Legends II : LEGENDS OF LOVE. Part 3. by Nicole Mayer (destiny@wwdg.com) +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Doctor Julia Heller, beloved friend, wife and mother." The weathered inscription seemed cold and impersonal to the girl standing by the old grave. The once-ornate headstone had become corroded over time and now it was only one grey tablet amongst so many others. Gillian Brody strained to make out the remainder of the inscription. She could faintly see the word 'love', but the other words were too faint to be seen. A solitary tear trickled from Gillian's cheek. Here was the final resting place of one of the bravest heroes in the history of G889 and everyone had forgotten her. Even the legends of Eden Advance barely mentioned the heroic doctor. Closing her eyes, Gillian imagined the agony that Alonzo Solace and Ulysses Adair must have felt when they realised that they were helpless - Alonzo's futile search at the bottom of the cliffs, and his grief when he finally found her, while Walman contacted a fearful Uly stranded near the top of the mountain. Her mind drifted back in time, and, almost against her will, the scene replayed itself in Gillian's mind... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Julia!" Alonzo screamed. Frantically, he adjusted the controls on his gear, but received nothing more than the horrifying static that had appeared moments before. He had seen her falling, seen the cliffs rushing past her, seen the look of death in her eyes...his Julia... Alonzo tore off his gear, and shouted to Walman, "Faster! We have to get there...Julia fell!" His voice was full of more agony and pain than Walman had ever heard, but Walman could not push the vehicle any more. It was already travelling beyond its safety limit. Frantic, Alonzo threw his gear on the floor. A torrential downpour had begun which blurred his vision, yet the image of Julia's terrified face was imprinted on his mind. He stared out towards the cliffs which grew closer with every passing second, not feeling the stinging rain on his face. Nothing mattered except getting to her. He would not believe that she was dead, not until he had found her, and held her in his arms. "Julia!" he screamed into the wind. How could he live without her? He suddenly realised that Walman was on their original heading, to a point some way east from where Julia fell. He leaned down and wrenched the steering away from Walman. "We've gotta find her!" he shouted. "There's still a chance, there has to be!" Alonzo felt sick to his stomach as they approached the cliffs. The ancient monolith had been there for an eternity, and loomed high above the tiny vehicle. The man realised with horror that no one, no matter who they were or how much they were loved, could survive a fall from that distance. Not even Julia, the maker of miracles herself. He would never forgive himself for fighting with her. There last moments together had been strained, ruined over petty issues and inconsequential debates that Alonzo could no longer recall. If only he hadn't been so stubborn! If only he'd listened to his heart. The wind sheared past the rock, the gale buffeting the vehicle as if it were no more than a toy. The storm had reached its full fury, demonstrating the violence of nature. And this particular tempest had exacted its vengeance. "Julia!" shouted Alonzo futilely, for the wind stole away his words the moment they left his lips. "JULIA!" They reached the point metres below her last know position, and Alonzo jumped from the vehicle. In the next few instants, time seemed to stop. Blood hammered in Alonzo's ears to match the terrible thudding sound of his heart; each beat reminding him that he was alive in this fury while Julia...oh, Julia... Life slowed down into a series of stark images, and Alonzo was reminded of dreaming with the Terrians. But this was frighteningly real. A flash of the towering, indifferent cliffs. A glint of broken gear lying near a puddle. And, to the left, a small, crumpled form... Suddenly, Alonzo wanted to run away, to run forever from this terrible place. The rain obscured his vision, but did not take away the fleeting image of the misshapen body that was nothing at all like his wife. If only he could avoid the truth...but he could never do that. He owed her. More than that, he loved her. With each step Alonzo took, the dreadful certainty pounded its way through his body. She was dead...she was dead...yet he did not truly believe it until he gathered her in his arms. He did not notice the terrible injuries, the bruises and the blood. Alonzo's full attention was on the face of Julia Heller, the woman he loved, the only woman he would ever love. Her eyes were closed and he gently brushed aside a lock of her blonde hair. Her face was infinitely peaceful, and the hint of a smile curved at her lips. But there was no denying the fact that she was gone. "Julia," Alonzo whispered. He said her name over and over again. He brought his lips to hers for one last kiss, hoping desperately for a miracle, that the power of his love would bring her back to him. Yet nothing happened. As Alonzo drew back and took a hopeful look at her face, he was struck by the finality of her death. "NO!" he screamed, throwing his head back into the wind and the rain. He cursed the heavens for taking Julia from him, screaming forever. "NO!" Thunder and wind screeched around his drawn out cries, not caring one iota about the sorrow that had been caused. The rain poured down, and Alonzo was alone. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ No one ever went back to the Valley of Dreams after all. They couldn't, not after the tragedy that had occurred there. Gillian could not get the haunting images of Julia's final moments out of her mind. It was a horrible way to die. No wonder Bess had alluded to the terrible tragedies in her life. First Devon, then her own sickness, then Julia. Two of her closest friends were lost through disastrous circumstances, and now Gillian wondered if True had survived. And what of Uly? Gillian had never read a tale of more tragedy and suffering, even though there were moments -and years- of happiness. Gillian felt a sudden desire to run through the small cemetery, seeking out the fates of all the others she had grown to know and love. But she resisted. In a gesture of respect, Gillian placed a lone flower on Julia's grave. It was a brilliant yellow, the colour of the sun, and it reminded Gillian of the light that Julia had cast over so many lives. Including hers. "I hope you're happy, Julia," whispered Gillian. Then she turned, and wandered away. Gillian did not notice the figure of Jessie Solace slipping behind the bushes. Jessie, who was curious as to why this new girl was visiting one of her ancestors' graves. There were many mysteries and many secrets that were still held from both girls, and Jessie wondered if the truth would ever be revealed. "Come on, Lukas," Gillian called to her brother, who was reading other headstones with a morbid fascination. "Listen to this one, Gilly!" he exclaimed. " 'Max Taggart, age eight. Finally, he is free of the Syndrome.' I didn't know that kids died of the Syndrome!" "I don't want to hear anymore," snapped Gillian. Bess had mentioned that several of the children weren't healed, or couldn't be healed because their parents were afraid. And what a terrible cost. "Let's get out of here," she suddenly declared. Death lurked nearby and Gillian was afraid. She could feel -something- on the edge of her consciousness, and it was a presence that she did not understand. However, she was sure, it was not Julia. It was time to return to Bess' novel, and learn more of the secrets of the past. Julia's life was over, but she had touched the hearts and minds of more people than she had ever imagined. And the story would go on. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bess' words lasted beyond time, and it was these that Gillian now read. "I don't know how Ulysses Adair survived after that. The boy had lost his mother and one of his best friends, almost a second mother, in the space of a couple of months. I shall always admire his strength to go on and survive. Instead of being consumed by his own sorrow, he turned to others, especially True, to help him get through it. True was his lifeline, because although we didn't know it yet, John Danziger was also becoming lost to us. I watched True and Uly become closer and closer as the years passed. They had almost always been good friends and when Uly accepted the opportunity to work and study at the struggling eastern colony for a few months, True really missed him. He was only a tunnel away, but we had been warned not to use them excessively until research was completed into exactly how they affected people. The Julia Heller Memorial Department was constructed to continue her groundbreaking work, but they never did achieve the things that she had. True used to visit me constantly during those long months and was loved dearly by my growing family. Her favourite was always Ariel, perhaps because Ari reminded her of Uly. I was worried about True. She had a wonderful job in engineering, but her home was empty. John was silent and still, and nothing True did seemed to get through to him. He went through the motions of life, still working, but I suspected he did not sleep much at all. His eyes grew more haunted, his face greyer, each year. I invited True and John to dinner often, hoping to bring some peace to the troubled Danziger family. But it was not until Uly returned that I saw a real smile on True's face again." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "I'm a doctor, True!" shouted Uly, lifting her in his arms and whirling her about. "A real, fully qualified doctor!" "That's wonderful, Uly," laughed True, full of joy because he was back in Devon to stay. "Your dream came true." A shadow crossed Uly's face as he recalled the magical time in the Valley of Dreams, sharing his hopes for the future with Julia. "Hey, Uly," whispered True, "don't be sad. Remember what you have achieved." She tightened her hold on him, and Uly felt safe in her warm embrace. More than safe. He felt loved. True's cheek was pressed to his, and Uly sensed her long strands of hair blowing around them. Ever so slowly, he pulled back a little so he could look into her eyes. His heart pounding, Uly cautiously leaned in and kissed her on the lips. True's head was spinning, but suddenly she knew it was right, and she felt the beginnings of something new between herself and the man before her. A man who was her best friend, and now, perhaps something more. It was a new era for both of them. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "It broke John's heart when True and Uly got married," continued Bess. "He always believed that he would be the one to marry an Adair, but that option was cruelly torn from him years earlier. I can picture him now, walking True down the aisle as Ariel threw flowers and I, the matron of honour, held her veil. It was a traditional earth-style wedding in every sense. Yale presided as minister and every remaining member of our extended family, the original Eden Advance, was present. I suspect that even Devon and Julia were there in spirit, for Uly looked so happy and content, as if he had finally overcome all the demons of the past. A Terrian vanguard was in attendance, reminding us all that the links between our two worlds were growing stronger all of the time. So many children, and now adults, were Transformed that I often felt quite left out by not being able to reach the Dreamplane. Nevertheless, Morgan was by my side, and with him, I always felt as if I could accomplish anything. Not that Morgan and I didn't have our problems over the years. In particular, I recall the time I caught him kissing his personal assistant Mary in his office at work. That was just before our third child, Wendy Julia Martin, was born, and both emotions and tensions had been running high in our house. I didn't speak to Morgan for three days after that, but slowly, we began to work through our problems. And then Wendy joined our family, and she was such a wonderful child full of light and happiness that everything seemed right again. Even the pain of realising that Julia was no longer here to guide me through pregnancy and beyond was gradually diminished. We survived. And that day, the joyous wedding, was when I realised that we had all survived to see the brave new future for humanity. We danced on the beach beneath two full moons and laughed as the waves crept up to our ankles. I don't know whose idea it was to hold the reception by the ocean, but it was a wonderful suggestion." