Fanfiction by Chad 'Graeystone' Harger

On a planet whose past holds the key the future, the present Leader felt a Ripple in the Current. He reached out to touch, to feel. He reeled back on his throne. He sensed something familiar. It seemed smaller this time. It also moved in a different way.

The Leader pushed a button on the arm of the throne. "Yes, my lord," came the reply.

"Send in Gerend," said the ruler.

Gerend entered the throne room. He saw the anger in the ruler's eyes. Gerend swallowed, a human gesture, but one that was justified. "You summoned me?" asked Gerend.

The Leader stood up. His white robes flowed with him as if the clothes were part him. He walked over to Gerend. "Do you remember what happened not so long ago? When the humans made their final effort?"

"Three ships escaped," said Gerend. "By that time the truth came too late. They were trapped."

"Two of those ships reached their planet. The colonies were taken over and eradicated. Even if they did manage to mount any kind of resistance they could not escape." The Leader grabbed Gerend and lifted him up. "That is what you told me! I have sensed what might be the third ship!"

"Impossible," said Gerend.

"I sense fear and determination! That is a deadly combination in humans!" yelled the Ruler. "You said not to worry when we lost contact with the third ship! We are blessed that our potential bane is not among them! They also are not using our 'gift'. If they suspect anything the Ripples shall be great! They are also closer to the Current than any human we have met!"

"The device was sabotaged," said Gerend. "Just as you ordered."

"I know," said the leader. "I remember. Now they have returned!"

"The Xernix," said Gerend.

"The Xernix," repeated the Leader. He nodded and let Gerend down. "Send six of them. No mistakes this time! Nothing of them will survive!"

"To prevent Ripples in the Current, I shall do this," said Gerend.

Chapter I: Inbound/Outbound Traffic

Miang wiped her tears. "Sorry," she said.

"Its alright," said Citan. "I am actually surprised . . .Earth you called it? I am just glad its still here."

"We still have to confirm that," said Emeralda who had doubt in her voice. She recently regained her emotions. Like the rest of the crew she was anxious since the ship entered the Solar System.

"No rush," said Citan. "We still do not know if there are any surprises out there. We will approach carefully. No rush with this one."

A hour passed before they were in scanning range. They watched the screen as the picture of Earth appeared. They expected the planet not a warped blob on the screen. "I am getting a heavy amount of interference," said Emeralda who was not happy.

"Source?" asked Citan who did not like the idea one bit.

"Scanner cannot even tell me that," said Emeralda.

"Damn it!" muttered Miang with frustration. "What do we do?"

Citan rubbed his chin and tapped his foot against the floor. "Long time since I've seen you think like that," said Miang.

"Hm," said Citan. He turned to Mikhail. "How far are we from Earth?"

"Ten million kilometers," answered the pilot.

"Is it possible to use the optic telescope at this range?" asked Citan.

"Yes," said Emeralda. "It will take five hours to get clear photos."

"It will have to do," said Citan. "Staff meeting will take place a hour after the photos are done."

*****

They all waited for Emeralda. She came in last. No one said much while waiting for her. When she entered she had the look of shock. "Before we begin," said Emeralda. "We must consider the consequences of what could happen if we go forward. No one will blame us if we turn back."

"Is it that bad?" asked Aria.

"Enough to warrant extreme caution," answered Emeralda.

"I'm not turning back," said Miang. "No matter what I have to know."

"We will cross those bridges when we get to them," said Citan. "Show us the pictures."

Emeralda brought up the holographic projector. "The pictures speak for themselves." The lights dimmed and a holograph of Earth appeared. In geostationary orbit, four objects surrounded the planet. Two at the north and south poles and two at opposite sides of the equator. They were connected by beams of energy that formed a field that surrounded the planet. The command staff could not speak at the sight. Not in any of their wildest speculations could they imagine this. Earth was imprisoned by Zohar Modifiers.

"I'd like to get back to the farm now," said Mikhail.

Citan did not say anything. He looked at the pictures as they cycled through the projector. Something on one of the photos caught his attention. "Stop!" he ordered. "Go back two pictures."

Emeralda brought up the photo. It was a picture of Earth and the Moon. Citan pointed at a bright spot near the Moon. "What's that?" he asked.

Emeralda zoomed in and the picture cleared. "I'd like to go with you Mikhail," said Aria.

"I recognize the Zohar Modifiers," said Del'Doun. "I do not know what that is."

"Its an Omnigear if one could call them that," said Emeralda. "The most powerful Gear in existence. Its name is Xenogears."

"I want three probes launched," ordered Citan. "We wait here until we can see more."

"I hope that thing is one our side," said Mikhail. "The last thing we need is one those things angry at us."

"Is it that powerful?" asked Del'Doun.

"We never discovered how it worked," answered Emeralda.

*****

They watched the screen on the bridge. Six dots came toward the third probe which was closest to the Eldridge II. They watched as the dots became bigger. The dots became visible after three hours. Six Xenogears flew toward the probe. The Xenogear in front slowed down and destroyed the probe.

Mikhail raised his hands. "They are angry at us!"

"Red alert!" yelled Citan. The lights dimmed and red lights turned on. A siren wailed for ten seconds. One of things Citan did was do something about the alarm. The alarm only sounded for ten seconds.

"We going after them?" asked Del'Doun.

"Absolutely not," said Citan. "We let them come to us. What is their ETA?"

"Ten hours," said Emeralda.

"How close are we to Earth?" asked Citan.

"Ten million kilometers same as before," answered Mikhail.

"Good," said Citan. He contacted Engineering. Miang had returned there after the meeting. "Chief, report to Bay Twelve in nine hours." Citan turned to Emeralda. "I had hope we never had to use them. We have no choice now."

"I hope the modifications work," said Citan. "Del'Doun, I am going to that planet. The ship will be in your hands."

"Wait a moment!" said Mikhail. "You can't take those on by yourself!"

Citan looked Emeralda. "I'm not going alone." He smiled and said, "One more time into the breach?"

"Yes," said Emeralda. "Since we have time I have things I need to do."

She wanted to see Aria one last time. This might be the last time they were together. Citan knew how hard goodbyes were. "Just be ready," said Citan.

"Always," said Emeralda.

*****

Emeralda entered Sickbay. There were people around and Emeralda had to be professional. "Is Doctor Tomia in?" she asked a nurse. The nurse pointed to Aria's office.

Emeralda entered. She saw her daughter sitting at her desk looking at her. Emeralda now knew what it was like for Citan to say goodbye to Midori.

Aria saw the worry on her mother's face. "Are you ok?"

"You know what is going on," said Emeralda. "I will be leaving the ship soon."

Aria was shocked. "How will you fight them?" asked Aria.

"That's does not matter now," answered Emeralda.

"The hell is does!" yelled Aria.

Emeralda shook her head. "I am not here as an officer. I am here as your mother." She took hold of Aria's hands. "This may be the last thing I shall tell you. Someday you will have children." Emeralda smiled. "Speaking personally, they are a pain to raise. More trouble than the Gazel Ministry and Deus put together. They also the most important part of a parent's life. You raise them well and they will bring you joy beyond bounds."

"You are not going to die," said Aria. "You will come back to hold your grandchildren. Unless they have nuclear weapons, they can't touch you."

Lately Emeralda was starting to doubt her own strength. "You're right. Must be feeling my age," she said not wanting to worry Aria.

Aria laughed. "You? Old? Well I guess you could be old as the hills," she said in her typical way.

"I am the hill," said Emeralda. "And you're my daughter and I still can spank you."

Aria shook her head. "Save it for whatever it is that's been messing with humanity."

"In their case I'll use both hands," said Emeralda.

*****

Miang entered the gym after saying goodbye to the friends she made. Citan did not know what she had in mind. Nothing would stop her from returning to Earth. Not enemy or friend. She started lifting weights. Fifteen minutes into the regimen, she heard someone enter.

"Hi, Chief," said Mikhail. He looked at her. "You look like someone going into battle."

"The ship will be involved," said Miang. She turned her bracelet on before he was affected.

"With the Jasper class cannons I'd say so," said Mikhail. Mikhail looked at Miang hard. Part of his duties as pilot was also strategy. During the construction of the three ships it was discovered that Ft. Jasper was actually one of the cannons of the original Eldridge. How and why one of the cannons survived was anyone's guess. He also saw the surviving records of the cannons destroying the shuttles as they made their escape before the Captain of the Eldridge blew up the ship. "What kind of damage could the cannons do against those things?" he asked.

Miang stopped working out. "Citan told me that my computer hit Xenogears dead on at close range that would have destroyed any other Gear. Fei was just stunned before he recovered. Think about the power my computer had in doing that. There are so many things that will never be figured out about those. Do you know what the word 'xeno' means?"

"No," admitted Mikhail.

"Its from an ancient language on Earth. It means 'foreign', or 'alien'," explained Miang. "Not even with my ten thousand years of knowledge can I explain Xenogears."

"So we're screwed," said Mikhail.

"We have to be cautious," said Miang. "Citan, Fei, and the others stood up to odds like these and won. The moment we give up hope is the moment we lose."

Mikhail laughed. His confidence returned. "This will be nothing! I have faced worse."

"Good," said Miang. "Now go bother someone else."

"Just one I have to do," said Mikhail. To Miang's surprise, he grabbed her hand and kissed it. "What could have been," he said leaving Miang flabbergasted.

*****

Citan went back to his quarters. For some reason he was tired. He laid down and fell asleep. Then he dreamed.

He found himself on a war torn battlefield. First he saw Bart yet it was not Bart. This person had no eyepatch. He watched the copy walk to Queen Zephyr. She did not have the haunted look that Citan had always saw on her. She was still sad about something.

"Roni, have you found anything? Have you found Sophia?" asked Zephyr. Citan inhaled. The ancestor Roni Fatima. He watched in amazement as the scene played out. Lacan silent, refusing to mourn. The start of his downfall.

Citan was drawn to a lone figure on top of a hill. He followed as the others walked toward the figure. "If there is no God, then I shall create God!" proclaimed the lone figure. The figure turned and looked at Citan. "And such was my downfall, Citan."

Citan stepped back. "Krelian," he said. Anger came over him in waves.

Krelian shook his head. His clothes changed into flowing robes. Wings extended from his back. "After Midori was born Zephyr asked you about God and your quest for answers."

"I know," said Citan. When Midori was born, something terrible had happened. Citan asked God why it had to happened. Zephyr had asked Citan what he would do if God did not answer him. "I told Zephyr that sometimes the answers do not appear right away. That sometimes we have to look around us."

"Yes," said Krelian. "That is why you were chosen and I was not. Because I failed my test."

Citan was surprised. "Chosen for what?"

"For what is to come," said Krelian. "The other cause of humanity's troubles. Your enemy is down there waiting. Tread carefully and beware the truth."

"Beware the truth," said Citan loudly. "Why should I fear the truth?"

"You have always feared the truth," said Krelian. "Soon it will come into blossom like a flower. Do not despair but embrace it."

A Light surrounded Krelian then Citan.

Citan sat up in his bed. He wondered if it was a dream or portent or both. What bothered him was Krelian saying that he feared the truth. "I do not fear the truth," said Citan. As he said it doubt raised inside of him. From some corner of his memories fear arose. Citan shook his head. "This is not good Doctor Citan Uzuki."

Citan showered and changed. He checked the time and saw he had plenty of time before he went to Bay Twelve. Citan went to his office and worked on strategy.

It was almost time to go to Bay Twelve. First he had final orders to give. He contacted Del'Doun. "Come to my office," said Citan.

Del'Doun entered and sat down. "We are almost ready," said Del'Doun. "We ran battle simulations. From what little we know of Xenogears we have to hit one of them three times with the cannons."

"Gears should be fought up close, melee style," said Citan.

"Do you have a way of doing this?" asked Del'Doun.

"Yes," said Citan. "Now for your orders. Emeralda and I are going to Earth. After a safe passage has been cleared for us you are turn the ship around and go back to your homeworld."

"Why?" asked Del'Doun.

"Because we will be known to whatever forces are on the planet," said Citan. "They will see Emeralda and I and think Human. They will not know Zevsehn." Citan stood up. "Wait five years and return if you can. Bring a flotilla." A shadow passed over Citan. "If the Zohar Modifiers are still orbiting the planet destroy them."

"I can't do that!" yelled Del'Doun. "What if there are still people down on the planet? What about the answers!"

"It will be to late for Emeralda and I," said Citan. "For some reason the manipulators are only here. Have you not noticed they are not spread out throughout known space? If they decide to stretch their arms again there will be no winning."

Del'Doun shook his head. "There has to be another way."

"That is why I said five years," said Citan. He stood up and smiled trying to reassure Del'Doun. "I am used to being in tight situations." He saw the look on Del'Doun's face. Citan frowned. "Do not think about disobeying this order. Remember what happened the last time that happened."

"I do not like it but I understand," said Del'Doun.

Citan stuck out his hand. Del'Doun wondered if Citan made a mistake. In Del'Doun's culture a handshake meant a proposition. Del'Doun knew for humans it was a gesture of friendship. He nodded and shook it. "Good luck, Citan," said Del'Doun.

Citan did not believe in luck but appreciated the gesture none the less. "Thank you. I better get down there. You are needed on the bridge."

Del'Doun left and Citan finished packing. He walked toward the door when he noticed something on the wall. He saw his sword hanging on the wall. Citan opened and closed his sword hand. "So be it," he said. He took his sword and clipped it to his belt.

*****

No one had entered Bay Twelve since Citan, Emeralda, and Miang placed their secret in there. Even when the ship was almost destroyed Miang took care of what was in there in secret.

Citan was the last to arrive. "Sorry," he said. "I had to give last orders."

Miang picked up her survival kit. Emeralda picked up her kit and a small case. She opened it. Inside two hypo-sprays filled with black stuff. "These are special nanomachines," explained Emeralda. "Aria said they would help your immune systems adapt to any diseases on the planet."

"Why is there two?" asked Citan. Emeralda would not need any shots.

"I am going with you," said Miang.

"No you are not!" ordered Citan.

"I am going," said Miang, her voice low, threatening. "Nothing, I mean nothing is going stop me from going there." She saw the look on Citan's face and she had seen it before. She saw the memories through Elly's eyes as she looked at Fei as he tried to get her out of the war. "You convinced Fei to allow Elly to fight. In a sense I am her. I wasn't denied then and I will not be denied now."

"Ok," said Citan. "Will Emeralda have room?"

"Yeah," said Emeralda. "Why do you want to know that?"

"Because I am going to make sure I am the threat," said Citan. "If I don't make it you two have five years to find out what is going on and to make sure those. . .things are no longer orbiting the planet."

"We are not getting anything done just standing here," said Emeralda.

They walked to the bay doors. Two hand print scanners were built into the wall. Miang and Citan placed their hands on it. The doors opened and they entered. Light turned on. Spotlights lit up two sleeping giants. Fenrir and Crescans slept in silence awaiting their masters.

*****

"Bridge, this is Citan. Change in plans. The Eldridge II has to get closer to the planet. I forgot to take into consideration how much oxygen we will have."

"What about that field surrounding Earth?" asked Del'Doun.

"Chances are its Ether," said Emeralda. "An actual force field made of Ether."

"How do we get through?" asked Miang.

"We have to piggyback the Xenogears," said Citan. "We will have to take out the arms then propulsion. I hope its an automatic action when something passes through. Basically its how Elly, Fei, and I beat Solaris' senors."

"I thought you and they jury rigged the sensors," said Miang.

"No," said Citan. "Had to make it look as difficult as possible."

"Its almost time," said Emeralda.

They went to their respective Gear and Omnigear.

"Citan," said Emeralda. "What are our chances?"

"Remember what Wiseman told Fei at Nortune," said Citan. "It was our skill that allowed us to win all those battles. By rights we should have lost most of them."

"Citan, I like you to," said Emeralda with sarcasm.

"How close are we getting?" asked Miang.

"Very close to the planet," said Citan. "The Eldridge II will be in near orbiting position. We have to move fast. I do not want anyone or anything scanning the ship. They know we are here but do not know our capabilities."

"Either that or they do know our capabilities and six of those things are enough," said Emeralda.

Miang snapped her fingers "That's why you did not want us to talk about Fenrir and Crescans," said Miang.

"I don't understand," said Emeralda.

"Telepaths," explained Citan. "Your mind cannot be read. Miang, being a former telepath would know if someone was trying to read her mind. I do have adequate shielding because of my training with Midori."

"We are ready and so are they," said Del'Doun.

"Let's do it," said Emeralda.

Citan looked at Miang. "Last chance."

Miang answered by going with Emeralda. Citan shrugged and went to his Omnigear.

*****

"You will have to excuse me if I don't say anything during the flight," said Emeralda. "Just read from the screen in front of you."

"Ok," said Miang who was not sure what Emeralda was talking about.

Emeralda smiled. "Unlike Omnigears I literally become one with Crescans." Her smile faded. "Whatever affects her affects me. Do not be alarmed if I express pain. To know of any damage to Crescans I have to keep my pain receptors online."

"Will you be alright?" asked Miang.

"Those Guardians of Deus' packed quite a punch," said Emeralda. "That was real pain."

Citan got into Fenrir. He recalled the first time he saw the Omnigear. He was attracted to it in a way he did not understand. It was like he and the Gear were part of each other. When Deus absorbed the original Fenrir. Citan swore he could hear the screams as it went down.

Citan placed his hands into the slot. He closed his eyes and were opened by Fenrir. Citan did not have to say anything to communicate. The Omnigear translated his thoughts into words. "Emeralda do not attack until I say to. The same goes for the bridge."

Citan tried a few practice moves. The response time was a few seconds off. "Are you feeling any lag time with your Gear?" he asked.

"Some," said Emeralda. "Compensating for now. I think it's the new power source."

"Captain," said Del'Doun. "The targets are one minute away."

"Lets go," ordered Citan.

*****

"Twenty seconds," said Mikhail.

"The moment our people get through whatever it is that's surrounding the planet, we leave," ordered Del'Doun.

"I hope they'll be fine," said Mikhail.

"They stopped a mad machine. They are used to these things," said Del'Doun.

"They also had more help," commented Mikhail.

"For now we are that help," said Del'Doun. He checked his own display. The attackers were almost there. "Get the cannons into place. Do not charge them until we got target locks. We do not want them to know what kind of power we have. Try for rapid fire sequences. Also try to catch them in crossfire."

"We got a lock," said Mikhail.

Del'Doun checked the readings. The cannons were ready. "Fire!"

The cannon's fired. Four beams hit the lead Xenogears. It exploded into a fireball. "Don't celebrate yet!" said Del'Doun. "Starting turning the ship around. Make sure we have a clear window out!"

The ship was halfway turned when a Xenogears smashed into the hull. "Hull breach and its getting larger!" yelled Emeralda's replacement on the bridge.

"Citan we have one of those things tearing up the hull," said Del'Doun.

"Emeralda will take of it," said Citan. "Since you are pointing the right way get out when Emeralda is clear."

"That will leave you behind," said Mikhail.

Citan ignored him. "Can you still go to warp?" he asked.

"Yes," said Del'Doun. "No very far."

"I doubt these Xenogears have warp capability. Get away as far as possible to make repairs," ordered Citan.

"I'm nearing the Xenogears," said Emeralda. "Engaging in a few seconds. How far away will I need to be before you can go to warp?"

"At least two hundred thousand meters," said Mikhail. "You won't be dragged with us. There might be some backlash."

