Disclaimer: The characters and situations of 'Twilight of a dream'are legal property of Tristain VanDial. This story is purely fictional and not for distribution or sale in either fanzines, ftp-sites or elsewhere without the permission of the author.

Author's Note: ADULT CONTENT R-rated - slash m/m

Comments welcome at: Tristain VanDial

Sylvan sat up in bed, gasping for air.  Drops of perspiration were beaded on his forehead.  "Damn!" he silently said to himself.  The same dream--no nightmare--he had had for weeks now, once again tormented him into unnaturally waking up.  Why was he unable to shake this dream?  In the dark of the bedroom he peered at the bedside clock; the time it showed was the middle of the night.  This was roughly the same time he awakened every time his soul was bothered by this dream; if dream is what one would call this.

Exhaling softly, Sylvan turned his head and let his eyes rest on the dark, sleeping form of his lover, Ka'len.  How peaceful sleep could look on some.  For a few seconds Sylvan let his eyes take in as much of his lover's form as the dark would allow.  God, he was lucky!  It wasn't many a man that could have the good fortune of finding a lover and a soulmate so perfectly matched to oneself as he and Ka'len were matched to each other.  Indeed, he was a lucky bastard; a very lucky bastard.

Still, the dream hung over Sylvan like a fog on a cold, drizzly day.  What significance did the dream have for Sylvan and his mate?  Striving to come to terms with the content of the dream, Sylvan felt apprehensive.  This certainly wasn't a benign dream--this was a dream wherein his beloved Ka'len died; a thought Sylvan certainly wasn't ready to explore or come to terms with yet.

Nonetheless, the dream would not release Sylvan from its grasp.  In the inky darkness of the bedroom, Sylvan forced his mind to explore--no, to confront the contents of the dream.  He remembered seeing Ka'len in a fight; with whom, Sylvan couldn't tell.  Sylvan was also somehow involved in the fight.  This was strange to Sylvan  since his people--those from the Homeworld--were not and hadn't been for eons a violent or aggressive race.  As the fight progressed, Ka'len seemed to have the upper hand, but then as the fates would have it, the alien force Ka'len was fighting fired a weapon of somekind.

Ka'len had no chance!  Sylvan had tried--desperately had tried--to pull Ka'len to safety in his dream.  The more he tried, the more futile became his efforts.  Sylvan simply couldn't save Ka'len.

The alien force's weapon struck Ka'len in the chest.  Its effect left behind a gaping, bleeding wound.  Ka'len fell to the floor.  As Sylvan rushed to him and gently held him in his arms, Ka'len died.  Ka'len's body then vanished leaving Sylvan alone to face the horror of what he had just witnessed.

It was always at this point in the dream that Sylvan awakened.  For over a dozen or more times, this dream had repeated itself to Sylvan; always it remained the same--Ka'len died.

Shaking his head, as if to remove every last memory of the dream from his mind, Sylvan looked down at his lover.  They had been joined in the temple of the Oracles, and since that time Sylvan had finally known contentment.  His love for this man--his soulmate--grew stronger each day.  Surely, the Oracles, who had blessed this union, would not allow it to be destroyed!  Surely not, thought Sylvan.

But then Sylvan was reminded that the Oracles of the Homeworld--the planet upon which both Ka'len and he lived--sometimes were known to follow their own paths; paths that ran counter to what was expected.  The Oracles knew what was best for the inhabitants of this world; Sylvan had been taught this since he was a child.  Their ancient wisdom had to be respected and accepted in all things.

Letting his hand, ever so softly--touch Ka'len's arm, Sylvan lowered his lips onto the forehead of his sleeping lover and gently placed a kiss upon it.  The touch of his lips to the warm skin of Ka'len began to arouse a need for more in Sylvan.  Sylvan slid his mouth down the side of his lover's face and found Ka'len's waiting and responsive lips.  As mouth pressed to mouth, his soulmate awakened and grasped Sylvan in a strong embrace. Sylvan thought to himself that if one had to wake up from a bad dream, then this, surely, was the best way to do it.

After making love, Ka'len and Sylvan lay in each other's arms.  Sylvan kissed Ka'len on the lips and thanked him.  He thanked him for being his soulmate, for being his lover, and for being his reason for living.  Sylvan was glad that when the time had come to choose a mate, the Oracles had guided him to Ka'len.  Ka'len, likewise, felt the same concerning Sylvan.

