well...as far as Liz is concerned, all this was going on at the same time Max and the others were dealing with all that crap in the chamber...so she was feeling his inner freakout at finding Cal and the baby trapped under an explosive rigged rock etc.Island Breeze wrote:That was hair-raising, Liz falling to the ground and sobbing then being very happy and saying they're okay. Why was she so upset first, though? She already knew that Max and Maria were okay, and she can feel Kyle's emotions. Maybe her connection to Kyle is causing problems? Interesting idea about using the weather to fight the Gadori's. There must be some way they can use that.
Great chapter, Tracie!
The Enemy Unknown...(TEEN/MATURE) ~Pt 60 ~ 3/24/06 COMPLETE
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majiklmoon
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It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.
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Ti88
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oh zan and max have some things in common. i'm sorry but i think is so gonna hit the roof with the whole kyle thing. i'm glad everyone is alright. and why iz are you surprised at maria holding a grude. but i bet she uses the fact cal owes them his life to get him back with michael. can't wait to see how the weather thing works out.
Roselle
Egyptian Dwelling Silly Sister Techie Connection
If we don't change we don't grow. If we don't grow we aren't really living. - Gail Sheey
My spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling but it wobbles and the letters get in the worng places - Pooh
Egyptian Dwelling Silly Sister Techie Connection
If we don't change we don't grow. If we don't grow we aren't really living. - Gail Sheey
My spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling but it wobbles and the letters get in the worng places - Pooh
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The Enemy Unknown The Enemy Unseen
Chapter Fifty-Three – The End is Near
It was a somber group that joined Liz and the others at the abandon warehouse. To call the reunion bittersweet was something of an understatement. The loss of Sanctuary had discouraged them all, and for the first time ever, the group was at a loss as to how to proceed. The only truly joyful reunion was that of Zan and Shandar with their child, and everyone smiled to see the small family reunited.
Max took Zan and Michael aside and told them about Cal and the lengths he had gone to protect Valrik, and it gave Michael cause to look at his father in a new light. None of them had any great fondness for Cal, but they could see that he took at least this duty seriously.
“Where are Kyle and Ava?” Max asked, looking around.
Liz thought for a moment before replying. “They’re on the outskirts of the marketplace and should be here in about fifteen minutes.”
Max looked at Liz, askanced. Her answer was just a bit more specific than he had been expecting.
“Huh?” was his reply.
“Now I know why they didn’t make you the king,” joked Zan. “You really need to work on those speaking skills.”
Liz smiled and thought carefully, looking for a way to word her answer.
“The uh, connection between Kyle and I has deepened somewhat,” she said. “At times, I’m well, not able to read his mind, but I’m completely aware of where he is and what he’s doing. But,” she rushed to say, “He has to want me to know. Does that make any sense?”
“Yeah, it does, and I’m so not thrilled,” said Max. “Especially if the connection works both ways. You better learn to shut it off at certain times.”
The look Max gave Liz made his meaning very clear, and she felt a burst of heat rush through her body at the thought.
“It won’t be a problem,” she assured her husband, along with a meaningful glance of her own.
“Why aren’t they here, anyhow?” Max asked. “Are they out scouting for information.
“Um, apparently, Ava got more than a little tweaked at the newest development in Kyle’s power, and she stormed off,” said Michael, both amused and frustrated at his sister’s antics.
“Great,” said Max. “We really need to do some serious planning here, but I don’t want to start without everyone on board.
“Everyone is here,” said Kyle. “So just relax. Max, nice piece of work back in the chamber.”
“What? How do you know, you weren’t there?” He glared at Liz who had the decency to blush. “Are you telling me both of you can do this with all of us?”
“Uh, yeah, kind of,” Liz said.
“Man, we have got to find the off switch for this,” said Max.
“We’ve got to find an off switch later,” said Liz. “Right now, I think we all need to listen to Shandar. She’s been kind of off the charts all day, emotionally. First high, then lower than low.”
“Liz is right,” agreed Michael. “She’s so manic or something, even I can feel it.”
“You’re starting to feel things too?” groaned Max.
“So are you,” said Liz. “If you’d give yourself a chance to feel it. I think you just haven’t had time to really process it.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll deal with it later,” said Max. “Now, this thing with Shandar. If you guys think she has something to say, we’d better listen. Though I hate to pull her away from Valrik,” he added thoughtfully, observing the way she was hovering over the baby.
“Max, I think she can talk and hold the baby at the same time,” Liz said a bit bitterly. At times, it still stung her to observe Shandar with Zan’s child. A child that for all intents and purposes shared the same father as the child she lost.
Max looked at Liz, puzzled by her attitude, and decided there was no time like the present to see if he really did have access to Michael’s newfound abilities. He relaxed his mind and tried to focus strictly on Liz. The pain he felt was so unbearable, he almost doubled over from the force of it. Clearly this was something he and Liz were going to have to talk about. But this wasn’t the time. This was a time for strategizing. They needed to save their lives or there wouldn’t be anything to talk about.
Max and Zan conferred for several minutes, both of them looking at Shandar, nervously. It was clear to anybody that took the time to observe them that they were worried about putting Shandar in a responsible position. It wasn’t that they didn’t trust her. After spending so much time with her, Zan had come to the conclusion that he’d trust her with his life.
Shandar had such a low sense of self-worth, they were concerned that she would not tell them something because she was certain it wouldn’t be important.
“Maybe you should have a little faith in her,” said Kyle, interrupting the discussion between the two royals. “I think you’ll find what she has to say very important.”
“Can I just say, I’m so not liking this new ability,” said Max. “Stay out of my head Kyle.”
“Not a problem Max, it’s a pretty scary place, truth be told. Lots of nothing going on in there,” Kyle answered.
“Shut up, Kyle,” Max said. “Or I’ll demote you to Keeper of the Royal Garbage Dump, or something.”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible, my son,” said Drinian, joining the conversation. “For your esteemed wife gave me that very title when I first brought you back to Antar.”
“Oh my God,” gasped Kyle in mock horror. “They share one brain. That would explain so much. When Liz is busy being Liz, all smart and intelligent, Max gets to be like his is all the time – a total d’uh!”
“If you boys are done fooling around,” Drinian said with mock severity. “Perhaps you’d like to do some planning?”
“Don’t look at me, father,” said Zan. “I’ve been trying to get them to work, but no, with them, it’s all play, play, play.”
“Jerk,” said Max. “You’re just mad because you know Dad likes me better.”
Zan ignored Max and let out with a piercing whistle that captured everybody’s attention.
“It’s good that he has a marketable skill if the king thing doesn’t work out,” Kyle whispered to Ava. “We can market him as a cab calling system.
“Okay, everyone, our position is looking kind of bleak. Our home base was invaded, and we’re still not sure how, and it was completely destroyed. We’ve had some luck in identifying the Gadori, but it’s been strictly one by one. We can’t eradicate the enemy that way. We need something, anything that will somehow allow us to isolate and identify them in large groups.”
“And you have a plan?” Maria asked.
“No, I don’t,” said Zan. “But Shandar does. Shandar, can you tell everyone what you’ve been working on?”
Shandar’s skin flushed a delicate shade of red, and she swallowed convulsively. The look she shot Zan would have felled a lesser man, but Zan simply smiled back encouragingly. Shandar took a deep breath and began to address the royals.
“When I was being held by the Gadori, I learned that they have an aversion to extreme temperature fluctuations,” she began. “It seems that their bodies while able to change shape, are ill equipped to deal with rapid changes in temperature.”
She swallowed nervously, and her eyes searched everyone, hoping to see that anyone was interested in what she had to say.
“Go on, Shandar,” said Drinian, encouragingly.
