Other Paths 2 (All CC, Adult) Chapter 16 Complete - 7 Mar
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 9:33 am
Other Paths 2
Disclaimer: I don’t own these characters
Rating: Adult
Couples: All CC
Summery: Now 16 years after the birth of the Pod Squads children, an ancient darkness of the Antarian people is rising on earth.
It might be a good idea to read Other Paths 1. The link is in the signature space at the bottom of the post.
*************************************************************
Younger members of the family:
Max and Liz’s Children – Richard (16 years old), Mark, Kara and Joanne (13)
Michael and Maria’s Children – Paige, Max (16), John, Stephanie (11), Robert, Laura (9), Steven and Shara (6)
Alex and Isabel’s Children – Philip, Katherine (16), Scott and Caitlin (14)
Kyle and Tess’s Children – James, Shanala (16), Derek, Tracy (14), Trall and Shalara (10)
Rath and Lonnie’s Children – Ziala (17) and Rath Junior (15)
Zan and Ava’s Children – Taran (15), Delara (14), Sharn, Sanila, Zar and Tialna (13 – born on different days over the same year)
Laurie and Andrew’s Child – Matthew (15)
*************************************************************
Over the last decade or so, much had changed. Roswell was no longer a
small town but a sprawling metropolis built around what became known
as the Old Town. That section was carefully preserved, right down to the
UFO Museum and a certain little café where a massive event changed the
world. The desert was no longer a desert but vast grass fields.
A new age had begun for Earth and Antar, for Earth - they
were now on the interstellar map. As for Antar, they were now free of
Kivar and while their old home world was a barren wasteland, their new
home on Mars A.K.A New Antar created a new sense of purpose for the
Antarians.
Just two days ago the first of Earth’s new space-ships was
displayed to all the people and shortly after that, Queen Elizabeth Evans
of Antar started to make arrangements for her eldest son and the older of
the Pod Squad’s children. They had lived their lives among Antarians,
yes they’d spent time on Earth with their grandparents but hardly enough
time to fully understand their human halves…if that was even possible. It
was time for them to find out.
***
During a free period in the morning Ziala, daughter of Rath and Lonnie,
was sitting in the cafeteria with her books out in front of her. By her side
was Kristine, her friend who had slightly more than an intensely personal
relationship with the young and future king of the Antarian Empire.
Ziala and her younger brother RJ were currently the only children of
the royal family on Earth. Her father was named by Max as Ambassador
of the Antarian people, something that Rath promised Max he’d get
payback for.
“I’m telling you, it’s 12 over Pi by the inter-modulation
gradient of the Akashic field,” Ziala said.
“Uh, your uncle gives me a headache,” Kristine said.
“Yeah. Uncle Alex does tend to cause that reaction…even on
Antar,” Ziala said.
“Z, come on, why am I studying the intricacies of cosmic
existence?” Kristine asked.
“You’re the one who asked me to teach you it,” Ziala said.
She looked over to the entrance and saw her cousin standing there.
Many of the students sitting there gasped when they saw him but he held
up his finger to his lips. They all silenced themselves as the crowned
prince of Antar walked across the floor wearing nothing more complicated
than a pair of jeans, a blue sweater and a pair of boots. Beneath the
sleeve of his sweater was his Vor’Tal, it was a golden wristband five-
inches long, etched with Antarian glyphs with a large diamond set in the
centre. A symbol of the Antarian nobility, his brother, his sisters and all
his cousins had them but none with a stone as prominent as his. Ziala’s
held a single ruby.
Richard approached the table and put his hands over Kristine’s
eyes. “Three moons hung over head, a beach of star-blue crystal sand
under a sky like liquid gold. Where am I?” Richard whispered in Kristine’s
ear.
“Edarisia. Our first date,” Kristine said.
Kristine pulled his hands away, stood from her seat and turned
around before she wrapped her arms around Richard. He responded and
held her close. His fingers ran through her soft red hair before he kissed
her.
“Uh, excuse me. Rick, you took Kris to Edarisia?” Ziala asked.
“Yes he did. Completely ruined every future date I might
have with anyone but I’m not complaining,” Kristine said.
“Edarisia is a place where humans or anything organic for that
matter literally melts,” Ziala said.
“She was protected,” Richard said.
Ziala folded her arms. “You know one of these days we’re
going to find a limit to your powers,” she said.
“Maybe one day,” Richard said.
“So, what reason does this humble Earth girl have for a visit
from the great prince of Antar?” Kristine asked.
“Oh I go to school here,” Richard said.
“What?” Kristine asked.
“It’s time we spend a little time on Earth. Besides, our parents
went here so…well…we’re here. Well, actually it’s just me, Paige, Max,
Katherine, Philip, Shanala and James. Our little brothers and sisters are
still stuck on New Antar,” Richard said.
“Yeah, they’re not allowed to go to school here until they’re
after the Age of Transition. Antarian tradition, I know, it’ll drive you
nuts,” Ziala said.
“So you’re really going to school here? Well I guess that
makes me a very happy girlfriend,” Kristine said.
“Oi, you two stay away from the Eraser Room. You’re not
getting that happy on my watch little cousin,” Ziala said.
Richard grumbled. “Yes, Z,” he said. “Anyway. The others
are getting enrolled right now but I’m taken care of so how about you two
lovely ladies give me the grand tour?”
“Wish I could but I’ve got Math in five minutes,” Kristine said.
“I guess that just leaves me. Come on cuz, let’s show you
around the joint,” Ziala said. She stood up and packed up all her books
before she turned to Kristine. “Oh, Kris, by the way, I have that item you
were waiting for,” she said.
“Oh, great. I’ll catch you after Math,” Kristine said.
Kristine then left, heading for her class, leaving the two young
nobles there before they left so that Ziala could show Richard around his
new school.
***
Across campus in the teacher’s lounge, the Principal had gathered most of
the teachers that were available. When his secretary walked into his
office to tell him that the Queen of Antar was there to see him he almost
laughed. Then he saw Roswell High Alumni Liz Parker Evans standing just
outside the office. Principal Killian stood up and straightened out his suit
before he told his secretary to show her in.
Then he almost had a heart attack when Liz told him that some
of the royal family’s children were transferring to his school. Now Killian
stood before his staff and told them.
“They’re coming here? To this school?” Ms Jones asked.
“Why not, their parents did,” Mr Barrows said.
“Yes but for a long time no one knew they were alien and not
royal. Those kids are celebrities in their own right,” Ms Jones said.
“On that note. We’ve been asked to treat them like any other
student. If they fail at anything, they fail. We don’t give them any free
rides,” Killian said.
“Like that would happen. From what I hear they’re just as
smart as their parents, even more in some cases,” Mr Barrows said.
“What about their powers?” another teacher asked.
“They’re following the same rules their parents had when they
went here – only when they absolutely have to,” Killian said.
“Uh, what do we call them? One of them is the next in line to
the throne of Antar,” Mr Barrows asked.
“Like I said. We treat them like every other student, just like
we treat Ziala. Queen Liz told me that it was okay to call them by their
given names but not shortened versions. Prince Richard is Richard, not
Rick,” Killian said.
“What about their security? I wouldn’t imagine that the White
Guard would let them out of their sight,” Ms Jones asked.
“Not to mention the Secret Service,” Mr Barrows said.
“That isn’t our concern. But from what I understand the White
Guard will be handling security with representatives of the Secret Service
working in conjunction. If anything this school is going to be incredibly
safe. But all of you listen, they are coming here because they are half
human and they haven’t spent as much time around humanity in general.
They’ve got a lot to learn and they want to learn it here,” Killian said.
***
For Kristine, time certainly didn’t fly in her class. Her thoughts were
constantly drifting to her boyfriend instead of the equations on the
blackboard. Just being around him took her breath away, ever since they
first met during that teeny tiny little assassination attempt by one of those
lunatics who affirmatively believed that Earth is for humans and that the
hybrid children of the royals were abominations. One stray bullet. The
assassin didn’t care who he hit so long as he got his target. He failed big
time thanks to Richard.
On that day a bullet literally was one millimetre from Kristine’s
heart until the prince shattered reality, tore apart time and rippled
existence. In other words, he froze each of the bullets in place while
undoing the molecular structure and turning them to dust. Kris almost
fainted then. She literally felt the bullet touch her skin before it was
gone. Richard managed to catch her but there was a little residual
energy floating around him that sparked an immediate connection
between the two of them…a connection made possible by the fact that her
family had been in Roswell, above the Earth Granolith for many
generations and soaking up all that usually harmless radiation just like
Alex’s family.
At any rate, she was saved and the two teenagers couldn’t
take their eyes off each other. Kristine just counted the seconds until the
bell went for the end of the class. When it did she was out of there in a
second and briskly walked down the halls to the girl’s locker room by the
school’s swimming pool.
Kris stepped inside and closed the door, as she walked further
in she heard a click. The young redhead turned around to see Ziala
standing with a box and the door lock glowed.
“There, that will give us some private time,” Ziala said.
“Do you really have them?” Kristine asked.
“Oh boy, do I ever,” Ziala said.
“Where’s Rick?” Kristine asked.
“Checking in on our cousins before heading back to Antar. He
has to do this whole inspection thing for the White Guard that will be
keeping the estate and him safe,” Ziala said.
The two girls moved over to a wooden bench in the middle of
the room by a row of lockers and Ziala put the box on the bench. The
blonde opened it to reveal several pairs of bras and panties. All looked to
be plain white and fairly ordinary.
“Uh…Z?” Kristine asked.
“They may not look like much but these are just the
templates,” Ziala said.
“Templates?” Kristine asked.
“Here, strip off and put them on,” Ziala said.
Kristine looked at her friend and put down her bag. In a
moment she took off her jacket and unbuttoned her blouse. When
Kristine slipped it off her arms, Ziala took the blouse and folded it up
while Kristine unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor.
Ziala looked Kris over, “I can’t believe your mother still makes
you wear white cotton. I mean, come on girl, you’re too hot and in this
day and age,” she said.
“Uh…I’m not that hot,” Kristine said.
“Oh I wouldn’t say that. My cousin seems to think so,” Ziala
said.
“Z…” Kristine said.
“Anyway. Come on, off with the underwear,” Ziala said.
Without so much as a second thought, Kristine reached behind
her back and unclasped her bra and then took it off. Then she pushed
her panties down her smooth legs and tossed them both to the side.
Ziala reached inside her box and pulled out one pair of panties and a bra.
“Fresh off the patented Princess Ziala manufacturing line. My
own little design and creation…for princess’s only…and their close friends.
One size fits all,” Ziala said.
“You a sales woman now?” Kristine asked. She stood there,
naked as the day she was born and took the clothing from Ziala. “Z…it
just feels like cotton,” she said.
“And it will to any curious fingers other than yours…or any
other interested male company,” Ziala said.
Kristine slipped on the panties and then put on the bra. The
bra didn’t have a catch so Kristine pulled it on over her head. It stretched
to become a little bit more accommodating. The fabric moulded itself to
her body perfectly as though they were tailored just for her.
“Nano-cellular fibres, based on my Uncle Alex’s brilliant work
that I just took in a more intimate direction. Thank you very much.
Anyway, there are sensors that just touch the skin in line with your
spine. Oh and machine washable too. Go ahead…think,” Ziala said.
“Really…I mean it works as advertised?” Kristine asked.
“Really and truly,” Ziala said.
Kristine thought for a moment and smiled. She moved over to
a mirror and closed her eyes. She saw the image in her mind and in a
moment her new underwear changed. Her bra became black lace,
transparent in parts with darker lines moving over the cups. Her panties
changed fabric to match but the rear shifted and became a thong.
“Z…my hat is off to you,” Kristine said.
“Try again,” Ziala said.
Kristine did, the colour shifted and became a shade of red that
matched her hair. Her bra became loose and light fabric extended down
resulting in Kristine wearing a teddy complete with thin silk strings.
Another change brought them to a more simple design but made of silk
and green in colour.
