Lazarus Woman

Post to archives is encouraged as long as my name and title stay with the story.

Author's Note: Beware of spoilers. You should read all of my previous stories up through "Bundle of Joy," and also "The Arrival - Parts 1 through 3," "Crosscurrents," "Someday," "The Gift," and "Mind Games" before reading "Lazarus Woman."

Please feel free to use any of my characters for your own fanfictions, but keep their name and status quo as is in "Lazarus Woman," and please tell me so I can read your story. For the purposes of this story, the characters of Tu'um and Le'er will each be referred to as "she."

Summary: As Augur's traumatic condition reaches its peak, Shooma decides to take matters into her own hands . . . literally! Elsewhere, Boone struggles to balance his loyalty between Da'an and Kate, while Diana sets the stage for a remarkable revelation in the future.

This story is the part of my "alternate universe" EFC series. My alternate universe EFC series begins immediately following my story "Bundle of Joy," and contains numerous aspects not found on the actual show.

Special thanks goes to Brown Unicorn (aka Browny) for allowing me to use her character of Agent Mike Stansfield who is mentioned in the third person in this story. Mike can be found in more of Browny's stories. Please ask permission from Browny or any other author before using their characters in your stories.

All of my stories take place in an EFC universe that is basically similar to that of the actual series, but with a lot of my own characters and ideas blended into it. For this reason, please remember that my story arcs and plots will not always be completely accurate with those of the other fanfiction authors whose characters I sometimes use in my own fanfiction, or of the actual series.
 
 

    * * *

     With a frivolous toss of her head, Holo-Lili posed in a glamorous Las Vegas showgirl outfit as Augur admired his hologram. Holo-Lili wore blackish nylon leggings with a glittery, skimpy leotard covered in aesthetic sequins. She had a bright pink feather boa draped around her shoulders. The holographic babe was performing a little dance number for her creator.
    "Are you enjoying the show, sir?" asked Holo-Lili, kicking her legs up high into the air as she danced for Augur.
    "Ah, yes. Very much so." Augur smiled contentfully.
    "Uncle Augur, what is Holo-Lili doing?" inquired Hegawita as the hybrid child witnessed Holo-Lili's gleeful jig.
    "It's a new dance, called . . . the holo-mambo," Augur ad-libbed.
    "Oh, sir! Where do you come up with these brilliant ideas?" Holo-Lili gushed, as she shook her body along with the MIDI disco music accompanying her dance.
    Augur began snapping his fingers in time with the beat, while Hegawita and Endedora clicked their pinchers like castanets along with the music. A knock on the door interrupted their hootenanny.
    "It's me, Lili!" called the voice of Captain Marquette.
    "Oh, no! Lili, wait . . . !" Augur got up to make a move for the door. However, Lili pushed it open and entered Augur's apartment.
    "Augur, what's the mat - - ?" Lili stopped short as she spied Holo-Lili adorned in a cheesy Vegas showgirl get-up. "What is . . . this?!"
    "Lili, I can explain . . ."
    "I don't want to hear it!" Lili angrily marched up to the glass cylinder that displayed Holo-Lili. "What on Earth did you dress Holo-Lili in this time, Augur?! Her outfit is hideous!"
    Holo-Lili stopped dancing and glared at Lili. "You're just jealous!"
    Lili snorted. "Hardly." She turned to Augur and bopped his bald head with her hand. "So this is what you think of me, huh?!"
    Augur laughed nervously. "Lili, not in front of the kids . . ." He gestured at Hegawita and Endedora, who were huddled together watching the two humans.
    Captain Marquette put her hands on her hips irately and crossed her eyebrows. "I can't believe you did this to me!"
    "This isn't you," Augur explained. "It's a representation of you."
    Lili Marquette scoffed. "She looks like a cheap floozy!"
    "Hey!" whined Holo-Lili, offended.
    "Lili, if you'll just let me explain . . ."
    But the shuttle pilot cut Augur off. "Why should I even listen to your excuses?!"
    "Just ignore her, sir," Holo-Lili piped up. "I'm twice the woman she'll ever be."
    Lili snorted again. "You wish!"
    "No, YOU wish!"
    "Do you wanna take this outside?!"
    In the midst of Lili's argument with Holo-Lili, Augur spontaneously collapsed to the floor. His eyes were bugged out, and sweat glistened as it rapidly trickled down his face and neck.
    "Uncle Augur!" shouted Hegawita.
    Augur was having a difficult time breathing. He could barely speak as he heaved in and out for gasps of air.
    "Juanita . . ." the computer hacker choked out the name of his dead sister in a whisper.
    "Should I call the paramedics, Captain Marquette?" offered Holo-Lili, helpfully. The female hologram looked truly concerned.
    "No, get Dr. Belman over here! Now!!" Lili was kneeled down on the floor by Augur's side as she held him in her arms. "Come on, Augur; don't die on me now . . ."

