Post to archives is encouraged as long as my name and title stay with the story.
Author's Note: Beware of spoilers. You should read all of my previous stories up through "Bundle of Joy," and also "The Arrival - Parts 1 through 3," "Crosscurrents," and "Someday" before reading "The Gift."
Please feel free to use any of my characters for your own fanfictions, but keep their name and status quo as is in "The Gift," and please tell me so I can read your story.
Summary: Haunted by the memories of his late wife, Commander William Boone struggles to find inner peace within himself, to no avail. In response to his friend's crisis, Ffuga bestows upon Boone a life-altering gift.
This story is the part of my "alternate universe" EFC series. My alternate universe EFC series begins immediately following my story "Bundle of Joy," and contains numerous aspects not found on the actual show.
Special thanks goes to Brown Unicorn (aka Browny) for allowing me to use her characters of Agent Mike Stansfield and En'ley in this story. These characters can be found in more of Browny's stories. Please ask permission from Browny or any other author before using their characters in your stories.
All of my stories take place in an EFC universe that is basically similar to that of the actual series, but with a lot of my own characters and ideas blended into it. For this reason, please remember that my story arcs and plots will not always be completely accurate with those of the other fanfiction authors whose characters I sometimes use in my own fanfiction, or of the actual series.
* * *
"Since when did you learn how to pilot a Taelon shuttle?"
"Since Augur taught me," Liam Kincaid responded with a wink, as he turned around to glance at William Boone.
"You and Augur have sure become buddy-buddy, haven't you?" Boone observed. Boone was constantly astounded at all the contacts Liam had made since his death. In a way, he felt sort of envious, not to mention slightly hostile as Liam's father, Ha'gel, had been the one who'd wounded him.
"That is enough!" Da'an reprimanded his two best protectors. The North American Companion blushed Taelon blue. "I will not tolerate this futile rivalry between the two of you!"
"Yes, Da'an speaks words of wisdom," consented Ffuga, the Kneeloi Ambassador to the United States. Ffuga, who sat in a passenger seat of the shuttle next to Da'an, reached over and amiably squeezed Da'an's hand.
Liam, who was piloting their shuttle, turned his attention back to the shuttle's control panel. He pouted immaturely. Da'an always seemed to be bossing him around, he thought. Major Kincaid knew of the special relationship which had developed between Da'an and Boone prior to his own birth. Liam wanted nothing more than to have a bond of that very magnitude with Da'an, as well.
With his free hand, Ffuga clasped his grip around Boone's and smiled warmly at the man whom he'd resurrected. Boone felt he owed his life to Ffuga - - after all, the Kneeloi had used mystical alien powers to bring Boone back from the dead. Ffuga directed a tender, affectionate gaze at Boone. Da'an took notice. The Companion frowned slightly. He couldn't help but feel a tiny bit resentful toward Ffuga. Before the Kneeloi arrival, the Taelon had always had a genuinely strong connection with Boone. Now, that link seemed to be invaded by Ffuga's presence more often than not. Yet, at the same time Da'an also could not control his gratitude toward Ffuga for bringing back his implant and friend.
"Landing," announced Liam, maneuvering the shuttle out of inter-dimensional.
Their party planned to attend a charity banquet being held for Julie Payton. A young lady who'd previously undergone an unsuccessful Taelon procedure in cell regeneration, Julie now was confined to the hospital with a severe form of heart cancer. Money was being raised by the Payton family to go toward funding cancer research and hopefully a successful operation for Julie.
"We shall discuss these matters later," spoke Ffuga, sensing the thick tension within their cramped shuttle. "But right now, Julie Payton needs our help."
"Ffuga is right." Da'an nodded at his protectors. "Commander Boone, Major Kincaid, if you'll lead the way . . ."
* * *
"At this point in time, I am undecided as to how I feel on this matter." President Yo'og surveyed the individuals who were seated with him inside the Oval Office.
"The decision is quite obvious, Yo'og," stated Zo'or, bluntly. "There is no reason why we should not proceed with the 'Second Chances' project." The Synod speaker gazed deep into the eyes of his fellow Taelon.
"It is my opinion that we are pondering this option for humanity too early," Da'an voiced. "Let us consider the factors."