“Hmm, I think this will do for the rest of today,” Kristine said.
“Totally. And the good thing is, if you take them off they
return to the template form. Certain adults back in your home will not be
the wiser,” Ziala said. “Good. They’d string me up if they saw me
wearing anything remotely like this,” Kristine said.
“Well, I’m sure a certain young prince won’t mind seeing you
in these,” Ziala said.
“Z, come on,” Kristine said.
“What? I’m not allowed to have fun with Rick’s girlfriend?”
Ziala asked.
Kristine smiled. She picked up her skirt and was ready to put
it on but Ziala stopped her.
“Oh wait. Try this,” Ziala said. She pulled out two small bands
of fabric and gave it to Kristine.
Kristine raised an eyebrow as she looked at the bands, “Z?”
she asked.
“Put them on. Around your thighs,” Ziala said.
Kristine put her skirt back down and slipped on the thin bands
on each leg, rolling them up high on her thighs. She smiled as she
realised what they were for and in moments dark silk spread out over the
length of her legs to form shear stockings.
“Z, you’re a goddess. I like a lot,” Kristine said.
“I thought you might. They can become tights, stockings,
socks…anything for legs and feet,” Ziala said.
Kristine then got her skirt and put it back on before she put on
her blouse. She then put her old underwear in her bag and took the
other six pairs of underwear from the box.
“One glimpse of these and Rick will be in your bed,” Ziala said.
“Z, I didn’t ask for these to get Rick into bed,” Kristine said.
“It’s only a matter of time, Kris. Every woman in our family
can see the way you two look at each other,” Ziala said.
“This from someone who’s much of a virgin as I am? I know
Antarian biology. You have sex, you’re bonded for life. You’re wedding
ceremonies are just for show and to open the connection to its full
potential. Sex is the true wedding for your people,” Kristine said.
“Yes it is. It’s why we have a ritual for every stage of our
relationships. We make sure we’re with the right person for us before we
even get that close…but you two, you’ve looked into each other’s souls
and then some. Just like aunt Liz and uncle Max. Look, the reason Rick
has never brought up being with you is because he never wants you to
doubt that you made the right choice in having sex. To being bound to
him and him to you…you’re both still young and it’s a huge step even for
humans but him being him makes it a bigger one. And you’ve never
brought it up…well, you’re parents would go through the roof for one thing
and you’ve got it in your head that in no way would you be a good queen
when the time came,” Ziala said.
“Well I was born in Roswell you know,” Kristine said.
“Yeah…uh, Kris…so was aunt Liz,” Ziala said.
“Hmm…good point,” Kristine said.
“Besides, other than the Omniriad, my cousin may be the most
powerful being…you know…ever. But I know something more powerful,”
Ziala said.
“What’s that?” Kristine asked.
“You. Can you think of anything more powerful than the
woman standing next to the powerful human?” Ziala asked.
“No,” Kristine said.
“You’re a queen in waiting. It’s only a matter of time before
you figure that out and let nature take its course,” Ziala said.
With that Ziala walked over to the door and unlocked it with a
wave of her magic finger. Kristine put on her jacket and walked to the
door with the feeling of silk against her skin. Soon they were back
among the students walking in the halls and Kristine had a sly smile on
her face which wasn’t missed by Ziala.
***
By lunchtime, Richard returned to the Antarian estate on Earth where
Max, Liz and the others once lived before moving to New Antar and to
where they stay when on Earth. Once there he powered up the Arch and
was transported to the palace back home. The crowned prince walked
through the halls on his way to the Hall of the White, the barracks of the
White Guard within the palace and where they trained to the point where
it was almost a religion to them.
Since their founding, there was only one black stain in their
history and they swore what happened with Kivar would never happen
again.
However, Richard soon passed his father’s private office and
the door was open.
“Rick, could you come in here a sec?” Max called out.
Richard stopped dead and looked in through the
door, “Whatever it is, I didn’t do it,” he said.
Max chuckled and beckoned his eldest into the
office. “Actually you did do it,” Max said.
“What’s going on?” Richard asked. He sat down while his
father came out from behind the desk and sat nearby.
“It’s time we told you about something that’s been going on for
a while now. You’re mother wanted to be here but she’s on Earth trying
to keep this quiet but it looks like that isn’t going to work,” Max said.
“Dad, you’re worrying me now,” Richard said.
“Yeah, I wish I could do this another way…but, there’s a
motion going before the Pope tomorrow morning and he seems ready to
ratify it,” Max said.
“The Pope? As in the Vatican Pope? What do I have to do with
him?” Richard asked.
“Over your life, there have been certain events. This motion,
and I can’t believe I’m going to say this, it’s to have you named…as…the
Second Coming of Christ,” Max said.
“WHAT???” Richard yelled.
“Do you remember when you were six months old?” Max
asked.
“Vaguely, yes,” Rick said.
“Really?” Max asked.
“Yes, you know - the power of the Progenitors and all that,”
Richard said.
“Well, after the Granolith terra-formed Mars into New Antar,
the effect on Earth instantly neutralised 98% of the planet’s pollution. But
afterward, there were still areas that had problems. One was a place we
took you to, an African coastal town that had overfished and polluted the
area to the point that they couldn’t feed themselves. We just walked,
having our people see what we could do to raise the fish stocks,” Max
said.
“Yeah, I remember that. We were going to use…well
biologically speaking it’s basically to cloning what cloning is to how they
used to dissect frogs in class years ago,” Richard said.
“That’s right. Anyway, one day you were feeling a little hot so
your mother and me took you down to the river to cool down. Liz dipped
you into the water and the next thing we knew was that there was an
explosion of light throughout the water. That night the local fishermen
pulled in a catch bigger than they’d ever had. There was a priest there
and he saw it. He started thinking about those Sunday school stories,”
Max said.
“Christ bringing in the fish…yeah, but still…” Richard said.
“There’s more. That was just enough to get attention.
Anyway, you were three and we went to a hospital. The same thing
happened. You felt hot, there was a flash of light…that day, everyone in
hospitals for one hundred miles were healed. And not just healed.
Amputated limbs regenerated, diseases were gone…and people who died,
even people in the morgue who hadn’t gone through an autopsy were all
brought back to life,” Max said.
“I remember that. You just said that I reached a new level of
my powers and it took me a moment to adapt,” Richard said.
“That was true. But it got more attention. Between now and
your birth there have been twenty-nine incidents that can be seen as
religious in nature. It’s not just the Catholic Church, they are the first but
the leaders of most faiths on Earth started to see you as the next
messenger of god – a Prophet,” Max said.
“I…think…I think I need to sit down,” Richard said.
“You are sitting down,” Max said.
“Oh…okay,” Richard said. “Wait…how are they getting over
the whole god is the father and the virgin birth thing. I’m pretty sure you
and mom were pretty…well, you know, for a long time before I was born.”
“We were,” Max said. “As I understand their theory, your
mother was chosen by the Omniriad. The Omniriad, as the first race to
evolve sentience in the universe, were God’s angels. Especially with the
impressive wing span and natural glowing light they’ve got. They sent
Phoenix to Earth, he went to Liz, Liz was changed and I was sent to her to
create you. A load of rubbish, I know, but it’s how some of the priests
are rationalising it. Basically they’re saying god can choose to send his
emissary’s anyway he wants.”
“Which is true enough but, dad, this is…insane,” Richard said.
“I said that when I found out about it,” Max said.
“And mom isn’t having any luck convincing them of this?”
Richard asked.
“No. Tomorrow the Pope will either ratify it or reject it but
right now it looks like he’s siding with the ever growing group of the ratify
sect. It’ll hit the media some time tonight,” Max said.
“Oh holy…no, scratch that. Poor choice of words. Dad, there
is just no way…no way this is happening. I don’t suppose I could just…
you know…erase the Vatican from history?” Richard asked.
“Rick,” Max warned.
“I know, I know. Don’t mess with established situations on
Earth. God, this blows,” Richard said.
“Totally,” Max said.
“Ughnn…dad. I’m me. Bad enough I’ve got the “next in line to
the throne” thing going on for me but come on. I’m not some god-child.
Incredible power – yes. Devilishly handsome…according to Kris – yes.
Not Christ, not a saviour and not, not, not a particularly big believer in the
big guy upstairs,” Richard said.
“Which is fairly ironic isn’t it? Come on, you’ll be fine. Why
don’t you go up to your room, call Kris. We’ll see later if we can stop this
for sure,” Max said.
“Okay. Thanks Dad, I guess it’s better hearing it from you
than walking into school tomorrow to find people staring more than
usual,” Richard said.
The prince stood up and in a haze he walked the halls of the
ninety story palace to his bedroom.
***
Richard’s bedroom – perfect for a prince. A wide space with everything
he could need or want for. A large and incredibly comfortable bed which
he just sank into every night under its warm, regal sheets was the room’s
centrepiece. Richard’s intent was to call Kristine. He activated the video
screen and accessed the inter-planetary line. However, he wasn’t
thinking. What his dad just told him was messing up his head and he
needed Kristine so before he even pressed the button to transmit he
heard her voice.
“Rick?” Kristine asked.
“Kris?” Richard said. He looked up at the black screen and
then turned around to see Kristine standing there.
Kristine was dressed in black spandex, she was just about ready to go for her usual mid-afternoon jog. It was a Tuesday and on those afternoons her hour after lunch was available. Technically she was supposed to be studying but she always found that going out for a run helped to clear her head so she headed home, got changed and went out for about half an hour.
“How did you?...” Richard asked.
“You’re asking me? One minute I’m putting on my sneakers and the next I’m with you,” Kristine said.
“I guess I must have teleported you here. Sorry,” Richard said.
“No need to apologise. But I thought you meditated every day so that things like this wouldn’t happen?” Kristine asked.
“Yes but dad just told me something…I was about to call you. I think you better sit down,” Richard said.
“Uh oh,” Kristine said. She sat down on the edge of Richard’s bed and he started to pace back and forth. It took a moment but he started to talk and told her what Max told him. Her jaw hung open. “He said that?”
“There are people out there that think I’m the next Prophet, son of god, whatever the hell they want to call it,” Richard said. He fell backwards, landing flat on his back on the bed.
“That’s just…wow,” Kristine said.
“Wow? That’s it?” Richard said.
“Sorry, I guess I don’t know what to say,” Kristine said.
“Yeah, join the club. You know what the fun part is? I can’t wait to
see how the put my brother and sisters into this. They’re just as powerful
as I am, most of it just hasn’t switched on yet,” Richard said.
“Not to mention Katherine and Philip. Their dad is the most highly
evolved human. Can’t your mom, dad…or anyone in your family do
something?” she asked.
“They’ve been trying. For years apparently,” Richard said.
Kristine’s eyes went wide and moved further around to look at her
boyfriend, “My parents,” she said.
“Oh yeah, they’ll freak all right,” Richard said.
“Freak? Rick, they’re devout Catholics. If the Pope stands up and
says you are the Second Coming then to them you are the Second
coming. They’ll tell me to break up with you,” Kristine said.
“They’ll what? Richard asked.
“Rick, no one, not even their own daughter would be good enough
for you,” Kristine said.
“Like Hell. Kris, I would crawl across the universe, destroy Hell
and storm the gates of Heaven before I rain fire down over Earth before I
stop seeing you. Well, unless you meant it if you told me you wanted to
break-up,” Richard said.
“Ah, such the romantic,” Kristine said. “Mind you…you probably
could do all that stuff couldn’t you?”
“I really hope I never find out. God, religion sucks,” Richard said.
“Uh, Rick, fairly spiritual girlfriend sitting not five inches from you,”
Kristine said.
“Ah, I said religion. Spirituality is great, believing in God…fine.