     * * *

    "Exactly what do you have against our 'Starscape' program, Zo'or?" adversed Crroba, High Commander of the Kneeloi mission to Earth.
    "It is an unnecessary waste of resources!" the Synod speaker spat back.
    Deep down, Zo'or knew the potential consequences of "Starscape." Conceived by the American Kneeloi, Ffuga, "Starscape" was a Kneeloi-supported space program designed to launch human astronauts into the far reaches of the galaxy. All Taelons knew that this could very well reveal to humanity their territorial empire throughout outer space.
    A meeting was being held in the ornately decorated office belonging to Brajesh Ravi, the president of India. Accompanying President Ravi were Tu'um, the Indian Companion; Tu'um's attaché, Agent Haji Jagdamba; Shooma, the Indian Kneeloi; and Shooma's protector, Agent Tamil Shivastava. Also gathered in the meeting were Da'an, the American Companion; Commander William Boone and Major Liam Kincaid, Da'an's protectors; Ffuga, the American Kneeloi; Colonel Angie Truman, Ffuga's protector; Zo'or and his attaché, Agent Ronald Sandoval; Lili, who was Sandoval's assistant; and Crroba along with his protector, Agent Victor Bloome.
    "I disagree, Zo'or," argued Ffuga, who spearheaded the "Starscape" program. "It is not a waste. On the contrary, it will only allow for our three races to learn more about the universe."
    "But Ffuga, would it not be a greater imperative to focus on Earth itself and the betterment of this planet?" Da'an diplomatically wagered.
    "Of course that is our objective," Ffuga confirmed. "However, 'Starscape' can provide us with bountiful opportunities, and I see no reason why it should not commence."
    "I have given my full approval to it," added in President Ravi. "Several Indian astronauts have been chosen to represent our nation in this wonderful endeavor."
    "And pleased we are of that, President Ravi," smiled Tu'um. "However, perhaps our three races could work together to route out an itinerary for the 'Starscape' mission? I know I would certainly be willing to participate."
    "I do not see why that would be a problem," Shooma responded, smiling back warmly at Tu'um's proposal of compromise. Tu'um and Shooma had become good friends since the Kneeloi arrival, as they worked together often on Indian affairs.
    "By all means," agreed Ffuga. "The Taelons are certainly welcome to partake in our 'Starscape' project."
    "No!" Zo'or objected stubbornly. He turned to Crroba. "As the leader of my race, I forbid you as Kneeloi High Commander from pursuing this venture!"
    "Forbid?!" scoffed Crroba. "YOU forbid ME?! Zo'or, YOU have no jurisdiction over MY race. You are a Taelon. I am the leader of MY race, and our elders have given their consent to Ffuga's 'Starscape' program. I say it shall proceed as planned."
    By now, Zo'or was fuming smoke from his head. "How dare you speak down to me that way! If you intend for our two races to have any favorable relations, Crroba, then you had best apologize to me immediately!"
    "I believe YOU are the one who owes ME an apology, Zo'or. You are acting childish."
    Zo'or winced as though he'd just been slapped in the face. "Do not force me to take action against the Kneeloi, Crroba!"
    "I will thank you not to speak to me in that tone, Zo'or. You may find yourself facing a greater threat than you could ever imagine."
    "Is that a threat, Crroba?!" Agent Sandoval immediately came to the defense of his Companion.
    "Don't yell at the Kneeloi High Commander, Sandoval!" snapped Colonel Angie Truman, following her orders to stay loyal to the Kneeloi.
    "Please, let us not quarrel," pleaded Tu'um, scanning the room with her kind, compassionate Taelon blue eyes.
    "Yes, I hate to see us fight," added Shooma, coming to Tu'um's aid.
    "You will remain silent, Tu'um!" commanded Zo'or, growling venomously at the Companion.
    "Don't shout at Tu'um!" Agent Jagdamba snapped at Zo'or.
    "How dare you . . . !" Zo'or began.
    "Please, do not bicker," Da'an begged them all.
    Liam and Boone weren't about to get involved with this one.
    "Everyone, let's calm down," Lili piped up reasonably.
    "Captain Marquette, be quiet!" roared Zo'or, in heavy frustration.
    "I will not tolerate you speaking to Lili in that manner!" Tu'um instinctively defended her Earth Companion against Zo'or.
    "I will speak to her in any way I want!" Zo'or snapped back.
    "This meeting is adjourned!" Crroba interrupted, in a loud, aggravated voice.
    The tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a butterknife. Zo'or was glaring at Crroba, Ffuga, Truman, Tu'um, Da'an, Shooma, Lili, and Jagdamba. Sandoval was glaring at Crroba, Ffuga, and Truman. Truman was glaring at Sandoval. Crroba was glaring at Da'an and Sandoval. Ffuga was glaring at Da'an. Da'an was glaring at Ffuga. Everyone was glaring at Zo'or. President Brajesh Ravi breathed a tired sigh of exhaustion.
    Without so much as one further look at Zo'or, Crroba stood up, as did Agent Bloome. The Kneeloi High Commander turned to acknowledge Da'an and Tu'um. "I hope for the sake of your species that your fellow Taelons do not follow the example of your blatantly inept leader." He and his protector exited President Ravi's chamber.
    The disgruntled group separated. Tu'um and Shooma went off with their protectors and the president in one corner of the room. Ffuga and Truman followed Crroba's lead and departed the room. Da'an and Zo'or were left to argue and debate the situation with each other, Sandoval standing close to both of them. That meant the remaining Resistance members - - Boone, Lili, and Liam - - were free to converse with heir own private business.
    "Why didn't President Yo'og and Vice-president Rodriguez show up?" inquired Lili, referring to the American leaders.
    "Da'an said that they're currently on a diplomatic peace mission in Gabon, at the urging of Ih'mal," explained Liam.
    "It would have been nice to have had them here today," Boone commented. With a naughty grin, he added, "Rodriguez sure would have kicked Zo'or's butt around a little . . . during his rude outbursts, that is." Boone was speaking of the vice-president's non-tolerance of Zo'or's juvenile tantrums during meetings. While President Yo'og was passive and let Zo'or get away with a lot, Vice-president Rodriguez acted in the opposite manner: assertive, and she never hesitated to put Zo'or in his place.
    "Well, onto other things," Liam digressed. "Lili, any indication as to how Augur's coming along?"
    "No progress," Captain Marquette answered bleakly. She'd been the most recent one of them to check up on Augur who was being treated by Dr. Belman down in the Resistance headquarters.
    "Can Belman figure out what's wrong with him?" probed Liam.
    Lili sighed heavily. "Every time Augur has those seizures, it's always because of a nightmare he's had involving Juanita's death. You do the math, Liam."
    "Zo'or and Le'er sure made one hell of a mistake when they 'eliminated' Juanita, that's for sure." Boone frowned, remembering the horrible incident in its entirety.
    "And Belman's tranquilizer hasn't helped?" Liam ventured.
    "Only temporarily," accounted Lili. "Julianne told me that she's considered trying to synthesize something stronger for Augur . . . but there are risks involved."
    "As there are with anything." Boone squinched up his face, remembering his wife's own tragic death prior to her resurrection.
    "So what do we do?" Lili Marquette looked at Boone and Liam.
    "I think I have an idea," Liam Kincaid put forth. "But I seriously doubt that Doors is going to be happy with it."
    "The hell with Doors!" Boone waved his hand away briskly. "Augur is the one we're concerned about. What's your plan, Liam?"
    Liam told them his idea.