"What factors?" Zo'or challenged. "Da'an, I believe that you simply fear progress and change."
"Listen to Da'an," stressed Liam, looking straight at Zo'or. "By introducing 'Second Chances' to the general public, you are creating the opportunity for increased worldwide overpopulation."
"How is that any different from what the Kneeloi are doing?" Zo'or rebutted with a hint of bitterness in his voice. "They resurrect human lives at will."
"That has only been done a select number of times," pointed out Vice-president Maria Rodriguez. "Zo'or, you're proposing the mass commercialization of restoring one's youth. The wealthy are especially going to take advantage of this. Some people may choose to undergo the procedure repeatedly, prolonging their lives indefinitely. Humans could conceivably opt to live for literally centuries!"
"Zo'or, Vice-president Rodriguez is correct," agreed Da'an. "Why has the Synod ignored discussion of these potential consequences?"
"We're talking about human lives here," Major Kincaid added in.
"There will not be any lives remaining on Earth if we do not defeat the Jaridians," Zo'or fired back. "In order to do that, we need strong, healthy human beings to bio-engineer as warriors."
"In other words, robots?!" Rodriguez called Zo'or on his claim.
Zo'or glared at the vice-president. "I do not believe you fully grasp the severity of the situation, Vice-president Rodriguez. In order to salvage . . ."
"No, I've heard your side of the story," Rodriguez cut Zo'or off. "But we haven't gotten a chance to hear what the Jaridians have to say about this. Nor has the general public been given a say in the matter. The problem, Zo'or, is that you want to control everything. You want to run the entire show!"
"It would be wise for you to listen to Zo'or, Vice-president Rodriguez," spoke up Sandoval. "The Jaridian race will not sit back and listen to diplomacy."
"How do you know? Have you ever met a Jaridian?" Liam demanded from Sandoval.
"I have filled Agent Sandoval in on the necessary details of this matter," Zo'or explained. He turned to Rodriguez. "Yo'og understands this situation and agrees with me on it. You had best follow his example."
Maria Rodriguez glanced at the president. "Is that true, Yo'og?"
President Yo'og shifted uneasily in his seat. "I cannot make such a large decision as this completely by myself."
"Yes, you can," contradicted Zo'or. "You have the executive power to recommend the 'Second Chances' program to the AMA, and to publicly endorse it."
"So you basically want Yo'og to be your puppet?" Vice-president Rodriguez folded her arms and frowned at Zo'or.
"You are taking Zo'or's words out of context," Sandoval told Rodriguez.
"No, I don't think I am."
"I don't think she is either," Liam cut in. "It's obvious that someone is spinning the truth." His eyes focused on Zo'or pointedly.
"Of course YOU would say that!" Zo'or sneered at Liam.
"That is enough!" interrupted Da'an, closing his eyes in exasperation. "From all of you! Have you lost sight of what really matters?"
"Have YOU?" Zo'or retorted.
"I will lay the situation to rest," President Yo'og suddenly spoke up. "Since I do not feel informed enough as of yet to make a decision in relation to this topic, I shall temporarily waiver such discretion to Vice-president Rodriguez."
Sandoval raised his eyebrows. "Meaning?"
"Rodriguez gets to call the shots," Liam interpreted for Sandoval.
All eyes were now on Rodriguez. But the vice-president seemed anything but intimidated.
"Sorry Zo'or, but I'm not going to give my approval to the 'Second Chances' program . . . yet," Rodriguez declared. "Until Yo'og and I make further developments and until more procedural testing is done, all action related to 'Second Chances' is suspended . . . for now."
* * *
"Will."
"Kate?"
"Will, come to me."
William Boone could see the ghostly image of his beautiful wife, her bright smile, her silky short blond hair and heavenly blue eyes. As Boone and Kate drew closer to each other, their surroundings became darker until they formed a small, dimly-lit island of light amongst a sea of blackness. Kate reached out her hand. Slowly, Boone extended his own hand, his finger poised to touch his wife's palm. He leaned in closely to kiss the nape of Kate's neck. Boone then noticed the familiar birthmark that his wife had always had below her cheek. It was shaped almost like a heart.