Shandar smiled at Drinian, shocked by his unexpected encouragement, took a deep breath and continued.
“One of the things they feared most, was the Granolith,” she continued. “When it was down on Earth, they were relaxed, and did not feel the need to actively attack Antar. Their plan was to just infiltrate our cities until there was no place left for the Antarians. That changed when the Granolith was returned to Antar.”
“But why,” asked Kyle. “We know it’s pretty powerful, but it can’t control the weather. Can it?”
“It can,” said Shandar. “Or so the Gadori think.”
“None of know the full power of the Granolith,” said Drinian. “Do not forget, the Granolith isn’t a thing. It is a living, breathing entity, and we are privileged to live in symbiosis with it.”
“So that means…” Michael’s voice trailed off, asking the question they all wanted to ask.
“That means it can be done,” said Cal.
Chapter Fifty-Three – The End is Near
It was a somber group that joined Liz and the others at the abandon warehouse. To call the reunion bittersweet was something of an understatement. The loss of Sanctuary had discouraged them all, and for the first time ever, the group was at a loss as to how to proceed. The only truly joyful reunion was that of Zan and Shandar with their child, and everyone smiled to see the small family reunited.
Max took Zan and Michael aside and told them about Cal and the lengths he had gone to protect Valrik, and it gave Michael cause to look at his father in a new light. None of them had any great fondness for Cal, but they could see that he took at least this duty seriously.
“Where are Kyle and Ava?” Max asked, looking around.
Liz thought for a moment before replying. “They’re on the outskirts of the marketplace and should be here in about fifteen minutes.”
Max looked at Liz, askanced. Her answer was just a bit more specific than he had been expecting.
“Huh?” was his reply.
“Now I know why they didn’t make you the king,” joked Zan. “You really need to work on those speaking skills.”
Liz smiled and thought carefully, looking for a way to word her answer.
“The uh, connection between Kyle and I has deepened somewhat,” she said. “At times, I’m well, not able to read his mind, but I’m completely aware of where he is and what he’s doing. But,” she rushed to say, “He has to want me to know. Does that make any sense?”
“Yeah, it does, and I’m so not thrilled,” said Max. “Especially if the connection works both ways. You better learn to shut it off at certain times.”
The look Max gave Liz made his meaning very clear, and she felt a burst of heat rush through her body at the thought.
“It won’t be a problem,” she assured her husband, along with a meaningful glance of her own.
“Why aren’t they here, anyhow?” Max asked. “Are they out scouting for information.
“Um, apparently, Ava got more than a little tweaked at the newest development in Kyle’s power, and she stormed off,” said Michael, both amused and frustrated at his sister’s antics.
“Great,” said Max. “We really need to do some serious planning here, but I don’t want to start without everyone on board.
“Everyone is here,” said Kyle. “So just relax. Max, nice piece of work back in the chamber.”
“What? How do you know, you weren’t there?” He glared at Liz who had the decency to blush. “Are you telling me both of you can do this with all of us?”
“Uh, yeah, kind of,” Liz said.
“Man, we have got to find the off switch for this,” said Max.
“We’ve got to find an off switch later,” said Liz. “Right now, I think we all need to listen to Shandar. She’s been kind of off the charts all day, emotionally. First high, then lower than low.”
“Liz is right,” agreed Michael. “She’s so manic or something, even I can feel it.”
“You’re starting to feel things too?” groaned Max.
“So are you,” said Liz. “If you’d give yourself a chance to feel it. I think you just haven’t had time to really process it.”
“Yeah, well, I’ll deal with it later,” said Max. “Now, this thing with Shandar. If you guys think she has something to say, we’d better listen. Though I hate to pull her away from Valrik,” he added thoughtfully, observing the way she was hovering over the baby.
“Max, I think she can talk and hold the baby at the same time,” Liz said a bit bitterly. At times, it still stung her to observe Shandar with Zan’s child. A child that for all intents and purposes shared the same father as the child she lost.
Max looked at Liz, puzzled by her attitude, and decided there was no time like the present to see if he really did have access to Michael’s newfound abilities. He relaxed his mind and tried to focus strictly on Liz. The pain he felt was so unbearable, he almost doubled over from the force of it. Clearly this was something he and Liz were going to have to talk about. But this wasn’t the time. This was a time for strategizing. They needed to save their lives or there wouldn’t be anything to talk about.
Max and Zan conferred for several minutes, both of them looking at Shandar, nervously. It was clear to anybody that took the time to observe them that they were worried about putting Shandar in a responsible position. It wasn’t that they didn’t trust her. After spending so much time with her, Zan had come to the conclusion that he’d trust her with his life.
Shandar had such a low sense of self-worth, they were concerned that she would not tell them something because she was certain it wouldn’t be important.
“Maybe you should have a little faith in her,” said Kyle, interrupting the discussion between the two royals. “I think you’ll find what she has to say very important.”
“Can I just say, I’m so not liking this new ability,” said Max. “Stay out of my head Kyle.”
“Not a problem Max, it’s a pretty scary place, truth be told. Lots of nothing going on in there,” Kyle answered.
“Shut up, Kyle,” Max said. “Or I’ll demote you to Keeper of the Royal Garbage Dump, or something.”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible, my son,” said Drinian, joining the conversation. “For your esteemed wife gave me that very title when I first brought you back to Antar.”
“Oh my God,” gasped Kyle in mock horror. “They share one brain. That would explain so much. When Liz is busy being Liz, all smart and intelligent, Max gets to be like his is all the time – a total d’uh!”
“If you boys are done fooling around,” Drinian said with mock severity. “Perhaps you’d like to do some planning?”
“Don’t look at me, father,” said Zan. “I’ve been trying to get them to work, but no, with them, it’s all play, play, play.”
“Jerk,” said Max. “You’re just mad because you know Dad likes me better.”
Zan ignored Max and let out with a piercing whistle that captured everybody’s attention.
“It’s good that he has a marketable skill if the king thing doesn’t work out,” Kyle whispered to Ava. “We can market him as a cab calling system.
“Okay, everyone, our position is looking kind of bleak. Our home base was invaded, and we’re still not sure how, and it was completely destroyed. We’ve had some luck in identifying the Gadori, but it’s been strictly one by one. We can’t eradicate the enemy that way. We need something, anything that will somehow allow us to isolate and identify them in large groups.”
“And you have a plan?” Maria asked.
“No, I don’t,” said Zan. “But Shandar does. Shandar, can you tell everyone what you’ve been working on?”
Shandar’s skin flushed a delicate shade of red, and she swallowed convulsively. The look she shot Zan would have felled a lesser man, but Zan simply smiled back encouragingly. Shandar took a deep breath and began to address the royals.
“When I was being held by the Gadori, I learned that they have an aversion to extreme temperature fluctuations,” she began. “It seems that their bodies while able to change shape, are ill equipped to deal with rapid changes in temperature.”
She swallowed nervously, and her eyes searched everyone, hoping to see that anyone was interested in what she had to say.
“Go on, Shandar,” said Drinian, encouragingly.
Shandar smiled at Drinian, shocked by his unexpected encouragement, took a deep breath and continued.
“One of the things they feared most, was the Granolith,” she continued. “When it was down on Earth, they were relaxed, and did not feel the need to actively attack Antar. Their plan was to just infiltrate our cities until there was no place left for the Antarians. That changed when the Granolith was returned to Antar.”
“But why,” asked Kyle. “We know it’s pretty powerful, but it can’t control the weather. Can it?”
“It can,” said Shandar. “Or so the Gadori think.”
“None of know the full power of the Granolith,” said Drinian. “Do not forget, the Granolith isn’t a thing. It is a living, breathing entity, and we are privileged to live in symbiosis with it.”