Organised religion and some old documents written by people - not
deities - people telling other people how to live their lives…it sucks. I
mean take you, your parents are what I would charitably describe as
obsessed with their faith and they’ve raised you the same but you didn’t
buy it. You made up your own mind and saw more in your own sense of
what’s right. If I get named the Second Coming, god help me, then you
make up your own mind about that but people like your parents…they’d
follow the Pope and the same will be said for every other faith. If I am
considered a new Prophet then people will follow their own religious
leaders instead of making up their own minds,” Richard said.
“Well…since I make up my own mind, I guess I decide to help take
you mind off of this for at least a little while,” Kristine said.
“Yeah?” Richard asked.
“Yes,” Kristine said.
Richard moved up onto his knees and sat beside Kristine. He
softly held her hand while reaching up to her cheek with his other one.
Gently he planted a kiss on her cheek and they looked into each other’s
eyes. In a moment they leaned closer and kissed on the lips. Their arms
wrapped around each other as the kiss deepened and the two fell onto
the bed.
Richard let his fingers run through the long red locks and fire
sparked within him. He opened his eyes and Kristine looked to see a
bountiful universe of stars sparkling deep within them. It didn’t scare
her. In fact it drew her in even more and soon she found her tongue
inside his mouth duelling with his tongue.
Kristine felt Richard’s hand let go of hers and slide up her bare
arm to her shoulder. The two teenagers pressed themselves together,
desperately eager for more before Richard broke their kiss.
“We can’t,” Richard said.
“I know,” Kristine said.
“I just…” Richard said.
“Rick, I understand. I do. As much as we both want to, I’m not
ready to be named as the future queen of Antar and you don’t want me
trapped into a role you think I might not want because we let our
hormones get out of control,” Kristine said.
Richard smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead. “For the record,
my mom thinks you’d make an incredible queen. Are you sure I can’t
interest you in the ball tonight?” he asked.
“As much as I would like to say yes. I have a report due on
Comparable Human/Antarian biology tomorrow. I haven’t gotten through
as much of it as I would have liked,” Kristine said.
“Are you sure? There’s going to be lots of world leaders there from Antar and Earth,” Richard said.
“Rick…” she said.
“I know, I know. No pressure,” Richard said.
“Rick…there is something,” Kristine said.
“What’s that?” Richard asked.
“If you’re the Second Coming…who is the Anti-Christ?”
***
The tomb was sealed for over 5000 years. The walls of the ancient room
situated not far from the mouth of Lake Tana in Ethiopia started to
crumble as people hacked at the other side. After days of backbreaking
work Dr Cole’s archaeological team had dug through the rock to this
discovery that they were now breaching. With eagerness the team
carefully worked so that the massive brick they were working on was
loose enough for them to push. With a crash the block fell to the floor
inside.
Their mouths watered at the prospect of this but the honour of
going in first belonged to their expedition leader and he approached their
makeshift door. Cole moved in. After years of researching he was not
going to be denied this moment. He switched on his torch and the beam
glanced over everything before they stepped in. Simon, one of Cole’s
assistants, moved to the side where a large, oil-filled dish sat and he
dropped a match into it. The flames roared to life and filled the chamber
with light. Cole pulled out his micro-cassette recorder and started to
speak.
“April fourth - I was right. Today we broke through into a
chamber, cubical shape with four central pillars. There are two openings
at the lower corners of the wall adjacent to our entry point from which
water is flowing in and flowing out again from opposite openings. Theory:
Could this place have been constructed as a temple to the river gods?
However there are no depictions of Ankhet or Kneph. The walls are
unremarkable, pale yellow in colour but no hieroglyphs despite the
architecture being distinctly Ancient Egyptian. Correction, there are
hieroglyphs. In the centre of the room between the pillars there is an
artefact. Its dimensions are approximately 5feet high, 2½ wide. Around
the top, there is an outer ring of what appear to be rubies. There
appears to be one missing. The centre of the object is a gold lined
indentation. There are seven small holders, all are empty.”
“Doctor. Check this out,” Simon said. A small black bag hung
on a pillar. He opened it and saw several coloured stones. “I’m not sure
what these are for but there are seven.”
“Seven? There are seven spaces on this artefact.” As he held
each stone in turn Cole said, “Hmm? They feel like they’re all different
weights. Maybe they’re supposed to fit into specific holders.”
“A weight balanced lock? I guess it’s possible, so what’s the
sequence?” Simon asked.
“I have no idea.” Cole looked at the writing around the base
and translated. “By the gaze of Ra, his stare’s true form, bound eternally
his name cursed to be forgotten…the Bringer of Chaos. Ra was the Sun
God, his gaze would be sunlight,” he said.
“His stare’s true form?” Simon asked.
Cole thought for a moment. “Light…the light spectrum?”
“What? Like a rainbow? The stones are all the right colours.
What about this Bringer of Chaos stuff?” Simon said
“Probably some warlord that hacked his way through half of
Egypt before he died. This could be his coffin. We’ll just have to open it
and find out,” Cole said. He put the stones on the holders following the
order of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo but
before he placed the violet stone on Simon stopped him.
“Doctor…” Simon said.
“Look, we just found a buried chamber here at the source of
the Blue Nile. This room’s existence proves the ancients tracked the Nile
back to here; maybe even they tracked back along the White Nile to Lake
Victoria. Either way, we have this room and maybe there are more
hidden but we will be very popular from this day on. Besides God knows
what’s behind these other walls,” Cole said. He placed the violet stone
into place.
Immediately the internal mechanisms registered the sequence
of weights and the small bowl of gold lowered into the stone. A crack
formed right down the side, opening it. The cameras flashed as the
assistants took pictures but all they saw was a dark grey powder pouring
out of a space less than a cubic foot in size.
“Someone buried in a place like this and not mummified?”
Cole said. Suddenly the powder lifted up and span around the room like a
brewing storm. All throughout the chamber, a menacing laugh could be
heard echoing off the walls.
Most of the team felt their throats close up; they were being
strangled with pressure directly onto their windpipes yet no one was
touching them. Cole could do nothing but stand there and watch as they
fell to the floor and passed out from lack of air before they died. Seconds
later blood poured from their mouths and into the water, turning it red.
Within moments everyone in the room fell to the floor dead
and the cloud moved up through the hole.
***
When school was done, Ziala drove back home to the estate where she
met her parents. Rath, Lonnie and their daughter moved through the
portal that Alex built and in moments they were in the palace of New
Antar. From there they separated to their rooms to get ready for this
evenings ball. Ziala had taken Katherine out to shop for a new dress
shortly before the Earth Star-Ship Phoenix was revealed to the world and
the time had come for the social reception to congratulate the people in
charge of the project – which included Prince/Professor Alexander
Whitman.
Ziala ran into her bedroom in the palace and locked the door
before she stripped off her clothes. She left a trail all the way to her
bedside cabinet where she took her Vor’tal off her wrist and placed it onto
the holder. Ziala then moved into her bathroom.
With the press of a small button on the wall, the bathtub was
instantly filled with hot water. The fragrance of lavender drifted through
the air from the water and Ziala moved into the tub. It was large and
circular, designed to stand up in and more than enough room to be
shared but generally she used it alone. In a moment she was completely
relaxed, the water was at the perfect temperature for her body and as a
result she almost felt like drifting off to float in the water. She stopped
herself from dozing though, but Ziala pressed a button and the water
glowed.
There was no need for soap, cloths or sponges. The light
swept over her body and removed every trace of grim, sweat and dirt
from her body. The residual effect was a tingling over every inch of her
skin that Ziala just loved.
What she didn’t know was that in her room, her ruby
encrusted Vor’tal started to glow. The blood red stone pulsed and the
light coming from it illuminated the room in an eerie radiance. It lasted
mere minutes and when Ziala came out of the bathroom with a towel,
rubbing her body dry, the light was gone.
Ziala opened her large, very large, walk-in wardrobe. Her
first stop was her underwear drawer. Once she had them on, she made
her selection. She kept the colour white but with a simple thought she
changed the material to silk. They hugged her body, the bra pushed up
her breasts – not that they needed to, and for her legs she chose sheer
white silk stockings.
After that it was time for a dress and the one she had ready
was topaz in colour. There wasn’t a back to it, her skin was completely
exposed down to just above her butt and while the skirt hung down to her
feet, there was a split on the left hand side up to mid-thigh.
Ziala slipped on her bathrobe, there was no point in getting
ready a full hour before the ball was due to start. She still had some stuff
to get done and she was due to meet her fellow princesses soon anyway.
Besides, there was still some of their family missing but not for long…
***
The spaceport of the Antarian Capitol was just outside of the city. A
massive red spire that reached up into the sky, not quite as high as the
palace but it was still impressive. At various angles, all up the length
were docking platforms sticking out of it and Max, Liz, Isabel, Alex, Rath,
Lonnie, Zan, Ava, Michael and Maria were all there waiting on the upper
most level. Soon there was a rumble in the air and from the clouds a
ship descended. It flew down and moved around the spire until it was
aligned with the platform.
The ship latched on and the engines powered down before the
main hatch opened. From the light inside, six children came running out.
Two, James and Shanala were 16, two more, Derek and Tracy were 14
and the final two, Trall and Shalara had just turned 10. Shortly
afterward, their parents came walking out.
“Kyle, Tess…welcome back,” Max said. He approached the
pair and hugged them one after the other before giving a great big bear
hug to his six nephews and nieces. In seconds the rest of the family were
hugging the new arrivals and welcoming them back to New Antar.
Liz hugged Tess and smiled. “You have been away too long,”
she said.
“Tell me about it,” Tess said.
“How’s Krallen?” Ava asked.
“Sunny as ever, but a bit moist. The burden of living in a
rainforest,” Tess said.
“Nalat Kyle…you look good,” Maria said.
“Thanks oh dear step-sis. Call me Nalat again and I’ll hurt
you,” Kyle said.
“Oh Kyle, it’s your title. Live with it,” Michael said.
“I have. And quiet well for 17 years. So…how is he?” Kyle
said.
“I’m sorry, he’s not doing well,” Max said.
“Then dad is dying?” Tess asked.
Ava’s eyes were moist and hugged her sister, “He’s got about
a week left,” she said.
“Alex, there has to be something you can do?” Kyle asked.
“I wish it worked like that but, no, there’s nothing,” Alex said.
“You’ve helped make the average human life span 107 years,
you can’t…” Tess said.
“Guys, no,” Alex said. “Antarians don’t age the same. It
starts like humans until mid 30s, then it slows down. For 490 years or so
we look like that, ageing maybe 10 years physically then it changes
drastically. The body ages rapidly and the energy diminishes. It hit your
dad three days ago. Trall’s simply dying of old age and I can’t stop that.”
“I know. Sorry,” Tess said.
“Can we see him?” Kyle asked.
“Tomorrow. He wants to see his family then. Today he’s
preparing himself for the Final Ritual,” Ava said.
Tess nodded and Kyle put his hand on his youngest son’s shoulder, he was named after his Antarian grandfather but they had only
met a couple of times. Living on opposite ends of the galaxy caused
problems, even with the special corridor connecting Earth’s solar system
to the rest of the Empire it took time getting between the areas. Add to
that Kyle’s responsibilities as Nalat over a prosperous region of one of the
colony worlds took much of his time.
Once word reached them about Trall, they couldn’t have had
their private ship ready fast enough. Their family was packed and
headed to New Antar, they all looked forward to it despite the reason they
were going.
“Majesty?” the king’s personal aide said.
“Yes Vejan?” Max asked.
“We’re getting an unusual report from Earth,” the aide said.
“What kind of report?” Liz asked.
“It’s odd but some kind of fogbank blew in from the Atlantic,
grew thicker and stopped dead over Roswell,” the aide said.
“What?” Tess asked.
“Okay, contact all Antarians on Earth and make sure none of
them have developed a strange sense of humour. In the meantime, get
someone to look into atmospheric anomalies and make sure this isn’t just
a side effect from our abilities being used in Roswell all that time,” Max
said.
“Yes Majesty,” the aide said.
“But for now, let’s get you lot to the palace and settled in,” Liz
said.
