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Author's Chapter Notes:
This is it! The last of the story. Finally finished reposting.
They stumbled into the hangar bay and looked around. Which ship would be best for their getaway? They would need weapons. Scanning the ships, Zanell chose the one closest to the group. It was one of her father's better ships, and in view of their injuries, the best choice. She worried at Brian's unresponsiveness and prayed that he was still alive. Turning to look, she was shocked to see that he had lost consciousness. She signaled to AJ to move faster toward the ship.

"How much longer are they going to be?" he wondered as the hatch door hissed open automatically at their approach.

"They can't be much longer," Zanell replied. "Brian doesn't have much time left."

AJ glanced around. "Let's get on board the ship and get her ready to launch. We'll have to hope Howie and Serafina get here real soon."

"I'll take him," Kevin said, stepping forward and indicating Brian.

Reluctantly, Zanell and AJ turned the unresponsive man over to his cousin and headed for the ship. Nick helped Kevin ease their friend to the floor.

"This isn't good," Nick whispered.

"There's still time," Kevin said thinly. "There's got to be."

The pair heard a sound behind them... the door to the hangar bay swished open, and they braced for an attack. Two guards came running in, and both Kevin and Nick moved in front of Brian's prone body.

"Thank goodness," said the first guard. "We were afraid we'd beat you here."

Nick frowned. "Huh?"
"Oh! Sorry," said the guard. In a flickering, the guards disappeared, Howie and Serafina in their place.

Kevin closed his eyes in relief. "The antidote?"

"Right here," Sera said, bending down and breaking the seal on a tiny vial. "This should work instantly, if we aren't too late."

She quickly applied the antidote, massaging Brian's arms to encourage circulation. The gray faded, ever so slightly, from his face.

"Will he be all right?" Nick asked nervously.

"We'll know in a little while. But Zanell can help, once she has her amulet back and we're out of here."

"The amulets!" Kevin said, looking desperately at Howie.

"We got them too," came the answer. "Once-"

A shrill alarm blasted through the air. Time had run out. Seconds later, sounds could be heard coming from the corridor just beyond the bay doors.

"To the ship, now," Serafina urged. "Kevin, Nick, go... Howie, help me with Brian."

Brian was dead weight, which made it difficult to carry him to the ship. Howie and Sera managed to do so, however, and AJ hit the hatch closure the second they had cleared the opening.

"Everyone get in your places!" Zanell ordered from the pilot seat.

AJ found the weapons and got them ready for when they would be needed. Howie secured Brian in the med bench, strapping him down for the launch. Kevin took the seat next to Zanell, as copilot, while Sera assumed the weapons duty with AJ. Nick took his place at the navigation console and Zanell fired up the engines. Not a moment too soon; the hanger door slid open and a large squad of soldiers poured in, lasers already firing. Two hits made it before the shields kicked in.

"We're out of here!" Zanell called.

She grabbed the controls and headed for the outer doors. They started to open as she got close, but froze halfway. Zanell spat out a Zophacian curse and flipped the ship sideways just as the doors began to close again.

"It's gonna be close."

Nick gripped his console tightly; the motion of rolling wasn't helping his pain any. A quick glance at Kevin revealed he wasn't the only one feeling uncomfortable. No one said a word, however; now was not the time to complain. Zanell zipped the ship through the doors just in time. With a whoosh, the small vessel shot into space and banked sharply to the left. Pursuit, she knew, would be almost instant. Sure enough, her screen indicated a dozen fighter ships heading after them, fast.

"We've got shadows," Zanell said sharply.

"I see 'em," AJ replied easily. "Locking on weapons array."

"They're coming up fast, we might have to do some fancy maneuvering to be effective," Sera said.

"Not a problem."

Kevin's fingers flew over his controls, making sure Zanell had proper shield power and engine thrust for the lightning-fast moves they needed.

"Howie, make sure Brian doesn't fall, okay?" Zanell called back. "I have to get these guys off our tail real quick."

The pilot used every tool at her disposal, calling out a warning to the others to hold on. In a dazzling display of turns and swoops, she maneuvered the ship so that it was behind several of the pursuing craft. AJ and Sera fired their weapons banks, showing the enemy no mercy. Four ships blinked out of existence. Almost instantly, the fire was returned from the remaining ships. Even quick action and a fancy evasive move didn't prevent receiving hits to the fleeing ship. Howie nearly lost his footing as the craft rocked and pitched violently.

Nick cried out as his ribs connected with the edge of his console; he barely managed to keep his hold on consciousness through the pain. By the time Zanell and Kevin had brought their ship out of the direct line of fire, he was breathing heavily. A shrill alarm sounded through the cabin; Kevin bolted out of his seat, rushing to the back. They couldn't afford to lose an engine because of fire, that was for sure. Luckily, the blaze was extinguished in less than a minute. Examination and testing revealed they were lucky: the damage was minimal, easily fixed. Kevin went to work at once.