“So that means…” Michael’s voice trailed off, asking the question they all wanted to ask.
“That means it can be done,” said Cal.
It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.
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Ti88
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Island Breeze
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Yes! Yes! It can be done! Sounds like a plan to me! :D
I love the wisecracking Kyle:
And this had me ROTF, too:
Great part, Tracie! 
Sounds like a plan to me! :D I love the wisecracking Kyle:
“Shut up, Kyle,” Max said. “Or I’ll demote you to Keeper of the Royal Garbage Dump, or something.”
“I’m afraid that would be impossible, my son,” said Drinian, joining the conversation. “For your esteemed wife gave me that very title when I first brought you back to Antar.”
“Oh my God,” gasped Kyle in mock horror. “They share one brain. That would explain so much. When Liz is busy being Liz, all smart and intelligent, Max gets to be like his is all the time – a total d’uh!”
“It’s good that he has a marketable skill if the king thing doesn’t work out,” Kyle whispered to Ava. “We can market him as a cab calling system.
And this had me ROTF, too:
The uh, connection between Kyle and I has deepened somewhat,” she said. “At times, I’m well, not able to read his mind, but I’m completely aware of where he is and what he’s doing. But,” she rushed to say, “He has to want me to know. Does that make any sense?”
“Yeah, it does, and I’m so not thrilled,” said Max. “Especially if the connection works both ways. You better learn to shut it off at certain times.”
Great part, Tracie!
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Gerry
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Hopeless Candy-Coated, Stargazing, Dreamer!
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Gerry
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Hopeless Candy-Coated, Stargazing, Dreamer!
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majiklmoon
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The Enemy Unknown The Enemy Unseen
Chapter Fifty-Four –Homeward Bound
“Who’s going to go back?” Max asked.
“Who knows best how to activate and operate the Granolith?” asked Michael. “Zan obviously, but he can’t leave. Who else can control it? Well besides the obvious,” he added, looking at Drinian.
“Well, that’s the problem,” Drinian admitted. “It’s how you would say ‘A king thing.’ Meaning, only Zan, Max or myself can activate it.”
“I don’t know how to, and I’m afraid to do the Cliff Notes version,” said Max. “And Michael’s right, Zan can’t go. That leaves you, Father.”
“You know what, that makes sense,” Maria added. “All the parents can go back. That way, they can send the Granolith back, and let our parents know what’s going on, and that we’re okay.”
“I’m afraid I’m not following your logic, Maria,” Kitana said. “Why would that require all of us?”
“Simple,” said Maria, smiling smugly. “I know I wouldn’t go without Michael, and I’m fairly positive Drinian won’t go without you.”
“You are correct, Little General, but what about Cladar and Dijanya?” asked Drinian with a smile.
“Well, no offense to any of you, but Cal’s the one who’s spent the most amount of time on Earth. Drinian, I know you moved among the people a little bit, but not enough to get around. And now that Dijanya has Cal back, I can bet she’s not going anywhere without him.”
“Michael, your wife is wise beyond her years,” said Dijanya.
“”The only problem is I’m not going back there,” said Cal.
“You will if I order it,” Zan bristled. He was learning first hand why Max and the others had such a difficult time dealing with the arrogant Antarian.
“You will, because I’m going to ask you to take our son with you,” Shandar interjected. “Cal, I entrust my son’s safety to you. Take him back to his father’s home. I know that if we fail, you will raise him to be a good man. All of you will,” she added, her gaze encompassing the four adults.
Cal opened his mouth to speak but was unable to find the words. He had failed to protect the father, and he was being given the chance to redeem himself by protecting the son.
“So be it,” said Cal. “I’ll do it, but only if Dijanya agrees. I’ll not leave Antar again, unless she is by my side.”
“Of course Cladar. I will follow you anywhere,” she said, repeating the vow she made on their joining day.
The couple smiled at each other, and for a moment, the others ceased to exist. It was Michael who finally broke the reverie.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked Cal. “Over there.”
The two men walked away from the others, neither saying anything, and both wondering what the other was thinking.
“That was pretty decent of you,” Michael said, finally. “Agreeing to protect Valrik.”
“Aww, gee,” Cal said sarcastically. “I’m so glad you care.”
“Yeah, well don’t make me regret it,” said Michael. “Listen, Kyle’s dad comes out and checks the chamber on a daily basis when we’re up here, in case we need anything. After you send the Granolith back, just hang tight. He’ll be out at some point and can take all of you back to Roswell. You guys can stay with him, or Maria’s mom, or Max and Isabel’s family. If, if we don’t make it back,” Michael swallowed, clearly unhappy with that particular thought. “If we don’t make it back, Jim Valenti has power of attorney for me and Maria. We’ve got over a million dollars in various banks. Use the money to take care of you, Mother and Valrik.”
Cal laughed, not unkindly, for the unexpected gesture from Michael touched him more than he thought possible.
“Michael, don’t forget, down there, I’m a Hollywood producer. I have millions of dollars,” Cal said.
“Yeah, well, I was just trying to help,” said Michael. He should have known better than to make any overtures to Cal. Even though he expected to be shot down, Cal’s rebuff still stung.
“Besides,” Cal added, clapping Michael on the shoulder. “I fully expect you and Maria to make use of that money when you come back. I know I screwed up back on Earth, and I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me or like me, but I do care Michael. I really do.”
“Yeah, well,” said Michael, floored by the unexpected display of emotion. “You just take care of mother and the baby, okay?”
Cal nodded, knowing it was too much to expect good wishes from Michael for himself. He turned and started to walk back to where the rest of the group was making plans
“And hey, Cal, take care of you, too, will ya? I’ve gotten kind of used to having you around.”
“You got it kid,” Cal said with a small smile.
** * ** * ** *
It seemed as if hundreds of plans were conceived and discarded in a short space of time. They had the element of surprise on their hands, knowing that the appearance of the Granolith would send the Gadori into a tailspin. There was just one small sticking point.
“We have to take the castle,” Michael said, flatly. “There are no two ways around it. While the Granolith can operate anywhere on Antar, historically, it’s power has always been strongest when at the palace.”
“Michael, how did you know that?” Drinian asked, while the others simply stared with open mouths.
“Well, I’ve kind of been accessing the collective consciousness,” he admitted.
“You have?” Maria asked incredulous.
None of them enjoyed the process, but Michael especially had avoided it. He hated any reminder of how his former self had let his best friends and his sister die at the hands of Kivar and his minions.
“Don’t look so surprised,” he said, brusquely. “I did what I had to do.”
“I know, Space Boy,” Maria said in an attempt to sooth him. “I just know you hate it. We allhate it,” she added.
“In any event, Michael is right,” Drinian said in an attempt to deflect questioning away from Michael. “The Granolith will operate at optimum performance if it resumes its rightful place atop the palace.”
“But how do we take the palace?” said Zan with a sigh.
“Why don’t we just walk right in?” asked Isabel.
“Yeah, Isabel, honey, I think that’s a bit ballsy, even for us,” Alex said.
“But it might not be,” said Kyle, getting excited as Isabel’s plan became clear in his mind. “Who’s to say we’re not Gadori impersonating us?”
“Right,” Liz added excitedly. “And if we meet up with any Gadori pretending to be us, Kyle and I will know it.”
“I think I can tell the difference too,” said Michael. “Max, what about you?”
“I don’t know,” he said, uncertainly. “I wouldn’t want to bank on my ability to tell the difference. “Not yet, anyhow.”
“Well I guess the balls have it,” quipped Kyle. “We actually have a working, feasible plan. Hell, that’s more than we usually have.”
