As always, thanks for the FB! Here's my little explanation on how Max could just move past the white room like it was no big deal, one of my biggest pet peaves of Roswell.
I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 32 B
Jeff Parker was suddenly in a room of white. He saw Max in a set of scrubs, anxiously looking around the room, trying to find a way out.
"Max, what is going on here? Where the hell am I?" Mr. Parker yelled. When Max didn't respond he went up to him to shake some sense into him, but his hands passed right through him.
Terror. This is all that Jeff could feel, and Jeff knew that he was feeling Max's feelings. Images began to go by in a blur, everything like it was on fast forward. Threats of telling his parents, trying to keep Isabel out so she wouldn't witness what was happening, Drugs were pumped through his system and then pumped out. Ice baths, cutting, talks about national security, family, friends.
Love.
This is where Jeff felt what real terror feels like. He saw a flash of his daughter seemingly dead, and didn't know if it was his own or Max's terror rushing through his veins. He saw Max cry out that he would do anything, tell them anything. He saw the Agent threaten him with starting with Liz, and he saw Max admit the one thing he shouldn't to people like this.
He saw the agent remove the virtual reality reality glasses from Max's head and suddenly Jeff Parker didn't see an alien that was trying to abduct her daughter. He saw a boy, a terrified boy who had realized every nightmare he probably ever had all at once. An innocent boy who had risked his own life to save his daughter's life, and had payed a high price for it, higher then anyone should ever have to pay.
Jeff slumped against the white wall, slowly sliding to a sitting position when Max walked in, present day Max. He came over and hesitantly sat next to Mr. Parker.
"I'm sorry I had to show you that," Max said, the beads of sweat still on his forehead.
"I...I never would have imagined, I never would have thought..." Mr. Parker said.
"I know. Most people wouldn't think our own government could be so cruel, so vicious to an innocent 16 year old kid," Max said. "I had to show you this, show you what could happen to Liz if the wrong people were told."
"Because you knew I would tell," Mr. Parker said suddenly ashamed. As Max and the others began to tell their tale all he could think of was if it was true he needed to get help for Liz. What could have happened to her if he did that....
"I don't blame you," Max said with a small smile. "If I had a daughter and heard all of this, I would probably have the same reaction. We are raised to think the government is there to help us, and most people would never think that things like this go on."
"Thanks," Mr. Parker said. "That must have been hard for you too."
"It's been a long time since I thought about it," Max said. "To long. To be honest, it always felt like someone else's memory, which I learned is another one of our powers. We can take certain events in our lives and detach ourselves from it, make it almost seem like it happened to someone else but that we know about it. This is how my memories about Zan work. Those blocks we talked about, the first couple fell when this happened, which I didn't realize at the time. I locked it up deep inside and separated myself from it once Liz left for Florida, or I don't think I could have went on."
"So if you live on Earth, then we will always have to worry about this....happening to one of you? To Liz?" Mr. Parker said, the fear evident in his voice.
"No," Max said with conviction. "This will never happen to anyone else again. If they...If they tried to take Liz...I would teach them what inhumane really is. I am not a vulnerable 16 year old boy anymore, ignorant of my origins, and I will protect my family at all costs."
Mr. Parker just nodded his head, understanding what Max meant. He was no longer powerless. He shuddered to think of what would happen to people who tried to do this to anyone Max cared about.
Max's breathing was returning to normal, the sweat drying from his brow. "It's time to go back now," Max said.
"Alright," Mr. Parker said. "And Max, just so you know, it may take awhile for me to get used all of...this...but I do want to thank you for saving my daughter's life. The last two years haven't been easy on my family, but they would have been unbearable if Liz had died."
"You don't have to thank me Mr. Parker. It was the best and most selfish thing I have ever done, and I have never regretted it even for a second," Max said.
Mr. Parker nodded again, staring at this young man with a new found respect. Even after all the angst, the torture, he still never regretted saving his daughter's life. Before he could contemplate it any more, he was sucked out of the connection and back to his living room.
______________________________________________________________________________
The final bell of the day rang and Liz Parker pushed her way into the hallway full of students.
"Liz! Liz!" Maria called. "Wait up!"
Liz turned around and waited for her friend to catch up. "Guess what I saw in the parking lot?" she asked.
"You got me," Liz said, shrugging her shoulders. She just wanted to go home and go to bed so that she could wake up and it would be tomorrow.
Maria sighed. "You are absouletly no fun when you are all pining for Max," she said. "But I think what I saw in the parking lot is going to cheer you up...." she finished mysteriously.
This got Liz's attention. "What did you see?" she said, narrowing her eyes.
"Oh nothing, just Max's jeep. And considering his parents are still on 'vacation' and they are still with their 'uncle' that could only mean one thing," Maria said.
Liz took off at a quick pace, heading to her locker. "Liz, Liz! Wait up!" Maria called behind her but Liz just kept going faster.
She rounded the corner, a bit out of breath, and there he was, leaning against her locker. He looked up at her just as she saw him, and a huge smile graced his beautiful face as she ran to greet him.
Liz threw herself into his capable arms, kissing him like she hadn't seen him in years. As they broke the kiss, Max pulled her into a tight hug, stroking her hair, telling her everything was alright now.
Web of Deception (CC ALL MATURE) COMPLETE 11-3
Moderators: Anniepoo98, Rowedog, ISLANDGIRL5, Itzstacie, truelovepooh, FSU/MSW-94, Forum Moderators
Find all the links to my fics in one place:
My Author's Page
New Fic!
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My Author's Page
New Fic!
Little Girl Lost in the alternative universe w/aliens forum!
Check out my website! http://kel.uppercaseliving.net
Wow. Here it is. The last chapter of Web of Deception. I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart that have went through this process with me. Many of you have been there since the beginning, many from the middle, and many that have simply lurked.
I'm grateful to all of you for supporting me in this endeavor, and while it is sad for me that it has come to an end, this story is not over.
