Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 16:30:47 +0000 From: Douglas DD DD <thehakaanen@hotmail.com> Subject: The Boys of Lady Lex Chapter 29 Welcome back loyal readers. Slowly but surely Ben and I are getting Lady Lex finished. We have out outline and ideas. We even had the number of chapters mapped out recently. But, our characters keep making us write more about them. I'm sure most of you don't mind. Chapter 29 is an interesting one. It helps getting some of our characters thinking. While you won't see it right away, what happens in this chapter will have a profound effect on some of our boys. This is actually the second writing of the Chapter. Ben's original draft was one which, after a lot of anguish from both of us and our friend and editing helper Mike, we decided didn't fit the flow of the story. Ben rewrote the chapter and came up with a dandy. We plan on posting the original chapter after the story is finished as it really stands up on its own. Then you all can judge if we made the right decision. Ben and I love getting mail. Let us know what you think by writing us at TheHakaanen@Hotmail.com. <Douglas and Ben> The Boys of the Lady Lex Chapter 29 "Unanimity" Written By Douglas DD and Benjamin TC On the planet Nakoo the inhabitants were holding their Festival of the Dead. Nakoosians had never set foot in space and they had never seen an alien life from. Their technology and culture was primitive, but their beliefs were strong Every two hundred years their culture would have the religious ceremony known as Jdakalmar or Festival of the Dead. The festival occurred when the Jdakalmar comet passed their planet. For one week prior to its arrival, the Nakooksians celebrated with feasts and games. The day prior to the comets arrival all the Nakoosians would enter their temples, where they would go into deep meditation and fasting. The day the comet arrived, all male members ten years old and older would enter the Jdakalmar Temples which were entered only once every two hundred years; the year of the festival. The male members each stepped into a solitary room with no windows or lights. They would light a candle and say a prayer. The Nakoosians believed the passing of the comet brought someone from the dead to speak to each live person. After the comet passed and daybreak occurred, the person from the dead returns to the dead, and the Nakoosians celebrated with a large feast the females spent the last two days preparing. The time had come. The chief priest of a small tribe on Nakoo rang the Jdakalmar gong that was rung only once every two hundred years. It was time for the male members to enter the Jdakalmar Temples. The Festival of the Dead was to begin. ***** Captain Hatcher stood behind the command shuttle chair on board the "Lady Hawke". Johnny Cooper sat in the command shuttle chair looking and acting like he knew what he was doing and acting like he cared to be out in the middle of space chasing comets. Scanners picked up that a comet was passing through. So Hatcher decided to take the "Lady Hawke" to check it out. He didn't want to take "Lexington: off her course to Phosphorous Prime, but he was willing to take the "Lady Hawke" to the site where the comet would pass which was about two hour ride from the "Lexington:. "Captain, sensors are picking up something," said Commander Creevey who managed to talk Captain Hatcher into letting her come to man the science station. After all she was a scientist before she became an XO. "Is it the comet?" asked Hatcher. "No Sir, it's an ion storm." "Where did it come from?" asked Hatcher. "I don't know captain, but the readings are off the scale." "Tyler, set a course out of the storm's path. Ben once the coordinates are set, get us out of here." "Aye Sir," said Tyler and Ben in unison. Because the "Lady Hawke" didn't have a permanent crew like the "Wonder Boy" and the other cadet shuttles, Captain Hatcher had picked his crew for this excursion, with one notable exception. A last minute illness found his son Jesse on the crew, courtesy of Ely Storm. By the time he saw Jesse boarding the "Lady Hawke" it was too late to make a change. Sitting at the navigation station was 12-year-old Tyler Young. He was originally sent to juvenile Delinquent school for violating probation. Tyler started shoplifting after his father died. And even after warnings and being put on probation, Tyler didn't stop until finally the judge put him in a juvenile delinquent home. "Why does it have to be an ion storm we run into and not an enemy ship? I want to try these weapons out," said Trevor who was sitting at the weapons station.. "Master Collins, shooting someone isn't always the way to go," said Harrison Wolfe who came along for the ride. "Mr. Wolfe is right. You should work not to fight, Trevor. You try to solve an issue without fighting. Avoid fights at all cost," said Dr. Daniels who had also come along to check out the comet. "I disagree with you Doctor. There are times when one has to fight." "Mr. Wolfe, you're wrong. If you have seen as much death and destruction I seen due to violence, you would think the same way I do." "What makes you think I haven't?" said Wolfe. "Captain, the storm is brewing all around us, we won't be able to out run it," said Commander Creevey. "Then we're going to have to ride her out. Everyone strap in and hang on. This is going to be a rough ride." Hatcher then went over to the pilot's seat. "Ben, I know you're a good pilot especially for your age, but with something like this, I'd better take the helm." Ben was crushed. He was looking forward to piloting the "Lady Hawke" through a massive ion storm and going back to the Lexington to tell Douglas all about it. He silently got up from his post as Captain Hatcher replaced him at the helm and went to the back and strap himself in. "Captain, two minutes until we enter the storm," said Creevey as she busily worked the science station. "Everyone hang on!" Hatcher turned the shuttle around and started heading away from the opening waves of the storm. He wanted the storm to follow him. Soon the shuttle shook and was tossed as the storm consumed her. The comet was