Universe Undone

Chapter 9: Evolution

Victoria and Enrique are finally reunited, but unfortunately things aren't exactly what she hoped for. But on the other hand, Enrique offers to help out Scott and his team with their escape plans as way to show his appreciation for them saving and looking after his dear friend.

Meanwhile, Justin and Brian worry over the possibility of that half-dead Shock Trooper coming after them for revenge. Their fears aren't unfounded since their enemy has returned to its hive, and has now entered its next stage of evolution, vowing to avenge its Invid brethren that have also fallen at the hands of those two humans.
Stan and William continue their journey, only Stan finds he is no longer able to resist the urge to try the mysterious protoculture for himself, and unbeknownst to William, heads off to try out his new experiment, while also planning revenge on the town that ousted them both in the beginning.

She ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck as she smothered his face with kisses until she was breathless. She didn't want to let go; didn't want this moment to end, or to wake up and find that it was only a dream. It still felt like one, but was it?

Still overwhelmed with shock, she cupped his face in her hands and planted one final kiss on his forehead before pulling back and staring back at him with questioning, yet sorrowful eyes.

"All this time I thought you were dead," she cried hoarsely, holding his gaze. "I found your apron in that desert, and I thought it had swallowed you up."

In the background, Scott and the others still had their weapons drawn, but had lowered them once they realized they weren't in any danger. They were especially just as shocked and amazed to see Enrique alive and breathing. Annie felt especially happy for Victoria, and was smiling through her own tears.

"You did?" Enrique's eyes widened with surprise.

"Yes." Victoria nodded. "I still have it too, I took it with me. What happened to you?"

Enrique sighed. "Well, the last thing I remember before ending up in that desert, I was in the midst of cleaning up the bar, and then like a sudden flash of light," he snapped his fingers in order to emphasize just how quickly it had happened. "I ended up in a very unfamiliar place, and it scared me. I walked for the longest time trying to find you or anybody else I knew, and that's when the sandstorm came, and I was forced to remove my apron and use it to shield my face. I got lucky and found a cave to hide in until the storm passed. After that, I left the cave and went to gather cactus, since they hold water you know?"

Rand already had that I-told-you-so look on his face as he looked from Scott, and then over to Rook, as though to rub it in that somebody else knew about the water in the cacti. He had a good feeling that he and Enrique would get along very well.

"Then I just kept walking until I ended up in this place," Enrique continued. "But by then I was so exhausted that I ended up collapsing right into the river, and I almost drowned until some local natives found and rescued me." He now turned toward the tree line, and signaled with his hand at someone.

"It's alright, Ulu, you can come out now. I know this woman. She is a very good friend of mine."

At the sound of that name, the others were already exchanging funny looks, wondering what was going to happen next. When, suddenly a strange looking warrior had emerged from the tree-line. He had a bearded, long-haired primitive look about him, yet he was dressed in factory produced clothing and boots; albeit tattered looking ones. The homemade spear he carried had a metal head, which was strange considering the rest of his attire. Yet, judging from Enrique's relaxed expression, it meant this man was completely harmless.