NationStates Jolt Archive

"Well... what an interesting development." The boy Saul met earlier dangled his legs over a broken piece of overpass, the assault-rifle laid across his lap casually.

Saul paused in his journey, and met the ageless eyes. "Don't suppose you've chosen a side yet, there Saul...or maybe you did."

Saul snorted, "Who are you really?" he asked.

the 'Boy' stood up-and was no boy at all.
"I'm someone you really ought to be paying a great deal more respect to than you are, scribbler." the voice was deep, booming, bone rending. "Dispose of the brat, and we'll talk."

Saul shook his head, "No....why? What can an infant do to you?"

The other frowned, "I commanded you, and you refuse?"

Saul nodded, "I refuse."

the Frown deepened, "I can rend you for aeons..."

Saul shrugged, "and when you're done, the answer would still remain no. I have no doubt that it can be done...but I refuse."

"A[a]R[r]O[o]G[g]A[a]N[n]C[c]E[e]!!!" The weapon came up, and Saul shifted the child to place his own body in the path of whatever came from it.

"Maybe. Why don't you fire?" Saul asked, adding, "It would be simple enough, I am, as you can see, unarmed."


The muzzle lowered. "Suit yourself. I gave you a chance, go find your own path into the disc of Kata Kara." the tone was sullen.

Saul and the child were alone again.

"Well... I do believe I may have pissed myself." he told the infant, who cooed blindly in response.

Saul continued upward. "No... I don't think that was a very nice man at all. in fact, I suspect he wasn't even really a man."

The child's eyes opened, and regarded Saul for the first time. Saul shrugged, "no, not brave.. no courage to it. I just won't see an innocent harmed to no real purpose. Death's preferable to submission to bullying anyway..."

The infant closed his eyes, and went to sleep. Saul turned inward, looking for a doorway into anything that might appear to be 'shelter'. He himself was very, very, tired.

"It's really basic alchemy."

Kolte pointed to some water.

"The body is 85% water. That will come in handy."

He pointed to large clumps of animal fat.

"The polysaccharides contained within this animal fat will allow me to reform your tissues."

He pointed to a pile of medicinal tablets.

"Those calcium chews will allow me to rebuild your bones."

Finally, he turned to Xander, an earnest, yet completely serious expression on his face.

"I will require complete concentration on this task so as not to screw anything up, so I will enter a Jedi trance. As soon as the body begins to form, begin transferring your energies to the midichloriansinside. That will produce quite a mental strain, since you will be focusing all of yourself into your Force powers. You'll have a nice bit of a headache when you awaken. Do you understand what you're to do? And do you wish to attempt this?"
"Yes, I wish to attempt it. Transfering myself into the new body will be difficult, but not impossible. Actually, its basically a modified astro-projection...do it. May the Force be with us."

The child's eyes opened, and regarded Saul for the first time. Saul shrugged, "no, not brave.. no courage to it. I just won't see an innocent harmed to no real purpose. Death's preferable to submission to bullying anyway..."

Saul feels as if he has had an impact on the coming Creation. His reverie is short-lived, however, as a voice from the shadows calls out, "And what have we here?"

**************

Valkai could see the small group of street thugs attempting to breach the arena, though for what purpose it was unclear. In any case, a few buttons pushed and a brief incantation later, the device sprang into activity, runes glowing with an ethereal brilliance. "Anyone heading east, I strongly suggest we get going."

The child's eyes opened, and regarded Saul for the first time. Saul shrugged, "no, not brave.. no courage to it. I just won't see an innocent harmed to no real purpose. Death's preferable to submission to bullying anyway..."

Saul feels as if he has had an impact on the coming Creation. His reverie is short-lived, however, as a voice from the shadows calls out, "And what have we here?"

**************

Valkai could see the small group of street thugs attempting to breach the arena, though for what purpose it was unclear. In any case, a few buttons pushed and a brief incantation later, the device sprang into activity, runes glowing with an ethereal brilliance. "Anyone heading east, I strongly suggest we get going."

"Ok Posse, lets move out, we have worn out our welcome in standard Bronze fashion, so time to go boys and girls."

The members of the posse who had stopped firing were already heading for the portal, but Rastar was cut off from Honal and the rest of the group, and could not run any farther, he was against a wall as the first round hit his lower left arm, taking it off at the elbow, but Rastar kept firing with his three remaining guns, even while his left leg was crippled, sending him to the floor, but he fought on, even when he only had one arm left, he fought until he lost conciousness, and there he lay, until Erkum came and retrieved him, he had killed over a dozen of the thugs, but he was nearly dead with trauma and blood loss, it was going to be close, and he would most likely lose at least one arm permanently.

Michiko and Perigrine had both moved to pull children and any others they could grab into cover the second the first shots were fired. They put themselves in between and began urging the group across the arena to where Valkai had activated the device.

In groups of three's and fours the non combatants were sent across the arena.

"Valkai can you lead them? " Michiko called as she targeted one advancing thug with effector rounds, sending him toppling backwards down the pile of debris he'd just climbed over. She moevd backwards toward the gate herding other before her, as Rogers people fell back.

Perigrine rocked backward as something smashed into the center of her robes chest armor, but didn't go down. She reached into a pocket, thanking Michiko's foresight in bringing her weapons case and drew out a small but heavy object. With an accurate lob she sent it over the heads of the attackers to land and roll a foot or so, at their backs. From another compartment in her robes she pulled a small comman detonator. One of Rogers people had been cut off and was holding the attacker but Pergirne could see without turning that he had gone as far as he could

Her voice rang out, carrying easily over the din of battle- amplifiers built into the head gear beneath her kaffiya saw to that- "Fire in the hole"She gave the time honored shout of preblast warning. Perigrine counted to one and punched the trigger

Khaa-Boom

The miniature warp grenade blew in an expanding sphere of light and noise that tore the remaining attackers to shreds. The arena was silent now save for the sound of the last few racing for the gate, and the sound of her own sprinting feet. One of his companions had scooped Rastar up and ater grabbing up the trauma amputated limbs, Perigrine sprinted to his side as he slogged toward the gate. Tearing into a belt pouch Perigrine slammed the entirity of the injector tube of trauma nanos home. They'd hold him here until they got to where Michiko could work on him.

She as the last through the gate

Jason escorted and aided in getting the non-combatants into the portal, and went throught just before Perigrine went throught.

The child's eyes opened, and regarded Saul for the first time. Saul shrugged, "no, not brave.. no courage to it. I just won't see an innocent harmed to no real purpose. Death's preferable to submission to bullying anyway..."

Saul feels as if he has had an impact on the coming Creation. His reverie is short-lived, however, as a voice from the shadows calls out, "And what have we here?"



Saul stopped again, and peered into the shadows, shifting the coat-wrapped child away from the voice. "Hello?" in the back of his mind, that piece of his instincts that carried him through dozens of other-people's wars accounted routes and obstacles if flight became necessary. With his free hand, he slipped his "Press" pass out of his back pocket, and onto his shirt. (In over twenty years, Saul found that some violence could be averted by talking-and more often than not, a lone person-even a violent one- will talk to a Reporter rather than attacking... especially during a disaster. Why he hadn't done it before, he couldn't imagine.) "I'm with the International press, Care to offer a word?" he asked cautiously, and slid his pocket-recorder out, and checked the child again, the babe was sleeping contentedly for now.

They entered the transdimensional network. The first thing the ninja noticed was that the place was quite well-lit, almost as if visitors were expected. The second thing he noticed was that the network was a labyrinth, and probably filled with teleport traps and the like. Fortunately, the network appeared to be uninhabited, as its primary purpose was for transport, not living space.

"Where's the map say to go?"

***********

"I'm with the International press, Care to offer a word?" he asked cautiously, and slid his pocket-recorder out, and checked the child again, the babe was sleeping contentedly for now.

A loud sigh follows. "Get out here." Then there is a brief pause. "Call me Raijin. And yes, before you ask, I'm that Raijin. There's only one, if it helps."

"Map?..Oh the map Raijin gave me?"

Mihciko stuffed the forcelance into a pocket of her pack and pulled out the book. She'd tucked Raijin's hand drawn map, complete with labeling in Kriovallian in there for safety. Quickly she pulled it out and smoothed it flat before handing it to Valkai

"I'm not literate in Kriovalian." She'd been able to guess that some of the labeling were citys but that was about the limit

Kiyoshi looked at Gelt intently. "Tell me, why are you here during the Conception? Do you seek to contend for the Creation as well?"

"I'm here because I got beaten to a bloody pulp in order to administer some bitter medicine. Contend? Nope - I'm not interested in playing God." He grins. "Perfectly happy to be God's right hand man. Or at least on the winning side."

A loud sigh follows. "Get out here." Then there is a brief pause. "Call me Raijin. And yes, before you ask, I'm that Raijin. There's only one, if it helps."

Saul stepped cautiously out, and activated the recorder, checking the child as he did so. The boy was asleep.
"This is an unexpected encounter." Saul observed, "Not every day I go to cover a sporting event, and wind up in the middle of... whatever this is, you are the last man I'd expect to run into."

Saul guarded the babe even as he spoke to the Commander, and he kept his gaze level, and watchful. "suppose you can explain what a forty-four year old, broken-down reporter is doing up here holding a newborn whose mother didn't live to hear the first cry? or why that reporter has been approached by two or more entities, one of which desperately wanted me to dash the boy's brains against the concrete, and was quite put-out when I refused? I'll tell you this only once, Raijin, I refused then, and I will again."