The ship took several more hits before the repairs were made; once Zanell saw her control lights go to green, she wasted no time in getting them to a better strategic position. Sera and AJ picked off the enemy one by one, a slow but welcome process. By the time Kevin returned to his seat, the ship was ready to go. With Zanell's expert maneuvering, and the work of the two on Weapons duty, the immediate threat was taken care of in a matter of minutes. Nick managed to plot a rough course that would take them out of danger; once assured that they weren't being tracked, Zanell hit the autopilot.

Serafina rose, retrieving the small ornate box she and Howie had recovered. From within, she handed one amulet in particular to her sister. Zanell donned her amulet and stepped up to the med bench where Brian was strapped.

His color had improved, but he was still having trouble breathing. The princess put one hand on his chest and the other on his head. "Let's see how he's doing," she murmured, closing her eyes. A minute later she opened them again. "The antidote is working, but I'll see what I can to do speed up the process." When she finally withdrew from Brian, she smiled. "He'll wake up when his body is ready, but he's well out of danger now. That was... close."

"Thank goodness," Kevin said, closing his eyes for a moment.

"Thanks, Zanell," Nick said, gratitude shining in his blue eyes.

She turned to him. "Let me see what I can do for you now, Nick. You look like you've seen better days."

"Loads of them," he replied as Zanell knelt beside him.

Howie moved back, catching Serafina's eyes. "Thanks for all you did back there," he said. "We owe you... everything."

"It was the least I could do, since my father caused it all in the first place." There was a sharp bitterness in her words.

"But you aren't your father," Howie said, stepping close. "Not by a long shot."

“I used to think I was fated to follow his footsteps," she said, looking down.

"Obviously that's not true."

She looked up into warm, caring eyes. An unfamiliar thrill swept over her, but she pushed it aside. "I... I wasn't sure."

"You risked your very life to help Brian... all of us. You are much more than just your father's daughter."

A sudden tear appeared in the corner of her eye. "I hadn't dared to hope... that maybe I was more like... like her."

Howie put a finger under her chin and made her look back at him. "Her... you mean your mother."

"Yes," she whispered.

"The woman in the portrait... that was her, wasn't it?"

Serafina nodded.

"She was beautiful," Howie said truthfully. "I can see a lot of her in you."

Sera blushed, something she'd rarely done in her lifetime. Just then, Zanell spoke.

"What portrait?" she asked.

Serafina sighed. "When we were looking for the amulets, Howie found mother's portrait in father's bedchamber."

Zanell stood in surprise. "What was her portrait doing there?"

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

Sera took a deep breath, stepped up to her sister and took her hands. "Zanell, mother died shortly after you left with the amulets."

Shock swept across Zanell's face as her eyes went wide. This... she hadn't known about her mother's fate. Nearly overwhelmed by emotions, she turned away, trying to find balance. A hand on her arm... sure and steady, it became an anchor. She looked up into Nick's concerned eyes and, a few seconds later, fell into his welcoming embrace. He didn't speak, something she was eternally grateful for. Instead he simply held her, letting her know she was not alone.

The others moved away, giving Zanell time to absorb the news. They were rapidly approaching Earth, and there were many things to monitor.

~~

Serafina took a deep breath as she woke from sleep. The past few hours had been very rough and she'd needed the rest. She sat forward in her chair and rubbed her neck, then finally opened her eyes. Looking forward, she saw that Kevin was at the controls as they closed in to Earth. Zanell and Nick were still sound asleep, holding hands. Howie was with AJ, talking in low tones. Finally, she turned her eyes to Brian. She would never have forgiven herself if she had been too late with the antidote. So many people loved this man and his companions that it would have been absolutely cruel if he hadn't survived. Suddenly she realized that cloudy blue eyes were staring right back at her.

“Brian!”

He squinted, as though trying to see through a fog. "S...Sera?"

Sera smiled. "It's me, Brian. You're safe now. We got the antidote to you in time and now we're almost back to Earth."

"I feel... terrible," he whispered.

She smiled. "You look terrible. But at least you're alive."

“What happened? I remember Zator... the pain..."

"He gave you a fatal dose of poison," she said. "But Howie and I retrieved the antidote. We're almost to Earth now.”

Brian blinked, trying to recall more details. Suddenly his eyes widened and he gasped. "Nick! We... the fight, he-"

"Whoa, Bri... I'm right here," came another voice from nearby. "I'm okay. Especially now you're gonna be fine."

"But your face... I remember-"

Nick brushed a spot where a large bruise used to be. "Zanell healed me," he said.

"Healed... the amulets?"