Soon they all left, taking the royal shuttle and flying over the
city toward the palace. The palace staff had their rooms ready, pristine
and maintained since the day they left for their new home on the planet
Krallen.
***
The sun was setting over Roswell; its light beamed over the mountains as
the Mayor of Roswell stood on the balcony of his office and looked at the
layer of fog that covered the entire first story of the city. He just stood
there with the satellite images of the fog moving over the ocean toward
his town and now here it was, not even moving an inch beyond the city
limits to the west.
“Mr Mayor,” Max said.
“Your Majesty. This is a surprise,” the mayor said.
“I think you said that when you got elected. Mayor Jim
Valenti…better than Sheriff,” Max said.
“You bet your ass I did. Amy damn near had a heart attack,”
Jim said.
“Well you’re the one who decided to run. Anyway, I thought
you’d like to know, Kyle and Tess’s ship arrived 10 minutes ago,” Max
said.
“Yeah? Excellent, tell my son and want to see my grandkids
this visit,” Jim said.
Max smiled, “Count on it,” he said.
“So Max, what’s going on with my town?” Jim asked.
“Not a clue. This is new,” Max said.
“I take it no Antarians have done this?” Jim asked.
“No, I checked when I heard. There is an energy signature
present but while it’s similar to Antarian but not quite there,” Max said.
“Rick?” Jim asked.
“No. It’s still different, none of the kids are a match,” Max said.
“So what we have here is a fog bank, apparently from Egypt
that crossed the Atlantic with Roswell as its destination…why?” Jim asked.
Suddenly the cloud started to move and swirl. “Nuya, aque,
noosa malor,”
The voice echoed in the wind, repeating the same words over
and over again in a chant that seemed unending. Everyone in the city
could hear it before it suddenly vanished.
“Okay. Now I have a bad feeling,” Max said.
“You and me both,” Jim said.
“I’ll have my people study this the second I get back,” Max
said.
“Speaking of which don’t you have a ball to get ready for?” Jim
asked.
“Yeah, I will. I’ve got time. What about you? You and Amy
are going to be there, the entire family is,” Max said.
“I can be ready on time and be at the estate to get up there.
As for Amy…” Jim said.
“I’ll have you two boys know that I can be ready when and
where it is required,” Amy said. She walked up behind them. “And
speaking as the mother of Lady Maria Guerin, I shall be there with bells
on long before my daughter has even finished with her hair.”
“Good to know,” Max said.
“We’ll see you there Max,” Amy said.
***
Soon the time came for everyone to get ready. All the girls were meeting
in Ziala’s bedroom to add the final touches before making their public
appearance. Right now Katherine was sitting in front of Ziala’s mirror
with Ziala putting on a little make-up. Katherine may always be the belle
of the ball but she hated public appearances, she hated the attention that
came with her celebrity as one of the Royals but still she went to them as
her duty as a princess of the empire.
Richard knocked on the door and opened it. He was wearing
his official uniform as crowned prince of the empire. A dark blue, one-
piece suit with a cape that was adorned with the whirlwind symbol. A belt
came down from his shoulder to his left hand side and then up around his
back. “Ladies, ready?” he asked.
“Just about done,” Ziala said. She put the last touches of
eyeliner on Katherine. “There.”
“Wow, sis...you look good,” Philip said. He stood at the door
looking over his sister and cousins, wearing a similar outfit to Richard’s
except that his, like the rest of his male cousins was black.
“Could you sound anymore surprised?” Katherine asked.
“Uh…no. Anyway, there’s such a thing as fashionably late and
outright late so…” Philip said.
“So are you ready?” Richard asked.
“Why yes we are oh great prince,” Paige said. She was
desperately trying to hold back from laughing at the wardrobe her
cousin’s were wearing. At least she and the other girls got to choose.
“Enough. Come on, get those butts in gear before I teleport
you all there,” Richard said.
“Oh you don’t want to do that just yet,” Shanala said.
“Why not?” Richard asked.
“Because there is a surprise for you,” a voice to the side said.
Richard turned and saw Kristine standing there. She was
wearing a golden dress that clung to her body, matching gloves covered
her arms up to just below her elbows. Around her waist was a belt of a
darker shade of the gold and if she was wearing anything underneath the
dress Richard certainly couldn’t tell. Kristine wore her hair was up and a
small pendant, a gift from Richard, adorned her neck. Richard’s jaw hit
the floor.
“I…I…I…” Richard said.
“I think we did good. I’ve never seen him that speechless,”
Kara said.
“You did this?” Richard asked.
“We all had a hand,” Ziala said.
“But I thought you had a paper to do?” Richard asked.
“Oh I do but it’s not due till tomorrow. What kind of surprise
would it be if I said I wasn’t coming but didn’t have a good excuse?”
Kristine said.
“I think this deserves a little punishment,” Richard said.
“Oh, you promise?” Kristine asked.
“Okay…way too much information,” Ziala said.
“So, you like?” Kristine asked. She turned around, the hem of
her dress fluttered up and settled back down when she stopped.
“I like very much. You’re beautiful,” Richard said.
Richard moved in closer and Kristine met him halfway. Their
lips pressed together and as Richard slowly moved his hands up and
down her arms, they melted together.
“Awwwwwwwwww…” all the girls said.
Richard broke the kiss. “I hate my family at times,” he said.
“Oh you don’t really. But damn, I am really good,” Ziala said.
Kristine’s dress was another choice of Ziala’s.
“Good? You’re a Van Gogh,” Richard said.
“We helped too,” Joanne said.
Richard smiled and kissed both of his sister’s foreheads. He
hugged them both before turned back to his girlfriend and held out his
arm. “My lady. First official function as the escort of the crowned prince…
ready?” he asked.
“My prince…more than ready,” Kristine said. She took hold of
his arm and Richard escorted out of the room.
They were followed presently by the rest of the family down
the hall. They walked through the winding corridors until they reached
the Grand Hall where the ball was already underway.
***
The hall was massive, built between two great towers of the palace and
covered in a roof of impenetrable glass. Above them floated the reason
they were all there, the new Star-ship Phoenix. It was only manned by a
skeleton crew, most of the officers had still to be selected but there was
enough on board to make sure the television cameras had a show when
they looked up.
In the hall people were dancing, talking and enjoying
themselves while Max and Liz did the rounds. To Antarians, these balls
were the equivalent of State Dinners and as the hosts Max and Liz were
constantly engaged with world leaders and the High Council.
Only Trall was absent from the Council but he insisted his family be in attendance instead of tending to him. He knew he didn’t have much time left but he still had to prepare himself in private, only those of trained for the rituals were allowed to tend to him until he was ready to see his family.
As Richard and Kristine walked the hall, they approached his parents who were standing with the current President of the U.S., Lucas Young, and former President Harrison.
“Prince Richard, you’re looking well,” Harrison said.
“Thank you. President Young, President Harrison. May I present
Kristine Adams from Roswell,” Richard said.
“A pleasure, my dear,” Harrison said.
“I’m honoured, Sir,” Kristine said.
“How does it feel to be the envy of so many?” President Young said.
“Envy Sir?” Kristine asked.
“When you get my girls as jealous as they are, I know there’s just about every teenage girl feeling even worse,” President Young said.
“Really?” Kristine asked.
“Really,” Young said.
“I…eh…wow,” Kristine said.
“You do look beautiful tonight Kris. I hope my son is minding his
manners?” Liz asked.
“As always your Majesty,” Kristine said.
“Kris, I thought we had an arrangement? You don’t need to call me or Max Your Majesty,” Liz asked.
“Well, it’s a formal occasion. I figured it would be best. Besides, my mom and dad would kill me is I didn’t call you that and it was caught on camera,” Kristine said.
“Ah, good reason,” Max said.
“Why don’t you two go have and dance. This is a ball after all,” Liz said.
“Uh…dance?” Richard asked.
Kristine turned and looked at him with a smile. “Are you saying we’ve found something you’re not capable of doing?” she asked.
“Ummm…kind of. It’s really not pretty,” Richard said.
“Well, then. I guess I get to teach you,” Kristine said. She took hold of his hand and lead Richard out onto the centre of the dance floor.
The second they did, all eyes on the room were on them and Richard never felt more self-conscious than he did right now. Richard took her hand in his and moved his other hand to her waist. Slowly to the two started to move, Richard’s brain moving fast to absorb every moment
Kristine made to anticipate what to do and for the first time he didn’t stand on his partner’s feet. Everything just seemed to come so naturally
for him.
Back with his parents, Liz took hold of Max’s hand and smiled.
“What’s with our family finding their soul-mates so young?” Liz asked.
“They do look good together,” Max said.
“Remind you of a certain other couple we’re both intimately familiar with?” Liz asked.
Max smiled and held his beloved wife closer.
“What I’m concerned about is that your family seems to meet their soul-mates in life or death situations,” Harrison said.
“Hmm…yes,” Max and Liz said.
They looked at their son and his girlfriend. The young couple couldn’t take their eyes off each other, Richard and Kristine were utterly
mesmerised.
“She’s certainly a future queen,” Liz said.
“They’re both still too young for that,” Max said.
“Like we were?” Liz asked.
Max smiled, remembering back to those simple days where a gunshot triggered off the events leading toward his current life. “Well if it
happens, we’ll be there for them both. They won’t need to start it off as
secretive as we had to be,” Max said.
Liz sighed, “Should we tell them?” she asked.
“You’re sure about it?” Max asked
“Yes. The story is being leaked to the press right now. Too bad my vision didn’t kick in sooner,” Liz said.
“Then no. They’ll find out tomorrow. Let them have tonight. Their lives can spin out of control tomorrow,” Max said.
“I can tell you this, whoever it was in Rome that leaked this…they won’t enjoy meeting me,” Liz said.
“Or me,” Max said.
“Oh no. I’m a pissed off mother. I get first crack,” Liz said.
Off to the side, Ziala was sitting with her cousins and watching Richard and Kristine. Soon though, a young man just a few years older than herself walked by the table. As he did so, they both sharply turned their heads and locked eyes on each other. Ziala stared into his eyes and was completely mesmerised and felt her heart beat like a thunderstorm.
“Now, that is a cute guy,” Ziala said.
Slowly he approached the table and extended his hand, he couldn’t
control himself and smiled at Ziala.
“May I have the honour of this dance, Princess?” he asked.
Ziala reached up and took hold of his hand. He held her hand and walked her out onto the dance floor just as many other people went out to dance themselves. They all danced away, Ziala and her dance partner were utterly drawn to each other, like a moon caught in a planet’s orbit and neither could leave.
Richard turned his head, just to make sure he wasn’t going to bump into anyone, but had to do a double take when he saw his cousin dancing and who she was dancing with. Kristine saw the expression on his face change to one of concern and looked over.
“What is it? Is everything okay?” Kristine asked.
“No, no it’s not,” Richard said.
A few minutes later the song died down and they all departed from the dance floor. Ziala’s young man knew that he had crossed a line yet he couldn’t help himself when he saw the princess. He knew he shouldn’t have and that while protocol demanded his presence at the function, propriety demanded that he leave before anything else happened. He took hold of her hand and lifted it to kiss it.
“You’re leaving?” Ziala asked.
“I must,” he said.
Without any more fuss he simply headed for the exit but before he
walked up the white marble stairs to the grand doorway, he turned back
to Ziala and bowed. With that he left.
Ziala returned to her table just as Richard and Kristine were walking up.
“Z, are you nuts?” Richard asked.
“Uh, what? I was invited to dance, so I danced and by the Progenitors he’s cute,” Ziala asked.
“You mean you don’t know?” Richard asked. He then turned to his
cousins, “You didn’t tell her?” he asked
“She didn’t give us a chance to. She was gone in a heartbeat,” Philip said.
“What are you guys talking about?” Ziala asked.
“Z, you need to pay more attention to the politics up here. That’s Lord Jarel. Jarel…as in Kivar’s son,” Richard said.
“What? Oh god,” Ziala said.