All of a sudden, a blinding nova of enormous brightness emerged from nowhere. Boone practically jumped out of his skin. Kate screamed. The vision of Kate being hit by a car entered Boone's mind, and he yelled out for her. But the image of Kate gradually faded until it became so faint that it was merely a distant memory.
Boone awoke in bed, perspiring like crazy. He instantly made a run for the bathroom . . .
Hours passed. Boone could not fall back asleep. He tossed and turned, but was still sweating and panting atop his noticeably half-empty king-sized bed. Finally, at 3:30 a.m., William resolved that he was up for the night. Reaching over to awkwardly grasp the telephone receiver from his nightstand phone, Boone dialed Lili's number.
"Hello?" Lili answered groggily on the other end of the phone.
"Lili, it's me."
"Boone, do you know what time it is? Why are you still up"
William told his friend of the nightmare.
"So I won't be reporting in for work tomorrow. Please tell Da'an for me."
"He'll understand. Why didn't you call Liam?"
"He stays at Augur's. Augur has an unlisted number, and I don't know what it is. Oh, and be sure to tell Liam too. See if he'll also explain my absence to Ffuga."
"I'm sure he will. But Sandoval and I may stop by Ffuga's embassy tomorrow anyway."
"I gotta go, Lili. I feel sick again . . ."
"Get better, Boone."
Boone hung up the phone and made another run for the bathroom . . .
By morning, Boone was completely weathered. His hair was tousled and his stomach felt empty and exhausted after a night of periodic regurgitation. Around 10:00 a.m., he heard his doorbell ring.
"I'll get it," Boone mumbled sleepily to no one in particular.
He opened his door. Standing on the other end were Ffuga and his protector, Colonel Angie Truman. A banana-shaped Kneeloi pod was resting in Boone's front yard.
"Ffuga?!" Boone was taken aback in surprise. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see you. May I come in?"
Boone gestured hospitably and moved aside. Ffuga and Truman stepped inside his house. The American Kneeloi gazed around the living room, taking in every nook and cranny he could see of Boone's home.
"Nice place you got here," grunted Colonel Truman.
"Thanks, Truman," William Boone replied.
"Lili and Liam both told me that you are not feeling well." Ffuga's face showed deep concern for Commander Boone's welfare. "Please tell me what ails you."
"You came all the way down here to ask me how I'm feeling?" Boone could hardly believe it. He was touched. "Please, sit down."
Angie had a seat atop a red velvet footstool next to the living room's wicker coffee table. Ffuga took a comfortable spot on a floral-patterned armchair that contained a spectacular mixture of reds, pinks, oranges, and yellows.
"That was my wife's favorite chair," Boone told Ffuga, as he took another seat.
"Really?" Ffuga then noticed a subtle tear inconspicuously sliding down Boone's cheek, as it reflected off the sunlight streaming through the living room windows.
"Is that her?" Angie pointed to a framed picture of Kate positioned on the coffee table.
Boone nodded solemnly. "I miss her so much," he whispered. "For nights on end now, I've had recurring dreams about Kate. We touch, but then she's taken away from me . . . again . . . and again . . . and again."
Ffuga clutched the hand of his friend, Commander William Boone. "You wish to be with her?"
Boone nodded again, through tears. "I just struggle with the reality that I'll never see her again!"
"Doesn't your CVI allow you to grasp memories of Kate?" inquired Ffuga.
"Yes . . . but it's not the same," Boone sighed.
"I know how you feel, Boone," admitted Angie Truman. "I suffered through the same ordeal when Walter was taken away from me." She made a quick, almost resentful, side-glance toward Ffuga. "But I simply picked up the shattered pieces of my life and moved on. You've got to do the same. I know it sounds easier than it actually is, but trust me on this one."
Commander Boone yawned sleepily. "I really need to try to get some rest. I'm sorry I wasn't a better host."
"Think nothing of it," Ffuga assured him.
William slunk back into his bedroom, while Angie and Ffuga headed back to the shuttle. As their blue-skinned Kneeloi pilot veered the shuttle upward directed toward the embassy, Colonel Truman turned to her Kneeloi superior.
"Ffuga, you're not thinking what I think you are, are you?"
