Cassie watched the stars. It was peaceful;  these were the moments where she could forget there was a war at all. Sometimes her imagination would get the best of her and she would almost hear Sean calling her in for dinner. A
single tear ran down her face she looked down on the silver ring around her neck. It was Sean's. He wanted her to give it to Kyle someday. She heard a sound behind her; she could tell it wasn't hostile but she still turned around
cautiously. She looked and saw Donovan standing there.  Donovan looked at her, she looked like a mere child but there she was the mother of his grandson. He cleared his throat and sat down.

Donovan: Look about what I said about you leaving Sean...
Cassie: Forget about it. It's nothing I hadn't told myself.
Donovan: The last time I saw my son he was pointing a gun in my face.
Cassie: I know, he told me all about it. You couldn't imagine how horrible he felt about it. I mean when he was he. God that sounds weird.
Donovan: No actually it's comforting. I was afraid for a long time he had forgotten who he was.
Cassie (with a far off look in her eyes): No, he never did.  He was one of the kindest and loving people....

Cassie cut herself off.  Donovan looked at her almost like he was pleading for more. She got up and started to walk away. Donovan stood up.

Donovan: Wait!! You said the last time you saw him..
Cassie: He tried to kill me.
Donovan: What happened?
Cassie: I was always a better fighter than Sean. I got the upper hand, knocked him out and left him there.
Donovan: How do you know he went back?
Cassie: Diana sees Sean as her trophy. She would never let him go.

Cassie turned away to hide the look of agony on her face.

Cassie: Besides that members of the Fifth column have seen him.

Donovan sighed, then saw the look on Cassie's face.

Cassie: They have seen him with her.
Donovan: You mean?

Cassie walked away quickly. She wanted to escape Donovan's anguish as well as her own. It was one thing to know Sean was converted fully; it was another to know he was Diana's lover.  Donovan started to walk away. He heard Julie calling to him. He saw her walking with Chris and some other blonde girl. He looked at the girl again... his eyes widened. He ran toward her.

Julie: Look who I found.

Donovan picked up the girl and twirled her around. The girl laughed.

Donovan: Maggie it's so good to see you!!!

Maggie hugged Donovan back.

Maggie: Well ya didn't think I would let them get the best of me huh??
Donovan: This is great... how long have you been here??
Maggie: Since the ceasefire ended. Mac recruited me and a couple of other familiar faces.
Donovan: Who??
Maggie: Barbara, Caleb, Sanchez..
Donovan: I can't wait to see them.

Maggie hung her head down.

Maggie: Caleb and Sanchez were killed a year ago.  It was a suicide mission.  They were setting a diversion for a major Visitor ammunition's interception Mac had planned.
Julie: Oh God!
Maggie: There's nothing any of us could have done.  We all tried.
Donovan: How?
Maggie: Sanchez was killed instantly. The executed Caleb in front of everyone in town. The Commander wanted to make Caleb an example. He was very brave. He died screaming Elias' name.

Julie hung her head down trying to fight the tears.  These deaths always hit her the hardest. They were a dying breed, the original LA Resistance.  Donovan took Julie in his arms. Chris stood behind Maggie.

Donovan: So where's Barbara?
Maggie: She's indoors with Willie actually.
Donovan: Well why don't we go see them?  I could use a good reunion right now.

The four old friends walked toward the cabin Barbara and Willie were at. Cassie watched from her cabin window. A small smile spread across her face.  She looked down at the picture of her and Kyle.  She sighed at least some
reunions were possible.
 
 

Kyle woke up and saw that Elizabeth was still driving.

Elizabeth: We are two miles out from the beginning of Mount Lemmon.
Kyle: Then we need to pull over and ditch the car. Maybe we should camp for the night.
Elizabeth: I don't think that's a good idea. We could get well into the mountain by daybreak then rest.  If we wait until morning we are sitting ducks.
Kyle: But you're tired.
Elizabeth: I'm fine. We need to get moving. According to the people in Colorado Mount Lemmon is where the Tucson Resistance must be and that's where Julie and Donovan must have gone.  So we better get moving.

Kyle smiled to himself.   She still amazed him sometimes. He knew she was right. For a long time Kyle dictated what was right and wrong for them. Time had shown this had changed. Their friends would be surprised just how grown old Elizabeth had become.  Elizabeth smiled back at him.  She pulled over. Kyle jumped out of the car and pulled out two hiking packs. Elizabeth wiped down the inside of the car. She threw the keys out into the desert. Kyle strapped a pack onto Elizabeth then onto himself. Quietly they started up the mountain.