"Rather that than end up a smear on the hull," said Miang.

*****

Citan waited for the three Xenogears to get close. He focused all his energy and thought into the battle. He remembered being weakened by Emperor Cain. A decision that had to be made. After he regain his abilities Citan swore never to be weak like that again. He knew of the major problem of this battle. He wondered if Emeralda and Miang knew it also. They had no Ether to tap into while the Xenogears had who knows what.

Citan pushed all that out of his mind. He smiled seeing the four Xenogears. The one in front made a fatal mistake. It was moving to fast, wanting to get the kill first. Citan's smile faded. The Xenogears could also be seeing what capabilities Citan and his Omnigear have.

Citan decided to bait his opponent. He engaged the first Xenogears. He almost paid for his life when he noticed the cockpit. It was empty. Citan snapped himself back to the battle. He blocked the fist aimed right for him. He commanded his Omnigear to retaliate. The sword cleaved the other's head horizontally. Not one of Citan's more flashy moves but is was enough. The Xenogears floated toward the Earth.

Citan turned his attention to the other the Xenogears. Adrenalin coursed through Citan. In turn he sent that strength through his Omnigear. A grim smile formed on Citan. "Time to break some more wild stallions," he said.

*****

"If that thing makes the hole any bigger the ship won't be able to go to warp," said Miang.

"I know," said Emeralda. The words flashed across the monitor in front of Miang. The next message was, "Hold on to your lunch."

"Yeah," said Miang.

Crescans gained speed and knocked the Xenogears away. "Contact the ship and tell them leave," said the monitor.

"Miang to Eldridge II," said Miang. "Get out of here!"

"Just a moment," said Del'Doun who was oddly calm in Miang's opinion. The Ft Jaspers fired. The beams went passed Crescans and destroyed a Xenogears.

"See you in five years," said Del'Doun.

The Eldridge II gained speed. Another Xenogears tried to chase the large ship. The ship went to warp. The Xenogears was caught up in the backlash and was torn apart.

"Our ticket to the planet is getting away," said Miang.

"That's what it thinks," appeared on the monitor.

Crescans chased after its target. The Xenogears slowed and faced Crescans. It charged the angelic Gear. Miang gripped her armrests. Strange characters appeared on the monitor. Somehow Miang could sense Emeralda's pain as the two Gears connected.

Emeralda tried to grabbed Xenogears with Crescan's wings. The Xenogears was too fast and struck first. It punched a hole just below the cockpit and yanked out the power core.

The lights and display went out in the cockpit. Sweat formed on Miang. "Emmy do something!" she yelled.

Emeralda turned her head. She smiled. "Some people never learn."

Crescans brought its left wing forward trying to strike its opponent. The Xenogears caught the wing in its free hand. In Crescans' cockpit Emeralda smile widen. The wing darkened and stretched. Nanomachines covered the Xenogears' hand. The hand stuck in Crescans' was also trapped. Xenogears became desperate. It released Ether through its hands. The wing blew apart and the lower half of Crescans exploded and floated away.

An electronic screamed filled the cockpit. Emeralda slumped forward. Miang looked around her. There were no controls on Crescans. Emeralda moaned from her seat. "That. . .hurt," she said. "What happened."

"We're in trouble," said Miang. She had a hard time breathing. "Is the air getting thin?"

The Xenogears moved away from the planet. Emeralda grunted and cleared her body of the pain. "Hull breach. Try to hold your breath on the way down to conserve air. Problem with Crescans is that I take priority over any damage she takes. I'll have some nanomachines repair the breach." She saw the Xenogears trying to escape. "Going the wrong way," said Emeralda.

She merged more of Crescans with the Xenogears. The nanomachines searched though the Xenogears. They found the computer core. Fei and Citan never found out what the metal was that gave Xenogears its form. No one could decipher the technology that made up its computer. All the tests in the world could not tell how Xenogears still functioned after Ether vanished. It was a mystery some felt greater than the Zohar Modifier or the Wave Existence. Whatever it was it was real. It was made of molecules and Emeralda's colony could affect it. Primary wires fell apart. Only the ones leading to the propulsion systems were left intact. The individual nanomachines merged into tendrils. Emeralda extended her main consciousness with the tendrils.

"Oh my god," said Emeralda out loud. Her concentration was almost broken when she connected with the Xenogears.

"Now what?" asked Miang who was wishing she staid on the ship.

Emeralda did not reply. She would explain later. For now she had to get them down to Earth.

Crescans entered the atmosphere. Miang's memories of her own genesis on the old world flooded back. The horror of reentry with nothing around her. Damaged shuttles and wreckage burning up. Miang screamed as Crescans became hot. They entered the field surrounding the planet. Miang felt her body about to explode.

Bolts of Ether struck the Gear. The stress of the g-forces caused Miang to pass out.

*****

Fenrir's left propulsion was out. The sword almost broken. The left hand was not responding as it should. "No problem," said Citan.

Earlier he saw the Eldridge II go to warp and Crescans going into reentry. He prayed they everyone was aright.

The Xenogears on his right grabbed the sword. The sword had been damaged earlier when Citan cleaved his opponent down the center. Citan smiled. The Xenogears made a fatal mistake. Citan released the sword and knocked it away. Citan sent out a mental command to the sword. The sword detonated badly damaging the Xenogears. It floated off into the void.

There was only one left. Citan faced it. The problem was now getting down to the planet. When he saw Crescans, he knew Emeralda had to somehow merge the two Gears together. He would have no such luck. He had to do this the hard way which was nothing new.

Citan did the unexpected and flew toward the planet. His sensors told him the Xenogears was right behind him. Citan forced his Omnigear to stay stable as he neared the energy field. He waited for the Xenogears to get right on top of him. Citan flipped his Omnigear head over heels. The blinding exhaust startled the Xenogears. Citan took advantage of the distraction. He grabbed the Xenogears.

Citan transferred all power to what was left of Fenrir's propulsion system including life support. If this did not work he was dead anyway. In a deadly dance for power Fenrir and Xenogears fell into the upper atmosphere.

As with Crescans, Fenrir made it through the shield and was hit by bolts of Ether. Citan ignored the strain of g-forces and the heat building up inside Fenrir. He saw the Xenogears glowing brighter than it should be. Citan did a fast scan. The Xenogears' power core was reaching critical. "Uh-oh," said Citan.

He started the ejection procedure when he paused. As if he was urged to do so he released Fenir's CPU from where it was in the center of the Omnigear. A panel slid open and Citan took the CPU and placed it in his shirt pocket.

Citan sent out his last command to Fenrir. His teeth clanked together and he leaned forward as the command module ejected from the body of Fenrir. The only part of an Omnigear that had manual controls were the escape protocols. Citan grabbed the stick that rose up. He forced the command module to turn around. Now free of the risk of destruction from reentry of the Ether in the atmosphere, Citan watched in sad silence as history repeated. The Xenogears became bright white and exploded destroying Fenrir in the process.

Citan turned the module around. He tracked Crescans' transponder. Crescans already landed. Citan followed the signal and landed in a clearing near a forest. He closed eyes and took calming breath. "Too old for this," he said. He laughed knowing that technically he was too for just about anything.

Citan waited for the command module to cool down. Fifteen minutes later he opened the cockpit windows. He took his tracker and got out. He did it. After so long he reached his destination. His quest for answers was almost complete. Finally he would have the truth. All he had to do now was survive to find them on Earth.

Chapter II: Not a Good Landing. . .but Still

Emeralda did not bother for a good landing. She hoped the proverb about any landing you walked away from is a good one was true. When she knew Miang had passed out Emeralda had to encase her in a nanomachine cocoon formed from Crescans. Emeralda felt bad at what she had to do to Crescans. Like herself Emeralda felt Crescans was unique because she was part of her. Even more unique than Xenogears.

Emeralda's regret was that she would be able to do the things she wanted with Crescans when she resurrected the metal angel. She wanted to give her arms and hands. The one thing Crescans deserved but never got. Krelian did not have the time to give her hands. She also wished could have made Crescans like herself. An intelligent being.

Emeralda's last command was to put Miang's safety first. Emeralda would survive but was not sure about Miang. Even with her enhanced anatomy Miang could still be in danger without protection.

Emeralda gave her last command to Crescans. The cockpit receded as the wind tore through the cockpit. She turned around and pushed the cocoon out. Emeralda tracked the trajectory to best guess where Miang would land. When Miang landed the nanomachines would recede freeing her.

Emeralda broke her connection with Crescans. Another thing she wanted to do was try to give Crescans to ability to draw power from around her. Krelian was no Kim and Emeralda could not figure how the process worked. That secret Kim never told anyone. Emeralda could make another like her but he or she would always need a power core.

"Goodbye," said Emeralda. Crescans slammed into the ground. The force tossed Emeralda through the window. She flew forward into the air. In front of her was the hugest tree she ever saw. Emeralda turned off her electromagnetic field. Ever since she reached the planet she felt off. Earth's electromagnetic field was different than the old one. Emeralda's body shattered as she hit the tree.

*****

The first thing Citan did was inject himself with the nanomachines that would help him resist any illness that while harmless to the natives could be deadly to him or Miang. Citan activated the tracker. Emeralda was only a mile away.

Citan walked through the forest. He was amazed at the size of the trees. They made the ones in the Blackmoon Forest look like shrubs. He saw what looked like a road. The road went through one of the trees. He wondered if people ever lived inside the trees.

Citan neared Emeralda's position. His head started to hurt and there was a ringing in his ears. Citan stiffened as his Dark Side came out of nowhere. Citan pushed it back into the corner of his mind. He headache became worse and the ringing louder. He fell to his knees. He was relieved when he passed out.

*****

Miang panicked when she awoke. She punched a hole in the cocoon Emeralda wrapped her in. She thought she was on the old planet. She believed she was on the beach again. She looked up expecting to see the fireballs of what was left of the Eldridge. All she saw was trees without end. "No," said Miang. "I'm on Earth. The planet where it all started."

She regained her senses. She saw a black mass on the trunk of one of the giant trees. The mass moved and was trying to form limbs. Finally it formed a face. "Emeralda!" yelled Miang. She went over to her. "What happened?"

"I was thrown from Crescans," said Emeralda. "Right now I'm trying to realign my electromagnetic field so I can keep form while on Earth." Emeralda blinked and her eyes reverted. "That's not right. Could you please find Citan? He should be nearby. My internal tracker says he is coming from the east. I should be able to find the right type of field in few minutes. Don't forget to inject yourself with Aria's nanomachines."

"Thanks for reminding me," said Miang. She took the device from her jacket and injected herself. "I'll be back in a few minutes."

She walked in the direction Emeralda told her. She did not get far when she heard someone or something. It was something primal and hungry. Miang looked around trying to find the source. Her head started to hurt and she heard a buzzing sound. The pain became worse and the buzzing became so loud she thought her eardrums were going to burst. She clenched her head and fell to the ground.

*****

It took ten minutes for Emeralda to finally get her body together. The electromagnetic field on this planet was stronger than the old planet. She practiced walking for a minute before looking for the others.

She now knew what it was like chewing gum and walking at the same time was like even though she never chewed gum except for that one time. To her embarrassment not only did she have to revert to her individual nanomachines, the nanomachines that were stuck in the gum had to be disposed off.

Emeralda walked five hundred yards when she found Miang laying on the ground. She walked over to her. Emeralda watched as Miang curled into a fetus position. The way she was shaking and mumbling it reminded Emeralda of when she, Aria and Citan first took her into their care. When Miang would have an episode and would be like this.

"Miang," said Emeralda. She reached out and helped Miang up. "Are you alright?" she asked Miang.

"No," said Miang. "Could you speak up? I keep on hearing this annoying buzzing sound."

Emeralda raised the volume of her own hearing. "I don't hear anything."

"My eardrums might have been damaged in with the constant change of air pressure. Surprised I don't have the bends," said Miang. She shook her head trying to get rid of the buzzing. "Have you seen Citan?"

"Not yet," said Emeralda. "He's about a quarter mile away. Can you walk?"

"Yeah," said Miang. "The dizzy spell is gone. I just have the ringing in my ears."

They walked towards Citan's position. They found him laying on the ground clutching his sword. They picked him up and leaned him against a tree. "Citan?" asked Miang. "Come on, wake up."

Citan did not stir. Emeralda touch his arm. She took the sword and gave it to Miang. Then Emeralda sent a small current of her power through Citan. His body jerked and his eyes opened up. "What? What?!" he yelled.

"You alright?" asked Emeralda.

"I cannot hear you," yelled Citan.

"A ringing in the ears?" asked Emeralda.

"What?"

Emeralda touched her ears. Citan understood. "There is a ringing in my ears," he said.

Emeralda sighed. She kneeled down. With her finger she crudely wrote something in the ground. Miang and Citan looked at her writing. "You're going to look for food?" asked Miang.

Emeralda nodded and walked away after writing she would be back in a hour.

*****

Emeralda caught three animals. She was not sure if fruit would be safe for the others or not. She also knew Citan would object to eating meat. Emeralda decided if Citan did not like it then tough.

Emeralda was making her way back when she heard the sounds of movement. She went to investigate. Peeking over one of the giant roots, she saw a line of people walking along the broken road. The line of people were chained by the ankles and wrists and wearing nothing but loin cloth. Their captors wore white hooded robes. Three of the robed people walked on the left and right side while one walked in the front and one in the back.

Emeralda frowned. Food would have to wait. She went back to the others and motioned them to follow. The three of them followed Emeralda.

"This is not good," said Citan hoping he was not too loud.

Emeralda gave him a questioning look. "Look at them," said Citan. "The prisoners are healthy and attractive. That can only mean that is in store for them can only be worse than anytime working as a slave in a field or factory."

Emeralda swallowed. She had heard of such things happening in the era she was created but did not believe them. Emeralda looked at her friends. Even Miang knew what would happen if the prisoners were not freed.

Emeralda drew a picture in the mud showing her plan. Citan frowned. "I cannot allow you to do this," he said.

Emeralda held up a hand. She moved before Citan could object. She made her way to the head of line of prisoners along the trees. When the line reached Emeralda, she stood in the middle of the ancient road. She smiled and said, "I seem to be lost. Is this the planet called Earth?"

The hooded person in the front raised a hand. The air around him shimmered and a red glow formed around his wrist. The glow turned into a beam and struck Emeralda in the center of her chest. She flew back three feet. She laid on her back. Smoke rose from the wound.

From their hiding spot, Miang started to move. Citan stopped her. He used an old Element hand gesture telling her to wait. Miang frowned and did nothing. The plan depended on Emeralda being injured, or as injured as she could get.

The line of prisoners walked passed Emeralda. The captors did not bother to look down at her which she was counting on. They thought she was dead. The prisoners lost hope.

Emeralda stood up. The wound was still there but was healing. "That has to be one of the most impolite things I ever saw," she said.

The procession stopped and turned. The prisoners looked at her with shock and wonder. The hooded people looked at each other then at Emeralda. They raised their hands and tried the same tactic. This time Emeralda did dodge.

Miang looked at Citan. Citan nodded. He drew his sword. Together they ran to join their comrade.

"Not even a day on this planet and I am in fight," said Citan to himself.

Chapter III: Give Me that Old Time Ether

Emeralda did not want to kill another human. Her internal scanners told her the hooded people were human. Yet there was something different. Emeralda wished she had access to Ether so she could make the fight quick. She had to take the prisoners' safety into consideration. When she used her Ether abilities against Fei and the others she was told afterward that there was nothing subtle about her abilities.

Two of the robed people approached her. Emeralda raised her hand. "Stop," she said. "You can't harm me. I suggest you leave the prisoners and go back to where you came from."

The robed people tried the same tactic. They released energy beams at Emeralda. Emeralda reverted to her individual components and reformed a few seconds later. Her expression was anger. She was angry at what she was about to do. What these people forced her to do. She raised her arms, her fingers outstretched. The fingers grew into talons and extended. One of the robed people dodged out of the way while the other pierced straight through the heart.

Emeralda turned her attention to the one who dodged. The robed person attacked her head on. Before the person could get close, Emeralda extended her fingers again. This time as thin tendrils. The tendrils wrapped around her attacker. She sent the mental command and the tendrils contracted cutting the head off.

The head hit the ground and Emeralda walked over. She felt nauseated at what she had done. She looked at the head when a light shot out of the eye sockets. Emeralda jumped back. She approached the head again. Emeralda gasped as she looked at empty eye sockets.

*****

Unusual hatred flowed through Miang. She wished she remembered why she hated these robed people so much. Two of them came toward her. Slow and methodical. One of them fired an energy blast at Miang. She tried jumping out of the way. In midair, the other one nailed her in the shoulder. She tumbled to the ground and got up. She looked at her shoulder. If she was anyone else she would have had her arm torn off. Whatever forces remade her made her with sterner stuff.

Miang got up and smiled. "That tickled."

The two charged her. She grabbed the first one and threw the person into the air. She turned her attention back to her other attacker and was met with a fist to the face. Miang reeled by and rubbed her jaw. She actually felt that. Miang shook her head. Between the buzzing in her ears that was getting louder and her opponent that was stronger than they looked Miang had to finish this fast.

Miang tackled her opponent. They tumbled on the ground. The ringing her ears became so loud that it brought tears to her eyes. In a final act of desperation Miang tore at the hood. She tore it off. She saw the eyes. The past flooded back to her. She screamed as she felt her eardrums about to burst. The last thing she heard was an explosion.

*****

Citan pointed his sword at the robed figures in front of him. "Leave!" said Citan. "Let your. . .slaves go and leave!"

Citan was prepared for the two of them. The one he did not know about was hiding behind a tree. He came around and grabbed Citan. He threw the doctor into a three. Citan yelled as he felt his shoulder slip out of place and break.

Citan tried standing up. He tried to think of worse situations but could not find any. To make things worse his Dark Side was acting up. Between that problem and the ringing in his ears Citan knew he would not last long.

Citan laughed. It dawned on him. There was only two reasons his Dark Side would act up. For once his Dark Side did something useful. His attackers stopped approaching at the sudden laughter. Citan closed his eyes and the first thing he did was beat down his Dark Side. Then he focused on another part of his mind. As he did the ringing in his ears went away. Then Citan thought on something he believed he could never do again. "Sazanami," he said.

The attackers moved again. "Aw. . .nuts," said Citan. He was wrong. Then he felt a warmth flow through him. There was a snapping sound followed by the visual affect of Sazanami. The affect was like flash photography and the pain slowly when away as the injury healed slower than usual. Gradually the ringing in his ears went away.

Citan barely got out of the way. His opponents started wailing on him with what Citan realized was Ether blasts. He jumped behind a nearby tree. He tried Sazanami again. This time the affects were immediate. Citan smiled. If he had access to Arcane that would also mean he could do Deathblows.

Citan leaned against the tree and waited. One of his attackers came around. Citan grabbed him and flipped him to the ground. Citan took his scabbard in hand. His attacker got up and was met by the hilt of Citan's sword. Citan tapped him six time and jumped back. He crouched low and extended his sword a little bit. With blinding speed, Citan unsheathed his sword and stuck his opponent. The area became dark and a wolf howled in the distance and Citan's target was tossed impossibly high into the air.

Citan sheathed his sword and faced the other two. He stood straight. "Well?" he asked waiting for them to make the first move.

