Peter thought about distracting them long enough for M.W.G.D. to arrive, but he saw somebody else in the distance. With three of them in that small area, Peter speculated that theme might be as many as a hundred around the dome and any one of them could puncture a hole in it. He had to do something that would effect all of them.
The person who had fired at him took Peter's weapon. Peter was once again unarmed.
"Did you tell anyone else about our operation?" she demanded.
"That was a rather stupid question," thought Peter though he didn't dare say it outloud.
"Who did you tell?" she asked when Peter didn't answer.
Once again Peter remained silent. As long as they were worried about who he had told, he could regain at least partial control of the situation in spite of the circumstances. Looking around, he spotted someone else making at least four of them.
The suited figure took hem weapon and held it a few centimeters away from Peter's face.
"If you don't tell me who knows you're out here right now, I will kill you," she threatened. "I know this place will be swarming with security if I kill you, but that's a risk I'm willing to take."
Peter looked down and saw a ship moving up slowly until it was directly behind her. For a ship the size of a small tank, it was remarkably silent. The suited figure turned around and screamed when she saw the ship. A mechanical hand came out of the ship and grabbed her by the arm. She dropped thee gun which bounced harmlessly off the dome and fell to the ground.
With her free hand, she took Peter's weapon and fired at the ship. It had no effect. A doom opened and the mechanical hand slowly pulled her inside. She yelled something at Peter just before the door closed, but Peter couldn't understand a word she said.
"Thanks for your help!" Peter sighed greatfully. "I didn't expect you to get here so soon."
"I'm not with M.W.G.D.," said the pilot. "Phybliana might have sabotaged our security force, but we do keep a ship or two handy in case of such an emergency. I'd estimate they're about twenty of them. Every time I spot one, he flies away. This one I could sneak up on thanks to you."
"Just keep them moving," advised Peter. "M.W.G.D. is on its way."
With a sigh of relief, Peter returned to the airlock. By the time he got back to the marathon, the race was over and Gammeid had won.
TIME : 10:00 P.M. (22:00)
PLACE : The Main Olympic Stadium
Hank, Linda, Lisa, and Shawn joined Peter and Detrina in the Earth section for the closing ceremonies. Unlike the opening ceremonies, it wasn't restricted to just the Olympic teams. The people were more relaxed as they got together one last time before going their separate ways.
The individuals and teams who won each event were honored as a group. Next, the Terni team was honored for having the highest score overall.
"You missed the end of the marathon," whispered Detrina. "It was really exciting. The two runners were side by side until the last 200 meters when Gammeid turned it up a notch. The other runner just couldn't keep up. It's a good thing he won the marathon. That new kid from Triax came in third. Triax may win the next marathon if he's not careful."
"Gammeid has two years to worry about it," insisted Peter. "Three years by Terni's calendar."
"Are you going to be in the next Olympics?" Detmina wondered hopefully.
"No," snapped Peter. "Once is enough for me."
The Terni team and the winners from other planets were congratulated by Farlos and Terni Ristochae, the owners of Terni, who had been watching the events in person. The athletes returned to where they had been, but Farlos and Terni stayed where they were to present the next award.
"It gives me great pleasure to present the award for best example of the Olympic Spirit," Famlos announced. "Every year the athletes vote for the person they think has shown the best example of friendship, determination, and a commitment to excellence. The first time the award was given..."
"You said you were going to ask me something after the Olympics was over," Peter whispered eagerly while Farlos was talking.
"I don't think now is the right time," stammered Detrina.
"Farlos had agreed to let me put a new M.W.G.D. base on Terni," Shawn quickly cut in. "and I want you to be in charge of it. As of might now I am promoting you to Admiral and I'm putting you in charge of the base as soon as it is completed. I am also promoting Detrina to Commander and putting her under your supervision."
"Congratulations!" smiled Hank.
"I always knew you'd be an Admiral someday," complimented Lisa.
"Way to go, Peter!" exclaimed Linda. "You too, Detrina!"
"You realize of course we won't be able to see each other as much," Peter reminded them.
"It won't be a total loss," Lisa assumed him. "Shawn has promoted Hank, Linda, and me to Vice Admiral and we'll stay at M.W.G.D. Headquarters as part of his personal staff. Our first job is to test the new M.W.G.D. base on Terni so we won't be leaving you just yet."
"As long as we're going to be working together, I was wondering..." started Detrina.
"...and the winner is..." continued Farlos pausing a few seconds for suspence. "Peter Buckwell, the sole competitor from Earth!"
Peter was stunned. He didn't even expect to be nominated for the award, much less win it. Slowly he walked up to Farlos with the crowd cheering all around him. Detrina walked beside him to give him some support (or at least that's what he thought). The two of them held hands as they made their way towards the center of the stadium.
Peter shook hands with Farlos and Terni Ristochae and took the award. When he started leaving, the crowd started asking him to give a speech. The crowd became surprisingly quiet as Peter got ready to speak.
"It wasn't easy being the only competitor for my planet," he said looking deep into the crowd. "To tell you the truth, I didn't think I was good enough for such an event, but as time went on I realized that it didn't matter how well I did as long as I did my best. That's all I can ask of myself and that's all I can ask of you, to do your best."
The crowd began to cheer once more as Peter started to leave.
"I have something I'd like to say," Detrina informed him nervously. "I have known Peter for a long time and I'd like to know if he will agree to marry me."
Peter thought he couldn't be any more stunned than he was when he won Best Example of the Olympic Spirit, but he was wrong. In the span of several minutes he had been promoted, transferred, won a major award, and received a marriage proposal. It was too much for him to take in all at once.
Finding himself unable to speak, Peter meekly nodded.
"Yes!" he exclaimed. "I would be delighted to marry you."
The crowd roamed even louder than before as the two of them embraced and continued to cheer long after they returned to their places.
"Why didn't you ask me when we were alone?" wondered Peter after the noise had finally died down.
"I knew you wouldn't turn me down in public," Detmina chuckled.
Peter looked at her. She smiled and kissed him once more.
"Things are certainly going to be different around here," thought Peter.
Copyright MCMXCV, MCMXCIX