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ True drifted as if in a dream, barely feeling the soft sand beneath her feet. Her mind was focussed on only one thing - her husband, pressed close to her as they danced to the romantic melodies drifting across the shoreline. She was the most beautiful bride Danziger had ever seen. And she was his daughter. He smiled proudly from where he sat, knowing that she, at least, would have a happy ending. Danziger had decided long ago that he was doomed with love. First Ellie had been taken from him, and then Devon. There was no way that Danziger would allow himself to get close to another person, and now he was ready to let go of True. For he was cursed. It was his duty to release her from the darkness while she was still untouched. And who better to let her go to than the son of the woman he still loved? Danziger picked up his drink, and took another long swig. He was sitting at one of the tables erected near the top of the beach, so if the tide came in suddenly, they wouldn't be swept away. Wiping his mouth with his hand, Danziger grunted, "Nice night for a wedding." Alonzo was the only other table occupant, and another lonely person that night. He, too, was drinking heavily. The one who used to warn him against drinking too much alcohol had left him long ago. "Never thought I'd see this," commented Alonzo. "I remember those two fighting like a couple of Grendlers back when we first crashed." "Yeah." Danziger's gaze drifted from the happy couple to another generation of children. Eleven year old Ariel Martin was telling Ethan Solace about the mysteries of Mooncross, gesturing to the heavens to prove her point. From the expression on Ethan's face, Danziger felt sure that he didn't believe everything Ari was telling him. Children loved to exaggerate. Lissa Solace had organised a game for the younger children - John Martin, Starissa and Kevin Baines, and even little Wendy Martin was toddling around and playing in the sand. "Life goes on, hey 'Lonz," Danziger said dismally. "You've done a real good job raising those two kids by yourself." "Just like you did," replied Alonzo. "Although Lissa and Ethan better not get any ideas...." They both laughed mirthlessly, an alcohol-related depression sinking across the two men. But it wasn't only the drink that caused the sadness within their souls. It was the loss of love. "You know," half slurred Alonzo, "I never really appreciated Julia when I had her." Danziger looked up in surprise. He'd always assumed that the couple'd had a perfect relationship. At least they had known they loved each other, and had nine wonderful years together. Not like himself and Devon. Yet Danziger couldn't be bitter towards Alonzo. He sensed a kinship with the other man, for they had both lost once-in-a- lifetime love. "Do you remember the first time we all met?" Alonzo asked suddenly. "That day on the Advance ship, just before we took off. It seems a lifetime ago," he sighed. "It was a different life," agreed Danziger. He cringed as he recalled his first meeting with Devon - a rude comment on his part that caused her to look straight past him. How he wished he could turn back time, so that he could appreciate the few short months with Devon that he had. Alonzo, too, was recalling meeting Julia. "I chatted Julia up the instant we met," he revealed, reaching for his drink again. "I thought she was just another pretty face, someone for a fling before I took off again. I never guessed how special she was." "She was great," Danziger agreed. "I remember your wedding, too. You were both so happy, even though Julia threatened to call it off hours before!" Alonzo smiled sadly. "She could be the most difficult, frustrating person sometimes. I loved her for it." "Do you think you'll ever get over her?" asked Danziger, knowing in his own heart that he would never forget Devon. "No," stated Alonzo. "A love like Julia only comes along once in a lifetime. Most people never find their true soulmate." "You were lucky," Danziger pointed out. "God, I miss her." And Alonzo's words were so true for the both of them, two men tormented by the past. Bess and Morgan danced into view, and Danziger felt amazed by the fact that it was Morgan Martin who'd ended up with the best life. When he'd met the man, Danziger had decided that Morgan was a low, weasel-faced kind of scum who didn't deserve the happiness he had. But Danziger's opinion had gradually changed, and now he sensed some kind of cosmic irony in the way events had transpired. The song finished, and Bess and Morgan broke apart. Noticing their friends, the couple joined Alonzo and Danziger at their table. "Have you danced with the bride yet?" asked Bess, her eyes sparkling because she knew the answer. No one had been able to prise True and Uly apart and it warmed her heart to see such a love. "No," replied Danziger. "She doesn't need her old man cutting in." "Yes she does," chided Bess. "Go on. I'll bet your daughter is looking forward to it." Under Bess' strict direction, Danziger finally got up and approached the couple. "And you, Alonzo," continued Bess, "are going to dance with me." His expression was suddenly pained as he recalled dancing on the beach with Julia so long ago. But he took Bess' outstretched hand, and allowed her to lead him in a memory-filled dance. He would never forget Julia, but also, he would never tarnish her memory by not letting go. "May I cut in?" Danziger asked gruffly. "Dad!" exclaimed True, happy to see him. "Of course," replied Uly to Danziger. Giving his new wife a quick kiss, he said, "She's all yours." Danziger gathered his daughter in his arms for perhaps the last time. He didn't know what to say, so instead he gazed past her shoulder at the other dancing couples. Now Morgan was dancing with Mary and the two were laughing like old friends they were. Danziger was glad to see that Bess was completely comfortable with the situation as she whirled Alonzo around. "Well, Dad, aren't you going to say anything?" teased True. He looked into her bright eyes and sighed. "I can't believe my baby girl is all grown up." It was perhaps one of the most unoriginal lines he'd ever come up with, but it seemed to fit the situation perfectly. True smiled gently at him. "It had to happen eventually. That's the way of life! And you know Uly, you know he's right for me." Her voice