FutureSight - a YEAR 10000 story

21 - Victory

He walked out into the cold night air, on the celebrating world of Dren Suried. He was attending a ceremony - his ceremony. He was being commended not only for his actions in the last battle, but for the days that led up to it.

He looked outside, and saw that Vergeir was waiting for him, along with Melinda.

On this level, atop a platform, he could see far into the horizons. He was towering above the ground. Daren, smiled at both of them, and stepped into view of the public.

A roaring cheer rose from the crowd.

"They love you," Melinda whispered to him. He simply nodded his head a few centimeters.

"That they do."

Vergeir approached him, along with the leaders from the Triad and Sel Sarrak Combine. "In these past few hours, we of the human race have learned something. We should never be divided over petty differences, or want for more power. We must band together in the face of the common enemy, and put aside all past conflicts."

They turned to him, and placed on him a medal," for valor in combat, for clearness of mind and conscience, and for the will to push on when you had nothing else, Daren Ryder, we award you the Blue Shield Medal."

The crowd cheered louder, and he allowed himself a faint smile. If this kept up he might lose the title of the Outlaw. Oh well... it was great while it lasted.

"But as you know, the Ejiir live on," continued the Combine leader," they will return again one day, to threaten our civilization. They will no doubt develop counters to the bioweapon, and bring greater weapons of their own. Until that time, we must move forwards to unification and strengthening the bonds between us. For now, we have been united under a common banner. It has taken many lives for both of our great nations to see this, but at long last it has finally come."

Daren nodded, and looked at Melinda," You know what I was just thinking?"

She smiled and looked up at him," what?" The cheers of the crowd nearly drowned her out.

"I wish Koe was here to see all of this. Damn I miss that old hound..." But all she did was smile more.

He felt someone tap him on the shoulder, and he turned around expecting to see Vergeir.

But it wasn't Vergeir.

"Koe!" he said, confused," but I saw you - you were dead. How... how can this be?" Daren grinned, wider than any smile he'd shown another human being in his whole life. "You're alive man!"

Koe Kavoly smiled and cocked his head, lifting an eyebrow. "What, you didn't think I'd die that easy did you? Me, leave all this behind-" He waved with a hand to the crowd and fireworks in the sky. "Me, die and miss all the excitement. Naaaaw Daren, I thought you knew me better than that."

Daren hugged onto him, and was vaguely aware that his eyes were beginning to moisten over. It felt... strange, but everything was so perfect. It didn't feel wrong.

He let go of Koe and turned back to the Vergeir and the two leaders.

Vergeir smiled - which also seemed a little out of place to Daren - and spoke softly. "You know, with the merging of the two sides, there's going to be an election for who should take the throne."

Daren nodded and lifted his right eyebrow," well you should look into that Vergeir. I think you'd make a damn good president."

Vergeir's smile widened," actually, I wasn't the person I had in mind."

Daren shook his head and turned to look at the other two leaders. How had he come this far... it really did boggle his mind.

"We are deeply indebted to your work, past and present," they said," and we stand at the openings of a new world, a new unified nation. What, Daren, will we do from now on? What will we call this great empire?"

He sighed, mind feeling at a loss as he stared into the endless cheering crowds, the massive building he now stood on, and the twinkling lights of the starry sky. Stars and glory...

"Glory Star."