"Yes, may the Force be with us." Kolte replied. He sat on the large slab directly to the side of the piles of materials. He lifted his arms over the strange collection, palms of his hands facing down. With much exertion he began to channel Force energies into the materials. Closing his eyes and entering a trance, he began to focus on each one of the materials individually while still yet concentrating on the end product he desired as a whole. The piles lifted inches of the scewered surface they rested on, and began to swirl and combing. Within a few seconds, a dome began to form, slightly egg-shaped, then came the ears, eyes, cheeks, nose and mouth. Afterwords came the neck, midsection, arms and hands, then on to the hips, legs, and feet. A replica of Xander's body now lay in front of Kolte, hovering a few inches off the ground.

"Map?..Oh the map Raijin gave me?"

Mihciko stuffed the forcelance into a pocket of her pack and pulled out the book. She'd tucked Raijin's hand drawn map, complete with labeling in Kriovallian in there for safety. Quickly she pulled it out and smoothed it flat before handing it to Valkai

"I'm not literate in Kriovalian." She'd been able to guess that some of the labeling were citys but that was about the limit

Roger wasn't sure what to do in this situation, he was in over his head and he knew it, but he did have an injured friend that needed help, and that solved his problems for a little while.

"Perigrine, can you help Rastar, he's been effectively shredded and I'm not sure if he'll survive with just his nanite-pack to heal him."

"I'm not literate in Kriovalian."

"Huh." Valkai studied the map carefully. "Straight ahead. Right at the second branch point, then right again at the next, then left, forward, and right. Then it's a matter of following the light out. Shouldn't take more than fifteen minutes or so." He didn't explain to Michiko that he didn't need the map to navigate the network. Some things were best left concealed, at least for the time being.

*******************

"I'm here because I got beaten to a bloody pulp in order to administer some bitter medicine. Contend? Nope - I'm not interested in playing God." He grins. "Perfectly happy to be God's right hand man. Or at least on the winning side."

Kiyoshi had expected a response similar to the one he received. He reeled, however, at the mention of God. "You believe in the single God? That might explain why you are to be protected here."

*******************

"suppose you can explain what a forty-four year old, broken-down reporter is doing up here holding a newborn whose mother didn't live to hear the first cry? or why that reporter has been approached by two or more entities, one of which desperately wanted me to dash the boy's brains against the concrete, and was quite put-out when I refused? I'll tell you this only once, Raijin, I refused then, and I will again."

"I am not interested in more killing, if that is what you imply. You fail, even now, Saul Kovaly, to appreciate the nature of what has happened here. You are not detached from events here - you live them alongside all others involved. For now, though, you may as well come up with me, that is, if you have more questions.

"Yes, may the Force be with us." Kolte replied. He sat on the large slab directly to the side of the piles of materials. He lifted his arms over the strange collection, palms of his hands facing down. With much exertion he began to channel Force energies into the materials. Closing his eyes and entering a trance, he began to focus on each one of the materials individually while still yet concentrating on the end product he desired as a whole. The piles lifted inches of the scewered surface they rested on, and began to swirl and combing. Within a few seconds, a dome began to form, slightly egg-shaped, then came the ears, eyes, cheeks, nose and mouth. Afterwords came the neck, midsection, arms and hands, then on to the hips, legs, and feet. A replica of Xander's body now lay in front of Kolte, hovering a few inches off the ground.
Xander watched as his new body slowly took form, and as it was completed he stretched his arms out, fingers splayed and palms facing his new body. Gathering himself, he began to project himself into his physical double, fusing and intertwining himself with the tissues of the body. He maintained this for several moments, and then something strange began to take place. He was losing strength, yet he felt himself gaining power at the same time. Reality seemed to warp and bend around him as he realized that the very nature of the process was creating a paradox, for his spirit now existed both inside and outside his body. That was why he felt the strange phenomenon of losing strength while gaining it at the same time: the resurrection was working, and every time he infused his body with his spirit, he gained double that much back to infuse. He thought briefly of continuing the loop for as long as possible, making him far stronger than any Force-Adept in history, but the paradox was growing in intensity in proportion to the loop and he feared that at any moment the paradox would destroy him, and possibly anything around him. He completed one last infusion and broke the cycle, allowing himself to be drawn completly into his body. Reality faded away, and all was dark for several minutes before Xander's eyes snapped open, and he involuntarily gasped as his lungs began to work; his back arched and he snapped upward into a sitting position. He grasped his chest, and tried to regulate his breathing as his eyes began to work. He looked around and his eyes fell upon a blurry shape that could only be Kolte. Xander smiled, and began to laugh as the realization hit him like a brick wall...he was alive...

Perigrine opened her had revealing to Roger the used tube of trauma nanos. She'd slammed home the entire 36cc contents home in the nearest part of Rastar that she could have reached while Erkum carried him.

"Already done, dose enough for three human adults. I'll get more from Michiko now that we're in a more secure place, and I know that Michiko will do more than that when we get to our destination." She reasured him as she started through the group to get to Michiko who she could see confering with Valkai.

Michiko listened to Perigrine's report and gave her the backpack she'd filled at the hospital. She sighed at the injury taken on the groups behalf and reassured Perigrine that once they were out she'd be at Rastars side. Turning back to Valkai

"Thank you for interpreting that for me." She didn't hide how grateful she was for his presence. Implusively she when up on tip toe and kissed him on the cheek, then she was blushing and turning away to lead the group through the maze. Carefully remembering the directions that he had given her.

Perigrine opened her had revealing to Roger the used tube of trauma nanos. She'd slammed home the entire 36cc contents home in the nearest part of Rastar that she could have reached while Erkum carried him.

"Already done, dose enough for three human adults. I'll get more from Michiko now that we're in a more secure place, and I know that Michiko will do more than that when we get to our destination." She reasured him as she started through the group to get to Michiko who she could see confering with Valkai.

Michiko listened to Perigrine's report and gave her the backpack she'd filled at the hospital. She sighed at the injury taken on the groups behalf and reassured Perigrine that once they were out she'd be at Rastars side. Turning back to Valkai

"Thank you for interpreting that for me." She didn't hide how grateful she was for his presence. Implusively she when up on tip toe and kissed him on the cheek, then she was blushing and turning away to lead the group through the maze. Carefully remembering the directions that he had given her.


"Thank you Perigrine, I appreciate it alot." Roger then turned to look after Rastar while he slept off his injuries.

"Thank you for interpreting that for me." She didn't hide how grateful she was for his presence. Implusively she when up on tip toe and kissed him on the cheek, then she was blushing and turning away to lead the group through the maze. Carefully remembering the directions that he had given her.

"Uh...not a problem." Valkai didn't even really register the kiss at all. His thoughts were on the Disc and the man now closest to its power. Raijin. The ninja knew that the "eight cycles" claim was bullshit, at least in terms of how it was said. Certainly the Creation would be done in eight cycles. But therein lay the key - it would be done in eight cycles. So the contest, should one occur, would take place long before, and if they were slow getting there, it would be over by the time they arrived.

The group made their way through the strangely illumated passages and emerged into the all-too-familiar brilliance of Kata Kara, diminished as it was in its half-strength phase. Ahead was a forest, and Valkai knew the temple would be located somewhere inside. He hoped it would be unoccupied when they got there.

"I'm here because I got beaten to a bloody pulp in order to administer some bitter medicine. Contend? Nope - I'm not interested in playing God." He grins. "Perfectly happy to be God's right hand man. Or at least on the winning side."

Kiyoshi had expected a response similar to the one he received. He reeled, however, at the mention of God. "You believe in the single God? That might explain why you are to be protected here."

"Is Raijin a clone or something?" Gelt gives Kiyoshi an eyebrow raised in true Spockian fashion. "He's got a side and a plan. And from what little I've heard, nothing he's said is against any of my core beliefs - few that they are."

"No, Lord Raijin is not a clone. He is the original." The boy-fighter stifled a giggle before his face resumed its characteristic stoicism. "I suppose the bigger question is, would you feel uncomfortable if you were found to be supporting a system that contravenes your God's moral commands?"

Pergrine let others move past her till she could fall in beside Erkum who was carrying Rastar. She dug through the pack and found more tubes of trauma nanos. She reloaded the hyposprayer and sent another thritysix cc's into the Mardukan's body.

"This walk is supposed to be short. When we make our destination, we'll get him under cover and warm." She told Roger and the others

****************************************

Michiko stepped out of the corridor and looked about, marvelling that they had come so far in such a short time. They had walked for maybe fifteen minutes, and found a forest.

"Ashala, please, show me to your temple. " Michiko spoke softly, letting her mind go blank. Immediately she felt a knowing, the faintest of tugs. She let the tug become a pull that led her into the forest. Humming under her breath she followed a barely seen path through the pine forest, her tattoos becoming ever more vibrant and visible

Kolte examined his work. The body was a perfect replica, almost. Xander's conspicuous lack of clothing revealed his even more conspicuous lack of hair, anywhere. Kolte swalled a chuckle. It would grow back in time.

"Master, it worked. Now we can...we can..." Exhaustion hit Kolte like a brick wall, and he layed back on the slab, entering a mixture of a trance and sleep. He had expended more energy than ever before during the ressurection, completing the alchemic creation of the body in less than a minute. A feat which took dozens of ancient Sith, it reflected the ever-growing boundaries of Kolte's power.

Pergrine let others move past her till she could fall in beside Erkum who was carrying Rastar. She dug through the pack and found more tubes of trauma nanos. She reloaded the hyposprayer and sent another thritysix cc's into the Mardukan's body.