I do have plans for a few companion pieces to the story, mainly holiday type fics that occur after the podsters return to Earth. If you like this story, keep an eye on my Author's page, as a Christmas story should be popping up sometime after Thanksgiving.
Thank you again for all your support, and here it is, the final chapter of Web of Deception.
Chapter 33/Prologue
20 years later
It was a somber group that stood at the private funeral of Kal Langley. Even though it was private, it was still chock full of people, ranging from a Governor to prize winning authors, and that was just his family.
"Kal Langley leaves an important piece of himself behind in this world," the minister said. "He brought us some of the most beloved movies of our time, and was a prolific icon in Hollywood. I don't think anyone would disagree though, that Kal's didn't truly start living until he met his niece and nephews, Isabel, Max, and Michael."
Maria sniffed and wiped a tear from her cheek. *Kal is sitting four rows back Maria, you know, the little old lady with the big hat,* Michael reminded her telepathically as he put his arm around her reassuringly.
*I know that Spaceboy,* Maria said. *It's just that he loved Earth so much, and now he has to give up the life he worked so hard to make.*
Kal was the second to take the plunge in their group, and he insisted on going out in a blaze of glory, a plane crash in the ocean which could never be recovered. He would be around 70 Earth years old, and even if he still had a good 40 years of life left, he knew it would be suspicious if they had all had tragic accidents at once.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans had been the first to shed their Earth life as they were the oldest of the group, dying in a horrible car crash that left their bodies burned beyond recognition. They were now enjoying a nice retirement on Antar in the royal palace, acting as legal advisers from time to time.
"He was so very proud of all of you," the minister said, smiling at Isabel, Max, and Michael. "The last few conversations we had were about you, how well you have all done despite the tragic beginning of your life. Isabel, when Kal found out you had won the election for Governor of New Mexico, I don't think he could have been more proud."
After taking general education classes in college Isabel had found her calling in politics. She always joked that her power of mediation came from years of refereeing her brother's fights, and although the public thought she was joking, those in her private life knew this was probably very true.
She looked like a very modern woman to the public, with her husband Alex doing some part time work in computers and communications but mostly staying home with their children while Isabel ran the state. What the public didn't see was Alex working on a better way to communicate between Antar and Earth, using technology that wouldn't be seen on Earth for 500 years. Being the secure and humble man that he was, Alex didn't mind that it would be hundreds of years before anyone on this planet realized what a huge contribution he had made to their civilization.
Alex was also in charge of the project to keep everyone who chose to live on Antar identities alive on Earth. He also needed to explain the gaps where people didn't see Max, Liz or their children. It was a huge project, one that carried the had to be ran with precision or his family and friends would be in jeopardy, and Alex ran it with much success.
"And Michael, the way you have revolutionized the Foster care system, not only in New Mexico but around the country, speaking for those without a voice, gave Kal immense satisfaction. I remember asking him about you one day and he just shrugged and said, 'Michael protects, that's what he does,' and there are countless children out there that have lives, good lives, because of you." he said.
Indeed Michael had found his calling in life, and it was to protect that which is most precious, the greatest gift, the children. He started out as a social worker, and with his unique experience as a foster child himself (and a few alien powers) he quickly took children out of bad homes. This wasn't enough for Michael though, and as he clawed his way up the chain of command with such passion he turned the New Mexico Child Protective Service organization into something the rest of the country would follow.
"Then there is Max, who in a way followed in Kal's footsteps. Your companion books to his Roswell movies about the history of Antar made him feel like his legacy would live on, and it does," the minister said, smiling at Max.
Liz squeezed Max's hand as they smiled at the minister. It had been quite a ride up to this point in their lives, and there was no sign of it slowing down now.
Both Max and Liz were just drifting along once Max came back from Antar for good the middle of their high school senior year. With all the barriers down and possibilities endless, what would they do with their lives?
The first thing they did was get married the Earth way as soon as they graduated. It was a beautiful double wedding with their best friends in the world, Michael and Maria. It just meant more doing it all together, and Alex and Isabel would follow once they were out of college. Liz said Alex wanted to be sure, and Max said Alex wanted to torture Isabel just a little bit for all the hell she put him through in those early years. Truth be told it was neither, it was that Alex knew Isabel needed some normal in her life, and getting married out of high school isn't exactly normal these days.
While in college Max and Liz both discovered a love of archeology and history. Together they decided to learn what they could about the Granilith, and also the history of Antar. With Liz's earnings from her screen plays they didn't have to worry about money, and they increasingly spent more time on Antar, digging up pieces of a puzzle that turned out to be a very interesting history indeed.
It was then that they found Antar was much like Earth before they appearance of the Granilith, and when they found the remains of pods much like Max, Isabel, Michael, and Tess's pods they felt like they were living in a time warp. It was Liz, ever the scientist, that pinpointed an enzyme present in the hybrids lungs that had gradually changed the atmosphere, changed it to where the people began developing powers.
The ramifications were high. Probably with their first breath the podsters had changed the Earth forever, starting a change that would be seen a few hundred years later. It made sense why they wanted to stay on Earth now, that perhaps that is the way it was supposed to be.
The set that had landed on Antar those millions of years ago had used their powers for greed and their own profit, but the podsters on Earth would look back to their history and learn from it, teaching it to their children who would teach it to their children, and would lead Earth to a utopia never seen before in the universe.
"His legacy lives on through all three of you and your children. If you three brought him to life, your children brought him to heaven. Isabel and Alex's children Sarah and Charles, Max and Liz's children Emma and Michael, and Michael and Maria's children, wait hold on and let me take a breath," the minister said as everyone chuckled.
"Marcell, Marcus, Matthew, Martin, Miles, and of course little Maxine," he said in one breath. "They were the sheer joy in his life. They were his hope for the future."
Maria smiled as Marcell, her 17 year old who had Michael's smile and her eyes, squeezed her hand. It was perhaps the biggest surprise of all that the firey Maria Deluca had found her purpose in being a Mother. Michael had always wanted children, and if he wasn't an alien their house probably would have been busting at the seams with foster children.