*****

Emeralda cut through the prisoners' chains with her nanomachines. It was hard cutting the chains while they were scared. She was tempted to do what she did to Miang when she first woke up. On the other hand they needed to be awake for when they moved.

Emeralda heard a scream. She turned her head. She saw Miang laying on the ground curled up and shaking. "Great time for a breakdown," said Emeralda.

Emeralda jumped and the prisoners panicked as a wolf's cry cut through the forest. Emeralda turned and saw the fading visual affect of Festive Wind. Emeralda raised an eyebrow. "Of course!"

She focused on the chains with Ether enhanced nanomachines. The chains glowed then turned to dust. The prisoners looked at Emeralda with awe and fear. Emeralda put on her best peaceful face. "Don't move," she said. "I can protect you better if you stay together."

"Emeralda!" yelled Citan. He smiled as he ran toward her. "I would never have believed I would be able to do that again!"

"It makes sense," said Emeralda. "With those Zohar Modifiers floating in orbit."

Citan's smile faded. "Those," he said.

"And your Dark Side," said Emeralda.

"I got it under control," said Citan.

"What's wrong?" asked Emeralda.

"The Modifiers," said Citan. He shook his head. "It can wait." He looked around and saw Miang laying on the ground. "What happened?"

"All I know is that she pulled one of her attacker's hoods back. She screamed and passed out," said Emeralda.

"More of her past," said Citan. "Try to get any information from the prisoners. I will help Miang." Citan went over to Miang. He kneeled beside her and held her up.

Citan was about to use Sazanami when he heard footsteps behind him followed by the sounds of a gun being chambered. He turned and saw a woman dressed in rag tag clothes. She had a nose ring with a chain connected to the ring. The chain was connected to another loop earring above her eye. She had short black hair. Her skin was darker than Fei's. Her eyes were that of anger. She reminded Citan of Bart's pirates.

Citan was about to drop Miang and disarm the woman. The woman anticipated Citan's move. "Don't do it," she said which surprised Citan because she spoke in the same Solarian dialect that was used when he was young.

"My friend needs help," said Citan in the same tongue.

"Right,"said the woman. "You Possessors need help. Tell that to the people you've destroyed. Hand over the butter knife."

Citan started to speak when more people came out from hiding places. They were all armed and pointing weapons as Citan and Emeralda. Citan looked at Emeralda. Emeralda had a bemused look on her face. They faced more powerful foes and were captured by a group who looked more disorganized than Bart's pirates. Citan sighed and slowly handed the woman his sword.

"At least let me wake her up," said Citan.

"I saw the fight," said the woman. "I'm sure you can carry her."

Citan looked at Emeralda again. "Are the prisoners free?" he asked in the same Solaris dialect.

Emeralda got up and dusted herself off. "Yes," she said. She raised her hands as more guns were pointed at her than Citan. She walked over to Citan and the woman. "I think we may be losing our touch," she said.

Citan picked up Miang. "Why do you say that?"

"We haven't been making too many good first impression these past few years," said Emeralda.

*****

The journey took a week. Emeralda suggested an escape when Miang woke up. Citan said no. From what little he could gather, their captors were some kind of rebel group. They needed all the news they could get and if they could help the rebels they could also find a way to shut down the Zohar Modifiers.

They entered what was left of an old city. The travelers from another planet watched children playing in the streets while adults kept an eye on them. All the adults were carrying guns. They all looked tired. Citan saw this before at the pirate lair.

They were led to a large building. The freed prisoners were taken somewhere else. The woman who was in charge led them to a medium sized building. Citan, Emeralda, and Miang were led inside. Five guards surrounded them and their weapons pointed at them.

The woman into a back room. A few minutes later she returned with an old man leaning on a cane. He was about as tall as Citan. He seemed really old. He walked to each of them and looked them in the eye. When he reached Miang he inhaled sharply. "It can't be!" he rasped.

The old man groaned and became angry. His cane was actually a sword. The drew his sword and attempted to cut down Miang. Citan undid the ropes that bound his hands. He loosened them days earlier just in case he had to. He moved and tackled the old man. The old man was stronger than Citan thought. He pushed Citan away and tried to strike down Miang again.

The old man saw the guards ready to fire. "Don't!" he yelled. The guards did not fire but still had their guns ready.

The old man faced Citan. "Why are you with this bitch?" asked the old man.

"Who are you?" asked Citan.

The old man grunted. "I guess I've changed in looks. Either that or you're slipping. Remember what you told me about the New Elements after you slapped me?"

Citan's mouth fell open. In one of the rare moments Citan could not speak. The only sound he heard was his own breathing. "Kahr Ramsus," he finally said after a long silence.

Chapter IV: Friend and Foes

When Miang heard his name she wanted to cry. "Kahr," she said.

"Cut the act!" demanded Kahr. "You aren't fooling anyone!"

"Ramsus!" yelled Citan.

"Everyone get out!" yelled Kahr.

"Sir, we can't do that. They can use the Current," said the woman who captured Citan and his friends.

"Jasmine I know what they can do," said Ramsus. "I also know Citan and Emeralda. They won't do anything. If they were anyone else or if it was just Miang you had captured you would be dead instead of arguing with me."

Miang choked back her tears. "You're wrong. I am not that. . .woman anymore."

Kahr shook his head. "Whatever. You three have raised a stink on this planet. A lot of beings want you dead ever since you were detected on the planet's surface. I guess some things never change."

"We need to talk about that," said Citan.

Kahr nodded. "Let's go to my office."

*****

"Why are you all on this planet?" asked Kahr, his tone was not nice.

"The same reason as you," said Citan. "Looking for answers."

Kahr laughed. "Actually I was trying to get away from everything. After Renee died I had nothing else to do. I wondered the planet for awhile. I discovered one the shuttles from the Eldridge. It was in working condition and was capable of going faster than light. It also had the co-ordinates to Earth. I wanted to be anywhere else. Imagine my surprise when I found four of the those damn things orbiting the planet. I was even more surprised when a Xenogears tried to kill me."

"Same with us," said Emeralda. "How did you survive to the surface?"

"I used the shuttle's tractor beam and tore the head from a Xenogears. I flew down and crashed. I was found by what passed for the rebels you've seen. When I found out the cause behind everything that happened in past I decided to help the rebels."

Miang and Emeralda became excited. "You know who the real threat is?" asked Emeralda.

Kahr looked at Citan. "You mean you haven't figured it out? You must be slipping."

"I had an idea who the real threat was," said Citan. "I just did not have the proof. If I said anything before people would not have believed me." Citan looked at Emeralda and Miang. He shrugged and said, "Mikhail was right. The real threat is the Wave Existence."

"Hold on!" said Emeralda. "It was trapped for ten thousand years inside a Zohar Modifier!"

"It gets better," said Kahr. "Who did the Wave Existence use as a tool?"

"Father," groaned Emeralda. "The Contacts."

Citan nodded. "I told Miang a few months ago that I being who I am I should have killed Fei because of Id. Instead I protected and helped him. In a sense everyone who helped Fei defeat Deus was a tool of the Wave Existence. Just like the Gazel Ministry and Krelian who manipulated people so were we who were helping Fei."

"There's more," said Kahr. "The Wave Existence who controls this world inhabits the body of a Contact."

"How strong is he?" asked Emeralda who was shaking. For the first time since Robert's death she doubted her own existence. Was this what she really was? A tool of some mad being's plans. Was her purpose of bringing hope a lie?

"About as powerful as Fei when his mind was repaired," said Krelian.

"This isn't going to be fun," said Miang.

"Never is and never was," said Kahr.

Citan saw the tension between Miang and Kahr. He knew they needed to talk like he talked to Miang. Citan turned to Emeralda. "We have to go do something. Kahr. I hate to say this but we are on a timetable."

Kahr had a good idea what Citan meant. He wanted to be sure. "What kind of the timetable?" asked Kahr.

"The make or break kind," answered Citan. "Fives years to finish this once and for all."

Kahr nodded in understanding. "We can talk later. You all are hungry and tired. I will arrange some quarters for you to stay in. See you later."

Citan and Emeralda left and Miang stayed behind. Kahr looked at Miang. "You're not going with them?"

"Nope," said Miang.

*****

In what was New York City the Contact sat in what passed for his throne. He lived atop the skyscraper that was once was called the Empire State Building. Now his castle, his eyes to the world. These strangers were an unwanted problem. First Kahr now these three. They were able to use the Current because of what that attack computer did.

The Contact looked out the window. If the stupid humans only knew. They did not deserve to live. They were given paradise and were thrown out. Then there was the matter of revenge. A smile formed across the Contact's face. Revenge on them all and on Hyuga in particular. Miang needed to be killed as soon as possible.

The Contact blinked. Who was or is Hyuga. He searched through the memories of the hosts he had possessed. The Contact nodded in understanding. Hyuga was one of the chosen drawn toward the computer known as Deus. He was one of the chosen the Contact influenced to fight against the dangerous machine.

Miang was the woman who he and Deus fought for on the Eldridge. She was more dangerous than Hyuga with her telepathic abilites. The Contact had plans for her. Plans that were almost ruined when he believed she was lost when the computer was destroyed.

The Contact looked at his reflection in the window. The host's eyes was clear as water. Small ripples extended from the center in perfect harmony. A small wave of fear and hatred passed through the Contact. The ripples in the eyes became distorted. Fear, the one thing the Contact never thought to experience again. Once again it was all at risk.

'Use the Power! Use the hatred!'

The Contact turned. "Who said that?!"

'I did!'

It was the memories of a previous host. But how? The problem while on that planet the Wave Existence did not actually spend the ten thousand years in the Zohar Modifier. That was a lie he told the potential host called Fei so he would not know the truth. Because of the computer blowing up the Eldridge, the Wave Existence was injured in a way and could not directly control the Contacts only influence them. He did have full access of the hosts' memories from that planet but some of them were jumbled. The Contact turned his head back to the window. "Who are you?"

'An ally. A friend. You have the Power and you squander it. I know what you really are. You do not know Hyuga like I do.'

"One of the humans who just arrived," said the Contact.

'Yes. He more dangerous than the other two. He may not look like much but he is more dangerous than you believe.'

"No one is as strong as me," said the Contact.

'Look and watch.'

The Contact saw a fight in his mind. He gasped when the memory passed. "Is he that powerful?"

'Yes.'

The Contact shook his head. "Who are you?"

'A. . .Seeker.'

Chapter V: Art of Betrayal

"Here I go again," mumbled. Miang.

Kahr looked at her as if she was a poisonous snake about to strike. "What?"

"Nothing," said Miang. She was finding this was worse than trying to talk to Citan. She took a breath. "I guess you still hate me."

"Trying to stab you again is just my way of saying hi," said Kahr.

Miang reigned her temper in. "I'm not going try to justify what I did to you. The one thing I never did was directly manipulate you."

"Bullshit!" yelled Kahr.

"Wrong!" yelled Miang. She got up to his face. "I may have nudged you with my telepathy but I never once directly controlled you!"

"For someone trying not to justify her actions she's doing a lousy job of it," pointed out Kahr.

"Oh no you don't," said Miang. "Who was the one who warned you not to take too many of those drugs Krelian gave you? Who was the one who periodically visited you after Krelian and I cast you aside? Who was the one who consoled you whenever your mental problems would act up? How I tried to fight Deus' influence on me whenever I was around you! Because I loved you! I wasn't crying for the hell of it near the end! I was crying because of what happened to you! Because I thought I would never see you again!"

"Pretty words," said Kahr. "I don't believe them. You know what the worst thing you did to me? You never told me the truth."

"I couldn't tell anyone the truth," said Miang. "I was in a dream state those ten-thousand years. After your body became mature I questioned my goals and who I was. In a sense you were my anchor. I dropped plenty of hints toward you."

"What hints?" asked Kahr.

"What I did to Fei would be the big one," said Miang. She pointed an accusing finger at Kahr. "Didn't it ever occur to you that I was dangerous to your health? When we dumped you into the slums didn't you think that was my way of making sure you stayed away? Deep down I tried to protect you and every time you did something stupid that moved Deus' resurrection and I slipped back under Deus' control when it came to my feelings toward you! You were given a brain, unfortunately you permitted your own self pity to control you!"

Kahr sat down his chair. "Was I that bad?"

"We all were," said Miang.

"How do you feel about me now?" asked Kahr.

"Guilty," said Miang. "I did harm you in some ways and I will feel the guilt for the rest of my life."

"That's not what I mean," said Kahr. "Do you. . .love me?"

Miang swallowed. Of course she did. Yet something held her back. Ever since the Eldridge II entered the star system, her feelings about people were in conflict. "I don't know," she admitted. "Part of me still does I guess. I'm held back though. Its like I'm waiting for something to happen. Do you still have feelings for me?"

"No," said Kahr. "After the war and my trial, I had to do a lot to think of. Renee helped me. We were tired. More tired than Citan was I suspect. She and I knew I would outlive her but it did not matter."

"There is something you should know," said Miang. "It is possible you might have had a half-sister."

"What?!" yelled Kahr.

"The egg that was used to create you did not come from Karen," said Miang.

"Where did it come from?" demanded Kahr.

"Citan and I talked about that. We suspect the egg came from Elyham Van Houten's mother," answered Miang.

Kahr broke out in laughter. "You haven't changed! Medeena? Come on woman! That's ridiculous!"

"Not her! Do remember the maid?" asked Miang.

Kahr stopped laughing. He saw the look that Miang gave him plenty of times. Wether it was a lie or the truth she was not kidding. "You mean Erich did sleep with her? I thought it was just a rumor."

"No it wasn't," said Miang. "Citan told me Emperor Cain gave him a data disk containing all the people in Solaris. In case anything happened so the survivors could be found. There were only two people who were unaccounted for. Elly's mother and the woman who provided the egg." Miang saw the look in Kahr's eyes. "Before you say it I never knew who the woman was. That was Krelian's job. All he had to do was get the egg. It was no problem because all he had to do was authorize an examination and take the egg."

"There's something else," said Kahr.

"Citan also believes the woman knew about what Krelian and I had in mind. Somehow the woman influenced Krelian into choosing her egg."

Kahr knew it was too simple but obvious. "An agent of the Wave Existence. Cain was an important part of Deus. Only Cain can kill Cain. She influenced my creation so I could destroy Cain. Elly was created to be the one who could stand up to you."

"In a sense," said Miang. "Deus and the Wave Existence." She told Kahr her origins and what happened to her and Elly on the Eldridge.

Kahr still wanted to deny the whole thing but she was not lying. "Is that why you were so angry at the world?" asked Kahr.

"Yeah," said Miang. "As I said, I won't justify it. The hell I experienced is something that cannot be put into words. In my dream state I chose revenge on the world. Every time I would think I found some kind of peace through those hosts I would remember what happened and the rage would take over."

Kahr stood up and went over to his desk. "So you have changed." He pressed a button underneath his desk. "I wish I didn't have to do want I'm about to."

"Kahr," said Miang. "Being exposed to Ether has given me some telepathic abilities. Don't do anything rash."

The doors opened and guards entered. They all were pointing guns at Miang. Her telepathy was not strong enough to affect so many minds.

"I'm still tired," said Kahr. "I just want it all to go away."

*****

Citan and Emeralda walked out of the building. Jasmine gave them permission to go anywhere they wanted unless otherwise told not to. The two walked down as street. People were giving them nervous looks. Citan and Emeralda got looks like that before. Because they looked and were strong and people who were weak that did not know them would be wary of them.

"How are you doing?" asked Citan.

"I just found out my life might be a lie," said Emeralda.

"That's not true," said Citan.

"Do you think Kim got the blueprints for me out of thin air!" yelled Emeralda. "Deep down I always knew something was wrong with me being created! Do you think its possible for any human to create something like me?! Did Kim go to the Zohar Modifier or did the Wave Existence go to him? What if I wasn't meant to be a ray of hope then what am I supposed to be? A weapon?"

Citan became cautious. He had to put Emeralda at ease. "When I found out about Arcane and my immunity to Limiters I was furious. I was angry at Emperor Cain. When he told me about what happened to Miang, I nearly walked away from the conflict. I also understood what he was trying to do. He was trying to protect me from the Gazel Ministry and their allies. If I had found out earlier in my life chances were I would have tried to take down the Gazel Ministry and ilk like them."

"What does that have to do with me?" asked Emeralda.

"Because as much as I wanted to wipe them from the face of the world I could not," said Citan. "Contrary to my reputation I am not a vengeful person. The only time I took revenge was against the Gazel Ministry when we were trying to find the location of Earth. Emeralda, you are your own person. Kim gave you something that no one else could not. That is freewill. The ability to choose your own path in life."

"I know," said Emeralda. "Even though Krelian reprogrammed me my own collective conscience fought the tampering tooth and nail. When I saw Fei and Elly, I was able to finally break free." She looked at Citan with desperation. "You and I were both influenced by the Wave Existence not to harm Fei. That was the other reason why I broke free. Can we honestly face this grand manipulator? I never had a Limiter but I have a good idea what it must feel like!"

"We will think of something later," said Citan. "There is something I need to do." He pulled out Fenrir's CPU. "During the battle above the planet I realized something. The Omnigears have an actual conscience. Like what Nicoli did to those Gears."

Emeralda raised her hand outwards. A cluster of nanomachines raised from her hand. "I know. Krelian must have done the same thing with Crescans."

"Lets put these unfortunate souls to rest," said Citan.

*****

They buried the CPUs. For the longest time they said nothing. They always believed their Gears were just machines. What happened to Maria should have made them realize the Omnigears were that different.

"I wonder who they were?" asked Emeralda.

"Victims," said Citan. He clenched his fists. "I make a promise here and now. For as long as I live I will permit no more manipulations on such a grand scale. Heaven help anyone who attempts such a thing."

Emeralda looked at Citan. Like Miang and so many others, she not only saw a Guardian Angel but also an Avenging Angel. There was something else. Something almost regal and noble.

"Nice words," said Jasmine. "To bad you won't live to see if you keep the promise or not."

Citan and Emeralda turned. Before them were twenty armed rebels and Kahr. "What is the problem?" asked Citan.

"Should have left your curiosity back on the old planet," said Kahr. "Didn't I once say that it would get you in trouble?"

"Why are you doing this?" asked Citan who was becoming angry.

"Calm it down Citan," said Kahr who was worried about Citan's Dark Side.

"That. . .thing is the least of your problems," said Citan. He turned and nodded at Emeralda.

Emeralda nodded and started to moved. Kahr shook his head. He pulled out a gun. Emeralda smiled. "You know better than that," she said.

"Know thy enemy," said Kahr. "Krelian made it after you were liberated. Out of everyone he was scared of you the most for the obvious reasons."

"I'm flattered," said Emeralda with sarcasm. "I no longer rely on a power core so whatever you have in mind won't work." She moved toward Kahr.

"You still have an electromagnetic field," said Kahr. Kahr fired the gun. The magnetic field around Emeralda compressed squeezing her. Emeralda became stiff and fell over.

Kahr looked at Citan. He saw him struggling with his Dark Side. "Don't do it!" warned Kahr. "There are innocent bystanders around. I don't think you want that on your head."

Citan strained trying to choke back his Dark Side. With four Zohar Modifiers producing so much Ether it was not an easy task to do. "If you are going kill me, you better do it now."

"The Contact wants you alive," said Kahr. He nodded to one of his men. The man pulled a pistol from his side. He shot Citan four times with a tranquilizer pistol.

Chapter VI: Partial Truth Revealed!