The alien made no reply.
* * *
"So, we finally meet."
Agent Ronald Sandoval briskly greeted his newfound confidant.
"Yes. Thank you for coming," replied the soft, soothing, alien voice. "We share a common enemy, and I am pleased that we shall be allies."
Sandoval peered through the misty cloud of dark, cool-colored fog within the chamber. "Our relationship thus far has certainly been most intriguing," he said. "It was quite clever of you to communicate with me via satellite signals, to conceal your true identity."
"I am flattered," replied the voice sweetly, "by your words. But now that you know who I am, let us plan our strategy."
"That sounds like a good idea." Sandoval paused. "What in particular is your personal vendetta against Zo'or, if I might ask?"
"A friend of mine has been hurt by him," the voice explained. "My friend has conveyed to me what Zo'or's true motives are. Ultimately, Zo'or's totalitarian aggression may come to impact the entire universe, if he is not stopped. What is your history with Zo'or?"
"He and I go back a long way," Sandoval slightly exaggerated. "He ruined my life . . . and now I must destroy his."
"I see." The feminine voice paused. "Any suggestions as to what we should do? I have a few."
"When the time is right," Sandoval divulged, "I plan to eliminate him." He held up his skrill.
"No, no. That is not wise. Deep down you are a good person, Agent Sandoval. I can sense it. Revenge will still be ours, and you do not need to sacrifice your own life in order to attain it."
"What do you suggest?"
Most of the cloudy mist in the chamber parted. Shooma, the Kneeloi Ambassador to India, stepped closer to Sandoval.
"When we get done with Zo'or," she grinned, "Taelons everywhere will see your human race in a different light."
"I like your way of thinking," Sandoval grinned back.
The purple-skinned Kneeloi being blinked several times. She gestured with her slender hands as she spoke.
"Beings need to learn to embrace new possibilities and acceptance of other species," Shooma expressed. "Even many misguided members of my own race must learn to do this . . ."
* * *
Beep! Meep! Beep!
Boone's global beeped off, from where it sat on his nightstand. Wearily sitting up in bed, Boone opened the link. "What?" He was so drowsy that he'd forgotten to give the standard command of "Go!"
"Commander Boone." Ffuga's face appeared on the screen of Boone's global. "Report to my embassy. Immediately."
"Ffuga," whined Boone. "I don't feel up to traveling right now . . ."
"Boone, do as I say!" Ffuga instructed, almost harshly. "You will thank me for this later. I expect to see you in my private quarters within the next hour."
Ffuga abruptly cut the link.
Boone got dressed and trudged outside. A banana-shaped Kneeloi pod was waiting outside for him on Boone's front lawn.
"The neighbors must really be wondering . . . ," muttered Boone.
He boarded the mini-pod which was driven by a green-skinned female Kneeloi shuttle pilot.
"Greetings, Commander Boone," she welcomed him in her soft, harmonious voice.
The pilot ascended her shuttle into the starry night sky, and landed it on the launchpad of Ffuga's Kneeloi embassy, a spherical structure that orbited around in circular revolutions above the city of Washington D.C. 24 hours a day.
Before long, William Boone was positioned in front of Ffuga inside the American Kneeloi's private chamber.
"Yes Ffuga?" Boone nodded courteously.
"Commander Boone, I have been thinking about what you spoke of earlier."
"Which was?"
"Your wife."
Colonel Truman shifted from one foot to the other, anxiously.
"My wife?"
"Yes."
Boone said nothing.
"I mean not to cause you any more pain than you have already suffered." Ffuga stood up and approached Boone. He faced his protector. "On the contrary, I intend to do precisely the opposite." Ffuga placed both of his palms on the sides of Boone's head. "Think of your wife, commander. Please. Close your eyes and envision her. Remember her."
With his eyes shut tight, Boone's CVI flashed his mind backwards in time. He recalled his joyous moments with Kate, walking with her in the park, having a romantic picnic by the river, making love to her . . ."