After the third son was born Maria declared that Michael was not getting off the hook until he provided her with a girl, but everyone knew that Maria just wanted a huge family. Little Maxine had been born 10 years ago, and there wasn't a star in the sky that could shine brighter then Maxine in her Father's eyes.
"Kal wasn't a religious man most of his life, but these last few years we grew quite close, with him looking for answers to those universal questions. No matter how rich a man, no matter how successful, we all have the same questions in the end. Why are we here? Where did we come from?" the minister said. "While he may not have found a direct answer to those questions, he did find a way to take a step towards God, towards a higher power that has a reason for us being here."
The rest of the service was beautiful, with everyone saying their final good byes as they placed flowers at the base of the memorial made for Kal. After the ceremony broke up, the people Kal had come to call family headed to Max and Liz's house.
"I can't believe Lucas didn't show," Kal fumed, changing from the little old lady back to himself once they entered the house. "I know he's still pissed that the Roswell movies blew away any of his records, but he at least could have shown up to my damn funeral!"
"Kal," Liz said. "George is very old, and in California. I'm sure it wasn't a snub."
"Yeah, Ooookay," Kal said sarcastically.
Once Max and Liz began digging into Antar's history it became apparent that Earth would be following in her footsteps. The decision was made to tell the story of the podsters journey to Earth, and how an alien boy fell in love with a small town Earth girl.
It was with much debate that the group became this bold, basically telling the story of their lives to a world that would not be so kind if they ever found out it was true, well at least not yet. Kal insisted no one would ever make the connection, and except for a few rabid fans who seemed positively crazy to the rest of the world, no one ever did.
The first movie, simply entitled "Roswell", broke box office records as the world watched the Max and Liz clones fall in love, be hunted by the FBI, and nearly torn apart by one of the alien's own kind. "Roswell Rewind" which chronicled what had really happened with Future Max, shattered box office records.
It was then that Max began writing the history of Antar for his people, and it was decided to get these books published on Earth. With the public so in love with Roswell and it's characters, they eagerly ate up the history of Antar, and begged for more.
On Earth Max and Liz were celebrities in their own right, giving off the perception of a jet-setting couple with such great talent. They were revered back on Antar, known as the King and Queen who brought them out of the darkness. While their titles were more for ceremony, the people of Antar would always love their royalty, would always respect that position.
They all walked animatedly through the hallway that led to the underground passage to the pod chamber. Liz smiled at the photographs that graced her walls. The photograph of their double wedding, the photograph of a very disgruntled looking Michael flocked by a smiling Maria and Amy, arms mid flap in the chicken dance, the photos of her children, her nieces and nephews, it was all a display of just how far they had come and how truly blessed they were.
She looked on curiously at her daughter 16 year old daugher Emma, who as first born would be the first woman to command the Granilith, as she shared a secret smile with Kyle's son James, or Jamie as he was called.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Kyle had met and fell instantly in love with Kelly, a newly instated member of the royal guard. While most would have had their money on Kyle and Kay getting together, their relationship had stayed strictly platonic. They were each other's best friends though, and when they married siblings it made their lives completely perfect.
Jim, Amy, Nancy, and Jeff happily played the roles of Grandparents to all their wonderful Grandchildren, and while their extended lives and powers had at first scared them, they now realized what a blessing the extra years these changes provided.
"It's too soon for that," Max said, never one to miss anything as he saw the look pass between Emma and Jamie.
"They are the same age we were when we got together," Liz reminded him.
"Let's just hope they don't find any orbs," Max said with tension as Liz laughed.
They all stepped into the pod chamber, ready for their voyage to Antar where Kal would live the remainder of his years. Michael raised his hand to a switch on the wall, and the chamber filled with an orange gas, a gas invented to take the place of the suits used so long ago, a gas that made the travel to Antar safe in minutes.
One by one they placed their hands on the Granilith, being sucked into it's very essence, it's energy to prepare for the voyage. The Granilith, God, or whatever society called it was pleased. It is with these beings, with these souls that gives the energy hope, hope for a utopia that was meant but never found before. A utopia that would live on Earth, and also in a galaxy across the cosmos.
The End
I'm grateful to all of you for supporting me in this endeavor, and while it is sad for me that it has come to an end, this story is not over.
I do have plans for a few companion pieces to the story, mainly holiday type fics that occur after the podsters return to Earth. If you like this story, keep an eye on my Author's page, as a Christmas story should be popping up sometime after Thanksgiving.
Thank you again for all your support, and here it is, the final chapter of Web of Deception.
Chapter 33/Prologue
20 years later
It was a somber group that stood at the private funeral of Kal Langley. Even though it was private, it was still chock full of people, ranging from a Governor to prize winning authors, and that was just his family.
"Kal Langley leaves an important piece of himself behind in this world," the minister said. "He brought us some of the most beloved movies of our time, and was a prolific icon in Hollywood. I don't think anyone would disagree though, that Kal's didn't truly start living until he met his niece and nephews, Isabel, Max, and Michael."
Maria sniffed and wiped a tear from her cheek. *Kal is sitting four rows back Maria, you know, the little old lady with the big hat,* Michael reminded her telepathically as he put his arm around her reassuringly.
*I know that Spaceboy,* Maria said. *It's just that he loved Earth so much, and now he has to give up the life he worked so hard to make.*
Kal was the second to take the plunge in their group, and he insisted on going out in a blaze of glory, a plane crash in the ocean which could never be recovered. He would be around 70 Earth years old, and even if he still had a good 40 years of life left, he knew it would be suspicious if they had all had tragic accidents at once.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans had been the first to shed their Earth life as they were the oldest of the group, dying in a horrible car crash that left their bodies burned beyond recognition. They were now enjoying a nice retirement on Antar in the royal palace, acting as legal advisers from time to time.
"He was so very proud of all of you," the minister said, smiling at Isabel, Max, and Michael. "The last few conversations we had were about you, how well you have all done despite the tragic beginning of your life. Isabel, when Kal found out you had won the election for Governor of New Mexico, I don't think he could have been more proud."
