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TITLE: Escape
AUTHOR: Mithril (perretta@entelchile.net)
TYPE: Story
RATING: PG-13
SUMMARY: How long can friendship last?
DISCLAIMERS: Earth: Final Conflict characters and Universe are from Gene Roddenberry. No copyright infringement is intended.
The idea is mine.
SPOILERS: None
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Thank you very much to Ja'el and Gwyn for editing my story. This is the first story of my Ka'lin sha series.
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Escape
by Mithril (perretta@entelchile.net)

Millions of years ago, in the Kimera's home world...

Ha'gel stood in the balcony of his residence, peacefully looking at the sunset. Even though he had witnessed the event unnumbered times, he always found new beauty in that scene. He was happy. Due to his advice, the Taelons had been given the assistance they so desperately needed. He had dedicated his whole life to help and know another species.

"I knew that you would be here," a soft, sweet voice said behind him.

He turned and smiled at the small, sparkling being who looked solemnly at him with a tilted head.

"Come to me, little one," he invited the child.

With a giggle, the child walked towards him and stood by his side. Gently, Ha'gel placed a hand on the child's shoulder. His daughter Ae'lia. Since the passing of his chosen one, Ae'lia had became his main reason for living.

"The sight is wonderful," she said in awe.

"Our world is beautiful, Ae'lia and, one day, you will sit in the High Council, taking my place."

Ae'lia turned to him, worried. "Do not say that. You will live for ever," she said seriously.

He just smiled at her innocence. "Ae'lia, you--"

He was abruptly interrupted by a strange noise that seemed to come from everywhere. Instinctively, he picked up Ae'lia to protect her. Shocked, he saw how an incredible number of Taelon's ships appeared in the sky... and started to fire.

"Father!" she screamed.

"Do not worry, little one. Every thing will be fine," he soothed her, hurrying inside. A cold fear running through his body.

******

Onboard the Leader Taelon Ship, the Synod watched in satisfaction how the kimeran world was almost totally destroyed.

"The threat is over," the Synod Leader stated.

"We will regret this action one day," the youngest member said sadly.

"You and the child are the last Taelons born. Your youth does not let you think clearly, Da'an. This was the only way," the leader explained him.

Suddenly, the image of a Taelon pilot appeared. "We have located their leader," he informed the Synod.

"Good. Ha'gel must be captured," the main Taelon said. Then he turned to his most trusted Synod Member. "Ka'rel, chose thirty Taelons and go to the planet. Da'an and the child should go with you. "

******

Quickly, Ha'gel stepped inside the elevator and descend to the safest part of his residence, the Column Chamber. As its name said, a huge column, located in the middle of the room, gave support to the whole structure. He entered and walked towards the back wall. With a wave of his hand, a part of the wall disappeared, a pod was reveled. He place Ae'lia on the floor and indicated her to enter.

"Father, there is not enough space for both of us."

"I know, little one. You will be safe here, I must go to contact the other members of the Council," he explained her. *but I am afraid that it is too late* he finished in his mind.

"No! Do not leave me alone," she begged, embracing him.

(You will never be alone. I will always be with you. I promise you that.) he thought to her, tenderly holding her little hand and pressing his palm with hers.

(I love you, father) she whispered in his mind.

He looked at her, knowing that it would be the last time. He closed the pod and with a wave of his hand, the missing part of the wall appeared again.

Quickly, he went to the Communicational Chamber to contact the High Council. After a while, he realized that it was useless. With a cold feeling in his heart, he understood that he was the only Council member left.

Suddenly, he stiffened, everything was over. *They are here!*

Seconds later, he was surrounded by Taelons. Ha'gel raised his hand to use his shaquaravah, but immediately lowered them down. There stood a child. He would never harm a child, not even a Taelon child.

The intruders grabbed him, covering his hands with an organic shield.

"You will be taken before the Synod," Ka'rel stated. "There, your fate will be decided.

Ha'gel did not say a word.

"Take him," Ka'rel ordered.

When Ha'gel passed before Da'an, the young Taelon bowed his head, ashamed. (Please, forgive us.)