“Right,” said Isabel. “Now let’s iron out the kinks and end this thing. I’m ready to go home.”
Chapter Fifty-Four –Homeward Bound
“Who’s going to go back?” Max asked.
“Who knows best how to activate and operate the Granolith?” asked Michael. “Zan obviously, but he can’t leave. Who else can control it? Well besides the obvious,” he added, looking at Drinian.
“Well, that’s the problem,” Drinian admitted. “It’s how you would say ‘A king thing.’ Meaning, only Zan, Max or myself can activate it.”
“I don’t know how to, and I’m afraid to do the Cliff Notes version,” said Max. “And Michael’s right, Zan can’t go. That leaves you, Father.”
“You know what, that makes sense,” Maria added. “All the parents can go back. That way, they can send the Granolith back, and let our parents know what’s going on, and that we’re okay.”
“I’m afraid I’m not following your logic, Maria,” Kitana said. “Why would that require all of us?”
“Simple,” said Maria, smiling smugly. “I know I wouldn’t go without Michael, and I’m fairly positive Drinian won’t go without you.”
“You are correct, Little General, but what about Cladar and Dijanya?” asked Drinian with a smile.
“Well, no offense to any of you, but Cal’s the one who’s spent the most amount of time on Earth. Drinian, I know you moved among the people a little bit, but not enough to get around. And now that Dijanya has Cal back, I can bet she’s not going anywhere without him.”
“Michael, your wife is wise beyond her years,” said Dijanya.
“”The only problem is I’m not going back there,” said Cal.
“You will if I order it,” Zan bristled. He was learning first hand why Max and the others had such a difficult time dealing with the arrogant Antarian.
“You will, because I’m going to ask you to take our son with you,” Shandar interjected. “Cal, I entrust my son’s safety to you. Take him back to his father’s home. I know that if we fail, you will raise him to be a good man. All of you will,” she added, her gaze encompassing the four adults.
Cal opened his mouth to speak but was unable to find the words. He had failed to protect the father, and he was being given the chance to redeem himself by protecting the son.
“So be it,” said Cal. “I’ll do it, but only if Dijanya agrees. I’ll not leave Antar again, unless she is by my side.”
“Of course Cladar. I will follow you anywhere,” she said, repeating the vow she made on their joining day.
The couple smiled at each other, and for a moment, the others ceased to exist. It was Michael who finally broke the reverie.
“Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?” he asked Cal. “Over there.”
The two men walked away from the others, neither saying anything, and both wondering what the other was thinking.
“That was pretty decent of you,” Michael said, finally. “Agreeing to protect Valrik.”
“Aww, gee,” Cal said sarcastically. “I’m so glad you care.”
“Yeah, well don’t make me regret it,” said Michael. “Listen, Kyle’s dad comes out and checks the chamber on a daily basis when we’re up here, in case we need anything. After you send the Granolith back, just hang tight. He’ll be out at some point and can take all of you back to Roswell. You guys can stay with him, or Maria’s mom, or Max and Isabel’s family. If, if we don’t make it back,” Michael swallowed, clearly unhappy with that particular thought. “If we don’t make it back, Jim Valenti has power of attorney for me and Maria. We’ve got over a million dollars in various banks. Use the money to take care of you, Mother and Valrik.”
Cal laughed, not unkindly, for the unexpected gesture from Michael touched him more than he thought possible.
“Michael, don’t forget, down there, I’m a Hollywood producer. I have millions of dollars,” Cal said.
“Yeah, well, I was just trying to help,” said Michael. He should have known better than to make any overtures to Cal. Even though he expected to be shot down, Cal’s rebuff still stung.
“Besides,” Cal added, clapping Michael on the shoulder. “I fully expect you and Maria to make use of that money when you come back. I know I screwed up back on Earth, and I know I haven’t given you any reason to trust me or like me, but I do care Michael. I really do.”
“Yeah, well,” said Michael, floored by the unexpected display of emotion. “You just take care of mother and the baby, okay?”
Cal nodded, knowing it was too much to expect good wishes from Michael for himself. He turned and started to walk back to where the rest of the group was making plans
“And hey, Cal, take care of you, too, will ya? I’ve gotten kind of used to having you around.”
“You got it kid,” Cal said with a small smile.
** * ** * ** *
It seemed as if hundreds of plans were conceived and discarded in a short space of time. They had the element of surprise on their hands, knowing that the appearance of the Granolith would send the Gadori into a tailspin. There was just one small sticking point.
“We have to take the castle,” Michael said, flatly. “There are no two ways around it. While the Granolith can operate anywhere on Antar, historically, it’s power has always been strongest when at the palace.”
“Michael, how did you know that?” Drinian asked, while the others simply stared with open mouths.
“Well, I’ve kind of been accessing the collective consciousness,” he admitted.
“You have?” Maria asked incredulous.
None of them enjoyed the process, but Michael especially had avoided it. He hated any reminder of how his former self had let his best friends and his sister die at the hands of Kivar and his minions.
“Don’t look so surprised,” he said, brusquely. “I did what I had to do.”
“I know, Space Boy,” Maria said in an attempt to sooth him. “I just know you hate it. We allhate it,” she added.
“In any event, Michael is right,” Drinian said in an attempt to deflect questioning away from Michael. “The Granolith will operate at optimum performance if it resumes its rightful place atop the palace.”
“But how do we take the palace?” said Zan with a sigh.
“Why don’t we just walk right in?” asked Isabel.
“Yeah, Isabel, honey, I think that’s a bit ballsy, even for us,” Alex said.
“But it might not be,” said Kyle, getting excited as Isabel’s plan became clear in his mind. “Who’s to say we’re not Gadori impersonating us?”
“Right,” Liz added excitedly. “And if we meet up with any Gadori pretending to be us, Kyle and I will know it.”
“I think I can tell the difference too,” said Michael. “Max, what about you?”
“I don’t know,” he said, uncertainly. “I wouldn’t want to bank on my ability to tell the difference. “Not yet, anyhow.”
“Well I guess the balls have it,” quipped Kyle. “We actually have a working, feasible plan. Hell, that’s more than we usually have.”
“Right,” said Isabel. “Now let’s iron out the kinks and end this thing. I’m ready to go home.”
It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.
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Ti88
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oh traice that scene btw cal and michael brought tears to my eyes...reminds me of the one btw jim and kyle. boy oh boy these guys have a lot of money. i hope they get to spend it sometime. traice, please tracie. no deaths unless its the bad people
Roselle
Egyptian Dwelling Silly Sister Techie Connection
If we don't change we don't grow. If we don't grow we aren't really living. - Gail Sheey
My spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling but it wobbles and the letters get in the worng places - Pooh
Egyptian Dwelling Silly Sister Techie Connection
If we don't change we don't grow. If we don't grow we aren't really living. - Gail Sheey
My spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling but it wobbles and the letters get in the worng places - Pooh
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majiklmoon
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Angelzbabe
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Island Breeze
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Excellent thinking! I like it!“But how do we take the palace?” said Zan with a sigh.
“Why don’t we just walk right in?” asked Isabel.
“Yeah, Isabel, honey, I think that’s a bit ballsy, even for us,” Alex said.
“But it might not be,” said Kyle, getting excited as Isabel’s plan became clear in his mind. “Who’s to say we’re not Gadori impersonating us?”
“Well I guess the balls have it,” quipped Kyle. “We actually have a working, feasible plan. Hell, that’s more than we usually have.”
Great part, Tracie!
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Gerry
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Hopeless Candy-Coated, Stargazing, Dreamer!
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Aligewe
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That was a really nice chapter!!!