traveling at great velocity as it passed by. ***** Ben took a deep breath of the fresh air. Once again he was on the mountaintop that overlooked such beauty and wonder. He sat on a rock and just marveled at what laid ahead of him. The beams of the sun gently touched his skin and a light gentle breeze danced in his hair. Birds were chirping filling the air with sweet soothing song. "Hello, Benjie." Ben turned and a smile appeared on his freckle-covered face from ear to ear. "Grandpa Teddy!!!" Ben got up and ran to the old balding man and gave him a big hug. Then he pulled back with a look of concern on his face. "Am I dying again?" "No, Benjie, you're not dying." "Did that ion storm kill me then?" Grandpa Teddy smiled and chuckled. "No, Benjie, you're not dead either." "Then why am I here? Last time I was here I was on the verge of dying." "You're here so you and I can have another chance to talk with each other. I remember how you use to sit on my knee or lay next to my bed and we would talk and talk about anything and everything." Ben got solemn from remembering those distant memories. "I remember." "Don't look so glum Benjie. Treasure those moments like I do. Don't look at them through sad eyes. Look at them through joyful eyes. If you don't treasure those moments we spent together with joy and happiness then there would be no reason to have them to begin with. And if there is no reason to have them to begin with that makes me wonder about our relationship." "Grandpa Teddy, I love you. I am so happy that I got to know you as much as I did." "Then show it Benjie. Don't look at our time together as regret. Don't let those wonderful memories we shared bring out negative emotions. Let them bring out the positive motions in you." "I'll try Grandpa Teddy, but it won't be easy," said Ben who had tears building up in his eyes. "I didn't say it would be easy. Come on; let's go for a walk up that trail." Grandpa put his hand on Ben's shoulder and the two of them headed up the windy trail through the mountainside. ***** Commander Creevey undid her strap from her seat. "CAPTAIN!!!" she yelled but Captain Hatcher didn't reply. He just sat in his seat slumped over as if he was in some sort of coma trance. The shuttle was out of control. She carefully made her way to the pilot's chair. She knew she had to get the ship under control. She saw that she was the only one who was not in a coma trance. But her first priority was to get the shuttle under control and get them out of the storm. ***** Judge Titan pounded his gavel hard on his desk. "Order!!" His voiced boomed through the courtroom. He was an old, cold heartless bastard of a judge. His face showed nothing but hatred and bitterness. "Order!!!" Soon the courtroom settled down to a deafness silence. Harrison Wolfe sat in hard wooden chair. He looked at the judge. "Jeffery Titan," he murmured. His attention turned to the bailiff. "Juan Rodriquez". Then he looked and saw the plaintiff. "Mallory Queen," a hard and feisty woman. He turned his attention to the people sitting in the courtroom. He recognized them all. He saw Big Billy Swine's bodyguards whom he had met on Earth when he was there for Ambassador Talon's funeral. He saw the prostitute who was in the steam room with Big Billy Swine, as well several other people. Then he looked at the jury. Here again he knew each and everyone of them. "Virgil SinClair," bellowed Judge Titan. "You are found guilty of murdering over 500 lives. How do you plea?" "Virgil SinClair?" said Wolfe to himself. That was a name he hasn't heard in twenty years. He don't know if this was some sort of dream, but something inside him told him this was no dream and if he was being placed on trial for the crimes he committed then he knew he needed a lawyer. He knew there was only one man that could get him off the hook. "Your Honor, I request to have an attorney present." "You request council? What makes you think you deserve council? Did you stop and think that the victims of your crimes deserved what they got? No, you did what you did for money. You will stand trial before me this day where you will present your case. If you are found not guilty you will return to your shuttle at daybreak. But if you are found guilty you will return with us." "Your Honor I will stand trial, but let me have a lawyer, please." "Very well, Mr. SinClair. You may have a lawyer. The counsel to represent you will be..." "Your Honor, I am sure the attorney you will appoint for me will be more than capable of handling my case, but there is one man I wish to have represent me." The judge sat silent for a moment before speaking. "Very well, who do you wish to represent you?" "Daniel Webster." ***** "Systems overloading," said the voice from the computer console on board the "Lady Hawke". "Damn it," replied Commander Creevey. She managed to get Captain Hatcher to the back and strapped him securely on a cot. She was working frantically trying to keep the shuttle from being torn to pieces. She wished she knew why everyone but her was unconscious, but she couldn't worry about it right now. They were still breathing and that was a good sign. She just had to get them out of the ion storm. ***** Johnny walked down the dark and damp alley. Trash was strewn about the alley as rats rummaged through it. The stench that fluttered past Johnny's nose almost made him nauseous. He kept walking until he came to a door. Johnny knew this door. He had been through it many times. Johnny wiped the molding gunk on the door to reveal a battered sign. "Arnie's Liquor". Johnny opened the door and walked in. Johnny did a double take. Was he dreaming or was this real? He couldn't believe his eyes. "Hey little brother. Boy you grown. Come on in out of the dampness," said Craig. Johnny walked in and closed the door behind him. ***** The Pittsburgh Penguins' Hockey Rink was empty. The ice sparkled in dimly lit arena. The goal posts stood proudly at both ends of the rink. Lying in the middle of the ice was a hockey stick and a puck. Jesse picked up the stick and swung it at the puck. Jesse lost his balance and fell flat on his butt. The puck went flying out of control missing