The Spectrum Force by Heather Ray (good inspirational books .TXT) 📖

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"Believe it or not, that's the most common response I get," Connie admitted, "but what can I say? The microscopic world intrigues me."

With a small groan of effort, Connie rose to her feet and turned to Matt, streaking back her wayward flaxen hair in an effort to straighten it out. "I'm getting a little hungry," she admitted, walking to the table and picking up the telephone, "Wanna order something from room service?"

Matt grimaced slightly at the thought. "I ate at the hotel's restaurant before and believe me, it's not very impressive. How do you feel about Chinese?"

Connie smiled. "Chinese food is probably my favorite. Do you know a good restaurant?"

Matt grinned proudly as he moved towards Connie, and took the phone from her grasp. "Believe me, you haven't tasted Chinese food until you've ordered from Bejing's. They're General Tso's Chicken is terrific, and the best thing is... they deliver."

Connie watched amusedly as Matt dialed the phone number. "Sounds good to me."

As he walked through the sparsely populated hallway, all he attended to was the sound of his own footsteps. His winter boots had carried some mud and moisture from his long walks throughout Langstrum Alps, and now that moisture created a squeaking sound when his feet rubbed against the smooth tiles of the Langstrum Alps International Airport.

For the most part, the intercoms were quiet, and only a fraction of the heavy traffic that usually filled the large airport was present. That was because the majority of flights leaving or arriving were canceled due to the invasion. Inclement weather is still a problem in many areas, especially in places that weren't prepared for heavy snowfall. Still, there were some flights daring to take to the skies, for the most part bringing families together to cope with the aftermath of the tragic Nightfall.

While he watched people entering from a gate, rushing into the warm embraces of loved ones, Keith couldn't help but realize that no such solace awaited him. No tender hug would make his problems melt.

There was no healing from this wound.

He watched families reunite from the shadow of his own guilt. It was a blanket of guilt, stemming from so many places. There was so much to be guilty for. So many reasons to be depressed.

Just a few short hours ago, his life was perfect. True, he had a tenuous relationship with his father, and yes, he had the regular battles against evil... but they just added a bit of spice to his life.

Now, his life was so bleak he couldn't even think of a single reason to smile.

Keith finally tore his reddened eyes from the reunion scene at a nearby gate, and took a seat on the cushioned seats near Gate 13. For a moment, he stared at the seat next to him. Then, he pulled his hand from his jacket pocket, and gently ran his fingers along the vinyl.

Just hours ago, he was sitting at this very seat waiting for his family to arrive to celebrate his 21st birthday. And sitting beside him was the woman he loved. The woman he couldn't picture his life without.

The woman that died to save Earth.

He leaned back in his own seat, keeping his hand on the neighboring chair. He could almost make himself believe that she was still sitting beside him, holding his hand gently and assuring him that things would work out.

Still, he knew it was over. That time in his life where one woman's touch made everything better. That time where he let himself believe that the future was full of bright possibilities, in which the guilty suffered and the innocent were spared.

It was all delusions. Life wasn't fair. The guilty laugh mockingly during their bloody victory. The innocent spill their blood on the floor.

He let his body go limp, leaning his entire weight upon the back of his seat. The last time he sat at this seat was the last time he really saw Tamara. True, after they had met the Maloy family at the gate, they had fought the Shiva creature, but that wasn't the same.

That was the Yellow Enforcer. The fighter. The defender.

At the airport, it was simply Tamara Fox: the bright-eyed theater arts student with a smile that could melt ice.

They sat at the airport for half an hour. At some points, they sat in silence. At others, they talked about insignificant things. At yet others, they talked about deeper concerns. Still, they were together.

Keith would always remember that airport as the last time he saw his love. Certainly many lovers parted in that airport. And many lovers were united in that airport.

But he would never be reunited with Tamara. She was forever out of his reach, and no airplane could bridge the distance.