To Be Continued…
Disclaimer: I don’t own these characters
Rating: Adult
Couples: All CC
Summery: Now 16 years after the birth of the Pod Squads children, an ancient darkness of the Antarian people is rising on earth.
It might be a good idea to read Other Paths 1. The link is in the signature space at the bottom of the post.
*************************************************************
Younger members of the family:
Max and Liz’s Children – Richard (16 years old), Mark, Kara and Joanne (13)
Michael and Maria’s Children – Paige, Max (16), John, Stephanie (11), Robert, Laura (9), Steven and Shara (6)
Alex and Isabel’s Children – Philip, Katherine (16), Scott and Caitlin (14)
Kyle and Tess’s Children – James, Shanala (16), Derek, Tracy (14), Trall and Shalara (10)
Rath and Lonnie’s Children – Ziala (17) and Rath Junior (15)
Zan and Ava’s Children – Taran (15), Delara (14), Sharn, Sanila, Zar and Tialna (13 – born on different days over the same year)
Laurie and Andrew’s Child – Matthew (15)
*************************************************************
Over the last decade or so, much had changed. Roswell was no longer a
small town but a sprawling metropolis built around what became known
as the Old Town. That section was carefully preserved, right down to the
UFO Museum and a certain little café where a massive event changed the
world. The desert was no longer a desert but vast grass fields.
A new age had begun for Earth and Antar, for Earth - they
were now on the interstellar map. As for Antar, they were now free of
Kivar and while their old home world was a barren wasteland, their new
home on Mars A.K.A New Antar created a new sense of purpose for the
Antarians.
Just two days ago the first of Earth’s new space-ships was
displayed to all the people and shortly after that, Queen Elizabeth Evans
of Antar started to make arrangements for her eldest son and the older of
the Pod Squad’s children. They had lived their lives among Antarians,
yes they’d spent time on Earth with their grandparents but hardly enough
time to fully understand their human halves…if that was even possible. It
was time for them to find out.
***
During a free period in the morning Ziala, daughter of Rath and Lonnie,
was sitting in the cafeteria with her books out in front of her. By her side
was Kristine, her friend who had slightly more than an intensely personal
relationship with the young and future king of the Antarian Empire.
Ziala and her younger brother RJ were currently the only children of
the royal family on Earth. Her father was named by Max as Ambassador
of the Antarian people, something that Rath promised Max he’d get
payback for.
“I’m telling you, it’s 12 over Pi by the inter-modulation
gradient of the Akashic field,” Ziala said.
“Uh, your uncle gives me a headache,” Kristine said.
“Yeah. Uncle Alex does tend to cause that reaction…even on
Antar,” Ziala said.
“Z, come on, why am I studying the intricacies of cosmic
existence?” Kristine asked.
“You’re the one who asked me to teach you it,” Ziala said.
She looked over to the entrance and saw her cousin standing there.
Many of the students sitting there gasped when they saw him but he held
up his finger to his lips. They all silenced themselves as the crowned
prince of Antar walked across the floor wearing nothing more complicated
than a pair of jeans, a blue sweater and a pair of boots. Beneath the
sleeve of his sweater was his Vor’Tal, it was a golden wristband five-
inches long, etched with Antarian glyphs with a large diamond set in the
centre. A symbol of the Antarian nobility, his brother, his sisters and all
his cousins had them but none with a stone as prominent as his. Ziala’s
held a single ruby.
Richard approached the table and put his hands over Kristine’s
eyes. “Three moons hung over head, a beach of star-blue crystal sand
under a sky like liquid gold. Where am I?” Richard whispered in Kristine’s
ear.
“Edarisia. Our first date,” Kristine said.
Kristine pulled his hands away, stood from her seat and turned
around before she wrapped her arms around Richard. He responded and
held her close. His fingers ran through her soft red hair before he kissed
her.
“Uh, excuse me. Rick, you took Kris to Edarisia?” Ziala asked.
“Yes he did. Completely ruined every future date I might
have with anyone but I’m not complaining,” Kristine said.
“Edarisia is a place where humans or anything organic for that
matter literally melts,” Ziala said.
“She was protected,” Richard said.
Ziala folded her arms. “You know one of these days we’re
going to find a limit to your powers,” she said.
“Maybe one day,” Richard said.
“So, what reason does this humble Earth girl have for a visit
from the great prince of Antar?” Kristine asked.
“Oh I go to school here,” Richard said.
“What?” Kristine asked.
“It’s time we spend a little time on Earth. Besides, our parents
went here so…well…we’re here. Well, actually it’s just me, Paige, Max,
Katherine, Philip, Shanala and James. Our little brothers and sisters are
still stuck on New Antar,” Richard said.
“Yeah, they’re not allowed to go to school here until they’re
after the Age of Transition. Antarian tradition, I know, it’ll drive you
nuts,” Ziala said.
“So you’re really going to school here? Well I guess that
makes me a very happy girlfriend,” Kristine said.
“Oi, you two stay away from the Eraser Room. You’re not
getting that happy on my watch little cousin,” Ziala said.
Richard grumbled. “Yes, Z,” he said. “Anyway. The others
are getting enrolled right now but I’m taken care of so how about you two
lovely ladies give me the grand tour?”
“Wish I could but I’ve got Math in five minutes,” Kristine said.
“I guess that just leaves me. Come on cuz, let’s show you
around the joint,” Ziala said. She stood up and packed up all her books
before she turned to Kristine. “Oh, Kris, by the way, I have that item you
were waiting for,” she said.
“Oh, great. I’ll catch you after Math,” Kristine said.
Kristine then left, heading for her class, leaving the two young
nobles there before they left so that Ziala could show Richard around his
new school.
***
Across campus in the teacher’s lounge, the Principal had gathered most of
the teachers that were available. When his secretary walked into his
office to tell him that the Queen of Antar was there to see him he almost
laughed. Then he saw Roswell High Alumni Liz Parker Evans standing just
outside the office. Principal Killian stood up and straightened out his suit
before he told his secretary to show her in.
Then he almost had a heart attack when Liz told him that some
of the royal family’s children were transferring to his school. Now Killian
stood before his staff and told them.
“They’re coming here? To this school?” Ms Jones asked.
“Why not, their parents did,” Mr Barrows said.
“Yes but for a long time no one knew they were alien and not
royal. Those kids are celebrities in their own right,” Ms Jones said.
“On that note. We’ve been asked to treat them like any other
student. If they fail at anything, they fail. We don’t give them any free
rides,” Killian said.
“Like that would happen. From what I hear they’re just as
smart as their parents, even more in some cases,” Mr Barrows said.
“What about their powers?” another teacher asked.
“They’re following the same rules their parents had when they
went here – only when they absolutely have to,” Killian said.
“Uh, what do we call them? One of them is the next in line to
the throne of Antar,” Mr Barrows asked.
“Like I said. We treat them like every other student, just like
we treat Ziala. Queen Liz told me that it was okay to call them by their
given names but not shortened versions. Prince Richard is Richard, not
Rick,” Killian said.
“What about their security? I wouldn’t imagine that the White
Guard would let them out of their sight,” Ms Jones asked.
“Not to mention the Secret Service,” Mr Barrows said.
“That isn’t our concern. But from what I understand the White
Guard will be handling security with representatives of the Secret Service
working in conjunction. If anything this school is going to be incredibly
safe. But all of you listen, they are coming here because they are half
human and they haven’t spent as much time around humanity in general.
They’ve got a lot to learn and they want to learn it here,” Killian said.
***
For Kristine, time certainly didn’t fly in her class. Her thoughts were
constantly drifting to her boyfriend instead of the equations on the
blackboard. Just being around him took her breath away, ever since they
first met during that teeny tiny little assassination attempt by one of those
lunatics who affirmatively believed that Earth is for humans and that the
hybrid children of the royals were abominations. One stray bullet. The
assassin didn’t care who he hit so long as he got his target. He failed big
time thanks to Richard.
On that day a bullet literally was one millimetre from Kristine’s
heart until the prince shattered reality, tore apart time and rippled
existence. In other words, he froze each of the bullets in place while
undoing the molecular structure and turning them to dust. Kris almost
fainted then. She literally felt the bullet touch her skin before it was
gone. Richard managed to catch her but there was a little residual
energy floating around him that sparked an immediate connection
between the two of them…a connection made possible by the fact that her
family had been in Roswell, above the Earth Granolith for many
generations and soaking up all that usually harmless radiation just like
Alex’s family.
At any rate, she was saved and the two teenagers couldn’t
take their eyes off each other. Kristine just counted the seconds until the
bell went for the end of the class. When it did she was out of there in a
second and briskly walked down the halls to the girl’s locker room by the
school’s swimming pool.
Kris stepped inside and closed the door, as she walked further
in she heard a click. The young redhead turned around to see Ziala
standing with a box and the door lock glowed.
“There, that will give us some private time,” Ziala said.
“Do you really have them?” Kristine asked.
“Oh boy, do I ever,” Ziala said.
“Where’s Rick?” Kristine asked.
“Checking in on our cousins before heading back to Antar. He
has to do this whole inspection thing for the White Guard that will be
keeping the estate and him safe,” Ziala said.
The two girls moved over to a wooden bench in the middle of
the room by a row of lockers and Ziala put the box on the bench. The
blonde opened it to reveal several pairs of bras and panties. All looked to
be plain white and fairly ordinary.
“Uh…Z?” Kristine asked.
“They may not look like much but these are just the
templates,” Ziala said.
“Templates?” Kristine asked.
“Here, strip off and put them on,” Ziala said.
Kristine looked at her friend and put down her bag. In a
moment she took off her jacket and unbuttoned her blouse. When
Kristine slipped it off her arms, Ziala took the blouse and folded it up
while Kristine unzipped her skirt and let it fall to the floor.
Ziala looked Kris over, “I can’t believe your mother still makes
you wear white cotton. I mean, come on girl, you’re too hot and in this
day and age,” she said.
“Uh…I’m not that hot,” Kristine said.
“Oh I wouldn’t say that. My cousin seems to think so,” Ziala
said.
“Z…” Kristine said.
“Anyway. Come on, off with the underwear,” Ziala said.
Without so much as a second thought, Kristine reached behind
her back and unclasped her bra and then took it off. Then she pushed
her panties down her smooth legs and tossed them both to the side.
Ziala reached inside her box and pulled out one pair of panties and a bra.
“Fresh off the patented Princess Ziala manufacturing line. My
own little design and creation…for princess’s only…and their close friends.
One size fits all,” Ziala said.
“You a sales woman now?” Kristine asked. She stood there,
naked as the day she was born and took the clothing from Ziala. “Z…it
just feels like cotton,” she said.
“And it will to any curious fingers other than yours…or any
other interested male company,” Ziala said.
Kristine slipped on the panties and then put on the bra. The
bra didn’t have a catch so Kristine pulled it on over her head. It stretched
to become a little bit more accommodating. The fabric moulded itself to
her body perfectly as though they were tailored just for her.
“Nano-cellular fibres, based on my Uncle Alex’s brilliant work
that I just took in a more intimate direction. Thank you very much.
Anyway, there are sensors that just touch the skin in line with your
spine. Oh and machine washable too. Go ahead…think,” Ziala said.
“Really…I mean it works as advertised?” Kristine asked.
“Really and truly,” Ziala said.
Kristine thought for a moment and smiled. She moved over to
a mirror and closed her eyes. She saw the image in her mind and in a
moment her new underwear changed. Her bra became black lace,
transparent in parts with darker lines moving over the cups. Her panties
changed fabric to match but the rear shifted and became a thong.
“Z…my hat is off to you,” Kristine said.
“Try again,” Ziala said.
Kristine did, the colour shifted and became a shade of red that
matched her hair. Her bra became loose and light fabric extended down
resulting in Kristine wearing a teddy complete with thin silk strings.
Another change brought them to a more simple design but made of silk
and green in colour.
“Hmm, I think this will do for the rest of today,” Kristine said.
