Resistance

by ela11

With the Reapers gone, the Leviathans are ready to resume their place as the apex race. One child, Aurora Alenko, threatens that goal, and they want her eliminated. This time the galaxy's races have pledged their aid to stop this from happening, and two human Spectre's once again lead the Resistance. A sequel to 'Struggle'.

43. Chapter 43

Chapter 43 – The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall

The second the containment field went down, Chu'Tak barrelled towards Kaidan with a furious roar. For something that size and bulk, the speed was frighteningly impressive but Kaidan was just as quick to react, his biotics alight and sent rushing forward to force the yahg backwards and into a stack of crates that scattered with the impact as though they were empty.

Chu'Tak had barely landed before he was leaping back to his feet, grabbing a crate and hurtling it with almighty strength at Kaidan. Without moving, Kaidan merely swiped it aside with the biotic energy that coursed through him, repeating it for the subsequent crates that came his way. They crashed harmlessly into the walls and back to the floor, some giving up their contents under the rough treatment. Thankfully, there was nothing inside these but emergency rations and medical supplies.

Time for a taste of his own medicine, Kaidan decided. Using his biotics, he sent the intact containers at speed right back at the yahg who, unsurprisingly, dodged them easily. It didn't matter; getting a hit wasn't Kaidan's aim. Each time Chu'Tak had to duck or dive Kaidan could see the fury building, and that's what he wanted to achieve. That was the yahgs weak point - that base aggressive emotion that overrode judgement.

Chu'Tak kicked the last incoming crate from his path so hard it collided with the first shuttle still suspended in its cradle, denting in the side to the extent that the container stayed in place. That level of uncontrollable rage was self-destructive, and as if to prove Kaidan right, Chu'Tak ran straight at him again, only to be sent tumbling awkwardly back across the bay floor by another biotic release.

Once upright, the yahg's muscles tensed in preparation for another assault, but then Chu'Tak stopped himself from making another move. He was reining it in... With frustration and a now-contained anger, Chu'Tak began to pace at the far end of the shuttle bay, eyes never leaving Kaidan as he assessed and plotted. That could only mean trouble for Kaidan, so he started forward, unwilling to stand still and wait for the attack. He'd earn nothing if he just reacted, but more importantly, he had somewhere else to be.

As he moved, so too did Chu'Tak. Kaidan threw out another wave of biotics, mindful that he had to hold back his true strength, aiming to take the legs from under the yahg and use that weight against him, but at the last second Chu'Tak diverted course, avoiding the strike and crashing into another group of stacked containers that were sent straight at Kaidan.

Without stopping, Kaidan brought up a barrier in time to deflect the unwieldy missiles, and carried on straight at the yahg, hoping like hell he'd figured this right. A hefty arm and fist reared back to deal with Kaidan's arrival, but as it whooshed through the air towards him he dipped under, spun and launched his own biotically-enhanced fist at what he imagined to be a soft spot just behind the hard facial plate that protected its eyes: the fan-like auditory structure.

Chu'Tak was immediately off-balanced as the punch affected his equilibrium, and Kaidan used the chance to kick out the leg that held the majority of the yahg's weight, who fell onto his back, shaking the grated flooring beneath Kaidan's feet.

Only he wasn't prepared for the quick recovery, as the yahg bellowed in renewed anger and did a stunning muscle-propelled flip that had him back on his feet and charging at Kaidan. Reeling backwards in a futile attempt to get distance, Kaidan quickly found himself chest to chest with Chu'Tak. The impact knocked the air from his lungs, flinging him through the air while his torso reminded him it had already taken an excessive amount of battery over the past weeks. Landing with enough momentum to keep him skidding across the ground until he found himself looking up at the underside of the first shuttle, Kaidan tried to re-gather his dazed head so he could call back his biotics. Shit... Where was the yahg?

Then Chu'Tak was standing over him about to bring his whole body down on him, fist first. With a flash of self-preserving inspiration, Kaidan just managed to release the catches either side of his head that held up the section of floor beneath him, letting gravity do the rest. As the grating dropped to a slope, he rolled backwards into the space beneath the deck, feeling the rush of air from Chu'Tak's swing, followed by the grunt as the yahg had to stop himself over-balancing into the gap.