That morning Cassie awoke.  She took a shower and made her way to Mac's cabin. She heard screaming coming from inside. She rushed inside to see what it was about. She saw Donovan holding the guy they called Mac by his shirt.  Cassie cocked her gun and put it to Donovan's head.

Cassie: I don't care what he did. Let go of him!!!
Donovan: Is this the way you do things?? Killing things you don't agree with??
Cassie: Mac what they hell is going on??!!
Mac: Two people were caught on the side of the mountain. A man and a women. They were taken to holding cells. The man knocked out one of the guards.

Donovan pushed Mac off of him.

Cassie: If they escaped why the hell are you fighting each other?  We have to find them.
Donovan: That's just it; they didn't. The man just wanted to be in the same cell as the girl.
Cassie (rolling her eyes): How sweet.
Donovan: Your friend Mac here ordered their execution.
Cassie: Why?
Donovan: Tell her!!
Mac: They claimed their names were Elizabeth Maxwell and Kyle Bates.
Cassie: I see... well then I'll kill them myself.

Cassie started walking toward the lock up. Donovan grabbed her; she stopped and took a swing at him.

Donovan: What's the damage here??
Cassie: The damage is this makes the seventh Kyle and the tenth Elizabeth to try to infiltrate the camp.
Donovan: What??
Cassie: It's Diana's new game. She converts people, gives them a new look and sends them in. The Commander in this region is very good friends with Diana.  She's done this before.
Donovan: How do you know it wasn't really them?

Cassie gives Donovan a look of exasperation. It dawns on Mike of course, only the real Kyle would know about Cassie. If Cassie went to see "Kyle" and he didn't recognize her she would know he wasn't the Real McCoy.  Julie comes running up to them.

Julie: Ham and Chris are on their way.
Cassie: Oh Jesus, do you want to tell everyone you guys are here???
Julie: What??

A voice is heard from behind. It's Ham.

Ham: What she means is, Do you think Diana just sent them up here with nothing?? They could be bugged; better yet even could be carrying a recording device.

Cassie looked at Ham, impressed.

Cassie: The "fifth" Kyle had one his eyes replaced with a camera. Pretty high tech stuff. Diana even got a look at a couple of us. We had to moved off of Remington's Pass to here because of that one.  We lost some of the best
fighters in that skirmish. We won't make that same mistake.
Donovan: Why Kyle and Elizabeth? Unless, she knows about you??
Cassie: Of course she does!! Think Donovan!! Who is with her?? Your son told her everything about me no doubt.
Donovan: Then how do you know it's not Kyle?
Cassie: I would know!!
Ham: This isn't getting us anywhere. Is there a way to check if they have been altered??
Cassie: What's the point?
Julie: Ham, Cassie's right. It isn't them... we watched the shuttle explode.

Suddenly they heard voices from inside. One of the guards came running out.

Guard: We tried to take them into separate interrogation rooms. The guy's freaked out. He won't leave the girl.

Cassie pulled out a ski mask and covered her face.

Cassie: Get the three of them one.

The guard motioned two other guards they all gave up their masks to Donovan, Julie and Ham.

Guard: Don't take these off until Cassie says it's clear.

The three ran into the room just in time to see one of the men go flying into the air. Julie gasped. She couldn't believe her eyes. The men were lying on the ground. Kyle ran toward Elizabeth. Elizabeth looked as if she was in a
trance.  He whispered something in her ear. Elizabeth snapped out of it.  She swayed for only a moment as Kyle picked up a gun. A masked Cassie pointed her gun at him.

Kyle: We don't want any trouble. We just want to stay together!!

Elizabeth looked at the other three people is ski masks. She looked into Julie's eyes.

Elizabeth: Julie??

Ham took Julie out of there. Cassie threw a gun at Donovan. Donovan aimed the gun in Elizabeth's direction. Without even a thought of Cassie gun Kyle stepped in front of Elizabeth.  Donovan looked at him. He sure acted like Kyle.  Elizabeth looked into Donovan's eyes.

Elizabeth: Mike???
Cassie: I'm warning the both of you if you don't stand down I'll put a bullet in both of you.

Kyle took a step back. Cassie tried not to be shaken.

Cassie: Guards!!

Three other men in masks came and dragged the other three out. Two other men came in.

Cassie: Keep an eye on them.

Cassie grabbed Donovan and headed out once outside. She pulled off her mask. Julie and Ham were already sitting there with theirs off. Donovan slowly took off his.

Cassie: What the hell's the matter with you!!!  How in the hell have you all stayed alive this long!!! They saw both of you falter in there!!
Julie: Cassie I think it really is them.
Cassie: Oh spare me!! Because what... she did a couple of tricks and he jumped in front of a gun for her?
Ham: How do you explain it then?
Cassie: Listen to me Tyler. You don't know how far Diana has gone to try to pull the wool over our eyes.
Ham: So how do you know we are who we say we are?