After taking general education classes in college Isabel had found her calling in politics. She always joked that her power of mediation came from years of refereeing her brother's fights, and although the public thought she was joking, those in her private life knew this was probably very true.
She looked like a very modern woman to the public, with her husband Alex doing some part time work in computers and communications but mostly staying home with their children while Isabel ran the state. What the public didn't see was Alex working on a better way to communicate between Antar and Earth, using technology that wouldn't be seen on Earth for 500 years. Being the secure and humble man that he was, Alex didn't mind that it would be hundreds of years before anyone on this planet realized what a huge contribution he had made to their civilization.
Alex was also in charge of the project to keep everyone who chose to live on Antar identities alive on Earth. He also needed to explain the gaps where people didn't see Max, Liz or their children. It was a huge project, one that carried the had to be ran with precision or his family and friends would be in jeopardy, and Alex ran it with much success.
"And Michael, the way you have revolutionized the Foster care system, not only in New Mexico but around the country, speaking for those without a voice, gave Kal immense satisfaction. I remember asking him about you one day and he just shrugged and said, 'Michael protects, that's what he does,' and there are countless children out there that have lives, good lives, because of you." he said.
Indeed Michael had found his calling in life, and it was to protect that which is most precious, the greatest gift, the children. He started out as a social worker, and with his unique experience as a foster child himself (and a few alien powers) he quickly took children out of bad homes. This wasn't enough for Michael though, and as he clawed his way up the chain of command with such passion he turned the New Mexico Child Protective Service organization into something the rest of the country would follow.
"Then there is Max, who in a way followed in Kal's footsteps. Your companion books to his Roswell movies about the history of Antar made him feel like his legacy would live on, and it does," the minister said, smiling at Max.
Liz squeezed Max's hand as they smiled at the minister. It had been quite a ride up to this point in their lives, and there was no sign of it slowing down now.
Both Max and Liz were just drifting along once Max came back from Antar for good the middle of their high school senior year. With all the barriers down and possibilities endless, what would they do with their lives?
The first thing they did was get married the Earth way as soon as they graduated. It was a beautiful double wedding with their best friends in the world, Michael and Maria. It just meant more doing it all together, and Alex and Isabel would follow once they were out of college. Liz said Alex wanted to be sure, and Max said Alex wanted to torture Isabel just a little bit for all the hell she put him through in those early years. Truth be told it was neither, it was that Alex knew Isabel needed some normal in her life, and getting married out of high school isn't exactly normal these days.
While in college Max and Liz both discovered a love of archeology and history. Together they decided to learn what they could about the Granilith, and also the history of Antar. With Liz's earnings from her screen plays they didn't have to worry about money, and they increasingly spent more time on Antar, digging up pieces of a puzzle that turned out to be a very interesting history indeed.
It was then that they found Antar was much like Earth before they appearance of the Granilith, and when they found the remains of pods much like Max, Isabel, Michael, and Tess's pods they felt like they were living in a time warp. It was Liz, ever the scientist, that pinpointed an enzyme present in the hybrids lungs that had gradually changed the atmosphere, changed it to where the people began developing powers.
The ramifications were high. Probably with their first breath the podsters had changed the Earth forever, starting a change that would be seen a few hundred years later. It made sense why they wanted to stay on Earth now, that perhaps that is the way it was supposed to be.
The set that had landed on Antar those millions of years ago had used their powers for greed and their own profit, but the podsters on Earth would look back to their history and learn from it, teaching it to their children who would teach it to their children, and would lead Earth to a utopia never seen before in the universe.
"His legacy lives on through all three of you and your children. If you three brought him to life, your children brought him to heaven. Isabel and Alex's children Sarah and Charles, Max and Liz's children Emma and Michael, and Michael and Maria's children, wait hold on and let me take a breath," the minister said as everyone chuckled.
"Marcell, Marcus, Matthew, Martin, Miles, and of course little Maxine," he said in one breath. "They were the sheer joy in his life. They were his hope for the future."
Maria smiled as Marcell, her 17 year old who had Michael's smile and her eyes, squeezed her hand. It was perhaps the biggest surprise of all that the firey Maria Deluca had found her purpose in being a Mother. Michael had always wanted children, and if he wasn't an alien their house probably would have been busting at the seams with foster children.
After the third son was born Maria declared that Michael was not getting off the hook until he provided her with a girl, but everyone knew that Maria just wanted a huge family. Little Maxine had been born 10 years ago, and there wasn't a star in the sky that could shine brighter then Maxine in her Father's eyes.
"Kal wasn't a religious man most of his life, but these last few years we grew quite close, with him looking for answers to those universal questions. No matter how rich a man, no matter how successful, we all have the same questions in the end. Why are we here? Where did we come from?" the minister said. "While he may not have found a direct answer to those questions, he did find a way to take a step towards God, towards a higher power that has a reason for us being here."
The rest of the service was beautiful, with everyone saying their final good byes as they placed flowers at the base of the memorial made for Kal. After the ceremony broke up, the people Kal had come to call family headed to Max and Liz's house.
"I can't believe Lucas didn't show," Kal fumed, changing from the little old lady back to himself once they entered the house. "I know he's still pissed that the Roswell movies blew away any of his records, but he at least could have shown up to my damn funeral!"
"Kal," Liz said. "George is very old, and in California. I'm sure it wasn't a snub."
"Yeah, Ooookay," Kal said sarcastically.
Once Max and Liz began digging into Antar's history it became apparent that Earth would be following in her footsteps. The decision was made to tell the story of the podsters journey to Earth, and how an alien boy fell in love with a small town Earth girl.
It was with much debate that the group became this bold, basically telling the story of their lives to a world that would not be so kind if they ever found out it was true, well at least not yet. Kal insisted no one would ever make the connection, and except for a few rabid fans who seemed positively crazy to the rest of the world, no one ever did.
