CHAPTER ELEVEN
As the Varcon approached the gas cloud, Carver walked up to the helm which was piloted by Centar. Barva was next to him, surveying the scanners. “How long before we reach Tolaria,” he asked.
“Two hours,” Barva answered.
“Do they know we’re following them?”
“No I don’t believe so. Being as primitive as they are, they would have attacked us by now.”
“Primitive? They were able to destroy two bases and an entire planet!”
“Exactly,” Barva said.
“You certainly are one strange being.”
“In what way?”
“These Tolarions have spacecraft and weapons that we on Mars had never seen before. They travel through wormholes. How is that primitive?”
“Just because a race has technological achievements, it does not make them an advanced society. Like I stated to your human friend Jeff Walker, a race has not truly achieved enlightenment unless they can use their knowledge for peaceful and productive purposes.”
“I see,” Carver said. “Makes sense to me.”
“What type of energy did Mars use to travel?”
“Ion propulsion, rocket fuels and fission. Slow, but we never really ventured far from our own solar system. We knew over a century ago that there was other life in the universe. We just didn’t know how to get there.”
“And you still as a human would never understand it. I do not mean to be offensive, but the quantum physics involved are complicated.”
“Well,” Carver said, slightly hurt. “Remind me to get the crash course when I get back to Sentros.”
Barva smiled at the human. “I will try my very best to make as simple as I possibly can.”
They passed the gas cloud with minimal interference and Barva checked the scanners for enemy craft, and then opened the communication banks. “This is Barva,” he said. “Leader of the Talokian fleet. Prepare stolen Tolarion fleet for the first advancement on Tolaria. After that, the Varcon will advance, and then the Talokian fleet. After we’ve deactivated their force field, then the Republic will follow.”
After the force field was eliminated, the Rebuplic’s forces were to meet the Talokians and attack with a full invasion force. At Sentros, another battle was fought and the advance weaponry of the planet overcame the Tolarion forces as they began to retreat. Even though the Tolarions outnumbered the Republic; their weapons technology was inadequate to defeat them all through the galaxy.
This news, which was reported back to Akros, infuriated him to no end. That was the main reason he wanted to see Riona and get him to install the ray gun. The two renegades were directed into the hall, and Akros rose from his chair.
“So these are our troublemakers,” Akros announced, walking over to them and carefully looked them over, examining Jeff’s bruises and bleeding. “I was expecting much more worthy adversaries. Balta, didn’t I tell you not to harm him until he saw me first! Can’t either of you follow my orders correctly?”
“They would not come willingly,” Balta lied. “My men did what they had to, as I did what I had to.”
“He’s no good to me if you if you half kill him first,” Akros said, and stared into Jeff’s eyes.
Jeff stared back into his brown eyes with an evil stare. “I know who you are,” he exclaimed.
“Oh,” Akros said as he smiled. “And who am I?”
“You’re Dr. Louis Avery. You worked for NASA about a century ago,” Jeff told him.
“You’re well educated,” Akros answered. “And your name is-”
“Walker,” Jeff answered. “Major Jeff Walker. You knew my grandfather, Colonel Thomas J. Walker.”
“Yes, of course,” Akros recollected another time and place. It was a time when he was not so angry with the human race. “Tom Walker. He was a good man. Not very intelligent, but a good man.”
“What’s happened to you?” Jeff asked. “You used to be so protective of the human race.”
“That was before they laughed at me for my theories, and condemned my research. They took away everything I fought so hard for! As usual, they were wrong!”
“Is that any reason to cause an interstellar war?” Zarcon asked.
Riona pointed his laser at the insect’s head.
“Can’t we just kill them now?” he insisted.
“Not yet,” Akros said. “They want any answer, and they’re entitled to one. When I left Earth, I was dying. I knew my theories were right, but no one believed me. I was given a vision, in a dream, and the answer was all too clear to me. When I heard that there was a launch to develop a base on Mars, I hijacked the vessel that I had developed with NASA and left to test my theory. I harnessed the power of our sun, and tested this theory over and over again until I discovered how to create a wormhole in space, allowing me to travel anywhere in any universe. When I passed through to this universe and came here, a simple alien virus changed my genetic structure somehow. I began genetic research in hopes that I may become human again, but lacked human subjects for my experiments. This planet was my only refuge. I found this planet had its advantages. The alien organism actually allowed me to live fifty years longer than I expected, and gave me two lung systems, giving me the ability to breathe both Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide. I had a whole world to call my own, and my research flourished. I created every being here using my own two hands!”