He hadn't slept in the two days. His every waking moment... which was every moment... was spent in deep thought on both Tamara and his father. Still, while his father's condition had concerned him greatly earlier, the doctors had concluded that his condition was very stable. Stephen Maloy III would make a full recovery.

Keith had a second chance. He had the opportunity to mend the tears in his relationship with his father. How petty and childish their arguments were! Hopefully, this tragedy affected Stephen as well. Now, both Maloy men could put aside their pig-headedness, and be civil to one another. Perhaps, they could forgive one another completely of all past wrongs, whether genuine or imagined.

Perhaps they could genuinely and unconditionally love one another.

Perhaps, although neither would have admitted it... they always had.

But he only had a second chance with his father. He would never have another chance with Tamara.

He desperately wanted another chance with Tamara... even if it were only a few moments.

The last few moments they were together, Keith was so concerned with the battle and his father to pay her any attention. She wrapped her arm around his, trying to comfort him, and he turned her away.

He sealed himself off from her affections when he needed them the most. And now, he would never have that affection again.

What would he do with himself now?

First, Keith tried to think of the positive. He was so near graduation, which would truly herald the beginning of his life. His family was alive and well, and perhaps a little more closely knit. He had the friendship and support of the rest of the Spectrum Force... which included friends he had trusted his life with.

But, that couldn't balance out the loss. He'd lost Tamara... but that was only the tip of the iceberg.

He'd lost faith in himself and his ability to make a difference.

He'd lost hope.

During the Nightfall, all he could do was seethe as his entire planet slowly froze over. Once the Shiva attacked, he was at least provided with a little distraction. Still, that battle was completely insignificant. Would it matter that they destroyed the river monster if their entire planet was destroyed?

No. That battle didn't matter. None of them did. The Spectrum Force kept on fighting, kept on facing the forces of Acheron and Phaedra. But with every defeat, the Denebians got stronger. They pulled in new resources. They weaved more powerful spells. Their tricks became more diabolical as they targeted the loved ones of the Spectrum Force.

And the Force? Nothing really changed. They didn't get stronger. They tried to learn from their mistakes, but they never managed to deliver a real blow to the Denebian Empire. And how could they? How could they defeat an enemy consisting of millions of soldiers and magical creatures, all willing to die in battle in the service of their ruling family? Even if they did somehow manage to kill Acheron and Phaedra, Celea remained. And if Celea died, surely there were other members of the royal household that would strike back... with a vengeance.

Not that any of that would happen. Killing the monarchy had never seemed to be an option. Why? The Spectrum Force was a team of defenders. They didn't attack the Denebians. They didn't have a chance of success if they did.

There was no grand victory. The Spectrum Force only delayed the inevitable. How could six humans, a mutant, and a single sorceress possibly defeat and entire species of warriors?

They couldn't. Not a chance. Not a prayer.

And without that faith... that belief that he could make a difference... what did he have?

How could he defend the entire planet if he didn't believe he could succeed?

The answer was simple... he couldn't.

He couldn't save the world. He couldn't even save Tamara.

He shivered, his body contracting as he hugged his legs to his chest. He hated feeling weak. He hated feeling vulnerable.

He hated being useless.

Keith pursed his lips together tightly, forcing his legs to be steady as he rose to his feet. Tears stinging his eyes, he thrust his hands into his jacket pocket once again, and abandoned his seat at Gate 13.

He knew he needed time. Time to come to grips with everything that happened. Time to reconcile himself to a future without Tamara. Time to figure out what he'd do with his life now. Time to think.

And he couldn't do it here.

He continued walking, marching somberly through the halls, until he reached the ticket office. For once, there wasn't too much of a line, as many didn't want to risk flying given the lingering affects of the Nightfall.

Keith was ready to risk it.

He stopped at a desk, where a young woman smiled at him. "Welcome to the Continental Airlines ticket office. How can I help you?"

Keith leaned on the desk, fishing for his wallet. "When's your next flight to Austin, Texas?"

He needed time to think. And he couldn't do it here.

Jocelyn's heavy eyelids sprang open as the loud bang of the