How long had it been?  How long had Sylvan searched not only his home planet but also the colony planets for a mate?  No matter!  He had found his mate; the Oracles be praised!

With sleep still eluding him, Sylvan's mind turned to the dream.  The dream in which Ka'len was so brutally killed.  The dream in which Sylvan tried to save Ka'len but couldn't.  Sylvan shook his head and vowed to the Oracles that no one would take Ka'len away from him.  Ka'len and he were joined!  What the Oracles joined, no one--and he was emphatic--no one would ever separate.  Finally, with that thought, Sylvan drifted off to an uneasy sleep.

PART 2

Sylvan was awakened by the mechanical drone of his bedside clock.  "It is 7 a.m., time to get up."  "It is 7 a.m., time to get up."  "It is 7 a.m."  With that Sylvan reached over and pushed the off button.  Streams of sunlight from the Homeworld's twin suns were filtering through the shade of the bedroom window.  Slowly, Sylvan raised himself and sat on the edge of the bed.  He ran his hands through his brown hair and yawned.  Then he got up, bent down, and kissed the still sleeping Ka'len.  Ka'len moaned something unintelligible and pulled the covers over his head.  Sylvan laughed, playfully tosseled Ka'len's hair, and headed for the bathroom.

After relieving himself, Sylvan began the task of getting  ready for the day.  His reflection in the mirror showed the physique of a thirty-eight year old muscular man.  Sylvan was average in height, and his weight was well suited to his frame.  His light brown, closely cropped, hair acted to set off his strong, handsome face.  Blue eyes shimmering like a bright autumn day, were seemingly always focused on whatever Sylvan was observing.  The bronze complexion of his skin tended to add to Sylvan's overall look.  The small thatch of curly chest hair formed a v-shape at the bottom of his chest and trailed down  form there over to his tight stomach ending at the top of his pubic area.  By many standards, Sylvan was a handsome man.  However, Sylvan was not enamored of himself; he considered himself average.

After finishing his routine in the bathroom, Sylvan went back into the bedroom.  He was naked, and as he passed the apparently still sleeping Ka'len, a hand reached out from underneath the covers, and playfully slapped him on his bare hip.  Sylvan took the challenge and leaped on Ka'len.  Like two children, they wrestled and fought with one another.  After a few minutes, both lay back exhausted and laughing.  "Get up and get ready, Sylvan urged Ka'len.

"O.k., O.k.," Ka'len replied.  Ka'len sat up, bent down and gave a quick kiss to Sylvan.  Ka'len then jumped out of bed and headed for the bathroom.

Sylvan followed Ka'len into the bathroom and watched him get ready--he loved doing this.  Ka'len was the same size and age as Sylvan.  He, too, was bronze complected--as were most of the people who were native to the Homeworld.  Ka'len had blonde hair that resembled bright sunlight.  Where Sylvan had blue eyes, Ka'len had green eyes.  Ka'len was more muscled than Sylvan, this gave him an athletic appearance.  Ka'len was the most handsome creature Sylvan had ever known.  Sylvan was glad--no, Sylvan was ecstatic that both Ka'len and he had found one another.

This routine had been followed by Sylvan and Ka'len for well over three years now.  Next month they would celebrate the third anniversary of their joining.  Three years of contentment and joy.  Sylvan thought about his time with Ka'len and couldn't imagine life without him.  Silently, he thanked the Oracles for his good fortune, but then Sylvan remembered his dream--his dream of Ka'len's death.  Sylvan shuddered as he thought about that dream.  Forcing thoughts of it out of his mind, he got dressed, and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the two of them.

As Sylvan and Ka'len were seated at the kitchen table, finishing their drink and planning their daily schedule--all hell broke lose!  Exactly at 8 a.m., Homeworld time, the Aurillian Empire attacked the Homeworld and her colonies.  With that attack, Sylvan and Ka'len, and indeed all the inhabitants of the Homeworld, would never be the same again. 

Within minutes of the Aurrillian attack, the Homeworld defense nets came to life.  Sirens blared and countermeasures were initiated.  Sylvan and Ka'len jumped from the breakfast table, rushed out to the living room, and quickly tuned on the view screen of their communication module.  Instantly the screen was filled with data. 