     * * *

     "Unauthorized personnel on the premises!" Halley Simmons read from the computer monitor as the detectors scanned the DNA patterns of the individuals descending down to headquarters via the elevator shaft.
    "Who is it, Simmons?!" demanded Jonathan Doors. The grouchy billionaire Liberation leader whisked his fingers through his graying mop of hair.
    "Like I know!" Halley responded. The leader of the Pacific Northwest Resistance pulled out her gun and prepared it for possible combat. Halley gave her trendy-styled, short blond tresses a quick toss, and then aimed her gun at the elevator door.
    As the elevator doors slid open, Commander Boone, Captain Marquette, and Major Kincaid slowly strolled into headquarters. Then, ever so intrepidly, Tu'um and Shooma also emerged from the elevator.
    "What are THEY doing her!!" Jonathan Doors roared like a lion, feeling utterly betrayed by his three operatives.
    "Not now, Doors." Lili glanced around. "Where's Augur?"
    "He's with Julianne in the infirmary."
    "Fine. Tu'um, Shooma, come along . . ."
    "Hold on, Marquette. You're not taking these freaks anywhere near Augur!" Doors stood in Lili's way.
    "Wanna bet?" Lili tried to move past Doors, but he wouldn't let her.
    "You're not going anywhere, Marquette."
    "Boone!" Lili called to her friend for assistance.
    William Boone pointed his skrill at Doors.
    "You wouldn't dare," Doors scowled at Boone in his deep voice that resonated like a rubber band.
    "Try me. We need Augur more than we need you."
    "Augur is dying," Liam reminded Jonathan Doors. "Tu'um and Shooma can possibly help him."
    "They'll have to get past me first," Halley declared, barricading herself in front of Tu'um and Shooma.
    "Move aside, Simmons." Lili, extremely annoyed by now, attempted to escort her Taelon and Kneeloi friends around Halley, to no avail.
    "Don't even think about it, Marquette." Halley cocked her pistol and directed it right at Lili's forehead.
    "Get that gun out of my face right now, Halley!" Captain Marquette was quickly losing her temper.
    "Do you people not want us to help your friend, Augur?" Tu'um gently questioned them, as she delicately smoothed out a few wrinkles on her sari with her fingers.
    No one made a reply.
    "I don't have time for this!" snapped Shooma, throwing up her smooth but scaly purple arms. The Indian Kneeloi squinted her eyes and applied her telekinetic powers, causing both Jonathan Doors and Halley Simmons to topple over.
    Shooma and Tu'um hastily followed Lili to the infirmary, with Liam and Boone trailing behind. Inside the Resistance examination room, Dr. Julianne Belman was closely keeping watch over Augur. The fun-loving hacker moaned groggily, as he laid on his back atop a cot.
    "Augur," Lili soothingly whispered to her friend, "you have some visitors."
    "He's hardly up for having company," Dr. Belman declared. "You'll all have to leave." Dark circles had formed under her eyes, indicating that she'd been up with Augur the entire night.
    "You killed my sister!!!" Augur randomly yelled out to no one in particular. He tossed and turned wildly on the cot, only half-conscious but very sleep-deprived.
    "Augur," Tu'um softly spoke to the computer genius, "do you remember me?"
    "Who are you?"
    "Tu'um. I spoke with your sister from beyond the void."
    "The void?"
    "The afterlife."
    Augur stared up at Tu'um, who stood above him. "Oh, I remember you! You were the gal who was doing the 'Macarena' at the Flat Planet!" He sounded almost as though he was intoxicated.
    "Yes, that was me," Tu'um smiled cordially.
    By now, Augur was cracking up, giddy with laughter. He was snorting and snickering nonstop, almost addictively.
    "He's losing it," Belman critically but truthfully sighed.
    Augur reached up and clutched Tu'um's smooth, delicate hand. "Nice to see you again, beautiful!" He was nearly hiccuping amid senseless, uncontrollable guffaws.
    "I have brought a friend with me who can help you," Tu'um told Augur. The Indian Companion placed her gentle hand on Shooma's arm, and encouraged Shooma to step forward.
    "Hello, my name is Shooma," the purple-skinned Kneeloi introduced herself. "I am the Kneeloi ambassador to India."
    "Do you live in the Taj Mahal?!" Augur spat out crudely, still snickering aloud.
    "Shooma, you'd better just go ahead and try it," suggested Liam Kincaid.
    "Think of your sister, Augur," encouraged Shooma. She delicately placed her palms on both sides of Augur's head.
    "My sister? Juanita?" All of a sudden, Augur switched from tears of laughter to tears of angst. Teardrops slid down his face as he sniffed in sorrow.
    As Augur cried out in pain, blue and purple sparkles were released from Shooma's hands. They formed a magnificent glittery free-flowing substance which flowed through the air and gradually formulated a body of mass, layer by layer, at Augur's bedside. Additional seconds passed. A human body was beginning to formulate. As it did so, Augur's tears stopped and his eyes grew wide.
    "It's happening," whispered Lili, excitedly.
    Standing at Augur's bedside was a woman with deep ebony skin, kinky black hair styled in African braids, and a goofy, bewildered grin on her face. She wore a simple white gown.
    "Whoa, what a trip!" Juanita exclaimed jubilantly.
    "Juanita??!!" Augur almost fell right off his cot. Faster than lightening, the inventor jumped out of bed and threw his arms around his sister.
    "Augur!" Juanita embraced her older brother happily. She then stopped for a moment and scanned the infirmary. "Wait I minute! Didn't I just die a minute ago?! On the mothership?!"
    "Shooma brought you back to life!" Lili piped up.
    "Hey . . . Lili-girl!" Juanita remembered Captain Marquette and gave her a big hug too. She then paused again. "Who the hell is Shooma?"
    "That would be me." Shooma raised her hand and giggled. Tu'um also giggled joyfully.
    "Well . . . thanks, girlfriend!" Juanita suddenly gave Shooma a huge hug, as well.
    "Welcome back, Juanita," smiled Commander Boone.
    "Boone-baby!" Juanita ran over and gave Boone a hug. "I missed you, dude." She ran back to her brother. "But I missed you most of all, scarecrow."
    Augur laughed and cried at the same time. "I thought you were gone forever."
    "Sorry to disappoint you," Juanita joked, elbowing her brother playfully. "You're not getting rid of me that easily." Juanita paused again, recalling her horrifying torture and death on the Taelon mothership. "Hey, where are Zo'or and Le'er? I'm gonna kick their asses!" She glared vengefully.
    Laughing, Augur put his arm around Juanita. "That's my baby sis!"
    Jonathan and Halley all of a sudden burst into the room, stopping dead in their tracks at the sight of Augur's resurrected sister.
    "Hey, I know you!" Doors pointed at Juanita.
    "Jonny-boy, how are ya?!" Juanita gave Doors an enthusiastic slap on the back.
    "You're dead . . . aren't you?" Jonathan Doors scratched his head, confused.
    "Not anymore!" exclaimed Juanita. She redirected her attention at Shooma, who had performed her life-reviving resurrection. Staring at the purple-skinned Kneeloi curiously, Juanita asked, "What exactly are you, anyway?"
    "I am a Kneeloi," replied Shooma, benevolently.
    "What the hell's that?" Juanita asked.
    "I'll tell you everything later," Augur offered. "We've got a lot of catching up to do. But . . ." He gestured to the simple gown that Juanita wore. ". . . don't you want to put on some decent clothes first?"
    Juanita looked down at the gown that she had on. "Damn, those Taelons and their simplistic fashion taste!" It was the same gown they'd dressed her in when she'd been impregnated aboard the Taelon mothership. "Oh, that's it! Zo'or and Le'er are going down!"

