Posted by Nebo on January 03, 2001 at 15:12:24: In Reply to: Fanfiction (introduction) posted by Nebo on January 03, 2001 at 15:08:34:
Sidney, Australia. In a little flat, somewhere in the big town, Dr. Joseph Hellegreen was sitting toward his desk, writing something. Since he had been defeated by the ocean girl and her friends, two years before, his plans had crashed; the people who he promised the Synchronium to were very annoyed by Hellegreen’s failure: they invested a lot of money to finance the recovery of the precious alien device, and had not got it. These are the unadvantages of making business with powerful people: in less than a month, Hellegreen was no longer the leader of U.B.R.I. Corporation.
With his curriculum, Hellegreen tried to get a job at the main reasearch institutes, but without results: his enemies had strongly recommended not to appoint him, so the name of Hellegreen was enough to be refused; the scientist could get a less prestigious job, but he was too proud to accept it. What the former leader of U.B.R.I. hated more, was that even Lena had to tolerate the weight of her father’s failures; when the girl finished the school, she couldn’t find a work despite her excellent results: her name prevented all her chances to work in a high position. Lena didn’t really care: she wasn’t forced to work only as waitress or a shop-assistant; she could work for important societies, even if they weren’t what she really deserved. But Hellegreen thougth differently.
He always gave his daughter all he couldn’t have in his childhood: wealth, a good education…; just one thing he failed in giving her: a family. Rachel had died too soon, and he had been too busy with his work to be near his daughter. But with that work, he could give Lena a better childhood than his own. Now, for his blame, Lena couldn’t have what she really deserved from life.
But the real blame was not Hellegreen’s; no, it was someone else’s.
The ocean girl…she had ruined his plans, she and her friends…had deceived Lena, had convinced her that her father was wrong…and he had failed. Failed and lost everything.
But the day after, this would change: now Hellegreen knew someone who could be interested in Neri and in the secrets of her race; someone ready to give him all the necessary to get his revenge against the damned ocean girl and become again rich and powerful. Respected…and Lena with him.
- FOUR HOURS AND A HALF TO MIDNIGHT -
Some one rang at the door.
<< Who the hell is it at this hour? >> Hellegreen muttered annoyed; he stood up and left his work on the desk. He went to the door, and checked through the peephole who the visitor was.
<< Dad? It’s me, Lena. Do I bother you? >> a voice asked from the other side of the door. Hellegreen quickly opened the door. << Hi, Lena! Of course, you don’t bother me, I...wasn’t doing anything important. How are you? Come in >>.
The girl stepped into the flat, carrying some packages and two small bags.
<< What are all those packages? Haven't you become a messanger, or something like that, have you? >> Hellegreen asked, worried.
<< Dad! >> the girl smiled, << these are gifts, don’t you see the ribbons? >> she said, making them flittering.
<< Gifts? So many? What happens, are you going to get married or something? >>
<< What? Are you joking dad? It’s Christmas! >>
<< Christmas? >> Hellegreen repeated, << Oh yes, you are right, I…>>.
He was about to say: “I have completely forgotten it”. He was so much busy with his personal revenge to the ocean girl and her friends, that he forgot it was Christmas. By the way…the revenge! He left all on the desk, when Lena rang at the door…
He had to avoid his daughter to discover his plans.
<< Just a moment dear, I go settling a couple of things in the other room then I'll be back to you. Make yourself at ease >> and he went to hide what he left on the desk.
* * * *
<< By the way >> Hellegreen said coming back to his daughter, << Where are you living now? In your last letter you wrote you were leaving that flat in Canberra, but you didn’t specify where your new home was >>.
<< Well, I…>> Lena appeared a little unwilling to reply.
<< What? >>
<< I…have come back to O.R.C.A. >>
<< Oh…I see…>> Hellegreen said, turning his look to the furniture. << As an assistant? >> the man continued, after some seconds.
<< What? >>
<< Are you still Dr. Bates’ assistant? >>
<< Oh, no, Dianne...Dr.Bates is now the new commander of the O.R.C.A. Australian section. I’m a…a researcher >>
<< Wha..really? Lena, this is a great news! >> Hellegreen said, trying to appear as much sincere as possible.
<< Are you really glad? I mean, I was worried that you could disagree if I worked at O.R.C.A. >>
<< Lena, how can you think that? The thing which makes me more happy is that my daughter finally gets the work she wanted to do >> he said, and this time he wasn't totally lying. But then he did it again << It doesn’t matter if she does it at U.B.R.I. or at O.R.C.A. or whereever >>.