Just then Maggie and Barbara came up to them.

Maggie: We tracked you all the way from LA. Besides that I confirmed it when we were all together last night.  I said you guys remembered things only we would know.
Ham: So you were testing us.
Maggie: I won't apologize. Cassie is right though; you can't imagine how far they have gone to try to catch us. That's why we have to keep moving.
Donovan: Fine... so what next?
Barbara: Willie and I go in.
Cassie: It's dangerous.
Barbara: Look besides Julie and Robin, no one knows Elizabeth better than Willie. If she's real she would know us.
Donovan: And if she is real?
Cassie: It doesn't mean he is.
Julie: What the hell does that mean?
Cassie: Look the starchild bid earth and humanity good-bye.  It isn't inconceivable that she switch sides.

Julie sprang toward Cassie. Ham and Donovan held them back.

Ham: Just go do it. Donovan, take Julie to get a drink.

Everyone left Ham and Cassie standing there.

Ham: Look, I understand where you're' coming from but give them a break huh?
Cassie: Stay out of this.
Ham: All we are saying is give it a shot.
Cassie: I never took you for an optimist Tyler.
Ham: I'm not.  If it is them then maybe there is a God. If it isn't I'll help you get rid of them.
Cassie: Fine. What are we waiting for then?...

Chris and Donovan sat down . Julie paced back and forth frantically. Ham and Cassie walked over to them.

Cassie:Alright our people have search them both thoroughly. We didn't find any bugs or hidden cameras.
Julie:So that's good.
Cassie:We will have to wait and see.

Willie walked out of the room. He pulled off his mask. He looked shocked. Julie held her breath. Donovan and Chris stood up.

Willie: I think they are the genuine artifact.
Julie (half laughing half crying) : Article Willie. Genuine Article.

Donovan and Julie hugged. Chris looked over at Ham who stood as still as Cassie was.

Willie:  She knew who I was with the mask on. Barbara asked them many questions. They knew all the answers. More than that they are very much in love. They do not seem as if they are acting.

Julie looked over at Cassie. Cassie nodded. Donovan, Julie, Ham, Chris and Willie all walked into the room. From inside Cassie could hear laughing. She put on her mask and peaked her head into the room. She saw Julie hugging
Elizabeth, both of them crying.  Donovan and Ham were shaking hands with Kyle.  Kyle saw the person in the mask approach them. Instinctively he reached out for Elizabeth who suddenly appeared at his side. Cassie held her gun up to the couple. Slowly she took off her mask.  She stared coldly at Kyle.  Kyle eyes widen.  Elizabeth looks at him concerned.

Kyle (shocked): It can't be.

Everyone looked at Cassie. Her hands were shaking.  She was ready for anything. Anything but this. There was a look in this Kyle's eyes. A look that she had recognized.  She bolted out of the room.  Kyle looked around at
everyone, then at Elizabeth. He ran after her. He found her standing outside shaking heavily.

Kyle: It is you.

Cassie turned around. And faced him. Kyle fought the tears coming out of his eyes.

Kyle: Mikayla???

Cassie eyes grew wide. He slowly walked up to Kyle.

Cassie: Kyle?

Brother and sister laughed and cried as they hugged.

Kyle: I thought they got you. You're alive!!

Kyle hugged her tightly.

Kyle: Oh God Mac!!

Cassie pulled him back. Kyle blinked hard. He thought back to his briefing about the Tucson Resistance. Their leaders name.

Kyle:You're Mac?
Cassie (Taking him by the arm) :It's Cassie to everyone else. You're the only one who knows my real name. Sean didn't even know.
Kyle: Sean?? As in Sean Donovan?
Cassie (taking a deep breath) : Oh God there's a lot to tell you.

Kyle smiled and hugged his sister again. He thought he had lost his family. First his mother than his father died. Now he was standing next to the sister he had thought he lost.

Kyle (smiling) :Let me introduce you to Elizabeth....

Cassie pulled back.

Cassie: No.
Kyle (confused):  Why?

Just then Rachel and Kyle came into view from the distance.

Cassie (trying to change the subject) :Let me introduce you to your nephew.
Kyle (trying to process all this) : My nephew?

Rachel and little Kyle walked up to them.  Rachel hesitated. Cassie smiled at her and took Kyle from her. Cassie gave Kyle his namesake.

Cassie : This is Kyle Michael Donovan. Your nephew.

Kyle held his nephew and laughed. Just then Elizabeth came up behind them.

Elizabeth: The others told me. This is your sister. Hello, I am Elizabeth.