the goal completely and hitting the glass behind it. The sound of a pair of hands clapping came from the stands. Jesse looked into the seats to see who it was. He was embarrassed that he had slipped. He was willing to bet it was Mark clapping at his clumsiness to make fun at him once again. A man who appeared to be a custodian emerged out of the darkness. He was a tired looking man. He was bald on top with the exception of a few stray hairs combed over. His crow's feet were evident and his hands were callused and worn. They wore hands of a working man. The man was only in his mid 40's but looked twenty years older than he actually was. Jesse squinted his eyes. The man looked familiar as he walked closer to him. "Dad?" "No, Jesse. I'm your grandfather, Randy Hatcher. You know, you wouldn't slip if you wore these." Randy Hatcher handed the grandson who had never seen before a pair of ice skates. "Here, put these on and I will show you a few things." "My grandfather? But you're dead." "But tonight I am alive. Now put those skates on and I will show you a few things." "But I'm not a hockey player. That's my brother Mark." "You're just like your father." "That's not true. Dad loves hockey and he's good at it too." "But your father has always been afraid to try something new. If it wasn't hockey or the stars, it was nothing. He was always like that. If it wasn't in his rink, he didn't go after it. So Jesse since hockey isn't on the stage you act on, does that mean you won't go after it?" "I guess I could." "Good, now put those skates on and let your grandfather teach you a few things." Jesse's butt was beginning to grow numb from the ice. After some quick thought he put on the skates. ***** Harrison Wolfe waited alone in an empty room. There were no windows and the only things on the walls were pieces of peeling paint. The room was dimly lit by a lantern hanging from the ceiling. Harrison turned his attention to the door as it swayed open. A silhouette of a large man stood in the doorway. "Neighbor, how stands the union?" Harrison Wolfe showed a hint of a smile. He walked up to the plump man and said "The Union stands as she stood rock bottom and copper sheath one and indivisible." "As she should," said Daniel Webster as he entered the room. The door swayed shut behind him. "Now how can I be of service?" "Mr. Webster, I am standing an unfair trial for crimes I committed. I wish for you to represent me and help me go free." "Crimes? What sort of crimes?" "I killed many lives in my time and now I stand on trial for it." "Murder? I once said every unpunished murder takes away something from the security of every man's life. Mr. SinClair, if you committed these crimes then it's time to pay the consequences." "But Mr. Webster, you also said that educate your children to self-control to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future lives and crimes to society." Daniel Webster let out a muffled laugh. "But I hardly see what that has to do with your trial Mr. SinClair?" "I gave up the life of killing to become a teacher to deadbeats of society. There are so many children on our planet that have no mentors, no one to look up too, no one to mold them and shape them into productive citizens. Now I only kill to preserve their freedom and to keep a war from breaking out. I might not be the perfect role model, but by God those boys need me and I need them. If they take me away before I finish my job, there will be so many boys who only have part of a puzzle finished and without the final pieces they will head to disaster and chaos and there is enough of that already. I chose you to represent me because you were a great spokesman and lawyer of your day and of all time. Writers wrote literature about you and how you conquered the Devil. I, being a lover of literature knew that if anyone could get me off, it would be you." "Your argument is quite strong Mr. SinClair, but not strong enough. I'm sorry Mr. SinClair I cannot take your case." "But Mr. Webster there is no other person who has even a slightest chance of winning. I ask you as a neighbor from the state that we both hail from that you represent me." "You're from New Hampshire?" "Yes, I am." Daniel Webster stood silent and let out a loud sigh. He nodded his head. "Okay, I will take your case. Us men from New Hampshire have to stick together." Harrison breathed a sigh of relief and the two men headed back into the courtroom. ***** "Shields at critical levels," said the computer. "Shut up!!!" yelled Commander Creevey. She diverted some power to reinforce the shields. This was by far the worse ion storm she had ever been in. She knew it was going to be a long night and she just hoped the old shuttle could make it through it.. ***** Tyler walked down the grocery store aisle. He wasn't sure how he got there, but he was off the "Lady Hawke" and it appeared he made it home somehow. No more Marines, no late night watches, no more pushups. He was home. He looked around him and saw no one was watching. He reached out and grabbed a candy bar and slipped it in his pants. He continued to walk throughout the store grabbing things when people weren't looking and hide him on his body. Once he was done, he left the store and ran down the street. He smiled all the way knowing he still had his touch. Tyler ran to a bus stop. He sat down on the seat and emptied out his pockets. Tyler was so busy running away and hoping that no one saw him that he didn't notice the man standing on the street. The man held a violin in his hands. The case lay open on the ground with some coins in it. The man let out a disgruntled sigh and placed the violin under his chin and brought his bow across the strings, creating a sweet pleasant sound. Tyler's heart sunk to the bottom of his stomach and the hairs on his arms stood up on end. He knew the song and he knew who was playing it. But how could it be? The person who played that song was dead. He died a few years back. But hearing the sweet music, Tyler couldn't take anymore of it. Tears begin to stream down his cheeks. He turned and looked at the man. "Dad?" ***** Captain Hatcher stepped into the stadium seating