Chapter 43

“What would you do against that type of power?” Adama asked, watching the Procyon’s final transmission. “The Earth-seed must survive, Dylan.”

“You want me to take the seed somewhere else?” Dylan said as Diobal shredded the Centaurian starship to pieces.

“Yes,” Adama rested his hand on Dylan’s shoulder. “Seek out a new planet-”

“And what?” Dylan shrugged Adama’s hand off. “Start over. It took billions of years for the Earth to become what it is! And won’t the other planets have to do the same thing? We’re not giving up! I’m gonna fight. You take the seed if you need to. You have all the knowledge, anyway.”

“It is the Scion’s task to find the seed a new home planet if need be.”

Dylan paced like a seasoned general, and stepped into the center of the room, all eyes on him. “Ok, listen up. I didn’t get a choice to be here. The Earth chose me. In the synchronicity, I saw everything. And I mean everything! The history of every living being that gave something so the next one could live. Like Max and Alaris did for me. It all leads to right now. And I have to protect it. Even if it means sacrificing myself.”

“Indeed.” Adama straightened at Dylan’s conviction and wisdom.

“Besides, if Necromanos wants to destroy everything. Don’t we need to make a stand, whatever the odds? He won’t stop, right?” Dylan glared at everyone, burning with determination. “I may not have asked the Earth for this task, but it chose me for a reason.” Dylan paused, mirroring the eyes upon him. “And I choose to go down swinging!”

Adama smiled proudly. “I must admit, fighting is not my first choice in this situation, but the Earth did choose wisely. And you are right. It is your decision; one I am sure Max would be proud of. I will stand by any decision the Scion makes.”

“But you still don’t have a plan,” Alaris said.

“No.” Dylan said coolly, recalling the micro-nova event he saw during his trip with Chevro Buffer. “But I have an idea. If Bane’s ship or whatever it is has a black hole inside it, couldn’t we make a bomb of pure light? The opposing forces would cause it to explode and then collapse on itself and maybe even suck the armada into it?”

Adama and Alaris gazed silently at each other, contemplating Dylan’s suggestion. Adama tugged at his chin. “In principle, I suppose it could work, but how could we create an explosion of that size and force?”

“You shoot me up into it somehow… and I’ll just release everything I’ve got.” Dylan’s words faded as he spoke. “I guess that’s my plan.”

Adama shook his head. “Dylan, even if we could get you there, you do not yet have the power to achieve something like-”

“He’s right.” Alaris said, astonished by Dylan’s idea. “This might work.”

“I don’t see how, Alaris.” Adama clasped his hands skeptically.

“We need to get past the armada and punch a hole into the Diobal’s core.”

“I still don’t see how.” Adama folded his arms.

Alaris sighed. “Dylan, as your mother, I would never allow you to harm yourself, but… Praesidium to Scion, for life to go on, I have an idea.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Dylan smiled, his confidence growing.

“My ship Orion is a Signa class, capable of maneuvers far beyond anything in that armada. If our forces can blow even a tiny hole in their defenses, it may just give them enough of a crease to hyperspace to a pinpoint inside the black matter.”

“That is still nowhere near enough power to destroy its negative energy source,” Adama said.

“No, but we can. Tell them what you just told me,” Dylan said, the little gingerbread-alien whispering in her ear.

“Beetlebee will help.” He nodded nobly.

“No, no. Tell him how you can help.” Dylan patted the perpetually smiling enigma.

“Scion makes light. Beetlebee controls light. Light builds in Beetlebee until…” The tiny alien moved his hands to demonstrate an explosion.

“Adama,” Alaris propped herself up. “A Centaurian science team located a massive energy signature on a remote planet. I investigated and found Beetlebee. We believe he may be-”

“Able to help.” Adama said, nodded and bent close to Beetlebee. “Are you the last?” Beetlebee nodded. Adama bowed his head thoughtfully. “Brilliant in theory. If it can be done, it must be done, quickly.”

“Orion,” Alaris spoke into her wrist-com. “set a trace on Beetlebee’s signal. He and Dylan will be on the mountain for a rapid departure. You three are going to save the galaxy.”

Vorgan, Schmire and Bane returned to a well-armed, but poorly manned Terovian ship, hovering above the Earth’s atmosphere. Bane immediately sat in the chair meant for the ship’s commander.

“Order this vessel to join the armada. I wish to return to my ship to enjoy the final epic of the Earth’s destruction.” Despite having Craven’s body, his voice, Bane’s wicked arrogance permeated the raider’s former body.

“It will take time, Bane,” Vorgan groaned. “We left half our crew down below.”

“Oh, dear,” Bane waved a hand, feigning a care. “What will become of them?”

“They will take their own life rather than be caught.” Vorgan studied Bane, for any sign of concern for the lost raiders, but saw none.

“Set a course for Diobal.” Bane dismissed Vorgan’s comment.

“We are at the very least a valuable asset,” Vorgan grumbled. “Is there any bit of Craven left within you?”