Citan was bound in chains. Guns were constantly pointed at his head. At the first hint of Ether usage, his captors were ordered to shoot. Miang was given drugs that kept her telepathy in check and like Citan was bound in chains that she could not even break. Emeralda was shot by the gun that Kahr used on her thereby effectively disabling her. Collars were placed on Citan and Miang disabling their use of Ether and Arcane.

They traveled by ancient ground vehicles to meet with the Contact and his people. The journey took a week. Near the end of the trip Citan said to Jasmine, "You have to let Emeralda revert to her individual components."

Jasmine pointed her gun at Citan's head. "Why would I do something like that?" asked Jasmine.

"Even though she is not human she has human reactions. Like any human she needs the equivalent of sleep," pleaded Citan.

"It won't matter in a hour or two," said Jasmine. She cocked her gun. "Now shut up."

Citan shook his head. To lose before the fight even began. He always wondered what he would do in such a situation and never came up with a solution.

*****

The three were dumped on the side of the road when the shuttle appeared in the sky. Jasmine ordered the vehicles to return to the base.

"This sucks!" said Miang.

"I know," said Citan watching the shuttles getting closer.

They watched in silence as the shuttle landed. Three people walked down the gangplank. The one in front was the Contact, the other two were his guards.

Citan and Miang looked at each other and nodded. The Contact came closer. He raised his hand and used Ether to break chains. "Citan," said the Contact.

"Fei," said Citan hoping his idea would work. "I see you have changed."

Miang picked up on the idea. "Do not go down this road Lacan. It will only destroy you again."

"Fei, Lacan?" asked the Contact. He laughed. "Two of my previous hosts from that world. If I was not in complete control your plan might have worked."

"Damn," said Miang.

Citan looked the Contact. He recalled what Fei said of the Wave Existence. That for all its power it was innocent of many things. It seemed the Wave Existence fooled him. "Why?" asked Citan.

"Why what?" asked the Contact with an innocent voice.

Citan calmed down. The Contact was just playing with him. "You know what I mean. What reason is there for all of this manipulation and pain."

The Contact ignored the question. "I should have blew up the Zohar Modifier when I had the chance. I did not expect the computer to react as it did." He looked at Miang. "Do not blame your computer for what happened on the Eldridge. What happened was my fault. I think no one realized it was keeping an eye out for us. When it did what it did, it was out of panic and desperation."

Miang strained against the chains. "Explain Elhaym and I you son of a bitch!" yelled Miang.

"Mother of a new race," said the Contact. "It would have worked if your computer did not interfere with the process. I guess the computer with its organic parts had the same idea as I did."

"You are an energy based entity," said Citan. "What reason would need for such things as slaves and tools?"

The Contact shook his head and laughed. "Citan, you of all people should have figured it out. You have great power within you even though you don't realize it. What was it I told Fei? 'I am perceived as God yet am not God.' I will admit I was once close to God."

Citan and Miang looked at each other with shock and horror. "You're a demon," said Miang.

The Contact clenched his fists. Unusual anger passed through him. 'Take their heads and be done with it!' said the voice within him.

The Contact blinked and whispered, "Citan can't harm me! I made sure he could never harm me or my hosts!"

"You alright?" asked Miang who was scared that the Contact was crazy.

The Contact blinked. "To clarify, no I'm not a demon that was cast out of Heaven. I might as well have been one. We are Angels but what we did was just as bad as what Lucifer did. 'You are either hot or cold. Be you lukewarm and I shall spit you out.'"

"Lucifer tried to become God himself," said Citan.

"Yes," said the Contact. "Instead of siding with him or God, me and my people stayed out of it. We were judged and cast out of Heaven. God doesn't like neutrality."

Miang laughed the hardest in her life. "You fool! You were tempted by the devil and you fell. Lucifer knew if you remained neutral the same thing would happen to you as it did to him if he lost."

"Yes," said the Contact. "How I hate them both for what they did! All I wanted was revenge! It took millennia to wait for the right time. As humanity became more involved with science than their spiritual life, I knew it was time for revenge. People used to believe God would turn His back on them. That's not true, it is people who turn their back on God. As humans explored space and discovered races like the Zevshen who were quite spiritual we knew we had to move. We presented ourselves as dimensional beings who just wanted to help. Wave Existence was just a cover."

"Just like I helped Aveh and Nortune," muttered Miang.

"Exactly," said the Contact. "Although not as bloody at first. We presented ourselves as peaceful beings. We introduced things like the Zohar Modifier. When we integrated ourselves with the various races unto we struck. We went after the Zevshen first knowing they represented the biggest threat because of their closeness to God whom they referred to as the Teacher. Humans were the last because they were the hardest to fight. What we did not count on was Miang and her computer. We did not think anyone could use our version of technology. Humanity built three ships. Two were destroyed. The one you call the Eldridge, well you know about that."

Miang groaned as more of her missing memories returned. "Colonies that had Zohar Modifiers were revealed to have a Wave Existence within them. The Wave Existence then influenced the colonies to destroy themselves. That's why we found that one Zohar Modifier. I was able to give at least one colony the plans to the attack computer. Like the one we knew, it was corrupted."

The Contact nodded. "Indeed. Everything was going smooth. Civilizations were destroyed. The Zevshen vanished without a trace never to be seen again. The only thing that is needed are two things." The Contact looked at Miang. "And one of them presented herself to me."

Miang repressed the memories of what the Gazel Ministry did to her. "What do you have in mind for me?"

"You will be the new Eve. With the body of a Contact I shall be the new Adam," said the Contact. "All I have to do is awake the Elhaym within you." The Contact whispered into Miang's ear. "Like Id, Miang does not really exist. The woman who was Miang died on the Eldridge. Elyham represented the spirit, the Zevshen female the physical, and what was left of Miang was to represent the mind."

Miang felt faint. She remembered those final moments. "No," she said.

Citan did not hear what the Contact told her. "You are a greater fool than the Devil," said Citan. "You believe you cannot be tempted but you have been tempted. You listened to the Devil and willingly gave into temptation. Turn back from this path before its too late."

"Do you think I am that foolish not to know if the Devil is trying to tempt me?" asked the Contact.

"Yes," said Citan. "The Holy Book says something else. 'All sin is forgivable except for blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.' In your anger did you not even consider that God was just trying to show you the error of your ways? I think God was showing you that by not choosing a side, wether the wrong or right side, things might have been worse. Surely you have seen first hand what happens when a person gives into temptation. The pain and rifts it causes. The reason I think God does not like neutrality is because it is a sign of either a manipulator or a coward who refuses to take a stance when everything is at stake. To say, 'It has nothing to do with me' is one excuse that no longer holds. Even Fei realized that."

'Lies! Kill him and be done with it! Kill them all! Kill Miang!' said the voice within the Contact.

The Contact shook his head. The ripples in his eyes became chaotic. "No! It can't be true! Its not possible! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" he yelled. He turned and ran to the shuttle. His guards turned and looked at each with confusion. They followed the Contact up to the shuttle. The shuttle raised into the air and flew off.

"I felt a familiar presence coming from him," said Miang.

"Who?"asked Citan.

"I can't place it," answered Miang. "I did feel a whole of hatred toward you and I."

"This cannot be good," said Citan. He turned his attention to Emeralda. "You can get up now."

Emeralda blinked and stood up. "That was too real. I don't like keeping human form for so long."

"Angels," said Miang. "What do we fight something like them?"

"As we saw," said Citan, "they are not perfect. So that is a start."

Another shuttle approached. When it landed, Kahr and Jasmine walked out of it. "I'd be swearing right now if I knew it wouldn't make God angry," said Jasmine.

Kahr shook his head. "Please tell me he was lying."

"Sorry," said Emeralda. She held up her hand and a device rose from her palm. She handed the bugging device to Kahr.

"I don't like what he has in mind for me," said Miang. "I won't believe what he said about me either. I'm Miang, damn it!"

Everyone looked at her. The pain and fear on her face. She walked over to Kahr. She held out her hand. Kahr walked pass her and went to Citan. "Any ideas?" asked Kahr.

"A whole lot of praying," suggested Emeralda.

"When I was going through the crisis of Midori's birth, I told Zephyr that sometimes God makes us look for the answers. Somewhere on Earth is the answer to the solution," said Citan.

"I have faced him before," said Kahr. "That was the true Contact." He tapped his leg. "It isn't clone rot that gave me the bad leg. There was something else by the way he was talking."

"There was also his eyes," said Miang. "They're creepy enough as it is. The way the ripples went all over the place when he lost it."

Citan turned to Miang. "We have a more immediate problem. We have to do something about you."

Miang swallowed. She saw the expression of shock on Emeralda and the dark smile on Kahr. Whatever Citan had in mind would not be pleasant.

Chapter VII: Chrysalis

Atop the Empire State Building the Angel who went by the name the 'Contact' paced back and forth. So close yet so far away. That voice in his mind. The Contact punched a hole in the wall. "Lucifer, I know you are here!" he yelled.

'I appreciate the compliment. I am not Lucifer,' said the voice within him.

"Don't pull that with me Prince of Lies," said the Contact. "I know now its you. I know what you are trying to do. It won't work. 'Get thee behind me!'"

The voice within laughed. 'Even if I was Lucifer, those words would have no power over me. For you turned your back on God just as Krelian did.'

The host body paled. "How do you know of Krelian?" demanded the Contact.

'I worked with him,' said the inner voice.

"Worked with. . ." said the Contact. For the first time since he faced God's anger, the Contact knew fear. Possessing human bodies like this was equivalent of being human. When a host's body was killed, the Angel in a sense died with the human. The Contact fell to his knees. His eyes felt as though they were about to burst. "G-G-G," cried the Contact but his mouth was forced shut.

'In a sense I am Lucifer. I am your Lucifer returned! You wanted to be as God and in that process you created your own Lucifer! And just like the real God's Lucifer I will attempt to ascend above you who tries to become God!' promised the voice within him.

The Contact tried to get up. The voice within paralyzed him. "I will not allow," whimpered the Contact.

'Many have tried destroy me and failed. I was born of the Power you controlled. Power you gave to me. The Power to destroy all those that stood in your and my way,' said the inner voice.

The Contact started to cry as he felt himself being pushed back. The way he pushed back the consciences of the hosts he had possessed. The Contact's eyes closed and opened. The ripples were gone and now glowed with a sick red.

*****

Back at the rebel base an argument took place. Citan proposed a plan to make Miang this new Eve. To open her potential and to push her to the limit. "No!" yelled Emeralda, Kahr, and Miang at the same time.

"It is the best way to protect her," said Citan in his casual demeanor.

"We don't know what the affects will be," said Kahr. "She's as bad as it is already. God only knows what happens if we do that to her."

Miang gave Kahr the dirtiest look ever. "I thought we talked about that." She looked at Citan and said with anger, "Its my choice and I say no!"

Citan took off his glasses and looked at them. "Can we take the risk of the Contact doing it instead? We all know the power that Elhyam and Miang had as separate entities. Emeralda and I witnessed Elhyam and Miang as one being. What that being did was frightening enough. What the Contact admitted to Miang's true purpose, we cannot imagine what will happen if he controls her true self."

Miang walked up to Citan. "I've been screwed with enough!" she said.

"I will make sure you will not lose your identity," said Citan. "Just awake the potential within you."

Miang surprised everyone when she picked up Citan. An indigo Ether aura surrounded her. "I know what its like to be manipulated and to manipulate others. When I gained what I thought was my true self and understood what happened to me and what I did to others I promised I would never be a victim or victimizer again!" She dropped Citan hard. Without further word she left the room.

Emeralda helped Citan up. "That went smooth. Want me to talk to her? Woman to woman?" she asked.

"Let her be," said Kahr. "If she wants to be snippy then no skin off my back."

Citan sighed. The way everyone was acting he doubted they would survive the first year on Earth.

*****

A guard outside the Contact's chambers felt the disturbance in the Current. He went inside to make sure everything was fine. "My lord, I felt something wrong."

The Contact stood at a window. He looked at the sky. "At first I wanted revenge on God and creation. Then I decided to move above Him and recreate everything." The Contact nodded. "Now I came to a new conclusion. Knowing Citan through the memories of the previous hosts I know he is one who will make the ultimate sacrifice even if it costs him his soul."

"What will he do?" asked the guard.

"What we named the Zohar Modifier that are floating in orbit are now bombs. I do not know when but that ship Citan was on will return. Wether just one ship or an armada they will have four targets."

The guard's eyes ripped with fear. "Could they actually do it?"

"I was there in secret when they fought Id at the Zohar Modifier. The Lamb known as Bart inadvertently struck the Zohar Modifier with the Omnigear's whip. It was one of the rare things that would cause a pause in battle. Even I will admit I was concerned. You saw what the ship he was on did to the Xernix."

"No one is that insane," said the guard.

"Lucifer was," said the Contact. "So were we for standing by while watching events unfold. We have two choices to end it all. One is to ask God for forgiveness."

The guard could not believe it. To be able to return to paradise. "God would forgive us?"

The Contact nodded. "He would. Hyuga is not wrong about such things even if he does not know why. Then there is the other option."

The guard was now confused. "What could be another option?"

The answer came in a reply of a Ether aura. The Contact raised his hand and the guard was trapped in an Ether field. The Contact turned. The guard tried to speak but could not. The Contact's eyes were red with Power. His smile was cruel and sadistic. "This," said the Contact, whose voice was deep and oily mixed with madness and arrogance.

"L-Lucifer," the guard managed to say.

"Not the one you think. Although I could be the Lucifer of your so-called god's creation," said the Contact. "I am the Seeker of Power." The Contact contract the field around the guard's head. "I have been touch by the Divine Power." Veins pressed against the guard's neck and head. "O Fallen Seed, blossom!" Blood came pouring out of the guard's nose, ears, and eyes. "I have finally merged with the Contact as I promised to do ever since my first host died." The last thing the guard heard was before his head explode was, "I am Grahf the Assassin. Grahf the Destoyer. Grahf the Murderer of the Mother. Grahf the Slayer of God."

The guard's body fell over as a bright light came out of hole that used to be his neck. Grahf watched in interest and turned his attention back to the sky. "I have slain this false god. All that is left is the Mother and the Guardian Angel. Then all shall follow with them."

*****

Miang needed to cool down. She walked through the streets. As she became more rational she got a good look at her surrounding. The place was worse than the Third Class Living Areas.

Miang leaned against a wall of what used to be a shop and wondered what her purpose was in all of this. She did not want to die. She did not want to lose her identity. She had found herself after so many millennia and did not want to lose that.

Miang felt something bump against her foot. She looked down and saw a rubber ball. A ten year old girl walked up to Miang. Miang smiled and picked up the ball. She handed it to the girl. "Here you go."

The girl took the ball and smiled. She touched Miang's fingers. Miang did not have her mental shielding up and the touch caused her to read the girl's mind. Her mother thought they were safe. They were in an abandoned shack in the mountains. They came anyway. Her father and mother hid her in a secret room beneath the floor. The girl looked through the cracks and saw the Possessors enter. Her parents were beautiful. Even though she did not understand, she somehow knew her mom and dad were to be hosts.

Miang moaned and let go of the girl's ball. She tried to smile at the girl. "You go on now," said Miang to the girl. "Don't talk to anyone you don't know and you'll be safe."

When the girl was out of view, Miang cried for the girl. She cried for her parents. She cried for those she destroyed. She cried for what she was about to do.

*****

"A good part of the world's human population is now possessed," said Kahr. "Populations of countries have been purged of anyone not possessed." Kahr shook his head. "Its enough to make the Ethos look nice."

"What prevented a total takeover?" asked Emeralda.

"Me," answered Kahr. "After I landed on the planet I wondered for awhile trying to find signs of life. Eventually I came upon a processing area if one could call it that. Fascinated I watched for a bit. When I realized what was happening, I made my move. They were surprised when I walked in all calm. They thought I lost my mind. I showed them the errors of their way. I got the prisoners out and after reassuring them I wasn't going to harm them they helped me do the same for others. I helped setup resistence cells and gave them the technology to fight back. That was almost a century ago."

Emeralda and Citan knew Kahr was a clone that had longevity. The time that passed surprised them though. Kahr, while in the right mind, was a military genius.

"How do you fight an angel?" asked Citan.

"It took awhile to figure that out," answered Kahr. "Then it dawned on me. The surest way to make sure anything is dead." He made a slashing motion across his neck.

"Will it kill the angel?" asked Emeralda.

"I don't know," admitted Kahr. "I do know when the host dies, the angel never returns. So maybe, yeah, they do die."

Citan shook his head. "Either that or they are taken before God for judgment like the host would be. Everyone is held accountable. Human, angel, and demon."

No one replied and an unusual silence settled in. A minute passed when the door to Kahr's office opened and Miang entered. She looked at everyone. "I'll do it."

Citan shook his head. "I was wrong for even having the thought. I thought about it and decided it would to great of a risk to your identity. There is also another risk that is involved that I did not consider before."

"What risk is that?" asked Emeralda.

"A sacrifice of power, even life," said Citan. "To open up her potential requires one of us to basically transfer all our Ether and beyond into her. Given her anatomy she would survive the process. The person doing the act will die from the process."

"Not exactly," said Emeralda. "I can do it."

"No," said Citan. "When I mean beyond, I also mean the conscience. Miang will have to link mind to mind to absorb the energy from the introns and neurons. Because your mind cannot be read you cannot do it." Citan smiled. "I will do it. Even though my own mental shielding is strong I am sure the drugs Miang took to suppress her abilities will work on me."

"I can't let you," said Miang.

"Kahr is needed here to be the leader so he is out ," said Citan. "None of you understand me as well as you think. You all saw me in battle before and most likely wondered at some of the foolish actions I might have taken. I did not take them lightly. After what I did to Maria's parents I swore to never allow such a thing to happen again even if it costs me my own life."

They wanted to argue with Citan. To talk him out of it. They also knew nothing they would say would change his mind.

"I suggest we get some sleep," said Kahr. "We can go over this more in the morning."

Chapter VII: Noble Sacrifice

Citan returned to his quarters. He laid down and tried to sleep. It was not easy in coming. He always believed when the time would come he would not be afraid of dying. He wondered if that was not the problem. During battle dying was the last thing on the mind. The first priority in Citan's opinion was keeping hold of one's sanity.

Citan tossed and turned for a hour. He wondered if he would indeed get any sleep. He needed to be very aware if he was going to transfer what constituted his life force into Miang.

Citan thought about those angels. It confused him how anyone would want to do something so foolish it would get them kicked out paradise, Heaven no less. Adam and Eve from the Holy Book. They to fell to the temptation. Citan sighed. "Like I have room to talk. At least Adam and Eve did not kill their fellow man."

Citan knew his hands ran red with blood. The blood of guilty and innocent alike. A chill went through him. Lucifer, the fallen angels. Beings doomed to Hell because of what they did. Citan did many things. Lying and murder. He recalled what he told the Contact about how God would forgive all except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. Citan wondered why he could not find the courage to ask for forgiveness when his sins were forgivable.

Citan almost fell asleep when someone knocked at the door. Citan gave up and got up. He went to the door and opened it. He was surprised that it was Kahr. He was holding a bottle and two cups. Kahr smiled. "Decided to drop by." He held up the cups. "I figure a reunion between the surviving male Elements was in order."

"Might as well," said Citan.

Kahr entered and placed the cups on the table and poured the drink. Both men sat down. Citan lifted his glass. "To those we fought with and against. May a warrior never be forgotten," he said.