“Totally. And the good thing is, if you take them off they
return to the template form. Certain adults back in your home will not be
the wiser,” Ziala said. “Good. They’d string me up if they saw me
wearing anything remotely like this,” Kristine said.
“Well, I’m sure a certain young prince won’t mind seeing you
in these,” Ziala said.
“Z, come on,” Kristine said.
“What? I’m not allowed to have fun with Rick’s girlfriend?”
Ziala asked.
Kristine smiled. She picked up her skirt and was ready to put
it on but Ziala stopped her.
“Oh wait. Try this,” Ziala said. She pulled out two small bands
of fabric and gave it to Kristine.
Kristine raised an eyebrow as she looked at the bands, “Z?”
she asked.
“Put them on. Around your thighs,” Ziala said.
Kristine put her skirt back down and slipped on the thin bands
on each leg, rolling them up high on her thighs. She smiled as she
realised what they were for and in moments dark silk spread out over the
length of her legs to form shear stockings.
“Z, you’re a goddess. I like a lot,” Kristine said.
“I thought you might. They can become tights, stockings,
socks…anything for legs and feet,” Ziala said.
Kristine then got her skirt and put it back on before she put on
her blouse. She then put her old underwear in her bag and took the
other six pairs of underwear from the box.
“One glimpse of these and Rick will be in your bed,” Ziala said.
“Z, I didn’t ask for these to get Rick into bed,” Kristine said.
“It’s only a matter of time, Kris. Every woman in our family
can see the way you two look at each other,” Ziala said.
“This from someone who’s much of a virgin as I am? I know
Antarian biology. You have sex, you’re bonded for life. You’re wedding
ceremonies are just for show and to open the connection to its full
potential. Sex is the true wedding for your people,” Kristine said.
“Yes it is. It’s why we have a ritual for every stage of our
relationships. We make sure we’re with the right person for us before we
even get that close…but you two, you’ve looked into each other’s souls
and then some. Just like aunt Liz and uncle Max. Look, the reason Rick
has never brought up being with you is because he never wants you to
doubt that you made the right choice in having sex. To being bound to
him and him to you…you’re both still young and it’s a huge step even for
humans but him being him makes it a bigger one. And you’ve never
brought it up…well, you’re parents would go through the roof for one thing
and you’ve got it in your head that in no way would you be a good queen
when the time came,” Ziala said.
“Well I was born in Roswell you know,” Kristine said.
“Yeah…uh, Kris…so was aunt Liz,” Ziala said.
“Hmm…good point,” Kristine said.
“Besides, other than the Omniriad, my cousin may be the most
powerful being…you know…ever. But I know something more powerful,”
Ziala said.
“What’s that?” Kristine asked.
“You. Can you think of anything more powerful than the
woman standing next to the powerful human?” Ziala asked.
“No,” Kristine said.
“You’re a queen in waiting. It’s only a matter of time before
you figure that out and let nature take its course,” Ziala said.
With that Ziala walked over to the door and unlocked it with a
wave of her magic finger. Kristine put on her jacket and walked to the
door with the feeling of silk against her skin. Soon they were back
among the students walking in the halls and Kristine had a sly smile on
her face which wasn’t missed by Ziala.
***
By lunchtime, Richard returned to the Antarian estate on Earth where
Max, Liz and the others once lived before moving to New Antar and to
where they stay when on Earth. Once there he powered up the Arch and
was transported to the palace back home. The crowned prince walked
through the halls on his way to the Hall of the White, the barracks of the
White Guard within the palace and where they trained to the point where
it was almost a religion to them.
Since their founding, there was only one black stain in their
history and they swore what happened with Kivar would never happen
again.
However, Richard soon passed his father’s private office and
the door was open.
“Rick, could you come in here a sec?” Max called out.
Richard stopped dead and looked in through the
door, “Whatever it is, I didn’t do it,” he said.
Max chuckled and beckoned his eldest into the
office. “Actually you did do it,” Max said.
“What’s going on?” Richard asked. He sat down while his
father came out from behind the desk and sat nearby.
“It’s time we told you about something that’s been going on for
a while now. You’re mother wanted to be here but she’s on Earth trying
to keep this quiet but it looks like that isn’t going to work,” Max said.
“Dad, you’re worrying me now,” Richard said.
“Yeah, I wish I could do this another way…but, there’s a
motion going before the Pope tomorrow morning and he seems ready to
ratify it,” Max said.
“The Pope? As in the Vatican Pope? What do I have to do with
him?” Richard asked.
“Over your life, there have been certain events. This motion,
and I can’t believe I’m going to say this, it’s to have you named…as…the
Second Coming of Christ,” Max said.
“WHAT???” Richard yelled.
“Do you remember when you were six months old?” Max
asked.
“Vaguely, yes,” Rick said.
“Really?” Max asked.
“Yes, you know - the power of the Progenitors and all that,”
Richard said.
“Well, after the Granolith terra-formed Mars into New Antar,
the effect on Earth instantly neutralised 98% of the planet’s pollution. But
afterward, there were still areas that had problems. One was a place we
took you to, an African coastal town that had overfished and polluted the
area to the point that they couldn’t feed themselves. We just walked,
having our people see what we could do to raise the fish stocks,” Max
said.
“Yeah, I remember that. We were going to use…well
biologically speaking it’s basically to cloning what cloning is to how they
used to dissect frogs in class years ago,” Richard said.
“That’s right. Anyway, one day you were feeling a little hot so
your mother and me took you down to the river to cool down. Liz dipped
you into the water and the next thing we knew was that there was an
explosion of light throughout the water. That night the local fishermen
pulled in a catch bigger than they’d ever had. There was a priest there
and he saw it. He started thinking about those Sunday school stories,”
Max said.
“Christ bringing in the fish…yeah, but still…” Richard said.
“There’s more. That was just enough to get attention.
Anyway, you were three and we went to a hospital. The same thing
happened. You felt hot, there was a flash of light…that day, everyone in
hospitals for one hundred miles were healed. And not just healed.
Amputated limbs regenerated, diseases were gone…and people who died,
even people in the morgue who hadn’t gone through an autopsy were all
brought back to life,” Max said.
“I remember that. You just said that I reached a new level of
my powers and it took me a moment to adapt,” Richard said.
“That was true. But it got more attention. Between now and
your birth there have been twenty-nine incidents that can be seen as
religious in nature. It’s not just the Catholic Church, they are the first but
the leaders of most faiths on Earth started to see you as the next
messenger of god – a Prophet,” Max said.
“I…think…I think I need to sit down,” Richard said.
“You are sitting down,” Max said.
“Oh…okay,” Richard said. “Wait…how are they getting over
the whole god is the father and the virgin birth thing. I’m pretty sure you
and mom were pretty…well, you know, for a long time before I was born.”
“We were,” Max said. “As I understand their theory, your
mother was chosen by the Omniriad. The Omniriad, as the first race to
evolve sentience in the universe, were God’s angels. Especially with the
impressive wing span and natural glowing light they’ve got. They sent
Phoenix to Earth, he went to Liz, Liz was changed and I was sent to her to
create you. A load of rubbish, I know, but it’s how some of the priests
are rationalising it. Basically they’re saying god can choose to send his
emissary’s anyway he wants.”
“Which is true enough but, dad, this is…insane,” Richard said.
“I said that when I found out about it,” Max said.
“And mom isn’t having any luck convincing them of this?”
Richard asked.
“No. Tomorrow the Pope will either ratify it or reject it but
right now it looks like he’s siding with the ever growing group of the ratify
sect. It’ll hit the media some time tonight,” Max said.
“Oh holy…no, scratch that. Poor choice of words. Dad, there
is just no way…no way this is happening. I don’t suppose I could just…
you know…erase the Vatican from history?” Richard asked.
“Rick,” Max warned.
“I know, I know. Don’t mess with established situations on
Earth. God, this blows,” Richard said.
“Totally,” Max said.
“Ughnn…dad. I’m me. Bad enough I’ve got the “next in line to
the throne” thing going on for me but come on. I’m not some god-child.
Incredible power – yes. Devilishly handsome…according to Kris – yes.
Not Christ, not a saviour and not, not, not a particularly big believer in the
big guy upstairs,” Richard said.
“Which is fairly ironic isn’t it? Come on, you’ll be fine. Why
don’t you go up to your room, call Kris. We’ll see later if we can stop this
for sure,” Max said.
“Okay. Thanks Dad, I guess it’s better hearing it from you
than walking into school tomorrow to find people staring more than
usual,” Richard said.
The prince stood up and in a haze he walked the halls of the
ninety story palace to his bedroom.
***
Richard’s bedroom – perfect for a prince. A wide space with everything
he could need or want for. A large and incredibly comfortable bed which
he just sank into every night under its warm, regal sheets was the room’s
centrepiece. Richard’s intent was to call Kristine. He activated the video
screen and accessed the inter-planetary line. However, he wasn’t
thinking. What his dad just told him was messing up his head and he
needed Kristine so before he even pressed the button to transmit he
heard her voice.
“Rick?” Kristine asked.
“Kris?” Richard said. He looked up at the black screen and
then turned around to see Kristine standing there.
Kristine was dressed in black spandex, she was just about ready to go for her usual mid-afternoon jog. It was a Tuesday and on those afternoons her hour after lunch was available. Technically she was supposed to be studying but she always found that going out for a run helped to clear her head so she headed home, got changed and went out for about half an hour.
“How did you?...” Richard asked.
“You’re asking me? One minute I’m putting on my sneakers and the next I’m with you,” Kristine said.
“I guess I must have teleported you here. Sorry,” Richard said.
“No need to apologise. But I thought you meditated every day so that things like this wouldn’t happen?” Kristine asked.
“Yes but dad just told me something…I was about to call you. I think you better sit down,” Richard said.
“Uh oh,” Kristine said. She sat down on the edge of Richard’s bed and he started to pace back and forth. It took a moment but he started to talk and told her what Max told him. Her jaw hung open. “He said that?”
“There are people out there that think I’m the next Prophet, son of god, whatever the hell they want to call it,” Richard said. He fell backwards, landing flat on his back on the bed.
“That’s just…wow,” Kristine said.
“Wow? That’s it?” Richard said.
“Sorry, I guess I don’t know what to say,” Kristine said.
“Yeah, join the club. You know what the fun part is? I can’t wait to
see how the put my brother and sisters into this. They’re just as powerful
as I am, most of it just hasn’t switched on yet,” Richard said.
“Not to mention Katherine and Philip. Their dad is the most highly
evolved human. Can’t your mom, dad…or anyone in your family do
something?” she asked.
“They’ve been trying. For years apparently,” Richard said.
Kristine’s eyes went wide and moved further around to look at her
boyfriend, “My parents,” she said.
“Oh yeah, they’ll freak all right,” Richard said.
“Freak? Rick, they’re devout Catholics. If the Pope stands up and
says you are the Second Coming then to them you are the Second
coming. They’ll tell me to break up with you,” Kristine said.
“They’ll what? Richard asked.
“Rick, no one, not even their own daughter would be good enough
for you,” Kristine said.
“Like Hell. Kris, I would crawl across the universe, destroy Hell
and storm the gates of Heaven before I rain fire down over Earth before I
stop seeing you. Well, unless you meant it if you told me you wanted to
break-up,” Richard said.
“Ah, such the romantic,” Kristine said. “Mind you…you probably
could do all that stuff couldn’t you?”
“I really hope I never find out. God, religion sucks,” Richard said.
“Uh, Rick, fairly spiritual girlfriend sitting not five inches from you,”
Kristine said.
“Ah, I said religion. Spirituality is great, believing in God…fine.
Organised religion and some old documents written by people - not
deities - people telling other people how to live their lives…it sucks. I
mean take you, your parents are what I would charitably describe as
obsessed with their faith and they’ve raised you the same but you didn’t
buy it. You made up your own mind and saw more in your own sense of
what’s right. If I get named the Second Coming, god help me, then you
make up your own mind about that but people like your parents…they’d
follow the Pope and the same will be said for every other faith. If I am
considered a new Prophet then people will follow their own religious
leaders instead of making up their own minds,” Richard said.
