Subterranean (30 page)

Epilogue

From the Ashes

The planet was now largely covered by the encompassing body of the plant species, turning the once dry sands of the desert into rich soil filled with nutrients for sustaining the life that had already begun to crop up around them.

Flynn stood at the site where his ship first crashed and placed a hand on the hull, feeling the whisper of life still within and the power to rekindle a memory. There wasn’t much left of his old friend, but he knew right away when he saw it from afar, through the cosset of the vines and leaves, that it patiently awaited his touch, his attention… his care. He slid his hand along the cold hull of the skeleton that remained of his old hope, muttering something under his breath.

“From the ashes, it will be born anew...”

Lisa resisted asking for clarification of the words, instead returning to the comfort of the buggy to await his return.

Flynn sighed deeply in thought as he began to ponder the people aboard the evacuation ship; the ones that had depended on him to get them to safety… the ones whose corpses ended up on an alien planet in a mangled wreck of blood and steel. He never did figure out the mystery of what happened to the bodies of his crew, each of them gone without a trace. The most he could do now was protect this tired ship, resting its weary bones as a memorial to those who first saw the light of hope within him.

Gripping the walking stick he’d brought with him, he held it to his forehead in thought, imagining a time when the old bone was once part of a delightful tree full of life and promise. He turned back to look at Lisa, smiling when she waved at him girlishly from the buggy. With a natural motion, he gently penetrated the soil with the stick so it stood erect, believing it would someday grow into a magnificent tree.

“I hope this helps you find your way…” He murmured softly, a warm glow in his chest, and then looked over his shoulder at the sound of brushing grass.

“What are you doing?” Vale pointed at the piece of wood sticking up from the ground in front of him. “What is that?”

“Oh, just a stick in the ground.” He said with a secretive smile.

She arched an eyebrow, certain there was more to it than that, but decided not to press the matter. “You know, I discovered something you may find interesting.”

“Is it the hukka? I hope not, because I still don’t find life and death situations interesting.”

“No,” she covered her lips with a few fingers, but her deliciously symphonic laughter escaped through her nose, “but they are exciting, are they not?”

The corner of his mouth curled. “I couldn’t imagine life without them.”

“You will not have to as long as I am around.”

“Hmm… I always knew you were as dangerous as you were gorgeous.”

A bright green tinge rushed to her face, which she covered partly with a free hand until Flynn closed his eyes to the whipping of the wind.

“So… I thought you might want this.” She held a square object outstretched in her hand.

“The radio?”

“Yes, we took it when Tural imprisoned you…” She smiled at the metal box. “Tural wanted to destroy it, but I hid it before he could.” She watched Flynn intently as he examined it closely in her hands. “There is no reason preventing you from using it now… I doubt the Ravagers will return any time soon.”

He chuckled, wiping the dusty metal that cooled his heated hands. When he tried to activate the device, it silently defied his command. “Is it broken? I thought I fixed this.”

“Well,” she drawled out the word as her eyes absconded from his, “perhaps it was not handled in the… best possible way.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She paused, tentatively making eye contact. “It is probably broken.”

He smiled. “Well, at least I have a souvenir.”

“I could… give you something else to remember me by.” Vale did contemplate reaching out to kiss him at that moment, but reluctantly repressed her desire with an internal sigh.

Flynn chuckled, sliding his hands down to hers to take the weight of the radio. “You are beautiful, Vale. Without your help, your trust… I wouldn’t be alive right now.” He took one of her hands. “I know you will find someone to love… and someone to love you.”

Her eyes fell to the ground, where she considered what to say in response. After a few moments, she brought them back up and smiled. “I hope so.”

Before the silence consumed them, Flynn continued. “I know the Subterraneans have a lot of rebuilding to do, and it will be hard with how much your people have lost, but… for what it’s worth, I know you can do it.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled to emphasize his words.

“I know,” she grabbed his hand and stroked it lovingly before letting it go, “I know…”

To Earth

With all of the preparations in place, Flynn entered the hangar and boarded the ship he would fly to Earth. He sat in the pilot’s seat with an unshakable surety, already believing the salvation of his planet was assured. Bolstering him even more was the presence of Lisa and Rolan, who swore to be at his side to help him drive the last Ravager from the solar system.

Soon, he thought to himself, he would at last right his original wrong and reunite with his sister. Nothing would stop him from achieving the goal he’d waited so long for, not the Subterraneans, not the Ravagers, and certainly not himself. He powered up the engines and tasted the gleam of the dashboard, letting his skin absorb and reflect every ray of light that touched him.

“So,” Vale hung from the ladder attached to the ship, “I believe half of our fleet should be sufficient for your quest? Only a single ship was required to defeat the Ravagers here…”

“Yes, Vale,” he said gratefully, “this is more than enough.”

“Good.” She traced a hand along the hull. “I hope you will return to us when you have freed your world.”

“Trust me,” he grinned, “I’m coming right back.” His eyes wandered about the cavern walls. “This looks like a nice place to live. I may even find some lost relics here.”

“I will be here,” she slid down as she spoke, “waiting for you.” Her voice rose confidently when she stood before the grandeur of the fleet. “All of you.”

Flynn closed the cockpit and ignited the thrusters, ascending the ship towards the luminous opening in the ceiling. “Let’s go!” Fighting to be heard under the confident roaring of the fighter’s engines was a crackling of static from the radio he kept in his pocket. “I thought you were broken.” His fingers tweaked the controls to focus the sound of the muddled voices.

“Are they gone?” It was the little girl, innocently asking if she could come out of the little dark hole Flynn pictured her sitting in.

“Yes, they are gone.” The sonorous voice of the father soothed over the radio. “It is safe now.”

“You made them go away? I do not have to be scared anymore?”

“No, you can be happy again, my daughter.”

Rolan heard the words from the radio and smiled at him. “This is why you kept the radio?”

Flynn smiled warmly back at him. “Hope is even greater when you share it with someone.” He turned the radio off and set it down. “Don’t you agree?”

“Ha!” Rolan forced the words through his overwhelming grin. “I have never heard truer words!”

The End

About the Author

Jacob Gralnick is a full-time writer of science fiction novels. When he’s not secluded inside a dark room for days on end typing away at a computer, he’s out researching new ways to captivate an audience. With a few novels written and dozens more to come, he expects to be weaving tales of hope and trust’s survival in a dark world for a while yet.

He lives in south Florida with his loving family and their miniature zoo of cats, dogs, turtles, fish, frogs, birds, and other critters.

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Coming Soon

Look out for the riveting sequel to Subterranean this summer!

And then get ready for the final, epic conclusion of Flynn’s fight against the Ravagers next fall!

Thanks for reading!