Kahr nodded and drank. He the poured more into the cups. "Remember that time Jessie tried to teach us how to make Ether based black powder?"

Citan laughed. "I am surprised we did not blow up Jugend. Remember how badly colored our skin was because of the dyes we used?"

"That stuff was a pain to get off the skin. Thought I wasn't going to have any skin left," said Kahr.

"You and me both," said Citan. He took another drink and the room spun. Citan blinked. "This is some powerful stuff. One of Jessie's old concoctions?"

"His and mine," said Kahr. "Sorry."

Citan felt like lead. He tried getting up and stumbled. He realized the drink was drugged. "Why?" he asked, slurring his speech.

Kahr got up. He held Citan up by the arm. "It can't be you. You're too important to everything."

Citan tried to speak. "But."

"Go and rest," said Kahr. He placed Citan in the bed and watched him fall to sleep.

Kahr walked out before he changed his mind. What Kahr never told anyone was that like Cain, the Contact, the Anti-Type, and Miang, he to carried generations of memories. Being a clone of Emperor Cain also enabled him all of the memories of the past clones. Some of those memories included the truth about Citan. Kahr walked toward his final destination. Citan was more important than anyone could ever know. He was one of many chosen to face the threat of these rouge angels. He was also the last. If he were to fall either in life or spirit, then all could be lost.

*****

Kahr knocked on the door and Miang answered. She was wearing a loose robe. She was surprised as Citan. "Kahr," she said.

"Can I come in?" asked Kahr.

"Yeah," said Miang. "Can't sleep anyway. Damn fool."

"I wouldn't worry," said Kahr.

Miang looked at Kahr. She tried to scan his mind but his mental shielding was the strongest she ever felt. That alone told her Kahr did something. "What did you do him?"

"He's sleeping," said Kahr. His leg started to act up along with his back. "Mind if I sit? Not as strong as I used to be. Hauling Citan to his bed wasn't easy."

Miang brought a chair out. Kahr went to it and grunted as he sat down. At least a century worth of back pained shot through his body.

"Why did you drug him?" asked Miang.

"I have my reasons," said Kahr. "Its up to you to make sure doesn't make any stupid risks like he used to back during our days with the Elements."

Miang sat down on the couch. "What's going on? Don't you still trust me?" asked Miang.

"It has nothing to do with that," said Kahr. He coughed violently. "When you created me you made me too much like Emperor Cain. I carry all of his memories. Including the ones that concern Citan. I never knew about them when I was insane and after Ether vanished from the old planet I could not access them. It was not until I came to Earth that I discovered the memories."

Miang looked at Kahr with rapt interest. "When I first met Citan face to face I knew there was something different. I tried to read his mind. The way he looked at me I thought he was going to kill me. I still don't know if it was Arcane or something else that gives him his mental shielding."

"Then there's his Dark Side," said Kahr. "I thought he was going to kill me during that fiasco with the cult."

"What did Cain know about him?" asked Miang.

Kahr laughed. "Not saying. Just keep him alive." His smile faded. "Another thing I have in common with Cain. Physically we are untouchable except for the Contact or another clone. That and we aren't immortal."

"Not immortal?" asked Miang. Then she understood. "Clone rot," she whispered.

Kahr nodded. "I never thought about it before. Is wasn't until my last battle with the Contact. He did a number on my leg. Like with Id, I thought I'd recover without a scratch." Kahr tapped his leg. "It didn't heal. That's when I knew. I tried to find the comparable drugs on Earth to make same medicines that Krelian made for Cain to keep the pain down. Leg is still useless and my back has been getting worse."

"You want to give your life up," said Miang.

"The second Cain clone was not able to find the right ingredients because of a famine. The pain he went through was unbearable. I don't want that," said Kahr.

Miang closed her eyes. She remembered the look of satisfaction she had as that clone went through sheer hell before he died. Now all she felt was pity for those clones. They were as bound as she was. She looked at Kahr. For once he had some semblance of peace in his eyes.

They looked at each other for a long time. They both thought of their rocky past. Neither would admit what little good times they had where wonderful. "Come over here," said Miang.

Kahr got up and walked over to her. "Sit on my lap," said Miang.

"Why?" asked Kahr.

"Because I think I need to hold you," said Miang. She did not need telepathy to know what was on his mind. "Sit down or I force you to do it."

"Do you give Citan this much grief?" asked Kahr after he sat down on her lap.

"Yes," said Miang. "We need to hurry up and do this before I change my mind."

Kahr saw the tears forming in Miang's eyes. "You have really changed. There was only time I saw you cry."

Miang rubbed her eyes. She did not want to dwell on that fateful day. She held Kahr tight as she could without hurting him. "You ready?"

Kahr kissed her one last time on the cheek. "Yes." He lowered all his barriers. The barriers that prevented the over absorption of Ether. He felt his body becoming hot. His eyes blurred as the moisture in his eyes evaporated. Kahr looked out a window and saw the stars. When he was younger he would try to look past those stars into infinity. The barriers of his mind prevented him from doing so lest he was driven mad from the overwhelming concept. Now he battered those barriers down and looked past the stars, past galaxies, past everything. His eyes rolled into the back of his head. "So beautiful, so wonderful," he whispered.

Miang shut her eyes tight. She felt the Ether and life of Kahr entering her. His past blurred through her mind. A memory caught her attention. She saw Kahr standing by the stasis pod crying. Miang heard him say that while he loved Renne his heart would always belong to Miang. She heard Kahr whisper, "So beautiful, so wonderful." Miang never felt such strong feelings of wonderment. She tried to see what Kahr saw but he stopped her. "Don't do it. This is for me and me alone," he said. Then he was gone.

Miang screamed as she absorbed what was left of Kahr. A build up Ether that rivaled Id's release of power on Elru surrounded Miang. She dropped Kahr and stood up. She was not sure if she screamed again or not. She released the excess Ether upwards destroying the roof of the house. The beam of Ether reached into the sky for all to see.

*****

Citan found himself in Krelian's lab. He walked to the examination table and saw Yui. Her expression was of fear and hatred. Her shirt was lifted up exposing her stomach. Citan could see some type of gel on her stomach. He watched Krelian return. "Solaris and Shevat," he said then left again.

Citan could not move. On the surface any healer or doctor that did what Krelian just did would be lucky just to walk away with both hands intact.

Citan knew these were not dreams but visions. Yui told him what happened while she was Krelian's prisoner. Citan became angry. "Why this? Why show me this?"

"To answer your question," answered Krelian.

Citan reigned in his anger. He needed to think straight. "What question?" he demanded.

Krelian held up his hand in a gesture of peace. "Remember who you are. Recall where you are. Know what can happen even in this drugged state."

Citan closed his eyes. His Dark Side. "Oh no," he said. He looked at Krelian. "Is that what it is? My anger given form because of Arcane?"

"In a sense it is triggered when you are under duress but it is just not your anger. The question about your Dark Side is not the one you need to have answered. The question you need to have answered is why you haven't asked God for forgiveness."

"Why have I held back?" asked Citan. "What prevents me from doing the obvious thing?"

"You have both faith and instinct," explained Krelian. "In matters both scientific and spiritual you have a knack for looking around corners. To see the correct answer with very little information."

"I have been known to be wrong. I still do not know what this vision is supposed to mean," pointed out Citan.

"God forgives everything except for one sin. That much you know," said Krelian. "Yet do you think its fair for God to forgive a sinner who cannot forgive others? For God to forgive, we have to forgive others. I almost lost my soul at the end. When Fei forgave me I was reminded that I to had to forgive those who I thought wronged me."

Citan became conflicted. He had to forgive them? The Gazel Ministry who almost destroyed his mind. Krelian who did something unspeakable toward Yui. Grahf and Miang who tried to either control Midori, or failing that, kill her.

Citan sighed. Miang who did the worst thing possible to her hosts. She lied and killed in her ten thousand years of existence. What she tried to do to Midori. "I forgave her," said Citan. "Miang tried to do the worst possible thing to me and I forgave her."

"Yes," said Krelian. "And what of the others and I?"

"They are gone," said Citan. "After I punished the Gazel Ministry for the death of Emperor Cain I felt empty. I kept on telling myself it was the right thing to do. I kept on telling myself what I did was out of a sense of justice. I was lying to myself. I did it out of vengeance." Citan looked at Krelian for what seemed to be an eternity. "I forgive them, you, and those who have wronged me."

Krelian smiled. "You have done well. You have past your test. Maybe now all of this can come to an end."

"I do not understand," said Citan.

"The last Emperor Cain clone, Kahr, Miang's computer, and I were chosen to face the threat of the rouge angels," said Krelian. "The computer was corrupted and was unable to face the angels. My fall from grace prevented me from doing so. I ordered the death of the last clone. Kahr is too old for such a task. You are the last." A Light surrounded Krelian. He pointed at Citan. "You are the last to face them! As someone said, 'Stand tall and shake the heavens!'"

Citan felt himself awaking. There was still something he had to know. "My Dark Side what is it?"

"You will have one final test before you can truly face the Contact," said Krelian. "Then you shall know the truth."

*****

Citan awoke in confusion. Between the vision and the drugs Citan still felt out of it. He heard the sounds of people running back and forth outside. People were yelling about a fire.

"Citan!" yelled Emeralda from the outside.

Citan used Arcane to give him a short boost. The visual affects flickered and a snapping sound like electric equipment shorting rang through his ears. Citan's skin went white. The last time that happened Elru was destroyed.

"You in there?" yelled Emeralda.

"Come in," replied Citan.

Emeralda burst in. "What are you doing? Don't you know what's going on?"

"I was drugged," said Citan.

"Who?" asked Emeralda. "Never mind. Come with me."

Citan got up and tried to shake off the drugs. "At least I did not throw up this time."

Emeralda gave Citan a questioning look. "When Elru was destroyed the most powerful Ether users were affected in a bad way. I threw up and Yui passed out."

"We were lucky this time," said Emeralda. "At least for us. Miang might be a different story. It was her quarters that blew up."

Citan snapped fully awake. Kahr took his place. Something happened to them both. "We better hurry."

Chapter VIII: The Winds of Change

Citan and Emeralda ran to Miang's place. They were stopped by a perimeter set up by Jasmine. "You can't pass," she told them.

"Why not?" asked Emeralda.

"There is too much Current at the epicenter," said Jasmine.

Citan looked at Emeralda. "Can you scan it?"

Emeralda nodded. "There is an unusual amount of Ether. We will be fine," she whispered.

Jasmine put a hand on Citan's shoulders. "Are you nuts?" she asked in a harsh whisper.

"We cannot leave them there," said Citan, his voice cold. "I know the risk and I do not care." The risk was that people would find out that Citan and Emeralda could use Ether or as the inhabitants called it, the Current. They were told that it would not be wise for people to know that because the only beings on the planet who could use Ether were the rouge angels.

"I'll go," whispered Emeralda. "People already know I don't have a human body. That won't raise any questions."

"Just be careful," said Jasmine.

Emeralda thought of Krelian who tried to corrupt her, the soldiers who killed her parents, Fei's raw power when she fought him while she was under Krelian's control, getting hit from behind by Deus' extensions. The solar flare that nearly killed her. She looked at Jasmine and shrugged. "Walk in the park."

Emeralda walked to the nearly collapsed house. Kahr and Miang were lucky it was not on fire. Anything that had a window or door was blown out. Parts of what was left of the roof and ceiling was scattered on the ground.

Emeralda walked past the debris that laid on the ground and went into the house. She heard about Citan's reaction to what was left of that Zohar Modifier they found on the planet that caused his Dark Side to act up. She understood his reaction. What passed for the walls were twisted and bent. One section was bent into a whirlpool shape yet the size of the wall was still the same. Objects that were thrown by the blast and connected with other objects did not break or shatter but instead were fused to the objects they touched. Emeralda swallowed hard when she saw a drinking cup sticking halfway out of a wall.

Emeralda picked up her search. She did not bother calling out to Kahr or Miang. She knew something like this would knock them out. Emeralda made her way to the kitchen. She saw them laying on the floor. "Oh my god."

*****

The Contact that housed the mind of Grahf stood at a window. It was night. He would never admit to it but like Citan he to stared at the stars. In the middle of his thoughts, a voice rang out in his mind. 'Give me back control!' said the Angel.

Grahf did something he did on little occasion. He laughed. An dark evil laugh. Inside his mind he could feel the Angel cringe. "I have waited too long and I will not give up control."

'You will cost us everything!' screamed the Angel.

Grahf shrugged. "You created me as a Lucifer and as a destroyer."

'You were meant to kill Deus! Not Creation!'

"In doing so will prevent the creation of such things," said Grahf. "I am carrying out your instructions to the most logical conclusion."

'What will be left?' asked the Angel.

"Nothing," answered Grahf. "When there is no chance for life I will destroy this final host."

'Do not be rash,' said the Angel. 'How about a deal?'

Grahf narrowed the eyes of the Contact. "What kind of deal?"

'Let to woman live,' suggested the Angel. 'We can recreate life with her. A better life!'

Before Grahf could say Miang would be the first to die, the affect of Miang's transformation reached that part of the world. Grahf and the Angel screamed in pain as the Ether shockwave passed through them.

The Angel recovered first. In the subconscience mind of the host, the Angel grabbed Grahf. They held onto each other struggling for supremacy. A Ether aura surrounded Grahf. 'No!' said the Angel. 'I may not be able to cast you out but I will not allow you to control me! At least the first part of my is goal is shared with you! If I cannot control you then I shall become one with you!'

Before Grahf could release the Power, the Angel punched him through the heart. The Angel grabbed the stunned Grahf and pulled him close. 'I hope this hurts you as it will me!'

The body of the Contact fell to the ground. The merged minds of the Angel and Grahf released a second wave of Ether like Id and Miang.

*****

Citan went to get medical supplies while Emeralda carried Kahr and Miang out. When he returned he could never imagine what he saw. Like Emperor Cain, Kahr had degenerated the same why. His once handsome body looked like the late stage of an Emperor Cain clone. Citan knew Kahr was dead but wanted to be sure. He reached down and gently took Kahr's hand. He checked for a pulse and found none.

Citan felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned his head and saw Emeralda. "I'm sorry," she said.

Citan did not show any emotion. He became detached as soon as he picked up the medical kit. "I want you to give Kahr's date of birth to Jasmine so she will know what to put on the tombstone."

Emeralda nodded and went to find Jasmine while Citan checked on Miang. He told people to move away from her while he checked her. Very few things could catch Citan off guard. This was one of them. Miang's hair turned light auburn. Her skin now a deep tan.

Citan checked her pulse. He relaxed some when he felt it. Citan checked for any broken bones when he noticed the bracelet that she wore to keep the pheromones her body produced was gone. Citan stared at the wrist for a few moments before realizing he was not affected.

Citan opened her eyes and nearly jumped back. Her eyes glowed the color of a pale indigo. Mind, body, and soul the Contact had told them. The glow became brighter and Citan released the eyelid. Miang blinked a couple of times. She looked at Citan. "You are Citan?"

Citan held his breath when she spoke. It was like two soft voices speaking as one with a light echo. "Yes," he finally said. "Miang?"

"I am supposed to be Elhaym, Miang, and Sil'Non," said the woman. "I am separate yet one."

"What shall we call you?" asked Citan.

"The Angel was wrong. I do not have Si'Non's soul. But I still have Miang's mind and soul for she is me," said the woman. "You may call me Miang."

"Ok," said Citan. "How do you feel?"

"I hurt but I don't think its nothing serious," answered Miang. She stiffened. "I can feel another wave of Ether like the one Miang released."

"Do you know where its coming from?" asked Citan.

"Where the Contact lives," answered Miang.

Miang's eyes brightened. "Here it comes!"

Citan nodded. He did not feel anything at first. Then his stomach tightened. He got up and walked away from Miang and the people. Like in Solaris when Id destroyed Elru, the backlash of Ether caused people who were strong in Ether to react in bad ways. Citan bent over and threw up.

Jasmine came over and helped Citan up. "What happened?" she asked.

"I'll explain later," said Citan. He looked at Miang. She to was feeling side affect of the shockwave. She was on her knees clutching her head.

A rebel came up to them. Confusion was on his face. "Jasmine, the green haired woman. She fell apart!"

"Get someone to help her," ordered Jasmine.

"No," said Citan. "She will be fine. It will take more than this to affect her. You need to do something else."

"What?" demanded Jasmine. She was Kahr's second and did not like being ordered.

"Do you have spies near where the Contact is stationed?" asked Citan.

"What if he we do?" asked Jasmine in a defensive tone.

Citan did not have time for childish behavior. He stood up and looked Jasmine in the eyes. "You will contact them and tell them to find as much information as possible and get out of the area as fast as they can."

Jasmine objected. "Who the hell do you think-

Citan stood up and Miang backed away. She saw Citan like this before. Citan walked over to Jasmine. "In case you have forgotten, this is a war. Something affected Emeralda, Miang, and I in the worst possible way. If it was bad for us you can be guaranteed it will be bad for the world."

Jasmine clenched her teeth. "I am in charge now. You are nothing more than a stranger to this world."

Citan's anger faded. He shrugged and said, "You are right. I am sorry. You do what needs to be done. All I am doing is trying to keep people from being killed."

Jasmine's anger also faded. She was surprised by his reaction. "You're also right. I get right on it."

"Thank you," said Citan.

When Jasmine was out of hearing range, Miang said, "Still playing people like an instrument."

"It needed to be done," said Citan. "As much as I do not want to admit to it I may have to become their leader."

"How will you do that?" asked Miang.

Citan felt grief building up inside of him. He did not want to talk about wars, rouge angels, or anything. He just wanted to be alone so he could mourn. He looked at Miang and saw the sadness in her face. He knew she felt the same way.

*****

The humans that were possessed were nearly freed when all of that Ether was released. Almost but not quite. Gerend burst into the Contact's quarters. He was followed by three others. They found their leader and master staring out a window. "My lord!" yelled Gerend. "Something happened with the Current!"

The being that was now the Angel and Grahf held up a hand. "I know," he said with sick tone of innocence and evil.

Gerend walked over to the Contact. He was careful in his steps. The Contact had been acting strange as of late. First the mess with Kahr's setup with those offworlders. Then these violent surges with the Current. "My lord something is wrong. Ever since those Current users came to Earth."

"I know," said the Contact with a more normal tone of voice which was strained. "I have a plan."

Gerend relaxed. "Then things won't get out of hand."

"It is already out of hand," said the Contact. "As I said, I have a plan. We are doing what should have been done a long time ago. Total annihilation of this pathetic rock. We will go to what was once Washington DC."

Gerend did not understand. "What could be there?"

The Contact laughed. It was not a pleasant sound of good and evil. "When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, the area was still livable after the destruction. Man tried to mimic God in that regard. When human's used their weapon, the land were not as livable for a long time."

Gerend and the guards looked at each other. They wondered what the Contact meant. Gerend's eyes went wide. "The Pentagon, nuclear weapons."

Chapter IX: Peace and Anger

A week passed after the cremation of Kahr Ramsus. Citan and Miang were hit the hardest by his death and just wanted solitude while they mourned. Emeralda talked Jasmine into letting her train her troops in some advanced battle tactics. Jasmine waited for news from the spies in New York City. At the end of week she got her report.