The ensuing enraged roar resonated through the bay, and Kaidan had to back-pedal through the crawl-space as Chu'Tak began pounding at the grated flooring, crushing it inwards as he followed Kaidan's path. But Kaidan wasn't actually retreating – he was leading the yahg. His biotics alight once more, he got Chu'Tak where he wanted him and as his opponent jumped up in preparation to send all of his weight pummelling into the ground, Kaidan let loose enough energy to force the flooring up out of place, which then smacked into the yahg's chest before taking him up and into the bottom of the second shuttle, cracking the under-carriage that then detonated as Kaidan's energy ignited the exposed filaments.

Leaping back up to ground level as Chu'Tak was tossed aside by the exploding force, Kaidan was ready to keep going, confident that the punishment the yahg had taken was not enough to kill him - the strength of his biotic attacks barely half of his potential.

Keeping a sensible distance, Kaidan watched Chu'Tak stumble to his feet, breathing heavily. Half-expecting another sudden thunderous charge, Kaidan was left cautiously confused when Chu'Tak went down to one knee and bowed his head.

"I yield."

Struck speechless, Kaidan jolted as the silence was suddenly filled with the loud cheers from Jack and James. Turning, he saw his all of his grinning friends standing inside the bay, weapons in hand. They'd been concerned enough at some point to come to his assistance. Thankfully, he hadn't needed it. It was done.

Hackett passed by them with his security team, the man giving nothing away. "Well done, General."

Kaidan could then read the pride in his father-in-law's eyes.

"You weren't kidding about the damage though," Hackett added lightly, glancing around and finishing on the shuttles, the second still sparking. "I think you owe me a beer for that."

Kaidan laughed, weariness tugging at him, along with the tightness across his aching torso. "You're on."

Hackett faced Chu'Tak, who stood unsteadily, unperturbed by the security surrounding him with guns aimed. "Now will you stop this from becoming a war?"

"I will do my part," exhaled Chu'Tak. His harsh, deep voice bordered on a growl. "The Leviathans will pay."

"We're working on that as we speak. If all goes to plan, they won't be a problem for much longer."

Kaidan itched to know exactly what the plan entailed, and he chided himself once again for being so irate that such an important question hadn't come to mind when he had the chance. Soon. "Thank you, Chu'Tak," he said. "We're sorry for the bloodshed, but we truly had no choice."

Chu'Tak did a small gesture of acceptance. "Know that I only have control over my own tribe. Those that joined from others will accept only the word of their own Primary. I will gather them; offer this evidence to them. But I cannot guarantee they will come to the same conclusion as I. Nor will I assure you that we will not meet as adversaries again. Insults have been made against us, and we will take our vengeance."

"But you just said-"

"Over this act, your actions are explained. I have no quarrel with those part of it. The yahg should not require aid, but without it we would have remained enslaved. It is an unpalatable situation, but I accept it." Chu'Tak then sneered. "The salarians however, have no such excuse. I was treated as an animal. It was an affront to my species, and they will learn we are superior. They can bow down and accept it, or resist and die."

They all subconsciously glanced at Bau, whose eyes had narrowed at the warning.

Irritated, Kaidan stood firmly next to Bau. "Be careful with your threats, Chu'Tak. That sounds an awful lot like the Leviathans' mentality."

"The salarians initiated this. The yahg will end it."

"Only you won't be fighting just the salarians," warned Hackett. "All of us will unite against you. It forms part of a treaty we all signed up to."

"Your abduction and treatment was done by the order of one salarian, our former Dalatrass, who no longer holds her role," assured Bau.

"Making the whole race pay for that is unacceptable," stated Kaidan. "Stand down on that and we'll leave you in peace. Be smart, Chu'Tak. Push this and you'll force our hand."

"You could join the galactic community," tried Bau.

"Hmph," sounded Wrex. "Trust a salarian to think you can treat someone like a lab-rat and then shake their hand the next." He addressed the yahg. "They messed with my race, too, and it nearly ended in our extinction. But it was also a salarian, and a human, who saved us," he admitted. "Take it from someone who's been down the path you're aiming down: it's worth listening to the terms of co-operation. Alenko here can be trusted."

"The yahg need no co-operation," Chu'Tak declared. "We survive alone. Look at us. Look at you. Our superiority is clear. We are mightier. We are faster. We are smarter." His whole demeanour effectively dismissed the krogan. "You proved yourself a worthy opponent, Alenko. The yahgs time will come. … But it will not be yet."