<< I’m glad you say that >> Lena smiled and hugged her father. << And you? Did you find a new job too? >>
<< No, unfortunately. I keep in writing some articles for that scientific paper, and nothing more >>
<< Oh, I was about to forget…>> the girl said, getting up and approaching the gifts she had brought. She picked up one of them and gave it to her father.
<< This is for you >> she said smiling, << merry Christmas, daddy! >>.
Hellegreen was evidently embarassed for the unexpected gift. He opened the package, and found…
<< A coffe-machine? >>
<< Yes; I remembered when you wrote me you have to go out all the mornings to have breakfast…with this you’ll be able to make the coffee here at home, when you want >>.
<< Well…thank you Lena. It's a nice thought, but...unfortuantely I haven't had the time to find you a gift…>>
<< Never mind, dad. I’m glad to stay with you, and see you happy, this is enough for me; by the way, for your work… >> her voice became lower, << I have another gift, but I'm not sure if you’ll accept it >>.
<< Why? What is it about? >>
<< Well, I have spoken to Commander Bates…there is a job for you at O.R.C.A., as a researcher, if you want >>
Hellegreen glanced the floor, while a shadow passed on his face. Lena realized her father’s feelings, and dind’t continue with that; she stood up and took her coat on.
<< I told Commander Bates you have changed…in better >> she said, patiently gathering the rest of the packages she had brought, << and she decided to give you a chance; even the other agreed. You’ll never guess who suggested that… >> then she stopped. Her father was still glancing the ground, with a barely hidden annoyed expression on his face. As Lena approached the door, he got his head up and said:
<< I…will think about it. Thank you for your interest >> managing to hide the conflict of feelings which was tearing him up. Father and daughter said good bye to each other, then Hellegreen was alone again.
He held so much anger, but not because of her daughter’s offer. For a while, he considered the idea of accepting that work; for a while, he felt tired by his miserable actual life, tired by hiding her daughter his true thoughts; and tired by planning revenge.
Worst of all: a little thougth had crossed his mind: what if his actual situation was not blame on the ocean girl…?
- FOUR HOURS TO MIDNIGHT -
Hellegreen’s considerations were broken off by someone’s cry. Surprised, Hellegreen stood up and listened, trying to understand where the noise came from; but it wasn’t from a near flat: the source was just in his own apartment, and the noise came from the kitchen. Still astonished, Hellegreen went to that room, eager of discover who was crying in his home and, mainly, how it had got in it.
The intruder was a child. Hellegreen found him bending on the table, crying. He had very light hair, almost white.
<< Who the hell you are? >> the ex leader of U.B.R.I. asked the child, with the same tone he used with an intruder in his lab. But the child didn’t care, and continued crying. Hellegreen realized he asked that in the wrong way; it was just a child, there was no reason to treat him bad; the scientist felt an unusual sense of pity for that sad little being bended on the table of his kitchen, it didn’t matter anymore who it was: he approached the child, sat down near him and asked:
<< What’s wrong, kid? Why are you crying? >>. Slowly, the child stopped crying; he turned his head to Hellegreen and replied, his face still wet by the tears.
<< Because…because they’re quarrelling again >>
<< Who? Who are quarrelling? >>
<< Mom and dad >>
Hellegreen couldn’t ask him anything else: the noise of arguing voices and incoming steps gained his attention. A few seconds later, a man and a woman got into the room, quarrelling. The man held a glass of wine in his right hand, and the whole bottle in the other one.
Now Hellegreen was more astonished and confused than ever: there were his parents in front of him. His parents, who had died a lot of years ago…Hellegreen turned his look at the crying child who, sobbing and sighing, was looking at the two arguing people. And the former leader of U.B.R.I. Corporation realized he was looking into an old mirror.
- MIDNIGHT IS EACH MINUTE CLOSER -
<< And stop following me in each room! >> the man shouted.
<< I’ll stop when you decide to let Joseph go to school, like all the children of his age! >> his wife replied.
<< School is a waste of time and money, and I have no intention to waste my money >>
<< Just say that you need that money to get drunk till you’ll explode! Isn’t that bottle a waste of money? >>
<< Don’t contradict me, woman! If you want your son to go to school, use your money, not mine. I don’t care >>
<< My son? Isn’t he your son, too? >>
<< I’ve never asked for him, you have. He’s your problem >>
The woman stood in silence for a few seconds, angrily looking at her husband. Then she approached her son, and said:
<< Well, if you think so, I’ll do all myself. I’ll get a work, and with that, I’ll pay his studies. He won’t need you! >>
<< Do it, do it. Just don’t forget to clean the house and to prepare the dinner…>> he said bored; he filled his glass with wine, and drank it with one swallow. << But I still think that letting him go to school is a waste of time >>
<< No, it’s not! >> the little Joseph said, << I’ll go to school and I’ll become a great
scientist! >>
The man glanced at the child, then he laughed loud.
