Welcome to the Journal of Now and Forever. This Journal is a collection of my Star Control and Star Control 2 fiction. Note: Some of this material is, by necessity, extrapolation from the slim information provided by canon sources.

New fiction is posted first at My Livejournal before it appears here. This story is in response to 15 Minute Ficlets' Picture Challenge #15.

The control tower at Skyhook juts into the sky, all alone among the lander sites here. The landers can take off in good weather or bad, although effort is made to avoid electrical storms and high winds. The sun's rays this morning are hampered by the heavy clouds, and at dawn the effect is that of graying out everything, washing all color away.

The wind is strong, though, and the clouds cross from horizon to horizon with it. Whether it rains or clears doesn't matter. The wind is wet, it promises moisture, but it may retract that promise and move the clouds somewhere else, like a capricious owner changing his mind "just because". No reason needed.

Lynn wants to let go of those days, but is also afraid that that would mean forgetting, and Lynn doesn't know which would be worse, to move on and forget, or to remember and stagnate.

He is up there somewhere, past the clouds, past the sun, looking for the Earthlings, making sure they won't come here without a fight. He is arrogant and full of hatred toward them, which is good. Lynn wants defenders who are willing to kill, to extract the most blood from their attackers. It doesn't matter what they're like the rest of the time.

Of course, when he's here, he can still be arrogant, but he's different, too. He knows; he went through it himself. Not the same thing, of course, but similar. And he understands.

An Androsynth walks up, long homespun coat bundled against the wind. He's the one Lynn is here to meet. The one who will take the samples. He doesn't speak, only nods in recognition – they have met before. Lynn nods in return, and hands over the case.

It is heavy, because of its multiple locks and safeguards. There are no antidotes for what's in the case, in some instances not even names for the organisms uneasily sleeping inside. The case is to ensure they stay asleep. It took a great deal of care to engineer these organisms, and care must be taken still. Lynn says as much.

"Of course," the Androsynth says. "I trust what you say. Our future may depend on your work. I would expect no less from one of your expertise."

Lynn bows briefly in gratitude. Only among my own am I respected. "Thank you. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance."

"I will." After a moment's pause, the Androsynth nods again, turns on his heel and leaves. Lynn does the same.

Lynn does not know his name, but it does not matter, because there are only so many clone series.

The rain begins to spit down, and Lynn rushes to the shelter of nearby buildings before the heavens open up.

Comments? Email me: laridian at aol dot com