As Boone recollected these wonderful memories, glittering swirls of energy emerged simultaneously from his head and from Ffuga's palms. The energy carried itself to the center of the room, and began to formulate a human body. Gradually, the dazzling sparkles were replaced by regenerated body cells, delicate physical features, and women's clothing. A human female stood in the center of Ffuga's embassy, incredibly baffled. She had stylish blond hair cut neatly to her chin, and wore a dazed expression on her face.
Boone could hardly breathe. A tear rolled down his cheek. "Kate?" he choked out in a whisper.
"Will?!" Kate Boone gasped in disbelief. "It's you!!"
Boone ran to his wife and embraced her. Ffuga was taken aback with joy and sentimentality. Angie simply eyed the situation critically.
"I've dreamt of this moment every since you . . ." Boone couldn't finish the sentence.
"Will, where am I?" Kate asked, gazing around the embassy. She was wearing the same clothes she'd had on the night of her car accident.
Boone actually laughed out loud. "I don't even know where to begin!" He hugged his wife even tighter, his eyes flooding over with tears.
After countless moments, Will and Kate loosened their embrace on each other. "Who are they?" asked Kate, pointing at Ffuga and Colonel Truman.
Sighing, Boone flashed a subtle grin at Kate, on that made Kate's heart melt as she fell in love with her husband all over again, as though they were still in their twenties.
"So much has changed," was all Boone could manage to say. Too many of the memories were too painful.
Kate leaned in toward William once more, never wanting to let go of her husband. As Boone tenderly kissed Kate's neck, he noticed that her heart-shaped birthmark was still there. This was definitely his wife. Of course, he could now expect the unexpected to happen with the Kneeloi living on Earth. After all, Ffuga had brought Boone back from the dead. Now that Ffuga had resurrected Kate, the circle was complete.
"I love you, Will," Kate whispered.
"I've loved you always." Will gently kissed his wife on the lips. "I've never stopped loving you. Not even when we were apart."
Ffuga waited a few more moments before approaching the reunited couple. "We have much to discuss," he said, grinning from ear to ear.
Angie stayed by Ffuga's chair, pouting with her arms folded. "It's not fair," the colonel grumbled resentfully under her breath.
She was thinking of Walter.
* * *
"This . . . is a miracle," gaped Da'an, who was still recovering from the initial shock of the good news.
"It must be a momentous time for Boone," commented Liam Kincaid, trying to sound supportive. Secretly though, Liam was thrilled to hear of Kate's resurrection. He hoped that all the extra time which would be spent together by Will and Kate might allow for him to get closer to Da'an.
The Companion rotated his head slowly toward Liam. "We must prepare for their visit. Boone and his wife are coming here today, along with Ffuga and Crroba."
"I know," Liam replied. Angie had filled him in on the details earlier.
Footsteps could be heard click-clacking against the floor of the corridor leading into Da'an's audience chamber. William and Kate Boone, their hands firmly linked, entered the room. The Boones were followed by Ffuga and Crroba, the purple-skinned Kneeloi High Commander. Colonel Angie Truman escorted the two Kneelois.
"Mrs. Boone, I wish you nothing but happiness with your return to Earth." Da'an reached out and joined hands with Kate.
"It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Da'an," replied Kate breathlessly. "Will speaks very highly of you."
"Your husband has served me as a very loyal implant and friend. I know he loves you immensely."
Kate blushed.
Liam extended his hand to Kate. "Major Liam Kincaid, Da'an's protector," he introduced himself.
"Pleased to meet you." Kate shook hands with Liam. She paused. "I thought Will is Da'an's protector?"
"He is," confirmed Major Kincaid. "And so am I. And so is Sandoval. And so is Mike."
"They're all long stories," Boone vaguely explained to his wife.
Crroba cleared his throat. "Granted, I am quite happy for your reunion, Commander Boone. However, I thought you should all be aware that Ffuga infringed upon sanctions set by our Kneeloi elders when he . . . resurrected Mrs. Boone."
"I don't care!" Kate Boone blurted out. "Ffuga brought my husband and I back together."
Boone looked warmly at the green-skinned American Kneeloi. "This was the best gift you could ever have given me, Ffuga."
Da'an crossed his eyes enviously.
"Be that as it may," Crroba continued, "Ffuga nevertheless violated an edict of our race." The Kneeloi High Commander shot an annoyed frown at Ffuga. In response, the American Kneeloi bowed his head shamefully.