Serafina spoke. "We got them all. They're out of Zator's hands."

A wave of relief washed over Brian. Then, he looked at Nick. "Your eyes... when we were fighting. Something was wrong."

Nick frowned. "I was brainwashed. I don't really remember any details. It's just kinda blank until I woke up after the fight. I vaguely remember some flashing lights... and a voice, but not much beyond that."

Brian looked away. "Lights," he murmured.

“Brian?”

But he didn’t hear. He was caught up in the past…

Flashing lights, a face full of dark delight….

A voice… instructions… can’t hear, muffled…

No one really wants you… All just an act…

Worthless…

More powerful with me… More powerful name, Kael…

It’s all a lie… A lie…

“Brian, what are you talking about? What lie?”

Brian blinked, gasped and turned back to his friends. Howie, AJ and Kevin had joined them; all faces full of concern for him.

The lights... I... He swallowed. "I-"

"Bri, what's wrong?" Kevin asked, alarmed at his cousin's pale face.

"I remember," Brian said distantly.

"You remember the lights and the voices?" Nick said, eyes growing large. "But-"

"If you do remember," Kevin said slowly, "then that means you must have been brainwashed too..."

"Not as strongly as Nick was," Brian murmured. "But... I think so."

He looked at Sera, hoping that she might deny it. But she just looked away. It was all the confirmation he needed.

Kevin caught the exchange between the two. "I knew it," he said quietly. "There had to be something that started your path to becoming Kael."

"Why, Sera?" Brian whispered. "Why did you keep that from me?"

“Would you have believed me if I did?"

"I might have!"

She shook her head. "No, part of the programming was to erase any memory of the methods used. You would not have believed me. So there was no point."

Howie spoke up. "I hate to say it, Bri, but she's right. You just weren't... yourself. There wouldn't have been a point."

He wanted to argue, but realized they were both right. With a sigh, he shook his head.

"Everyone in your seats!" Zanell called back. "We're entering the atmosphere."

Her instructions were obeyed instantly. Soon, Brian felt the rocking of the ship that signaled their entry into Earth's atmosphere. He gripped the bench as hard as he could and tried to push back the nausea that was steadily building. Only three minutes later - longer, according to his stomach - the ride began to smooth out again. He rolled and pushed himself up on his elbow, trying to get a glimpse of the front of the ship. Blue sky greeted him from the viewport. He smiled; they were home.

~~

A voice called to him, invading his sleep. “Brian.”

No, he groaned. Let me sleep.

The voice didn’t go away. "Brian, wake up."

Leave me alone.

The voice became more forceful. "Brian, wake up! We're here."

Here? Where was here? Reluctantly, he pulled himself from sleep and opened his eyes. Howie stood over him, waiting.

"Wake up, Bri," he continued. "We've landed. We're back in Riverview.”

He sat up carefully, wondering what kind of reception they would get. The town had to be in shambles, the people-

"It's okay, Brian." Howie held out a hand. "Do you think you can stand with some help?"

“Yeah, thanks," he said, rising.

He found he was fairly stable once he stood. Still, he hesitated.

"What's wrong?"

"The townspeople," Brian said. "How will they react to us, to all of this?"

"Come see for yourself," Howie answered, the smallest of smiles gracing his face.

Brian raised an eyebrow, but leaned on his friend nonetheless and let Howie lead him to the hatch. He looked out to find at least a hundred people, the sound of their murmuring coming to a halt as they spied him.

Then, a voice came from the crowd. "Brian! It's Brian."

He was stunned when, a few seconds later, a sound of excitement and joy met his ears. The people... were clapping. A cheer grew.

Howie laughed at the astonished look on his face. "Yeah, they're glad to see you. Glad to see all of us."

"Glad? But... the destruction..."

"They know we tried to protect them," Howie said. "They saw how we fought. It's different this time, Bri. Come on; let's join the others at the bottom."

Belatedly Brian saw his friends gathered below, smiles on their tired faces. As he came down the gangplank, the cheers grew until he was nearly deafened by the sound. It was the most profoundly satisfying moment he could remember.

"This is even better than a concert, huh?" Nick shouted into his ear.

"Absolutely," he cried back.

"Give them a wave, bro," Kevin said, grinning. They all turned and waved to the crowd, which elicited an even bigger response.

Through the excitement, the mayor made his way to the group.

"This is just a small showing of our appreciation, Boys," he said loudly. "We understand what you did for us. Thanks don't seem to be enough."

”They're plenty, sir," Brian said. "More than enough."

The others nodded in agreement. Brian stood, reveling in the positive energy around them. He felt forgiven, finally, in every way. Together, they had defeated evil and made a new start for the future. Although he knew the fight was far from over, for now, it was enough. Together, with his friends, he went forth into the welcoming crowd. He was home.