"This walk is supposed to be short. When we make our destination, we'll get him under cover and warm." She told Roger and the others

****************************************

Michiko stepped out of the corridor and looked about, marvelling that they had come so far in such a short time. They had walked for maybe fifteen minutes, and found a forest.

"Ashala, please, show me to your temple. " Michiko spoke softly, letting her mind go blank. Immediately she felt a knowing, the faintest of tugs. She let the tug become a pull that led her into the forest. Humming under her breath she followed a barely seen path through the pine forest, her tattoos becoming ever more vibrant and visible

"Than you again Perigrine, he's one of my best friends, we all need him, but with what you've given him, and his combat nanos he should survive, thank you so much."

He then gets the Posse organised to protect them, he's a paranoid man, and this would be all too easy a way to get Michico, the kids, and everyone else with a single attack, and it sounded like Raijin might do just that if he felt it necessary.

As Kolte sank into his trance, Xander realized that the chest he was grasping was devoid of anything short of skin. He brought his hand up to his face and rubbed, getting the same result. As his eyesight slowly came to him he began to examine his new body and found it to his liking, even though it was balder than a newborn child, and naked. He needed to find some clothes, and quickly. He swung his legs around and slowly lowered himself from the slab. His legs were shaky, but with some aid from the Force, he would manage. He made his way over to Kolte and quickly found what he was looking for: the lightsaber he'd given to Kolte. He was sure that his unconscience friend wouldn't mind. He ventured off into the night, his lightsaber held lightly in his right hand. After an hour, he found what he'd been looking for. He wasn't looking forward to his grim task, but he needed the clothes. The man lying on the ground was close enough to his own body's build, and the poor soul didn't need them where he was now. Xander made sure that nobody was around to disapprove of his actions, and took the knee high leather boots, slightly baggy trousers, and shirt. He put the trousers and boots on, and after ripping the sleeves from the shirt, slid it on as well. He felt slightly uneasy, but these were demanding times. He wished he could replace his Jedi utility belt, or at least the lightsaber clip, but he would have to make do with what he had. He glanced around the decimated neighborhood, and decided to make his way back to Kolte. Half way back, a frenzied and crazed man lept from the shadows of a side street wielding two very large combat knives. Xander was taken by surprise, but recovered well before his assailent could do any harm. Igniting his lightsaber, he cut the knives off at the hilts with two measured strokes of the brilliant green blade and Force-Pushed the maniac into a brick wall, knocking him out. Xander shook his head, extinguished his saber, and returned to Kolte without any more encounters. He sat on the slab facing Kolte, rested his head in his hands, and entered a much needed trance...

OOC: sorry bout the whole crazed maniac thing, but I couldn't resist.

"Ashala, please, show me to your temple. " Michiko spoke softly, letting her mind go blank. Immediately she felt a knowing, the faintest of tugs. She let the tug become a pull that led her into the forest. Humming under her breath she followed a barely seen path through the pine forest, her tattoos becoming ever more vibrant and visible

The group was led north, then slightly east. The journey took several hours, in stark contrast to the brief time spent in the transdimensional network. Finally, a small building was visible in the depths of the forest, seemingly untouched by the powers of the Conception. Even the thick canopy of the tropical forest seemed to resist the piercing light of Kata Kara. But Valkai sensed that they were not the first to reach the temple.

Michiko had walked at least twice as far as any one else in the long strung out column of weary people. She'd gone up and down the line, carrrying a tired child for awhile, keeping spirits up by engrossing them in a word game, or a song, easing a womans worries that her parents would hear about her being missing on her vacation ( "No, Koro said it should be as if no time passed at all.),answering questions, and more.

If her muscles ached and her feet swelled in her shoes she said nothing. She quietly injected herself with first one stim, then hours later another, but she did it when no one watched. She had always hated the 'eastern' notion that some one became a leader by preordained fate, or the gods whim. She was very 'western' in this- a leader EARNED the position, the trust and the power, leading by example, and never asking some one to do that which they wouldn't themselves.

Flashback...

She checked on Rastar as the first rest break, inspecting the fine film of new flesh that sealed the wound, and for additional protection covered them further with bandages from the first aid kits that Jason had found

"Let him sleep, Roger. We'll change off who carries him."

She made sure that every one ate as they sat in the leaf debris of the forest, not eating herself untill every one else had. She had not thought that it would take so long, and knew that they had to pace themselves, but time was of the essence. She could feel a pressure building within her.

Now...

Michiko waved Perigrine back. The Nietzschean had been acting as forward scout, some hundred feeet ahead. She'd signaled that she'd heard voices from the building ahead. Michiko knew this place, as if a lost child come home.

"Every one hold up. I'll be back in a minute"

Michiko ordered as Perigrine rejoined the group. Then Michiko went on alone, stepping confidently into the building that nestled so perfectly into the forest it seemed to have grown from it. A feeling reached out and embraced her. It enveloped her in warmth and comfort that took the aches and washed the weariness away with a flood of joy.

"I'm home."

Xander awoke from his trance and looked up to where Kolte still lay asleep, and stood so that he could stretch. He arched his back until it popped, straightened, and rolled his head until it too popped. He looked around at his surroundings, taking in the sheer level of destruction. There wasn't a living person within sight, and he didn't dare leave Kolte alone again in the condition he was in. After some thought, he turned back to the slab of concrete where he'd set his lightsaber down. Picking the weapon up, he turned it over in his hands, examining the weapon he'd built when he'd ascended to the Jedi Council some twenty-five years ago. Finally, he depressed the activation stud, freeing the brilliant green blade from its prison. He allowed the Force to flow through his body, and almost unconsciencely began the movements of the kata he'd learned about in the Jedi Archives. His movements were slow and deliberate, yet he was picking up more speed. His movements were becoming more kinetic, and eventually he began to whirl the blade over him, behind him, side to side. He had formed the same sphere of light that he'd attacked Kolte with during their battle, and now he had begun to levitate, spiraling and flipping, still gaining altitude. Xander was now exerting all of his power to maintain the sphere, and as he reached the edge of his endurance, he came to an abrupt stop and channeled a horrific amount of the Force outward in all directions from his body. The result was a powerful explosion as the particles in the air collided at unimaginable speeds. As the flames dissapated, Xander looked around and realized that he was at least fifty feet in the air. He felt almost completly drained of strenth, yet he had to lower himself back down. Xander extinguished his saber as he touched back down, and staggered back to his slab. Rolling over onto his back, he tried to regulate his breathing, but it was several moments before he could breathe normally again. He couldn't remember the last time that he'd exerted himself like that, but it did prove that his resurrection had indeed made him slightly stronger than he had been when he'd died. Holding his saber to his chest, Xander slipped into an actual deep sleep, his breathing deep and slow...

"I'm home."

"Ah. So you are." An old man sat near the center of the building. "I was told that you would be coming." He stood slowly, though without apparent difficulty. "I am Varik Dekker. So you are the one who will help my Raijin with the Creation. I am impressed by your determination. Few humans would think to work with the Jashin." The last word rolled off Varik's tongue with a combination of reverence and disquiet. "His power will soon ascend, and Solokaro will be summoned to aid in the making of the new world." He stopped and thought.

Then an ethereal shockwave flew through the forest, signaling that events had taken a definite turn elsewhere. "Has my Raijin told you of the true nature of his Creation yet?"

****************

Xander had been resurrected, and the Kata Kara reacted violently to the disruption of the normal flow of souls into its repository. Raijin, on the other hand, was thrilled. The temporary anomaly allowed him to contact the essence of the Disc without being obliterated by its power. What he saw elevated his spirit further. To each soul within, he asked a simple question. "Do you wish redemption?"

"I was told that you would be coming." He stood slowly, though without apparent difficulty. "I am Varik Dekker. So you are the one who will help my Raijin with the Creation. I am impressed by your determination. Few humans would think to work with the Jashin.

Michikos throught whirled as joy vanished, weariness and fear rolling over her like a blanket of fog. She wanted to scream at the man who named himself Varik Dekker 'No I have not come to help him. I offered to help him and got kicked out for my efforts. I'm hear to speak for those he's too damn blind to see..to mitigate the narrow minded hell he seems bent on creating.' But screaming wouldn't help. She'd spent her life persevering, and that was all she could do now. Hopeing that Ashala would grant her the wisdom to know what needed to be done, and that somewhere she could find the strength to do it.

"Has my Raijin told you of the true nature of his Creation yet?"

"No he hasn't sir...Could you tell me?" She asked softly

"No he hasn't sir...Could you tell me?"

"I sense a bit more ambivalence than that," Varik countered, before hastily adding, "but I'm certainly no telepath. Much of what he does is a product of what has been done to him. And much of that is my fault. I was once young and naive. I made quite a few bad choices. Micah didn't help all that much either." He made his way toward the other side of the chamber, beckoning Michiko and her group to approach. "All in all, I'm surprised that he's turned out so well, considering." He stopped. "In any case, go through this door to find another of those dimensional transporters. It will lead directly to the sixth level of Torokara. Your role in this process seems to be a bit unclear, though the workings of the Gods have always been a bit...complicated for me. Is there anything else you need to know before you head up there?"

"I do have a question," Jason said, "This is a war of the gods, and thier followers, correct? If so what happens to the gods and thier followers if thier faction doesn't win?"

"Well, if it involves only our Gods, it's a simple matter of controlling the Circle Council and exerting power on effects below. Currently, or rather, up until the Conception, the 'official policy' was that the Gods were non-interventionalist, favored neither Dark nor Light, were moving slowly toward the chaotic end of the spectrum, and were moving away from aggression. Apparently several of them have decided to change that pattern, for better or worse." Varik closed his eyes in concentration. "If it involves other, or higher, beings, then there could be larger repercussions, of course."