"Thousands reported killed."  "Cities under attack."  "Colony planets report attack."  Both men stood silently in front of the screen trying to absorb the information it offered them.  What was happening, and why was it happening, each man wondered to himself.

Suddenly the screen went blank, and just as quickly there appeared the presence of the Keeper of the Oracles.  The Keeper was the leader of the ruling council of the Homeworld.  The expression on her face was dark and strained.  With great effort at maintaining a sense of calm, the Keeper spoke.  "Fellow citizens, at approximately 8 a.m., forces of the Aurrillian Empire viciously and without provocation began a systematic attack on the Homeworld and her colonies.  Many of our cities have been attacked, thousands of our people are dead.  The Homeworld defense nets have been activated and are currently working.  Aurrillian warships and fighters have been turned away from the Homeworld.  Sources have informed me that more Aurrillian warships are massing on our borders and appear to be heading for the Homeworld.  They must not, and they will not be allowed to reach us.  Therefore, as Keeper, I am ordering that all able bodied citizens report to the nearest defense station to prepare for this attack.  The Homeworld needs you!   With all of us united, we will turn back the forces of aggression that threaten us, and at the same time force them to pay for their unprovoked attack upon us.  May the Oracles be with us."  With that the screen went blank again.

Sylvan stared into the view screen of the communications device wanting more.  Ka'len sank down onto the couch, a strange look replacing his usually happy expression.  Sylvan sat next to Ka'len and held his hand.  Why was this happening?  The Homeworlders were a peace loving people.  There was no crime here.  The Homeworld had no designs on other planets or their inhabitants.  Aggression was not allowed.  So why would anyone attack this world?

Before Sylvan could ponder these thoughts, the view screen flickered to life again.  Defense reporting areas began scrolling across the screen.  Neither Ka'len nor Sylvan needed to be coaxed into reporting.  Both had been trained as fighter pilots in their younger years.  At the time of the training, Sylvan often questioned its necessity on a world that had only known peace for well over two hundred years.  Now, he was glad that the Keeper and the Oracles had been wise enough to encourage this type of training for all Homeworld citizens.  So now, these skills would be used to defend all who lived on this planet and on her colonies.

As soon as Sylvan saw where Ka'len and he were to report, he felt a feeling of fear deep inside his gut.  This fear was not of the fight that would be, nor was it of being hurt or even killed.  Rather, this feeling he had was a fear of somehow losing Ka'len. 

That dream, that damn dream crept out of the box that Sylvan had hidden inside his mind and forced itself into Sylvan's thoughts.  Sylvan quickly embraced Ka'len and held him;  he couldn't let Ka'len go.

Ka'len felt the same way.  He knew the possibility existed that he could lose the one being in all the universe he loved more than himself.  But there was something more important than this love--this joining.  The fate of all their people hung in the balance, and nothing would be more important than the protection of these people.  With that realization, Ka'len returned Sylvan's embrace.  Both men clung to one another.

Later that day, Sylvan and Ka'len reported to the defense center nearest them.  Because of the training they had received, they were immediately transported to the nearest space pad and from there shuttled to Defense Station 17B which was in orbit around Colony Prime.  Now the fate of the Homeworld and the fate of the two joined as soulmates rested with the Oracles.  The nightmare that Sylvan so feared seemingly began to take form.

Part 4

Two weeks had passed since Sylvan and Ka'len had arrived at defense station 17B.  So far, the days on board the station had been spent in training and more training.  It seemed that everyone had but one goal in mind:  the protection of the Homeworld and her colonies.  Sylvan and Ka'len were set on that same objective, and both eagerly worked to pursue that realization.

The living quarters that they were assigned to certainly didn't provide the comforts of home.  The room--it was just one room--was a mere cubicle.  It contained one oversized bed, two chairs, a table, and a few other incidentals that tried to soften the institutional feeling of the place.  Nonetheless, both Sylvan and Ka'len felt at ease here; after all, they had each other.  It provided a place for both of them to come together and relax after an arduous day of training.

At night, when they both lay together holding one another, they would talk.  The topic always revolved around the approaching battle and how and when it would be fought.  During these times, Sylvan never missed an opportunity to make love to Ka'len.  This Sylvan did not out of some need to just have sex, but because he wanted to be close to Ka'len.  Sylvan was always fully aware, that every time he made love to Ka'len, it could be the last time he would do so.  This realization put a deeper and more intense meaning into this shared act.  Ka'len felt the same as Sylvan, so both relished this time alone together.