Citan was snapped out of his thoughts when someone pounded on his door. His room was dimly lit. Candles were the only source of light. Citan face was half hidden in the shadows. "Come in," he said.

Jasmine entered and looked around. She was surprised at the setup. Emeralda and Miang did say Citan possessed a rarely seen spiritual side, but Jasmine did not think it would be like this. "I did what you suggested," she said. "I alerted our spies and told them what to do."

"Good," said Citan.

"What are your orders?" asked Jasmine.

"That is up to you," answered Citan.

Jasmine walked closer to Citan. "What I did was dumb. You'd make a better leader than I. The only thing I know how to do is pull the trigger."

Citan stepped out of the shadows and Jasmine took a step back. Kahr told her a lot about Citan and the other people he knew from the old planet. He told her that Citan, while looking calm, had a storm brewing just below the surface. When she first saw Citan she believed what Kahr told her. Now Citan's storm below the surface seemed to be gone.

Jasmine did not want to tell want to tell Citan but had no choice. "Before Kahr went to see Miang he said you were to be the new leader if anything happened to him."

Citan knew Kahr was using Solarian tradition when he made that final order. It was his last request. Last requests within reason were always carried out. This was Earth not Solaris. "Elly wanted to help the sick and injured during the Great War," explained Citan. "Not even I understood why she did what she did. What I do know is that no one begrudged her that request. That is my request. To allow me the time to understand this."

"Understand what?" demanded Jasmine who was becoming angry. They way Kahr talked about Citan, she believed he was some kind of super being.

"To be at peace," answered Citan.

Jasmine thought Citan was off his rocker but his eyes said otherwise. "Kahr once told me that were the type who didn't like seeing the innocent suffer."

"I am," said Citan. "For now I have to think this through before I go back into the fray."

*****

The shuttle landed in the center of Washington DC. The once noble capital reduced to ruins. When the rouge Angels attacked Earth, Washington DC was their first target. They used biological weapons to wipe out the populace. Even now vegetation would not grow.

"Set up a perimeter," ordered the Contact, whose voice was more normal. In truth the Angel/Grahf being had been practicing. The only thing they could not do is change the way their eyes were. For now he kept them hooded. He claimed it was to intimidate the enemy. "Anything trying to get in or out is to be killed instantly. No exceptions."

Gerend nodded and obeyed. They were finally doing it. Finishing off the human race and therefore getting their revenge against God.

The Contact and his guards flew through the streets by way of Ether. They found the five cornered building. They landed and entered. Washington DC had changed very little throughout the passage of time. The one thing that did change was the Pentagon. Because of potential threats from space, the building had been turned into a near impregnable fortress. What planners did not count on were rouge Angels.

The Contact entered the building along with his people. "Do we have the location?"

"I do," said another Angel.

The Contact smiled. The codes and location of the master controls for the nuclear weapons. He tried to fire off the ones in what used to be Russia and was only able to launch ten at a continent that was once Australia. With the destructive power of the warheads nothing on the continent would survive.

The Contact and his guards entered the abandoned Pentagon. Their footsteps echoed throughout the halls. They ignored the skeletons and corpses that laid on the floor.

They neared the elevator that would take them to the command center that held the activation controls to the nuclear weapons. The Contact, with Grahf's abilities, could have teleported directly to the command center without anyone knowing. The problem was that Grahf had to have been in the area before. Although the Angels were able to get the blueprints, the Contact still dared not tried to teleport without risking teleporting into a piece of office equipment.

The two Angels pulled the elevator doors apart. The Contact walked into the empty shaft and hovered in the air. "Sixth floor down," he said.

The Contact's Ether aura surrounded him as he started to descend. The aura glowed with a mix of a dull white and blood red. The tow Angels took a step back. When an Angel manifested an Ether aura it what always white. "Are you alright?" asked one of the Angels.

"It is them," lied the Contact. "First Kahr now those other three. Because of my closeness to the Zohar Modifier and the Current I draw on for strength I feel off. Those four are like a parasite. I am barely holding on. When they are dead the condition will go away."

The two Angels became afraid. If someone as powerful as their leader could be affected what about them? They got over their fear and walked into the shaft and floated down to the sixth floor. The Contact blew the doors apart with Ether.

The three entered a dark corridor. The two Angel's eyes glowed white while the Contact's eyes glowed pink enabling them to see in the dark. They found a giant double door covered with hydraulic bars at the end of the corridor. The Contact raised his hand, his body charged with Ether. He placed his hand against the door. The bars became hot and turned into slag.

They entered the command center and the Contact was angry. "I will give them this much they did not take any risks." The control panels were smashed. Many components were burned beyond use.

"What will we do?" asked one of the Angels.

"Get any Angel who has a host with the knowledge of computers and engineering," ordered the Contact. "Tell them to get repair kits and equipment. They had best hurry or they will see what wraith is truly like."

*****

Jasmine told Emeralda and Miang what happened. Emeralda's mouth fell open in surprise and Miang just raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure it was Citan?" asked Emeralda.

"Yes," said Jasmine. "Of all the damn times to find true peace in life."

"There is nothing wrong with that," said Miang. "All his life he has searched for peace. If we try to take that away from him we would be no better than those rouge Angels."

"Yeah," agreed Emeralda. "Its Elly all over. Of course this time we have a problem."

"What do you mean?" asked Jasmine.

Miang closed her eyes. She understood what Emeralda meant. "None of us has the military knowledge that Citan has. My tactics always involved manipulations on a grand scale or relying on people like Kahr in times of crisis."

"And I can't adapt as well as humans to chaotic situations," said Emeralda. "I wasn't even meant to fight let alone be a military tactician."

The three women talked some more on what to do. They decided to attempt to come up with some kind of plan even though they knew they had a snowball's chance of winning.

They neared the command building when Emeralda stopped. "You two go ahead. I have an idea. I want to try something with Citan."

"You going to knock some sense into him?" asked Jasmine. The question was not meant to be funny.

"No," said Emeralda. She smiled. "I am going try something that I haven't done in a while. You two never have raised children. I have raised one. There are worse things than spanking or grounding."

"What's that?" asked Jasmine.

Emeralda's smile became one without humor. "Guilt trip."

*****

Citan stood atop a hill that overlooked the last true city of man. Those visions that he had lead him toward a sense of peace. He was beginning to see wonders around him. Things that many people including himself took for granite. He listened to the birds making their sounds. Citan still found the sound irritating but now could hear the musical tones the birds made.

"Citan," said Emeralda. She walked up to him. "You are a hard man to find."

"Sorry," said Citan. He looked at her. She was carrying papers in her hand. "What brings you here?"

"Business," said Emeralda. "I don't want to do this but I have to. We need you. Here and now we need you. I get this feeling that things are nearing a point where we had better win. Neither Miang or I have the military skills to pull this off."

"I know my timing is bad," admitted Citan. "Peace is like hate. Once you have discovered and embraced it it is hard to get away from."

"Then I envy you," said Emeralda. She did not want to do this to him. It went against what her father meant her to be. To be a tool of peace not war. She recently discovered that even though the Angel had influenced her creation the being did not control her. "But this is not the time for peace but war."

"I do not think it would do my health any good to go into a battlefield when I do not want to fight," pointed out Citan.

"You told me soon after the Great War that wisdom, like the truth or knowledge, sometimes has very harsh lessons that no one wants to hear. The Holy Book says something else. 'There is a time for war, and a time for peace.' We cannot have the latter without doing the former. That includes peace on a personal level," said Emeralda.

"'Thou shall not kill,'" quoted Citan.

"Nice try Doc," said Emeralda dryly. "That deals with our fellow man. The Angels don't fit that rule." Emeralda did not want to debate anymore out of fear of losing. "Jasmine asked me to give this to you. I have to get back." She left Citan to be by himself. What she did to him left her with an empty feeling in her stomach. The same feeling she had after she killed for the first time in Solaris.

Citan already knew the reports had casualty figures. He did not want to read them but Emeralda looked pained. Citan knew she was trying to get him back into battle. Citan looked at the reports. He was not prepared for what was on them. Ten nuclear missiles directed toward a continent called Australia. Jasmine mentioned that land before. The last refugee for humanity. Millions now dead. Citan choked. The reports also said that an estimated five million children were killed.

Citan wanted to believe it was a lie. A trick to get him back into battle. The image of Maria and her family as Citan attacked flashed through his mind. He felt something well up inside him. At first he thought it was Dark Side and tried to beat it back. It was not that. It was something else. It was guilt from what he did to Maria followed by a promise to never hurt the innocent or allow them to come to harm.

Citan let the report fall from his hand. His peaceful expression vanished. He clenched his fists as grim determination welled up inside him. He felt his Dark Side trying to ascend and he pushed it back into his mind. Citan also felt a sense of something noble and righteous. Something he could not explain. He looked at the sky and his eyes burned with justice. "Kevi nea forq!" he said in the Solarian dialect he learned when he awoke from his long sleep. The phrase in old Solarian meant, "This ends now!"

*****

One of the things Kahr taught the rebels was that no cell should contact another cell unless it was an emergency of greatest importance. All rebel groups were now linked by communications. Voices could be heard but faces could not be seen.

"I have uploaded the battle plan," said Jasmine. "I know it sounds suicidal but we have no choice. What happened in Australia is a sign that the Angels intend to wipe the rest of the free humans from the planet."

"Why should we do something this crazy?" asked a woman whose voice had an Irish accent.

"Jasmine is right," said a man with a Jamaican accent. "Its better to go out fighting and taking many as them out as possible. We are dead anyway."

"It will not work," said Citan. Miang and Emeralda turned to Citan. They started to smile then stopped. He was dressed in an old all black Solaris military uniform. His sword clipped to his side. What caught the women by surprise was his expression. They both saw the Avenging Angel look on him before but never to such a degree.

"Citan," said Jasmine. "People, this is Citan Uzuki. An old friend of Kahr's."

"Hello," said Citan. "Kahr asked me to take over as leader if anything happened to him. What are you are doing will cost us everything. An all out attack will only speed up their victory. One thing Kahr did not do in battle was waste his people's lives needlessly.

"We have reports that almost two thirds of the Angels are in Washington DC," said the Irish woman.

"Which can work to our favor," said Citan. "Now is the time for each of you to take the offensive in your respective countries. Get your forces ready and we will conta, er, reach you again when its time."

Jasmine cut transmission. "What's the plan?" she asked Citan.

Citan walked to a chair and sat down. "Before that there is something you should know. I will explain a little bit of it. Emeralda or Miang can explain the rest to you later." Citan took off his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "When we met the Contact something was wrong with him. A condition that I thought about on the way over." He looked at Emeralda and Miang. "Remember that the Angel helped Fei heal of Id." Citan tilted his head back and looked at the ceiling. "The Contact has all the memories of his previous hosts. Lacan was never healed like Fei."

Emeralda's skin paled. A reaction she picked up from other people when learning about humanity. Miang shivered as she became cold. "Grahf," they both said.

Chapter X: The Rabid Dogs of War

Citan split the rebel forces into two groups. The majority camped a half mile from Washington DC. Citan went with the smaller group to a giant derelict building.

Emeralda frowned. She did not want to do this. She would rather face Deus single handed than do this. When she was angry she did not bother to hide her emotions. "Citan," she growled. "Remind me to kick your ass if we win."

Citan looked at her. He tried to control it but could not. He snorted then laughed.

"Its not funny!" complained Emeralda.

Jasmine looked at them with confusion. "Am I missing something?"

"During the Great War, we had to go through quite a few sewer systems," said Citan. He sighed. "The smell was not that great. Emeralda you can at least turn off your sense of smell."

"That's not the point," said Emeralda. "Why can't I go in Miang's place."

"No thank you," said Miang. "I'm needed up here if what Citan believes is true."

"I can also do that," said Emeralda.

"No," said Citan. "Whenever you tap into Ether for magical uses-

"Its not a subtle thing," finished Emeralda. "I know. And can't phase shift so many people out of harm's way." Emeralda sighed and walked to the entrance. "Lets get this over," she said.

*****

The Angels arrived at the command center. "How long will the repairs take?" asked the Contact, his voice strained.

"Ten hours," answered a female Angel.

The Contact nodded. Everything was coming into place. Soon all life will be purged and there would be no more Deus, Elyhams, or Miangs. The Angel would get his revenge against God. Everything was working as designed.

*****

Jasmine and Miang returned to the camp. The rebels at looked them with eagerness and fear. They were eager to finally fight the rouge Angels head on. They were afraid that they might loose.

Jasmine walked to the command post. "Any movement?" she asked the soldier in charge.

"No ma'am," answered the soldier. "They have the city surrounded but have yet to make the first move."

"They want us to do that," said Miang. She looked toward the city. She could feel the power emanating from the Angels. "Lets wait an half hour then make our move. That will give Citan and Emeralda some time to move through the sewers."

Jasmine nodded. "Yeah, right," she said. Earlier she was full of bravado and courage. Now that everything was at stake she was beginning to feel fear and anger.

Miang picked up the loose feelings. She placed a hand on Jasmine's shoulder. "Kahr once said that a person who doesn't have some kind of fear on the battlefield doesn't belong there."

"He told me the same thing," replied Jasmine. "I'm so afraid I'm ready to throw-up."

Miang recalled all those battles that were fought by Elyham and herself. The old Miang never showed that much fear unless nuclear weapons were involved and those times an Elyham would fight, the woman would have revulsion at killing. The reborn Miang felt the same as Jasmine. Miang did know if that was a good thing or not. Where was line between the old Miang's madness and Elhaym's kindness?

*****

Citan and Emeralda ran through the sewer system. They found it odd that nothing attacked them. Halfway to the Pentagon, Citan asked, "Can we stop for a moment?" He needed to catch his breath. It was a long time since he felt like that.

Emeralda turned to him. Her frown told Citan that she was still angry at him for dragging her down here. Granted the sewer stank but it was not as bad as Nortune's.

"What is wrong?" asked Citan. "Why do you hate being here so much?"

Emeralda rubbed her arm. "Everything is based on molecules. Even scent."

"I know," said Citan.

"Have you ever seen a scent molecule?" asked Emeralda. "They are big for molecules and they stick to things. Most beings just take a bath to get rid of the smell."

"But your body is not solid in the traditional sense," reasoned Citan. "Therefore more molecules would stick to you more than anyone else."

"Correct," said Emeralda. "Scent molecules have a habit of gumming me up inside and out."

"There will not be problem?" asked Citan. He became worried that Emeralda might not be able to do her part of the mission.

"I will be fine," said Emeralda. "I will just be taking a nice long bath when its all over."

Citan laughed. "So that is why you monopolized the baths after we got out of Solaris."

"Solaris' sewers were nasty," muttered Emeralda.

Citan became serious. "There is something I need to ask you. As the Eldridge II's science officer you must have seen the gaping contradiction with this planet."

"This planet has a ton of contradictions. Which one are you talking about?" asked Emeralda.

"The ten thousand year one," answered Citan.

"That," was all Emeralda could say. She knew something was wrong if the rouge Angels did not obtain victory after ten millennia. She ran the problem through her colony. She blinked at Citan. "Remember what we learned about the rocks from our old planet?"

"That the dating of the rocks in the Zohar Modifier cave was skewered because of Ether," answered Citan. Citan looked at Emeralda with surprise. "You are suggesting the Zohar Modifiers in orbit have either slowed down or made time flow faster than normal."

"I am. I think the planet has been slowed down," said Emeralda. "I don't know if centuries or mere years have passed on this planet."

"Oh no!" cried Citan. His voice echoing through the tunnels.

"What is it?" asked Emeralda.

"If that is the case then five years might have already passed!" said Citan. "For all we know Del'Doun is nearing the planet!"

They said nothing to each other. They both ran as if the forces of Hell were nipping at their feet.

*****

Citan was close but not correct. The Eldridge II dropped out of warp. Other Zevsehn ships appeared a few moments later.

On the Eldridge II, Admiral Del'Doun stood up from his seat. "All ships get into inter-system formation. Keep all systems on low until we reach Earth."

Mikhail turned his head. His skin had turned deep tan from his years on the colony planet as a farmer. The pilot rubbed his chin. "I suggest we hide behind the fourth planet. With all that radiation not even the Zohar Modifiers can pick us up."

"Good idea," said Del'Doun. "Once we are there we can send probes to get a good look."

"Admiral will we really destroy the Modifiers?" asked a human female crew member.

"Yes," said Del'Doun without much conviction. He did not want to but knew the risk as Citan did five years ago. That whatever forces on the planet knew about them when the Eldridge II came within proximity of Earth. If those forces were not stopped then nothing could stand in their way if they left the planet. Del'Doun wanted to see Emeralda again. He wanted to see all of them. He promised himself he would treat Emeralda to supper when it was over. Del'Doun closed his eyes and said a silent prayer to the Teacher and asked for protection for his friends.

"Captain," said Mikhail. "We are behind the planet."

Del'Doun opened his eyes. "Launch the probes."

*****

"This is the end," said Jasmine.

"Its never the end," said Miang. "We will either win or lose. One side will have victory."

Jasmine powered up her laser cannon. A gigantic tube that had enough power to punch through a tank. "Then it will be our side." Jasmine looked around the soon to be battlefield. Rouge Angels were within the city. Human forces were five hundred feet from the city limits.

With deft speed Jasmine raised her cannon and fired. The beam struck an Angel tearing its head off. The human rebels knew it was the sign. Humans with cannons like Jasmine's laid cover fire while foot soldiers entered the city. The Angels that still had the ability to fly used Ether to try to take out the cannons. On the ground both sides fought. Most human's carried swords and were trained by Kahr.

The Angels in their arrogance did not fight as hard as they should have. For a hour the humans had the upper hand. Then everything changed. A sonic boom roared above the battlefield. It was not a normal sound but the roar of death. People who heard it looked up. "Shit!" yelled Jasmine.

Miang swallowed hard. She was expecting Xenogears class Gears. What she did not expect was another Weltall like Grahf once used. Doubt welled up inside Miang. She was sure she could handle a Xenogears but this was something else. The True Weltall released its power destroy two thirds of the human forces with one sweep of the hand.

*****

The Contact smiled. It was almost time. All the engineers had to do was screw the control panel back on. He smiled. Close, so close.

******

An hour later underneath the sewers. "This is taking too long," complained Emeralda.

Citan leaned against the wall taking breaths. The air in the sewers did not make breathing easy when running at top speed. He collected himself and his thoughts. "There is a way to speed things up. I did not want to us Arcane because the enemy might feel the usage. Now we do not have any choice. Stand close to me."

Emeralda came close to Citan. Citan raised is arms and mumbled something. He cast Renki. A few moments later he cast Senkei.

Citan and Emeralda ran. This time as a blur. They ran though the tunnels at break neck speed. Citan who had done this many times before stopped before the underground service entrance to the Pentagon. Emeralda who never did this before stopped too late and slammed into the door. She bounced back into a wall putting a hole into it and the door made a groaning sound and fell over.

Emeralda pulled herself out of the wall. She saw Citan trying not to laugh. "Are you alright?" he asked trying to be serious.

"I'm defiantly kicking your ass after this is over," repeated Emeralda.

They continued through the building. Using the blueprints Emeralda memorized they took the shortest route through the building. They were fortunate that the Contact with Grahf's personality was too arrogant to post guards.

They were about to enter when they heard the Contact's twisted voice say, "Turn the key!"

*****

A half hour earlier in space. Del'Doun tapped the armrest of his chair. He waited impatiently for the information from the probes.

