His heart burned at seeing the likeness of his mother.
“How dare you?” Shane hissed. “You’ll do anything to manipulate us.”
“You are wrong,” she said, smiling sweetly at him. “We want you to live. We want everyone to live, and live in peace. We only get involved in extreme circumstances. The Anunnaki warranted our involvement.”
Jones’ brother cried out in pain. Shane looked back and saw the green fire flow over him, turning him to ash. He expected it would be his turn in a couple of moments. He was ready to go, ready to join Kelly and the rest.
“Be done with it,” he said, stepping closer to the transparent, glowing version of his mother.
“You don’t understand,” Greenie said. “We are not going to kill you.”
“But what do I have to live for?” Shane replied, narrowing his eyes. He waved his hands at the ash around him. “Killing me is a mercy at this point.”
“You and your friends have proven that humans deserve to live,” Greenie said.
“You’re a sick creature,” Shane growled. “You’re more evil than the Anunnaki.”
“You will be cleansed and healed so you can join the rest,” Greenie said.
Shane raised his fists to fight her off. Hesitating, he found it hard to throw a punch at the exact replica of his mother’s face.
“You’re not her,” he growled.
He threw a desperate right hook, knowing his hand would be incinerated. Instead, his attack passed right through Greenie.
“Do not resist, Shane,” she said with a soothing voice. “The discomfort is fleeting.”
She stepped closer and embraced him. Although she looked ethereal, her arms were solid and immovable. Heat flashed through Shane’s body, like every cell burned from the inside out. He tried to scream, but he was paralyzed. A green flash blinded him, and then he stood blinking at the warm sunlight.
His vision came into focus, the transparent, green version of his mother standing in front of him. Her kind eyes captivated him, conveying that everything would be all right. The pain in his ribs and neck was gone, as was the green wall of fire.
“Shane?” Kelly said.
Tears flooded his eyes as he turned. Kelly stood behind him. She wore fresh jeans and a yellow T-shirt with a pink flower on it, one he remembered her wearing to school. Steve stood next to her in his football jersey with Tracy on the other side.
“Look,” Laura said, holding up her arms. Something had regenerated her amputated limb.
“Is this heaven?” Shane asked. “Are we dead?”
He looked back at the likeness of his mother, uncertain he could trust anything Greenie said to him.
“No,” Greenie replied, smiling at him like his mother did when he’d said something silly as a child. “Your species is far too precious to let die.”
“And them?” Shane asked.
The coliseum was intact again, and thousands of Anunnaki stood with confusion on their faces.
“They are the last survivors of their wicked species,” Greenie said with a cold tone. “We have spared them to help you.”
“How are they going to do that?” Tracy asked, stepping next to Shane. Jules was holding her hand, apparently rescued from under the platform along with the other Russians and Jones’ clones.
“We removed the slave gene from the humans and inserted it into their DNA,” Greenie answered. “The passengers of this sole-surviving Anunnaki ship will live out their days serving you. They will help you rebuild your world.”
Shane glanced around at his friends again. They were all alive, including Captain Jones. Jones’ brother and Pelros stood nearby as well, their eyes cast down in submission.
“The power’s back on,” Anfisa observed, pointing up at the golden skin of the Anunnaki spaceship.
“So wait…” Maurice said. “We control them,” he pointed at the Anunnaki, “so we control the ship?”
“Yes,” Greenie replied. “Your species will take a leap forward technologically. Be forewarned—do not abuse this gift. Embrace your humanity as you evolve and know that there is a dark side to your DNA, the portion that came from them.”
The shock faded, and Shane began to comprehend what had happened.
“It’s over,” he whispered. “Our parents?”
“It’s over, but we could not bring back any who died before we arrived,” his mother’s likeness said with a sorrowful tone. She looked at Kelly. “Everyone you’ve lost since this trial started is safe, including your sister.” She smiled.
“Thank you,” Kelly said, tears of joy in her eyes.
“It is up to you and your friends now, Shane,” Greenie continued. “Use the Anunnaki wisely and guide your people into the future.”
She reached out and cradled his face. Shane started to recoil, but knew by looking into the glowing, green eyes that she wouldn’t hurt him. Her hands felt just like his mom’s, and he could smell the lavender-scented lotion his mother used.
“Be good, Shane,” she said quietly. It was his mom’s voice.
His heart filled with joy. For an instant, he was certain it was her standing there, comforting him, assuring him everything would be all right.
His vision blurred, and she faded. He blinked to clear his eyes, and she was gone.