ready room. It was completely dark inside. The door closed behind him and nothing but darkness surrounded him. Then a single spotlight popped on illuminating the figure standing down on the small platform. "Hat Trick!!" said the man. "You son of a bitch," said Hatcher as he ran down the stairs to Jay Hood. He grabbed Jay by the collar and slammed him into the bulkhead. "Found the locket, didn't you?" "You're God damn right I found the locket. And when I did I want to..." "To what Steve? Kill me? But ironically you did." "It was too fast last time," said Steve as he pushed Jay hard into the bulkhead. "Come on Steve, is this the way to treat your best friend?" "Best friend?" Hatcher pushed Jay to the side and started walking around the small platform. "A best friend doesn't rape his best friend's wife and leave her there to die." "Yeah that wasn't very nice of me was it?" "You're damn right it wasn't. God I should kill you again right here and now." "Don't waste your time Steve. As soon as daybreak comes, I will be dead once again." "That's not soon enough." Anger and rage were just flowing through his body. "Make up your mind Steve. You just said last time was too fast and now it's not soon enough." "Why?" "Why what? Why I did what I did to Linda?" "We were best friends since we were kids. We did everything together." "That's not true Steve." Jay was beginning to get a little enraged himself. "You left me alone many times to be with her. When you were with Linda you forgot those around you. Nothing else mattered. But once you were no longer the only guy who had her, your attention was focused on someone else." "What the hell are you talking about?" "I'm talking about Mark. When you are around Mark you forget about those around you." "That's a lie and you know it." "Is it Steve? Is it a lie?" "I am a captain of a ship filled with juvenile delinquents. I am doing the best job I can to ensure every boy on my ship becomes the best at what they can be. To show them that they don't need to live off the streets in the life of crime." "The best job you can do, huh? Every boy on your ship? That's pure bullshit." "You don't know what the fuck you're talking about. Under my leadership I took a 40 year old ship that's been out of service for 20 years and got those boys to get her space worthy." "You still don't get it. Are you giving every boy on your ship what they need to become a better person?" "Yes I am." "Every boy?" "Every boy on my ship is getting what they need." "Then what about Jesse?" "What about him?" "I'll tell you what about him. He is longing for a father, needing a father and because of Linda being raped you shunned him. That is no way to treat my son," said Jay. Hatcher who was facing away from Jay at this point turned around and gave Jay a right hook, knocking him down on the ground. "He's my son!" "What's that?" asked Jay as he was rubbing his jaw with blood trickling out of lip. "You heard me!" "No I don't think I did. You called Jesse your son?" "Yes I did, you got a problem with it?" "Then prove that Jesse is your son." "I did. I had DNA tests done and the results came out that he is my son not yours." "I don't mean prove it by science. Prove it with your heart. Start treating him like your son and not some byproduct of a raped victim." "Jesse is no concern of yours. Leave him out of this." "Steve, I know I did you and Linda wrong my last few months alive, but don't take that out on that young boy who needs a father so bad. Remember how you felt when your father was killed in the fire?" "I remember because that feeling never totally went away." "Now think about having that same feeling yet you see your father day in and day out." Hatcher let out a deep breath and closed his eyes. "This is none of your concern. Jesse and I are different. We have nothing in common. Now Mark and I, we have a lot of things in common." "Damn it Steve, this isn't about Mark. This is about Jesse. Jesse needs you." "You don't know what Jesse needs." "And neither do you Steve, because you always turn your back on him. You never spend time with him to find out what he needs. So how do you know what he needs?" "How dare you!! How dare you speak to me like that. You of all people. Saying that we're best friends when you did what you did. You have no right telling me what my son needs. Now I killed you once you son of bitch and I will do it again!! Now get the hell out of my life once and for all!!!" ***** Trevor walked up to a base of a tree. A hammer came tumbling out of the air almost hitting him in the head. "Look out!!!" Trev jumped back and looked up. There standing on a half finished tree house was a young boy no older then him. Trevor just stared at the boy. "Sorry about that Trev. Can you bring that up for me?" "Uh...yeah," said Trevor.. "I can't believe you don't have our fort done yet. It doesn't look like you worked on it since last fall." "I didn't. None of us did. It just didn't feel right to work on it after what happened." Trevor climbed the rope ladder and made to the platform that had part of a wall on it. "Kiran, are you a ghost?" "I don't know what I am. I don't think I am a ghost because I wouldn't be able to pick up a hammer." Kiran took the hammer away from Trevor and began pounding on the boards again. "Then I must be dreaming. But it doesn't feel like a dream." "Whatever it is, I don't think it will last long. I think it's only for a short time." "I miss you Kiran. I blamed myself for you dying for a long time. Then Ben's boyfriend." "Ben has a boyfriend?" "Yeah, his name is Douglas. Andrew has one too. Both Ben and Andrew gone all the way and did stuff with their boyfriends." "Do you have a boyfriend?" By this time Trevor and Kiran were working and talking at the same time. "No, I don't do sex stuff with anyone but myself. Besides not many people like me. But there is this teacher I have who is so cool." "I like you Trevor and I am glad you are my friend. Pass me a nail." Trevor hands Kiran a nail. "You were my bestest friend." "Maybe you should get a new bestest friend." "I can't get a new one Kiran." "Why not?" "Because." "Have you and Ben done any sex stuff yet like