“That doesn’t explain why you want to destroy everyone,” Zarcon replied. “You’re a scientist; surely you understand the importance of life?”
“Perfect life,” he said and smiled. “On a perfect world, free from disease and death. A world where everyone is treated the same. Your race, Mr. Walker, is arrogant, greedy, and savage. Even by your own standards. Mine is clean, efficient-”
“Conquerous, murdering, malicious,” Jeff interrupted. “Your race has already destroyed at least three civilizations!”
“At least they haven’t destroyed themselves,” Akros argued. “Like so many Earth civilizations of the past!”
“How can you even still call yourself human?” Jeff asked.
“Who ever said I was human?” he answered. “I’m even better! I’m eternal!”
“You were eternal,” Riona said, as he quickly drew his laser and pointed at Akros. Akros was bewildered by his behavior.
“Riona?” he yelled, and backed towards the enormous window behind him, overlooking outside the base. “Have you gone mad? Balta, have the guards seize him!”
“They won’t follow your orders anymore,” Balta grinned and told him. “I’m in command now!”
“So much for your perfect world,” Jeff joked, as he and Zarcon remained motionless.
“Silence!” Balta screamed and pointed his laser at the human. “You’re next!”
“Please Riona,” Akros pleaded. “I’ve created all of you!” The humanoid edged closer to him, his gun still aimed at him.
“We don’t need you,” Riona snarled. “I know now how to create our own race! Look at him grovel, the great, powerful Akros!”
“No,” Akros persisted. “You can’t do this! You need me to guide you! What about the Triachilite?”
“No I don’t,” Riona said. “I have all the Triachilite I need!”
“Please don’t kill me,” he said, and put his hands together as if to pray. “Give me a chance!”
“You had your chance,” Balta said. “Our process is quicker and more efficient. We have no more use for a mere human!”
“But I created you,” he continued.
And I’m un-creating you,” Riona jested, as he fired the laser which created a blast that sent Akros through the window, allowing dust and wind to enter the conference room. Akros fell into the canyon below dead. Nitrous Oxide and wind poured into the room. Zarcon and Jeff had to move quickly if they wanted to escape alive.
Jeff, taking advantage of the situation, grabbed Balta around the neck and disarmed him. He pointed the laser at his head until he and Zarcon reached the doorway, and then
threw him to the floor. Zarcon quickly took the homing device from his antennae and placed it in his mandibles and swallowed it, as Riona started to go after them.
“Wait,” Balta gasped, as he rose from the floor and grabbed his arm. “Set up the fusion ray and set the coordinates on Sentros!”
“But they’re getting away,” Riona yelled.
“I’ll go after them! You just get the gun ready, understand?”
He followed his orders, and headed to the landing bay area where the ray gun was unloaded earlier. It was transported to the main control area to where it was to be operated from. Carrying a laser, Balta proceeded to search for the prisoners. He wanted to make sure they were dead for certain this time. He walked down the corridor, where he met with one of his men.
“There are unidentified alien ships entering the atmosphere,” his subordinate told him.
“You’re kidding!”
“Sir, I wish I was. The force field has somehow been deactivated from inside the complex.”
“Zarcon,” Balta hissed, as he realized his prisoners again had gotten the upper hand. “Very well. Place all of our troops on alert near the landing bay area. Seal the main control center off and don’t let anyone enter it, except for Riona! He knows what to do. I’ve got some unfinished business to take care of!”
Meanwhile, Jeff and Zarcon had deactivated the base’s force field and successfully made it to the laboratory in which the Triachilite was produced. The human kept guard as Zarcon eyed the computer for information on the project.
“This is interesting,” Zarcon said, as he glanced at the screen.
“What is it?” Jeff asked.
“According to this, they haven’t produced any Triachilite here, only the antidote,” the Belorion stated. “It must be Riona was supposed to supply the formula.”
“It figures,” the human remarked. “Does it say where he got it from?”
“Hang on, I’ll find out.” He punched in the necessary data on the keys, and an array of information was displayed. “He received it on Zacharas, which is in the Tallman star system. Hey, wait a minute, that’s where my people are from!”
“That explains a lot of things! Just who is Riona really anyway?”
“I’ll see if the Tolarions have a profile on him,” Zarcon said, typing in more input.