"Please don't punish him," Kate pleaded with Crroba. "He did a good thing."
Crroba sighed. "Very well. But Ffuga, this is your final warning. In the event that you resurrect another human being, you will be promptly reassigned to another post and sent back to the homeplanet."
Ffuga nodded. "I understand."
"As High Commander, I have been given this particular discretion by the elders to rule your fate in this specific matter. Notwithstanding, if you violate this decree again, the elders will be forced to intervene and order disciplinary actions against you. We set up restrictions prohibiting human resurrections for a reason. Eventually, it will be allowed. But thus far, it is not."
"If I may ask," Boone solicited from Crroba, "how did you find out about Kate's resurrection?"
"Gahha informed me," Crroba stiffly responded.
Boone and Liam exchanged strained glances with each other.
"Yes," admitted Ffuga. "Gahha found out about your resurrection, Commander Boone. Since it was known that your wife preceded you in death, other Kneelois who saw you and Kate together must have concluded my actions. Any one of them could have told Gahha."
"I ultimately would have known," Crroba coldly speculated.
"Well let us not dwell on past events," Da'an suggested, regaining his composure. "Let us instead look toward the future."
* * *
Sandoval sat at his computer aboard the Taelon mothership. He rapidly browsed through a collection of images via his computer screen using the enhanced functions of his CVI. Then out of the blue, the Asian implant felt some cold, clammy fingers grab onto his shoulder.
Agent Ronald Sandoval whipped his head around and came face-to-face with the red-headed Diana VanKirk.
"Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" The devious rogue rumbled with laughter in Sandoval's face.
"What do you want?!" Sandoval snapped at Diana, putting on a brave exterior. Secretly, he was intimidated by the scary woman.
"I know you're afraid of me," grunted Diana in her deep voice, as she read Sandoval's mind. "As well you should be!"
"Save the antics, Ms. VanKirk. I don't have time for this!"
"Oh, I think you do!"
"Just say whatever you're going to say, and then be on your way!" Sandoval instructed impatiently. "I've had about enough of your games."
"The games have only just begun," Diana cackled. "I know what you're planning, Sandoval."
"I have no idea what you speak of." Sandoval pretended to be ignorant.
"Oh, you know exactly what I mean," Diana told him. "I'm referring to the cute little plans you've made with Shooma to get revenge on Zo'or."
"How could you possibly know about that?!"
"Because I know everything!"
"Well keep your voice down! I don't want Zo'or to overhear."
"Don't worry, I have plans of my own for Zo'or." Diana wore a devious gleam upon her face. "And for you."
Sandoval gulped. "So Diana," he said, "if you really know everything, then tell me why the Kneeloi have come to Earth. What is their underlying agenda?"
Diana cackled again. "That's for me to know and for you to find out."
"Are they here to cause harm to humanity?"
"Maybe."
"Well tell me more."
"I'll give you a hint." Diana bugged out her eyes. "Some of the Kneelois are even worse than some of the Taelons. But other Kneelois are better than even the best Taelons. And others fall in-between. They're much more heterogeneous than the Taelon race. You get to figure the rest out . . . if you can!"
"Why don't you just quit talking in riddles and tell me what you know?!"
"Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Before Sandoval could say another word, Diana had vanished into thin air.
* * *
"So this is where you hang out?"
Kate Boone surveyed the flashy neon interior of the Flat Planet Café. Bright fluorescent lights of various colors flashed from the walls and ceiling. Hoards of young hipsters crowded the dance floor, while other patrons ate in the dining room or sipped drinks at the bar. Boone led his wife to his friends' regular booth. Lili, Liam, Mike, and En'ley were already seated at the booth, waiting for the Boones.
"Everyone, this is my wife, Kate," Boone introduced them.
Liam had previously filled Lili, Mike, and En'ley in on the details of Kate's resurrection. Mike and En'ley scooted over on their side of the booth to make room for William and Kate. Shortly thereafter, Augur joined the group.
"So how did a beautiful woman like you end up with Boone?" joked Augur, as he planted a suave kiss on Kate's extended hand.
Kate giggled light-heartedly. "It was love at first sight."