him and Andrew do?" "No, Ben and I don't talk much. We talked a little when Douglas was lost in time and tried saving you but that was the last time we talked. I mean really talked." "Douglas is Ben's boyfriend, right?" "Yeah." "And who is Andrew's boyfriend?" "His name is Nipper. He's Douglas's brother." "That's cool." "Yeah I guess. I wish you were on the Lady Lex with me. I formed a group called the Birds of Prey. I am known as the Hawke. It is so cool. My first member was this boy named Ian. He is the Eagle. He's kind of a wuss though." "If he was a wuss why was he your first member?" "I don't know. He's my roommate and he was just there when I needed him I guess." "Did I just hear you right Trev? Did you say you needed someone?" Kiran laughed. "I didn't need him. I could have done what I did without him." "Just like the time you didn't need me when you fell into the swamp." "I didn't need your help. I could have got myself out." "Liar," smirked Kiran. "Maybe you should do some sex stuff with Ian since Ben won't do any with you." "Well...I did kinda did stuff with him." "What you mean kind of sorta?" "One night he jacked me off." "Like you use to do to me?" "Yeah." "And did you jack him off then?" "Nooooooo" "Why not?" "I don't know. I had my dry cum and I was done." "Man if I would have been Ian I would have kicked you in the balls for doing that to me." "What did I do?" "You had Ian get you off but then you didn't get him off. Didn't he want you to get him off?" "I don't know. I know he was hard but..." "So you left him high and dry." "I didn't mean too." "I hope Ian has a better friend then you then." "Hey I am a good friend," said Trevor as he started to get a little defensive. "A good friend wouldn't have done what you did to Ian. I hope his other friends treat him better then you did." "Ian really doesn't have any friends. No one seems to care for him much." "Do you care for him?" "Ian? He's a wuss." "Did he help you everytime you needed his help?" "The Hawke doesn't need help, but he was there just in case I did." "Maybe he needs your help." "My help? How?" "Maybe he needs a friend who will like him even though he is a wuss and no one else likes him." "You want me to be his friend?" "Sure why not?" "Because he's not you," said Trevor. ***** Dr. Daniels bent over and picked a yellow rose from the garden at his feet. He stood back up and took in a deep breath of the rose's sweet aroma. He closed his eyes as the aroma brought back sweet memories. "Oh Larry, it's so good to see you again." Dr. Daniels opened his eyes. Standing there with her long black hair dancing in the wind was Mary, his loving and sweet departed wife. "Mary? How can it be?" "Just one of those mysteries of space I guess." "Oh Mary I miss you so much. I am so sorry I wasn't there for you or the boys." "You had your job among the stars. I knew what I was marrying into when we married." "But the cancer." "How are the boys?" "They are growing so much. They both decided to be treated like the juvenile delinquent cadets then to be treated as family of officers. They are maturing so much." "And how you been Larry?" "Busy. I am chief medical officer on the "Lexington". It requires a lot of my time. I get to work with Steve Hatcher again." "That's wonderful. Steve is a great guy." "Well, things changed with Steve since you seen him last." "He did? How?" "It doesn't matter. What matters is that you are here with me." "Larry, I won't be here physically with you for long. This is just temporary." "I know," said Dr. Daniels wishing his wife could remain with him. "I just miss you so much and..." "And what?" "I should have been with you at the end. If my patients are nearing the end, I stay with them, but with you I didn't do that." "Larry you are a great physician. You saved so many lives. There would have been nothing you could have done to save me." "But I could have been with you. I could have supported you and be there for our boys. But instead I was off playing among the stars. Then I had the nerve to get our sons to live in my world and not theirs." "But you gave them the choice to go back to their world, didn't you?" "Yes I did. After Nipper ran away and was mistaken as a cadet and got injured." "So you guys went home then." "No we stayed. They both changed their minds." "You see, they chose to stay. Sure at first they didn't want to move away from their friends and familiar surroundings. But once they saw what lie out beyond the stars for them, they realized where their place was." Dr. Daniels walked hand in hand with Mary through the rose garden. They talked about so many different things. Dr. Daniels was in heaven. ***** Daniel Webster wiped his brow with his handkerchief. He crossed-examined witness after witness they testified his client was the reason they had died. Daniel Webster knew the witnesses the prosecuting attorney kept bringing to the witness stand were victims of his client. He could character assassin the witnesses and make them look unworthy to testify on the stand, but facts were facts. They were killed in cold blood, regardless what their background was. Webster knew he needed two specific kinds of witnesses to get his client off. The first witness had to be someone that his client killed. The other one had to be someone who was still alive. But how was he going to get what he needed? ***** "So you're a cadet commanding officer onboard an academy ship." "What was it like?" asked Johnny ignoring his brother, Craig's, comment. "What was what like?" "Dying." "It's hard to explain. Everything just goes black and that's it." "Did you do it on purpose?" "You mean OD?" "That's exactly what I mean." "And what answer do you want to hear?" "What do you mean?" asked a puzzled Johnny. "Do you want to hear the truth or do you want to hear what you want to hear?" "The truth." "All right. Yes, John I did it on purpose. I was tired of life and all the curve balls it was sending my way. I felt there was no out for me. So I OD'd." Johnny glared at his brother. "Shoot me why don't you? I'm dead anyway." "But I needed you! I looked up to you and you threw all that away. So what something bad happened to