took on a darker tone. "I'm just sorry you've never had the chance to be married." "Me too, True-girl." Her eyes suddenly filled with tears at the use of the old name. "I hope you'll be alright without me," she said sincerely. "I love you, Dad. Please stay away from the darkness." "Darkness?" Danziger repeated, but he knew what she meant. True sniffed. "Dad, there's so much out there. You just have to look for the beauty in life." "Maybe I will sometime," Danziger offered, gently brushing away her tears. Yet he knew that he wouldn't, for he could never let Devon go. "Please try," True whispered. "I don't want to lose you." In response, Danziger wrapped her in a bear hug and rocked her quietly until the song ended. *** Now, John Danziger was truly alone. His house was empty, and only the ghosts of the past whispered from behind the doors and in the corners. More than ever, Devon's face danced before him, constantly hovering near but forever out of his reach. He knew he was plunging into the depths of madness, but the love in his heart would not allow him to let her go. Every day without fail, he checked the latest medical advances on G889 and worked even harder to establish a link across the galaxy with Earth. There were rumours that the Council was changing, and that soon G889 would no longer be an outlawed planet. Recent arrivals who had fled the stations brought messages of hope and free settlement seemed not too far in the future. Danziger and his work team had communicated with underground revolutionaries who were sure that a reformation was near. They were beginning to infiltrate the Council with a high rate of success, and slowly, things were beginning to change. However, Danziger's interest no longer lay within the politics of the stations and their leaders. He spent valuable hours accessing the most recent medical records, just waiting for the day when someone was brought back from the dead. His co-workers tolerated Danziger's actions, sensing that he had witnessed more pain than any one person should in a lifetime. Besides, he was supposedly in charge. Yet all to often, they whispered and laughed quietly about his futile quest. Once someone was dead, that was it. The nights for John Danziger were terrible. He had not slept peacefully since the day they remembered Devon, and after he lost her again, the nightmares had become worse. She was *always* there, whether in spirit or just in Danziger's mind, he did not know. Her essence hovered in a realm of shadows only able to be reached in the darkest hours before dawn, but even then Danziger could not touch her. She was alone, he was alone, and he was dying inside. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "As the years passed," continued Bess, "John rarely ventured out at all, although True and I made valiant visits and encouraged him to begin living again. Ariel, too, felt sadness as her Uncle John grew more distant every day. I often wondered why Danziger could not let Devon go. Alonzo had endured Julia's death, and although he never fell in love again, he lived a fairly happy and successful life in the years to come. Alonzo even kept up his piloting, and founded the hugely successful Solace Transport Corporation. Once connections with Earth and the Council were not only safe, but beneficial, and G889 was open for colonisation, the interstellar transport business boomed. It was something for Alonzo to do, and a reason for him to keep living." - - - - - - - "I travelled with Solace Transport!" mused Gillian aloud. It was another connection to the past. She continued reading. - - - - - - - "The moment I truly realised that John Danziger was lost to us was when little Wendy came running home, crying that the ghost was going to get her. Ari followed soon after, more than a little upset herself. She, too, had half-believed John's words and that's how the rumours began." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Uncle John?" called Ariel warily as she stepped into the foreboding Danziger house. She had vague memories of happy times there when she was young, but ever since True moved out, it had become a very dark place. Ari didn't expect an answer, so she took Wendy's hand and slowly wandered into the living room. Dust hung heavily in the air, and dirty clothing was scattered across every available surface. Dim sunlight fought its way through the grimy windows, and Ari could see one word scrawled over and over through the dirt. "Devon". More than a little annoyed at her brother John for weaseling his way out of the visit (he seemed to take after his father more and more every day) Ari followed a muffled noise of tapping until she reached the door of the back room that had been closed as long as she could remember. "Ari," asked Wendy in a tiny voice, "I don't like it here. I'm scared." "It'll be alright, Wendy," soothed Ari. "Mommy promised that Uncle John is a wonderful person. He's just a bit lonely at the moment." Wendy's six year old features crinkled into a suspicious glance at her older sister, wondering if she was telling the truth. She decided to test her. "What's in there?" Wendy asked, pointing at the closed door. Now louder thumps were emanating from beyond. Ari paused for a moment, carefully considering her answer. Finally, she decided to tell the truth. "I don't know. How about we knock?" Nervously, the young teenager did so, then again as there was no response. "Uncle John can't hear you!" declared Wendy in a sudden fit of boldness, and she banged on the door. After a few moments, it flew open. John Danziger stood before the girls, tall, frightening and imposing. Yet his expression immediately softened when he realised who it was. "Hello, Ari, Wendy," he said gruffly. "Hello, Uncle John," chorused the girls a little shyly. Ari strained to make out what was in the mysterious room behind Danziger, when he suddenly stepped back and motioned them to come inside. Holding her breath, Ari did so. They entered another world. This room was immaculate and completely dust free. Everything was perfectly ordered save for an object covered with a white sheet situated in the centre of the room. As Ari's eyes adjusted to the candle-lit dimness, she gasped. The room was a shrine. Pictures of a dark-haired woman adorned the walls and each was flawlessly positioned in a strange, yet beautiful pattern. In some