The first movie, simply entitled "Roswell", broke box office records as the world watched the Max and Liz clones fall in love, be hunted by the FBI, and nearly torn apart by one of the alien's own kind. "Roswell Rewind" which chronicled what had really happened with Future Max, shattered box office records.
It was then that Max began writing the history of Antar for his people, and it was decided to get these books published on Earth. With the public so in love with Roswell and it's characters, they eagerly ate up the history of Antar, and begged for more.
On Earth Max and Liz were celebrities in their own right, giving off the perception of a jet-setting couple with such great talent. They were revered back on Antar, known as the King and Queen who brought them out of the darkness. While their titles were more for ceremony, the people of Antar would always love their royalty, would always respect that position.
They all walked animatedly through the hallway that led to the underground passage to the pod chamber. Liz smiled at the photographs that graced her walls. The photograph of their double wedding, the photograph of a very disgruntled looking Michael flocked by a smiling Maria and Amy, arms mid flap in the chicken dance, the photos of her children, her nieces and nephews, it was all a display of just how far they had come and how truly blessed they were.
She looked on curiously at her daughter 16 year old daugher Emma, who as first born would be the first woman to command the Granilith, as she shared a secret smile with Kyle's son James, or Jamie as he was called.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Kyle had met and fell instantly in love with Kelly, a newly instated member of the royal guard. While most would have had their money on Kyle and Kay getting together, their relationship had stayed strictly platonic. They were each other's best friends though, and when they married siblings it made their lives completely perfect.
Jim, Amy, Nancy, and Jeff happily played the roles of Grandparents to all their wonderful Grandchildren, and while their extended lives and powers had at first scared them, they now realized what a blessing the extra years these changes provided.
"It's too soon for that," Max said, never one to miss anything as he saw the look pass between Emma and Jamie.
"They are the same age we were when we got together," Liz reminded him.
"Let's just hope they don't find any orbs," Max said with tension as Liz laughed.
They all stepped into the pod chamber, ready for their voyage to Antar where Kal would live the remainder of his years. Michael raised his hand to a switch on the wall, and the chamber filled with an orange gas, a gas invented to take the place of the suits used so long ago, a gas that made the travel to Antar safe in minutes.
One by one they placed their hands on the Granilith, being sucked into it's very essence, it's energy to prepare for the voyage. The Granilith, God, or whatever society called it was pleased. It is with these beings, with these souls that gives the energy hope, hope for a utopia that was meant but never found before. A utopia that would live on Earth, and also in a galaxy across the cosmos.
The End
Find all the links to my fics in one place:
My Author's Page
New Fic!
Little Girl Lost in the alternative universe w/aliens forum!
Check out my website! http://kel.uppercaseliving.net
My Author's Page
New Fic!
Little Girl Lost in the alternative universe w/aliens forum!
Check out my website! http://kel.uppercaseliving.net
Wow. Here it is. The last chapter of Web of Deception. I just want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart that have went through this process with me. Many of you have been there since the beginning, many from the middle, and many that have simply lurked.
I'm grateful to all of you for supporting me in this endeavor, and while it is sad for me that it has come to an end, this story is not over.
I do have plans for a few companion pieces to the story, mainly holiday type fics that occur after the podsters return to Earth. If you like this story, keep an eye on my Author's page, as a Christmas story should be popping up sometime after Thanksgiving.
Thank you again for all your support, and here it is, the final chapter of Web of Deception.
Chapter 33/epilogue
20 years later
It was a somber group that stood at the private funeral of Kal Langley. Even though it was private, it was still chock full of people, ranging from a Governor to prize winning authors, and that was just his family.
"Kal Langley leaves an important piece of himself behind in this world," the minister said. "He brought us some of the most beloved movies of our time, and was a prolific icon in Hollywood. I don't think anyone would disagree though, that Kal's didn't truly start living until he met his niece and nephews, Isabel, Max, and Michael."
Maria sniffed and wiped a tear from her cheek. *Kal is sitting four rows back Maria, you know, the little old lady with the big hat,* Michael reminded her telepathically as he put his arm around her reassuringly.
*I know that Spaceboy,* Maria said. *It's just that he loved Earth so much, and now he has to give up the life he worked so hard to make.*
Kal was the second to take the plunge in their group, and he insisted on going out in a blaze of glory, a plane crash in the ocean which could never be recovered. He would be around 70 Earth years old, and even if he still had a good 40 years of life left, he knew it would be suspicious if they had all had tragic accidents at once.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans had been the first to shed their Earth life as they were the oldest of the group, dying in a horrible car crash that left their bodies burned beyond recognition. They were now enjoying a nice retirement on Antar in the royal palace, acting as legal advisers from time to time.
"He was so very proud of all of you," the minister said, smiling at Isabel, Max, and Michael. "The last few conversations we had were about you, how well you have all done despite the tragic beginning of your life. Isabel, when Kal found out you had won the election for Governor of New Mexico, I don't think he could have been more proud."
After taking general education classes in college Isabel had found her calling in politics. She always joked that her power of mediation came from years of refereeing her brother's fights, and although the public thought she was joking, those in her private life knew this was probably very true.
She looked like a very modern woman to the public, with her husband Alex doing some part time work in computers and communications but mostly staying home with their children while Isabel ran the state. What the public didn't see was Alex working on a better way to communicate between Antar and Earth, using technology that wouldn't be seen on Earth for 500 years. Being the secure and humble man that he was, Alex didn't mind that it would be hundreds of years before anyone on this planet realized what a huge contribution he had made to their civilization.
Alex was also in charge of the project to keep everyone who chose to live on Antar identities alive on Earth. He also needed to explain the gaps where people didn't see Max, Liz or their children. It was a huge project, one that carried the had to be ran with precision or his family and friends would be in jeopardy, and Alex ran it with much success.
"And Michael, the way you have revolutionized the Foster care system, not only in New Mexico but around the country, speaking for those without a voice, gave Kal immense satisfaction. I remember asking him about you one day and he just shrugged and said, 'Michael protects, that's what he does,' and there are countless children out there that have lives, good lives, because of you." he said.