The fighters that both were assigned to fly were the best the Homeworld could provide.  They were state of the art.  In reality the fighters were designed to fly themselves with little help from a pilot.  However, the one thing that these state of the art fighters couldn't do was employ the gut instinct of a pilot.  Since pilots were not machines, machines could not duplicate or anticipate what a pilot--in battle--should do.  Therefore, it was up to the pilots to take over when it came time to engage in battle.  Sylvan, Ka'len and the others who were being trained knew, this and were quick to accept the challenge.

The two soulmates had practiced in both virtual training areas and also in the blackness of space.  It was on their first flight into that blackness that both men--seemingly at the same moment--were mesmerized by the view.  All those stars, hundreds and thousands of brilliantly twinkling lights suspended in the rich velvet of space assaulted their senses.  This view was awe-inspiring!  It made one feel closer to oneself, his soulmate, and the Oracles.

Not to be outdone by the sight of the heavens, the planet Colony Prime, which the station orbited, loomed beneath them.  The planet itself was quite a sight to behold.  It shone like a newly polished gemstone.  The blue of its waters and the white of its clouds suspended in the pale green atmosphere, gave it an inviting look.  Sylvan could see why the first Homeworlders  were so taken with it.

It was this view, this magnificent view, that made Sylvan resolute in vowing that he would do all in his power to protect it from the Aurrillians.  It also made Sylvan wow that no matter what it took, he would not allow Ka'len to be taken from him.  The same forces that created this stark beauty, also created the love of his life.  Would those forces separate two souls that were joined?

In the beginning of the third week of training, the station was placed on primary alert.  All those on board were directed to report to the nearest communications screen for an announcement.  Sylvan found himself one among dozens at the communications screen nearest him.  Where was Ka'len he thought?  Just as he was about to look for his mate, Ka'len walked up behind him.

On the screen, the visage of the Keeper appeared.  With determined resoluteness, the keeper began her speech. "My fellow citizens, the final body count has been reached.  Over two million of our people have been killed in the Aurrillian attack.  Thousands more are injured.  Many of our major cities were severely damaged.  However, in all this bad news, there is some good news.  The Oracles protected our world from total destruction.  So, now the time has come for us to defend ourselves fully and swiftly.  We have always lived in peace.  Nonetheless, we will not let the unprovoked slaughter of our people go unanswered!  Upon carefully consulting the ruling council and the Oracles, it has been decided that our forces will mount a counter offensive upon the Aurrillians.  Our aim will be to force the Aurrillians from our space and to enforce a buffer zone between our worlds.  May the Oracles watch over us, may they guide us, and may they give us the victory.   My prayers are with you my people."  With that the screen went blank.

After the broadcast, Sylvan and Ka'len made their way back to their living cubicle; both wondered when the offensive would start.  Sylvan and Ka'len felt the need for more training, but unfortunately, there simply wasn't more time.  As they reached their room and entered it, a message flashing on the view screen greeted them.  It read, "Be advised that Lt. Sylvan and Lt. Ka'len are commanded to report to flight deck 234D tomorrow at 0600 hours".  And so it would begin.

That night Sylvan slid into bed next to Ka'len's body.  Sylvan placed his head on Ka'len's chest.  He felt Ka'len's heart beating ever so strongly.  Sylvan found great comfort in touching Ka'len.  Both men held on to each other for what seemed like hours.  Towards the middle of the night, Ka'len spoke softly into the ear of Sylvan.  "I love you more than life itself; it is with you that I feel complete.  Take care tomorrow, and remember that I need you."  After having spoken these words, Ka'len kissed Sylvan.

Sylvan replied to Ka'len with his own words of comfort.  "Ka'len, my one true soulmate, no matter what, come back to me."  And with those words Sylvan and Ka'len made love to one another.  This lovemaking was filled with a special intensity neither had experienced before.  After the completion of this act of love, both men lay entwined in the arms of the other.  Neither man could sleep; instead, each focused his thoughts on tomorrow's mission.  Sylvan, wrapped in the arms of Ka'len, felt a tear slide down his check.  He remembered his dream, his dream of Ka'len's death.  Was this dream a sign of things to be?  He hoped and prayed not.