In a matter of minutes, the following information appeared: Riona- A humanoid from Tios Four, star system 8981083. Birth date unknown, joined the Republic in 120, joined Tolaria as double agent in year 124, advanced to Republic Leader in 133, successful takeover of Rotar in 135, takeover of Zeloria in 136, takeover of Beloria in 138, destruction of Zeloria in 138. Level four intelligence expert, extremely dangerous and well trained.
“Jeff, look at this,” he said, and gestured for him to look at the screen. The human read it over carefully.
“It appears our Tolarion spy has been very busy,” Jeff said. “It doesn’t mention how he got the drug, however.”
“Perhaps if we give him the antidote,” Zarcon suggested. “We can put an end to all of this.”
“Yea,” Jeff said. “What and where is it?”
“Its called Varibolin,” the insect said. “It might be on the table over there.”
He pointed to a table by the wall. Jeff walked over to it and gazed at the many different colored flasks in front of him.
“Which one?” he asked.
“According to its properties, it appears to be the greenish liquid there.”
“Found it,” Jeff said, grabbing the flask. “How is it supposed to be administered?”
“Through the skin using a needle.” Jeff poured its contents into two syringe bottles, being careful not to spill any. He then gave one to Zarcon, and kept one for himself.
“If you can hold Riona down or keep him occupied,” Jeff suggested. “I can inject him with the serum.”
“We may not have to worry about that,” Zarcon said. “I sensed before that his power was weakening considerably. He needs another injection to sustain it. Perhaps his current supply is running out.”
“Well, we can’t take any chances,” Jeff said. “The fleet is on their way. We have to find him and stop him before they get here.”
“What about Balta?” Zarcon asked, as Jeff placed his syringe inside the pocket of his tattered spacesuit.
“He’s my problem,” the human answered. “First we have to find the ray gun and destroy it.”
“Agreed,” the insect said, as he put the syringe in his utility belt upon leaving the laboratory.
They edged down a corridor that lead towards the landing bay area and control area, careful to make sure there no guards were about. The area was dead quiet, for most of the Tolarions were engaged in battle or looking for the two escapees.
They came closer to their destination when two guards began to open fire on them. Jeff fired back, and hit one square in the chest. The other attacked Zarcon, swinging at his large head with his fist. Four arms proved to be to his advantage as he grabbed his foe’s arms and pierced his lower claws through his victim’s chest. He fell to the floor in a pool of blood. They then continued up a stairway to a catwalk which overlooked the main control area. On the catwalk they saw Riona setting up the doomsday device.
“There he is,” whispered Jeff.
“We’re too late,” replied Zarcon, as they watched him inject a needle into his pale skinned arm.
“Not yet,” Jeff said, and prepared to fire his laser at him.
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” snarled a voice from behind. Jeff turned to face Balta, who was holding a laser at him. Jeff and Zarcon dropped their lasers to the floor. “Our operations are complete. We’re getting what we wanted from the beginning-to destroy your precious Republic.”
“I’ve heard of being overly optimistic,” Jeff replied. “But what makes you so sure that you’ve won?”
“It doesn’t matter if we’ve won,” the sadistic simian answered. “The destruction of all of your planets is justification enough! In a matter of minutes, President Zarcon, your council’s headquarters will explode like a supernova, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it! Start it up, Riona!”
Balta turned to his comrade, and as he did, Jeff quickly kicked the laser from his hand. Riona activated the death ray and the fusion reactor started to warm up. “Stop him,” Jeff yelled to Zarcon, as he tossed him the other syringe. Jeff swung violently and hit Balta’s head, which made him fall to the floor. The Tolarion grabbed his leg, also pulling him to the floor.
Balta scrambled to grab the laser and get on top of Jeff, but Jeff knocked it over the catwalk. Balta jumped on him and struck his face repeatedly thus drawing blood. The human threw him off, kicking him in the side. He then punched him several times until he had the beast against the railing, overlooking a thirty feet drop. He held his arm at the beast’s throat.
“I never asked for any of this,” he hissed. “You brought this upon yourselves!” Balta pushed Jeff away and he fell against the wall.
“Can’t you see that you are inferior to me?” Balta preached, as he kicked the human in the stomach. Jeff didn’t have much fight left, as both of his eyes began to swell, and blood was dripping from his mouth. When he tried to rise, the Tolarion kicked his face and he fell to the floor, and was dragged to the railing.
He threw Jeff over the catwalk and the human was barely able to grab the railing. Balta grabbed his wrist, trying to make him lose his grip. “Time to die, Mr. Walker,” he laughed as the human could no longer hold the rail. Just before the Tolarion was about to let go, he ripped off his mask and was able to grab the knife from Balta’s belt. Balta began to gasp, and with his free arm, Jeff threw it into his chest. Jeff grabbed the floor of the catwalk, even to his own amazement.