"In any case, go through this door to find another of those dimensional transporters. It will lead directly to the sixth level of Torokara. Your role in this process seems to be a bit unclear, though the workings of the Gods have always been a bit...complicated for me. Is there anything else you need to know before you head up there?"

"Thank you" She said softly putting a hand on Varick's shoulder "Every parent does as best they can. Is there anything we can do for you? Would you like to come with us, will you be okay?"

"This is a war of the gods, and their followers, correct? If so what happens to the gods and their followers if their faction doesn't win?"

Jason's question was a sound one, and Michiko waited for Varick's answer, but like most she was getting of late it wasn't much of a direct answer

"If it involves other, or higher, beings, then there could be larger repercussions, of course."

The last brought a hidden little smile to her lips. 'There might be something I can do' she thought to herself, as she looked at Valkai, curious to see if his normally carefully controlled face revealed anything.

"I am not interested in more killing, if that is what you imply. You fail, even now, Saul Kovaly, to appreciate the nature of what has happened here. You are not detached from events here - you live them alongside all others involved. For now, though, you may as well come up with me, that is, if you have more questions.

Saul thought for a moment, then nodded. "I will, later." he said, and turned the recorder off.
never thought I'd end up being one of my characters... he thought ruefully. The boy remained quiet, but watched Raijin intently with too-intelligent eyes.

Saul thought for a moment, then nodded. "I will, later." he said, and turned the recorder off.
never thought I'd end up being one of my characters... he thought ruefully. The boy remained quiet, but watched Raijin intently with too-intelligent eyes.

They walked back toward the pinnacle of the level. "What brings you to Krioval, anyway? You are a writer, then, who makes stories involving 'characters'?" Raijin had plucked the thought out of the ether, though it was more due to its intensity than his intrusiveness. As the appointed hour drew closer, the Commander's powers seemed to intensify, as if time itself were a conspirator in his scheme for the Creation. And then, Raijin's mind drifted.

************

One billion years ago

The young boy sat beside the sea. The older boy had left, but not before wreaking yet more havoc. Creating life was tough enough without having to hide it from the Dark one. He sat and thought of how things might change, when he grew into his power more fully. Spreading himself out under the primordial Terran sun, he dreamed of the day of his ascension.

One million years ago

"Fall back!" The voice was filled with fury. They had started off so well. Then almost half of his force decided to abandon the fight. As if they'd get mercy for their defection. "Back to the citadel!"

He was resplendent in brilliance rapidly fading, and he cursed the unnamed deity that he blamed even now for his downfall. After all, he reasoned, how could a perfect being make a mistake? This was intentional! He knew it was over at this point. Over two-thirds of the renegades had been slaughtered, and the remainder would likely be bound up and cast out. Make the best of it, I suppose. The fallen angel swooped downward, frantically searching for the beach. The boy still sat there, and still dreamed of power. He had been defeated again by the older one.

"Rough day?"

The boy turned. "Could say that."

"Got in a fight with someone bigger than you?"

"Yeah." The boy looked into the stranger's eyes intently. "But it's not like I start 'em, ya know!"

"I know. In fact..." The luminous being told his story, making absolutely no effort to conceal his biased viewpoint. "...and that's why I got kicked out - because I thought we might do something a little different!"

"Wow. That sucks." The boy proceeded to tell his story. "...and he won't leave me alone! I just want to make 'this' work," he concluded, pointing to a small cave. Inside were two ape-like beings. "They could be...better. But *he* won't let me, and *they* don't stop him."

The angel felt his time growing short. "I'll tell you what. How about we help each other out?"

"How do I know I can trust you?" the boy demanded.

"I've been watching you from a distance. I see you fight him every day - every day for almost a billion years. You've never won. I know what that's like now. You can trust me because really, we're almost the same."

The boy considered the words carefully. "How'd it work?" he finally asked.

The fallen one's lips curved upward. Success! "Well, I need to go away for a while. The ones I was talking about earlier are looking for me, and they're not going to let me run away. Someday, someone will be strong enough to come find me. Until then," he said, drawing a sword, "I need you to hold onto this for me. In fact," he paused, considering the implications of what would follow, "keep it. I won't be needing it any more."

"Hey, thanks!" Even eyeing the gift with wonder, he managed to add, "by the way, I'm Solokaro!"

"'Defiant Light?' You most certainly are." Despite the gravity of the situation, the angel ruffled the boy's spiky hair before extending his hand. "Lucifer. See you soon, kid." Then, he left.

The boy struggled to lift the weapon, and some time later finally managed it. Raw power surged through him. No longer the innocent little boy, Solokaro ran roughshod over Koviros the next day, and every day thereafter. He would go on to bring knowledge to humanity, lead them to victory in the Valarok, and earn a place in the Kriovalian pantheon, drawing ever closer to the day where he would repay the kindness shown to him by the angel.

On the day when he got the sword, though, Solokaro lay on the beach in a strange mixture of contentment and longing for even greater power. His eyes matched the reddish sky of the setting sun.

They walked back toward the pinnacle of the level. "What brings you to Krioval, anyway? You are a writer, then, who makes stories involving 'characters'?"

Saul laughed. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. I use a different name for my Fiction work." the pavements here were level and relatively undamaged. "I started doing it as a hobby, now it pays for my 'real' job-Foreign news isn't all that popular back home, but people practically devour pulp-action novels. I'm here, because knowing what's up outside the borders is important-even when people don't think it is."

Roger and his posse followed shortly after Michico, they had to let Rastar, and the people carrying him, rest, he was big, and proportianally heavy, it took 4 people to carry him, and it took alot of effort for them to do it, the entire posse was flagging, they hadn't fought this hard since Nopet Nujam, and it showed.

"I guess this is goodbye then." The girl said, her voice ridden with sorrow. She was young, early twenties or so. Her long, blonde hair hung about her attractive figure.

"Yeah, I guess it is." The boy answered, eyes cast to the ground. His spiked red hair shone brightly, contradicting the mood of the moment.

She took his face in her hands and looked straight into his soft eyes.

"No...let's not call it goodbye." She declared.

"But Julina, I-"

"See ya later....Kolte." She smiled, Kolte's heart melted.

"Okay, see ya later, then." He answered. Julina turned and walked away, Kolte watched her, taking in her beauty.

----------

Kolte awoke, only to have the blazing lights of the Kata Kara obsure his vision. He quickly turned his head aside, if only to keep from thinking about the dreadful disc, and what it was doing. The dream startled him. After all this time, he thought he would...no, he should be able to let her go. Maybe something was wrong with him. He cast the thoughts aside for the time being.

Beside him lay Xander, sleeping peacefully. Knudging him gently awake, Kolte said, "Master, I think it's time we got out of this place."

Xander yawned loudly as he sat up, feeling refreshed. He didn't know how long they had been out, but it seemed that they had been left alone. Rubbing his face he discovered that he'd grown a 5 o'clock shadow since his rebirth, and his hair was beginning to show up again. His clothes were slightly rumpled, and his back slightly stiff. He may be a great warrior, but old age was definantly sinking in.

"You're right, we have to leave this place. But to where?" Xander slowly got to his feet and scratched his chin in thought. "We need some supplies: food, survival gear. I have a feeling that we're gonna be taking a long trip soon...and I'm sorry about what I put you through Kolte. Are you seriously injured?"

"No, I'm all right. My ribs are still a bit tender but I'll manage. As to where we should head to, I'd suggest going back the way I came, where I left Jason and the others. Who knows, they might still be there. I still have a little food on me from when I left them." Kolte handed Xander a dehydrated energy ration and pulled another from his tunic. He unwrapped the light-green supplement and consumed it in a few seconds. "Tastes awful, but it'll keep you alive." Kolte said, beckoning Xander to eat his.

"I remember eating far worse when we were on assignments all those years ago," Xander responded as he unwrapped his own ration. He bit into it and his face twisted in disgust. "That doesn't make them any better though." He finished up and remembered that he needed a utility belt. "You wouldn't happen to have a spare utility belt, would you?" And as an afterthought, he jested, "Its amazing how quickly I seem to burn through them, isn't it?"

"Sorry but I don't, Master." Kolte replied. He retrieved a small canteen from his belt, another item he had procured from Michiko's group. He took a swig of the water inside, then handed to Xander. "That's all I have for now, until we find some more. Let's go, perhaps we'll find them." Kolte informed Xander.

They headed off in the direction that Kolte had originally come from, along the way passing the site where their battle had ended. It wasn't long before they arrived at the spot where Kolte had parted company from the others. It had wrappers lying on the ground, debris arranged in sitting areas; all the signs of inhabitance, save for actual inhabitants. Kolte pondered where they could be.

"Well, this is where they were, where you first manifested in this world after your death. Obviously they are not still here." Kolte stated.

Xander took a small swig from the canteen, eyes narrowed in thought. "If we knew which direction they had come from, we would know where to follow... I never saw or sensed them back there, so that leaves us with two choice: either continue on the path we are on or leave the beaten trail. Think Kolte, do you remember where they said they were going?"

"They're beginning to figure things out," Raijin said to nobody in particular, though those who needed to hear him did. They weren't surprised.

"It's unfortunate," Koro intoned. "They'll challenge you."

"Yeah. I know." A second passed in silence. "Coordinate the arena terminal to transport Kolte and his master to this level. They should witness the Creation - they've given me the power to initiate it, after all."

"I'll take care of it. How is 'he' doing?"