Indeed Michael had found his calling in life, and it was to protect that which is most precious, the greatest gift, the children. He started out as a social worker, and with his unique experience as a foster child himself (and a few alien powers) he quickly took children out of bad homes. This wasn't enough for Michael though, and as he clawed his way up the chain of command with such passion he turned the New Mexico Child Protective Service organization into something the rest of the country would follow.
"Then there is Max, who in a way followed in Kal's footsteps. Your companion books to his Roswell movies about the history of Antar made him feel like his legacy would live on, and it does," the minister said, smiling at Max.
Liz squeezed Max's hand as they smiled at the minister. It had been quite a ride up to this point in their lives, and there was no sign of it slowing down now.
Both Max and Liz were just drifting along once Max came back from Antar for good the middle of their high school senior year. With all the barriers down and possibilities endless, what would they do with their lives?
The first thing they did was get married the Earth way as soon as they graduated. It was a beautiful double wedding with their best friends in the world, Michael and Maria. It just meant more doing it all together, and Alex and Isabel would follow once they were out of college. Liz said Alex wanted to be sure, and Max said Alex wanted to torture Isabel just a little bit for all the hell she put him through in those early years. Truth be told it was neither, it was that Alex knew Isabel needed some normal in her life, and getting married out of high school isn't exactly normal these days.
While in college Max and Liz both discovered a love of archeology and history. Together they decided to learn what they could about the Granilith, and also the history of Antar. With Liz's earnings from her screen plays they didn't have to worry about money, and they increasingly spent more time on Antar, digging up pieces of a puzzle that turned out to be a very interesting history indeed.
It was then that they found Antar was much like Earth before they appearance of the Granilith, and when they found the remains of pods much like Max, Isabel, Michael, and Tess's pods they felt like they were living in a time warp. It was Liz, ever the scientist, that pinpointed an enzyme present in the hybrids lungs that had gradually changed the atmosphere, changed it to where the people began developing powers.
The ramifications were high. Probably with their first breath the podsters had changed the Earth forever, starting a change that would be seen a few hundred years later. It made sense why they wanted to stay on Earth now, that perhaps that is the way it was supposed to be.
The set that had landed on Antar those millions of years ago had used their powers for greed and their own profit, but the podsters on Earth would look back to their history and learn from it, teaching it to their children who would teach it to their children, and would lead Earth to a utopia never seen before in the universe.
"His legacy lives on through all three of you and your children. If you three brought him to life, your children brought him to heaven. Isabel and Alex's children Sarah and Charles, Max and Liz's children Emma and Michael, and Michael and Maria's children, wait hold on and let me take a breath," the minister said as everyone chuckled.
"Marcell, Marcus, Matthew, Martin, Miles, and of course little Maxine," he said in one breath. "They were the sheer joy in his life. They were his hope for the future."
Maria smiled as Marcell, her 17 year old who had Michael's smile and her eyes, squeezed her hand. It was perhaps the biggest surprise of all that the firey Maria Deluca had found her purpose in being a Mother. Michael had always wanted children, and if he wasn't an alien their house probably would have been busting at the seams with foster children.
After the third son was born Maria declared that Michael was not getting off the hook until he provided her with a girl, but everyone knew that Maria just wanted a huge family. Little Maxine had been born 10 years ago, and there wasn't a star in the sky that could shine brighter then Maxine in her Father's eyes.
"Kal wasn't a religious man most of his life, but these last few years we grew quite close, with him looking for answers to those universal questions. No matter how rich a man, no matter how successful, we all have the same questions in the end. Why are we here? Where did we come from?" the minister said. "While he may not have found a direct answer to those questions, he did find a way to take a step towards God, towards a higher power that has a reason for us being here."
The rest of the service was beautiful, with everyone saying their final good byes as they placed flowers at the base of the memorial made for Kal. After the ceremony broke up, the people Kal had come to call family headed to Max and Liz's house.
"I can't believe Lucas didn't show," Kal fumed, changing from the little old lady back to himself once they entered the house. "I know he's still pissed that the Roswell movies blew away any of his records, but he at least could have shown up to my damn funeral!"
"Kal," Liz said. "George is very old, and in California. I'm sure it wasn't a snub."
"Yeah, Ooookay," Kal said sarcastically.
Once Max and Liz began digging into Antar's history it became apparent that Earth would be following in her footsteps. The decision was made to tell the story of the podsters journey to Earth, and how an alien boy fell in love with a small town Earth girl.
It was with much debate that the group became this bold, basically telling the story of their lives to a world that would not be so kind if they ever found out it was true, well at least not yet. Kal insisted no one would ever make the connection, and except for a few rabid fans who seemed positively crazy to the rest of the world, no one ever did.
The first movie, simply entitled "Roswell", broke box office records as the world watched the Max and Liz clones fall in love, be hunted by the FBI, and nearly torn apart by one of the alien's own kind. "Roswell Rewind" which chronicled what had really happened with Future Max, shattered box office records.
It was then that Max began writing the history of Antar for his people, and it was decided to get these books published on Earth. With the public so in love with Roswell and it's characters, they eagerly ate up the history of Antar, and begged for more.
On Earth Max and Liz were celebrities in their own right, giving off the perception of a jet-setting couple with such great talent. They were revered back on Antar, known as the King and Queen who brought them out of the darkness. While their titles were more for ceremony, the people of Antar would always love their royalty, would always respect that position.
They all walked animatedly through the hallway that led to the underground passage to the pod chamber. Liz smiled at the photographs that graced her walls. The photograph of their double wedding, the photograph of a very disgruntled looking Michael flocked by a smiling Maria and Amy, arms mid flap in the chicken dance, the photos of her children, her nieces and nephews, it was all a display of just how far they had come and how truly blessed they were.
