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Part 8: Epilogue, New Beginnings "It has been six months since the war ended with the final battle at Chaos. The place where it all started. In that time, Counselor Zairum of the Etorian High Council has been instrumental in opening peaceful negotiations with the Homeworld Senate. Eltoria and the homeworlds have since enjoyed a prosperous trade agreement and plans are under way to terra-form Mars with Eltorian assistance. The project should help cement the truce between our two peoples. Among those that help maintain that truce are Admiral Winfield and Admiral Jonus Simbacca who first gained notoriety in the Second Neosapian war. Their stanch support of the truce has helped win over many skeptics in the Homeworld Senate. Surprisingly, a good opinion of the truce on the Eltorian side was assured by the support of one man, who has arguably had the most influence on the homeworlds in a hundred years. Known only as Sterling, he is largely credited with the return of Chaos to its proper orbit and the destruction of an enemy flagship in the final battle situated there. Since the end of the war, he has kept a low profile avoiding the press and making only very rare political appearances. In a rare statement to the press he was quoted as saying, 'I have seen war, now I wish to see peace.' It is this reporter's sincerest hope that Sterling's wish comes true. For WBC, this is Amanda Conner." Amanda held still until the the stage manager said, "We're clear!" Amanda stood up and walked off the set, she wore a black dressy evening gown. In her dressing room, Sean Napier was struggling with his tie. "Here, let me do that." she said. Amanda smiled, "You didn't have to wait, I could have caught up with you at the reception." "And miss everyone's expression when we walk in together? Never!" said Sean. "Its been six months, Sean, I think they figured it out." said Amanda as she finished with his tie. "You got me, I didn't want such a pretty lady walking around unescorted." said Sean. Amanda kissed him on the cheek, "Let's go." "You've got the rings right?" asked J.T. "Yes, and I had them the other five times you asked as well, will you calm down now?" asked Alec. "Sorry, cold feet I guess." said J.T. "Relax," said Kaz, "Your tux looks great, Alec has got the rings and all the ushers are here." "Is it customary for all grooms to act this way?" asked Marsala. "I guess so," answered Bronski, "Don't see the big deal though, can't be worse than the scrapes we've been in before." "Yeah, well wait until you and Eve tie the knot." retorted J.T. "You mean if they tie the knot." added Kaz. "Hey, I haven't got around to it yet, that's all." said Bronski. "Speaking of getting around to things, how did your meeting go Kaz." asked Alec. "As well as can be expected, I met Ellen's parents. They already knew what had happened but were really happy that someone who knew her delivered the condolence letter. It made them feel better to know she didn't die alone and that she died with someone that loved her." "That's great, Kaz." Alec decided to change the subject, "I heard your going college, Wolf. Any truth to that rumor." "Hey, if Kaz can become an officer, I can get a college degree." retorted Bronski. "TouchÈ" said Kaz with a smile. Pellegrino and Longfeather shook there heads and muttered "Flyboys" at the same time. "Explain to me again why you guys are here." said Bronski. "One more time, and I'll try to stick to small words for your benefit. O'Rielly is a friend, she wanted us in the wedding party, we aren't women so we can't be bridesmaids. So we're here and the women from Able squad are with her." said Pellegrino. Kaz laughed and slapped him on the back, "I like this guy!" "I hate to call an end to the festivities but its time to go gentleman." noted Longfeather. "Why do I have to be the Maid of Honor?" asked Maggie. "Don't worry about it, you look fine. Besides you drew the short straw." said Nara with a giggle. Maggie scowled slightly at Nara, remembering how she had rigged the drawing so Maggie would end up as the Maid of Honor. Nara smiled, "Would you rather one of us spend the ceremony and reception on Alec's arm?" "When you put it that way..." said Maggie. "I hate dresses!" yelled Rita. Her blue bridesmaid gown fit perfectly, despite her displeasure at wearing it. "I think it looks nice on you." commented Shanita. She also wore a blue gown, her white hair hung loosely about her shoulders. "Are you