"I've almost figured out this seal. Don't want to break the wrong one, ya know!"

"Will the others interfere?"

"Only if they find out beforehand. Besides, I think I might actually have the votes on this one."

"First time for everything, I suppose."

"Hey!"

"Well, it's true. When's the last time Solokaro's passed a contentious issue without resorting to force?"

"Point. Anyway, we've got six cycles before things move forward fast. And all hell's likely to break loose long before that."

Darvek jumped into the conversation. "With you at the center of it, we're supposed to be surprised?" He hastily added, "not that I'm helping, I'm sure."

Michiko saw that Valkais face was as hidden as ever, and sighed inwardly.

"Valkai, could you check the device, and see if it's working properly?" She asked as she moved closer to him and under the cover of others entering, spoke very low for his earls alone "Mainly check and see if its set to go where he says it is." Trust but verify. It was not out of bounds to be concerned that Raijin might try and make sure he had fewer to contest against.

Then she was moving over to Roger's group and taking another look at Rastar. He'd been wrappened in blankets and made as comfortable as possible. "Don't forget to keep getting as much fluids down him as possible. That stream we passed not that far back should do for water, and keep him moist as well, soak one of those blankets. He need plenty damp or his hydrophyllic skin will suffer."

It didn't take long to get the children and others that had come with them settled down, and they too as comfortable as possible.

She turned back to Varick, he'd still not answered some of her questions "I'm going to leave the children and other's here. However do you need to come with us, or will you be okay here?"

Michiko saw that Valkais face was as hidden as ever, and sighed inwardly.

"Valkai, could you check the device, and see if it's working properly?" She asked as she moved closer to him and under the cover of others entering, spoke very low for his earls alone "Mainly check and see if its set to go where he says it is." Trust but verify. It was not out of bounds to be concerned that Raijin might try and make sure he had fewer to contest against.

Then she was moving over to Roger's group and taking another look at Rastar. He'd been wrappened in blankets and made as comfortable as possible. "Don't forget to keep getting as much fluids down him as possible. That stream we passed not that far back should do for water, and keep him moist as well, soak one of those blankets. He need plenty damp or his hydrophyllic skin will suffer."

It didn't take long to get the children and others that had come with them settled down, and they too as comfortable as possible.

She turned back to Varick, he'd still not answered some of her questions "I'm going to leave the children and other's here. However do you need to come with us, or will you be okay here?"


"We can handle it, Krindi's gone to get some water, while Honal and Tomcat are keeping an eye out for any of Raijins troops."

Roger and Desperaux hovered over Rastar lie parents over a child, trying to ensure his survival after all he'd done for them.

Valkai looked at the device carefully. "It goes where it's supposed to, but it's limited. Only five can cross the portal before it collapses. So who's it going to be?"

Michiko didn't need to think about that answer.

"You, me, Perigrine and Jason..." She hesitated a long second, but could find no reason save for her own disquiet not to include him, and she raised her voice to catch the older Kriovalian's attention "and Varick, should he wish to."

She looked at Roger and his people. They were tired but they were the only protection the others would have. And Rastar would certainly do better for not being carried.

"Roger you and yours... I know you are tired but the children and the others need you all here to watch over them. I'm going to leave all the supplies with you, save for a couple of tubes of trauma nanos. If the soaked blankets can't keep Rastar moist enough..." She showed him how to mix burn cream and antibiotic cream from the first aide kits to become a moisture evaporation barrier. "Spread it very thin, and cover as much of his torso with it as possible. The temperatures aren't too cool here, so if you if you can trade his enviro suit out for some ones who's is undamaged that will help as well.

Jason gave a slight bow at being included in Michiko group, accepting the honour. He took out all the essentials, which were essentially a few cartridges, some food and some water and a small foil packet that had a few black pills in it and stowed them in pockets. He then took hold of his staff, adjusted his holster and waited for the others to get ready.

Michiko didn't need to think about that answer.

"You, me, Perigrine and Jason..." She hesitated a long second, but could find no reason save for her own disquiet not to include him, and she raised her voice to catch the older Kriovalian's attention "and Varick, should he wish to."

She looked at Roger and his people. They were tired but they were the only protection the others would have. And Rastar would certainly do better for not being carried.

"Roger you and yours... I know you are tired but the children and the others need you all here to watch over them. I'm going to leave all the supplies with you, save for a couple of tubes of trauma nanos. If the soaked blankets can't keep Rastar moist enough..." She showed him how to mix burn cream and antibiotic cream from the first aide kits to become a moisture evaporation barrier. "Spread it very thin, and cover as much of his torso with it as possible. The temperatures aren't too cool here, so if you if you can trade his enviro suit out for some ones who's is undamaged that will help as well.

"We won't let you down, and you're right, Rastar needs to rest, and the children need our protection, but if Raijins troops come, where should we go, Raijin must know you're here, and he can't want any competition from you, so he will come after us eventually, where do we go when he does?"

Desperaux came over after Roger finished speaking, "Keep the medical supplies for yourselves, you'll need them more than we will, we've all got Marine nanites, they can regrow arms or legs given enough time, and the children will be safe behind our bodies, they'll never get through so long as any of us are alive and concious."

There was a growl of assent to that from the posse, anyone who would hurt these kids would contract a very sudden case of Dead.

"What he's done has killed so many, and destroyed so much I don't think there are any troops. We didn't see any military trying to restore order, or help with the disaster. I think they got just as wiped as every one else, and there isn't anything organised, besides some gangs. This island wasn't really inhabited and it isn't close to any of the major cityes, so I think you will be okay. We went what, may be thirty miles and didn't see any signs of habitation or development. Now I know that doesn't mean there aren't any but....If you have to move, go deeper into the woods, look for caves."

She looked around knowledgably "The ocean disappeared, but this island is just a mountain peak that was high enough to be above the surface, and most of this chain is volcanic in origin, so caves are very possible."

"I know you will take good care of the children." She looked over to where Perigrine was holding the infant girl she'd rescued. "That one may be going with us if Perigrine has any say in the matter." Her voice went low, carrying just to Roger and Nimashet "I'm hoping that Varick choses not to go....I am uneasy about him. I don't think he'd be a harm to you but, he disturbs me."

"That is quite all right," Varik said softly. "I will await the purification and the seal, and for whether I will be granted entrance into the next world or whether my existence will be denied. So go on ahead. I am sure he awaits you, in whatever form."

"What he's done has killed so many, and destroyed so much I don't think there are any troops. We didn't see any military trying to restore order, or help with the disaster. I think they got just as wiped as every one else, and there isn't anything organised, besides some gangs. This island wasn't really inhabited and it isn't close to any of the major cityes, so I think you will be okay. We went what, may be thirty miles and didn't see any signs of habitation or development. Now I know that doesn't mean there aren't any but....If you have to move, go deeper into the woods, look for caves."

She looked around knowledgably "The ocean disappeared, but this island is just a mountain peak that was high enough to be above the surface, and most of this chain is volcanic in origin, so caves are very possible."

"I know you will take good care of the children." She looked over to where Perigrine was holding the infant girl she'd rescued. "That one may be going with us if Perigrine has any say in the matter." Her voice went low, carrying just to Roger and Nimashet "I'm hoping that Varick choses not to go....I am uneasy about him. I don't think he'd be a harm to you but, he disturbs me."


"I understand, we'll do the best we can, and I wil personally keep an eye on Varick for you, I don't trust him either, there's just something about him I don't like." Roger began speaking in his normal voice, but after his reassurances about the children his voice dropped, he trusted Varick about as far as he could throw Erkum.

"Thank you Roger, thank you all. You've all done a marvelous job." Michiko raised her voice so that it carried to all adults and children alike. "I believe you will be safe here, but listen to Roger and his company, they're trained for this."

"But what about the rat babies?" Piped a childs voice and suddenly the children were around her and Michiko went to her knees the better to see their faces

"It's okay, you all can take care of them. They will be safe with you. You all have been so good, so brave" She gathered them in for hugs and hair ruffles then she stood and looked at Perigrine, Jason and Valkai

"Valkai would you lead the way?" She had her pack with book, force lance, a couple of food bars and just a few tubes of nanos, for she had left the rest despite Nimashet's protests. The adults didn't have the military nanos Rogers group had and they might need them.

"Thank you Roger, thank you all. You've all done a marvelous job." Michiko raised her voice so that it carried to all adults and children alike. "I believe you will be safe here, but listen to Roger and his company, they're trained for this."

"But what about the rat babies?" Piped a childs voice and suddenly the children were around her and Michiko went to her knees the better to see their faces

"It's okay, you all can take care of them. They will be safe with you. You all have been so good, so brave" She gathered them in for hugs and hair ruffles then she stood and looked at Perigrine, Jason and Valkai

"Valkai would you lead the way?" She had her pack with book, force lance, a couple of food bars and just a few tubes of nanos, for she had left the rest despite Nimashet's protests. The adults didn't have the military nanos Rogers group had and they might need them.

Roger waited until they'd left, then he got an evil look, "Okay kids, they left me in charge, you know what that means?" He wasn't going to hurt them in a ny way, but he was gonna have a little bit of joking fun with them.

Xander took a small swig from the canteen, eyes narrowed in thought. "If we knew which direction they had come from, we would know where to follow... I never saw or sensed them back there, so that leaves us with two choice: either continue on the path we are on or leave the beaten trail. Think Kolte, do you remember where they said they were going?"
"The strange looking fellow (Kolte's never seen a ninja) talking to Michiko mentioned something about transdimentional travel. As to how he planned to achieve such a feat, I am at a loss." Kolte replied.