I really liked the last part where Isabel sais that the have to iron out the kinks... LOL i thought that was hilarious
but I didn't understand why Kyle said that they have a plan for the first time because in 'Love changes Everything' and in 'Tomorrow's Yet to Come' they always have had a plan...
Oh well... I'll probably have to wait and see how this plan turns out
Can't wait for more!!!
I really liked the last part where Isabel sais that the have to iron out the kinks... LOL i thought that was hilarious
but I didn't understand why Kyle said that they have a plan for the first time because in 'Love changes Everything' and in 'Tomorrow's Yet to Come' they always have had a plan...
Oh well... I'll probably have to wait and see how this plan turns out
Can't wait for more!!!
Aligewe
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majiklmoon
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it was just Kyle being KyleAligewe wrote: but I didn't understand why Kyle said that they have a plan for the first time because in 'Love changes Everything' and in 'Tomorrow's Yet to Come' they always have had a plan...
Oh well... I'll probably have to wait and see how this plan turns out
Can't wait for more!!!
It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.
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Island Breeze
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majiklmoon
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The Enemy Unknown The Enemy Unseen
Chapter Fifty-Five – Granolith Returning
The small party arrived in the pod chamber accompanied by the wails of a crying Valrik. Kitana reached out and took the baby from Cal and propped him up on her shoulder. She bounced him gently, trying to soothe the crying child.
“Do you think the journey disturbed him?” she asked worriedly.
“No worries, wife,” Drinian said. “I’m sure the babe is fine. He’s probably hungry. If you look over there in those bags, I’m sure you’ll find something to feed him, even if it is only one of Kyle’s HoHo’s.”
While Drinian fiddled with the controls of the Granolith, Dijanya rummaged through the bags, looking for something for the baby. Cal, ever the warrior, stood guard over his sister-in-law and the baby, his back to the Granolith, facing the door, watching for approaching enemies. Dijanya smiled in relief when she found a bottle of water. She opened it and passed it to Kitana who dribbled a small stream of water into the baby’s mouth.
“You can stand down, my friend,” Drinian said with a chuckle. “Lest you kill the father of your son-in-law when he enters the chamber.”
“Thanks, my friend,” Cal said, dryly. “I do know what Sheriff Valenti looks like. Despite my son’s lack of belief, I did keep watch over them. I had the sheriff checked out, and found him to be a kind and just man. They did well in trusting him.”
“I need all of you,” said Drinian. “Could you please come and stand on the four sides of the control panel. On my signal, place your right hand on the panel, and the Granolith will return to Antar.”
“Do you really think this is a wise idea?” Kitana asked. “Sending the Granolith back right now?”
“What I think doesn’t matter,” Drinian said. “A decision was made by our king, and our children, and it is a decision I will honor. I have faith in them,” he added softly. “I’ve seen them work together before when our world was in danger. They will make this work.”
“Drinian is right,” Cal added, unexpectedly. “They’re cheeky, and irreverent, and resort to humor at the most inappropriate times, but for some reason, this works for them. Don’t worry, they’ll be okay.”
“They always are,” came a voice from behind them.
“Sheriff Valenti, it is good to see you,” said Drinian, smiling.
“And it’s good to see you, but I take it since you’re here, and the kids aren’t, things aren’t going well?” Jim asked, a worried expression crossing his face.
“I believe your son would make a reference to some movie right now and say ‘About the same as usual,’” Drinian responded.
“That kid watches too much T.V.,” Jim said with a smile. “Kitana, Dijanya, how are you?”
“We are fine, Sheriff,” Kitana answered. “It is good to see you.”
“Hey, I know you,” Jim said, looking at Cal. He stuck out his hand in a friendly gesture. “You’re Cal Langley, the producer. We’ve met several times when your production company has done some filming around here. It’s nice to see you again.”
“Jim, you should also know that Cal is Michael and Ava’s father,” Drinian said.
In one fluid move, Jim pulled his hand from Cal’s, balled his fist and sent it crashing into Cal’s stomach. Cal’s breath left him in a whoosh, and he doubled over, clutching his stomach. Jim prepared to hit him again, but Drinian stepped away from the Granolith and in between his two friends.
“Jim, you need to stop!” Drinian commanded.
“Look, pal. I like you and all that, but you sure as hell aren’t any king of mine. That bastard deserves to suffer for abandoning those kids.”
“Jim, stop,” Drinian said again. “It is a long story. You will be told all. Suffice to say, Michael and Ava are at peace with their father. They, as well as the others, know why Cladar kept his distance. I’m asking you as a friend to respect my wishes, and leave Cladar alone.”
Jim forced himself to contain his anger, but it was difficult. Knowing how both Michael and Ava grew up rankled him. And knowing that their salvation had been around all along and did nothing caused him nothing but fury.
“Fine,” he ground out. “But I’m telling you now, I’m not at all responsible for what happens when Amy finds out.”
“Amy?” Cal questioned, his breath still coming in short, sharp gasps.
“Maria’s mother,” Jim provided.
Cal groaned. “Maybe I’d be better off just staying here. Everyone in this town seems to have a predisposition to hitting me.”
“Staying, you’re staying here?” Jim asked.
“Yes, for now,” said Drinian. “If you can provide us with a safe haven. It is the wish of Zan and the others, that we remain here, and protect Valrik.”
“Valrik?” Jim questioned. He looked around the chamber for another person. His gaze stopped on the small bundle in Kitana’s arms. “Please tell me that isn’t what I think that is.”
“It is,” said Drinian. “Allow me the honor of presenting Valrik.”
Drinian pushed back the blanket and revealed the baby’s slumbering face.
“I don’t understand,” said Jim. “How did this happen?”
“Not in the usual way, I can tell you that,” Drinian said with a small grin. “We will tell you all, Jim Valenti, but first, we have an important matter to attend to.”
Drinian motioned to the others, and they resumed their places around the Granolith. He nodded, said something in Antarian, and they all placed their hand on the control panel. The Granolith hummed to life, filling the small chamber with lights and color. There was a loud humming sound, and a beam of light shot out from the Granolith, enveloping Valrik. In a matter of seconds, the beam dissipated, and the Granolith disappeared, leaving silence in its wake.
“What the hell just happened?” Jim asked, breaking the silence.
“We sent the Granolith back to Antar,” said Drinian.
“Yeah, that much I figured out on my own. I meant with the baby. What just happened?”
“I promise, we’ll explain everything, but first, may we impose upon your good nature and stay with you? We can’t keep the baby out here,” said Drinian.
“No, no, of course not,” Jim said, distractedly. His mined whirled with everything he had just seen and learned, the least of which being, one of his kids was now a parent. “Let’s see, I have the Blazer with me, so I can put one in the front. The baby’s going to be a problem because we don’t have a car seat, but I guess if we’re careful, and you don’t mind being squeezed in the back, we can all make it to my place without any problems.”
Jim exited the pod chamber first, and drove his Blazer as close to the entrance as he could. Drinian climbed into the passenger seat, and Cal, Kitana and Dijanya squeezed into the back seat. Cal held Valrik in his arms and used his powers to contain the child in a force field.
It only took several minutes to get to the Valenti household, but the ride seemed interminable. Jim pulled into the driveway and helped his passengers out and rushed them into the house as quickly as possible. Once he had them settled inside the house, he rummaged around for cold drinks and food. As soon as their appetites were satiated, Jim began questioning them.
“Who are Valrik’s parents?” he demanded.
“Jim, before we begin, Max specifically asked that we inform all their parents of what was happening. Don’t you think it would make more sense to tell everybody at once?” Drinian asked.
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re stalling for time,” Jim asked.
“I’m not,” said Drinian. “We will tell you everything. But please, can you invite the others to your home so we can do this all at once.”
