Part 7: Epilogue

      Nara raced through the jungle. Jumping tree to tree, it seemed like she was flying. It was exhilarating. It was the one time in the past six days that she felt free. She came to a halt on a branch and spied a small river below. She somersaulted off the branch and landed on the river's bank. In the water, she could see fish swimming to and fro. She knifed her hand into the water and pulled a fish from it. She held it a moment then released it back into the river. She looked at her reflection in a pool of water. She had looked better, she had to admit that. But she still looked human, and that pleased her. Ketzer had told her that if she were going to change then it would have happened by now. She wanted badly to believe him, but he had already established himself as a liar. Thus, Nara was inclined not to believe him. She also had to admit that she felt...great. Better than great actually, she felt charged in a way she never had before, and stronger too. She hadn't had a seizure in over three days, it was the longest she had gone without one in months. Nara's musings were interrupted when she noted a presence. "What do you want?" she said to apparently nothing but trees. She spoke again, "I know you're there so you might as well come out." "Your senses get more acute everyday." said a green creature. He had once been a man and was now something more. "How did you know I was here?" he asked. "I could hear you breathing and I can smell your two mossy friends over there." she pointed to a section of the jungle. "Impressive," noted the creature, "Let us see what else you can do." He charged her moving as quickly as he could to strike her. He might as well have been moving in slow motion for all Nara cared. She lazily vaulted over his head and swiped with an open palm to the back of his neck. The creature made a noise betraying his pain and he fell unconscious. A second creature had used this time to try to get behind her. Nara saw him coming and deliver a spinning back kick to his stomach. He flew backward off his feet and smashed into a nearby tree. The creature then fell to the ground, in too much pain to get up. Nara quickly spun and concentrated, the third creature lifted out of the jungle hanging upside down. His body glowed the same color as Nara's eyes and hand. Nara waved her hand backward and the creature was thrown into the trees, an audible yell was heard as he came back to earth. Medusa stepped from the shadows and eyed her. Nara wasn't impressed. Her eyes glowed again and Medusa lost control of her body as her own hands covered her eyes. Nara then casually walked over to her, hoisted her over her head and threw her into the river some ten feet away. She turned to stare at a particular tree and spoke, "You're getting predictable you know."

      Ketzer stepped out from behind the tree and smiled. "It could also be that you simply getting more adept at this, my dear." he said. "I'm sick of you and your little tests Ketzer!" said Nara, making no attempt to hide the hatred in her voice. "Then you'll be happy to know that my 'little tests' are complete." he said. "What are you taking about?" asked Nara. "According to the samples I took from you this morning the alteration has completed itself. "He looked at her and then the put his hand against the tree she knocked one of the creatures into. It was crushed on one side. "Magnificent", he said, "you are a work of art, my dear. I'm almost tempted to keep you, since I've grown so...fond of you." Nara shuddered as he spoke. "The deal was I let you finish the experiment and then we part ways." she reminded him. "Of course my dear, I wouldn't dream of violating our agreement. You are free to go." he said. "I have one question before I do," Nara started, "why didn't I mutate like the rest of your experiments?" Ketzer looked at her and smiled, "I spent a great deal of time on your serum, more than any other in fact, and thanks to your cooperation I know its true potential. You have only just begun to unlock your power and thanks to your...efforts, I have the means to create an army of enhanced soldiers that will answer only to me!!" Nara rushed towards him and picked him up by the throat, "You're not going to do anything with that formula, you bastard!" She started to choke the life out of him. He calmly spoke to her, "Now Nara, I held up my end of the bargain, its time for you to do the same. Let me go and leave this place." "So you can get busy making your own super soldiers!?" she said. "What I do now is none of your concern. What should be of concern is whether or not you will keep your word. If you don't, then your no better than I am. I understand you well enough to know that knowledge would eat away at you for the rest of your life." He was right, and Nara knew it. She brought him to the ground but kept her hold on him. Nara looked at him for a long while and then let him go. "I knew you would do the right thing, my dear." said Ketzer. "Shut up, just shut up and leave me." she said turning from him. "Of course, you know I just thought of another reason why you didn't mutate like the rest of my...projects." he said. "What would that be?" asked Nara, still facing away from him. "I never said the retrovirus was derived from plant DNA." he said. "What are you saying, Ketzer?" said Nara, turning around. She found that he was already gone. "Ketzer!!!!!!" she screamed and only the noise of the jungle answered her.

* * *

      On the planet Mars lay an alien escape pod. The being within it begins to stir. The pod opens and a visitor's gaze sees the world unfold before him. He verbalizes his only thought, "This is only the beginning."

End Act I

Note from author:
      Is it the beginning, or the end? What further adventures would the cast face? Marsala, Sterling, and the Neosapian factor, to just name a few for starters. Should I finish the story, or just leave it? You be the judge. Email me. -J.P.