Aberrant: The Long March - Chapter 8: Those who have strayed from the path.

[Mr Fox]

Back on board Lorean, in the Medical bay a monitor came on and displayed the scenes in Berlin and New York and the other cities of the world. Lorean didn't say a word to Andrew, but just showed the Song. At the same moment in another part of the ship two minds joined completely for the first time. Hesitantly at first but then with confidence they made the decision that it was time for Michael to be healed. Before they could proceed further, monitors came on all over the ship showing the scene on Earth and the swelling of hope.

In the cell where Steve was speaking with one of the super-psions, Lorean broke in explaining what had happened, and showed the Song. Adam, broke into tears and could not be quieted. "I can feel it, though the drugs and shields, I can feel it! What have we done!"

In the other cell, where Martin was still sitting smug and confident despite being told he could no longer make a deal, his face became puzzled, then Lorean broke in explaining was was going on on. Martin paled as he looked at the screen, millions of people surrounding the places of destruction singing and lifting their voices not in despair or fear, but in hope. He looked back at Ulric all smugness gone, "I did not realize... we were soo wrong." He fell back into silence, but now he had quiet tears running down his face.

Cody/Kyria felt the Song in their gestalt. It was like nothing else either had ever dreamed of. There was such power in it, it was like all of Humanity was in the gestalt with them, not individual minds but the emotions and will of the entire species was combined as one. Their own combined strength had felt so powerful before, so magnificent. Now it was less than the smallest gossamer drop of power next to a vast ocean. It was hard to remember Self, the ocean current wanted to sweep away the individual, but with the greatest effort the two remained in control and focused on their purpose; helping the man they both cared more for than anyone else in the world. In the sickbay, two minds reached in and found the hidden remains of the missing third and became one with it. Reunited at last the three healed and marveled at this new experience. Time was meaningless in for the three as they floated on the ocean of humanities combined will. From one of the three a tiny thought arose. *NOW. We must use this NOW. Such will never happen again, we must make ourselves safe from those who would destroy us. Let humanity crush it's enemies!* The last thought felt wrong and was swept aside, but from another of the three who were One arose a response, *We need not crush them to make US safe. Let US only use OUR will to convince THEM to leave us alone.* The three who were One decided, and reached out searching for the enemy who would destroy. It came as no surprise that they were found easily. The Other was like the human ocean of will, but to a vastly smaller degree. From among the three arose the thought, *They are a gestalt race all combined to one will, but smaller and few in number. Let US speak with them*

The Other swelled and grew stronger as others of their kind joined in, but it remained tiny compared to the ocean of humanity and the three felt they could easily sweep this Other aside as if it were an insignificant insect.

The Other wailed in despair and from it the thought arose *You see, we are too late!!! We waited too long to strike, now they have Become and we are doomed!*

From the three pity arose and understanding of this Other and their motivations. The three spoke as One, *Your fear was unfounded. WE will not destroy you. WE wish only to live in peace and have the freedom to grow at our own pace. Will you grant US that, or will you force US to make your fears real?*

A moment passed as the Other conferred with itself. *WE will withdraw from your area of space and will not confront you again, nor influence others to do so. WE will not raise a hand against your species, if only YOU will agree to never raise hand against US. Is this acceptable?*

The three and somehow also the ocean that was the human race agreed, *So the pact is made, let it be so for now and evermore, let US avoid one another and coexist in peace.*

*DONE, for now and ever more, WE agree! WE will undo what We have done in setting others against YOU and leave this region of space.*

The three who were One sensed the truth, it was impossible to communicate in this way and lie. There would be peace now, or at least there would be no further attacks from this Other and their minions. The three withdrew and with the withdrawal they felt the Unity slip away and were left only three again, and then even that slipped away and each opened their eyes a greatly reduced Self, and alone.

In the medical bay Michael sat up tears streaming down his eyes and wrapped his arms around himself and rocked back and forth in grief for the loss of the Unity, but also in joy for what it had accomplished.

[Andrew Murphy]

Andrew was, to put it bluntly, in a bad mood. He had just removed the top of Robin's head to try and determine the cause of death when Lorean piped in the latest news broadcasts. At first he was angry, he didn't listen, he just tried to shut it off so that he could go about his work, but Lorean turned off the monitor controls and he was unable to do anything. Finally he looked, he listened, and he watched as mankind came together despite everything. Andrew recalled one of the most painful memories he could, September 11, 2001, and the attacks on New York city within his timeline. He then recalled how people around the city, country, and world had come together. How for a short time things had seemed that they would become better after this. He recalled that despite everything, in this case the worst that humanity could do had brought about something pure.

As he stood there in sickbay, the top half of a skull in his hand Andrew began to weep for he saw that as terrible as things had been lately what they had built so long ago was not only holding against the darkness, but it was a flame, and it devoured the pain and anger and its light grew brighter and pushed back the night. As he stood there, a power unbeknownst to him was acting on humanity's behalf and bringing and end to this conflict, an end to the suffering and treachery; a Light pushing back the Darkness.

As Michael sat up in the ICU chamber Andrew started, dropping the skull he uttered a simple, "My god ..." before he could get his wits together. *He's awake, Michael is awake.* was all he sent through the link, for that was all he could think to say.

[Ulric Reikspar]

If not for all the death, Ulric would have laughed. By trying to break us apart, they have made us stronger than ever.