cases, intricately carved frames surrounded the portraits, created lovingly for this purpose alone. There were images of the woman in every imaginable pose and with so many expressions. Laughing, crying, or standing wistfully on the edge of ridge as empty plains stretched forever before her. The flickering light of the candles cast random shadows over the images and Ari had the sudden impression that this person was watching them now. Wendy's attention was caught by a pedestal centred on the far wall. Boldly she walked over it, and was surprised to see a single strand of dark hair resting in the midst of a satin pillow. "Who's is it?" she asked, her curiosity about the strange room now having overcome all of her earlier fears. Danziger smiled eerily. "It belongs to *her*." "I know this face," mused Ari. "It's Devon Adair, isn't it." She knew the tragic story, for her mother had shared it with her long ago. However, neither Ari nor Bess ever suspected that Danziger had become so obsessed. "Yes, Devon," Danziger sighed. "My angel... Girls, let me show you something. Something special I've been working on for a long time." Wendy looked to him with anticipation. Never had she seen her Uncle John so animated and willing to talk. Her eyes followed his movement towards the central piece hidden from view. Danziger grasped the end of the sheet, and with a flourish, drew it off. A statue, an elaborate, almost lifelike statue of Devon Adair appeared before them. "Do you like it?" asked Danziger, nervous as his creation was unveiled to foreign eyes for the first time. "It looks so real," replied Ari. Many hours of work had obviously gone into the statue as each detail appeared identical to the features of the woman in the pictures. Devon's likeness was standing bravely, an expression of hope and wonderment on her face, just like the photo of her above the vast prairie. "She's pretty," said Wendy truthfully. "I like her." Danziger smiled in satisfaction as he realised that the legacy of Devon Adair could continue. "Is it finished?" Ari asked, noticing the tools still near the foot of the statue and recalling the banging as the girls had entered the house. Danziger replied, "Almost. I'm just working on the inscription now. When it's finished, I'm going to put it in the centre of town. Then no one will forget her ever again." Ari leaned forward and slowly made out the words. "This monument erected in memory of Devon Adair, leader of the Eden Project and visionary of the future. She will not be -" The words ended, but Danziger verbally added the rest. "Forgotten." He ran his hands through his head and told the girls, "Never again. We won't forget here. Not us, not me. Never!" His eyes were flashing wildly, and Ari felt suddenly nervous again. She reached out and found Wendy's hand. "She's still out there, you know." Danziger leaned close to the girls. "She's waiting for me. I can feel her spirit." "There's no such thing as ghosts," declared Wendy, repeating the words her mother had told her. "Even on the Dreamplane, they're all real people or Terrians." "But she can't get to the Dreamplane," told Danziger. "So her spirit has to hover, just out of reach of the living world, until I go back for her." "I thought she died," said Ari bluntly. "No!" flared Danziger. "Devon's not dead! I will not accept that! I feel her at night, when she wanders through all the houses, even yours. She searches for Uly in the faces of young boys. And she searches for me. She's lonely, and I should never have left her..." To Ari's horror, Danziger's tirade ended in tears. Wendy's eyes were wide with fright and she bolted from the house. Ari glanced around the room helplessly, not knowing what to do. Perhaps she could call Uly, but then the doctors might lock her Uncle John away. Ariel Martin did not want to be responsible for that. And besides, she felt a hint of truth in his words. Sometimes at night, she had felt a dim presence that was nothing to do with the Terrians. Maybe, just maybe, John Danziger was right. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "It's now local legend that Devon is buried alive in the desert," wrote Bess. "I used to hear my grandchildren scaring each other with the stories of the ghost, a rumour that the children of today delight in. There's really no point in trying to tell the truth that she died long ago. The children like to visit Devon's statue and dream up stories and John frequently encouraged them. He told them that we have yet to return for her, that she is still waiting for him and Uly to come free her from the sickness. We would have only caused John more pain if we had undermined his beliefs. And now I look at it with a more philosophical view - he's getting his wish. Devon Adair is remembered." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "Hey, look," whispered Alex Danthinore. "It's the crazy old guy! Wonder what he's doing out of his cave!" He heard the sniggers of his friends, and felt powerful. Picking up a stray rock in his hand, Alex casually tossed it up and down, moving all the time closer to the statue of Devon Adair. "He comes here every day," offered one of the other boys. "At twilight, just like now. I think he's in love with the statue!" More laughter, and an idea began to form in Alex's head. "I wonder what the old geezer would do if...I threw a rock at it!" Alex whirled around and let the projectile fly. Clunk. It rebounded straight off of the statue's head. "Hey, hey!" shouted Danziger, wheezing heavily as he tried to race along. "You kids stop that, you hear? You owe everything to this woman!" "Sure, old man," goaded Alex. "And I bet if we don't stop, the ghost will get us, too!" He made a show of picking up another handful of pebbles, and threw them viciously. "I'm going to report you for this!" threatened Danziger. "I know the Administrator personally!" Maybe that wasn't true anymore, for he wasn't sure who was in charge nowadays, but Danziger was searching for any excuse to make the children stop their vandalism. "Sure you do," shot back Alex. "You know every Administrator that's passed through office!" Alex's friends laughed hysterically. "You can't stop us!" he continued. The boys raced off into the gathering darkness. Shaking his fist helplessly, Danziger then continued his daily ritual, facing the statue and talking to it. "I'm so