“Well…since I make up my own mind, I guess I decide to help take
you mind off of this for at least a little while,” Kristine said.
“Yeah?” Richard asked.
“Yes,” Kristine said.
Richard moved up onto his knees and sat beside Kristine. He
softly held her hand while reaching up to her cheek with his other one.
Gently he planted a kiss on her cheek and they looked into each other’s
eyes. In a moment they leaned closer and kissed on the lips. Their arms
wrapped around each other as the kiss deepened and the two fell onto
the bed.
Richard let his fingers run through the long red locks and fire
sparked within him. He opened his eyes and Kristine looked to see a
bountiful universe of stars sparkling deep within them. It didn’t scare
her. In fact it drew her in even more and soon she found her tongue
inside his mouth duelling with his tongue.
Kristine felt Richard’s hand let go of hers and slide up her bare
arm to her shoulder. The two teenagers pressed themselves together,
desperately eager for more before Richard broke their kiss.
“We can’t,” Richard said.
“I know,” Kristine said.
“I just…” Richard said.
“Rick, I understand. I do. As much as we both want to, I’m not
ready to be named as the future queen of Antar and you don’t want me
trapped into a role you think I might not want because we let our
hormones get out of control,” Kristine said.
Richard smiled and placed a kiss on her forehead. “For the record,
my mom thinks you’d make an incredible queen. Are you sure I can’t
interest you in the ball tonight?” he asked.
“As much as I would like to say yes. I have a report due on
Comparable Human/Antarian biology tomorrow. I haven’t gotten through
as much of it as I would have liked,” Kristine said.
“Are you sure? There’s going to be lots of world leaders there from Antar and Earth,” Richard said.
“Rick…” she said.
“I know, I know. No pressure,” Richard said.
“Rick…there is something,” Kristine said.
“What’s that?” Richard asked.
“If you’re the Second Coming…who is the Anti-Christ?”
***
The tomb was sealed for over 5000 years. The walls of the ancient room
situated not far from the mouth of Lake Tana in Ethiopia started to
crumble as people hacked at the other side. After days of backbreaking
work Dr Cole’s archaeological team had dug through the rock to this
discovery that they were now breaching. With eagerness the team
carefully worked so that the massive brick they were working on was
loose enough for them to push. With a crash the block fell to the floor
inside.
Their mouths watered at the prospect of this but the honour of
going in first belonged to their expedition leader and he approached their
makeshift door. Cole moved in. After years of researching he was not
going to be denied this moment. He switched on his torch and the beam
glanced over everything before they stepped in. Simon, one of Cole’s
assistants, moved to the side where a large, oil-filled dish sat and he
dropped a match into it. The flames roared to life and filled the chamber
with light. Cole pulled out his micro-cassette recorder and started to
speak.
“April fourth - I was right. Today we broke through into a
chamber, cubical shape with four central pillars. There are two openings
at the lower corners of the wall adjacent to our entry point from which
water is flowing in and flowing out again from opposite openings. Theory:
Could this place have been constructed as a temple to the river gods?
However there are no depictions of Ankhet or Kneph. The walls are
unremarkable, pale yellow in colour but no hieroglyphs despite the
architecture being distinctly Ancient Egyptian. Correction, there are
hieroglyphs. In the centre of the room between the pillars there is an
artefact. Its dimensions are approximately 5feet high, 2½ wide. Around
the top, there is an outer ring of what appear to be rubies. There
appears to be one missing. The centre of the object is a gold lined
indentation. There are seven small holders, all are empty.”
“Doctor. Check this out,” Simon said. A small black bag hung
on a pillar. He opened it and saw several coloured stones. “I’m not sure
what these are for but there are seven.”
“Seven? There are seven spaces on this artefact.” As he held
each stone in turn Cole said, “Hmm? They feel like they’re all different
weights. Maybe they’re supposed to fit into specific holders.”
“A weight balanced lock? I guess it’s possible, so what’s the
sequence?” Simon asked.
“I have no idea.” Cole looked at the writing around the base
and translated. “By the gaze of Ra, his stare’s true form, bound eternally
his name cursed to be forgotten…the Bringer of Chaos. Ra was the Sun
God, his gaze would be sunlight,” he said.
“His stare’s true form?” Simon asked.
Cole thought for a moment. “Light…the light spectrum?”
“What? Like a rainbow? The stones are all the right colours.
What about this Bringer of Chaos stuff?” Simon said
“Probably some warlord that hacked his way through half of
Egypt before he died. This could be his coffin. We’ll just have to open it
and find out,” Cole said. He put the stones on the holders following the
order of the rainbow - red, orange, yellow, green, blue and indigo but
before he placed the violet stone on Simon stopped him.
“Doctor…” Simon said.
“Look, we just found a buried chamber here at the source of
the Blue Nile. This room’s existence proves the ancients tracked the Nile
back to here; maybe even they tracked back along the White Nile to Lake
Victoria. Either way, we have this room and maybe there are more
hidden but we will be very popular from this day on. Besides God knows
what’s behind these other walls,” Cole said. He placed the violet stone
into place.
Immediately the internal mechanisms registered the sequence
of weights and the small bowl of gold lowered into the stone. A crack
formed right down the side, opening it. The cameras flashed as the
assistants took pictures but all they saw was a dark grey powder pouring
out of a space less than a cubic foot in size.
“Someone buried in a place like this and not mummified?”
Cole said. Suddenly the powder lifted up and span around the room like a
brewing storm. All throughout the chamber, a menacing laugh could be
heard echoing off the walls.
Most of the team felt their throats close up; they were being
strangled with pressure directly onto their windpipes yet no one was
touching them. Cole could do nothing but stand there and watch as they
fell to the floor and passed out from lack of air before they died. Seconds
later blood poured from their mouths and into the water, turning it red.
Within moments everyone in the room fell to the floor dead
and the cloud moved up through the hole.
***
When school was done, Ziala drove back home to the estate where she
met her parents. Rath, Lonnie and their daughter moved through the
portal that Alex built and in moments they were in the palace of New
Antar. From there they separated to their rooms to get ready for this
evenings ball. Ziala had taken Katherine out to shop for a new dress
shortly before the Earth Star-Ship Phoenix was revealed to the world and
the time had come for the social reception to congratulate the people in
charge of the project – which included Prince/Professor Alexander
Whitman.
Ziala ran into her bedroom in the palace and locked the door
before she stripped off her clothes. She left a trail all the way to her
bedside cabinet where she took her Vor’tal off her wrist and placed it onto
the holder. Ziala then moved into her bathroom.
With the press of a small button on the wall, the bathtub was
instantly filled with hot water. The fragrance of lavender drifted through
the air from the water and Ziala moved into the tub. It was large and
circular, designed to stand up in and more than enough room to be
shared but generally she used it alone. In a moment she was completely
relaxed, the water was at the perfect temperature for her body and as a
result she almost felt like drifting off to float in the water. She stopped
herself from dozing though, but Ziala pressed a button and the water
glowed.
There was no need for soap, cloths or sponges. The light
swept over her body and removed every trace of grim, sweat and dirt
from her body. The residual effect was a tingling over every inch of her
skin that Ziala just loved.
What she didn’t know was that in her room, her ruby
encrusted Vor’tal started to glow. The blood red stone pulsed and the
light coming from it illuminated the room in an eerie radiance. It lasted
mere minutes and when Ziala came out of the bathroom with a towel,
rubbing her body dry, the light was gone.
Ziala opened her large, very large, walk-in wardrobe. Her
first stop was her underwear drawer. Once she had them on, she made
her selection. She kept the colour white but with a simple thought she
changed the material to silk. They hugged her body, the bra pushed up
her breasts – not that they needed to, and for her legs she chose sheer
white silk stockings.
After that it was time for a dress and the one she had ready
was topaz in colour. There wasn’t a back to it, her skin was completely
exposed down to just above her butt and while the skirt hung down to her
feet, there was a split on the left hand side up to mid-thigh.
Ziala slipped on her bathrobe, there was no point in getting
ready a full hour before the ball was due to start. She still had some stuff
to get done and she was due to meet her fellow princesses soon anyway.
Besides, there was still some of their family missing but not for long…
***
The spaceport of the Antarian Capitol was just outside of the city. A
massive red spire that reached up into the sky, not quite as high as the
palace but it was still impressive. At various angles, all up the length
were docking platforms sticking out of it and Max, Liz, Isabel, Alex, Rath,
Lonnie, Zan, Ava, Michael and Maria were all there waiting on the upper
most level. Soon there was a rumble in the air and from the clouds a
ship descended. It flew down and moved around the spire until it was
aligned with the platform.
The ship latched on and the engines powered down before the
main hatch opened. From the light inside, six children came running out.
Two, James and Shanala were 16, two more, Derek and Tracy were 14
and the final two, Trall and Shalara had just turned 10. Shortly
afterward, their parents came walking out.
“Kyle, Tess…welcome back,” Max said. He approached the
pair and hugged them one after the other before giving a great big bear
hug to his six nephews and nieces. In seconds the rest of the family were
hugging the new arrivals and welcoming them back to New Antar.
Liz hugged Tess and smiled. “You have been away too long,”
she said.
“Tell me about it,” Tess said.
“How’s Krallen?” Ava asked.
“Sunny as ever, but a bit moist. The burden of living in a
rainforest,” Tess said.
“Nalat Kyle…you look good,” Maria said.
“Thanks oh dear step-sis. Call me Nalat again and I’ll hurt
you,” Kyle said.
“Oh Kyle, it’s your title. Live with it,” Michael said.
“I have. And quiet well for 17 years. So…how is he?” Kyle
said.
“I’m sorry, he’s not doing well,” Max said.
“Then dad is dying?” Tess asked.
Ava’s eyes were moist and hugged her sister, “He’s got about
a week left,” she said.
“Alex, there has to be something you can do?” Kyle asked.
“I wish it worked like that but, no, there’s nothing,” Alex said.
“You’ve helped make the average human life span 107 years,
you can’t…” Tess said.
“Guys, no,” Alex said. “Antarians don’t age the same. It
starts like humans until mid 30s, then it slows down. For 490 years or so
we look like that, ageing maybe 10 years physically then it changes
drastically. The body ages rapidly and the energy diminishes. It hit your
dad three days ago. Trall’s simply dying of old age and I can’t stop that.”
“I know. Sorry,” Tess said.
“Can we see him?” Kyle asked.
“Tomorrow. He wants to see his family then. Today he’s
preparing himself for the Final Ritual,” Ava said.
Tess nodded and Kyle put his hand on his youngest son’s shoulder, he was named after his Antarian grandfather but they had only
met a couple of times. Living on opposite ends of the galaxy caused
problems, even with the special corridor connecting Earth’s solar system
to the rest of the Empire it took time getting between the areas. Add to
that Kyle’s responsibilities as Nalat over a prosperous region of one of the
colony worlds took much of his time.
Once word reached them about Trall, they couldn’t have had
their private ship ready fast enough. Their family was packed and
headed to New Antar, they all looked forward to it despite the reason they
were going.
“Majesty?” the king’s personal aide said.
“Yes Vejan?” Max asked.
“We’re getting an unusual report from Earth,” the aide said.
“What kind of report?” Liz asked.
“It’s odd but some kind of fogbank blew in from the Atlantic,
grew thicker and stopped dead over Roswell,” the aide said.
“What?” Tess asked.
“Okay, contact all Antarians on Earth and make sure none of
them have developed a strange sense of humour. In the meantime, get
someone to look into atmospheric anomalies and make sure this isn’t just
a side effect from our abilities being used in Roswell all that time,” Max
said.
“Yes Majesty,” the aide said.
“But for now, let’s get you lot to the palace and settled in,” Liz
said.