you. There were people who needed you for your leadership and friendship and loyalty. But you lost sight of all of that because of those fucken drugs." "Drugs aren't the only things that cause people to lose their sight on the happenings in their surroundings." "What do you mean?" "Anger can do it too. Hanging on to your past can be as much addictive as drugs can." "What were you angry about? What part of your past were you hanging to that you should have let go?" "I wasn't referring to me when I mentioned that. John you are hanging on to your past and you are letting anger blocking your sights on what is going on around you. You have people looking up to you to lead them to victory. Don't fall victim to the same mistakes I made." "How can you tell me this? You were a coward! For the longest time I thought you just miscalculated your intake on drugs, but you were a coward and a quitter. I looked up to you." Johnny was starting to get emotional. "You're right John. I was scared. I was a quitter. And you know what? I fucked up. I shouldn't have turned to those drugs for comfort. I shouldn't have taken my life in my own hands like I did, but we can argue and lay blame all we want to, but that isn't going to change the past. The past is there to stay and it's not going anywhere. But the future can change and you can be the one to change it. Show those SFA officers what you're made of. Show them the mustang that you once were. Get off your lazy fucken ass and stop feeling sorry for yourself and stop being a coward yourself and take a chance. Take that risk. If you fall on your face at least you tried. But if you give it your all and you fall on your face, I am willing to bet there will be people around you to help you up. But the course you are sailing on now, if you fall on your face, you are alone. Get out there John. Show them the mustang. Show them that they are a strong and dedicated horse. Get out there and kick some ass. Johnny just sat in the back of Arnie's liquor shop listening to his brother chew his ass. ***** "So Benjie how are your new horizons going?" asked Grandpa Teddy as he found a piece of straw weed and put it in his mouth. Ben looked up at his grandfather and saw the long stem protruding from his tired and wrinkled face. "You mean Douglas?" "So that's the young lad's name that your heart beats for?" Ben turned a little red, but smiled sheepishly. He couldn't hide anything from his Grandpa Teddy. "Tell Me Benjie, do you know what agape' is?" "No." "Agape' is a Greek word that means unconditional love. Agape' can come in many forms, but there is one form I have a hard time fathoming." "What's that?" "Rules to relationships." Ben's heart started to beat a little faster. He had a feeling where this conversation was going and he wasn't sure if he wanted to tread in these waters. "Wh..what do you mean?" "Ben do you love Douglas?" "Yes, very much so." "Do you trust Douglas?" "Of course I do." "Do you Ben?" "Why do you doubt me Grandpa Teddy?" "I just find it hard to believe that you trust Douglas." "Why?" "Because you had to set rules for your relationship. Granted relationships need some guidelines in it, but rules like you set fourth come from an untrusting heart. Do you believe Douglas loves you?" "I don't believe, I know. And I know I love him. When he was thrown back in time, the only thing I knew I had to do was get him back. Nothing else much mattered. I love him Grandpa. "Then trust him. For if you don't trust the person you love, then the love that you give to that person doesn't mount too much. Jealousy is an evil enemy of the heart. Don't become a victim to it. Take the love that Douglas gives you and turn it into trust and don't let the enemy run your heart. For if the enemy takes over your heart, then that something special you have could be lost forever and then that jealousy would turn to regret and living with regret is something you don't want to do. Trust me Benjie, I been there and I don't want to see that happen to you." By this time, Ben had tears running down his freckled faced. He didn't know what to say, so he just buried his face into his grandfather's chest. Grandpa Teddy wrapped his arms around his grandson as Ben sobbed his jealousy and untrustworthiness away. ***** Jesse skated somewhat wobbly down the ice as his grandfather blocked the goal. Jesse did a triple deke spun around and shot the puck towards the goal. Randy Hatcher dove for the puck, but the red light went on. Jesse scored. "Woo Hoo!!" yelled Jesse as he lifted up his hockey stick above his head and skated around. Then he lost his balance and fell back on his butt. "Not bad Jesse, but you need to work on your skating." "Pop Pop, I didn't realize how much fun hockey can be. I still like acting better, but this is fun too." "How come you never tried hockey before Jesse?" "Because Mark is really good and he is better then I am on the ice and Dad always put me down saying that I could never be as good as Mark, so I decided I wasn't going to try. That is when I fell in love with the stage." "I am glad you found something that you loved to do. Now let me show you this other move that I showed your father once." Randy Hatcher continued to show his grandson moves on the ice. Both the old man and the boy laughed, smiled and enjoyed a father/son type relationship. ***** Tyler sat on a crate playing a cello.It wasn't his, but it was the instrument he loved playing. His father played his violin looking down from time to time and giving Tyler a reassuring smile. The two of them were making such sweet music together. No words were exchanged between them the entire time. They just stayed together and played their instruments. People would walk by and throw some coins into the violin case. Even though at times they had a small group of people watching them, the only thing Tyler saw around him on this street corner was his dad next to him, playing his violin, and the only sounds he heard were the sounds of the vibrating strings of the two instruments. ***** Kiran and Trevor stood on the ground and looked up at their tree house. It was finally done. The tree house didn't look safe or sturdy