The Infinity Chronicles Volume 1

Act-13: Ichubirn...Part 2

Mountain Town Idyllwild, Southern California, Alternate Earth, 3-Feb-2329

Act 13: "Ichubirn..Part 2"

Alex ate in silence at the small cafe, as Elisha picked at her eggs. After her bout of nausea, she wasn't particularly hungry, but Alex insisted she eat something. The few other morning patrons looked at this super-model couple with a mixture of awe and suspicion. They had come into town on foot, claiming that their car had been wrecked a few miles back. They both declined a tow, which immediately made everyone to hear their claim of a wreck suspicious. Alex asked if anyone in town had a vehicle for sale, and finding none, resolved to wait until dark before heading back to their grav-car. Finally, Elisha broke the silence at their small booth.

"Alex?"

"Yes?"

"How do you feel about me?"

"I care about you, but I don't love you, not in a boyfriend/girlfriend way, but I do have feelings for you. Why, what brought this up?" He said, looking up from his plate of Canadian bacon and eggs.

"Well, it's just weird I guess. You were my first, and I feel this bond to you because of it, but I know you and Cygna are like a mated pair, so I don't push the issue, and..." She seemed to stop, as though what she was saying was just an emotionally driven rant. He looked at her, perplexed at first, but then a gleam of understanding entered his eyes.

"I'm sorry for that. I should spend more time with you."

"No, it's not like that, besides, I couldn't bare the thought of having to share you with anyone else. We did what we needed to do, and I can respect that. I just get lonely at times. After all, you're the only guy around, so to speak." She said, masking the part about him being the only guy on board the 'B-Star' in carefully guarded words. He smiled.

"So, the next time we get to Center, wander over to Omar's and get yourself a boytoy." He said with a smile, before finishing his breakfast. He'd need to spend some extra time sparring with Cygna to work off that fattening meal.

"Yeah, right. Look, just once in awhile, if we could just get together and talk, ya know, about the good old days on board 'KittyHawk', stuff like that. Just hang out for awhile. That's all I'm really looking for."

"You'll always be my friend kid. Anything you need, just ask."

"Thanks Alex. That means a lot." She said, as she slowly began to eat. The food had cooled, but it was still tasty.

<Master, we need to talk> Alex heard in his mind. It was Ashia.

<Ok, what's up?>

<How quickly can you get to Marrok?>

<Marrok? Why Marrok? I haven't even found these Mages yet, and..> But she cut him off.

<The animal men have started their rebellion. 4 large transports will be arriving here in about 4 days. Onrad needs your guidance in this matter>

<Damn! What about Kinsman?>

<He is on his way to help Leo escort them here. Forget the mages for the time being. This is more important>

"Alex, are you ok?" Elisha asked him. He had gotten a faraway, dreamy look to his eyes, and it was starting to freak her out. The few locals in the cafe were starting to get antsy as well. Alex however, didn't respond, not right away.

<Ok, I'm on my way>

<See ya soon!>

Alex blinked, as though released from some sort of trance, and smiled to a distraught looking Elisha. He immediately noticed that things had ratcheted up a notch or three on the tension meter, as several of the other patrons had their hands on guns.