     * * *

     "I'm ba-ack!!" Juanita stepped through the door of Augur's high-tech warehouse apartment, fashionably adorned in a chic blouse with a white background and large black polka dots, black cotton slacks, and brown pumps on her feet. Juanita had just been out shopping for new clothes with Lili, and she carried the bulky shopping bags to prove it. "Thanks for taking me shopping, Lili."
    "No problem. It was fun," Lili said.
    "You look stunning," Augur told his sister. With a sly wink at Lili, he added, "both of you."
    "Yes! Yes! Welcome, Juanita!" Holo-Lili clapped her hands excitedly and jumped up and down. She was still dressed in her gaudy Las Vegas showgirl costume.
    Juanita choked out an amused snicker when she caught sight of Holo-Lili. "What is THAT?!"
    "Oh, this is Holo-Lili . . . my respectful tribute to the dedicated Captain Lili Marquette." Augur batted his eyelashes cutely at Lili.
    "Holo-Lili?!" Juanita cracked up in disbelief.
    "Don't ask," Lili mumbled dryly out of the side of her mouth. Then Lili suddenly pulled out a computer disk from the pocket of her jacket. "Hey Augur, I have something to show you. I think you'll get a real 'kick' out of it."
    "What is it?" Augur's interest was now picked.
    "Let me see too! Let me see too!" squealed Holo-Lili.
    "Oh, I think you'll especially enjoy this, Holo-Lili," grinned Captain Marquette. She approached the main frame controls of Augur's computer system and inserted her floppy disk into the A-drive. Lili began downloading the content of her disk.
    "Uh, Lili, are you sure you know what you're doing?" The computer genius was very protective of his software.
    "Trust me." Lili completed the download and then accessed her file.
    Instantly, a hologram that very much resembled Augur appeared next to Holo-Lili. It was a ditzy hologram of Augur, very muscular and wearing a skimpy, revealing toga.
    "Hello!" Holo-Augur waved at the humans air-headedly.
    Holo-Lili savvily squeezed Holo-Augur's strong, well-toned arm muscles. "Hey there, handsome!"
    "Lili, what did you do to me?!" Augur put his hands on his hips, more than a bit peeved.
    "Augur, it's not 'you.' It's a representation of you." Lili Marquette cutely flashed a sly smile his way.
    "Well I don't like it! Delete him!"
    "Chill out, man!" Holo-Augur said to his human counterpart in a laid back manner.
    "Shut up!" Augur shot back at Holo-Augur. "Look at me! . . . I can't believe I'm actually talking to a stupid hologram!"
    "Hey!" Holo-Augur shouted, offended.
    "You talk to Holo-Lili all the time, bro," Juanita pointed out.
    "That's different!"
    "How?" challenged Lili.
    Augur hesitated. "Well . . . Holo-Lili is mine!"
    "And Holo-Augur is mine. Your point?" Lili tilted her head.
    The eccentric hacker was left speechless. Finally, he found his voice. "I don't care! I will not have this computer-generated himbo in my databank!"
    "Fine. I'll take Holo-Augur with me. I already have him uploaded into my computer and global." Lili prepared to remove Holo-Augur from Augur's computer.
    "Aw, sir! Can't I keep him?" begged Holo-Lili.
    "No!" Augur snapped. "Lili, I can't believe this is what you think of me. I thought we meant more to each other than that."
    "Oh, Augur," sighed Lili. "I'm just trying to show you how I feel whenever you showcase Holo-Lili on your computer screen. Holo-Augur is nothing more to me than a beefy piece of holographic eye-candy."
    "Hey!" Holo-Augur stomped his foot and pouted. "I heard that!"
    "Uh, I hate to interrupt," Juanita broke in, "but I would kind of like to meet my . . . daughter now." She had been told by her brother about Hegawita.
    "Sure. Suzanne has been baby-sitting Hegawita and Endedora lately, while I'm at headquarters. Although sometimes I bring the girls down there with me, just to get Jonathan's goat." Augur grinned. He went into the next room and came out holding both Hegawita and Endedora in his arms.
    Juanita approached the two Hegawud children cautiously.
    "Hegawita, this is your mother," Augur spoke to the Hegawud/human child whom Juanita had given birth to months earlier. "Her name is Juanita. She is the one who gave birth to you."
    "Hi . . . mother," Hegawita said, reaching out with her pincher to touch Juanita.
    "Hello . . . Hegawita," whispered Juanita slowly. She picked up her daughter and embraced Hegawita, holding her in her own arms.
    "I have so much to ask you." Hegawita stared up into her mother's eyes. The lobster-like hybrid child reached out to touch Juanita's frizzy black hair, which very much resembled her own.
    "We'll have plenty of time to share. I'm going to make sure of that." A tear escaped from Juanita's eye. She felt an immense and eminent connection to Hegawita. "Blood really is thicker than water."
    "This is Endedora," Hegawita introduced her Hegawud/Taelon hybrid half-sister to her mother.
    "Hi, hi!" squealed Endedora, cuddling up to Juanita and Hegawita while in Juanita's arms.
    "I'm going to get to know you both really well, I promise." Juanita sniffed through joyous tears.
    Now Lili was getting ready to cry.
    "Pardon me," Holo-Augur broke in. "Captain Marquette my sweet, but isn't it time for my mid-afternoon snack. I want to bite into some bytes."
    "Of course." Lili opened a cache file where she stored some special computer bytes to feed Holo-Augur when he got hungry. "We've got to keep those virtual muscles of yours strong and healthy, don't we?"
    "Come on, Captain Marquette," urged Holo-Lili. "My man is starving."
    "This is ridiculous!" Augur scoffed.
    "Don't be so surprised, Augur," winked Lili. "I couldn't make my holo-hunk into a stick-person, the way you made your holo-babe."
    "Are you insulting my creativity?"
    "Or your lack thereof."
    "Lili, you just never quit while you're ahead."
    "I learned from the best, Augur. You."
    Juanita laughed out loud. "You two are a riot. Have you ever thought about getting together?"
    Augur and Lili exchanged glances.

