Date: Thu, 29 Sep 1994 02:50:45 EDT Reply-To: Highlander TV show stories Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Hobert@AOL.COM Subject: CHOICES, Part 19 of 20 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Details of Project Transfer are as follows," Jeremiah said, looking around the table in the Command Center. "Jonathan Davis. You get Greg Power's shares, and a ticket to Mars for you and your family." The gentleman next to Wendy agreed, the plans for the eventual colony already laid. "Aunt Angie's turning her stock over to Max, and from what I hear, he can't wait to start on the deep space probe." The young man turned to Lucas. "Already got three keels started at the yard. PROMETHEUS II, the Jupiter probe, and Max's LAZARUS LONG," the scientist announced. "But remember, they're only guaranteed *inside* the solar system." Jeremiah chuckled, looking over his list again. "I understand Freddie already has Duncan's portfolio *and* the keys to Freedom, so..." "Only if that's o.k. with you, Jer," the technician broke in. He looked concerned, leaning on the table. "It's fine," Jeremiah replied. "I'm glad, because..." He looked guiltily at Lucas. "I'm taking over the Jupiter project." Lucas just glanced at Wendy. "You got Amanda's stock, didn't you?" She nodded. "Care to take over Sanctuary?" She nodded again. "Good. Connor left me his shares, and I vote I go to Jupiter also. All in favor?" Freddie, Jonathan and Wendy raised their hands with Lucas as Jeremiah started to protest. "Now.." he began, shutting up as Lucas frowned. "Well, swindled by my own Board of Directors." Freddie leaned closer, finger raised. "All you got was Richie's stocks. The chairmanship didn't come with it. I vote we..." *BEEP* went the communications station. Joe's voice sounded tired as it was piped in. "I need a lift. I'm in... Macon's Tavern." Freddie laughed. "Where's that?" he asked. "Corner of Fifth and Eldridge," Joe replied. Jeremiah looked around the room. "What *city*, Joe?" A pause. The Watcher continued hesitantly. "I... uh, don't know?" Lucas moved to a terminal, furiously typing. Wendy threaded her arm around Jonathan's, leading him to the exit. Jeremiah sighed, raising his eyes heavenward as he spoke. "Lucky's tracing the call, and Wendy and Jon will be there in the PIPPEN. Freedom out." Thus ended the first and shortest board meeting on the new directors of Camelot Industries. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The sunset was spectacular. Gold, red, orange, purple, all mixed together in the Northwest sky. Below, a thin trail of smoke emerged from the chimney of the cabin as Richie watched the sun disappear. He lay back on the grass, Duncan's sightless face nestled in his lap, his hand feeding grapes to the Highlander's mouth as they talked. About everything. Darkness settled, Dougal brought supper and lit a fire before returning to the cabin. They ran out of things to say before they realized it, both knowing it was time, but neither wanting to speak the word. 'Goodbye'. "Was it worth it, Richie?" "What, Mac, living? Being an Immortal?" "The pain, the loss..." "The love, the joy..." "The death..." "The life..." "You don't understand." "I understand more than you know." "I've lived four and a half centuries. What have I got to show for it?" "You've got a friend who loves you very much. You have thousands of people who are alive, and happy, because of you." "That's it?" "What more is there? Wealth? Fame? Honor?" "Children? Someone to carry your name, your history?" "And how many people carry you in their hearts, even today? How many children hear stories about Duncan MacLeod and how he helped someone they loved? How many have thanked God for you in four hundred years?" "And how many have died because of me?" "Death is a part of life, my friend. Even for Immortals." "Their death was the price of my life. It was too high." "Most paid willingly. Even gladly. Who was not better for knowing you?" "You make me sound like a saint." "I too have warmed my soul by the fire named Duncan. You give so much, asking for nothing in return. That makes us want to give even more. Couldn't you see that?" "I guess not. Or never understood why. Can you answer that, Richie? Why?" "That which does not kill us makes us better. We are all that's left. We are the best." "Playing god, are we?" "And if I were?" "Do what you will. I'm too tired to fight anymore." "Are you too tired to live anymore?" "Yes. God, yes." "There is a place, Mac. All bright and sunny. Everyone is there; Augie, Fitz, Annie. They love, they laugh, they live. No one fights, no one dies. Even the evil ones want a rest from the Game. They're waiting for you, Mac." "You make it sound like heaven. Or Camelot." "It's... home. It's our home." "Take me." "I can only send you. I must stay behind." "But you'll come, won't you? Sometime?" "If I can." "Help me stand, Richie. I want to go standing... And I'm glad it's you." They stood, the redhead helping Duncan to his feet. Richie looked at his friend in the firelight, healed as much as possible, cleaned up. But it was still a shadow of the past. He readied himself, gathering courage. Trying to work himself into it. He raised and lowered Connor's katana several times before turning around, disgusted at his weakness. "I can't..." he whispered, closing his eyes to the sight. All he saw was a person he didn't want to die, someone he wanted to spend eternity with. He wailed to the dark, "I'm sorry, I just can't do it..." The voice shocked him, unheard for so many years. Stunned, scared, Richie couldn't stop Mako from taking control, seizing the muscles, controlling the body. Turning him around, katana swinging. Richie watched in horror, helpless, as he smoothly beheaded the man in front of him. He couldn't even scream. Mute, he stood, watching the body collapse, waited as the energy showed itself. Unlike others, the fog and power coalesced, rising up in a column from the Highlander's body. Slowly it took shape, forming a phantasm of Duncan, holding arms wide, as if wanting to embrace the victor. Mako released Richie, the young Immortal running into the apparition's clutches, the energy blinding, the power consuming. And the universe exploded. =========================================================================