She looked on curiously at her daughter 16 year old daugher Emma, who as first born would be the first woman to command the Granilith, as she shared a secret smile with Kyle's son James, or Jamie as he was called.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Kyle had met and fell instantly in love with Kelly, a newly instated member of the royal guard. While most would have had their money on Kyle and Kay getting together, their relationship had stayed strictly platonic. They were each other's best friends though, and when they married siblings it made their lives completely perfect.
Jim, Amy, Nancy, and Jeff happily played the roles of Grandparents to all their wonderful Grandchildren, and while their extended lives and powers had at first scared them, they now realized what a blessing the extra years these changes provided.
"It's too soon for that," Max said, never one to miss anything as he saw the look pass between Emma and Jamie.
"They are the same age we were when we got together," Liz reminded him.
"Let's just hope they don't find any orbs," Max said with tension as Liz laughed.
They all stepped into the pod chamber, ready for their voyage to Antar where Kal would live the remainder of his years. Michael raised his hand to a switch on the wall, and the chamber filled with an orange gas, a gas invented to take the place of the suits used so long ago, a gas that made the travel to Antar safe in minutes.
One by one they placed their hands on the Granilith, being sucked into it's very essence, it's energy to prepare for the voyage. The Granilith, God, or whatever society called it was pleased. It is with these beings, with these souls that gives the energy hope, hope for a utopia that was meant but never found before. A utopia that would live on Earth, and also in a galaxy across the cosmos.
The End[/quote]
I'm grateful to all of you for supporting me in this endeavor, and while it is sad for me that it has come to an end, this story is not over.
I do have plans for a few companion pieces to the story, mainly holiday type fics that occur after the podsters return to Earth. If you like this story, keep an eye on my Author's page, as a Christmas story should be popping up sometime after Thanksgiving.
Thank you again for all your support, and here it is, the final chapter of Web of Deception.
Chapter 33/epilogue
20 years later
It was a somber group that stood at the private funeral of Kal Langley. Even though it was private, it was still chock full of people, ranging from a Governor to prize winning authors, and that was just his family.
"Kal Langley leaves an important piece of himself behind in this world," the minister said. "He brought us some of the most beloved movies of our time, and was a prolific icon in Hollywood. I don't think anyone would disagree though, that Kal's didn't truly start living until he met his niece and nephews, Isabel, Max, and Michael."
Maria sniffed and wiped a tear from her cheek. *Kal is sitting four rows back Maria, you know, the little old lady with the big hat,* Michael reminded her telepathically as he put his arm around her reassuringly.
*I know that Spaceboy,* Maria said. *It's just that he loved Earth so much, and now he has to give up the life he worked so hard to make.*
Kal was the second to take the plunge in their group, and he insisted on going out in a blaze of glory, a plane crash in the ocean which could never be recovered. He would be around 70 Earth years old, and even if he still had a good 40 years of life left, he knew it would be suspicious if they had all had tragic accidents at once.
Mr. and Mrs. Evans had been the first to shed their Earth life as they were the oldest of the group, dying in a horrible car crash that left their bodies burned beyond recognition. They were now enjoying a nice retirement on Antar in the royal palace, acting as legal advisers from time to time.
"He was so very proud of all of you," the minister said, smiling at Isabel, Max, and Michael. "The last few conversations we had were about you, how well you have all done despite the tragic beginning of your life. Isabel, when Kal found out you had won the election for Governor of New Mexico, I don't think he could have been more proud."
After taking general education classes in college Isabel had found her calling in politics. She always joked that her power of mediation came from years of refereeing her brother's fights, and although the public thought she was joking, those in her private life knew this was probably very true.
She looked like a very modern woman to the public, with her husband Alex doing some part time work in computers and communications but mostly staying home with their children while Isabel ran the state. What the public didn't see was Alex working on a better way to communicate between Antar and Earth, using technology that wouldn't be seen on Earth for 500 years. Being the secure and humble man that he was, Alex didn't mind that it would be hundreds of years before anyone on this planet realized what a huge contribution he had made to their civilization.
Alex was also in charge of the project to keep everyone who chose to live on Antar identities alive on Earth. He also needed to explain the gaps where people didn't see Max, Liz or their children. It was a huge project, one that carried the had to be ran with precision or his family and friends would be in jeopardy, and Alex ran it with much success.
"And Michael, the way you have revolutionized the Foster care system, not only in New Mexico but around the country, speaking for those without a voice, gave Kal immense satisfaction. I remember asking him about you one day and he just shrugged and said, 'Michael protects, that's what he does,' and there are countless children out there that have lives, good lives, because of you." he said.
Indeed Michael had found his calling in life, and it was to protect that which is most precious, the greatest gift, the children. He started out as a social worker, and with his unique experience as a foster child himself (and a few alien powers) he quickly took children out of bad homes. This wasn't enough for Michael though, and as he clawed his way up the chain of command with such passion he turned the New Mexico Child Protective Service organization into something the rest of the country would follow.
"Then there is Max, who in a way followed in Kal's footsteps. Your companion books to his Roswell movies about the history of Antar made him feel like his legacy would live on, and it does," the minister said, smiling at Max.
Liz squeezed Max's hand as they smiled at the minister. It had been quite a ride up to this point in their lives, and there was no sign of it slowing down now.
Both Max and Liz were just drifting along once Max came back from Antar for good the middle of their high school senior year. With all the barriers down and possibilities endless, what would they do with their lives?
The first thing they did was get married the Earth way as soon as they graduated. It was a beautiful double wedding with their best friends in the world, Michael and Maria. It just meant more doing it all together, and Alex and Isabel would follow once they were out of college. Liz said Alex wanted to be sure, and Max said Alex wanted to torture Isabel just a little bit for all the hell she put him through in those early years. Truth be told it was neither, it was that Alex knew Isabel needed some normal in her life, and getting married out of high school isn't exactly normal these days.
While in college Max and Liz both discovered a love of archeology and history. Together they decided to learn what they could about the Granilith, and also the history of Antar. With Liz's earnings from her screen plays they didn't have to worry about money, and they increasingly spent more time on Antar, digging up pieces of a puzzle that turned out to be a very interesting history indeed.