He scanned around the arena. They must have departed very soon after Kolte left; for the most part everything was the same, minus nearly 60 people of course. Sharp eyes then registered one detail that had changed; a door that was previously shut was now swung wide on its hinges. Kolte decided to investigate.

"I need to see something Xander, I'll be right back."

Passing through the door, Kolte quickly found a curious object. It sported the likes of which he hadn't seen since he had been on Karbarra, a planet ridden with Ancient Sith artifacts. Its strange yet oddly familiar runes sparked interest throughout Kolte's very being, and he quickly called Xander over to see it.

Roger waited until they'd left, then he got an evil look, "Okay kids, they left me in charge, you know what that means?" He wasn't going to hurt them in a ny way, but he was gonna have a little bit of joking fun with them.

A little girl in a blue dress made her way forward, shyly smiling. "It means that soon we're all gonna die." She started intoning. "Die, die, die, die. All gonna die." She looked at Roger intently. "Are you ready to die?"

Varik hobbled toward her as quickly as he could manage. "Celina! That's not very nice of you. Those are our guests." Turning to face Roger, he added, "don't worry too much. The death doesn't take place until the seal is set, and nearly everybody gets returned to life after, or at least that's how it's supposed to work."

Meanwhile, a group of the children had become quite animated, and while their whispering was mostly inaudible, their cheerfulness gave rise to the unsettling conclusion that their conversation was on the subject of their impending mortality.

Xander walked through the door and nearly dropped his lightsaber in surprise. He had seen something like this in his youth, but that had been in an ancient temple of the Dark Jedi. He had never thought he would see one here, of all places. It gave him a sense of dread.

"Kolte, I could be dead wrong in my old age, but I think that this is how your friends accomplished transdimensional transport...but the odds of this being here are next to impossible...I suddenly feel like we're being flung around like puppets on the string..."

A little girl in a blue dress made her way forward, shyly smiling. "It means that soon we're all gonna die." She started intoning. "Die, die, die, die. All gonna die." She looked at Roger intently. "Are you ready to die?"

Varik hobbled toward her as quickly as he could manage. "Celina! That's not very nice of you. Those are our guests." Turning to face Roger, he added, "don't worry too much. The death doesn't take place until the seal is set, and nearly everybody gets returned to life after, or at least that's how it's supposed to work."

Meanwhile, a group of the children had become quite animated, and while their whispering was mostly inaudible, their cheerfulness gave rise to the unsettling conclusion that their conversation was on the subject of their impending mortality.

"I don't like the sound of that, Varick, come with me, we need to talk. No, we are not going to die, we are actually going to do some work so that everything will be ready for miss Perigrine and miss Michico when they get back, ok? I need all of you to help so that they can rest when they get back, do you think you can do that?"

Roger turns to Nimashet and quietly says, "Make sure they stay safe, I'm going to take Cord and Pedi and we're going to have a talk with Varick, I don't trust him at all anymore."

Michiko followed Valkai, wondering how long this trip would take. The other had been brief and she hoped that this one would be the same. One paid a price for useing stims. They kept you going your mind clear and focused, but when you reached their limit you slept wether you could afford to or not. She could take two more without putting her body into toxic shock, and the self administered tubes rode in a pocket.

Perigrine came next, carrying the infant girl she and Jason had rescued. Her movements were not weary, the sleep she'd gotten earlier having restored her to full. She had asked Jason to cover the rear so she could keep a close eye on Michiko. Her more than human senses could hear him moving cat quiet behind her, and she smiled

Xander walked through the door and nearly dropped his lightsaber in surprise. He had seen something like this in his youth, but that had been in an ancient temple of the Dark Jedi. He had never thought he would see one here, of all places. It gave him a sense of dread.

"Kolte, I could be dead wrong in my old age, but I think that this is how your friends accomplished transdimensional transport...but the odds of this being here are next to impossible...I suddenly feel like we're being flung around like puppets on the string..."
"The thought had occured to me as well. However, what other choice do we have at this time except to submit to the puppetmaster? Any clue how to activate this device?" Kolte inquired. The thought that they were being led along like horses to water both terrified and intrigued him. For what purpose were they being directed? What being could possibly care so much about two inconsequential former Jedi? Kolte got the nagging feeling that the answers to these questions would become apparent very soon.

"Kolte, I could be dead wrong in my old age, but I think that this is how your friends accomplished transdimensional transport...but the odds of this being here are next to impossible...I suddenly feel like we're being flung around like puppets on the string..."

As if on cue, the device began humming and slowly spinning. The runes became illuminated. On the whole, it was as if the cylinder was beckoning to the Jedi. "Come closer and I'll transport you," as it were.

**************
Roger turns to Nimashet and quietly says, "Make sure they stay safe, I'm going to take Cord and Pedi and we're going to have a talk with Varick, I don't trust him at all anymore."

Varik was nearby the entire time. "Honestly, if you'd like to talk, do it. But don't assume that because I am sixty-four years old that I lack hearing." Varik snorted almost derisively. "As if discussing one's impending death at the Conception is somehow grounds for distrust."

**************
Michiko followed Valkai, wondering how long this trip would take. The other had been brief and she hoped that this one would be the same.

Brief was an understatement. No more than thirty seconds after entering the transdimensional network, they emerged, just outside of the building that housed Kriovalian Central Command. The pinnacle of the tower was invisible against the glare of the Disc, and it was at this interface that Raijin Dekker waited to place the final seals and initiate Creation.

Xander, being slightly paranoid, jumped back and had his lightsaber ignited in a defensive stance within seconds of the device's sudden and somewhat mysterious activation. He looked around, hoping to see if someone could have possibly snuck up on Kolte and him, but saw no one. Breathing deeply, he extinguished the saber and said to himself more than Kolte,

"Well, I guess that would be our new friend's version of an invitation...Kolte, I think that we should link hands so that we can draw off of each other's power when we go through..."

Xander swapped his saber over to his left hand, and extended his right hand to Kolte, palm upward...

As if on cue, the device began humming and slowly spinning. The runes became illuminated. On the whole, it was as if the cylinder was beckoning to the Jedi. "Come closer and I'll transport you," as it were.

**************


Varik was nearby the entire time. "Honestly, if you'd like to talk, do it. But don't assume that because I am sixty-four years old that I lack hearing." Varik snorted almost derisively. "As if discussing one's impending death at the Conception is somehow grounds for distrust."

**************


Brief was an understatement. No more than thirty seconds after entering the transdimensional network, they emerged, just outside of the building that housed Kriovalian Central Command. The pinnacle of the tower was invisible against the glare of the Disc, and it was at this interface that Raijin Dekker waited to place the final seals and initiate Creation.


"You are spreading tales with no root in truth, and that is something that makes you worthy of distrust, we are not all going to die, I have been told that I was going to die many times, that I had no chance, but I still live, we have the protection of the Posse, a goddess touched woman, an enigmatic ninja, a Nietzchien(I'm no good at spelling that, ever), and Jason, we will not die, if necessary I will kill everyone and everything in this misbegotten nation to protect this group, do not ever doubt that we will survive this."

Xander, being slightly paranoid, jumped back and had his lightsaber ignited in a defensive stance within seconds of the device's sudden and somewhat mysterious activation. He looked around, hoping to see if someone could have possibly snuck up on Kolte and him, but saw no one. Breathing deeply, he extinguished the saber and said to himself more than Kolte,

"Well, I guess that would be our new friend's version of an invitation...Kolte, I think that we should link hands so that we can draw off of each other's power when we go through..."

Xander swapped his saber over to his left hand, and extended his right hand to Kolte, palm upward...
OOC: Sorry, short post, can't stay on long...

IC:

Kolte nodded and grasped Xander's hand with his own. Their Force energies flowed freely between the two of them and for the time being, both their powers increased exponentially. His own power joined with Xander's, Kolte relinquished himself to the transdimensional energies that would transport him to his destination, whatever it may be.

"Jason, Perigrine, could you give Valkai and I some privacy."

Michiko requested, and waited as the couple moved some distance away. She kept her gaze locked on Valkai

"Valkai, it's come to the point where I have to know what motivates you. Why are you here with me? Given a good enough reason, I don't mind being 'used' but I'm damned tired of your evasions and silences." She kept her voice low, fully aware of how keen Perigrine's hearing was

"I'm all alone in this. Ashala hasn't spoken to me since before the Hospital. I'm an outsider, the worst choice she could have made, and obviously I've managed to fail her." Her voice was dispirited

"You certainly don't need me, if anything I'm just slowing you down."

Jason moved off to give the two privacy. "Peri, how are you holding up? Also what's your take on all this?" He asked, gesturing to Michiko and Valkai, as well as all the damage and the tower sticking up into the disk.

"Valkai, it's come to the point where I have to know what motivates you. Why are you here with me? Given a good enough reason, I don't mind being 'used' but I'm damned tired of your evasions and silences."

The ninja sighed loudly. "Fine." His tone was resigned. "I'd hoped to wait until all this was over, but I see that it can't really be delayed. Michiko, I'd like to spend the rest of my life with you, be that the next half hour or half century." He paused, mentally flailing to suppress the wry grin that threatened to form. "Of course, since you have both proposed and retracted your proposal of marriage, I didn't want to further upset you...or her," he finished, eyes moving ever so slightly to indicate Peri.

Rapidly changing the subject, Valkai then added, "As for Ashala's silence, there are two distinct possibilities. The first is that she has fallen. The second is that the Circle has come to consensus on the Creation. I believe we will soon find out the answer."