With a glance at Kaidan, Hackett stepped forward resolutely. "Then all it remains for me to say is that you'll be escorted to another ship, given all the evidence you need, and taken back to your people. You can remain unrestrained as long as you guarantee that you will not harm anyone."

Chu'Tak's mouth turned into a macabre grin that annoyed Kaidan.

"Understand this: if you do, I will personally rip you apart." He let his biotics ripple over him, to make it clear to the yahg just how he'd do it. It was over-dramatic, but it wiped the smirk away.

"It would be an act of war," agreed Hackett, going with it. "We have more than enough firepower to remove Parnack's top predator from the food chain, right now."

Chu'Tak glared back at Hackett, and Kaidan was certain he was studying the admiral's face for signs of the lie Kaidan knew it was. The fate of a race was not something that could or should be decided in the heat of retribution, and Hackett would never do so. Thankfully, that stone façade of his seemed equally impenetrable to the perceptive yahg.

"I will leave," Chu'Tak growled.

When he started for the exit, there wasn't an individual in the room that didn't tense. The security team followed closely behind, ready for trouble. Kaidan didn't like their chances should Chu'Tak change his mind.

The moment the elevator closed, James looked at Hackett and Kaidan like they'd gone mad. "Was it a good idea to threaten him? Didn't that just piss him off more?"

Kaidan sighed, resignedly. "The yahg are who they are: sure of themselves and insulted by our very presence. You heard him; he wants to show the salarians who's boss. It's just a matter of time before they become a problem now. They won't let it go. They've got a point to prove. Which means: so do we."

"So blow them all up now," Jack railed.

"Not sporting, Bella," chided James.

"You think they'll give us a 'sporting' chance? You're all fucking morons."

"Maybe, but we have to stand for something," James countered.

"What about the young yahg that live on Parnack?" Kaidan pressed Jack. "Do we decide their fate because of this?"

Hackett nodded. "We're not waging war on a race unless we're forced to in order to defend ourselves. We don't have the right. For now, we keep a close eye on them."

"Admiral, the yahg has left the ship."

"Good. Then get us aweigh."

"About fucking time," muttered Jack.

Hackett sent the co-ordinates for the Leviathans to the cockpit and carried on as though he hadn't heard her. "Ensure Second and Fifth Fleets are with us. The rest are to keep watch over Parnack in case there's any trouble. Send word to Primarch Victus of our departure and destination; I imagine he'll be authorising turian assistance. And Commander… Full throttle."

"Aye, aye, Admiral."

"I'll let Liara and Aethyta know," said Garrus.

Hackett looked them all over. "Get some rest while you can. I'll have someone arrange somewhere for you all to lay your heads."

While the others began to file out, Kaidan stayed in place with Hackett. "I'd really like to call Terra."

"Of course. I'll clear the war room for you, but Kaidan… do yourself a favour first: swing by the Mess and grab some energy bars. You've been through two fights with no chance to rejuvenate in between. I might not be a biotic but even I know that's not good."

Kaidan couldn't argue that. Now the adrenaline had worn off, it left him battling a draining fatigue, and his whole body was heavy with it. At least he wasn't suffering a migraine as well. "Thanks for your concern. I'll do that." It was probably the only way he'd actually make it to that comm link. As he loaded onto the elevator, the anticipation of speaking to Terra sparked some life back into him, but he didn't want to waste that time being filled in on what he hadn't let her explain. "Would you mind bringing me up to speed on the rest of Terra's plan on the way? Now that I'm ready to listen," he added, sheepishly.

Hackett clapped his hand on Kaidan's shoulder in solidarity. "Absolutely. In true Terra-style, it'll leave you speechless and very worried."

Kaidan groaned. "I've got a lifetime of that, haven't I?"

"Oh yes," returned Hackett with certainty, but a fond smile soon escaped as he thought of his daughter. "Oh, yes."

Despite the dooming forecast, Kaidan couldn't help but smile, too. He still wouldn't change a thing about her.

oOo

Joker had locked himself in the cockpit. Their guests were freaking him out. When the door unlocked behind him, his heart-rate quickened and he swung round to check what was coming through, exhaling in relief to see Shepard.

"Is everything okay, Joker?" she frowned.