It was then that they found Antar was much like Earth before they appearance of the Granilith, and when they found the remains of pods much like Max, Isabel, Michael, and Tess's pods they felt like they were living in a time warp. It was Liz, ever the scientist, that pinpointed an enzyme present in the hybrids lungs that had gradually changed the atmosphere, changed it to where the people began developing powers.
The ramifications were high. Probably with their first breath the podsters had changed the Earth forever, starting a change that would be seen a few hundred years later. It made sense why they wanted to stay on Earth now, that perhaps that is the way it was supposed to be.
The set that had landed on Antar those millions of years ago had used their powers for greed and their own profit, but the podsters on Earth would look back to their history and learn from it, teaching it to their children who would teach it to their children, and would lead Earth to a utopia never seen before in the universe.
"His legacy lives on through all three of you and your children. If you three brought him to life, your children brought him to heaven. Isabel and Alex's children Sarah and Charles, Max and Liz's children Emma and Michael, and Michael and Maria's children, wait hold on and let me take a breath," the minister said as everyone chuckled.
"Marcell, Marcus, Matthew, Martin, Miles, and of course little Maxine," he said in one breath. "They were the sheer joy in his life. They were his hope for the future."
Maria smiled as Marcell, her 17 year old who had Michael's smile and her eyes, squeezed her hand. It was perhaps the biggest surprise of all that the firey Maria Deluca had found her purpose in being a Mother. Michael had always wanted children, and if he wasn't an alien their house probably would have been busting at the seams with foster children.
After the third son was born Maria declared that Michael was not getting off the hook until he provided her with a girl, but everyone knew that Maria just wanted a huge family. Little Maxine had been born 10 years ago, and there wasn't a star in the sky that could shine brighter then Maxine in her Father's eyes.
"Kal wasn't a religious man most of his life, but these last few years we grew quite close, with him looking for answers to those universal questions. No matter how rich a man, no matter how successful, we all have the same questions in the end. Why are we here? Where did we come from?" the minister said. "While he may not have found a direct answer to those questions, he did find a way to take a step towards God, towards a higher power that has a reason for us being here."
The rest of the service was beautiful, with everyone saying their final good byes as they placed flowers at the base of the memorial made for Kal. After the ceremony broke up, the people Kal had come to call family headed to Max and Liz's house.
"I can't believe Lucas didn't show," Kal fumed, changing from the little old lady back to himself once they entered the house. "I know he's still pissed that the Roswell movies blew away any of his records, but he at least could have shown up to my damn funeral!"
"Kal," Liz said. "George is very old, and in California. I'm sure it wasn't a snub."
"Yeah, Ooookay," Kal said sarcastically.
Once Max and Liz began digging into Antar's history it became apparent that Earth would be following in her footsteps. The decision was made to tell the story of the podsters journey to Earth, and how an alien boy fell in love with a small town Earth girl.
It was with much debate that the group became this bold, basically telling the story of their lives to a world that would not be so kind if they ever found out it was true, well at least not yet. Kal insisted no one would ever make the connection, and except for a few rabid fans who seemed positively crazy to the rest of the world, no one ever did.
The first movie, simply entitled "Roswell", broke box office records as the world watched the Max and Liz clones fall in love, be hunted by the FBI, and nearly torn apart by one of the alien's own kind. "Roswell Rewind" which chronicled what had really happened with Future Max, shattered box office records.
It was then that Max began writing the history of Antar for his people, and it was decided to get these books published on Earth. With the public so in love with Roswell and it's characters, they eagerly ate up the history of Antar, and begged for more.
On Earth Max and Liz were celebrities in their own right, giving off the perception of a jet-setting couple with such great talent. They were revered back on Antar, known as the King and Queen who brought them out of the darkness. While their titles were more for ceremony, the people of Antar would always love their royalty, would always respect that position.
They all walked animatedly through the hallway that led to the underground passage to the pod chamber. Liz smiled at the photographs that graced her walls. The photograph of their double wedding, the photograph of a very disgruntled looking Michael flocked by a smiling Maria and Amy, arms mid flap in the chicken dance, the photos of her children, her nieces and nephews, it was all a display of just how far they had come and how truly blessed they were.
She looked on curiously at her daughter 16 year old daugher Emma, who as first born would be the first woman to command the Granilith, as she shared a secret smile with Kyle's son James, or Jamie as he was called.
Much to the surprise of everyone, Kyle had met and fell instantly in love with Kelly, a newly instated member of the royal guard. While most would have had their money on Kyle and Kay getting together, their relationship had stayed strictly platonic. They were each other's best friends though, and when they married siblings it made their lives completely perfect.
Jim, Amy, Nancy, and Jeff happily played the roles of Grandparents to all their wonderful Grandchildren, and while their extended lives and powers had at first scared them, they now realized what a blessing the extra years these changes provided.
"It's too soon for that," Max said, never one to miss anything as he saw the look pass between Emma and Jamie.
"They are the same age we were when we got together," Liz reminded him.
"Let's just hope they don't find any orbs," Max said with tension as Liz laughed.
They all stepped into the pod chamber, ready for their voyage to Antar where Kal would live the remainder of his years. Michael raised his hand to a switch on the wall, and the chamber filled with an orange gas, a gas invented to take the place of the suits used so long ago, a gas that made the travel to Antar safe in minutes.
One by one they placed their hands on the Granilith, being sucked into it's very essence, it's energy to prepare for the voyage. The Granilith, God, or whatever society called it was pleased. It is with these beings, with these souls that gives the energy hope, hope for a utopia that was meant but never found before. A utopia that would live on Earth, and also in a galaxy across the cosmos.
The End[/quote]
Find all the links to my fics in one place:
My Author's Page
New Fic!
Little Girl Lost in the alternative universe w/aliens forum!
Check out my website! http://kel.uppercaseliving.net
My Author's Page
New Fic!
Little Girl Lost in the alternative universe w/aliens forum!
Check out my website! http://kel.uppercaseliving.net