Cassie looked at Elizabeth. She tried to control the rage she felt inside. She grabbed little Kyle and walked away. Kyle started to go after her but Rachel stopped her.

Rachel:  It's best you let her go.
Kyle:  I don't understand.
Elizabeth (looked down): She doesn't like me.
Kyle: She doesn't even know you.

Rachel took a deep breath. She tried hard to stay objective but her loyalty to Cassie was making it hard.

Rachel: You have to understand. You were the reason Cassie lost her brother.
Elizabeth : I do.
Kyle: Well I don't. I have to talk to her.
ELizabeth : No let her go for now. Come on let's go talk to the others.

Julie, Maggie, Kyle, Elizabeth, Ham, Chris and Willie sat around talking... it seemed like minutes but they had been talking for hours.

Julie:How did you get off the shuttle? I mean we couldn't find you; we assumed you stowed away.

Kyle: When I went to talk to Phillip he gave me access to his personal shuttle. I told him I just wanted to make sure Elizabeth was safe. When The Leader's pilot started shooting at me I knew something was off.  The next thing I knew Elizabeth was laying on the floor next to me.
Elizabeth (finishing the story) : I told The Leader to order his pilot to stop... when he wouldn't he told me to make a choice. I told him I chose Kyle.  I focused all my energy and went to Kyle's shuttle. The Leader's shuttle blew
up. When we landed we heard everyone had thought we were dead. We asked Phillip to keep it that way. He has been helping us stay in hiding all this time.
Donovan: That explains why we only heard from him when he needed to tip us off.
Julie:We thought he was pulling away from us because he was turning.
Ham:What happened to The Leader?
Elizabeth:We don't know.  Phillip says he is assumed dead. The counsel is in charge now. They say they need earth to survive so that's why they are still here.
Maggie: Unless we drive them out.
Kyle: They still haven't found the storage tanks to the red dust my father had manufactured.
Julie: Do they know about the Red Dust experiments here?
Elizabeth:I am not sure... what I do know is they are trying to find ways to get up here.
Donovan:Well they have already started preparations to move.

Chris, Kyle and Ham started to talk again. Elizabeth looked out the window and saw Cassie sitting on a rock in the distance. Elizabeth slipped out of the room.  Everyone seem to not notice at first except Kyle who watched her walk
toward Cassie from the window.

Elizabeth walked up slowly behind Cassie.  Cassie looked over at her then looked away. She said nothing to Elizabeth. Elizabeth walked a little past Cassie and stared straight ahead.

Elizabeth : I had a brother. A twin... he died shortly after we were born.
Cassie (coldly): Is this where we bond? I know all about you brother; everyone does. He is how we were able to come up with the Red dust.

Elizabeth looked into Cassie eyes. She saw all the pain and hatred Cassie felt for her.

Elizabeth: A lot of people including my mother thought he was a monster. I look at you now and see you think they were talking about the wrong sibling. I am not proud of what happened three years ago. My only defence is that I thought I was doing the right thing.  I was the starchild.  I was told I was supposed to bring peace... this is what was expected of me. That's what everyone told me and whatever I felt for Kyle had to come second.
Cassie:And what is it that you feel for my brother?
Elizabeth: When Kyle came after me I realized something. Regardless of what I was supposed to be... what I was, was deeply in love with your brother. Starchild or not and I couldn't change that.
Cassie: I don't trust you. Don't take it personally.  I don't trust many people. For three years I thought my brother was dead.  I thought you betrayed him... that's a lot to overcome in one conversation. Excuse me I have to go check
on my son.

Cassie started to walk away. She stopped

Cassie: He goes to bed in an hour if Kyle wants to come by and say goodnight.
 
Elizabeth nodded. Cassie started to walk away. She stopped again.

Cassie :So then I will be expecting the two of you.

Elizabeth smiled.

Elizabeth: Yes.

Elizabeth watched Cassie walk away. Kyle came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

Elizabeth:Mikayla invited us to come and see little Kyle.
Kyle:About Mikayla.
Elizabeth:Everyone calls her Cassie. I know.
Kyle: You did good.
Elizabeth:She's your sister. I want her to like me.

Elizabeth looked down.

Kyle:You were hoping your mother was here.
Elizabeth: Yes. The others say they do not know where she is.
Kyle: We will find her.
Elizabeth: I know.

Kyle kissed Elizabeth tenderly.  He grabbed her hand and started walking down the path.
 

Elsewhere we see Robin Maxwell; she is sitting in a conversion chair. She is wet and sweaty, tears falling from her eyes. Diana smiles down at her.

Diana:  She is almost ready...
 

Forward to Part Three
 
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