He lifted himself up, as Balta proceeded to pull the knife out of his body armor, and scrambled to grab his mask, gasping. Jeff pulled his leg and he fell against the catwalk. When Balta’s knife was back in his right hand, he turned
towards Jeff. “Now I’m going to really get you,” he snarled, as he sliced the human’s left arm. Jeff jumped away, grabbing his throbbing bloody arm, his pain only secondary to his rage at that point. He was getting tired of this alien, and wanted to end it. He quickly snatched the knife from his foe with his right hand, and kicked him in the stomach. He jumped on him, ripped his mask off again, and punched his face wildly until he was unconscious. He then rose from the floor to help his arthropod companion, but ended up collapsing beside Balta, unconscious himself.
During this time, Zarcon had reached Riona below.
“Zarcon,” he replied. “You’re just in time to watch me destroy that subservient alliance of yours.”
“I know the secret of your power,” the insect announced, as he held a laser on his nemesis. “It was an ancient drug used by my people many centuries ago. But like any other drug, however, it can be neutralized.”
“Why don’t you neutralize me then?” the humanoid suggested.
Zarcon pulled the syringe from his belt, as Riona tried to control his arm, but found it difficult to do so. He used his mind to make the insect drop the laser, and watched as Zarcon began to point the needle back towards himself. Zarcon used his lower arm to inject the other syringe into Riona’s arm as he screamed in pain, ripping it from his bleeding arm. “You’re going to pay for this,” Riona yelled and grabbed for the laser, pointing it at the insect.
“Now,” he scoured. “Your precious Sentros will be obliterated!”
He reached across the panel and tried to set the coordinates, but Zarcon grabbed his arm holding the laser. He grabbed Riona by the neck with his other arm, and used his two free arms to initiate the self destruct sequence. “No,” Riona cried. “Don’t you realize what you’ve done?”
Zarcon threw the laser against the control room wall. “Yes,” he said. “I’ve destroyed your doomsday weapon! And now that you are no better than any other being, let’s see how you really can fight!”
He grabbed Riona using all four arms and hurled him across the control room floor. He fell about ten feet away, and scrambled across the floor for his weapon. Zarcon kicked it away, grabbed and lifted him by the neck, shoving his head against the computer panel. Zarcon spoke to him as he threw him against another panel.
“You are nothing without your Triachilite,” he told him. “For years, I respected you as a great leader. I used to be afraid of you, and to this day I don’t know why. You’re nothing but a disgusting, pathetic, egotistical maniac. I should kill you right now!
“Do it then,” he pleaded. “Kill me! It doesn’t matter! The destruction countdown has begun! You’ll never escape in time!”
“I can’t kill you,” Zarcon detested. “That wouldn’t make me any better than your destructive race!”
There was an explosion and the main door opened. “Zarcon,” a voice yelled, as the smoke cleared. His friends entered with a small troop of soldiers, some human and some Talokian. As the insect turned towards them, Riona quickly grabbed the laser and fired it into the insect’s back. He fell to the floor in pain and the soldiers opened fire on the humanoid, killing him in just seconds. His laser blasted body fell to the floor.
Dormiton and Milgic ran over to their friend, followed by Carver and Lori.
“Zarcon,” Dormiton cried, and raised his friend’s head from the floor. The
Lingworts wept over their friend. “You can’t die!”
“Use your thought transference,” Milgic suggested with tears in his eyes.
“I cannot,” Zarcon said as he gasped for air. His chest was bleeding badly.
“I don’t have the energy. Get everyone out of here. The fusion gun is going to self destruct in ten minutes!”
“Barva,” John said into his hand held communication device. “Never mind shutting down systems, I repeat abort mission! Evacuate, I repeat, evacuate! This place is going to blow in ten minutes!”
“We read you loud and clear,” Barva answered. “Preparing to move out!”
“What about Jeff?” Lori asked, searching the control room.
“Catwalk,” Zarcon gasped. He grew weaker with each breath, as he continued to bleed internally.
“Catwalk?” Dormiton asked, as he sobbed over his friend.
“I think he means Jeff is on the catwalk,” Carver said, as Lori immediately ran up to retrieve him. She climbed up the ladder, and saw him lying on the floor. She knelt over him, turned his limp body around, and lifted his head.