     * * *

     "Agent Sandoval, you are dismissed. I wish to be in solitude." Zo'or waved his attaché away with his hand.
    "But Zo'or . . ."
    "Do you not understand an order, agent?! Leave!! You may return to Earth to see if Da'an needs your assistance at all."
    Sandoval shot Zo'or a look of disgust. The implant turned and strode over to the portal. He accessed it, and in an instant was zapped back down to Earth.
    Zo'or turned on his energy stream. A dazzling tent of sparkly blue light enclosed around Zo'or, penetrating from the data stream above him as he absorbed its warmth. The Synod speaker peacefully reverted to his true form and closed his eyes.
    After only an hour which had seemed like an eternity, Zo'or re-opened his eyes. He shrieked at what he saw. Only inches away from his face was the mischievous facade of Diana VanKirk.
    "What are you doing here?!" Zo'or demanded. "Get out!"
    "Aw, that wouldn't be any fun now, would it?!" Diana grunted. She clapped her hands, and suddenly, the data stream turned off.
    By now, Zo'or had returned to his "human face." His trademark scowl became coupled with trepidation. "What do you want?"
    "Have you ever seen 'Peter Pan,' Zo'or?"
    "No. What is that?"
    "It's about a boy who can fly," Diana explained. "I think you'd 'really' enjoy it!"
    Zo'or impetuously felt a force lifting him upward, out of his chair. Diana had thrown a handful of some kind of glittery pixie dust on him.
    "What did you do to me?!" Zo'or quivered. He stared at Diana's other hand, which was filled with pixie dust. "What does that do?"
    "This?" Diana frivolously tossed some more pixie dust all over Zo'or. "Oh, this stuff is fake. It's just to freak you out. I'm actually using my powers to make you fly."
    "What powers?!"
    "THESE powers!!"
    Zo'or involuntarily flew forward, as a force beyond his control swept him across his audience chamber. Through countless corridors within the mothership Zo'or was carried, picking up speed with every succeeding twist and turn that he made.
    "Put me down!!!" Zo'or yelled out to Diana.
    "Noooooo!!!!!!!" Diana's voice responded, although the woman herself was nowhere to be seen.
    As Zo'or was whisked past several drone implants on the mothership, they turned to stare at him as he forcibly glided through the air against his will.
    Abruptly, Zo'or crashed to the ground. Diana had released her force on him. She was now cackling demonically. Zo'or moaned in pain.
    "I'll be back . . ." Her voice echoed as it faded away.