“And that way, everyone can get their punches in all at once, too,” Cal said with a wry grin.
Jim shot him a dirty look, but nodded to Drinian. He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
“Hi Amy, it’s me,” he said, still glaring at Cal. “Can you round up the Evans’, the Whitmans and the Parkers and have them all come out here please. It’s kind of urgent. Oh, and can you bring two sets of women’s clothing, a infant car seat, some diapers, baby bottles and some baby food.”
He listened for a few minutes, holding the phone away from his ear as the voice on the other end grew louder and louder. After several failed attempts, he managed to talk over Amy’s still ranting voice.
“Okay, great. We’ll see you in an hour.”
He hung up the phone and turned to the others.
“This is going to be very interesting.
Chapter Fifty-Five – Granolith Returning
The small party arrived in the pod chamber accompanied by the wails of a crying Valrik. Kitana reached out and took the baby from Cal and propped him up on her shoulder. She bounced him gently, trying to soothe the crying child.
“Do you think the journey disturbed him?” she asked worriedly.
“No worries, wife,” Drinian said. “I’m sure the babe is fine. He’s probably hungry. If you look over there in those bags, I’m sure you’ll find something to feed him, even if it is only one of Kyle’s HoHo’s.”
While Drinian fiddled with the controls of the Granolith, Dijanya rummaged through the bags, looking for something for the baby. Cal, ever the warrior, stood guard over his sister-in-law and the baby, his back to the Granolith, facing the door, watching for approaching enemies. Dijanya smiled in relief when she found a bottle of water. She opened it and passed it to Kitana who dribbled a small stream of water into the baby’s mouth.
“You can stand down, my friend,” Drinian said with a chuckle. “Lest you kill the father of your son-in-law when he enters the chamber.”
“Thanks, my friend,” Cal said, dryly. “I do know what Sheriff Valenti looks like. Despite my son’s lack of belief, I did keep watch over them. I had the sheriff checked out, and found him to be a kind and just man. They did well in trusting him.”
“I need all of you,” said Drinian. “Could you please come and stand on the four sides of the control panel. On my signal, place your right hand on the panel, and the Granolith will return to Antar.”
“Do you really think this is a wise idea?” Kitana asked. “Sending the Granolith back right now?”
“What I think doesn’t matter,” Drinian said. “A decision was made by our king, and our children, and it is a decision I will honor. I have faith in them,” he added softly. “I’ve seen them work together before when our world was in danger. They will make this work.”
“Drinian is right,” Cal added, unexpectedly. “They’re cheeky, and irreverent, and resort to humor at the most inappropriate times, but for some reason, this works for them. Don’t worry, they’ll be okay.”
“They always are,” came a voice from behind them.
“Sheriff Valenti, it is good to see you,” said Drinian, smiling.
“And it’s good to see you, but I take it since you’re here, and the kids aren’t, things aren’t going well?” Jim asked, a worried expression crossing his face.
“I believe your son would make a reference to some movie right now and say ‘About the same as usual,’” Drinian responded.
“That kid watches too much T.V.,” Jim said with a smile. “Kitana, Dijanya, how are you?”
“We are fine, Sheriff,” Kitana answered. “It is good to see you.”
“Hey, I know you,” Jim said, looking at Cal. He stuck out his hand in a friendly gesture. “You’re Cal Langley, the producer. We’ve met several times when your production company has done some filming around here. It’s nice to see you again.”
“Jim, you should also know that Cal is Michael and Ava’s father,” Drinian said.
In one fluid move, Jim pulled his hand from Cal’s, balled his fist and sent it crashing into Cal’s stomach. Cal’s breath left him in a whoosh, and he doubled over, clutching his stomach. Jim prepared to hit him again, but Drinian stepped away from the Granolith and in between his two friends.
“Jim, you need to stop!” Drinian commanded.
“Look, pal. I like you and all that, but you sure as hell aren’t any king of mine. That bastard deserves to suffer for abandoning those kids.”
“Jim, stop,” Drinian said again. “It is a long story. You will be told all. Suffice to say, Michael and Ava are at peace with their father. They, as well as the others, know why Cladar kept his distance. I’m asking you as a friend to respect my wishes, and leave Cladar alone.”
Jim forced himself to contain his anger, but it was difficult. Knowing how both Michael and Ava grew up rankled him. And knowing that their salvation had been around all along and did nothing caused him nothing but fury.
“Fine,” he ground out. “But I’m telling you now, I’m not at all responsible for what happens when Amy finds out.”
“Amy?” Cal questioned, his breath still coming in short, sharp gasps.
“Maria’s mother,” Jim provided.
Cal groaned. “Maybe I’d be better off just staying here. Everyone in this town seems to have a predisposition to hitting me.”
“Staying, you’re staying here?” Jim asked.
“Yes, for now,” said Drinian. “If you can provide us with a safe haven. It is the wish of Zan and the others, that we remain here, and protect Valrik.”
“Valrik?” Jim questioned. He looked around the chamber for another person. His gaze stopped on the small bundle in Kitana’s arms. “Please tell me that isn’t what I think that is.”
“It is,” said Drinian. “Allow me the honor of presenting Valrik.”
Drinian pushed back the blanket and revealed the baby’s slumbering face.
“I don’t understand,” said Jim. “How did this happen?”
“Not in the usual way, I can tell you that,” Drinian said with a small grin. “We will tell you all, Jim Valenti, but first, we have an important matter to attend to.”
Drinian motioned to the others, and they resumed their places around the Granolith. He nodded, said something in Antarian, and they all placed their hand on the control panel. The Granolith hummed to life, filling the small chamber with lights and color. There was a loud humming sound, and a beam of light shot out from the Granolith, enveloping Valrik. In a matter of seconds, the beam dissipated, and the Granolith disappeared, leaving silence in its wake.
“What the hell just happened?” Jim asked, breaking the silence.
“We sent the Granolith back to Antar,” said Drinian.
“Yeah, that much I figured out on my own. I meant with the baby. What just happened?”
“I promise, we’ll explain everything, but first, may we impose upon your good nature and stay with you? We can’t keep the baby out here,” said Drinian.
“No, no, of course not,” Jim said, distractedly. His mined whirled with everything he had just seen and learned, the least of which being, one of his kids was now a parent. “Let’s see, I have the Blazer with me, so I can put one in the front. The baby’s going to be a problem because we don’t have a car seat, but I guess if we’re careful, and you don’t mind being squeezed in the back, we can all make it to my place without any problems.”
Jim exited the pod chamber first, and drove his Blazer as close to the entrance as he could. Drinian climbed into the passenger seat, and Cal, Kitana and Dijanya squeezed into the back seat. Cal held Valrik in his arms and used his powers to contain the child in a force field.
It only took several minutes to get to the Valenti household, but the ride seemed interminable. Jim pulled into the driveway and helped his passengers out and rushed them into the house as quickly as possible. Once he had them settled inside the house, he rummaged around for cold drinks and food. As soon as their appetites were satiated, Jim began questioning them.
“Who are Valrik’s parents?” he demanded.
“Jim, before we begin, Max specifically asked that we inform all their parents of what was happening. Don’t you think it would make more sense to tell everybody at once?” Drinian asked.
“Why do I get the feeling that you’re stalling for time,” Jim asked.
“I’m not,” said Drinian. “We will tell you everything. But please, can you invite the others to your home so we can do this all at once.”
“And that way, everyone can get their punches in all at once, too,” Cal said with a wry grin.
Jim shot him a dirty look, but nodded to Drinian. He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
“Hi Amy, it’s me,” he said, still glaring at Cal. “Can you round up the Evans’, the Whitmans and the Parkers and have them all come out here please. It’s kind of urgent. Oh, and can you bring two sets of women’s clothing, a infant car seat, some diapers, baby bottles and some baby food.”