sure it is appropriate that I am here?" she asked. "I don't have many women friends" said Colleen in her flowing white wedding gown, "J.T. recommended you and that's good enough for me." There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" said Colleen. An older man with gray hair entered the room wearing a tuxedo, "You look beautiful honey!" "Thanks dad." said Colleen. "Your mother can't stop crying." he said. "Well, its only going to get worse." Colleen said. "Quite right, its time." he said. The procession was flawless. The ceremony was touching. Alec had the rings ready and the vows were exchanged. Colleen O'Reilly became Colleen Marsh. The only unexpected event was Bronski yelling as they left the alter "Let's party!" The assembled crowd cheered with approval. The party was winding down after four hours of excitement. Just the couples were on the dance floor, J.T. and Colleen, Alec and Maggie, Hallas and Shanita, and Jared and Rita. Jared was commenting on how nice she looked in a dress. Rita responded by telling him to get a good look because he wasn't going to she her in another any time soon. Nara and Sterling were sitting at a table with Remes and Worthington. "How's the new leg treating you?" asked Sterling. "Fine, I sometimes forget its not the real one." answered Sue. She had lost her real left leg, below the knee, in the battle at Chaos. Sue had since recovered and gone through a number of bionic replacements, finally settling on one that combined both a sleek and lightweight design. "So I hear things are finally getting heavy between you two." commented Remes to Nara and Sterling. "Ahh!!" Remes' face contorted in pain as he all but doubled over. "Oh, I'm sorry honey," said Sue, "I forgot how hard the bionic leg is." Stan steadied himself, "As you can see, old habits die hard with the both of us." "Definitely." said Sterling. "Excuse us." said Nara as she lead Sterling out to the dance floor. As they swayed to the music they talked. "I wish my parents could have met you." said Nara. "I'm sure mine would have loved you." replied Sterling. "My wouldn't" noted Nara. "Why not?" asked Sterling, sounding a little hurt. "My mom would have loved you, but not my dad." corrected Nara, "He'd say 'how can you be in love with a man who's first name you don't even know'. Of course, he wouldn't believe me when I told him you don't have one." "Oh, I have a first name." said Sterling. Nara looked pretty shocked, "What is it?" Sterling abstained from answering right away, opting instead to explain something first. "I try to draw from both terran and eltorian culture. And one of the things I practice from eltorian culture is the tradition involving first names. The first name is only used among one's family, it is never used buy someone unrelated. Every eltorian has a first name, but it is only revealed to the person that eltorian wishes to marry. Once a couple has been married, it is then that the first name is revealed to the general public. The exchange of names is the equivalent of exchanging rings in terran culture." "Oh." said Nara pretty sure she wasn't going to hear the name in the near future, she placed her head against his shoulder and continued to dance. "That's actually pretty romantic." "Probably why the tradition started." noted Sterling. "That being said, my name is Cy." Nara's eyes widened and she picked her head up to look at him. He smiled as he looked at her, "And you are?" She smiled back him, "My name is Nara." Nara felt Cy slip something into her hand, "Like I said, I draw from from both cultures." Nara looked down into her hand and found a diamond ring. She slipped it into her pocket. "Its J.T. and Colleen's day, we'll tell everyone tomorrow." she whispered. "Mrs. Cy Sterling, it has a nice ring to it." "That it does." agreed Cy. The party continued for a few more hours. No one minded, because the quality of life is often defined by its richness, and not a single person left the celebration feeling poor. The EndNote from the author: Well that's it folks, the Eltorian Incursion is over. I hope all those that read the story enjoyed it. As I write these words, I am mere days from graduating from college and entering the work force. I don't know how long the school server will keep my page up and running, so enjoy the story while you can. If you have any questions or comments I'd like to hear them while I still can. Thanks for reading! -J.P. 05/11/98 |
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