“Jeff,” she said, as he awoke. She wrapped a tourniquet around his arm and tried to stop the bleeding.
“Is that you?” he asked, smiling. “Or am I dreaming?”
“Yea, it’s me,” Lori answered.
“But how?” he asked. “How did you find me?”
“With a little help from your friends,” she said. “They’re the ones who brought us here. It’s a long story. When we got time, I’ll tell it to you.”
“I got a feeling I know how it ends,” he said, as she helped him to his feet. “Is Balta dead?”
“Balta?” Lori asked, bewildered.
“Yes,” he said. “I left him lying next to-”
As he turned, he could see that the evasive Balta once again managed to escape. However, without an army or ray gun, he didn’t pose a threat at the moment. Lori helped him down the catwalk to where the rest of them where, and walked over to Zarcon.
“What happened?” the weary Major Walker asked.
“Riona shot him,” Dormiton stated.
“But not before he accomplished the mission,” Carver added.
“Hello John,” Jeff said, happy to see another friend’s face. He gave him a firm though tired handshake. “Long time no see.”
“Yes,” Carver answered, and placed his right hand on his left shoulder. “You better speak with your friend. He’s dying.”
“Isn’t there anything we can do for him?” Milgic pleaded.
“I’m afraid not,” Lori remarked, as Jeff bent over the insect.
“We did it,” he told Zarcon, as he grabbed his claw.
“Yes, we did,” Zarcon whispered. “At least I was able to destroy the ray gun. You better go, before it’s too late.”
“Farewell, Friend,” Jeff said, and grabbed his claw tightly. “I’ll never forget you.”
“And I’ll never forget you, Jeff Walker,” he answered, closing his eyes for the last time. Jeff’s head fell on his chest and he began to weep, removing Zarcon’s headband, and gripping it tightly.
“Goodbye, Friend,” he repeated over several times. His two lingwort friends tried to pull him away from their companion.
“We have to get out of here now,” Carver commanded, as he grabbed Jeff’s arm himself.
He watched Zarcon and the remains of Riona as he was dragged from the main control center towards the landing bay. He placed the headband in the pocket of his tattered and torn spacesuit.
“Five minutes and counting,” the computerized voice announced as they ran into the hangar deck.
They boarded the Varcon immediately, greeted by Barva. As the five passengers boarded, Barva looked out the main door hatch, and the other troops boarded two other ships. “Where’s Zarcon?” he asked.
“He’s not coming,” Carver said, as he climbed in, bowed his head and closed the hatch.
Carver glanced towards him as Barva knew in his mind what happened to their friend.
“Get us out of here as fast as you can!” Barva nodded, accelerating the vehicle out of the hangar bay and up into the atmosphere.
The fleet of spaceships rapidly emerged from the Tolarion ground base. Destroying Tolaria probably wouldn’t mean the end of their arrogant race, but it would mean an end of their tyranny. They watched the exploding planet which looked like a small sun for a moment, as the fusion weapon set off a chain reaction that incinerated the surface of it. They quickly left the solar system and into the darkness. They had successfully destroyed their enemies and restored peace for both univ
erses, and even though Jeff found himself an interesting circle of friends, he couldn’t help but feel sorrow for the loss of his friend. Zarcon helped them when they needed it the most; a perfect stranger who turned against his own beliefs to do so. That was the making of a true friend.
Two weeks later, they arrived at the council once again to face Balar. Sentros successfully warded off their attackers, and was ready to greet their heroes with honors. “Where is Zarcon?” he asked, as they entered the chambers.
Jeff stepped up to the table, his arm in a sling. He bowed his head as he explained. “He was killed by Riona,” he informed them. “He gave his life to protect this planet and destroy the death ray.”
“We are sorry we ever doubted him,” Balar said, regrettably. “He has proven to be a great asset. “Therefore, we will award each of you with our medal for bravery.” He reached inside a case that was near the table. He placed four medals on the table, and began to hand one to Jeff.
He became a little annoyed by their nonchalant attitude. “Keep your medals,” Jeff muttered. “What we really need is a place to live. Balta saw to it that Mars was destroyed. We have no home to go back to.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said. “You are welcome to live here or perhaps we could find a world to restart your races. If you could live anywhere in this galaxy, where would you like to live?”
The human thought for a minute, looked at the two lingworts, then Lori and smiled. “Ventros,” Jeff stated, and the two lingworts and Lori hugged him.
“What’s Ventros like?” she asked, gazing into his brown eyes with wonder.
