“I don’t care, Angel! I really don’t care.”

“What do you mean you don’t care? Is this whole relationship just a joke for you?”

“Now you’re talking like your parents. I hope you remember that I did publicly announce, almost in front of the entire population and on live television, that I want to get married to you. Wait...” Alex felt something click. “Is that what it is? You don’t want to get married, do you?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“So then?” He dug his fork into the gooey cheese and shoved some into his mouth. “Eat your sandwich,” he eyed her plate, “It’s getting cold.”

She took a fairly large bite out it, surprising him.

“You know,” he said, “you really aren’t yourself today.”

“Oh,” Angel muttered with her mouth full. “And what exactly is myself?”

“I really don’t know anymore,” he sighed, “You know, even I had something to tell you. But I don’t know how to say it.”

“So then we’re in the same predicament, aren’t we? What is all this, Alex? I mean I don’t know why we’ve been fighting so much.”

“Me neither,” Alex said, sipping his iced tea. “Maybe your parents are right.”

“No, they’re not.”

“Okay, look.” He faced her eye-to-eye. “Just tell me what is it that you have to tell me.”

“I’m pregnant.”

For a second he thought he’d misheard. But then he saw how serious she was and realized she was speaking the truth. For a moment the world stopped. He should have been happy but his face didn’t show it. He had no idea what to do and felt the heavy burden of sacrifice. “Well,” he started slowly, forcing a smile, “this is wonderful!” His eyes welled up with tears and he held Angel’s hand in his. “I’m really happy, darling.”

“It doesn’t look like it,” she said.

“Are you kidding? This news is just what I needed. The last two days have really been something else but nothing compares to this.” He laughed and let go of his fears. Now his mind and heart floated in the happiness of this news.

He took Angel into his arms and hugged her. Any sense of negativity vanished in that one embrace. He saw surprise in her face.

“I haven’t seen you like this in a long time, Alex! And I...I like it!” She kissed him. After they finished their food, Alex left money for the bill and a large tip. They walked hand-in-hand together towards the Monolith. The waiter, who had served the two lovers for years, watched them walk away and smiled. He hadn’t seen the couple so happy together since the beginning of their relationship.

“Angel, you really don’t know how happy you’ve made me today. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to understand you before. Now I know nothing can separate us.” I’m going to be a father!But what would Uncle John say? What about the people? He shook his head and smiled. What did he care what the people thought?

“Alex,” she looked into his eyes, “I love you and could never even think of being with anybody else. I think now you can put this whole thing into perspective. My parents aren’t against us being together. They’re just a little upset because I’m pregnant before the marriage. They thought you knew and so after your speech they were surprised at the way you behaved. But don’t worry, I spoke to them last night and explained everything to them. They’re still happy for the both of us.”

“Well, I’m glad about—”

A large chunk of glass came crashing down on top of him. Angel screamed in shock. People turned to see what had happened. Three men came running over and tried to help him up. “Hey pal,” one of them said. “You alright? Hello?” He snapped his fingers to get Alex’s attention.

The others gazed up to see what had caused the destruction. High above, a large rocket had smashed through the glass casing of the Regnum.

Suddenly, the computers that handled the Regnum’s climate conditions, solar and lunar cycles and seasons went haywire. For a second there was pitch-black all around. Frightened shouts of horror echoed throughout the station.

The lights turned back on and the computers were back on track. John, accompanied by security, appeared at the scene and ran towards Alex and Angel.

Alex’s head felt heavy. A pulsating pain pounded continuously in his skull and everything seemed to swirl around him. In echoes, he heard his uncle say, “Are you alright, Alex?”

“Uh...” his head spinning, he said to John, “I think so.” He touched the back of his head and felt liquid slowly trickle down from the wound. Blood. He smiled and fell flat on his face.

He heard a faint voice say, “Call an ambulance!” Everything turned black.

The reinforcements John had called for prior to his arrival hurried into their attack positions. The rocket flew towards them. As it got close and slowed to a halt just above the ground John could see Nikolas, accompanied by Imperial guards and Rebel comrades. “Hold your fire!” John commanded, recognizing his old friend.

Jarad ran to John and said, “John, what the hell is going on here?”

“I have no idea,” John said, “But I think it isn’t going to be pretty.”

“But—”

“Listen, Jarad, just get ready to fight if it comes to it.”

John lifted Alex up and supported him on his shoulder. The boy was completely unconscious.

Nikolas and the vampires touched down on the ground. He walked towards John. “Give him to me,” he said. John did as he was told. Nikolas laid Alex on the ground. He put his hands on Alex’s head and closed his eyes. A blue flash of light flickered in his palm and it radiated outward, centering on Alex’s forehead. All around them, the blue light shone brightly encompassing everything. Everyone around, vampire and human, looked at the healing in awe.

With tears in her eyes, Angel asked John, “Mr. Howe, what’s he doing?”

John smiled, “It looks like Alex hasn’t told you yet.”

“What? What did he have to tell me?”

“I think it would be better if he told you himself,”

Alex stirred and moaned slightly. He opened his eyes and saw Nikolas. He bolted up. “What?”

“Easy...easy, Alexandros,” said Nikolas.

“General Gareng?”

“That’s right. I am General...well I was a general once. But I am still Nikolas, your father’s old friend and cousin.”

“How’d you know it was me?”

“I can sense his blood in you.”

“What are you doing here?” Alex asked, getting slowly onto his feet.

“That’s what I want to know, Nick.” said John. He gave Alex a hand.

“I thought you’d know. I knew this day would come,” Nikolas bared his fangs, “didn’t you?”

“You mean...”

“Exactly. They’ve used us for this purpose.”

Jarad gestured to his men, “Kill them!”

“No!” yelled John, but it was too late. The vampires opened fire on civilians. The human reinforcements returned their blasts with lasers and rocket launchers.

“What’s the matter with you?” John yelled, running to the Egyptian councilman.

“Obviously they want a battle, don’t they?” Jarad said.

“I wanted you to order an evacuation, goddamnit. I’ll handle the rest.” John held Angel by the shoulders. “Angel, you better go home. Don’t worry about anything.”

“But, Mr. Howe—”

“Just go!”

“Uncle John!” yelled Alex, “what’s going on?”

Nikolas said, “Alex, you’ll be safe, don’t worry.” He grabbed Alex tightly around his right arm.

“What are you doing?” Alex pulled away.

John commanded his driver, “Get my sword!” The driver tossed it to him. John caught it and, in a flash, pointed it at Nikolas. “Listen Nick, you can’t take Alex with you.”

“It’s the Council’s orders, John. Listen to me.”

“I can’t believe what you’re doing! You’ve joined them!” With one quick move John grabbed Alex and pulled him towards his side. He moved the sword up to Nikolas’s neck.

“You’re misunderstanding me.” Nikolas said and backed away.

“I understand you completely!” John slashed at Nikolas but the vampire dodged the blade.