Part 5

After a long and sleepless night, both Sylvan and Ka'len reported to flight deck 234D along with several others.  Both men had dreaded the coming of the day.  Sylvan and Ka'len found themselves running on sheer will power and nervous energy.  Sylvan's thoughts were filled with many conflicting emotions.  On the one hand, he was filled with fear at the prospect of losing Ka'len during this battle, and on the other hand, he was filled with a desire to protect the Homeworld.

Ka'len's face appeared unreadable to Sylvan as they both walked onto the flight deck.  Sylvan loved looking at Ka'len's expressive, handsome face.  This day, however, there was little expression to look at.

The two men, along with the other pilots, were ushered into the  mission briefing room.  Once inside the room, everyone sat quietly.  An eerie feeling permeated the entire room.  Raw energy pulsated throughout.  Everyone knew why they were here.  They were here to wage a battle; a battle for the very survival of their race.

From the front of the briefing room, an officer wearing a look of stoic resignation stepped forward.  As soon as he appeared, the entire assembly sprang to its feet and waited.  As the officer approached the podium, he gestured for everyone to sit.

As everyone's attention focused on the officer, a huge holographic projection of this area of space appeared at the front of the room.  The officer--determination showing on every feature of his face--stepped closer to the projection and began to speak.

"Pilots, I greet you in the name of the Keeper and the Oracles.  This day, our race's fate will be decided.  You have been trained by the best officers that could be provided on such short notice.  You will be piloting the best fighters that the Homeworld could place at your disposal.  The mission which each of you has been training for,will finally become reality."

As his mind was trying to soak in the words  of the officer, Sylvan noticed his fist tightening.  Glancing at Ka'len, Sylvan saw the other man's jaw clinch shut.  looking around, Sylvan could sense, indeed, could feel the apprehension rising throughout the assembled group.  Sylvan relaxed his right hand and placed it inconspicuously on top of Ka'len's left hand.  A sense of reassurance came from this simple act.

Everyone's attention was now directed to the hologram projection in front of them.  Arrows began pointing out the various places and objects on the grid.  The Homeworld and its colonies appeared in white which made identifying them easy.  The Aurrillian Empire and its fleet were identified by the color yellow.  A bright red line appeared; it's placement seemed to suggest that it would act as a buffer between the Aurrillians and the space of the Homeworld.  The mission seemed obvious; force the Aurrillians into their own space and keep them there.

"This space (arrows began pointing along the flashing red line on the hologram) is our mission", continued the officer.  "In order to stop the Aurrillians, we must patrol and protect this entire area, now named the Buffer Zone.  If any Aurrillian vessel tries to penetrate this area, it must be stopped by using any force necessary!"  This statement produced a commotion among the assembled pilots.

The briefing continued on for what seemed like hours, Sylvan thought.  In reality, the entire meeting had taken less then an hour.  When it was over, the pilots were instructed to report to their individual flight groups.  Each pilot was keenly aware of what the goal of the mission was--no Aurrillian ship must be allowed to enter Homeworld space.

Part 6

The star fighters were hurtling at nearly the speed of light toward the buffer zone.  Sylvan was amazed at the vast reaches of space.  The stars, all around him, gave him a surrealistic feeling.  He felt tiny out here.

"Fifteen minutes until destination,"  the onboard computer droned and added, "Preparing all ship's systems for enemy engagement possibility."

At this speed it was not possible to visually identify any other ship.  The computer sensors of the fighter could detect other ships that were in a given sector, but visual identification was impossible.  Where was Ka'len, wondered Sylvan.  There was no ship to ship communication allowed for fear of revealing their approach to the enemy.  The Homeworld fleet would soon enough be detected.  What awaited the fleet when it finally reached its goal?  Sylvan wasn't sure.

Sylvan checked all the instruments on his ship.   This was useless, since the computer handled every conceivable problem that could occur.  There was one problem though that the computer could not handle for Sylvan, and that was the dream about Ka'len's death.  As the fighters neared their destination, Sylvan's heart beast faster, and he began to perspire.  He couldn't, and he wouldn't let Ka'len die.  Dream or no damned dream.

"Five minutes until destination," the computer voice interrupted Sylvan's thoughts.  "Weapons powered," added the mechanical voice.  Sylvan tried to focus his mind onto the job at hand--defense of the Homeworld.

