Free Heaven Saga 1: The Lost Hero by Marcus Johnson Page B

we
crashed I didn’t know if the Avoni had survived.”
    “Let’s be happy everything turned out for the best,”
Valis said.
    “You’ve always been like my big sister,” Seles said.
    Valis pulled away to compose herself. “I hate spoiling
the moment, but I need you to explain everything that happened during those twelve
days. What species is he?”
    “His name is Brian,” she answered. “He claims to be
from Terra Prime.”
    “He’s really a Terran?” Valis asked.
    “Yes. At least, that’s what he says,” Seles said.
    “His people aren’t supposed to be wandering the stars
for several centuries. How is this possible?”
    “He was taken by the Greys against his will,” Seles
said. “He told me they’d experimented on him for years. As for his people,
Brian told me Terrans have the ability to explore their own solar system but
are still unable to travel between star systems.”
    “What kind of a person is he?”
    “Every time I thought I was going to die, he’d simply
smile and tell me that wasn’t an option,” Seles cleared her throat and tried to
emulate Brian’s voice: “No matter what it takes, I’m going to get you off this
cold rock.” He kept saying that to me Valis, and here I am, still alive after
all we went through.”
    “He does sound different from the Terrans we’ve been
told about,” Valis said as she turned on her video monitor. “Before you left
the shuttle, did you check for anything?”
    “You mean the escape shuttle?” Seles asked.
    “Did you check it before you came outside?”
    “No.” Seles looked at Valis.  “Should I have checked?”
    “Before he left, Brian left you a video message. I’m
the only one who’s seen it so far, but I think it’s important that you see it
as well Seles,” Valis said as she turned on the video.
    Brian appeared in the video: “This might be the last
message I ever leave, so let me say what must be said. In our short time
together Seles, I learned more than I could’ve ever imagined. I will also tell
you the truth behind my people’s strength. We will fight, suffer, and even die
for those we love and the ideals we believe in. Only once before in my life did
I felt that way, but it was lost to me. But now that’s changed. I have a reason
to fight, to live, and to exist. I believe in you Seles. I believe in the
future you’re striving for. I believe in the kind heart you’ve shown to me. You
gave me hope when I’d lost it. And so, I give the only thing I can to you: my
life. It’s the only thing I have to give, and so I wish you happiness in your
future. Goodbye Seles, our time together may have lasted only twelve days, but
to me, it felt like a lifetime.”
    The video ended. Silence filled the room. Seles and
Valis embraced again.
    “I don’t understand Valis. Why would he do such a
thing?” she asked.
    Valis looked into Seles’s eyes. “Maybe he’s the Herald
we’ve been waiting for. For years we’ve prayed to Kali for someone to save us,
to save our future. He could be the one.”
    “But if he is, he doesn’t know anything about it,”
Seles said.
    “Even if he isn’t, it doesn’t matter. He’s proven
himself. Anyone who’s willing to do what he was will find a place amongst my
crew.”

Chapter 13 – Healing Wounds
     
    Brian was unconscious on a bed in the corner of the
medical lab. Celi was busy with numerous computers in the room, while Seles sat
in a chair next to the bed.
    “Did Brian tell you what species he is?” Celi asked.
She picked up a medical scanner and started running it over his body.
    Seles brushed his beard with her hand. “He’s Terran.”
    “I didn’t expect them to look so much like us,” Celi
remarked.
    “He wishes to join our crew,” Seles said.
    Celi finished her scan and input the data into the
main computer. “What would he be best at?”
    Seles looked up from the sleeping Brian. “He was able
to learn our language, history, and technology fairly fast.” She paused