"See out there?" he gestured out the window. "All normal. It's nice. Calming. I know how to handle that. Then there's in here… In here my nightmares have become reality."

Her concerned face had turned to one of amusement. "Come on, it's not that bad."

"Uh… I know this might be a stupid question to someone who hasn't even watched Star Trek – the bible of all things spacey – but have you ever seen another classic: Aliens?" When, to his surprise, she nodded smugly, he then looked pointedly behind her. Following his gaze, Shepard immediately started laughing.

The rachni.

Their guests had all but taken over the ship, and the whole corridor leading back to the CIC was lined with them.

"I don't find that funny," moaned Joker. "It gives me the heebie-jeebies. I can't even rest easy in my chair. I keep feeling like something's going to come up from behind and take me out. I'll look down and there'll be a huge hole in my chest."

"Aren't we being a little dramatic?"

One of the smaller rachni scuttled past the hatch, making Joker start and Shepard chuckle.

"And that's not helping either," Joker complained. "Those ones are like the things that lay eggs in your throat! If I see any pods, I'm outta here."

Shepard winced. "Best not look down in the shuttle bay, then."

"Oh, geez, there aren't!" He shuddered. "This is beyond insane. Better hope the Leviathans can't drown out the 'songs' again, or we are in deep shit."

"Quit panicking."

"It's all right for you, you're Ripley in this scenario. You'll survive. I'm just the pilot. They don't fare so well."

"Okay, now it's not funny," she said with a pale-faced seriousness. "This isn't a movie, and you're going to be fine."

"Oh sure," he said quickly, cursing his running mouth. A flashing on his screen succeeded in distracting him. He looked back at Shepard with a big grin. "Got Kaidan for you."

"Put him through to the war-room," she rushed out, then practically ran, narrowly avoiding a few tentacles on the way.

Left alone, Joker got the creeps again and swiftly closed and locked the hatch. Maybe he'd call up Edi….

oOo

Kaidan's image fizzled into view and Terra was warmed by it even as she waited for the words of angry disappointment. "I'm glad you called."

"I'm glad you answered."

Terra was confused. "Of course I did. You have every right to be angry. What I did-."

"I get it," he interrupted, a weary but affectionate look passing over his face. "You're just human, remember? Sometimes that need to protect those we love is overwhelming, even over those who are more than capable of looking after themselves."

Hearing him say it sent a smothering wave of relief through Terra, and as she ran her hands over her face she realised how much she'd needed his forgiveness. Tiredness pulled at her as the anxiety left. Her guilt had affected her to the extent of sleeplessness ever since she'd made the erroneous decision. Despite that, she felt an incredible weight lifted. "Thank you. For being so magnanimous. I'm not sure I would be."

"Yes, you would. Just make sure it's the last time," he added sincerely. "I don't ever want to be in the dark again."

"Lesson learned, General," she vowed.

Following a satisfied nod, Kaidan sighed loudly, taking his time with what he was about to say next. "Terra, I need to tell you about Javik."

"I know. Liara called me." After failing to work out her sadness on the punch-bag, she'd locked it away to be dealt with later - she figured Javik would probably approve of that. She could almost hear him saying: 'Emotions are for the weak. Ignore them and focus on the mission ahead of you'. Grouchy, single-minded bastard, she thought with affection.

"Honey, I'm so sorry," Kaidan said, ruefully. "It should have come from me."

"Forget it. You had a lot on your mind. How'd it go with the yahg?" It was a deliberate subject change – one that took Kaidan a few seconds to adjust to.

"Chu'Tak," he announced. "It's a tentative truce to put it mildly. He accepted our reasons for being there, but it's the salarians earlier role that's causing problems. They're not going to let that slide."

"Another enemy waiting on the horizon. Sounds about right. I have to say, it's an impressive feat you accomplished. It was important to try for this, but I was dubious it could actually be possible to make them listen."

"It was hard-fought. Literally. Hackett's shuttle bay looks like a war-zone. Thankfully, I survived the encounter."

Terra was momentarily stunned as that processed. "You mean you had to go one-on-one with him!?"

"Uh huh."

"Oh my God, Kaidan!" Her heart pounded in her chest at the thought of what could have happened. And again, she hadn't been there.