On the sensor screen, flashing in front of Sylvan, the only ships displayed were those of Sylvan's own flight group.  Thankfully, there were no enemy ships in this sector.  This, though, was not the time to lower one's guard; those who did, stood to lose a lot.

"Destination achieved--powering engines down," droned the computer.  The ship came to a slow halt.  Finally, Sylvan could see the other fighters of his group.  Sylvan peered into the darkness of space surrounding him and finally found what he was so diligently searching for, Ka'len's ship.

Now  that the ships were in the buffer zone, ship to ship communication was allowed.  The Aurrillians needed to now know that the Homeworld fleet was here, and that it was ready to confront the them.

The group leader's voice crackled over the ship communicator, "All right pilots--we've arrived at our designated coordinates; now let's begin the job we were sent here to do."

Sensors were continually sweeping space for enemy ships, but still, no sign of an enemy was detected.  Ka'len noticed Sylvan's ship off to his starboard side.  He was glad that Sylvan was so close.  If there was to be an encounter with the enemy, then Ka'len wanted to be close enough to help Sylvan if it came down to that.  Ka'len let his gaze wonder out into the reaches of space.  Why wasn't this enough for everyone--why would any race not have enough room in all this vast greatness?

The silence was what bothered Sylvan the most.  Even though his flight group was within visual range of one another at all times, nothing lessened the quiet.  The weight of the oppressive silence was broken, thankfully, every ten minutes with a status report by the group leader.  These communiqués were a welcome intrusion.

The flight group was approaching the sixth hour of patrol and still the sensors indicated no enemy ships.  In his last status report, the group leader had informed them all that no ship of the fleet had encountered an enemy.  Maybe, just maybe, the Aurrillians had decided to stay in their own space.

Sylvan hoped that during this patrol cycle nothing would occur.  He relaxed a little, and then just as he was thinking about what Ka'len and he would do after the war, sensors began to blare.

"Enemy ships detected," the computer intoned.

Enemy ships--fifteen to be exact--were on a direct course for this flight group. 

The weapons display, activated by the computer, rose from the console in each fighter.  While the computer would do its job, it would be the pilot that had the control over the weapons.

Ka'len could feel bile rising in the back of his throat.  The enemy ships continued their advance.

"Prepare to engage!" the group leader ordered.

Every pilot placed his hands on the weapons control array.  The computer began its defensive program.  The engines of each fighter began to ignite.  Within a few seconds, Sylvan saw the outline of the enemy ships, and then he saw the blue streak of enemy fire.

"Enemy firing," the computer confirmed as though Sylvan wasn't aware of this.

The dark of space was lit up with the luminescent fire of weapons.  Fighter was pursuing fighter!  Sylvan's laser hit an Aurrillian ship.  In turn, three enemy ships returned fire on Sylvan.

"Direct hit,"  warned the computer.   "Assessing damage."  "Aft thrusters damaged and off line."  "Taking evasive action."  continued the computer without any emotion.

The sensor screen on Ka'len's ship showed the hit suffered by Sylvan.  "No!" growled Ka'len who began a pursuit of the Aurrillians.  With weapons blazing, Ka'len hit three enemy fighters in rapid succession. 

Two bright lights appeared and just as quickly disappeared from the sensor display of each Homeworld fighter.  Two more of their group were hit!  The remaining pilots were galvanized into action.  Focusing on the job at hand, the fighters managed to destroy seven enemy ships.

The Aurrillians attacked again.  Homeworld ships 3, 9, 5, and 10 were no more. 

The odds now were decidedly in favor of the enemy.  This fact only seemed to incite the Homeworld fighters onward.  Fighting for their very existence, the pilots returned fire for fire.  Five more enemy ships were destroyed.  The tide of the battle yet again changed.  The enemy appeared to be in retreat.

The Homeworld pilots tasted victory, but achieving victory and realizing victory are not the same thing.  This hard lesson would soon be learned.

Ka'len piloted his craft toward Sylvan.  He was intent on making sure that Sylvan had not suffered any major damage from the encounter.  His attention momentarily diverted from battle was just the opportunity an enemy needed.

Sylvan saw Ka'len's ship approaching.  He was glad to see that Ka'len seemed O.K.  As he watched the approach, he noticed Aurrillian fighters bearing down .  "Ka'len, behind you!" screamed Sylvan.