"I'll second that," William Boone smiled back.
As Kate lightly brushed her hand up against Will's arm, the implant's skrill, Condor, purred contentfully. Kate reared back.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized. "I'm still adjusting to the idea of your skrill."
"It's okay, Condor likes you," Boone assured her.
"Boone, I still can't believe you actually named your skrill," Augur exclaimed to his friend.
"Hey, Sandoval named his skrill Raven," contributed Lili.
"Mine is named Eagle," added Mike.
"Condor is a part of your husband now, Kate," Liam told Boone's wife. "It will develop the same feelings that Will has for you."
"And Liam, did you name your shakaravas?" teased Augur.
They all laughed.
"Let's order. I'm starving," En'ley spoke up. "Where's Kwai Ling?"
"Right here!" came a voice. Kwai Ling Hong, the Flat Planet's manager, had emerged from the kitchen. "What'll you all have?" She poised her pen and notepad, ready to take down their orders.
"Hmmmm . . . everything looks so good," observed Kate, scanning the menu. She looked up at Kwai Ling. "What do you recommend?"
"Honey, if I actually ate the food we serve here, then I'd be a beached whale by now." Kwai Ling extended her arms out horizontally from her sides, showing off her trim, curvy body.
"Kwai Ling!!" reprimanded Lili, flabbergasted. Yet, Captain Marquette couldn't help but chuckle at Kwai Ling's show-offy antics.
"Well, the our Fried Cheese Curdled Milk Sticks look especially scrumptious tonight," observed Augur, browsing through his menu. "Bring me some of those."
"Cow, goat, kangaroo, or rhinoceros?" Kwai Ling offered Augur his choice of cheese.
"Cow, definitely. I'm trying to cut down on my rhinoceros intake," Augur winked.
"Oh, nice way to harden your arteries, Augur!" exclaimed En'ley, teasingly. "I'll have some Rabbit Food, please . . . with Kwai Ling's Lemon Tamari Dressing."
"Excellent choice," Kwai Ling remarked with a grin.
"My usual," Lili gave her order. "Lili's Sushi Roll."
"Eel, tuna, or California roll?" Kwai Ling listed off the choices.
"California roll, please."
"Bring me a Grease Monkey," Mike requested. "Extra bacon. Eagle is hungry tonight."
"Mike!" En'ley elbowed her husband playfully. "Sure, blame it on your skrill."
"Make that two," added Liam, ordering a Grease Monkey for himself. "My shakaravas are hungry tonight."
Lili snorted.
"Make that three," William Boone grinned. He'd missed the Flat Planet's delicious Grease Monkeys in the afterlife.
"Will!" scolded Kate. "Is this . . . Grease Monkey healthy for you?"
"No," En'ley intervened. "But they'll eat it anyway."
"Hey, blondie." Kwai Ling tapped Kate on the shoulder. "If you're such a health nut, then try the Raw Fish in Seaweed. It's muy yucko and mucho grosso, so you'll probably like it."
"Okay . . ." Kate tentatively consented.
"What flavor? Eggplant, corn, celery, or tobasco?" Kwai Ling began tapping her foot impatiently.
"Eggplant."
"And to drink?" Their Oriental waitress looked at the group.
"Vortex Vodka," said Augur.
"Champagne Punch," Liam chose.
"Happy Repose," declared Lili.
"What flavor?" asked Kwai Ling. "We have 149 of them, you know. Don't expect me to just magically guess. I'm not your fairy god-waitress."
"Give me Mango Mania," Lili decided after a pause for thought.
"I'll have a Strawberry Samba Happy Repose," Mike picked out.
"I'll take a Raspberry Repose." Boone selected that evening's Happy Repose House Special.
"Iced tea for me." En'ley rolled her eyes at the thought of alcohol. "We're taking a cab home tonight, Mike, that's for sure."
"Well . . . I'll try a Banana Cabana Happy Repose," ventured Kate.
"No, no, no!" Kwai Ling protested. "Trust me, sister, you DON'T want that one. Not on your first time out."
Boone whispered a suggestion to his wife.
"Okay . . . change mine to a Tropical Punch Tsunami Happy Repose," Kate corrected Kwai Ling.