“It’s like Earth, Lori,” he said. “We’re going home to a quiet and peaceful Earth.”
She smiled, always wondering what Earth looked like. The party walked to the entrance of the council chambers, where they were greeted by Carver and Barva. “And where are you going, Barva?” Jeff asked his genetically connected friend.
“Back to my own people,” he said. “Jalok needs me to help our race rebuild itself. We owe it all to you, you know. Perhaps in one hundred years we can help your races reach the peace it took us millions of years for us to achieve.”
“Perhaps,” Jeff said, and held his hand out to him. Barva grabbed it tightly. “There is one thing you were wrong about though. Humans are more capable than you think of advancement. Akros claims he was creator of the inter-dimensional device. It’s too bad that he didn’t use it for useful purposes however. Anyway, take care, Friend. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, stop by.”
“I will,” he said. “I still don’t totally believe Mr. Akros came up with the idea himself, but it’s a mute point now anyway. Take care, Jeff. As an old earth saying goes, I’d like to say it’s been fun, but it hasn’t.”
“I know what you mean,” Jeff laughed. “Goodbye, Barva.”
“Goodbye, Jeff,” he answered as they hugged each other.
Two more weeks passed since their departure from Sentros, and they finally reached home again. Lori and Jeff became closer than they ever were before, and were finally together the way they always wanted to be. The war, although it was catastrophic, brought them together in a way stronger than the bonds of space and time itself. John Carver brought most of the humans to Ventros as well using a fleet of Republic ships with advisors to help them rebuild. They colonized on several small islands within the region of the lingwort’s, and other humans remained on Sentros. The lingworts on the other island were transferred to where they wanted to be in the first place. Some of the humans also stayed there to help the lingworts rebuild their small community. They built a new village and named it “Sarrala”, which meant ‘freedom forever and for all’, and started to learn trade with the humans on the other islands.
Jeff and Lori chose to live the primitive life on the island without technological advancements; other than a trusty laser or two. Jeff had enough of it for a while, and wondered why he ever longed for it to return. He was relieved he could return to the days of fishing and cooking on an open fire.
Three months since the Tolarian invasion, Lori and Jeff were walking on the far side of the island. They were catching up on all times, and enjoyed each other’s company. They walked through the lush jungle path which led up to the ridge where the base had once been, and he told her of the struggle to save their world. While his back was turned towards the path, a dark figure emerged from the jungle. From behind he felt a thud against the back of his head, and he fell to the ground in pain. he became dizzy, and he faintly made out who it was, as Lori screamed and struggled to get away.
When he regained his senses, he saw that he was struck with a log, and that Lori was fighting off her attacker and was being pushed towards the ledge just above them. Jeff jumped to his feet, and ran up to save his love. He approached, and his attacker turned towards him laughing.
“You!” Jeff sneered in anger. He just couldn’t seem to kill this monster.
“Yes, Mr. Walker, it is me,” his Tolarion nemesis said.
“You’re a tough ape man to kill,” Jeff told him.
“As you are as well, Mr. Walker.” He grabbed Lori’s neck tighter as she struggled.
“At least I don’t hide behind a woman.”
“You’re games are starting to bore me,” he said, as he pushed her closer to the edge. “I’m going to take away everything you ever cared about, starting with her!”
As he began to throw Lori over the cliff, Jeff reached for her, unable to grab her arm. She grabbed onto a branch just below them to stop from falling, as Balta kicked Jeff in the side. Jeff fell, and Balta kicked him in the stomach several times.
“When are you humans going to learn,” he said, as he walked back to finish what he set out to do. “You’re inferior to us!”
Jeff rose from the ground to face his enemy one last time. He went to push Balta, and he stopped his arm, twisting it.
“Give it up,” he said. Jeff swung quick with his right hand and hit him right in the face two or three times until he fell. As Balta struggled to pick himself up, Jeff backed up.
“Here’s what I think about your superior race!” he said as he took a running kick, powerful enough to propel the Tolarion off the cliff and into the ocean below.
While he fell, Jeff watched him, amazed that he didn’t even scream and was laughing instead. Jeff reached down to grab the hysterical Lori. She crawled back up to him and embraced him in her arms, crying.
“It’s gonna be all right,” he said. “It’s over!”
As the sun set behind them on the tropical island, they were truly thankful for all this experience taught them, and how fortunate they really were to live anywhere in a universe without such turmoil. The most important thing to them was that they had their own Garden of Eden to reshape, and it was for them to decide if they were going to follow good over evil.
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