since only two 12 year olds put it together but it was done. Something Trevor thought he would never see finished. "You're right, Trev." "About what?" "That Ian isn't me." "Of course I'm right. You're cool and he's a wuss." Kiran started to laugh. "What's so funny?" "Do you remember what you called me back in kindergarten when we first met?" Trevor thought really hard. Then he finally remembered. He bent his head in shame. And very softly he said "A wuss." "Trevor we were best friends. I don't hold you responsible for me dying. Those bad guys did it. Just like your brother's boyfriend said they did. But what I can't understand is why you are treating Ian the way you are. From what you told me he sounds like a nice guy who wants to be your friend. Why don't you want to be his?" Trevor started to cry. "Because he reminds me of you and I don't want him replacing you or dying like you." Kiran gave his best friend a hug. "Trev, Ian will never replace the memories that you and I made. Ian wants to make new memories that everyone so richly deserves. Just because you make a new best friend doesn't mean you want me any less as your friend. It's okay Trev to have a new best friend." Trev was crying and couldn't stop. He was beginning to think he was a wuss now for crying like he has been. Maybe his best friend was right. Maybe he was to be friends with Ian better then what he was doing. "Excuse me, boys. Which one of you is Trevor Collins?" "I am. Who are you?" asked Trevor as he looked at the man dressed in a suit and quickly wiping away the tears from his face before he saw them. "My name is Daniel Webster. I need your help." ***** Daniel Webster and Trevor walked into the hot crowded courtroom. Daniel Webster told Trevor to sit in the back seat of the courtroom. Daniel then proceeded to the table that Harrison Wolfe was sitting at. "What the hell you bringing him here for?" "To testify. You have been a big influence on his life. I want to show the jury members what you are doing good now and that you changed your ways." "No!! I won't do it. Do not put him on that stand." "Mr. SinClair if you want to win this case, you need him on that stand. This boy is your only ticket out of here." "Mr. Webster I done many things in my life that I am not pleased with. But I did them because a man had to survive the only way he knew how. And I did them for what I thought was a good cause. Now I am changing that. But unfortunately I guess I waited too long. These kids are looking up to me as a teacher. Not a hit man, not a killer, but a teacher. They trusted me and want to be like me. If you put him on that stand, he will find out what I truly am. A cold hearted killer. It's not easy finding out the dark secrets of a person you look up too. I won't shatter his image of me. It's the only good image I have." "So what do you want me to do?" "Take him out of the courtroom." "But you can't win without his testimony." "That's a chance I will have to take. If those jury members find me guilty, which they probably will, then at least there will be some good memories of me still alive. But if you bring that boy up on the stand and I am still found guilty, then there will be no good image of me left. Mr. Webster, let the boy go." Daniel Webster let out a disgruntled sigh. "Very well." Daniel Webster got up and went to Trevor. As the two of them were exiting the courtroom, they heard the bailiff call "All rise." Daniel Webster then returned and took his seat. He had no witnesses, he wasn't allowed to cross examine the witnesses that the prosecuting attorney brought fourth and his request for a new jury was rejected as well. But Daniel Webster wasn't going to give in just yet. To him giving up was not an option. ***** Sparks flew and the shuttle filled up with some smoke. Commander Creevey fought like hell to keep the "Lady Hawke" from drowning in the deep nothingness of space. All systems were failing and there wasn't much hope left. But then the rocking and shaking of the shuttle stopped. The windows showed that the storm had passed. So did the comet. She looked out the window and she saw a planet. Daybreak was coming. ***** Captain Hatcher sat in one of the chairs in the darken ready room. He hadn't spoken a word to Jay in a long time. As far as he was concerned his conversation with him was through. Jay just stood against the bulkhead silent. He had spoken his peace. Now it was all on his friend. "Well Steve my time here is done. Don't be a cold-hearted rapist like me. Don't rape your son Jesse of his life with you, like I raped your wife." Steve looked up to look at Jay and to say something, but he was gone. ***** Dr. Daniels stopped and turned and kissed his wife. He loved the feel of her gentle lips on his. He then pulled back and smiled. "God how I love you Mary. Each night when I sleep in my office, there is a certain time each night I can feel your love for me. I can feel you taking care of me." "Larry, that isn't my love you feel." "It's not?" "No Larry it's not. And now its time for me to move on just like it's time for you to move on and seek that love that you feel each night. Good-bye Larry. I love you and I will always be with you." "Mary, don't go. Not yet." But it was too late. She was gone. ***** Daniel Webster looked on the table that sat in front of him. There were two books sitting on it. The Holy Bible and "The Devil and Daniel Webster" by Stephen Vincent Benet. Asking for the book that was written about him was the only request that wasn't denied by the judge. He wanted to see how he had defeated the devil or at least how people perceived it. Webster turned and looked at the jury. All of them were Americans in their former lives, but they were all bastards, liars, traitors and naves. He stood up strong and stern and walked over to the jury of the damned. And he began to speak the words of the book on the table behind him. "I was going to thunder and roar. I shall not do that. I was going to denounce and defy. I shall not do that. You have judged this man already with your abominable justice. See that you defend it. For I shall not speak of this man. " "You are demons now, but once you