Ka'len heard Sylvan's voice scream the warning over his communicator just as the enemy ships were on top of him with weapons firing..  He tried to evade, but with enemy fighters on all sides, there simply wasn't any place left to go.

Sylvan watched the action as though it were in slow motion.  He saw the weapons of the Aurrillian ships discharge.  Ka'len was trying to avoid the fire and did so many times, but he was simply outnumbered.  Sylvan tried to pursue the enemy with his own damaged ship, but could do little to help.  Escaping from where he had  buried it, the dream--the dream of Ka'len's death--overshadowed him.  "Hang on Ka'len!  Hang on!"  Sylvan spoke emphatically.  Sylvan finally managed to hit one of the enemy craft, blowing it into a million sparkling pieces of vaporized gas.

Ka'len tried desperately to evade the remaining enemy fighters that were  so relentlessly pursuing him.  Then, one of the Aurrillian fighters hit Ka'len's ship sending it spiraling out of control.  Sylvan watched in horrified silence.  "No!" is all Sylvan managed to utter before the enemy ships turned and fired on him..

"Evasive maneuvers engaged,"  the computer reported.

The next thing Sylvan saw was the blinding light of weapons fire, and then, mercifully, Sylvan lost consciousness.

The remaining ships of the flight group fired on the Aurrillians.  From a distance, the battle looked like a carefully choreographed game; however, in reality it was a fight to the death.  The Homeworld fighters were relentless in their attack.  The enemy, apparently sensing this, turned in retreat.  The loss of life was great, but the battle was won.  Victory was theirs, but at what price?

Part  7

His eyes opening slowly, Sylvan tried to make sense of were he was.  He had just been in the fight of his life.  The last thing he remembered was the enemy fire.  Then nothing-it was as though he had entered a black hole.

Sylvan's eyes blinked again and again trying to adjust to the light.  Where was he?  Surprised that he was lying down, Sylvan became agitated.  It finally dawned on him that he was in a bed.  Noticing the medical equipment around him, Sylvan realized that he was in a medical facility.

The more he tried to remember exactly what happened to him, the more his head hurt.  Finally the pain forced the memories to the surface of his thoughts.  Ka'len, what about Ka'len?  Was he all right?  Remembering fully now, Sylvan wanted to know where Ka'len was.  The last Sylvan had seen of Ka'len's ship was of it being hit by enemy fire.  He searched his still fuzzy memory and thankfully remembered that he hadn't actually seen Ka'len's ship destroyed.  There was still hope!

The surviving members of Sylvan's flight group entered the medical bay.  He quickly noticed how they tried to look cheerful; they weren't doing a good job of it however.

"How are you feeling, Sylvan?" gently asked the group leader.

Sylvan only peripherally heard this remark, or, for that fact, the other remarks offered by his comrades.  He was searching, searching for someone that wasn't here.  In the pit of his stomach a strange and totally unpleasant feeling embedded itself.  Fear!

"Where's Ka'len?" demanded Sylvan.

Silence  was the only reply offered.  This silence was as oppressive as the silence of space that Sylvan so detested.  Sylvan noticed that none of the pilots made eye contact with him or with each other.

"By the Oracles, where is Ka'len?"  begged Sylvan.

Still no response.  That feeling of fear now leaped from his stomach and engulfed his entire being.

The group leader, obviously distressed, told Sylvan that Ka'len's ship was listed as "L.I.A."--a harmless acronym masking the true horror of its meaning.  L.I.A. meant Lost In Action.

Sylvan said nothing.  He had seen Ka'len's ship being hit with enemy fire; the reality of the situation finally hit him.  Sylvan turned his head so that he no longer faced his comrades.  One by one, sensing his deep pain, each left.

Sylvan's mind fastened onto the memory of Ka'len's face.  Was Ka'len dead?  Did the dream come true?  Despair flooded Sylvan and threatened never to release him.  What was Sylvan to do?  How was he to live?

As tears began to roll down Sylvan's face, the communicator screen  above his bed came to life.  An officer appeared and proceeded to inform those listening that both the Aurrillian Empire and the Homeworld had agreed to a cessation of aggression.  The officer thanked everyone for the sacrifices they had made.