sorry, Devon," he began. "I tried to get them away, but I guess I'm just too damn old. Funny, you've never had that problem." His words carried on the wind to Alex's ears. The boy was lurking around the corner in search of more mischief. He was gang leader, and it was his duty to find fun things for his friends to do. "Wonder if anyone likes that guy," snorted one of the boys. "Probably only old people." "Maybe all his friends are dead. Just like that lady." An idea began to form in Alex's mind, one that would cement him as gang leader for good if they could pull it off. He gathered his followers close, an evil gleam in his eyes. "What do you say, we break into his place and trash it!" A chorus of "yeahs" followed his suggestion, and they crept through the darkened streets until they reached the decrepit house. Lifting his arms in a gesture of triumph, Alex hurled the first brick that would smash a window. That done, the boys made their way inside. "Cool..." muttered one of them, wishing that *his* mother would let him live in a place as messy as this. Mothers had some strange idea that a tidy house was the only acceptable way of living. Obviously, the old man's mother hadn't taught him much. The boys wandered through the house, but it soon became obvious that there wasn't much to break or destroy. They threw a few items around, although Alex guessed that it wouldn't even be noticed. "Let's go," he said in disappointment, when one of the boys shouted, "No, wait! Come see this room!" Alex followed the voice, and was surprised to see the room full of burning candles and hundreds of portraits. All of a single woman, the same one as the statue. "Told ya he's in love with her," crowed Alex. He sauntered over to one wall, and tore down a picture. "Whoops..." he said mockingly. The photograph fluttered helplessly to the floor. Another boy followed Alex's lead, triumphantly tearing the image in half before burning it over a candle. Soon, there was a frenzy of ripping and incinerating of everything that John Danziger held dear. "Make a fire!" shouted Alex, caught up in the thrill and excitement. A pile began to form in the centre of the room, burning brightly as the hungry red flames devoured Devon Adair's face over and over. The boys did not realise that the carpet would catch fire so easily as they hooted and cheered, until suddenly, it seemed as if the whole room was burning. Alex stared around him with fascinated horror. He'd never meant for the game to go this far! As the flames danced higher and the thick black smoke sunk heavily throughout the room, he screamed, "Let's get out of here!" Coughing and spluttering, he ran for the door. And collided with something. A person. John Danziger. Danziger's cry of outrage echoed throughout the neighbourhood. He couldn't believe what was happening - his shrine, sanctuary; his tribute to Devon, was being devoured by terrible fire. The acrid smoke burned Danziger's eyes and lungs, but he ploughed into the room regardless. He could not let her burn, he could not lose everything he had of her, not when there was so little left.... ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "We found John huddled in the smoking ruins of his house. Clutched in one hand was the only thing he managed to save - a single strand of hair. His eyes were full of defeat as I shepherded him home with me. Now he truly had nothing. John stared blankly into space all night as we tried to comfort him, but he wasn't aware of us at all. He just kept repeating one word over and over: "Devon". Sometime soon after that terrible night, John disappeared. We suspected he went out into the desert, in search of Devon, but could find no traces of him at all. We searched for days, Alonzo, Morgan, True, Uly and I, hoping that we would find him, and perhaps help John escape the demons that had plagued him for so long. But I never saw John Danziger again." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "True," Uly said sorrowfully, "It's time to head home." The woman sighed wearily, brushing one dirty hand across her forehead. She sat in the driver's seat of the old vehicle, her eyes scanning the desert endlessly as the sun began to set. And in the glorious rays of brilliance, True sensed an understanding with the planet that her father was gone forever. Uly pulled his gear from his head. "That was Morgan. He said, uh, that maybe it's time to accept the fact that we won't find him." He looked at his wife, expecting to see denial in her eyes, but there was none. "I'm surprised everyone's stuck out the search this long," Uly continued. "It's not how most people would be spending their retirement." "I'm not surprised that they're helping," True said sincerely. "They're our friends and they all cared for Dad. Even if we did lose him a while ago." "You're right," agreed Uly. He felt the vehicle turn away from the sun, into the shadows that reached towards the city of Devon, and sighed. Darkness had claimed his mother, and another darkness had claimed John Danziger, one of the closest things he ever had to a father. They drove on in silence, finally arriving at the Martins' house where they were staying. True and Uly lived in a town called Freedom, however True had been in Devon the day of the fire; and Uly travelled north as soon as he heard the news. Bess had insisted they stay with her and Morgan, for they had so many free rooms now that their children had their own children. Bess held out her arms as True alighted from the vehicle. "I'm sorry," she whispered, holding the other woman tight. "But he's gone." "I know," confessed True. "I want to thank you, and everyone, for searching so long. I guess Dad just didn't want to be found." True and Bess followed the rest of the search party inside, noting the dust that clung ferociously to everyone's clothing. It appeared as if the colonists would never conquer the desert. True sat down, Bess beside her. "I just wish," True began, pulling her hair away from her face, "I just wish that I could have helped Dad, long ago. His life ended in so much pain and darkness...I never truly believed that it could happen like that." "Don't blame yourself," consoled Bess. "All of us saw what was happening. But we didn't try hard enough, we let John push us away too often." "If only we'd tried harder," cried True, feeling terribly guilty. "True," Bess gently