"Will he be all right?" Katie asked with concern.
"Apart from a few cuts and bruises and a concussion, he's okay. Don't worry miss, he is in good hands."
"No wonder we couldn't find him," said Charlie. "The ejection force must have shot him like a bullet into the vent."
The Lieutenant continued. "He's a very lucky man General. A metre in either direction and he would have been shot into a solid wall."
Adam stirred as his consciousness returned. "Admiral...Admiral...."
Ryan bent over to get closer to his ear. "I'm here Adam."
"Did we win sir?" He said as his eyes opened slightly.
"Yes, we won."
"The last thing I remember was....they were kicking our ass...." He paused for a moment as the affliction of pain and the loss of his comrades starved him of his speech. "You look concerned Admiral,....I hope you didn't think that only one a squadron of Warbirds could....finish me."
"No, I am sure it would take a lot more than that." Ryan said to reassure him.
"Sir, permission to take a vacation....I think I'm in need some time off."
The smile returned to Ryan's face. "Permission granted."
"Thank you sir." His eyes closed again as he fell unconscious.
"Get him to the infirmary pronto." Ryan commanded.
"Yes Admiral." The Lieutenant was joined by two other medical staff as they moved away with their patient.
"I believe this is yours Admiral." Said a familiar voice from behind.
Ryan turned around to see Lieutenant Masters holding a case of champagne upon his shoulder. "Lieutenant, glad to see you're still alive."
"Those bastards took out my fuel line. By the time the mechanics got my fighter ready to fly again, it was all over."
"Don't be too disheartened, at least you’re alive. Besides, your timing is impeccable. I think a celebration is in order, don't you General?"
"I couldn't agree more." Charlie replied.
"Let's go to my quarters, the drinks are on me!" Ryan announced with a smile as he led them to the matter transporter.
EPILOGUE
A motionless figure tumbled slowly over and over in the cold darkness of deep space. The only partition the figure possessed from the deadly environment of space was the magical force from two Bracelets that it wore upon its wrists. Within the unconscious brain of the figure was mental conflict between the brain's possessor and another invisible presence.
"You were beaten by that puny creature and yet you call yourself an impeccable warrior?" Said the mouthless voice with a venomous tone.
"I would have crushed his skull if it weren't for your meddling. You overtake my mind and release my hold on the explosion. Your impetuous action deprived me of all my defences against the blast. I was helpless and what's worse you could have killed me."
"What?! It was my lightening fast mind that saved you. I must have been insane to choose you for the task. He was a simple human, you were taking too long to destroy him. I had to intervene."
"If I weren't unconscious I would banish you from my head." Said the tempered possessor.
"You can't banish me, I'm here for good so you better get used to it."
The possessor omitted a metal groan. "Are you sure he can't sense us?"
"Positive. Otherwise you would be dead by now. As long as we keep the drain on the universal forces to a minimum, he will never find us. The repairs upon your brain are almost complete. Soon we will return to the future and build a greater army. Next time we will crush that little race from existence."
"Well hurry up, my destiny awaits and I grow impatient."
"All in good time my Liege, all in good time."
THE END
For the exciting conclusion to the Intersect saga seek the thrilling sequel – The Great Talisman!
Intersect Page 29