“His pain, his anger, his memories… all here.” Bane licked his lips, sifting through Craven’s mind. “Exquisite. I never would have imagined you Terovians were so fond of your children. I always thought you to be entirely heartless and driven by greed.”

“Craven was an honorable soldier and commander. He deserved better than-”

“I needed a host body. Like a void, I am driven by a hunger. Something I cannot control. Perhaps I should have chosen you.” Bane’s voice trailed off.

“You are like a void, but you are not a void?” Vorgan asked, his eyes narrowing. “What are you?”

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“Something far worse.”

“This cannot be the only way.” Zalee choked back tears, watching Ra’Nelle and Dylan talk quietly in the corner.

“I know it’s not fair, Zalee,” Alaris said sorrowfully, barely able to move. “We all waited so long to have him, only to see him go again. But it is the only hope we… and the galaxy have.”

“I understand. And I believe in him. But I do not have to like it.” Zalee gritted her teeth. Ra’Nelle hugged her grandson, whispered in his ear and held his face in her hands, their eyes exchanging a look of sacred knowledge meant only for him. “His sacrifice must count for something.”

Dylan approached Alaris and Zalee, smiling. “I wish I knew Ra’Nelle better. She’s amazing.”

“You will.” Zalee forced a smile and took his hands in hers. “Somehow.”

“Max was a lucky guy.” He studied the sadness painted on their faces. “So am I.” The silence drowned the room, like standing at the bottom of the sea. “C’mon you guys, say something. Good luck. Go get’em. Anything?”

“I am sorry.” Tears swelled in Zalee’s amber eyes. “We are the lucky ones.”

“She’s right, Dylan,” Alaris said, her bottom lip quivering. “You’re a gift.”

Dylan blushed, his chakras glowing within his center. “A week ago, I hated the world. Thought it sucked. I was jealous of everyone whose life I thought was so much better than mine. But once I started the journey, the world… it gave me so much. I can’t help but think about everything I have right now.” He looked to each person, the rainbow in his chest pulsing brighter. “I have new places, new people, new abilities… and responsibilities. I can’t describe it. I’ve got love rushing through me, and I want to share it. And I’ll do everything I can to save it… even if it means dying.” Dylan’s chakras illuminated the room, the evolution of the Scion.

“You sound like Max.” Nan hugged Dylan and kissed his cheek. “He’d be proud of you. Now, go do what you were born to do. And be back for dinner.”

“Thanks, Nan.” He hugged her tight, tears rolling down their cheeks.

Dylan leaned down to hug Alaris. “I’m so glad I found you.”

“I found a way to be with you before,” Alaris sobbed. “and I will do it again. May the light guide you, Dylan. I love you.” She kissed him purposefully on the forehead.

“In this life or the next, Mom. I love you, too.” Dylan choked back tears before he and Zalee stepped away.

“We don’t have much ti-mmf-” Dylan’s words were cut short by Zalee’s kiss. She held him tight and for as long as she dared, absorbing the love so she would be able to recall it in her memories. Dylan’s chakras blazed white hot until his energy hummed through the walls. “Wow. That was… awesome.”

“I do not ever want to forget you, Dylan Maximilian.” Zalee touched a finger to his lips. “Not in this life, not in any. I will always remember you and be yours…in whatever time that may be.”

“I… uh-” Dylan stumbled nervously over his words, “would say the same-but -even if I can re-incarnate, I’ll probably- oh, forget it.” Dylan threw his arms around Zalee and pressed his lips to hers, enjoying the same warm rush as their first kiss. He knew if he looked into her eyes any longer, he might never leave. “Okay. I gotta go! Goodbye, Zalee.”

“Goodbye, my love,” Zalee whispered and joined in a hug with Ra’Nelle and Nan.

Dylan joined Beetlebee and Adama and gave a final smile over his shoulder, one last glance of the people he loved.

They stepped onto a levi-disc and sped toward the outer walls of Telos. “Dylan, if you are to succeed, you must remember your connection to the Earth. The life force reciprocates, cycling between you. Everything is in a balance of give and receive, and sometimes you must put forth energy in another way first before it comes back to you.”

Dylan’s eyebrows raised. “Isn’t that karma?”

“The definition of karma,” Adama nodded, marveling at the young Scion’s wisdom. “Perhaps there is hope for us.”

“I want this ship at light speed, now!” Bane snapped the neck of the rabbit creature, drinking its life force.

“There are only three engineers, Bane,” Vorgan said, disillusioned with the behavior of his commander.

“Then help them, you over-sized blood-wart. Now!” Bane threw the dead carcass at Vorgan. “Inform those on Diobal to charge the stygian converter and take aim at the Earth.”

“As you wish…” Vorgan shook his head. “Commander.”

“May the light guide you, my friends. They are not merely words.” Adama bowed as Dylan and Beetlebee boarded Orion.