His words were prescient, though the ninja lacked the precognitive talent. The dimensional pathway terminated, releasing the group into a space of complete darkness.

**********

Kolte nodded and grasped Xander's hand with his own. Their Force energies flowed freely between the two of them and for the time being, both their powers increased exponentially. His own power joined with Xander's, Kolte relinquished himself to the transdimensional energies that would transport him to his destination, whatever it may be.

The device spun faster and faster, and glowed with the intensity of barely-filtered sunlight. Then there was darkness.

**********

In the total blackness of the "room", a low light began to fill the space, appearing to extend toward infinity in all directions. A boy walked toward the group. He seemed no more than twelve years of age, wore all white, and had dark spiky hair. There was little doubt as to who this was. "You're early," he said cheerfully, as if half-expecting them to arrive then. "Not a big deal. We're just waiting for the trumpets to announce the end of the world." He paused, smiling in a way to suggest a combination of mirth and pity. "I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I'll answer the ones I can, of course."

"Peri, how are you holding up? Also what's your take on all this?"

Perigrine stepped closer to Jason, and slid her free arm about his waist.

"I'm fine, beloved, I'm pregnant, and while I scarcely believe in gods, if these are gods, I see why it is said that humans created them in their own image. Arrogant, destructive, manipulative, and weak." The tall Nietzschean snorted derisively "Bah! They are as bad as the worst of my race, and that is saying something...and I have given a promise that I will keep reguarding Raijin Dekker."

******************************

Of course, since you have both proposed and retracted your proposal of marriage, I didn't want to further upset you...or her,"

Michiko found herself at a total loss of words, though she was thoroughly willing to pull every last strand of hair out in utter frustration and pique at this ...Kirovalian Man! She could not come to any conclusion but that some one - and she could think of a few good nominees at the moment - wanted to laugh at who ever poor women happened to fall in love with Kriovallian men...."or maybe its any one who falls in love with Kriovallian men" she snorted under her breath. "Maybe Koro and I ought to have some long chats" But she did have to close her eyes for a moment with Valkai's addendum about Perigrine. Perigrine could be incredibly formidible.

I believe we will soon find out the answer." The words had scarce left Valkai's mouth when the sceen changed and they found themselves else where distincetly different.

Michiko raised an eyebrow at Solokaro and briefly entertained the notion that like her own son, he wasn't too big to spank. 'But how does one spank a god? Even if he is a god that hasn't grown up yet.' she thought.

"I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I'll answer the ones I can, of course."

"Trumpets of doom? I didn't realized that the Kriovalian panteon was enamored brass, it seemed they were more of the woodwind, string and percussion set"

Michiko couldn't have told anyone where that came from save for sheer and utter annoyance

"Who, what, wha, gah," and other assorted gibberishness was coming out of Jason's mouth. The revelation that Peri was pregnant had absolutly floored him. Once he'd recovered back to coherancy he clasped her in a loving hug. In an emotion choked voice he said "I love you."

"Trumpets of doom? I didn't realized that the Kriovalian panteon was enamored brass, it seemed they were more of the woodwind, string and percussion set"

"Frustration? I'm not surprised. I once felt that way too, before I received his power. You see, I was never meant to become a God in the first place. Of course, life always finds a way." He paused to let the last bit sink in before continuing. "The fallen archangel transferred many powers into me before he was banished to the world of torment. And so I was transformed."

The God of Light began to grow and develop as if time had been sped up. The process halted at the apparent age of seventeen. When he spoke, his voice had deepened considerably. "It was in this form that I first defeated Koviros the Chaotic. At the time, we hated one another with a passion reserved for the bitterest of enemies. Today, though, while the intensity remains..." he grinned. "Anyway, that was when living beings first attained sentience, at least on Earth."

The rapid aging again took hold, this time ceasing in Solokaro's "mid-twenties". The black and silver trim, which had appeared on his earlier form, was now more prominent. Also, he now had a white headband, which contrasted with the dark sword he now carried. "This form was the one I had when I brought the human armies to the field of Valarok, just outside the citadel at Torokara. Not *that* Torokara, of course. This marked the point at which I was indisputably a God. Not everybody was pleased with having a God with such a...dual nature." His eyes glowed red to emphasize the point before returning to normal. "Hence the reason for being called 'Jashin', the Evil God. After all, I contain the powers of a rather noted demon."

When he changed again, he looked exactly like Raijin. "So I waited until one who was most like me came along. Soon I will repay the favor that was done for me by breaching the Seal of Heaven. Only one who has divine essence can do it, but few Gods risk angering one of their brethren, even one so unstable as *that* one. Thus, here we are."

Michiko threw back her head and laughed, a wide delighted sound

"Yes it does. Life is amazing"


She shook her head, still smiling, unphased by Solokaro's attempt at unsettleling her. "And who says he's a demon? His God? Biased I'd say. "

She had a feeling that he didn't know that she hadn't grown up in anything resembling a Christian culture, that as far as she was concerned, it was quite possible that the only reason the Christian 'god' existed at all was because above an certain minimum number of people believed he did.

"Enough believe that one is a demon and one becomes so, given time. I would expect you to have understood that from the outset. Perhaps we have chosen incorrectly in your case. However, you have brought the one who will be sacrificed to initiate the final sequences. The seals must be broken, the underlying principles of the world redefined, and then the seals must be reset. Then, and only then, can Creation take place. That Lucifer can exact some degree of vengeance is secondary to this." His gaze falls to Valkai. "Are you ready for your part in this?"

"Enough believe that one is a demon and one becomes so, given time. I would expect you to have understood that from the outset. Perhaps we have chosen incorrectly in your case. However, you have brought the one who will be sacrificed to initiate the final sequences. The seals must be broken, the underlying principles of the world redefined, and then the seals must be reset. Then, and only then, can Creation take place. That Lucifer can exact some degree of vengeance is secondary to this."

Michiko's laughter cut off and she gave him a look of contempt

"Oh do not underestimate me and you have forgotten, something very important. There are also people who believe that the Light Bringer is not evil, is not a demon."

"Ballance and counter ballance, and I will not allow you to sacrifice any one here. Your final sequences can go rot for all eternity.

His gaze falls to Valkai. "Are you ready for your part in this?"

And Michiko steps in front of Valkai. Her gaze never leaving Solokaro. If Valkai wished to take her from behind, Perigrine and Jason are far enough away that they can not stop him. But he'd have to get past the PALADIN armor.

Not that Valkai would live long after any such attempt - for while Michiko believes in Valkai, trusts him, Perigrine does not. Two steps to the side and she has seperated herself enough from Jason that she is free to move however ncessary, despite having Valia in one arm. And she is not weaponless.

"Does one who loves you and is sworn to your service, does Raijin, know what you intend? For I can not believe that he does, or is willing acessory." Michiko's voice was sharp

"And don't give me the 'he's just caused the slaughter of untold millions', so whats one more."

"Oh do not underestimate me and you have forgotten, something very important. There are also people who believe that the Light Bringer is not evil, is not a demon."

"People are free to believe what they will. That is the entire point of mortal existence, after all. But it doesn't change my nature, or his. Besides, there's nothing inherently wrong with being labeled 'demon', at least not to me. As for 'evil', that is in the eye of the beholder, isn't it?"

"Ballance and counter ballance, and I will not allow you to sacrifice any one here. Your final sequences can go rot for all eternity.

"In fact, the one sacrificed here today may very well rot for all eternity. It is his choice, after all. Valkai, may I have the orb now?"

"Does one who loves you and is sworn to your service, does Raijin, know what you intend? For I can not believe that he does, or is willing acessory." Michiko's voice was sharp

"And don't give me the 'he's just caused the slaughter of untold millions', so whats one more."

The ninja reached into his robes, withdrawing a glowing sphere. "I really do hope it was worth all...this."

Solokaro took possession of the orb, watching it glide slowly away from Valkai and toward him. "The last fifteen years have been difficult for you. If it could have been done differently..."

"I accepted my fate then. If I had to, I'd do it over again."

"I know. I suppose the best I can do, then, is give you back as much of that time as is possible." The Light God made a series of motions. Valkai staggered backward a couple steps, resisting the transient pain. When he looked at himself, he was fully twelve years younger. "Slasher Valkai, successor to that name, go with the one you love and make her happy now. You are young and strong again."

Solokaro continued, "as for the issue of whether Raijin knows of my intentions, some he does, and some he does not. Up to this point, he has foreseen every event to transpire, though there were a few objections to your treatment - well placed objections, for that matter. But now...things change. To Raijin Dekker go the powers of the Fighter for Light. The rest will break the two seals, with this orb." He smashed it on the ground. "You see, I am the sacrifice," he said, features slowly dissolving. "That is the true nature of the Conception."

As the once-God of Light disappeared, so did the ethereal room in which the group found themselves. They emerged in the shattered sixth level of Torokara, where Raijin and his crew waited. As they arrived, they noticed that the Commander had changed - somehow.

"Of course he would," Raijin sighed.

"Feeling more *immortal* are we?" Darvek half-joked. "Is it time already?"

Raijin ignored the jibe. "Yes, it is. Open the portal to the eastern temple. Let Varik and any of the others who wish to, pass through. The battle begins shortly."

"Well Varick, do you have nothing to say, or is it that I speak truth, and you are trying to devise a lie to protect you, your silence is a damming as any words you could speak; Cord, Pedi, watch him, carefully, I want him kept alive until Perigrine and her group return."

HIS was a sacrifice that Michiko could accept and admire. She had been too ready to believe and think the worse of Solokaro, stung pride, frustration, and lack of knowledge combining to leave her well nigh blind- and the ass in assume. That was something she would have to work on she decided.