He listened for a few minutes, holding the phone away from his ear as the voice on the other end grew louder and louder. After several failed attempts, he managed to talk over Amy’s still ranting voice.
“Okay, great. We’ll see you in an hour.”
He hung up the phone and turned to the others.
“This is going to be very interesting.
It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.
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Angelzbabe
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Amy's on the way. For Cladar, that can only be a bad thing. If he thinks Maria and Jim were harsh on him, he aint seen nothing yet!
Can't wait to see how the parents react to learning everything that is going on up on Antar. Plus everyone finding out about Valrik is gonna be one shocking eye opener. I'm not even gonna gfuess how many of the parents are gonna go into worry overdrive wondering just whose kid it is beofre its explained!
Can't wait to see how the parents react to learning everything that is going on up on Antar. Plus everyone finding out about Valrik is gonna be one shocking eye opener. I'm not even gonna gfuess how many of the parents are gonna go into worry overdrive wondering just whose kid it is beofre its explained!
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Ti88
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i think amy is going to thinks its michael and maria's. um tracie can we please have amy go after cal with something...i vote for newspaper but i'm open to suggestions. this part was funny. i like it. i can't wait for amy to get there.
Roselle
Egyptian Dwelling Silly Sister Techie Connection
If we don't change we don't grow. If we don't grow we aren't really living. - Gail Sheey
My spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling but it wobbles and the letters get in the worng places - Pooh
Egyptian Dwelling Silly Sister Techie Connection
If we don't change we don't grow. If we don't grow we aren't really living. - Gail Sheey
My spelling is wobbly. It's good spelling but it wobbles and the letters get in the worng places - Pooh
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Island Breeze
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Ah, yes! What Amy can do with a newspaper is the stuff legends are made of!
Well, usually anyway. 
I look forward to them trying to explain everything to the other parents and Amy. He was probably right about taking all his lumps at once!
Great part, Tracie!
“Fine,” he ground out. “But I’m telling you now, I’m not at all responsible for what happens when Amy finds out.”
“Amy?” Cal questioned, his breath still coming in short, sharp gasps.
“Maria’s mother,” Jim provided.
“Drinian is right,” Cal added, unexpectedly. “They’re cheeky, and irreverent, and resort to humor at the most inappropriate times, but for some reason, this works for them. Don’t worry, they’ll be okay.”
Jim! Jim! Jim! It's basic alien biology 101.Drinian pushed back the blanket and revealed the baby’s slumbering face.
“I don’t understand,” said Jim. “How did this happen?”
Well, usually anyway. I look forward to them trying to explain everything to the other parents and Amy. He was probably right about taking all his lumps at once!
Great part, Tracie!
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Gerry
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Hopeless Candy-Coated, Stargazing, Dreamer!
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Gerry
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Hopeless Candy-Coated, Stargazing, Dreamer!
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majiklmoon
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The Enemy Unknown The Enemy Unseen
Chapter Fifty-Six – Welcome to Earth – Maybe
It didn’t take long for the other adults to arrive at the Valenti home, but to those waiting, it seemed like forever. Three cars came careening up the short driveway, barely missing each other and Jim’s Blazer. Each one of the adults carried something in their arms, from bags of groceries - and diapers, Jim hoped, to baby furniture. He opened the door and rushed them into the house, quickly closing the door behind him.
“Jim, what is it?” Amy asked. “Why all the secrecy?”
“And why the baby clothes?” Diane asked, dropping several packages of disposable diapers in the cluttered hallway.
“Yeah, well, about that,” Jim said, as a small steady wail came from the living room.
“Jim, what’s going on here?” Amy said.
“Look, Amy, Diane, everyone, there isn’t any easy way to tell any of you this. Maybe you’d better just come in and see for yourselves,” Jim said helplessly. The look on his face clearly indicated that he’d rather be any place but here, but here is where he was, and he had no choice but to play the hand the fates hat dealt him. He stepped aside to allow the others to enter the small living room.
“Jim, isn’t that?” Amy began then stopped, not wanting to offend anybody.
“Greetings,” Drinian said. “And yes, I am Drinian, and this is my beloved wife Kitana.” He smiled at everyone, but held out his hand unerringly to Philip Evans. “And you are the people to whom we owe such an incredible debt of gratitude. Thank you so much. Max, and Isabel are fine people, and I know that is because of you.”
“Oh,” Diane said softly, her hand rising up to cover her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked upon the two people who had given life to her precious children, not once, but twice. “Oh.”
“Please,” said Kitana, reaching out to touch Diane on the arm. “You mustn’t look so afraid. “We are not here to replace you in their lives. You, are their parents. You are the ones who took in our poor lost children and protected them and loved them. We owe you a debt of thanks that can never be repaid.”
“Okay, I’m sorry to interrupt this Hallmark moment,” said Amy. “But I’m confused. We know who you are,” she pointed to Drinian and Kitana. “And you are obviously, Dijanya, Michael and Ava’s mother. But aren’t you Cal Langley, the big producer?”
“Is that Maria’s mother?” Cal asked.
Jim nodded and Cal took several steps back and handed the baby to Dijanya before answering.
“Yes, on Earth, I’m known as Cal Langley, but I’m also Michael and Ava’s father,” he said, steeling himself for the physical onslaught he was certain was coming. Instead of fists, he was on the receiving end of a glance that would have decimated him, if the old adage about looks killing was true. Amy’s glare made him feel as about appealing as something scraped from the bottom of a shoe. He shrugged slightly and stepped back to claim the baby from Dijanya.
“Not that it’s not nice to finally meet you,” Nancy Parker said. “But why are you here, and where are our children?”
“And whose baby is that?” added Charles Whitman, Alex’s father. “Please tell me that none of us are grandparents all of a sudden.”
“Well, that’s a matter of perspective,” said Drinian. “Perhaps we should all sit down and talk about this.
“No, perhaps you should tell all of us whose baby that is before we all suffer from a collective nervous breakdown,” said Philip Evans.
“This is Valrik, and he is Zan’s child,” said Drinian. “I know that he was never officially a part of your family,” he added, looking over to Philip and Diane Evans. “But I also know from everything Max and Isabel have said that it wasn’t for lack of trying on your part. So if you want to look at it from that perspective…”
“Forget perspective,” said Diane. “Let me see that cute little baby.”
She reached over to take the child from Cal, but he was unwilling to release the child. Reluctantly, and only after Drinian glared at him, did he surrender the child to Diane.
“Zan charged me to watch over the child,” he said.
“Oh, that’s rich,” said Amy, who had been strangely silent until now. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you were one of the protectors that were supposed to keep those poor kids safe. Well you sure made a mess of that, didn’t you? Max and Isabel were lucky. Philip and Diane found them and took them in and loved them. But what about poor Michael; he was stuck in the foster system. Did you know that? And what about Ava? She lived in a sewer. Did you care about them at all, or were you too concerned with living your fancy Hollywood style life?”
“ENOUGH!” Cal roared, startling the child in his arms. “I have had it up to here with everybody criticizing me for what I did while I was stuck on this rat infested hell hole. None of you, and I mean none of you have the slightest idea of what I went through. I was captured. I was tortured. I risked my life to escape to protect those pods. I watched over them for years, never knowing what was happening back on my own world. As far as I knew, everybody I loved was dead. Those kids were all I had. How do you think I felt when it looked like they had turned their back on me after they emerged? For years I tried to contact them to no avail. They ignored every message I sent. How was I to know they couldn’t read Antarian? They were supposed to be able to read, write and speak Antarian when they emerged. I kept leaving them messages, but they couldn’t read them. That was my fault?”