"We got telemetry and images," said the science officer.

"On screen," said Del'Doun.

Del'Doun and Mikhail both swore in their native languages. The Zohar Modifiers were still there. Mikhail turned his chair and looked at Del'Doun. "C'mon, you're not really going to do it," he said, pleading near begging the admiral not to do it.

Del'Doun got up and walked to his office. "I'll be back in a moment."

He entered his office and sat down. He contacted sickbay. "Dr. Balthasar, please."

Aria's face appeared on the monitor. Like Mikhail she too had a deep and tan and her hair was incredibly light because of her time living on the farm. Del'Doun looked at Aria Tomia Balthasar. She was so happy when she got married to Mikhail. It was a simple marriage. She wanted to have a second huge marriage when her mother returned. "I'm sorry," was all Del'Doun could say. Aria cut the line immediately. She did not him to see her reaction.

Del'Doun got up and went back to the bridge. Sitting down he contacted all ships. "This is Admiral Del'Doun. As we can see the Zohar Modifiers are still around the planet. As reported there are dangerous beings on the planet below. We do not know if Citan, Emeralda, and Miang are alive or not. If they are still alive we owe it to them to finish this as soon as possible. If they are not alive I hope there is some justice in the Universe and that we can at least avenge them. Two ships will target each Modifier. When I give the order we will fire everything we have at once at those damn things."

*****

Fifteen minutes later on the planet. Miang watched in paralyzed horror as the metal demon of a Gear continued the onslaught. Her mouth opened and close without saying a word. Her brain yelled at her to move but her legs did not obey. She was so sure of herself that she could do this. So sure that Citan was right.

She felt someone grab her. "Miang!" yelled Jasmine. Jasmine slapped Miang as hard as could. Jasmine cried out in pain. She did not know of Miang's anatomy. Miang blinked and looked at Jasmine. "Save the internal conflict for later!" yelled Jasmine.

Miang shook her head. She cleared her mind of clutter. "Y-yes," she said. "Of course. Clear me a path." Jasmine raised her cannon and picked off Angels. The sky lit up as their spirits left their hosts. Their screams sent chills up and down the human rebels' backs.

Miang ran toward the Gear that gave her many nightmares after her awakening on the old planet. She accessed Ether and floated into the sky. The Gear's back was turned so Miang got its attention. She fired off a blast that startled it. The Gear turned and Miang could see the pilot look at her. Gerend activated the external speakers. "You are her!"

"Yes," said Miang. "I'm the woman your coward of a master and Deus tried to control. No more! I am forever free from both sets of hands!"

"The Contact said if he could not control you than you shall die," said Gerend. He commanded the Gear to fire at Miang. A gigantic bolt of Ether enveloped Miang.

*****

The Contact inserted the key at the same time as the other Angel. He looked at the Contact and nodded. "Turn the key!" ordered the Contact.

At that instant Emeralda shouldered her way through the door. "No!" she yelled. The Angel was distracted and turned. The last thing he saw was Citan's thrown sword coming at him. The Angel did not even have to form an expression as the sword struck him in the mouth. The sword traveled through the mouth and pierced the brain. The body fell over and the Angel left the host with a howl.

The other Angel faced Emeralda. Citan came to her side. "Ignore him!" he ordered. "Take out that console!"

Emeralda jumped over tables and chairs. Her body glowed a soft white light that became brighter. Her body stretched and became thin and flat. The Contact and his people jumped clear. Emeralda became a glowing white sheet. She landed on the console. Dark eyes and a monstrous mouth appeared and ate at the control panel.

The Contact raised his hand. He used Ether and trapped Emeralda in a Ether field. Her body disrupted by the interruption. She laid in the Ether field as a black pool of nanomachines.

The Contact saw Citan facing against the Angels. "Do not attack his body. Attack his mind!" ordered the Contact.

The Contact reached out and used Ether to pick up Emeralda. Now as when she woke up Grahf had plans for her. He snuck out leaving Citan to face the two Angels. With Citan distracted the last thing the Contact did was reach out with a telekinetic grip and grabbed Citan's sword.

Citan went to chase after the Contact. He as he watched the Contact take the sword. Citan turned to face the Angels. If they thought he was harmless without his sword, they were mistaken. Citan was as deadly without his sword.

The two Angels looked at each other and nodded. They turned their attention back to Citan. The Angels knew humans possessed one weakness. A weakness in the mind that could be brought out in full blossom. "You have caused us grief," said the one Angel.

"You know nothing of grief," said Citan.

"You will know fear," said the other Angel.

Citan hesitated. A mental assault. "Do not do this!" yelled Citan. To bring out his one true fear. Citan made the mistake of thinking of his fear of the Dark Side. Citan's mental shielding was affective against one telepath. Against two he did not stand a chance. Citan screamed as he fell to the floor. The Angels assaulted his mind. Thinking they enveloped Citan in darkness they did not realize their own mistake. They believed that Citan's darkness was just darkness. Citan made a choking sound as the Angels finished their assault.

Citan's Dark Side ascended.

*****

"Sir, we've passed some sort of field," said the science officer. She blinked and said, "According to these readings we are now in synch with the strange temporal field that was discovered the first time the Eldridge II arrived.

Del'Doun nodded. When they barely got out of the system and returned home. Both Human and Zevsehn scientists discovered a temporal anomaly that trapped both Earth and its Moon. They said the Zohar Modifiers were the most likely reason for the temporal anomalies. They also said that the energy field slowed down the natural flow of time.

"We are in position," said Mikhail.

"Arm all weapons," ordered Del'Doun. "We wait five minutes. If nothing has changed or if anything threatens the ships we fire."

*****

Gerend watched the Ether that surrounded Miang vanish. Gerend went from elation of victory to surprise. "Nathan what did you create?" he whispered.

Miang hovered twenty feet from him. Her expression went from casualness, to bemusement, to anger. An Ether aura surrounded her and her eyes glowed brighter and hotter than any other Zevsehn. She floated in front of the Gear's cockpit. "I know you," she said. "Gerend, I believe."

Gerend was too scared to command the Gear. "W-w-w-," he said.

"Your master, such as he is, made a lot of mistakes," said Miang. "One of them was creating me. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. The Contact created one woman out of three. Imagine how pissed off I am right now."

Miang sent Gerend a telepathic image. It was image of Miang as Executioner killing Erich. Doubt entered Gerend's mind. His Adam's Apple bobbed up and down. He heard the Gear grown. Gathering what willpower he had, he willed the escape systems to activate. It took all his energy into the act. He felt the feedback as Miang fried the Gear's computer systems. Loud sounds of clamps being released filled Gerend's ears. The cockpit module flew up into the sky.

Miang did not want to kill Gerend yet. He wanted him and those like them know what they allowed to be created. Like with the Gear Erich was in this nightmare made metal groaned and creaked. At the subatomic level molecules were accelerated. Combustible components ignited and the body blew apart. What was left of Grahf's chariot crashed to the ground in a fireball.

Miang was tired but still had energy. Between her emotions and adrenalin she could go a lot longer. She heard the sounds of multiple sonic booms. She saw three white dots in the distance. She smiled at the sight. Xenogears were coming straight at her. She had energy aplenty and was not going to waste it.

*****

The Contact felt the shift in the Current. It was like a great consuming wave of nothingness. Accessing Grahf's memories he knew Citan succumbed to his Dark Side. He gripped the Citan's sword. The Contact grabbed the necklace he wore around his neck and yanked it off. What the one winged angels symbolized on the old planet were a slap in the faces of the Angels who did nothing while the Contact and his followers were expelled from Heaven. What he wore around his neck was an even greater insult to his former Lord.

The Contact turned at a corner and stopped. He pressed flat against the wall. He lowered the luminance of the field that trapped Emeralda. He calmed his breathing and thoughts. No one could figure Citan's Dark Side or its capabilities and the Contact knew he could not make any mistakes. This time he would crack the cockroach's shell.

*****

The Dark Side now in possession of Citan walked down the corridor. His movements precise like a soldier's. His unblinking stare looked ahead. His impassive face showed no emotion. His heart rate and breathing precise as a clock's second hand. No thoughts entered his mind except for the overwhelming desire to survive.

He turned a corner and continued walking. He stepped on glass. It broke and a larger part cut into Citan's shoe and skin. The pain did not register in his mind. He continued walking.

Citan neared the corner were the Contact hid. The Dark Side felt a presence around the corner however slight it was. It stopped for a moment. The Dark Side tapped into Arcane and a black aura surrounded Citan.

Citan reached the corner. The Contact swung the sword at Citan's head. Citan ducked the blow. The Contact brought his other hand down holding the insulting object in his hand. The object struck Citan in the head. The object buried itself in Citan's brain. Citan stood up. The black aura flicked twice then went out. Citan fell forward and even the overwhelming urge for survival that was part of Citan faded into nothingness.

The Contact looked at the corpse before him. He recalled Grahf's memory of burying Citan alive and that did not work. The Contact leaned over and checked for a pulse. He smiled when he found none.

The Contact felt the mental cry of Gerend. He saw through the other Angel's mind what Miang had done. The Contact growled. With Emeralda in tow he teleported to the battle. He saw Miang taking apart the Gears like she did with Erich so long ago. He growled again. With Miang's back facing him he tapped into the Zohar Modifiers. He smiled at the irony. Miang would be stopped by another shot in the back. He fired the blast at Miang. She screamed and fell. Her body striking the ground.

The Contact looked at the stun faces of the rebels. "This ends now!" he yelled. He levitated a few inches from the ground. He raised his hand what was left of the human rebels were trapped within Ether. They screamed in pain.

Miang shook her head and got up. She saw the Contact and drew on what little reserves she had left. She fired the strongest Ether beam that she could produce. The beam tore through the chest of an Angel. The Contact saw the beam and focused on his shield. The beam deflected into the sky. "Is that all you have?" he asked Miang. His red eyes became hot like fire. "Still have that fear?" he asked. "Bring her fear out.!"

Miang did her best to hold her mental shields. It was not enough and the Angels broke through. She screamed as the buried memories of what the Gazel Ministry did to her were brought to the surface. She curled up into a ball. Miang pushed her hands out trying to keep the Gazel Ministry from using her again. Her last cognitive thought was that this nightmare would never end.

*****

"All ships report target lock," said the Eldridge II's comm officer.

Del'Doun shook his head. The five minutes were up. He hoped and prayed for a miracle. It was the will of the Teacher thought Del'Doun. Maybe whatever was on the planet had to be wiped out no matter what the cost. "Mr. Balthasar," he said with a dry mouth.

Mikhail did not reply. Instead he placed his hand over the button that would spell death for his friends if they were even still alive.

"Contact all ships," ordered Del'Doun.

"Contact established," said the comm officer.

Del'Doun took a breath. "This is Admiral Del'Doun. The five minutes are up. On my mark we fire." Del'Doun closed his eyes. 'Please,' he thought. There was no reply to his silent request. Eye still closed he started to give the command when someone said, "Wait!"

Mikhail jerked his hand back. Del'Doun turned to see who said that. He inhaled with surprise as he saw Perenth Dro'Wrin standing at the elevator doors. Dro'Wrin changed little in the past five years. Except he looked more peaceful and when he looked at a person it was like he was looking straight into a them. That all the layers a person had upon them were stripped away leaving the soul plain to see. Del'Doun had that impression now. "It is not worth the guilt you will have if you give the order," said Dro'Wrin. "It is not yet time for such an order. . .yet."

"What do you mean?" asked Del'Doun.

"I once told Citan that he might be able to find the answers about himself on the planet below," said Del'Doun. "If he embraces those answers than all will might not be lost. If he fails then you do what you must."

Mikhail looked at Del'Doun then at Dro'Wrin. "You can't be serious."

Del'Doun slumped in his chair. He closed his eyes until they were slits. "We wait."

Chapter XI: The Dark Side of the Soul

On the planet below one man faced his final test.

Citan felt his Dark Side recede. He felt himself gaining control but something was wrong. He still swam in the darkness around him. Then a point of light appeared in front of him. The light came closer and became brighter. Citan raised his hands to shield his eyes.

He lowered his hands and found himself standing in a corridor. He was naked but that did not bother him. The walls, floors, and ceiling were white. One each side doors were lined up along the wall. Citan knew this was familiar somehow. It reminded him something that Fei had said.

Citan walked down the corridor when he heard a voice from behind one of the doors. He smiled as he heard Yui's voice warning him that if he did not stay out of the kitchen she would kick his sorry butt across the planet. Citan opened the door. It was a memory from the time he spent in Lahan. Midori was with Alice in the town proper leaving Yui and himself alone. Her threat ended up being something else after Citan teasingly threw some flour at Yui.

Citan closed the door. He knew what this corridor was. After Fei told him about the stage and the projection room Citan wondered what symbolic incarnation his own memories would take. He imagined a corridor will doors that held each important memory behind each one.

Citan did not feel the passage of time as he continued down the corridor. He realized he did so much in a such a short time. He stopped when he saw two things at the end the corridor. The first was Light and within that Light was Yui and a young woman. Citan choked as he realized the identity of the other woman. "Yui, Midori!" He never felt such joy. It was happiness without bounds. Citan heard something else. The sounds of crying. He turned and saw a younger version of himself before a door. Unlike the other doors this one was locked and barred. Chains and steel bars kept the door from being opened. From the other side of the door something pushed against the door trying to get out. Citan became paralyzed when he knew what it was behind that door. It was his Dark Side.

Citan took a step back as a fourth person appeared. Krelian stood before him. "That does not matter now. Your family is waiting for you. Go to them."

"My family," said Citan. "My family waiting for me. That would mean that I have died." Citan shook his head. It meant he failed. He prayed that the others could achieve victory.

"It is too late," said Krelian. "You were the one who was to be the victor. When you gave into your Dark Side you gave up any hope."

"I see," said Citan. He saw his wife and child waiting for him. To be with them for all time. He walked toward him. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the younger version of himself still in front of the door crying.

Citan stopped and walked toward the child. Krelian asked him what he was doing. "I made a promise never to allow the innocent to suffer. If I do not keep my word then I am not worthy of Heaven or to be with my family."

"Citan," warned Krelian.

Citan stopped. Krelian's tone of voice was threatening. During the dreams and visions Krelian never threatened him. Citan turned and looked at Krelian. "Who are you?"

"I'm doing this for your own good," said Krelian. "God will tell you everything."

Citan's eyes narrowed. He pointed a finger at Krelian. "Who are you?" asked Citan which was also a warning.

"The Prince of Lies among other things," said another voice like Krelian's. The real Krelian appeared. "Citan," he said. Krelian looked at Lucifer. "You are not welcomed here!"

Lucifer shook his head. "Don't tell me what to do. Its not like I'm the one who killed over a million plus people."

"At least that was forgivable," said Krelian. Krelian glowed with the True Power. "In the name of God, leave!"

Lucifer shook his head. "How melodramatic. I think you were better without the emotions." Lucifer smiled at Citan. The smile was full of spite and malice. "See you around Doc!" Lucifer vanished from the corridor.

"What did he mean by that?" asked Citan.

Krelian shook his head. "Do not worry about it. It just means Lucifer will be keeping a close eye on you. Remember he is only a tempter and has no real power unless you give into temptation. You have a more important task to carry out. I cannot help you. The only thing I can say is that Midori and Yui are real and not a trick caused by Lucifer."

Krelian disappeared leaving Citan by himself. His mind was cleared of the clutter left behind by Lucifer. Citan looked at his family. He wanted so much to go with them. He looked at the younger version of himself. He turned his attention back to his family. "I love you both," he said. "But. . ."

"I know," said Yui. She smiled which caused Citan to feel a warmth he never felt before. "I will always love you."

"Goodbye for now father," said Midori. "We will be waiting."

Citan felt sadness and relief. Sadness that he could not go with them. Relief that they had earned Heaven. He watched them fade away. He turned his attention to the matter at hand. Discovering the truth about himself.

*****

Citan walked over to the younger version of himself. He felt pity toward the child and at himself. He was told he was afraid of the truth. Somewhere in the past he experienced something that seemed so awful as a child that he blocked it out. As with Fei something terrible was born from the experience and it was called the Dark Side. The truth was either behind that door or with the child. Citan knelt beside the younger him. "It is alright," said Citan. "There is nothing to be afraid of. It is the truth and it can never harm us."

The child looked at Citan and wiped his tears. "No! Do not go in there!"

"I have to," said Citan. He reached out and took the child's hand in his. "We can do this together."

The child's eyes glowed black. "NO!" yelled the child. The child changed and warped. Darkness encompassed the child. A large black form hovered over Citan.

"This is my Dark Side," said Citan. Like how Id was actually a child so was Citan's Dark Side. Citan closed his eyes and stood up. "I am no longer afraid of you. You cannot scare me as you did in life. I am through running from you. I want the truth and you will not stop me!"

The Dark Side enveloped Citan. Citan refused to give in. He found the calm center and quietly pushed back. The Dark Side shrank and went away. The child leaned against the corridor wall afraid of Citan. "I will not hurt you," said Citan. He smiled gently. "You know what I know and seen what I have seen. You know about Fei and what happened. You to must grow up as Id did. You and I must become whole. I made a promise to protect those who could not defend themselves. The promise is also meant to you also."

The child looked at Citan. Citan him the feelings and emotions. The sense of responsibility and duty. The child understood. The child started to grow and mature. Citan looked at the mirror image of his adult self. The mirror image held out his hand. "It is time to face what I have kept hidden." The mirror image held out his and smiled. Citan took hold of the hand. His mirror image vanished and became one with Citan.

Citan looked at the barred door. The locks and bars vanished. Citan opened the door and entered. He looked around and saw one of the rooms in Solaris' Royal Court. He saw himself as a child playing in hallways. He saw his mother looking after him. Citan wondered why such a memory would need to be locked up. He looked closer at his surroundings. He walked to a stand with a vase on it. It was like the one he saw many times in the Royal Court. Citan looked at it for many moments. Something was not right. Still looking at it he saw the vase shimmer as if it was water. Citan backed away. It was an illusion! He looked around and saw the memory shimmering like waves. Determined, Citan closed his eyes. "I want the truth!" He opened his eyes and saw the truth. "Oh. . .my," said Citan. He saw the truth and it was so obvious that not even he would not have believed it if this had not happened to him.

Chapter XII: The Final Pieces of the Puzzle

The surviving rebels were rounded up. The Angels kept constant vigil on them. The Contact and Gerend stood at the entrance of the Pentagon. Emeralda was still trapped unable to create a form. Miang was still trapped in her nightmare. She was slowly defeating the mental nightmare with her mental abilities but every time she got close to escaping the Contact would restart the nightmare. Word spread that Citan was dead.

The Contact stood before his people. He turned to Gerend and said, "You should say something to them. Its your right as my second."

Gerend bowed. "I am honored."

The Contact had other plans. He knew about the ships floating above the planet. He was not sure why they did not fire on the Zohar Modifiers and was not about to hang around to find out why. He was going to kill Miang once and for all and take Emeralda with him off the planet. He would create another like her and the new Emeralda would be a weapon.

The Contact started to walk away when Gerend started to talk. The Contact feigned listening to Gerend. His act became genuine shock when Gerend's head tilted back. The Angel left his host and light flew from the eyes and mouth. The body fell on its back. The crowd started to talk. "Quiet!" ordered the Contact. The Contact kicked the corpse over. He jumped back in surprise. He saw the same object he used to kill Citan. The cross with the red jewel that was the antithesis of the mad computer Deus and an insult to God. The Contact looked for the attacker. From the shadows of the Pentagon's entrance someone stepped forward. The Contact lost his concentration and Emeralda was released. Miang started to fight back against the nightmare. The Contact pointed at the attacker. "You died!"