"Hey. I'm fine. Came out of it surprisingly unscathed." Terra watched him sub-consciously run a hand over his ribs - not totally unscathed, she knew. "But it was necessary to get his respect. All we were getting out of him before was 'no'."

Exhaling over the past, present and forthcoming situations, Terra hugged her arms around herself. "This whole thing's a mess, isn't it?"

"From what I've been hearing from Hackett, you'll soon have things sorted out. The rachni…. Wow. You really do now how to make my jaw drop."

"Oh, that's always been easy anyway," she teased, eager to think about anything but the Leviathans. "The right underwear, the right touch…." That wonderful husky laugh reached her ears and made her yearn to make his jaw drop in person. "I miss you," she breathed out, suddenly feeling ridiculously emotional.

"Then it's a good thing I'm on my way to you as we speak. I know you said you needed a head-start. Will it be enough?"

Though their diversion to the rendezvous point had delayed them, it still placed her ahead by a good hour. "I don't think the Leviathans will wait to appear. I'm pretty sure I succeeded in pissing them off. I challenged them to come out and face me. They're too arrogant to believe they'll fail as long as I'm alone out there."

His agitation at that was evident only in the hand that ran over his head. "You're putting yourself at one hell of a risk."

"I know. But I couldn't see any other way to get to them. This has to end. Now. Before any more lives are lost because of them." The ones they'd sacrifice in pursuit of that goal still made her feel uncomfortable. If only there was some other way….

"I agree. Just hold on for me, Terra. Don't let them take you from me."

Terra nearly lost it then. The tears sprang up and spilled, defiantly ignoring her attempts to contain them. "I love you, Kaidan Alenko."

"I love you, too, Terra Shepard."

She was determined not to let this get to a goodbye. "You should get some sleep. You look exhausted."

"Yeah," he puffed out. "It'll make the time go faster, too."

"And get those ribs checked out."

"Damn. Caught me out, huh? Will do," he assured her.

"So… I'll see you soon."

"Absolutely." The way he said it was a solemn vow. It made Terra smile.

His image faded away, but she was left with a comforting feeling. They were going to be okay. They would come through this together. Had to.

She checked the time. Three hours until they were over the Leviathans' resting place. The planet had no official name – just T9810 – and offered nothing but ocean. No doubt teeming with life beneath the waves, but useless to even the most clever and forward-thinking terraformers.

Hopefully, they wouldn't have to worry about navigating the ocean. The Leviathans wouldn't be able to conceive the notion that there'd be any other outcome but her destruction. It amazed her they could be so conceited after such an age, despite their ultimate mistake that was the Reapers. Today, it would be their downfall. Today, the Normandy and those aboard her would finish what the Reapers had started: they would end the Leviathans. It felt like justice, and the rachni had earned this chance.

Three more hours…. Only four until she'd be with Kaidan.

oOo

oOo

"Liara."

At the sound of Feron softly saying her name, Liara turned to him. She'd only managed an hour's sleep before her restless mind woke her with its panic-driven reminder that Shepard would very shortly be engaging the Leviathans. Despite her lack of rest, she was completely alert, and suddenly plunged into one of those moments when you held your breath for what would come next.

"Liara, I…. I don't think I've previously made my feelings for you clear. ... You astound me. Have done from the moment we met. That determination and loyalty…. You were a breath of fresh air in the poisonous atmosphere I'd surrounded myself with. Cerberus and the Shadow Broker; I would surely have been crushed between the two had you not entered my life."

"You suffered because of me. Because you helped me."

"It was a consequence of the game I was playing, Liara. I'd have been found out by one side or the other before long, anyway. And when you came for me…. I pledged myself to your service that day. I never told you that, but…I wished to spend the rest of my days proving myself worthy of you. … And nothing has changed. I wanted to be more than a friend to you, but if I cannot have that then I will continue to remain at your side, should you want me, as a companion. With a daughter to look after, you'll be busier than ever. You'll need my help even more."

Liara wiped away the tears that had fallen. He had accepted her situation, and hopefully her reason behind it. "Oh, Feron…." She reached out her hand, running it gently over the skin of his cheek. Her feelings for him were not as strong as those she had for Shepard, but what she had were enough to be happy, and to make him happy in return. When you were destined to outlive your partner, maybe it was better not to lose that someone who crawls into your soul. Being closer to Shepard through a union only to inevitably lose her… that would have destroyed her own soul for certain. But she could have something real with Feron, yet still be able to carry on with the heartache when he left the galaxy. "I have not appreciated you the way I should have. You have always been there for me. Knowing you will still be here makes me very happy." She didn't know what else to say. The words all sounded awkward in her head. She wasn't very worldly in the ways of romance. So instead, in a moment of courage, she moved forward and pressed her lips to his.