Sylvan, barely listened to the report--his mind was elsewhere; it was with Ka'len.  The officer on the screen then removed his hat and offered a prayer to the Oracles for those who had made the ultimate sacrifice.  Sylvan knew all too well about sacrifice.  He knew that it felt like the deepest despair he had ever known.

A couple of days passed and Sylvan's medical state improved, but not his mental state.  Sylvan had slipped into a deep and unending canyon of sorrow and despair.  His fellow pilots had stopped coming by to "cheer" him up; they felt impotent to help him.    Sylvan, needed to come to terms with his loss, and that would best be done by himself.

The day he was released form sick bay, he went to the living quarters that once Ka'len and he shared.  As he entered the quarters, memories of the last time Ka'len and he were together flooded over him.  His gaze fell upon the bed, and he remembered how both had lain wrapped in the other's arms.  The love and intimacy that was shared by these two soulmates would never be shared again.  Sylvan touched his lips and remembered the last time Ka'len kissed them.  The rush of emotions was too strong for him; Sylvan walked out of the cubicle and aimlessly  wandered about the station.  He finally ended up in the observation room.

The obersrvation room was a place that allowed the crew of the station to view the beauty of the heavens in safety.  The room resembled a huge bubble.  The top, front, and sides were open to space.  Plexite  carbon, a see through protective material, enclosed the room.  Sylvan stepped into the center of the room.  Thankfully it was empty.  He looked out at the stars.  Their pulsating lights once soothed him, but not now.  No comfort would he receive from them today.  Somewhere out there was Ka'len, but where?

An overwhelming blackness--darker than the space he was looking at--washed over him.  Sylvan began to shake and cry quietly.  Why had the Oracles deserted him?  Why had they allowed him to feel such anguish and pain?  Why had they allowed him to lose his lover, his soulmate?  But most importantly, why had the Oracles allowed him to live when Ka'len had died?  Why?

Sylvan heard the door to the observation room open and close.  Wiping the tears from his eyes, his gaze remained fixed on the stars.  On his shoulder, Sylvan felt a hand--someone no doubt was trying to comfort him.

Sylvan shrugged his shoulders, hoping to dislodge the hand--but it remained firmly placed.  "I'd rather be alone if you don't mind,"  Sylvan politely intoned.

"But I do mind!"  the voice of Ka'len gently replied.

Sylvan's heart stopped for a second.  He turned around, and there in front of  him was Ka'len.  Sylvan opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

They embraced.  Ka'len began to kiss Sylvan, and Sylvan responded with such passion that every fiber of him came to life.  Ka'len tasted the saltiness of Sylvan's tears and was overcome with emotion.  The power of their embrace locked both men to one another

"I'll never leave you again," whispered Ka'len.

Sylvan and Ka'len sat down on the floor of  the observation room.  Ka'len began to tell Sylvan the details about what had happened. 

The enemy ship's fire had damaged the life support system of  his craft.  When that occurred, the onboard computer engaged the self-preservation program.  All control of the ship was taken over by the computer.  The crippled fighter was directed by the computer to a Homeworld outpost designed for just such emergencies.

"But why wasn't anyone informed of this?" asked Sylvan.

"Along with the life support system being damaged, communication went off line as well,"  Ka'len responded.  "There was nothing I could do," he added.

"Seconds after the ship had docked on the outpost, enemy warships opened fire upon it.  The only damage to the outpost was to its communications array," continued Ka'len.  "With no communication possible--no one was allowed to arrive and no one was allowed to leave until it was repaired.  As soon as I was given permission to leave, I did and returned here, here to you."

Sylvan said nothing, but inwardly gave thanks to the Oracles for protecting Ka'len.  The Oracles had shown favor upon these two.  No dream would ever be allowed to separate them again.  There was a reason for these two joined soulmates to be so favored by the Oracles; in due season they would find out why.

Upon reaching their living quarters, they removed their clothing and slipped into bed.  Sylvan was grateful to just have Ka'len lying next to him.  He brushed Ka'len's lips and smiled.  Ka'len returned Sylvan's smile and touch.  The next hours were spent in each other's arms, and in the shared pleasure of each other's love.

Entwined in Ka'len's arms, Sylvan fell into a deep sleep; a sleep that had dreams---dreams of life and not death; dreams of love and not despair.  Two soulmates joined were always joined--this was the promise of the Oracles.