     * * *

     Boone's global beeped off, waking the implant up. He groaned and sleepily rubbed his eyes as he rolled over in bed to grab his global off the nightstand. William Boone opened the link.
    "Go," he yawned.
    "Boone?" Da'an's voice woke him up.
    "Yes, Da'an?"
    "I request your presence here at my office today."
    "But Da'an, it's my day off," Boone complained. He had been planning to enjoy a picnic lunch with Kate that afternoon at Chevolleau Gardens.
    "I am aware of that, Commander Boone. But I would not ask this of you if it was not of the utmost urgency."
    "Can't I come in tomorrow, instead?"
    "No. This is an order, Boone. I expect to see you shortly. Good day." Da'an cut the link.
    "Who was that?" Kate whispered groggily. She shifted closer to her husband in bed and snuggled up to him.
    "Da'an."
    "What did he want?" she muttered, half-ready to fall back asleep again.
    "He wants me to report in for work today."
    That woke Kate up. "What?! Will! No!" She pouted. "Today is supposed to be your day off!"
    "I'm sorry, honey. But I have to follow orders. We can have our picnic tomorrow, can't we?"
    "I guess," sighed Kate, an immense expression of disappointment covering her face.
    Boone leaned over and planted a kiss on his wife's lips. "I'd better get dressed."
    "I don't see why Da'an can't just have Liam substitute for you."
    "Maybe Liam's busy? Or maybe he needs both of us?"
    "He has Sandoval and Mike, too."
    "Kate, Da'an and I have a special relationship."
    "I thought WE had a special relationship!" Kate now looked truly hurt.
    Will felt horrible that he'd said that. He sat back down in bed next to Kate. "You know that Da'an will NEVER replace you in my life."
    "Sometimes I wonder . . ."
    "I promise, Kate. I'll ask for tomorrow off instead. And if Da'an has a problem with that, he'll just have to temporarily suffer." Will flashed one of his famous boyish grin at Kate.
    Kate Boone wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed him, shining with excitement.
    When Commander Boone arrived at Da'an's embassy, Sandoval and Liam were already gathered around a computer. Da'an spotted Boone entering the audience chamber.
    "Boone, let me explain why you are here," the alien said, summoning his implant forward. "We are presently engaged in a strategic planning session."
    "Planning session? For what?"
    "The Synod has called upon all Companions and their agents to, as you humans say, . . . brainstorm ideas as to how we might avert the 'Starscape' program."
    "Da'an, I don't think that's a wise idea. Crroba and the other Kneelois seem very determined to follow through with 'Starscape.' You may make enemies out of them," Boone honestly conveyed.
    "It is a mandate of the Synod." Da'an blinked. "I respect your opinion, Commander Boone, but I am afraid that debate regarding this issue is out of the question."
    "How are Liam and I supposed to explain this to Ffuga?" Boone challenged.
    "You won't," Da'an simply spoke. "Ffuga does not need to know about our plans."
    "You want us to lie to Ffuga?!" cut in Liam, leaving the computer to join Boone at the commander's side.
    "Not lie." Da'an held up his finger. "Merely . . . withhold information."
    "You can't ask us to do that," frowned Boone.
    "I am not asking you to. I am ordering it." Da'an tilted his bald head and studied Boone's face. "Where does your true loyalty lie, Commander Boone?"
    "I will not betray Ffuga," Boone firmly insisted.
    "Me neither," added Liam.
    "Very well." Da'an took a deep breath. "Could you at least request some information pertaining to 'Starscape' from Ffuga, so that I might learn more about it? Compile and analyze the data? And help me to solve the dilemma which 'Starscape' poses to my race." Upon that last sentence, Da'an made direct eye contact with Liam, who knew of the vast Taelon empire due to the knowledge he'd inherited from Ha'gel.
    "Certainly," approved Liam. "I'll call Colonel Truman and ask her to obtain your requested information from Ffuga, and then she can e-mail it to me."
