I had an hour and a half break from work.  Why not?  I had nothing better
to do. There is a part 10, but it'll take a while before I have time to
get it entered.  Meantime, C&C!

----------

				   *******
				Blue Lightning
				   *******
				   Volume I

			   (c)1995 By Damon Casale


	The year is 2008.  Overcrowding, a totalitarian government, and
vicious, constantly infighting intelligence agencies plague the world.
It's not a nice place to live.

	I had a plan.  There was a way out, away from all of the worst
humanity has to offer.  It was only a matter of time...


* Long Goodbye


	"One last job.  Then you get a well-deserved vacation."
	Jeremy grinned.  "Thanks.  What do you need?"
	"Nothing much.  I need a set of gills."
	"That's going to be a bit difficult."

	"It shouldn't be, with John helping you.  I need a mask that I can
wear to breathe water."
	"Taking a swim?"
	"Off the deep end, Mr. Scott."  I smiled.
	"What?"

	"Never mind.  I'll see you later.  Take your time."


	That night, we all relaxed.  A space had been cleared out on the
island, under the stars.  Steve had set up his keyboard, and the rest of
us...

	"Sweet dreams are made of these
	Who am I, to disa-gree?
	I travel the world, and the seven seas
	Everybody's lookin' for something."

	I think our guests even enjoyed the music.  Though they weren't the
type to let on about it, to Steve's relief.

	After a while, Weya and I wandered out along the beach.

	-So much has happened.  To both of us.-
	-Now isn't the time to think about that, is it?-

	I stopped, facing her.  -Better now than later.  We're going to
have to leave soon.-
	-Why?  Can't you stay for a few months, at least?-

	-I think you know the answer to that.-

	-It's her isn't it.-  Weya looked away.  -You can't forget about
her, can you?-
	-Not if there's any chance of saving her, no.  Would you?-
	-I...-
	-I'm sorry.-
	-Wait.  Yes, I would.  Because he died saving my village.  Changing
that would mean changing what happened.  I can't risk my village to save
his life.-

	Then how can I do the same?

	-But your situation is different.  You *can* save her.  You're
right about that.-
	-But that might change what's happened here.  Do I have the right
to risk that?-

	She looked away suddenly.

	I'm being a bit selfish, aren't I?  Why can't I forget about her?
	-You can't feel that way about it.  Your feelings about her are no
more selfish than mine about my husband.-
	-You heard that?  But...-

	She faced me again.  And I could see how much it hurt her to say
it.
	-But you can *do* something about that.  I can't.  I don't have
that choice.  You do, and it's yours to make.-

	-I know.  But why does it have to hurt, so much?-

	There were times when words weren't enough.
	We'd shared something.  Something neither of us wanted to come to
terms with.  But in the end...


	Several weeks went by, as the island was restored.  The mining
equipment, the construction site, and the landing pad.  All gone.
	The spiders were welcome to share a home.  But the island would
remain free.

	-How long does it take to reach your village?-
	-Only about an hour or so.-
	The mask on halfway, I stopped.  -An hour?-

	Weya smiled.  -It'll be just fine.  You won't notice it at all.-
	I finished putting the mask on.  -If you say so.-

	We waded in.

	I jumped...cannonball!
	Weya looked back at me, drenched, grinning.
	With her finned arm, she cut a wide swath across the water, sending
a sheet in my direction.  It missed, barely.
	I played golf, sending a stream back at her.  It didn't miss.

	She dived in, and I followed.

	We avoided the reef, both of us remembering just how many kelpworms
dwelt there.

	She was faster, and more agile in the water.  In her element.  But
I was better at hide and seek.
	Several tall fronds of seaweed presented themselves.  I waited for
her to come back looking for me...
	Gotcha!
	She smiled.  -Damon...-

	-Hey, who put that there?-  Just above her mouth was a bony ridge,
rather sharp.  How very annoying.
	-That's not my fault.  Who designed your lips?-


	It took us rather longer than an hour.  Finally, the village
appeared ahead, and a few seadwellers swam out to greet us.  Then they
noticed me.


	Weya smiled inwardly.  The same two guards.
	"Weya, what have you done?-
	"Call the elders, Ukal'el.  I will not wait long."
	They swam into the grotto.
	-Soon.-


	Less than ten minutes later, they returned, escorting us into the
chamber of the circle.
	A hastily gathered assembly of elders awaited us.
	"We will listen.  But you will speak before the people."

	The seadwellers gathered outside, answering the call of the elders.
Usually only issued in cases of danger to the village, most were fearful,
not knowing what to expect.  Finally, the elders emerged, and we followed.

	"My people, you now know that our brothers and sisters have
returned from above.  The spider-creatures who controlled them are now our
friends.  I bring he who helped to make this possible, to show all that
awaits us.  He who brings our peoples together."

	"The spider-creatures never intended any harm, but were desperate
for help.  Almost three billion years ago, they left our planet fleeing a
terrible plague, and have only now returned.  Their ship was damaged and
without our help, and his help, many would have died.  They now offer us a
chance to explore not only our own world, but the stars above it, if we
will show ourselves willing to open our arms to them."

	"I am sorry, Weya.  When I was unwilling to take the risk, you
risked everything to save our brothers and sisters.  I thank you, Weya.
All of us thank you."  The First Speaker smiled, warmly, for the first
time.
	"Let us hope that the future will be bright for both peoples!"  I
hope I got that right.

	-We should go.-
	Weya nodded.


	There was much to be done.  But it was up to Weya and her people
now.

	-Thank you for staying.-
	-I'm glad I did.  And I'll be back soon.-

	She smiled.  -When you find Kerin.  I'm looking forward to meeting
her.-
	-I'm sure she'll feel the same about you.-

	-Take care of yourself, Weya.-

	For a long moment, we stood there in silence.

	I tilted my head to the side, and missed the bony ridge this time.
	"Awww..."  Steve grinned, ever his annoying self.

	Standing at the top of the scoutcraft's exit ramp, I waved.
-Soon.-


	The scoutcraft flew into the sky, reddish-purple.  Gleaming in the
light of the setting sun, the small group of seadwellers and spiders below
watched it, until it finally disappeared into the sunset.
	-Soon.-


	A small sphere drifted away from the planet, picking up speed.
Blue Lightning passed the larger moon, heading into open space.
	-I'll never forget you, Weya.-

	Maybe it was an afterthought, or an echo.  But somehow, I didn't
think so.
	-You will always be a part of my heart.-

Damon Casale, dc56+@andrew.cmu.edu

* Maison Ikkoku * Kyoko Otonashi * Video Girl Ai * Amano Ai *
               * Blue Lightning * Kerin Gray *
Blue Lightning forever...Kerin, are you out there?