<< Why don’t you choke with that wine….dad? >> Hellegreen told him angrily. Joseph’s father stopped laughing; he turned to his adult son, and gazed him with his drunk look.
<< He will succeeds in becoming a scientist, he will be a great scientist, despite you! >> Hellegreen continued. He’s father slowly approached him, holding the bottle and the glass in his hands; he was keeping on gazing him.
<< …and this should be the “great scientist”? >> he said eyeing him; then, turning to his wife, << do you see what he has become with “school”? >>
<< I have been at the head of a scientific corporation for ten years, and I have made a great work. While you…you have just been drinking for all your life >>
<< The results, Joey, look at the results >> his father said grinning, and filled another glass with wine. << What I am now? A drunk. What are you now? Nothing, neither a drunk. Your daughter lives with your enemy, your wife died just after two years of wedding; you have two degrees but no jobs, and spend your days pursuing….>> and here he laughed, << …an alien! What is your life, an episode of X-Files? Where are Mulder and Scully? Where are? Ah ah ah ah ah ah ahahaha! >> and started laughing loud, as a drunk does after a liter of good wine, staggering for all the room and leaning on the furniture.
<< Admit it, Joey: your life is a failure, you are failure. Look at me: no school, just a bottle of wine, and I live better than you! >>
<< No! >> Hellegreen shouted, << I’m not a failure! >>. He jumped on his father and headed a fist to his face.
- THREE HOURS AND FOURTY FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT -
The cortex of a tree is very hard. Hellegreen discovered it as his blow hit a tree, appeared where, just a moment before, there was his hated father. Massaging his painful fist, the scientist looked around to understand what had happened.
He was no longer in the kitchen: his father, his mother and the little Joseph had disappeared; a lot of guys and girls, wearing the graduation uniform, had gathered in the campus of a University, which Hellegreen recognized to be the Centre for Marine Studies at Brisbane University, where he got his second degree. A hand touched his shoulder:
<< You were right >> said a voice behind him, << I did it, and this is the second time >>.
Hellegreen turned round and saw a light blond haired guy wearing a graduation uniform smiling at him. A group of graduating guys approached them and started talking to the younger.
Dr. Hellegreen, still confused by the last happenings, stood hearing the guys talking about their imminent graduation in Marine Biology, their feelings, their projects for the future.
<< I finally decided, I’ll ask her >> Joseph said to his fellows.
<< Really? When? >>
<< Today, now, here. When I’m over there, I’ll ask her >>
<< On the stand? When the president will give you the degree? >> a fellow asked.
<< You totally mad; I’ll never have the courage to do such a thing >> another said.
<< This is the day in which… >> Dr. Hellegreen said dragging the guys’ attention, << this is the day in wich I get my second degree…the one in Marine Biology >>
<< Yes >> Joseph confirmed, << and also the day when >>
<< When I asked Rachel to marry me >> Hellegreen finished the sentence. The two Hellegreens gazed each other, while the president’s voice echoed all over the campus, amplified by the microphone.
<< Dr. Alter Maxwell; Dr. Auser Robert; Dr. Bain Sarah >>
Joseph and his fellows approached the stand and waited for their turn. Hellegreen was standing near the tree he had hit some minutes before, flooded by memories. He looked for Rachel among the hundreds of graduating: he didn’t find her, but he knew she was there somewhere. When Joseph makes the request, he’ll see her.
<< Dr. Hellegreen Joseph >>
The president’s voice echoed louder for the two Hellegreens, both excited for that special moment. The younger of them got up to the stand, approached the president and got his degree; the he asked the permission to make a short declaration, and the president agreed.
<< I want to thank my teachers and my friends, who all helped me in getting this degree. And, most of all >>
Pause. Two hearts among the hundreds of hearts in the campus beated stronger than the other.
<< I’d want to ask Rachel Darmann to marry me! >>
A group of girls suddenly screamed by joy, they all started jumping and hugged one of them; all the people in the campus beated their hands. Hellegreen finally recognized Rachel in the group of girls: she was exactly as he remembered her, beautiful, a shining star among her fellows, with her long red hair falling on her shoulders...
The wish of talking to her, hearing her voice again, touching her was too strong: Hellegreen started running in direction of Rachel, opening a passage among the crowd and calling the girl’s name; but it seemed to be an endless run, the distance between him and her didn’t decrease and the crowd became thicker and thicker. Hellegreen kept calling the girl, but it was now very difficult to run among the people. Finally, Rachel turned to him and seemed to be glancing at his eyes. A light fog filled the air on the campus, and suddenly everything and everyone disappeared in a white veil.