    Liam occupied himself with dialing up Angie's coordinates on his global. In the time being, Da'an directed his gaze straight at Boone. "Please assist Major Kincaid and Agent Sandoval." The Companion closed his eyes, indicating that he was finished communicating with Commander Boone for the moment.
    Boone joined Sandoval, a twinge of guilt gnawing at his conscience. The commander didn't want to seem disloyal to Da'an - - but he also could not go behind Ffuga's back and conspire against the Kneeloi. But then, wasn't that precisely what Jonathan Doors intended for him to do? Will resolved to try to remain neutral.
    After several hours of work, both Boone and Condor were growing hungry. Around noon, Kate walked into the audience chamber, a large picnic basket in hand.
    "Good afternoon, everyone," Kate Boone greeted Da'an's three protectors. She smiled at Da'an. "Hello, Da'an."
    "Hello again, Mrs. Boone." Da'an smiled warmly and nodded at Kate. "What brings you to my embassy?"
    "Kate, what are you doing here?" Will walked over to his wife and took her hand.
    "Well, since you couldn't come to the park with me for our picnic lunch, I decided to bring our picnic lunch to you," Kate winked.
    "How sweet!" gushed Will. "And I'm starving, too!"
    "Da'an, may I steal my husband aside for a lunch break?" Kate requested to the Companion.
    "Of course," Da'an agreed.
    Kate opened the picnic basket and removed a folded-up red and white checkered tablecloth, which she spread across the embassy floor. She then unloaded a variety of meats, cheeses, and vegetables from the basket. Ham, roast beef, turkey, salami, pepperoni, and pork were stacked as cold cuts on a gigantic platter. The meat platter was accompanied by an identical tray filled with an assortment of cheeses: cheddar, colby, Swiss, Monterey jack, brick, provolone, Gouda, Edam, and mozzarella. These cheeses were arranged in slices, and the platter was covered in tinfoil so they would stay fresh. Another dish held various kinds of breads including wheat, rye, Kaiser rolls, sourdough, pumpernickel, poppy seed, sesame, French, and Arabian bread. Some fresh vegetables on hand were lettuce, cucumbers, pickles, and onions. Kate had also made sure to bring along plenty of mayonnaise, mustard, relish, Pepperidge Farms Goldfish Crackers, and of course, cookies for dessert.
    "Wow, what are we going to wash this all down with?" asked William Boone.
    As if on cue, Agent Lassiter wheeled in a vat filled with lemonade.
    "There's plenty for everyone," Kate offered to the rest of the group.
    Sandoval, Liam, and Lassiter eagerly helped themselves.
    While the humans ate, Da'an intently watched Will and Kate dine together. The North American Companion's round, bright blue eyes fixated on the Boones whom were happily savoring their picnic lunch.
    Kate looked up and noticed Da'an staring at her and her husband. "Would you like a sandwich, Da'an?" she offered politely to the alien.
    "No thank you," replied the Companion. "We Taelons are unable to consume human delicacies."
    "Then how do you obtain nourishment?" Kate inquired.
    "We absorb energy," Da'an explained, gesturing to the energy streams located in various spots around his audience chamber.
    "That's nice," Kate murmured, placing her focus back on Will. "There will be plenty of leftovers. Should I take them home with us and refrigerate them? That way, you can prepare cold cuts and sandwiches for lunch to bring to work with you on other days."
    "Sounds good," Boone said through a mouthful of ham and Monterey jack.
    "Hey, if you can't find room in your refrigerator I'll take some of this food off your hands for you," grinned Liam, licking his lips.
    Kate laughed, and Boone actually smiled at Liam. Da'an sighed deeply. How he wished he could experience being a human . . . if only for a day. How the North American Companion craved to be able to share food and conversation on the same level as Boone and Boone's wife.
    How he wished for the moments where he and Boone could spend time alone . . . just the two of them. No Sandoval, no Liam, no Kate, no Zo'or . . . just him and his favorite implant.