Cal paused to both capture his breath and soothe the crying Valrik. Amy started to say something, but Cal held up his hand to forestall her and continued his diatribe.
“I did my best watch over them,” he said. “And yes, it sucked royally that Michael was picked up by Social Services, but if I had stepped in and taken him away, he would have been separated from Max and Isabel. Or, I could have come in and taken them too. Would you have liked that?” he asked, looking over at the Evans’ “At least this way they were in the same town, and they had each other. I did step in and eliminate that bastard when Michael was old enough to look out for himself. I tried to let him know that I was here if he needed or wanted help from me, but again, I was too late. Yes, it was all my fault. Is that what you wanted to hear. Well, fine. Blame it all on me. I really don’t give a fuck anymore.”
Cal felt his temper rising to the boiling point. He paused in his rant long enough to hand Valrik to Dijanya before he continued.
“I have been hit by Michael, Max, Kyle, and even Maria. But I will be damned if I’m going to stand here and let any more of you heap abuse on me when you don’t have the slightest idea what really happened. Is that perfectly clear?”
A thick silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of Cal’s breath as he struggled to calm himself down. He was angry, far angrier than he had been in a long time, and he knew when he was that angry, he often lost control of his powers. The others looked at one another, uncertain of what to say until Amy Deluca bravely broke the silence.
“Yeah, I see that temper is definitely a family thing.”
Chapter Fifty-Six – Welcome to Earth – Maybe
It didn’t take long for the other adults to arrive at the Valenti home, but to those waiting, it seemed like forever. Three cars came careening up the short driveway, barely missing each other and Jim’s Blazer. Each one of the adults carried something in their arms, from bags of groceries - and diapers, Jim hoped, to baby furniture. He opened the door and rushed them into the house, quickly closing the door behind him.
“Jim, what is it?” Amy asked. “Why all the secrecy?”
“And why the baby clothes?” Diane asked, dropping several packages of disposable diapers in the cluttered hallway.
“Yeah, well, about that,” Jim said, as a small steady wail came from the living room.
“Jim, what’s going on here?” Amy said.
“Look, Amy, Diane, everyone, there isn’t any easy way to tell any of you this. Maybe you’d better just come in and see for yourselves,” Jim said helplessly. The look on his face clearly indicated that he’d rather be any place but here, but here is where he was, and he had no choice but to play the hand the fates hat dealt him. He stepped aside to allow the others to enter the small living room.
“Jim, isn’t that?” Amy began then stopped, not wanting to offend anybody.
“Greetings,” Drinian said. “And yes, I am Drinian, and this is my beloved wife Kitana.” He smiled at everyone, but held out his hand unerringly to Philip Evans. “And you are the people to whom we owe such an incredible debt of gratitude. Thank you so much. Max, and Isabel are fine people, and I know that is because of you.”
“Oh,” Diane said softly, her hand rising up to cover her mouth. Her eyes filled with tears as she looked upon the two people who had given life to her precious children, not once, but twice. “Oh.”
“Please,” said Kitana, reaching out to touch Diane on the arm. “You mustn’t look so afraid. “We are not here to replace you in their lives. You, are their parents. You are the ones who took in our poor lost children and protected them and loved them. We owe you a debt of thanks that can never be repaid.”
“Okay, I’m sorry to interrupt this Hallmark moment,” said Amy. “But I’m confused. We know who you are,” she pointed to Drinian and Kitana. “And you are obviously, Dijanya, Michael and Ava’s mother. But aren’t you Cal Langley, the big producer?”
“Is that Maria’s mother?” Cal asked.
Jim nodded and Cal took several steps back and handed the baby to Dijanya before answering.
“Yes, on Earth, I’m known as Cal Langley, but I’m also Michael and Ava’s father,” he said, steeling himself for the physical onslaught he was certain was coming. Instead of fists, he was on the receiving end of a glance that would have decimated him, if the old adage about looks killing was true. Amy’s glare made him feel as about appealing as something scraped from the bottom of a shoe. He shrugged slightly and stepped back to claim the baby from Dijanya.
“Not that it’s not nice to finally meet you,” Nancy Parker said. “But why are you here, and where are our children?”
“And whose baby is that?” added Charles Whitman, Alex’s father. “Please tell me that none of us are grandparents all of a sudden.”
“Well, that’s a matter of perspective,” said Drinian. “Perhaps we should all sit down and talk about this.
“No, perhaps you should tell all of us whose baby that is before we all suffer from a collective nervous breakdown,” said Philip Evans.
“This is Valrik, and he is Zan’s child,” said Drinian. “I know that he was never officially a part of your family,” he added, looking over to Philip and Diane Evans. “But I also know from everything Max and Isabel have said that it wasn’t for lack of trying on your part. So if you want to look at it from that perspective…”
“Forget perspective,” said Diane. “Let me see that cute little baby.”
She reached over to take the child from Cal, but he was unwilling to release the child. Reluctantly, and only after Drinian glared at him, did he surrender the child to Diane.
“Zan charged me to watch over the child,” he said.
“Oh, that’s rich,” said Amy, who had been strangely silent until now. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you were one of the protectors that were supposed to keep those poor kids safe. Well you sure made a mess of that, didn’t you? Max and Isabel were lucky. Philip and Diane found them and took them in and loved them. But what about poor Michael; he was stuck in the foster system. Did you know that? And what about Ava? She lived in a sewer. Did you care about them at all, or were you too concerned with living your fancy Hollywood style life?”
“ENOUGH!” Cal roared, startling the child in his arms. “I have had it up to here with everybody criticizing me for what I did while I was stuck on this rat infested hell hole. None of you, and I mean none of you have the slightest idea of what I went through. I was captured. I was tortured. I risked my life to escape to protect those pods. I watched over them for years, never knowing what was happening back on my own world. As far as I knew, everybody I loved was dead. Those kids were all I had. How do you think I felt when it looked like they had turned their back on me after they emerged? For years I tried to contact them to no avail. They ignored every message I sent. How was I to know they couldn’t read Antarian? They were supposed to be able to read, write and speak Antarian when they emerged. I kept leaving them messages, but they couldn’t read them. That was my fault?”
Cal paused to both capture his breath and soothe the crying Valrik. Amy started to say something, but Cal held up his hand to forestall her and continued his diatribe.
“I did my best watch over them,” he said. “And yes, it sucked royally that Michael was picked up by Social Services, but if I had stepped in and taken him away, he would have been separated from Max and Isabel. Or, I could have come in and taken them too. Would you have liked that?” he asked, looking over at the Evans’ “At least this way they were in the same town, and they had each other. I did step in and eliminate that bastard when Michael was old enough to look out for himself. I tried to let him know that I was here if he needed or wanted help from me, but again, I was too late. Yes, it was all my fault. Is that what you wanted to hear. Well, fine. Blame it all on me. I really don’t give a fuck anymore.”
Cal felt his temper rising to the boiling point. He paused in his rant long enough to hand Valrik to Dijanya before he continued.
“I have been hit by Michael, Max, Kyle, and even Maria. But I will be damned if I’m going to stand here and let any more of you heap abuse on me when you don’t have the slightest idea what really happened. Is that perfectly clear?”
A thick silence filled the room, broken only by the sound of Cal’s breath as he struggled to calm himself down. He was angry, far angrier than he had been in a long time, and he knew when he was that angry, he often lost control of his powers. The others looked at one another, uncertain of what to say until Amy Deluca bravely broke the silence.
“Yeah, I see that temper is definitely a family thing.”
It all started with a boy, a girl, and a silver handprint.