- THREE HOURS TO MIDNIGHT -
<< Rachel…Rachel…>> Hellegreen called, waving with his hands in the attempt of removing the fog and trying see where his love was. Slowly, the whiteness went away revealing a dark place which seemed interminable; there was just a light, a sort of spotlight, lighting up the body of a woman lying on the ground.
<< Rachel…>> Hellegreen whispered.
<< Rachel is dead >> a voice similar to his own voice said behind him. Hellegreen turned round and saw another Hellegreen wearing a U.B.R.I. uniform.
<< It has been an accident >> the second Hellegreen continued, << A car had run over her…the doctors couldn’t do anything >>.
Tears wetted their faces while they cried silently.
<< I could have saved her, now…this time, I was here, I could >> Hellegreen whispered.
<< No, you couldn’t >> the other corrected him, << You aren’t here for that. The past is past, we can’t change it. What has been, has been. Now you are here for a different reason >>
<< And what is it? >>
<< Just want to specify >> a voice as familiar as hated said, preventing the leader of U.B.R.I. in answering Hellegreen’s question, << That this time it wasn’t my blame, ok? >>
Hellegreen and the leader of U.B.R.I. turned to the direction of the voice: slowly, an image started appearing in that point, taking the appereance of the two men’s father. He still had, in one of his hands, a bottle of wine, but on his head there was now a large red spot.
<< Samuel was driving, not me >>
<< What do you mean? >> Hellegreen asked.
<< Just what I said: Samuel was driving, so it’s not my blame >>
<< You >> Hellegreen realized, << were you on that car? It was you and your drunk friends who killed her? >>. Without being aware because of his anger, he had started shouting.
<< Not intentionally >> the father specified with a bored voice, << Samuel simply didn’t see her, as he didn’t see the cat, as he didn’t see the guardrail >>
The weak light illuminating the dark set seemed to light up the red spot on the man’s forehead more vividly.
<< Thirty meters of fall, then the rocks >> he continued, describing the fall with his hands.
<< So God really exists >> Hellegreen whistled with anger. His father frowned, and stood in silence for some seconds; then he evily grinned and said to his son:
<< So Joey, what’s up with your job? How is “Marvin the martian”? Have you finally caught
him? >>
Hellegreen glanced at him, with his eyes burning for anger; his father started with his loud and annoying laughter, and disappeared slowly in the darkness.
<< Say goodbye to Mr. Spock for me, Joey >> his sarcastical voice echoed.
<< I hate to have to say it >> the leader of U.B.R.I. said, putting a hand on Hellegreen’s shoulder, << But he’s right >>.
<< What do you mean? >> Hellegreen asked turning to him, << How can you say that? You are the head of U.B.R.I., one of the most important research institutes in the world >>
<< I am…but you aren’t anymore. And what you are going to be won’t be any better >>
Before Hellegreen could ask for an explanation, he felt someone pulling his pants; turning to the ground, he saw a little child with long, smooth and light blond hair, looking at him.
<< Dad, where’s mom? >> little Lena asked him. A river of pain and sadness flooded Hellegreen’s heart at the sight of his little daughter; he kneeled near her, looking at her eyes, and hugged her.
<< Mom has gone away for a long trip. But I’ll never leave you, I’ll stay with you and >> the tears made him difficult to talk, << You never miss nothing…but your mother >>
<< …and your father >> the leader of U.B.R.I. added. << We gave her a lot of things, sure, which nor we neither a lot of children like her have never had. She has grown up in wealthy, she studied in the best schools and institutes so now has a great education; but we failed in giving her a father >>
<< We were…I was busy with my work >> Hellegreen replied, << I could give her all you mentioned by my work >>
<< But she needed your presence more than anything! How couldn’t you understand, when she has asked you for that so many times? And how we became leader of U.B.R.I.? Do you remember in which way we got this? >> the second Hellegreen showed the U.B.R.I. uniform he was wearing, then continued:
<< Do you remember what we had to do, how many people ruined, how many friends betrayed? >>
<< But it was for my daughter! >> Hellegreen shouted, trying to justify these actions which he had tried to remove from his mind a lot of times before.
<< And do you think she could be glad of this, realizing she had been the reason of such of actions? And Rachel? Might she agree? >>
Hellegreen tried to challenge the leader of U.B.R.I.’s look, but he didn’t succeed and he had to turn his eyes to the ground.
[continue]