     * * *

     "I want to thank you again . . ."
    Shooma held up her hand and cut Juanita off. "Please. It made me feel overjoyed to be able to help a fellow being of this great universe."
    "Are you sure you won't get in trouble with Crroba and the Kneeloi elders?" Lili asked Shooma.
    The Kneeloi Ambassador to India shifted her head to acknowledge Captain Marquette. "That is assuming they even find out about Juanita's resurrection. And so what if they do? What are they going to do . . . kill her?"
    "They'd better not!" Juanita insisted.
    "But wouldn't you get in trouble with them?" ventured Lili.
    "I will handle Crroba myself," was Shooma's response.
    Tu'um gave Shooma's hand a light squeeze of empathetic friendship. "The Synod also creates some rather inflexible restrictions at times, so I know what you are up against. Sometimes it only takes a few brave souls to stand up for what we believe in."
    Shooma, Tu'um, Juanita, and Lili were spending the afternoon chatting and conversing together in Shooma's elegant sitting room in her embassy. The Kneeloi embassy in India rotated as a structural sphere high above the capital city of New Delhi, India. Every Kneeloi embassy was of the similar, standard spherical shape, but decorated according to each individual Kneeloi's taste. Shooma had designed the interior of her embassy in blues, purples, and pinks, containing a blend of both Indian and Kneeloi art, as well as windchimes and Hindu sculptures.
    "Juanita," Tu'um addressed Augur's sister, "you have great potential to do a lot of good in the world. After all, your powers of extrasensory perception will allow you to see individuals for who they truly are."
    "Sometimes I think it's a curse," admitted Juanita. "I was able to read Zo'or's thoughts so well, that's what drove him to target me in the first place. On the other hand, Tu'um, I can see you as a selfless and spiritual Taelon creature, who would never cause harm or malice to others for purposes of vanity or greed."
    "Unlike Zo'or," added Shooma, bitterly.
    "Zo'or certainly needs to see the error of his ways," confirmed Tu'um.
    "It's still hard to believe that you actually can read people's minds," Lili said to Juanita. "The only others I've ever met who had ESP of any form are Katya Petrenko and Marie."
    "Marie is a wonderful woman," Juanita nodded, knowingly.
    "Why didn't you tell us you had ESP when we first met?" Lili asked Juanita.
    Juanita stuck out her tongue. "What was I supposed to say? 'Hi there! I'm Juanita! I have ESP! Whadd'ya think about that?!' Come on, Lili. I didn't even know any of you. I haven't even been able to break it to Augur yet."
    "What's stopping you?" called out a deep voice.
    It was Diana. She was now sitting with them in Shooma's private chamber.
    "Who are you?" demanded Juanita.
    "This is Diana," Tu'um introduced the fiery-eyed rogue to Juanita and Lili. "She is a dear friend of Shooma and myself."
    "That she is," agreed Shooma. "She is going to help us get revenge on Zo'or."
    "All right!" Juanita pumped her fist in the air. "Count me in!"
    "But that's not all!" grunted Diana, her bright orange eyes lighting up like a jack-o'-lantern. "Juanita, go to see Marie. She will guide you in the right path."
    "What are you talking about, girl?" Juanita folded her arms, looking confused.
    "It will all make sense eventually," Diana told her. "But I'm not going to let the Taelons or the Kneeloi get away with either of their ultimate agendas. I will remain victorious in the end!" She cackled loudly and wickedly.
    "Diana always speaks in riddles," grinned Shooma. "But she knows what she is talking about."
    "Yes," Tu'um supported. "She knows, indeed."
    "Okay . . ." Juanita was just thankful to be alive again.

     * * *

     "Ah, Juanita, my dear. How lovely to see you again." Marie took the hand of Augur's sister. "I knew you would be back."
    Augur and Juanita sat in Marie's living room, the wise, elderly psychic sitting in her rickety old wheelchair.
    "I still can't believe it," Augur exclaimed. "And I thought the Kneeloi were bad news . . . but they brought my baby sister back to life!"
    "No, Augur," Marie corrected him. "Shooma brought Juanita back to life. Shooma is a good Kneeloi. But if some of the other Kneelois have their way, then our planet will be in grave danger. We already are."
    "Including the Taelons?" asked Juanita.
    Marie nodded, trembling. "Zo'or wants to control the human race. And as for Le'er, her evil experiments will only signal apocalypse, if allowed to continue. Other Taelons will follow their leads."
    "What about the Resistance?" Augur wanted to know.
    "Your Liberation movement is a good start. But," Marie looked the hacker in the eye, "you need to do more."
    "So how can we save Earth, Marie?" probed Juanita.
    Marie stared back at Juanita with grandmotherly affection. "Ever since you were a little girl, Juanita, I've known that you would grow to become a very important and powerful woman. Now is the time for you to use your powers to help the Resistance."
    "How?" Juanita then stopped speaking. On some psychic level, she knew what Marie meant. "I will do my best. And since I've decided to permanently relocate to Washington D.C., I'll be right here with you two, any time you need me!"
    Augur gave his sister a brotherly grin as Juanita draped her arms around Augur's and Marie's shoulders.
    "This is the second Genesis," proclaimed Marie.

     * * *

    FIN
 

Copyright 1999 by Earthboy
Gene Roddenberry's Earth: Final Conflict is property of Tribune Entertainment Company and is produced by Roddenberry/Kirschner Productions. No monetary profit is being made from this work. No infringement is intended. If you sue me, the townspeople will storm your house with pitchforks and torches.