“Welcome home, Mr. Beetlebee,” Orion said sarcastically. Beetlebee smiled and sent an electric charge from his fingertip through the ship’s circuitry.

“That’ll be enough,” Alaris spoke through the communication system. “Orion, you will take Dylan beyond the atmosphere and on my signal and hyperspace to the precise coordinates of Diobal’s core.”

“Your command, Alaris.” Orion said, lifting off.

“At the instant you hit light speed, you need to give off as much energy as possible. Beetlebee will contain you. But Dylan, you have to give until you can’t give anymore, then find whatever else you can and give more.”

“Sacrifice,” Dylan whispered to himself, chakras pulsing, his eyes crackling with blue star light.

“We are exiting the atmosphere.” Orion said amidst the turbulence.

Beetlebee’s body phased into pure golden energy, wrapping itself protectively around Dylan.

“May the light guide you all. Prepare for warp on my count… five, four, three, two, one!” Alaris’ voice trailed off into the fluttering sensation of hyperspace. Dylan surged the Om’s life- force into Beetlebee’s golden shell as they streaked toward destiny.

“Bane?” the com-link squarked.

“What is it?” Bane answered, annoyed.

“The remaining Galaxis forces focused an attack at the center of the armada, then all at once pulled back out of range.”

“What madness?” Bane’s words trailed off as he watched a single strand of light, like a laser, pierce beloved Diobal. “No!” He smashed the control panel. “No!”

Like a shot from a sniper, Orion tore through the armada’s ranks, finding its mark deep within Diobal’s black heart. Dylan could barely tell Orion was gone. The forces cycled back and forth between him and the Earth, building within Beetlebee’s shell. The tree blazed in his mindscape, its branches engulfed in blue star-fire. Beetlebee reassured Dylan, holding his atoms together until, all at once, all that existed vanished into sub-atomic particles. The shadowy silence of the vacuum surrounded them. This was it. It was up to them, a seed of light in the void of miscreation. Beetlebee strained against the black matter’s pull, while Dylan’s positive power raged exponentially within him like a nuclear pressure cooker. He held the opposing energies at bay, amplifying Dylan’s as long as he could until- Beetlebee’s tiny body erupted like an apocalypse. Starlight exploded through the blackness like a million nuclear bombs of pure life-giving force detonating at once.

Dylan pushed at the eternal vacuum, pouring everything out of him. He beckoned to the Earth, another surge into the black mass. Vortexes of pitch, strong enough to destroy worlds, twisted in violent waves, a battle of light and darkness. Dylan thrust every bit and called on more, only to find himself losing ground. The ebony veil wrapped around him, the void-effect sucking the life from him as it had before. Panic. In his mindscape, the tree’s glorious flames faded and flickered. The walls of darkness boxing him in, like the first dream. He was losing. The weight of the void bore down on his soul, at the same time tearing it apart. His thoughts scrambled, Adama’s final instruction, give and receive. Desperate, he stopped fighting and focused all his energy back inside to the Om, giving it his life force. Images flashed, Nan, Alaris, and Zalee. Sacrifice. Kelly, the nurse at the hospital. A single word echoed. Karma. The most powerful force in the universe drew within the flow of his energy, a mystical dimension reciprocal balance, the center of his heaven.

The black mass had almost snuffed his light when a surge of power coursed through Dylan, cycling with the Earth, his essence thriving again. He thought of Norm. Love, The light between Scion and Earth, like wheels of creation. The blackness ebbed. His mind drifted to Rocco and Chevro and finally to Max. Arise. Calling on her galactic family, the Earth ignited, pure love coursing into Dylan. He could sense the roots of the tree stretch from the atoms within him, to the cell, to the being, to every living creature on the planet, the galaxy and throughout the universe. In a flash, all the love, the life they shared, every selfless act, every lesson taught, every dream created erupted within him, weaving, interlocking from parents to children, through the generations until it became one… in synchronicity. The first pinhole tore through the tomb of pitch, then ten, a thousand, millions of points of light exploded through the black matter, instantly obliterating it into dust. The shock wave rippled outward and, like a ball bouncing off a wall, rushed back into the heart of Diobal’s dark energy. The ship shook and crumpled for a second before imploding on itself, the cataclysm reversing like a planet-sized vacuum,. One by one, the entire armada pulled toward the implosion, vanishing into its heart. In less than a second, the blast collapsed on itself and blinked into nothing, leaving only the eerie calm of space.

In the ultimate silence, Dylan was barely aware of his consciousness, though nothing of his body. The particles of his physical form were gone as he slowly lost sense of himself. In the final image in his mind, he saw himself on a grassy hill laying beneath the Om’s sheltering arms, enjoying the peace… and he smiled.

“No! Nooo!” Bane swore, storming through the bridge, his tantrum like a petulant child’s, slamming his fists on the vital control panels. “Diobal! My ship!”

Disgusted, Vorgan turned from Bane and watched the terrifying destruction on the screen, soon replaced by the peacefulness of space… and he smiled.