"Yes I did," said Citan. He reached out with his true power. The sword flew to the hands of its true master. "If I had know what would have happened I would have done this along time ago."

The Contact snapped. More of Grahf showed through. "There is nothing that can compare to the Power of the Zohar Modifiers! With four even you will die!" Grahf raised his hands and the invisible link between Ether, user, and Zohar Modifier could be seen. Four beams of Ether the originated from the eyes of the Zohar Modifiers connected with the Contact. He manipulated those energies. Ether formed into a giant white sphere above the Contact. The Contact released that energy. The gigantic beam tore along the ground. The ground was vaporized. The steps leading to the entrance blew apart. The beam reached Citan and he raised his sword to block the gigantic beam. The beam engulfed Citan. The beam continued past into the building all the way through. No matter how strong the metal was used to protect certain areas of the building, the beam still passed through. The tail end of the beam vanished. The Contact was on his knees panting. He laughter was insane. "Dead, finally dead!" he cried out.

Steam and smoke rose where the blast had touched. "Ouch," said Citan still standing in the same spot as the smoke and steam cleared away from him.

The Contact's mind snapped. With the presence of Grahf it would have happened anyway. His face became twisted with madness. The Contact's voice became shrill with insanity. "Why won't you die!" he yelled.

Beside him, Emeralda reformed. She saw what happened after she was released. She looked Citan then at the Contact. Not even her collective mind could compute how such a thing was possible. Judging by the Ether used in that blast she was not she could have survived such an onslaught.

Citan stepped closer to the crowd. Everyone was afraid of him. Citan took his glasses off and dropped them to the ground. "I will not be needing those anymore."

Emeralda took a hesitant step toward Citan. "Who are you?" she asked.

"I do owe you an explanation," said Citan. "When the original Eldridge was destroyed and the Contact and Deus fought, they both fought for supremacy of the planet. Whoever won that battle would control mankind's fate on the old planet. Deus won and he set up it own laws." Citan looked at the Contact. "Of course laws and rules are meant to be broken. That is what you tried. And you did break those rules with the influence of one man because he was a threat to you. That man in turn broke other rules. He changed things in order to bring what he believed was God into creation. To do so he had to break many rules that Deus set down. He placed the extensions Deus called the Gazel Ministry into a computer. During the Diablos Invasion, another important tool of Deus was almost destroyed. The same man repaired that device and even made improvements on it. What this man did not know was he broke many rules in the process."

"Krelian," said Emeralda. She looked at Citan. The rest of the pieces seemed to fall into place. "So you are like Kahr."

"No," answered Citan. "If I was then I would have been under his control." Citan looked at the Contact. They locked eyes. The Contact's eyes were that of a broken being. Citan's were of something noble and righteous. "Te Cain aex Cain!" yelled Citan in ancient Solarian. Softer he asked, "Tai ne quen's qen?"

The Contact's mouth opened and closed. "Only Cain can kill Cain. Am I not my father's son?" he repeated to himself.

Emeralda stood straight up. "I thought Emperor Cain was infertile! It was to prevent anymore like him!"

"Remember what I said at my trial," said Citan. "When Krelian repaired Cain's cloning device he knowingly gave the Emperor an extended life span. What Krelian did not know was that this Cain's Limiter was weakened and one more important thing. Something that Cain could never speak of. Without knowing it Krelian made the final clone fertile."

A sudden gust of wind flew through the streets. In the sky, clouds darkened and thunder and lightening flashed. "This isn't natural," said Emeralda.

Citan grabbed the Contact and lifted him up. "No it is not," he said. Citan looked at the Contact. "Stop this now!"

The Contact's head rolled in a circle. "No," he said. "What I can't control I destroy."

Citan dropped the Contact. "You will destroy nothing. You forget no one ever saw the true power of Cain. As his offspring I have that power." A golden Ether aura surround Citan. He looked up at the sky. He focused on the four Zohar Modifiers orbiting above and drew from them. "Stand tall and shake the heavens!" he yelled. To the Contact he said, "For while my blood run hot, my heart must remain cold. . .time to kill." He released the built up power. His aura became like a bubble and expanded. The sphere grew. It passed through Emeralda and Miang without any harm. The bubble passed through the rebels and they to were unaffected. The sphere touched an Angel. The Angel was immediately ejected from its host. The Angels panicked and ran but to no avail. The sphere continued growing until it covered the planet.

The Contact looked at Citan. He still had the strength to fight what Citan released. What was Grahf said, "You have won this battle."

"You do not understand," said Citan. "Like Id, you do not exist. You will fade to the nothingness from where you came. Your time among what is real is over."

The part that was the Angel said, "You have condemned me. Live with this cold comfort of your hollow victory."

"No one forced your hand," replied Citan. "I was taught that to blame another person for our mistakes is a sin in itself. Since the dawn of time you have been the tool of Lucifer. You were his unwitting dupe since he first approached you. I can only pity you."

The Contact said nothing else. The Angel was without strength and after too long gave up the host. He left his host like so many others. In a flash of light from the mouth and eyes and with a howl.

Miang stood up. She was still feeling the affects of the mental assault. She saw Emeralda helping her to stand. Miang looked at Emeralda. "Did we win?"

"Yeah," said Emeralda. She looked at Citan. "What about those Zohar Modifiers?"

"Good point," said Citan. For the last time Citan used the power he was born with.

*****

Everyone on the Eldridge II watched for something to happen. A long silence passed. "Something is happening on the surface," said the science officer.

"What is it?" asked Del'Doun.

"Something is pushing the Ether field back," said the science officer. "No, wait. Its not pushing it back. Its destroying it!"

They watched in anticipation. The golden glow ate away at the milky white field that surrounded Earth. The field continued toward the Zohar Modifiers.

"Admiral!" said Mikhail.

Del'Doun turned to Dro'Wrin. "It will be fine," said the Perenth.

"All ships hold position," ordered Del'Doun. He hoped Dro'Wrin was right.

The field passed through the ships and the Zohar Modifiers. Nothing happened to the ships. The Zohar Modifiers lost their glow as they shut down.

"That was interesting," said Mikhail. He wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Any other bizarre stuff going to happen today?"

"The Zohar Modifiers are moving," said the science officer.

"Move all ships away," ordered Del'Doun. Judging by the Modifiers' past behavior Del'Doun did not want to be anywhere near them. "Keep away from the line of site of the eyes."

The Zohar Modifiers aimed the their cold unblinking eyes toward the emptiness of space. Then they released their power. "What are they doing?" asked Del'Doun.

It took the science officer a couple of moments to answer. "It appears the Zohar Modifiers. . .are losing energy."

"They draw upon extra dimensional energy," said Mikhail. "How can that happen?"

"Something is blocking its ability to tap into any dimensional source," said the science officer. "They cannot even tap into the vacuum of space."

The Zohar Modifiers released what was left of their power. In a final attempt to gain energy the Modifiers leeched on themselves. Their nigh invulnerable shells cracked. White energy could be seen trying to escape only to be sucked back in. The Zohar Modifiers imploded and what was left of the machines was drawn into space.

Del'Doun noticed he had been holding his breath. He started to breathe. He looked at Dro'Wrin. "I take it Citan passed his test."

"Yes," said Dro'Wrin who was even in awe of what happened.

*****

Emeralda made sure Miang was alright. A couple of medics took her away for rest. What was done to her must have been cruel and nasty. Emeralda saw Citan still standing in the same spot. She walked over to him. "You alright?" she asked.

"A little tired," he answered Citan.

"You did it," said Emeralda. "I can't feel Ether anywhere."

Citan took a step and tripped. Emeralda caught him before he fell on his face. "Are you sure you're alright?"

"Just this dumb habit of pushing myself," said Citan. He closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Emeralda picked up Citan. "Let this angel take care you for awhile," she said. She carried him to a medical tent.

*****

Citan awoke in a cot. He sat up and saw he was in a medical tent. He rubbed his temples. He had the worse headache he ever suffered. He got up and sat back down.

"I'm glad to see you decided to stay with the living," said Miang. She laid in the cot next to him. She turned to him and smiled. Her eyes were human. Her voice was normal.

"What happened to you?" asked Citan.

"I gave you a little push," said Miang. "When the Contact lost it I started to regain my senses. I could feel your effort. I used what I could to help you. I gave all that I could. It cost me what I became." She laid back on the cot and looked at the ceiling. "Not that it bothers me. Maybe I can be myself for once."

"I think we all can," said Citan.

"Emeralda told me that little Ether bomb about your past," said Miang. "How come you didn't remember?"

"Because of myself," said Citan. "From what little I know is that when Emperor. . .father started to break free from his Limiter he would often walk the Third Class Levels to try to figure out what was happening. He met my mother who was a widow. They had an affair and I was born. Later she gave birth to me and father knew the consequences would be. Years later he returned to talk to my mother. My brothers were away and I was supposed to be sleeping. I snuck out of bed and went to the door to my mother's private room. There I heard her and father talking about me. It was such a trauma that I blocked it from my mind."

"Citan," said Miang. "So what caused your Dark Side?"

"That experience and one other," answered Citan. His voice became low. "Do you remember the plague that swept through the Third Class and the riots that happened soon after?"

One of the few memories Miang recalled were the riots. "Yeah," she said. "We thought it was another genetic plague. Stupid idiots at processing weren't doing their jobs when vaccinating newcomers from the surface."

"So that is what caused it," said Citan. "Anyway my family was wiped out. I was the only survivor. Between the revelation of who my father was and the death of my family and my mind. . .my mind. . .split."

"You became like Fei," whispered Miang.

"In a way," said Citan. "Just as the Coward protected the good times of Fei's past so did the younger version of me protected the truth. The truth was so frightening that my younger version in my mind defended the truth violently. Whenever I became stressed that child would feel the secret might be uncovered and took over. That child took the form of my Dark Side. The child also came up with the fantasy of living in the Royal Court. Somehow father found out and to protect me made that lie a truth to be spread." He smiled and said, "Its over now. For good this time. Both that inner child and I have embraced the truth and I can move on."

Emeralda entered the tent. She smiled at Citan and Miang. "Good. You're both awake. There's someone who wants to see the both of you."

Emeralda stepped aside and Admiral Del'Doun entered. Citan smiled. "Hello!"

Miang was not as pleased. "I thought Citan ordered you not to return for another five years."

Del'Doun's smile faded. "Actually five years did pass."

"I'll explain it to her later," said Emeralda. She smiled at Del'Doun. "You seem well since we last talked. I hope you haven't forgotten."

Del'Doun coughed lightly. "Well I have to debrief everyone. I'm an admiral now. And I have to take care of business."

"Congratulations," said Citan. He knew Del'Doun's record well and the man deserved the promotion.

"I must have made someone angry," he said. "Didn't really want the promotion but had no choice." He looked at Citan with wonder and appreciation. "Perenth Dro'Wrin is here. He has a lot of questions for you."

"I can imagine," said Citan. He laid back in the cot. Once again he was a hero and victor. All he really wanted was to live his life in peace. He knew in just a little bit he might be able to.

Chapter XIII: Closing the Circle

Emeralda found her daughter helping the wounded. "Aria," she said. Her daughter did not hear her. "Aria!" said Emeralda, this time louder.

Aria turned and saw her mother. She smiled and waved. "Just a moment!" Aria finished bandaging the wounded soldier. She got up and ran to her mother. "Mom!" she cried. She was not sure what to do then hugged her adoptive mother. "How I missed you."

"I missed you also," said Emeralda. "You were always close to my thoughts." She broke the hug and looked at her daughter. "Seems you have gotten a good tan. Spending more time in the sun."

Aria ran her hand through her sun bleached hair. "A lot has happened in the past five years."

"Its hard to believe that only two months passed here," observed Emeralda.

"Mikhail is nearby," said Aria. "There is something I need to tell you. . .we got married."

Emeralda tried not to be surprised but was not. "I. . .see," she said. She was disappointed that Aria did not wait for her.

"Don't worry," said Aria. "It wasn't anything formal. I told Mikhail that we will be married again with all of our friends. This time it will be a big blowout." Aria's eyes sparkled with mischief. "It will be the biggest marriage in current history."

"Wait a moment," said Emeralda. Tradition demanded the parents paid for the marriage of their daughters and sons. "I'm not rich."

"You do have five years of back pay coming to you," said Aria. "I think it will cover just about what Mikhail and I have planned."

Emeralda's mouth opened and closed. She could count the number of times on one hand she was unable to say anything. This was one of them.

*****

It was night and Citan looked at the stars. He was not depressed or anything. He just wanted to look at the stars. He thought about the rouge Angels. The overall war was over. He felt pity because he knew what would happened to the rouge Angels. God's rewards were as great as His wraith. The rouge Angels' anger led them to the path of destruction. One of things he learned with this odyssey was that no matter how power a person or being possessed they could be tempted. It seemed the greater the power one had the easier it was they could fall. Citan shook his head. The Perenth that fell from his throne, Lucifer who betrayed God, the rouge Angels in their anger. Citan decided with the truth about his past it was good that he never knew the truth until he needed to. He did know how he would react on the old planet in the past if he had access to his true power.

Citan's thoughts were interrupted when a voice said, "What's up Doc?"

Citan turned and saw Mikhail approaching him. Citan decided to mess with the cocky pilot. "That's Captain Uzuki to you Lieutenant."

"Its just Mikhail," replied the pilot. "I resigned my commission as soon as everything was alright."

Citan smiled at Mikhail. The pilot did not like authority or stuff like this. Mikhail just wanted to be a farmer and an occasional pilot with no strings attached. Citan identified with that aspect of Mikhail whole heartedly. "Who will be piloting the Eldridge II on the way back?"

"Don't know, don't care," said Mikhail. "The so-called geniuses on the Council didn't bother to read the fine print in my contract. I agreed to flying the ship to Earth. I didn't say I would do the return trip."

Citan shook his head and laughed. Mikhail was more devious than people thought. Then again so was Citan. "No true victor has been declared," said Citan. "No one has surrendered. Under military law of 125AD, no military personal my retire during wartime except in cases of extreme battle mental fatigue or near fatal wounds." Citan's voice became serious. "I am making sure no victor is declared until we return home."

"What about my contract?" asked Mikhail.

Citan crossed his arms. "You signed an agreement with the Council stating you would follow all rules and regulations of the military. That original agreement overrides the fine print of your contract. In other words the Council snowballed you big time."

"Sons of bitches!" said Mikhail. He turned and stormed away swearing all the way back to the camp.

Citan turned his attention back to the stars. He smiled as he finally saw the symbolism behind them. They represented Angels the way God intended them to be. Watching and guarding. Showing that light will always shine in the dark no matter how much darkness existed.

*****

Because of the disease that coursed through his veins Del'Doun never dated much. Emeralda just finished talking with Aria. Del'Doun took a few steps toward Emeralda then stopped. Emeralda picked up on his presence and turned. "Admiral," she said.

"You don't have to call me that," said Del'Doun.

Emeralda knew what Del'Doun wanted. "Let's go for a walk," suggested Emeralda. "We can talk in private." It was mainly to ease Del'Doun's nervousness.

They walked side by side away from the gathering. They entered a what used to be a park. "This planet was beautiful once," said Emeralda.

"It will be again," replied Del'Doun. Del'Doun heard the human expression of 'having butterflies in the stomach'. He felt that now. He closed his eyes and took a breath. He opened his eyes. They glowed brightly in the night. "Emeralda, what you suggested on the Eldridge II. Now is the time." He rubbed his hands together to get rid of sweat and clammy feeling. He took hold of Emeralda's hand. He let go realizing his mistake. In Zevsehn society a handshake was a proposal for sex. Del'Doun did not want to give Emeralda that impression.

"Its alright," said Emeralda. "We can hold hands. For me it just a simple display of affection."

"Ok," said Del'Doun. He took hold of her hand again. "Will you have dinner with me sometime?"

"I'd be honored," said Emeralda.

Two people who were different. One created in a turbulent time the other with a deadly disease. Both no longer alone.

*****

The next day what was left of Miang's telepathy kicked in. She felt the cry of sorrow. She got up from her cot and walked outside. She walked past people. She ignored them all. All she could think of was the feeling of sadness and loneliness.

She walked to the outskirts of Washington DC. Along the broken road the feelings became stronger. Miang's telepathy faded away. This time gone for good. Afraid she lost the person she was looking for she ran. A mile down the road she found who she was looking for.

She stopped and saw a young boy about five years old. "Hello," said Miang. The boy turned to Miang. Miang took a step back. It was another Contact. The same tan skin and ponytail.

"Do not be afraid," said Krelian. He appeared out of thin air. Miang looked at him. She knew who he was but not as an Angel. The boy looked at Krelian with wonder and awe.

"What is going on?" asked Miang after a long silence. Her tone was not nice. It seemed it would never end.

"This boy is the original Contact," said Krelian. "He was this age when Nathan, the rouge Angel, possessed him. God ruled this boy was not at fault and deserved a real life."

Miang knew she was about to ask something that God might not like. "What about the original Elhaym and the Zevsehn from the Eldridge? What about all those women I possessed? Don't they deserve to live?"

"They too were victims and were awarded Heaven," said Krelian. "This child is for you."

"For me?" asked Miang who was throughly confused.

"Do you not remember what you asked God for before you created the attack computer?" replied Krelian.

Miang's body tingled. "It was a foolish request. I was not capable of having children. Even now I cannot have children. Not with what I have done."

"Your prayer has been answered," said Krelian. "Take care of him."

"He doesn't have any. . .gifts?" asked Miang.

"He is like you and Citan," said Krelian. "Human. No more, no less." Krelian faded from view.

Miang smiled at the boy. "What's your name?" she asked.

"Don't know," said the boy.

Miang wondered what to call the boy. She thought of her past and history. "I know," she said. "How about Abel?"

The boy smiled at Miang. "Ok."

Miang took the boy's hand in hers. They went back to camp. For Miang she was no longer 'The Mother of Humanity' or as Yui once called her, 'The Abuser of Children'. She was now a mother pure and simple.

The End

Author's Notes: People kept on requesting a sequel of The Real Ricdeau. Be careful what you ask for, you might get it. This is the absolute end for this not so little trilogy. I hope you have enjoyed what I have written. Just a few things that need to be cleared up. The real truth about Citan is actually taken from Perfect Works. Perfect Works is a companion book for Xenogears from Square. THANKS FOR NOT TRANSLATING/IMPORTING IT BY THE WAY! There are other things from Perfect Works that I should have used but did not. Why? Cause as a general rule I go by the game itself. To be somewhat fair I decided to use what was in Perfect Works about Citan to explain why he blocked out his true memories as a child which resulted in the birth of his Dark Side. It should also be noted that neither game or Perfect Works states who Citan's father is. I just love taking advantage of plot holes, don't you? I think I'll get drunk or something. After writing this little monster, I would say I deserve it. >:O

Xenogears and related characters are copyrighted 1998 Squaresoft

Everything else that is not Squaresoft related is copyrighted 2001 Chad Harger

As usual constructive compliments and complaints will be welcomed. Outright flames will be ignored.

If you wish to post this story on your site, just send me your e-mail and URL.

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