were men. I shall speak to every one of you. Of common things I speak, of small things and common. The freshness of morning to the young, the taste of food to the hungry, the day's toil, the rest by the fire, the quiet sleep." "These are good things. But without freedom they sicken, without freedom they are nothing. Freedom is the bread and the morning and the risen sun. It was for freedom we came in the boats and the ships. It was for freedom we came." "It has been a long journey, a hard one, a bitter one. But, out of the wrong and the right, the sufferings and the starvations, there is a new thing, a free thing." "The traitors in their treachery, the wise in their wisdom, the valiant in their courage—all, all have played a part. It may not be denied in hell nor shall hell prevail against it. Have you forgotten this? Have you forgotten the forest? Have you forgotten your lost nation? Have you forgotten the sea and the way of ships? You were men once. Have you forgotten? "Now here is this man with good and evil in his heart. Do you know him? He is your brother. Will you take the law of the oppressor and bind him down? It is not for him that I speak. It is for all of you. "There is sadness in being a man but it is a proud thing, too. There is failure and despair on the journey—the endless journey of mankind. We are tricked and trapped—we stumble into the pit—but, out of the pit, we rise again. No demon that was ever foaled can know the inwardness of that—only men—bewildered men. "They have broken freedom with their hands and cast her out from the nations—yet shall she live while man lives. She shall live in the blood and the heart—she shall live in the earth of this country—she shall not be broken. When the whips of the oppressors are broken and their names forgotten and destroyed, I see you, mighty, shining, liberty, liberty! I see free men walking and talking under a free star. God save the United States and the men who have made her free and to keep her free." Daniel Webster walked over to his chair and sat down. He looked up at the judge. "The defense rests." The judge looked at the jury. "The jury will retire to the consider its verdict." Harrison Wolfe watched as each member of the jury, a victim of his crimes, filed out of the courtroom. All he could do now was wait. ***** Hatcher found himself in a bunk in the back of the "Lady Hawke". He quickly got up and went to the front. He saw Commander Creevey sending out a distress call. She had managed to get communications working and she reached the "Lexington" and soon they would be by to rescue them. "Amanda, what happened?" "Captain, you're awake? You and everyone else have been in some sort of a trance or coma during the entire storm. I managed to get us through but the "Lady Hawke" took a severe beating. But the "Lexington: will be here in about 2 hours to get us." "Mary!" yelled Dr. Daniels as he woke up. He looked around and realized he was back on the shuttle. "Are you okay, doctor?" asked Commander Creevey as she went over to him. He looked down at his hands and realized he was still holding the yellow rose he had picked. He lifted it to his nose and smelled it. "Yes, Commander, I am okay. Thank you." Trevor woke up. He looked around and saw his brother sitting in the back still unconscious. He stood up and went over to see Ben. As he walked he felt something cold and hard fall down inside his pants leg. He shook his leg and out came a couple of nails that fell through the hole in his pocket. "Hey little brother," said Ben as he woke up. "Ben, I had the weirdest dream," said Trev. "It was no dream Trevor. It was peace." Ben and Trevor hugged each other. Johnny woke up. He looked around. He saw Trevor hug his brother Ben. He didn't know what just happened but he knew what he had to do now as soon as they got back to the Lexington. It was time for him to become the mustang once more and lead his crew to victory. Tyler sat in his chair holding a violin. He knew it was his father's. He didn't know or understand what happened but what happen help his healing of his heart so much. "I love you dad," whispered Tyler as a single tear rolled down his cheek. Jesse woke up. He saw his dad ensuring everyone was okay. Then his dad came over to him. "You okay, Jesse?" "Yeah, I'm okay." Jesse sat in nervously in his chair.. Hatcher and Jesse turned their heads as Trevor spoke loudly. "Why isn't Mr. Wolfe waking up?" Dr. Daniels went over to Harrison Wolfe's body. He felt his pulse and opened his eyes to look at them. "Excuse me, doctor, but can you let go of my eye lid now." said Wolfe "Sorry. Mr. Wolfe, but I thought you might not have made it." "I almost didn't. But I managed as I always do." Wolfe looked down on his lap and their sitting on it was the book "The Devil and Daniel Webster". He then mouthed the words "thank you". Everyone sat at their stations waiting for their rescue to come. "Look!! There she is!" yelled Ben as he pointed to the "Lexington". Soon they would all be back home. Hatcher looked down at his son's feet. He noticed something odd and peculiar. "Jesse, where did you get those skates?" He was referring to the ice skates on Jesse's feet. "Someone special gave them to me." "Well take them off, you won't need them." "But I will need them dad. I'm going out for the hockey team." ***** The Jdakalmar comet had passed. Nakoo's sun started to rise, sending its rays to touch the planet and shake it awake with its light and warmth. The male Nakoosians emerged from the Jdakalmar Temples where the female Nakoosians greeted them by throwing flowers at them and bringing fresh fruit to them on a tray. Singing and music flood the nations of Nakoo as the feast begins. The male Nakoosians eat and drink and tell the females about their meditation in the temples. The air is filled with joy and excitement, but most importantly, male Nakoosians seemed to be at peace not only with each other, but with themselves. For the next day the Nakoosians would sing and dance and celebrate the living by remembering the dead. The comet Jdakalmar continued its lonely journey, oblivious to its bicentennial impact on lives. To be continued......