reminded her, "John made his own decisions. He controlled his own life, and I don't know why he accepted the dark path that he did. But it was his choice, and I know how much you tried to help him. We all tried." "And we failed," True said dully. Bess tried to smile bravely. "You have to accept that as a part of life. We can't control everything." True nodded, recognising the truth in her friend's words. "I'm going to miss him," she sniffed. "We should hold some sort of service, a memorial service." "Yes," Bess agreed softly, taking True's hand. "We'll do that." They comforted each other, feeling glad of the friendship that linked them and accepting that one part of their lives was finally gone. Once again, it was time to move on. *** "Here's to us, the original Eden Advance," toasted Morgan Martin, holding his glass in the air. The small group of nine mimicked his gesture and they all drank deeply. Morgan glanced around at the group of friends, and smiled with a hint of sadness. They had achieved so much in the half-century since they crashed, yet it was difficult to accept the fact that time was passing. Even True and Uly were almost grandparents. "We should hold a party like this every year," declared Bess, suddenly breaking the silence. A few months ago, at Walman's funeral, the reunion had been hastily organised as they met up with old friends who were now spread all over the country. Bess was glad that they had all been able to come to Devon, their original city, to remember the past and enjoy each other's company. Yale, who seemed impossibly old, suddenly spoke up. "I, too, would like to propose a toast. To every member of Eden Advance who has departed from this world but lives on in our hearts. Their valiant actions throughout the years helped us build a better world for everyone here today. And what a world we live in!" One by one, each person stood up and offered a small speech about a loved friend. Alonzo, on Yale's right, began. "I know this might be a little biased, but I'd like to say a few words about Julia. I never met a more dedicated doctor than she was. She made so many advances here with the links between humans and Terrians, and her work formed the foundation of our understanding today. "But that wasn't all she was. Julia was also a wonderful, caring human being. She loved every one of us deeply, and has saved our lives more than once. We never would have made it without her." They toasted Julia's memory, and then Baines continued. "I'd like to remember my good buddy Walman. He was always there to lend a hand, whenever something needed doing. I don't think he ever complained, he was just glad to pitch in. And that went for his whole life, helping set up the city, running the hydroponics plant, all of it. He was a good guy." Magus' face took on a wistful expression as she recalled dear, departed comrades. "Remember Cameron? He was another great friend." She paused as everyone thought over the tragic incident at the power plant numerous years earlier, where both Cameron and Denner, along with several other employees, had died. "Many of you didn't know him that well and I know he didn't say much. What he did say, however, was deep and meaningful. I guess that's why he and Denner got along so well. Those two were a wonderful part of the team, doing their best not only to get to New Pacifica, but also to build our city and then over to the East Coast to do the same thing there." "Yes," broke in Matazl. "They formed the backbone of the initial East Coast team. Living there now is wonderful, but I will always remember the first hard months." He paused to take a drink. "Well, since it's my turn to speak, I'd like to mention Eben Synge. I know we lost her early in the journey, yet she was another person who gave so much. I particularly remember the wonderful concoctions she could make out of the few edible grasses and such that we had discovered during those first months. Besides that, she was an incredible, caring person. We all missed her greatly." Everyone pondered Matazl's words, then turned to Uly. He smiled nervously at them and then began. "I know you probably expect me to say something about my mother. But instead, I want to remind you of Commander Broderick O'Neill. Not many of you had the chance to get to know him, but he was a friend to both my mother and I as she tried to get the Eden Project underway. "Without him volunteering to be the commanding presence on the mission, it could have taken another few years to get away. Years that would have meant thousands of more deaths of Syndrome children." Including my own death, Uly thought silently. "He may have been a military man, but he always wanted the best for the future. It was a terrible waste...." There was nothing more for Uly to say, so he squeezed True's hand and looked to her. "I, too, would like to remember people that many of you didn't know too well," she said, brushing back her greying hair. "The Advance Crew, who escaped in the other pod. A lot of them were my friends, like extra uncles and aunts as I was growing up on the stations. More than that, they pledged their lives to this quest to find a new world just like us. They were good, hardworking people, and it's just sad that they had to die the way they did. They were part of it, too." Bess thought quietly for a few moments as her opportunity to speak arrived. Finally, she looked up at her friends. "I'm going to talk about John Danziger. I hope everyone remembers the good things about him and not just the bad. I know he became a recluse in his old age and I'm sorry that we were never able to heal his pain. "We should think of everything he achieved in the early years. He was our leader, and our strength especially during the time after we lost Eben and Devon. He founded this city, and was paramount in getting it up and running. "More than that, he was part of the then-underground movement to assist people escaping the stations before free settlement was permitted. He was a wonderful leader, and a dear friend. He had so much love to give, and it's just a pity that circumstances twisted his life so much. I miss him," Bess finished simply, her eyes shining. Yale broke in suddenly. "I don't think we can mention John without thinking of Devon Adair. Sorry, Morgan," he amended, but Morgan held up his hands in a gesture that seemed to say, "Go