seeing his sister is glowing bright again. Michael is staring at her as if no one else is there. "Michael!"
"What?"
"Focus!"
"The human is right. The mission is to destroy the husks," Larek argues.
"Thank God," Maria says, thinking she doesn't want to go kill anyone.
"Larek!"
"Anquio! If the Golderians get away with the skins they will remain a threat to the four and the child king, even after killing Nickoli."
"If we don't take him out and he sees me or realizes what we plan, he'll send the worst of whatever he has on this planet to hunt us all. I don't even know where to hide here. I don't know strongholds or… anything!"
"Whatever he has will die without the skins," Larek argues.
"You don't know Nickoli, Larek. You haven't faced him and you're not a warrior."
"But I am," Michael says. Everyone looks at him. He focuses on Anquio. "You said I'm your superior and fought this Nickoli and Kivar. That I am like you, stronger even." The alien nods. "Then show me how, train me, so we can end the Harvest, capture Nicolas and make him tell us what things they have on Earth that could be a danger to Adam and us. If we know what's out there we can fight."
"Michael, no," Isabel argues.
"There is no capturing Nickoli," Courtney says.
"It could work," Anquio argues.
"We're not gonna let you take Michael alone," Max says.
"Not alone, your majesty. We need a diversion. Something to separate Nickoli and the husks. I'll lead a group to capture him while Rath destroys the husks. Are you able to explode?"
"Explode!" Isabel yells. "Are you insane!" Anquio looks taken aback.
"Bad expression, commander," Courtney says. "When someone on Earth explodes they are destroyed."
"Oh, apologies Princess, I meant… back home, Rath could bring down structures with his energy, or make an environment destroy. Rocks, fires, volcanoes, he is a destroyer. And once the war broke and he had the seal… he could explode, body on fire and an energy blow. It tired him, but it was quite effective. The one thing he was susceptible to was the cold, coldrocks and burying him with coldflakes."
"Ice, ice and snow," Courtney corrects.
"Ice. Icicles the size of bats and shaped like swords," Michael says.
"Yes," Anquio answers. "This is why Nickoli was lethal. He's a invasur, manipulates cold, ice, whatever you call it. You should not be the one to face him. Not until you have full control of the seal."
They stay in the house for another hour, deciding on a plan and discussing a timeline.
So, what do you think? I went as sci-fi and into the background alien thing as I hope I needed. Still have some ideas in mind and I loved writing this. I always wanted to know if the aliens had like a name for their species and things like that when I watched the show. And honest I hated the look of the aliens in Summer of '47, I always wanted them to be more humanoid because that would make more sense in terms of mixing DNA. That's just what I thought back in the day and it was awesome to write them out this way, which was one of my original ideas when I started. I don't know why I always pictured them glowing and stuff like that.
Anyway, plz plz review telling me what you thought. :)