Soon they all left, taking the royal shuttle and flying over the
city toward the palace. The palace staff had their rooms ready, pristine
and maintained since the day they left for their new home on the planet
Krallen.
***
The sun was setting over Roswell; its light beamed over the mountains as
the Mayor of Roswell stood on the balcony of his office and looked at the
layer of fog that covered the entire first story of the city. He just stood
there with the satellite images of the fog moving over the ocean toward
his town and now here it was, not even moving an inch beyond the city
limits to the west.
“Mr Mayor,” Max said.
“Your Majesty. This is a surprise,” the mayor said.
“I think you said that when you got elected. Mayor Jim
Valenti…better than Sheriff,” Max said.
“You bet your ass I did. Amy damn near had a heart attack,”
Jim said.
“Well you’re the one who decided to run. Anyway, I thought
you’d like to know, Kyle and Tess’s ship arrived 10 minutes ago,” Max
said.
“Yeah? Excellent, tell my son and want to see my grandkids
this visit,” Jim said.
Max smiled, “Count on it,” he said.
“So Max, what’s going on with my town?” Jim asked.
“Not a clue. This is new,” Max said.
“I take it no Antarians have done this?” Jim asked.
“No, I checked when I heard. There is an energy signature
present but while it’s similar to Antarian but not quite there,” Max said.
“Rick?” Jim asked.
“No. It’s still different, none of the kids are a match,” Max said.
“So what we have here is a fog bank, apparently from Egypt
that crossed the Atlantic with Roswell as its destination…why?” Jim asked.
Suddenly the cloud started to move and swirl. “Nuya, aque,
noosa malor,”
The voice echoed in the wind, repeating the same words over
and over again in a chant that seemed unending. Everyone in the city
could hear it before it suddenly vanished.
“Okay. Now I have a bad feeling,” Max said.
“You and me both,” Jim said.
“I’ll have my people study this the second I get back,” Max
said.
“Speaking of which don’t you have a ball to get ready for?” Jim
asked.
“Yeah, I will. I’ve got time. What about you? You and Amy
are going to be there, the entire family is,” Max said.
“I can be ready on time and be at the estate to get up there.
As for Amy…” Jim said.
“I’ll have you two boys know that I can be ready when and
where it is required,” Amy said. She walked up behind them. “And
speaking as the mother of Lady Maria Guerin, I shall be there with bells
on long before my daughter has even finished with her hair.”
“Good to know,” Max said.
“We’ll see you there Max,” Amy said.
***
Soon the time came for everyone to get ready. All the girls were meeting
in Ziala’s bedroom to add the final touches before making their public
appearance. Right now Katherine was sitting in front of Ziala’s mirror
with Ziala putting on a little make-up. Katherine may always be the belle
of the ball but she hated public appearances, she hated the attention that
came with her celebrity as one of the Royals but still she went to them as
her duty as a princess of the empire.
Richard knocked on the door and opened it. He was wearing
his official uniform as crowned prince of the empire. A dark blue, one-
piece suit with a cape that was adorned with the whirlwind symbol. A belt
came down from his shoulder to his left hand side and then up around his
back. “Ladies, ready?” he asked.
“Just about done,” Ziala said. She put the last touches of
eyeliner on Katherine. “There.”
“Wow, sis...you look good,” Philip said. He stood at the door
looking over his sister and cousins, wearing a similar outfit to Richard’s
except that his, like the rest of his male cousins was black.
“Could you sound anymore surprised?” Katherine asked.
“Uh…no. Anyway, there’s such a thing as fashionably late and
outright late so…” Philip said.
“So are you ready?” Richard asked.
“Why yes we are oh great prince,” Paige said. She was
desperately trying to hold back from laughing at the wardrobe her
cousin’s were wearing. At least she and the other girls got to choose.
“Enough. Come on, get those butts in gear before I teleport
you all there,” Richard said.
“Oh you don’t want to do that just yet,” Shanala said.
“Why not?” Richard asked.
“Because there is a surprise for you,” a voice to the side said.
Richard turned and saw Kristine standing there. She was
wearing a golden dress that clung to her body, matching gloves covered
her arms up to just below her elbows. Around her waist was a belt of a
darker shade of the gold and if she was wearing anything underneath the
dress Richard certainly couldn’t tell. Kristine wore her hair was up and a
small pendant, a gift from Richard, adorned her neck. Richard’s jaw hit
the floor.
“I…I…I…” Richard said.
“I think we did good. I’ve never seen him that speechless,”
Kara said.
“You did this?” Richard asked.
“We all had a hand,” Ziala said.
“But I thought you had a paper to do?” Richard asked.
“Oh I do but it’s not due till tomorrow. What kind of surprise
would it be if I said I wasn’t coming but didn’t have a good excuse?”
Kristine said.
“I think this deserves a little punishment,” Richard said.
“Oh, you promise?” Kristine asked.
“Okay…way too much information,” Ziala said.
“So, you like?” Kristine asked. She turned around, the hem of
her dress fluttered up and settled back down when she stopped.
“I like very much. You’re beautiful,” Richard said.
Richard moved in closer and Kristine met him halfway. Their
lips pressed together and as Richard slowly moved his hands up and
down her arms, they melted together.
“Awwwwwwwwww…” all the girls said.
Richard broke the kiss. “I hate my family at times,” he said.
“Oh you don’t really. But damn, I am really good,” Ziala said.
Kristine’s dress was another choice of Ziala’s.
“Good? You’re a Van Gogh,” Richard said.
“We helped too,” Joanne said.
Richard smiled and kissed both of his sister’s foreheads. He
hugged them both before turned back to his girlfriend and held out his
arm. “My lady. First official function as the escort of the crowned prince…
ready?” he asked.
“My prince…more than ready,” Kristine said. She took hold of
his arm and Richard escorted out of the room.
They were followed presently by the rest of the family down
the hall. They walked through the winding corridors until they reached
the Grand Hall where the ball was already underway.
***
The hall was massive, built between two great towers of the palace and
covered in a roof of impenetrable glass. Above them floated the reason
they were all there, the new Star-ship Phoenix. It was only manned by a
skeleton crew, most of the officers had still to be selected but there was
enough on board to make sure the television cameras had a show when
they looked up.
In the hall people were dancing, talking and enjoying
themselves while Max and Liz did the rounds. To Antarians, these balls
were the equivalent of State Dinners and as the hosts Max and Liz were
constantly engaged with world leaders and the High Council.
Only Trall was absent from the Council but he insisted his family be in attendance instead of tending to him. He knew he didn’t have much time left but he still had to prepare himself in private, only those of trained for the rituals were allowed to tend to him until he was ready to see his family.
As Richard and Kristine walked the hall, they approached his parents who were standing with the current President of the U.S., Lucas Young, and former President Harrison.
“Prince Richard, you’re looking well,” Harrison said.
“Thank you. President Young, President Harrison. May I present
Kristine Adams from Roswell,” Richard said.
“A pleasure, my dear,” Harrison said.
“I’m honoured, Sir,” Kristine said.
“How does it feel to be the envy of so many?” President Young said.
“Envy Sir?” Kristine asked.
“When you get my girls as jealous as they are, I know there’s just about every teenage girl feeling even worse,” President Young said.
“Really?” Kristine asked.
“Really,” Young said.
“I…eh…wow,” Kristine said.
“You do look beautiful tonight Kris. I hope my son is minding his
manners?” Liz asked.
“As always your Majesty,” Kristine said.
“Kris, I thought we had an arrangement? You don’t need to call me or Max Your Majesty,” Liz asked.
“Well, it’s a formal occasion. I figured it would be best. Besides, my mom and dad would kill me is I didn’t call you that and it was caught on camera,” Kristine said.
“Ah, good reason,” Max said.
“Why don’t you two go have and dance. This is a ball after all,” Liz said.
“Uh…dance?” Richard asked.
Kristine turned and looked at him with a smile. “Are you saying we’ve found something you’re not capable of doing?” she asked.
“Ummm…kind of. It’s really not pretty,” Richard said.
“Well, then. I guess I get to teach you,” Kristine said. She took hold of his hand and lead Richard out onto the centre of the dance floor.
The second they did, all eyes on the room were on them and Richard never felt more self-conscious than he did right now. Richard took her hand in his and moved his other hand to her waist. Slowly to the two started to move, Richard’s brain moving fast to absorb every moment
Kristine made to anticipate what to do and for the first time he didn’t stand on his partner’s feet. Everything just seemed to come so naturally
for him.
Back with his parents, Liz took hold of Max’s hand and smiled.
“What’s with our family finding their soul-mates so young?” Liz asked.
“They do look good together,” Max said.
“Remind you of a certain other couple we’re both intimately familiar with?” Liz asked.
Max smiled and held his beloved wife closer.
“What I’m concerned about is that your family seems to meet their soul-mates in life or death situations,” Harrison said.
“Hmm…yes,” Max and Liz said.
They looked at their son and his girlfriend. The young couple couldn’t take their eyes off each other, Richard and Kristine were utterly
mesmerised.
“She’s certainly a future queen,” Liz said.
“They’re both still too young for that,” Max said.
“Like we were?” Liz asked.
Max smiled, remembering back to those simple days where a gunshot triggered off the events leading toward his current life. “Well if it
happens, we’ll be there for them both. They won’t need to start it off as
secretive as we had to be,” Max said.
Liz sighed, “Should we tell them?” she asked.
“You’re sure about it?” Max asked
“Yes. The story is being leaked to the press right now. Too bad my vision didn’t kick in sooner,” Liz said.
“Then no. They’ll find out tomorrow. Let them have tonight. Their lives can spin out of control tomorrow,” Max said.
“I can tell you this, whoever it was in Rome that leaked this…they won’t enjoy meeting me,” Liz said.
“Or me,” Max said.
“Oh no. I’m a pissed off mother. I get first crack,” Liz said.
Off to the side, Ziala was sitting with her cousins and watching Richard and Kristine. Soon though, a young man just a few years older than herself walked by the table. As he did so, they both sharply turned their heads and locked eyes on each other. Ziala stared into his eyes and was completely mesmerised and felt her heart beat like a thunderstorm.
“Now, that is a cute guy,” Ziala said.
Slowly he approached the table and extended his hand, he couldn’t
control himself and smiled at Ziala.
“May I have the honour of this dance, Princess?” he asked.
Ziala reached up and took hold of his hand. He held her hand and walked her out onto the dance floor just as many other people went out to dance themselves. They all danced away, Ziala and her dance partner were utterly drawn to each other, like a moon caught in a planet’s orbit and neither could leave.
Richard turned his head, just to make sure he wasn’t going to bump into anyone, but had to do a double take when he saw his cousin dancing and who she was dancing with. Kristine saw the expression on his face change to one of concern and looked over.
“What is it? Is everything okay?” Kristine asked.
“No, no it’s not,” Richard said.
A few minutes later the song died down and they all departed from the dance floor. Ziala’s young man knew that he had crossed a line yet he couldn’t help himself when he saw the princess. He knew he shouldn’t have and that while protocol demanded his presence at the function, propriety demanded that he leave before anything else happened. He took hold of her hand and lifted it to kiss it.
“You’re leaving?” Ziala asked.
“I must,” he said.
Without any more fuss he simply headed for the exit but before he
walked up the white marble stairs to the grand doorway, he turned back
to Ziala and bowed. With that he left.
Ziala returned to her table just as Richard and Kristine were walking up.
“Z, are you nuts?” Richard asked.
“Uh, what? I was invited to dance, so I danced and by the Progenitors he’s cute,” Ziala asked.
“You mean you don’t know?” Richard asked. He then turned to his
cousins, “You didn’t tell her?” he asked
“She didn’t give us a chance to. She was gone in a heartbeat,” Philip said.
“What are you guys talking about?” Ziala asked.
“Z, you need to pay more attention to the politics up here. That’s Lord Jarel. Jarel…as in Kivar’s son,” Richard said.
“What? Oh god,” Ziala said.
To Be Continued…