Ha'gel slightly stiffened and looked at Da'an (I cannot forgive you right now, and I am afraid I never will. I never thought that by helping your kind, I would be dooming mine.)

Ka'rel followed the Kimera and the two Taelons with his gaze and then turned to Da'an. "Come with me. We will search the residence." He looked at the child. "Remain here. Da'an and I will return for you."

The child nodded.

Once alone, the youngster soon got bored, so he decided to explore the residence by himself. If he was lucky enough, maybe he would be able to find a fugitive Kimera. He walked towards the door and, after glancing left and right, he left the room.

After a few minutes of an unproductive search, the child, unexpectedly, found a hidden elevator. With a satisfied smirk, he stepped inside and began to descend.

******

Unable to stay inside the pod and, disobeying her father's last order, Ae'lia stepped out. Desperately, she tried to contact her father, but he was too far to reach him. She was too young and did not have enough strength to send her thoughts to him. She only knew that he was still alive. She sadly sat on the floor, wrapping her arms around her knees and bowing her head. *You told me that I would never be alone. Why do you not talk to me, father?*

Abruptly, she raised her head and stiffened. Scared beyond belief, she felt the presence of a Taelon approaching. Quickly, she hid behind the column, but, due to her fear, she forgot to activate the wall's cloacking device.

******

Once the elevator had reached the lower level, it stopped and the door opened. The Taelon child stepped out and entered to a room with a huge column. He smiled coldly, he felt the presence of a Kimera near him. He looked around and noticed the pod inside the wall. Not believing for a second that he could be in danger, he walked towards it. Suddenly, he stopped before the column and turned.

"I know that you are there," he said with a smirk. "Get out," he commanded in a superior tone.

To his surprise, a small white-golden being, trembling, stepped from behind the column. All his arrogance was replaced by a mixture of awe and curiosity. "You are a child," he said.

"The same... as you. I am Ha'gel's daughter," Ae'lia said, trying hard to control her fear.

The Taelon tilted his head. "Daughter?" he repeated. Then he understood. "I see. Your kind is divided in two genders. We Taelons are just one."

She bowed her head. "What are you going to do with me? I do not want to join the void, but I do not want to live alone. If my father--"

To the Taelon’s astonishment, she suddenly stopped and fell to her knees, trembling uncontrollably. "Ha'gel, my father... has gone," she explained in a sad whisper. "Nothing matters now..."

Something melted inside the Taelon child. He knelt... and in spite of himself, he embraced the shaking Kimera.

Feeling extremely lonely and miserable and without thinking of it, she pulled him back and joined her palm with the Taelon's hand.

Scared, he tried to withdraw his hand, but she mentally soothed him. (Do not be afraid. I will not hurt you)

He relaxed and joined his mind with the last of the Kimera. For a wonderful instant, they became one.

A moment later, she lowered her hand. He just looked intently at her. He had never experienced such a deep and sweet communion. He made his decision and raising his head, he informed her about the others impending approach.

She bowed her head in resignation.

"You must escape," he said in a soft voice.

Startled, she met his eyes. "Will you let me go?" she asked in disbelief.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Feeling strangely embarrassed, he rose from the floor. She rose too.

"It does not matter... Just leave."

She turned and went to the pod. Before entering, she faced him again. "I am Ae'lia. What is your name?"

"Zo'or," the Taelon answered.

She smiled. "Thank you, Zo'or, my Ka'lin sha."

"Ka'lin sha?" Zo'or repeated.

"It means friend." Without another word, she entered the pod and departed.

Quickly, Zo'or left the place and returned to the Communicational Chamber.

******

Later -onboard the Taelon ship- Zo'or looked the destroyed Kimeran home world with a mixture of pride and sadness.

Ka'rel had informed the Synod that the Kimera had been exterminated, but Zo'or knew that there was one was left. *Find a safe path, Ka'lin sha* he whispered in his mind, raising his gaze to the stars...

Fin

To be continued in "Arrival"

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Copyright 1999 Mithril (perretta@entelchile.net).