"Much better!" Kwai Ling approved. She scurried back to the kitchen.
Will and Kate linked hands once more, and gazed lovingly into each other's eyes. They were overjoyed to finally be together again.
* * *
"This is preposterous!" Zo'or shouted at Sandoval.
"It's true," the implant returned. "I'm Da'an's attaché, so I should know. I work with Boone on a day-to-day basis."
"Why would Ffuga resurrect Kate Boone?!" demanded Zo'or. "Why?!"
"I do not know, Zo'or."
"After we worked so fervently to dispose of Mrs. Boone, in order to please Da'an," muttered Zo'or. "That was back at a time when there was still hope for Da'an. He wasn't as distracted back then . . . he had not yet lost sight of where his loyalties should lie."
"Da'an never asked us specifically to kill Kate Boone," Sandoval reminded his Taelon superior. "I instructed Juddson Corr to eliminate Mrs. Boone so that Boone would become free to serve Da'an. I was following my motivational imperative, as I am supposed to. But Da'an had no prior knowledge of our actions."
"That is beside the point," Zo'or icily enunciated. "We have been allies for a long time, Agent Sandoval. Long before Commander Boone was even implanted. And I expect you to remain loyal to me." The Synod speaker's eyes bore holes through Sandoval's head.
"All I am saying, Zo'or, is that I do not see the point of eliminating Kate Boone when Ffuga could just bring her back to life again anyway," Ronald Sandoval pointed out.
"Whose side are you on, Agent Sandoval?!" Zo'or raised his voice.
"Yours," Sandoval answered calmly and quietly.
"Then you will do as I say. And I say that Kate Boone is as good as dead." Zo'or sized his right-hand implant up and down.
"As you wish, Zo'or."
"You are dismissed, agent."
Sandoval abruptly exited Zo'or's chamber. He hid himself in a secluded corner of the mothership. The Asian implant opened his global and dialed Shooma's coordinates. Soon, the benign Kneeloi's purple, feminine alien face appeared on the screen of Sandoval's global.
"Shooma, we have a dilemma." Sandoval explained the situation to his ally.
"It sounds as though Zo'or is intent on causing Commander Boone more pain," evaluated Shooma. "Attacking Boone's wife would be the perfect opportunity. Zo'or obviously feels hostility that Boone came back to life after he killed Boone. Don't worry, we won't let that conniving Taelon succeed at this malice."
After further discussion, Shooma had to sign off. She cut the link. Sandoval then dialed up one final set of coordinates on his global.
"Hello, Dr. Belman. I have some news to inform you of regarding Zo'or . . ."
* * *
Kate and Will laid in bed together, listening to the night sounds of the city. Crickets chattered, cars whizzed past the house, and the cool summer evening air wafted in through their slightly open bedroom window.
"There's so much you missed out on," Boone told his wife. "So much I must share with you."
"We'll have plenty of time for that, Will," replied Kate. "Right now, let's just enjoy ourselves."
William had recounted several of the main events he'd experienced in his time serving Da'an and the Companions. Kate listened with open ears. Will had narrated for her his account of being implanted, joining the Resistance, growing closer to Da'an, explanations of increased Taelon technology, and the tragic saga of Ha'gel. Boone had also explained to his wife many of the new concepts which he himself was even still becoming familiarized with: the Jaridians, the Kimera, Liam's birth and heritage, the Hegawuds, the Kneeloi, not to mention all the Resistance members whom he hardly even knew - - Colonel Truman, Maiya, Halley Simmons, Julia Cook, Renee Palmer, and even Liam.
"It's all like one big fairy tale," Kate commented in awe and disbelief.
"Yeah, except it might not have a happy ending," William Boone bleakly brought up.
"Yes it can." Kate squeezed her husband's arm gently. "I have faith in you, Will. You care about people, that's how big your heart is. And with you working for the Resistance, humanity DOES stand a fighting chance."
* * *
FIN
Copyright 1999 by Earthboy
Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict is property of Tribune Entertainment Company and is produced by Roddenberry/Kirshner Productions. No monetary profit is being made from this work. No infringement is intended. If you sue me, I will pick out a really cheesy name for your skrill.
