2199 Extinction

The Final Confrontation

                   A thick layer of silvery fog covers the ground, several stories below. From where I sit, I can crawl to the edge and look down. Which I did, after we ducked back here. I was searching for another way to leave the rooftop. Massive trees, with brightly covered leaves in varying colors, appear to stand guard in the distance. The air is still so humid that in a matter of seconds we are soaked with sweat. A variety of strange animal sounds fill the air, and over those unfamiliar sounds, I hear a familiar one, the sound of a Loftin's growl. Princess. My mother's favorite companion. Apparently, she is somewhere, down below, and she doesn't seem too happy.

                   She could be problematic, at this point in time, Princess doesn't even know me. Mostly because I don't exist, well I do, but I'm only supposed to be a baby. That's the problem with time travel, things can get so confusing and dangerous. For example, if I were to get eaten by a Loftin here, the future will remain the same. My mother will still be murdered by that...that... disgusting, murderous, sorry excuse for a Talfarian, Malum. And then another growling noise floats up to me, also familiar. I crawl to the edge of the building and look down. It's Alpha. Of course, it's Alpha, come to check up on me. Making sure I complete our agreement, as promised. He must think this is a good time to take care of Malum.

                  I am sitting down on the roof of what I assume to be an old observatory, with my back to a short wall used to, separate, the lounging area from the small kitchen. In front of me are tables and chairs, that appear to have been attacked by some hungry creature and discarded when found disgusting. I took note of all the sights and sounds after ducking behind the wall. I must not be seen, until the proper time presents itself.

                  It's hard to hear over all the noises, but I swear I hear Malum asking my mother to marry him. I look around the side of the small dividing wall. My mother is answering him but all I can make out is a resounding no. Malum steps closer to her and appears to be whispering in her ear. A light shade of red creeps up over her face. Whatever was said, appears to have embarrassed her.

                   "You will marry me, princess." his voice carries over all the strange noises.

                    "No! I will not marry you! I am in love with someone else!" mother says loudly.

                    Malum's laughter carries easily. "Love has nothing do with it. You will marry me and give me children because I am not above threats. You will do as I ask, or I will kill Henric and Addy. I promise you it will not be a fast death. It will be slow and painful; they will be well aware of the life draining from their bodies."

                      "Do we go now? Is this the time to kill him?" Amancia whispers from beside me. She is crouching low and peeking over the top of the wall. Luckily, they are too engrossed in their conversation to notice either one of us.

                    "No. I've been thinking about it. According to Vos, the other Vos, the older one; if we can prevent Henric from being murdered by Malum, she should be safe. If we go too soon, we could blow everything and Henric could still die." I whisper back.

                      "Where is Henric?" Amancia whispers.

                        "That's the problem. I don't know. I don't even know what he looks like."

                          I watch as mother hangs her head in defeat. "Fine. I will marry you but don't expect me to be happy about it."

                        "Don't touch her, Malum!" shouts another voice. A Talfarian with deep brown hair and bright green eyes appears in the entrance to the roof.

                 "Henric!" mother shouts.

                      "Well, now we know what he looks like." Amancia whispers, starting to get up. "Let's go kick some butt."

                         "Not yet." I whisper, grabbing her arm to prevent her from going anywhere. "If there's one thing I've learned from this whole time traveling experience, it's wait for the perfect timing."

                         "Fine then, I'll kill her." Malum says. "If I can't have her, no one can."

                         Wait. What? He's supposed to kill Henric, not mother! I let go of Amancia's arm and turn in time to see Malum swinging a Raptor. Henric pushes mother out of the way, and the blade cuts diagonally, down his chest.

                        Mother lets out a loud ear-piercing shriek at the same time I shout, "Now!"

                     Henric is laying on the ground, blood flowing from the large chest wound. Malum grabs mother, holding her back, so that she is unable to do anything but to watch Henric die. Amancia runs to Henric and opens the pouch on the side of her jacket. She tears into the packet of Instaclot, with her teeth, and pours it all along the deep gash. At the same time, I run to her side, draw my own Raptor, and face Malum. We have successfully moved fast enough, that we have caught him off guard.

                    "How's he looking, down there?" I ask, not daring to take my eyes off Malum.

                   "I'm pretty sure he will survive." Amancia announces, pulling out a Lifecheck and laying it, gently on Henric's chest.

                          Mother brings her head back with enough force that she busts Malum's nose and blood begins to pour down his face. He lets out a long stream of obscenities, in the Talfarian tongue, and lets go of her. She rushes to Henric's side and starts whispering to him while stroking his face.

                  "What are you Copaie doing here? Why would you get involved in a Talfarian matter? What concern is it of yours if one, insignificant, Talfarian dies?" Malum demands.

                  "I care because I know how you operate. I know who you are. I know that if you were to gain the throne, you would eliminate my entire race. You are a disgusting murderer. Besides, there is an old saying on the Copaie home world, 'Make friends with your enemy by eliminating their enemy.' If I protect her, when the day comes, she will be willing to return the favor." I say, my Raptor pointed towards Malum.