ahead, I don't mind waiting to speak". "I think we all realise that it was one woman who inspired the dream to come here. Without Devon, I don't believe any of us would be sitting here now. Her quest to save dying children became more important than her own life and we now realise that she gave her life, in a manner of speaking, to save even more people. "We learn more about life through the death of others," Yale continued, deviating from the subject. "Devon transcended time for a while, but revealed to us the futility of trying to save those who are already lost. John learnt that the hard way." Yale took a small sip of his drink, suddenly remembering that he was not teaching, but delivering a eulogy about a much loved friend. "Devon had so much to give us," he resumed. "Without her determination and inspiration, would we have ever been motivated to trek across the planet to New Pacifica?" The truth of his words hung heavily in the air. "But more than that, she did everything out of love. Although she didn't show it, I believe she loved every one of us, our large extended family. It was love that brought us together, and love that keeps us together now." "To love," toasted Bess, and they all raised their glasses again. Then heads turned to face Morgan, the only one who had not yet spoken. "Well, you've covered everyone now, so what am I supposed to do?" he joked. "I know, I'd like to thank the Station leaders who decided to try and kill me! If it wasn't for them leaving me on the Advance ship, I'd be stuck in some mindless number crunching job back there." "Seriously," he continued, "I'd just like to say that I admire every single one of you that came on this journey. We didn't know what we were heading into, but even when we crashed, we didn't give up hope." A sparkle lit up his old, tired eyes, and he mischievously shouted, "Eden Advance Forever!" The chorus of cheers carried beyond time. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ "So that's us now," recorded Bess. "Nine devoted friends who share more than we had ever imagined. Writing this account of us, our adventures, our achievements, and our losses has brought back so many memories of my dear friends. A lifetime has passed before me, and only now am I realising just how much has been done. Yet there is still so much more to look forward to. Perhaps it is not my place to dream of the future anymore. My children, and their children, and all the generations beyond them are now the hope for humanity as we enter a bold new era of interstellar peace and prosperity. There are even rumours of contact with another spacefaring species! There will always be mysteries and there will always be hope. I have learnt so much in my life, but one cannot learn the secrets of everything. Instead, I have learned to sit back and watch time pass around me, taking part in what I enjoy, but not being bogged down by the petty details. No, we don't know exactly what happened out there in the desert with Devon. We don't know why Julia took unwise risks while trying to save Uly. We don't know what happened to John when he vanished, and we don't know why some of us were granted a long life while others died early on. But these are things I can accept. From those very first hours aboard the Advance Ship, or even the very first time I laid my eyes on Morgan, my destiny was sealed into a future I could never have imagined. I discovered the power of love. So I sit here and think fondly of the past. My friends have become legends and perhaps I will too someday. Nothing really dies as long as it's not forgotten, and I pray that this record will do justice to the memories of everyone I loved. We made a difference. And for that fact, anything, *everything*, was worth it. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It was there that the file ended. The book was closed, the story was over, and Gillian sat in a quiet reverie. She had so much to think about. It had such a profound affect on her because it was *real*. Genuine legends of the people who had lived, loved and lost on this planet. "But it can't end there!" Gillian protested aloud. She still had so many unanswered questions. Was Devon's body still trapped in cold sleep out in the desert? It scared Gillian as she realised that the local legends were probably true. And in that case, was the old ship still intact? And what of the Valley of Dreams? If it was truly so beautiful, didn't it deserve to be shared and enjoyed? For humanity had finally learnt how to preserve their environment and even Earth was beginning to recover. Gillian also had so many questions about John Danziger. How could Bess just accept that he was gone? Yes, she had searched, but there was no tangible proof of his death. He could have joined a Terrian tribe, or even been abducted by aliens! (The latter scenario was a recent fad along with the rumours of a shadowy new species.) Or perhaps he truly had just withered and died of old age, alone and helpless. Love had destroyed his soul, and it was a love that became an obsession stronger than Gillian had ever heard of. Yet her biggest questions lay with the presence she had felt. Even if it was Devon, even after all she had read and the strange visions she had seen, the girl still found the concept of ghosts nearly impossible to accept. Gillian didn't really believe that a person could leave their body, no matter what their circumstances. And that was why she was so troubled now, for the traces of some strange entity hovered out of her reach, and she could never quite be sure if it was her imagination or not. And why had she been chosen to be part of the story? Thousands of people lived in the city of Devon, and surely the spirit could have contacted one of them before, over the past few decades. Gillian's head was spinning. She did not know where she could go to find the answers she sought to solve the mysteries of the legends of the past. However, she would find the truth someday. She was sure of it. "Devon, if you're truly out there somehow, I'll help you," Gillian whispered into the wind. "I promise." Yet the spirit was being battered by the gales of death, too far away from the living world, too much a part of the shadows that had consumed it for so long, to hear the words and the hope they brought. It had accepted the darkness forever. --- END "Legends of Love".