She looked at Valkai, chagrin at her failings evident "You're going to have to explain it all to me, for I am exceptionally dense it seems."

Perigrine's eyebrows went up at Solokaro's last statement, and she watched his dissolution with silent respect. Her lack of trust didn't bother her one bit, but she well understood the concept of sacrifice for a cause. She held Valia up so the child could see HIS sacrifice, and murmured low in the tiny ears. "Even Nietzscehan mother's can be wrong - That is what a true Alpha will do for his people. Remember it and expect nothing less from the one you give your loyality too."

Michiko looked at Raijin "I owe you and Solokaro an apology. Her bow was deep and profound

"Yes, it is. Open the portal to the eastern temple. Let Varik and any of the others who wish to, pass through. The battle begins shortly."

"Battle?" Michiko asked

"You're going to have to explain it all to me, for I am exceptionally dense it seems."

"Eh. It's pretty complicated, this between-pantheons conflict. But it looks like Raijin's become the Fighter for Light, and I've become a good deal younger than I was an hour ago. Not to mention that the world's ended and it's about to start again." He looked at Michiko almost apologetically. "I really don't know what to make of things myself, right now. But it does look like there's about to be some fighting, which doesn't surprise me in the slightest."

"Battle?" Michiko asked

Raijin was taken aback. "I would have thought he would have told you. When the trumpet sounds, the four will ride forth to bring utter ruin. Once the improper forces are purged from this land, it will be restored totally." He leaned toward Michiko conspiratorially. "One part in five will be returned to its natural untouched state. The rest designed for efficiency and to last until the universe itself burns out. So it will be wherever the foot of a Kriovalian touches the ground. Acceptable?" It was unvoiced, yet apparent, that his final question was more than that of Raijin to the Tanaran Empress. It was a question from one God to another, in the eve of destroying yet a third.

"Oh dear one I am not concerned about inter pantheon bickering, but you are going to have to tell me some day exactly what happened fiftenn years ago. What that orb was and so much more." She looked up at Valkai, love shining in her eyes "And I don't care what age you are. You are as hansome to me now as you were when I first saw you. Can you stand being with an older woman?" Michiko teased before she turned to Raijin

Ah the ancient art of dickering, compromise, the bargain. Michiko smiled gently, the tattoos embossed on her arms and shoulders glowing faintly. She knew that Ashala would agree to terms.

"Make it one in three, and not only will I help now such as I can, but I'll not be too big a thorn in your side in the future"

SHE'd settle for one in four, and she supposed he knew that. Michiko looked at Raijin with laughter in her eyes. He certainly knew that she'd never desert a friend, even if he was a twit at times.

"And yes I'll bring Valkai back. I intend to be Tanara's ambassador to Krioval - and HER priestess if SHE'll have me."

"And I don't care what age you are. You are as hansome to me now as you were when I first saw you. Can you stand being with an older woman?"

"I'll see what I can do," the ninja deadpanned, half-expecting a retaliatory slap.

"Make it one in three, and not only will I help now such as I can, but I'll not be too big a thorn in your side in the future"

"One in five for Terran Krioval. One in four elsewhere, and a planet specifically devoted to habitat research and possibly ecological tourism. And define 'too big' - our thoughts on that likely differ." His voice was serious, but his eyes betrayed the slightest bit of humor. Apparently Solokaro was alive and well, but in a different form. "Well, if there are no further interruptions..."

No, she wasn't going to slap him, but Valkai would get a promissory kiss, one to curl his toes, later.


"And define 'too big' - our thoughts on that likely differ."

"Done on the one in five, the one in four and a whole planet ...and on the "too big" - How about we deal with it when it happens" Michiko replied to Raijin, accepting his offer.

"When it happens." Raijin looked around, then down at the shattered world, and finally up. "Now might be a good time." He maintained his upward gaze. "I call upon the Kata Kara, Disc of the Conception, to determine my worth."

Several seconds passed in silence. "You are worthy. Step forward that your soul might be fully revealed to me." Raijin walked slowly toward the center of the ruin, whose missing ceiling almost perfectly framed the pulsating disc of light. There was another momentary pause, and then the etheral voice sounded again, but in an altogether different pitch. "How is this possible?! How is it that you have come before me with the power of Creation?! You who are Lord of all Demons! Begone from my presence!" Slowly at first, then with greater speed, the Disc grew in intensity from completely dark to punishingly bright.

"And we're surprised?" Darvek quipped.

"Now comes the end," Koro half-whispered.

Michiko looked up at Valkai, and whispered.

"Always remember, I love you"

And with that she stepped up to Raijin's side, then between him and the Disc, as best she was able. She did her best to set every limit, every fear, every barrier aside. Ignoring the tears the brightest of lights brought to her eyes she spoke from the heart.

"Kata Kara, Disc of the Conception, I am the Chosen of Ashala, and beyond that I am a daughter of the Divine. A part of all that is, just as you are. And I speak for this one."

"He comes before you with the power of Creation because he has earned it. Solokaro is the willing sacrifice. Raijin is the Chosen of Solokaro and his sucessor. I am witness to that and to his worth."

"Solo...karo..." the Disc voiced the words slowly and with contempt. "The greatest flaw in my design. The other ten were far more willing to accept certain limitations, but that one...and now he stands before me in human form. Every time I have tried to correct the errors of the universe, there you have stood to block me. On that beach, at the Valarok..."

"So you did have something to do with that."

"It was meant to eliminate the imbalance you had created. Humankind was to be eradicated and replaced by the force you fought and dispersed. I was foolish to allow a lesser force try to deal with you. Now it ends. I will remove you from existence, Light of Defiance, and erase any memories of your having ever existed!" The Disc grew further in intensity, and then an arc of energy flew from its center. "Begone!"

Raijin was ready for it, though. With a single motion, he pushed Michiko out of the way, drew Lucifer's sword, and plunged it deep into the core of the Kata Kara. The effect was instantaneous - the Disc exploded, sending shards of pure energy in all directions. A pained voice gasped, "So this is how it ends here? So be it. The One with Power will await you at the end of space and time, and our fight will conclude there. Curse you, Raijin Dekker, Jashin in human form."

Even as Krioval was reconstructed in accord with the visions of its Commander, souls being reintroduced into intricately rebuilt bodies and buildings rising from the rubble, an ethereal form became apparent to the witnesses of the Disc's demise. It looked like an elderly gentleman who might otherwise be preparing for his daily walk were he not at the top of the Kriovalian capital. He spoke softly. "I should thank you, Michiko Sirocco Jones, Empress of Tanara. You would have interceded on behalf of him," he said, gesturing to the now-unconscious form of Raijin. "Only a human could approach the Disc. Only a God could break its defenses. Only a demon could kill it. So you see, that one is now the only being to have all those aspects combined. Had you not come, I fail to see how he would have figured out what to do in time." He stopped, looking at the cities rebuilding themselves. "Don't think that it's all over just yet, though. There will still be those who fail to understand and whose wills are powerful enough to remember."

Bravo Krioval, Standing ovation

Okay - NOW you have to do the sequel. And of course it was the power of three. Even a tv show can get it right sometimes.

*********************************
Had you not come, I fail to see how he would have figured out what to do in time."

Michiko shook her head with a faint smile as she picked herself up and looked wide eyed about her, watching the Creation take place.

"Oh I think he would have, he's rather bright for an 'error of the Universe'..." There was no sting in her voice.

"Don't think that it's all over just yet, though. There will still be those who fail to understand and whose wills are powerful enough to remember."

This brought a gurgle of bright laughter. "It involves humans, so "of course" its not over, and I would guess, is far from perfect."

Her knees went wobbly, and she looked over at Koro.

"Here" Michiko tossed him her small pack "A book, a weapon, trauma nano's, a couple of stims...Might be something in there to help Raijin, should he really need it...as it is I'm not going to be much good..." She turned to Valkai, long delayed exhaustion washing over her. "For some time. Sorry, but the stims are wearing off..." And that was it conscious thought for some time for Michiko.

Good read, sorry I couldnt' keep up with it.
"It was meant to eliminate the imbalance you had created. Humankind was to be eradicated and replaced by the force you fought and dispersed. I was foolish to allow a lesser force try to deal with you. Now it ends. I will remove you from existence, Light of Defiance, and erase any memories of your having ever existed!" The Disc grew further in intensity, and then an arc of energy flew from its center. "Begone!"


Saul watched, transfixed as a bug in a collection. "This is bad." he muttered.
the boy watched as well...


Raijin was ready for it, though. With a single motion, he pushed Michiko out of the way, drew Lucifer's sword, and plunged it deep into the core of the Kata Kara. The effect was instantaneous - the Disc exploded, sending shards of pure energy in all directions. A pained voice gasped, "So this is how it ends here? So be it. The One with Power will await you at the end of space and time, and our fight will conclude there. Curse you, Raijin Dekker, Jashin in human form."


a shred of energy struck both man and child. Saul felt sharp pain in his chest-the numbness that followed he knew all too well, symptoms described by his doctors in warning.
The infant wailed as he sat down heavily, dizziness clouding his eyes.

choose...

Saul Kovaly's vision grew dimmer.

The baby wailed, but it was far, far away.

"I don't feel so good..." he tried to say it, but nothing came out.

As others were born anew, the last shroud took Saul Kovaly forever from the world of living men, dying as he'd lived, watching the great and the near-great from obscurity-but without the chance to tell what things he'd seen.

He at least had the decency to fall over backward-thus not adding to his final total-but leaving a screaming babe within meters of the others.