At first, Feron was surprised by it, and when she released the kiss his face was as flushed as hers felt, but then he smiled, and she returned it.

"I would like that to be the first of many, if you would permit it," she whispered, shyly.

"I would like that very much, Liara."

Then she embraced him, with a lightness in her heart she hadn't felt for a very long time.

oOo

"Can't sleep, Loco?"

Kaidan tore his eyes from the passing stars and glanced at James. "Got a couple of hours, but…."

"Yeah," nodded James in understanding. Then he grimaced. "Look, I'm really sorry for earlier-."

"Hey, forget it. My reaction wasn't exactly professional, either. I had a personal issue and you got caught up in that." Then he huffed. "Jack is one bad influence on you, my friend. In the elevator on the ship of the top-ranking admiral? That takes balls."

James gave a half-proud, half-embarrassed laugh. "Yeah. That woman has a way of scrambling my senses."

"Huh! I know how that feels." He clapped James' shoulder. "I'm pleased for you, buddy. And sorry for you. Women like that drive you insane in more ways than one," he joked.

"Yeah," grinned James. "It's exciting and frightening all at once. Can't wait for the challenge, Loco."

The yearning inside Kaidan for the fulfilment that only existed when Terra was with him, strengthened. He turned back to his vigil over the star-filled void. She had his heart and soul, and he wasn't complete without her.

oOo

Shepard stood in the cockpit, her eyes sharply focused on the growing planet, Joker's voice on her periphery as he relayed the ship's readings on their approach. Edi sat rigidly in the co-pilot's seat.

This was it. They were here. The planet gave off a blue aura that reminded her of Kaidan. … Another hour and he'd be here. Pushing back the tempting distraction, she forced herself to think over what would come.

The plan itself demanded sacrifice. It had taken a steeled heart to request the rachni's help, and she'd been prepared for an angry response. Instead, the queen had agreed instantly, and had gone even further, stunning Shepard. The queen was a leader who demanded not only restitution for almost being wiped out, but was also seeking to ensure it would never happen again.

Destroying the last of a race…. She had only the bare remnants of guilt over it. The Leviathans apologised for nothing, and offered her nothing to redeem them. She was left with no choice.

"I'm getting nothing," murmured Joker.

"Patience, Joker." She placed her hand on his shoulder, as much for herself as for him. She had to work at keeping her heartbeat slow. This wasn't the time to let fear or panic in.

The silence pervaded everything as they glided closer, constricting her muscles and challenging her nerve. The solid presence of Joker beneath her hand helped, and when he reached up and squeezed her hand back she realised her grip had tightened.

"They'll be here," Shepard said. Everything was riding on her assessment of them. She hoped she'd gotten it right. The thought of it not ending soon was unbearable. She wanted to get back to her baby, knowing Rorie was safe because she'd finished it, once and for all.

Joker blew out his tension, stretching out his neck and fingers, then fidgeting with his cap like it wasn't already on right. "I hate tardiness," he mumbled. "Rude."

"They'll want to be sure we're alone."

"How will they even know from all the way down there?"

She hadn't thought of that, to be honest. She resumed her watch over the planet, while Joker stared at his screens and Edi remained statue-like in her concentration. It was a beautiful view, but somewhere beneath all this were the Leviathans, waiting like a malignant cancer.

"I am picking up something…" began Edi, but she hesitated as she focused on analysing it.

Joker was scanning his screens. "I've got nothing. Don't go glitchy on me now, Edi."

"It is not a standard signal. It is… muffled."

Shepard searched the blue atmosphere surrounding the planet, below them. Not a single blot of darkness broke the blue.

Joker's fingers raced over his keypad. "Got it. Hidden in white noise. Where have we seen that before?" Joker said wryly. Then he paled. "Oh shit! Places them dead ahead!"

They all looked up, seeing only the darkness of space but now knowing the Leviathans were out there, beyond visual range.

The Leviathans weren't going to be rising up from the planet. They were already here.

oOo