"You must hurry. It will be only a matter of time before they get here." Said Sara.
"Don't you worry about us." Replied Jack.
Their ship had landed in a deserted area, not all that far from where Sara and Seth had initially crashed. The group were standing at the bottom of the craft's ramp. They all knew this would be the last time they saw each other, at least for a while.
"Sara and I want you to have this." Seth handed Jack his tracking device. As long as it's in your possession we'll always be able to find you."
"Thanks." Said the cabbie, turning away and fighting back tears.
Alex stepped forward and hugging the two teenagers tightly. "Your parents would be very proud of what you've done here."
"Thank you Alex." Murmured Sara.
Seth went to Jack and pulled him aside.
"I once said that we could never count on humans to help us, especially you. I was wrong, and for that I'm sorry." Seth apologised.
"You take care of yourself and your sister, understand?" Replied Jack gruffly.
"Yes." Said Seth and moved on to Mike as Sara hugged the cabbie. Seth and Mike stood in front of one another awkwardly.
"Sooo… How's the arm?" Mike inquired.
"Better. And your ribs?"
"They'll heal. Listen… It's been fun." Mike extended his hand for Seth to shake. The alien stared at it uncomprehendingly.
Mike laughed. "Here, like this." He placed his hand in Seth's and shook it. "Human gesture." He offered, by way of explanation.
"I see. Umm… I have something else for you. I would like you to… Keep this." Seth said haltingly and handed Mike the other tracking device. It was the one Mike had given him the night before the casino.
"Are you sure? My Dad just stole it from one of your explorers, it isn't mine."
"It is now. Your Father simply did what he thought was right. If you hadn't done that, we would not be here now."
Mike didn't know what to say. Luckily, Seth continued.
"Thank you for all your help, Mike. My sister and I will not forget you."
"Anytime." Mike smiled.
With that, Seth turned and walked back to his ship. Sara came over to Mike and they embraced.
Good luck with whatever path you choose, Michael Etherington. But please do not choose that which you walk at present. Your wingsuit cannot save you forever.
Hold on… How did you know about that?
Don't forget, I can read your mind.
Then what else do you know?
I know that yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery and today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.
Don't you quote Kung Fu Panda at me, alien.
Good film, don't you think?
Yeah, but I bet they made it into a murder mystery on your planet. "Who Killed Master Oogway" by A. Panda.
Anyway, my point is that you should leave the past behind you. Skilled as you are, the life of a mercenary is not a pleasant one.
I prefer the term "vigilante". I don't work for crooks.
It is your choice, just… Be careful Mike.
Trust me, I will. Y'know, I'm gonna miss these conversations.
That goes for me too.
Make sure you come and visit once in a while.
Just try and stop us.
Mike knelt, took her hand in his and kissed it, winking at Seth as he did so.
"Mademoiselle – your carriage awaits." Mike said, motioning to the alien ship. He turned and went to join the other two humans.
"You guys remember that we're only a... A wormhole away!" Called Jack, holding hands with Alex.
Sara went to join her brother at the foot of the ramp. "I want you to promise me something - take care of Junkyard for me." She said.
"Anything you want." Replied Jack, his voice close to breaking.
"It's time." Murmured Seth and began making his way up the ramp, followed by his sister. When they reached the top, they waved one last time and the humans waved back. Sara shouted something but the wind from the craft's engines took away her words.
The doors hissed shut and the ship began to hum, rising higher and higher into the sky. Before long the craft had vanished without trace, its bright lights lost among the twinkling stars.
- The End -
And there it is, thanks so much for reading! If you could find the time to write a review that would make me very, very, very, very (etc) happy. :D Critiscm also welcome. I hope you enjoyed it and liked what I did with Mike. This was the beginning of him as a character and he appears in several of my stories, most notably in the title role of "Wingman". I first had the idea after I saw the movie and realised a cool way of exploring his personality would be to write him in as the main character. After all, an all-action vigilante in a leather bullet-proof wingsuit would be a credit to any film! :P
If anyone is interested, I could publish a few of my other stories too - please let me know if you are!
Ta-ra for now!
-Bagel