Maybe, in the years to come, he would realize just how right he was.

He took Michael's being awake as excellent news.

"Tell him not to get comfortable," Ulric told Lorean. "There is still the meeting with the Chromatics that he, his daughter, and Cody need to take care of. Then he can nap!"

[Joani]

Joani watched the news open mouthed. She never asked for a word of gratitude but this was beyond anything she had ever dreamed of. The song envigored her and bolstered her resolve... almost to a point of euphoria. An impulse went through her and she turned to the President.

"I need to join them...", her eyes full of hope and dedication. The immediate threat had been averted but some damage had been done. She wanted to be there with earths people, help them rebuild and recover the wounded.

She rephrased her request to the President, "I must join them, Mr. President.", she smiled at him with the same energy and youthful dedication she had when she revealed herself to the world as Supergirl so many years ago.

[Mr Fox]

The President watched the monitors at first uncomprehending how people could be singing at a time like this. He had been so wrapped up in the evil and gloom of the circumstances being at their center as he was that it was only after Joani reacted next to him that he understood. His growing anger melted away and he impulsively reached out and hugged Supergirl. "We need to be there Joani, they are my people, I need to join them. Take us to Berlin." Lorean heard and obeyed teleporting the pair down to the place where the Song began.

[z028 Riley]

Kyria slowly came back to herself. Her other senses, her physical senses, telling her that she was sitting, rather stiffly, in a warm room on Lorean holding Cody's hands and her father was awake.

Her father was awake. Her father was awake.

Kyria sprung up from her sitting position without realizing she hadn't let go of Cody's hands first. In her excitement she forgot that vocal chords and sound existed and reverted to the first kind of communication she had ever known. Images and emotions flooded through the merge that still existed between the three of them: gratitude, joy, and a pure, near heartbreaking flood of love.

[Courier]

Steve watched the monitor and double checked the date. Yep, they were singing. He gave his wife a confused look and she replied to his future question,

"They're proclaiming the triumph of hope over despair."

Steve replied,

"Irrational hope over irrational despair. I guess thats good. ...It's really hard for me to relate to either."

Amber replied,

"I know."

[Joani]

As soon as Joani and the President had materialized she took off to scan the area and access the damage done and the possible locations for wounded people.

With an yet unseen zeal and dedication Joani darted off and helped wherever help was needed. It almost seemed as if she was at all places at once and she continued relentlessly not stopping until the last human had been saved and brought to medical care and the not until the last building had been cleared of debris.

The cheering of the people and the compassion to help without asking anything in return filled her with unknown strength and resolve. She had not failed them and neither her children or her husband. Smiling with tears of joy Joani knew who she was and why she was here - all doubts washed away in her tears.

[SkyLion]

Originally Posted By: Kyria Thea

Kyria slowly came back to herself. Her other senses, her physical senses, telling her that she was sitting, rather stiffly, in a warm room on Lorean holding Cody's hands and her father was awake.

Her father was awake. Her father was awake.

Kyria sprung up from her sitting position without realizing she hadn't let go of Cody's hands first. In her excitement she forgot that vocal chords and sound existed and reverted to the first kind of communication she had ever known. Images and emotions flooded through the merge that still existed between the three of them: gratitude, joy, and a pure, near heartbreaking flood of love.

Cody hadn't been prepared for the intensity of what had transpired. Melding with Micahel was always a powerful experience and he had guessed that Kyria's lower power levels would have made for a lessened experience. Yet somehow they had awakened Michael, and accessed the Axis Mundi itself. What had started off as a simple trust buidling exercise had transfromed into an apotheosis of sorts.

Now he was left reeling and vulnerable and as Kyria flooded him with a wave of emotion, he too began to weep. They were beyond simple tears of joy or happiness. For the first time in a long time Cody was overwhelmed. Disengaging from Kyria's touch he stumbled after her into the medical bay. Michael was waiting there, expecting them with eyes just as moist. As Kyria flew into her father's arms, the two men just shared a knowing look, and sense of pride in what they had accomplished together, with the help of all mankind.

Quote:

If not for all the death, Ulric would have laughed. By trying to break us apart, they have made us stronger than ever.

Maybe, in the years to come, he would realize just how right he was.

He took Michael's being awake as excellent news.
"Tell him not to get comfortable," Ulric told Lorean. "There is still the meeting with the Chromatics that he, his daughter, and Cody need to take care of. Then he can nap!"

*That will no longer be necessary. The three of us have made contact with the alien intelligence that has been masterminding these attacks. I'm not sure exactly how we all did it, but we won't be having any further trouble from them. They are going to see to it the Chromatics leave us alone as well. Congratulations to everyone. Without the hope and vision we brought to this planet, I don't think there would have been enough psychic Unity to accomplish what we just did. Well done for everyone. And I truly mean everyone...it was the Soul of Humanity that reached out and lit up the Dark.*


*Time to tie up loose ends...*

[Omar]

Omar was in a similar state as his colleagues. His tears and expression's of joy were visibly evident to everyone around Omar. FOr Omar, seeing humanity united, after such a violent and deadly day, made it all worth it.

He felt a slight pange of sadness however. It was unfortunate that violence and death brought people closer together.

As Omar was being swept up in the moment, he heard that Michael had awoken. It had to be more than mere coincidence, that he would awaken at this time. Omar was about to rush to the infirmary where Michael was, when he was halted by Cody's announcement.