The Last Rocketeer

The Last Rocketeer 6: Epilogue

Jenny had also come up an idea of taking Centauri's idea of using a video game as a recruiting tool for a space conflict and pitching it to some friends in Hollywood. "Cliff did a bunch of propaganda movies during the war. What a better way to spread the message about Xur and the plight of Rylos than to make a movie that millions of people might see over time? Good versus evil? One last hope for a people looking for their champion? It'd be like a modern Sword in the Stone. Imagine how excited all those young people would be coming out of the film if they saw an actual Starfighter game in the lobby of the theater? They'd play it, and I'm sure one of those folks could be a Starfighter. But, who knows, even if not, it might get someone interested in flying or making games like that right here on Earth. There's power in films, these studios always forget. Let me make a few calls when we get back to Earth. And who knows what will happen?"

Put like that, it'd been hard to say no. And, not long after they'd returned to their house and fixed things up, including the telephone, Jenny had made a few calls to some of her friends.

"It's been quite a ride, eh?" Centauri said as he spread out a few documents on the wicker table on the porch. "I'm going to be having a phone meeting tomorrow with a screenwriter friend of yours, Mrs. Secord. Can I run a few things by you?"

Cliff smiled as he settled back on the porch swing as Jenny slid in next to him and made suggestions to Centauri. As they rocked, Cliff stared up at the night sky, still amazed he and Jenny had actually been there. He wasn't sure what was better - the feeling of chasing clouds on Earth or the amazement from staring into the infinite void of millions upon millions of unknown worlds sprinkled amongst the glittering rainbow of nebulas and stars.

Just as Cliff was thinking that he wished this moment could last forever, Centauri's portable phone buzzed. "Hmm, didn't expect him to call so soon," he said, looking at the flashing screen. He raised the phone to his ear. "Greetings, my friend! I didn't expect to hear from you until next week. Oh ...wait ... you're here now ...?"

At that moment, there was a whooshing sound, followed by a gust of wind that dislodged the leaves from the yard and blew them on the porch. A small, dark aircraft the likes of which Cliff had never seen before made a vertical descent right in the driveway. The wheels touched down on the asphalt as leaves were whipped into a cyclone from the thrumming whirl of the plane's twin turbines. The cockpit slid open, and a tall man emerged and walked forward as Centauri ran over to greet him.

"Hello, old friend! This is a pleasant surprise," Centauri said, shaking the slim man's hand. "Come over and meet some friends. Mr. and Mrs. Secord, I'd like you to meet an old friend of mine, Mr. Alucard."

As the tall man stepped into the light of the porch, he bowed slightly and smiled, revealing perfectly white teeth that contrasted sharply with the rest of his all-black attire – a cashmere turtleneck, slacks, and patent leather loafers.

"Mrs. Secord, charmed," he said, lightly kissing Jenny's hand. "Mr. Secord, your reputation proceeds you," he said. Cliff thought he detected a slight Eastern European accent in the man's voice. "Please forgive my very rude intrusion."

"Not at all. Mr. Alucard is helping finance the production of the Starfighter games, so we were planning to go over the details next week ... but what brings you here tonight?"

"The Los Angeles branch of Alucard Industries has ...a bit of a situation. Very unusual. Even with my ... abilities, I ... have had a hard time figuring out what is going on."

"Mr. Alucard has ... some unusual abilities for an Earthling," Centauri explained.

"Please, Centauri. Why so formal after all these years? Mr. Alucard is my father. Please, as I always say, just call me Al."

"Al, I love those shoes. They are very distinctive," Jenny said.

"Ahh. Thank you. That means a lot coming from a woman of your style. I picked this pair up in Italy before the war. But ... the factory was destroyed. Damn shame."

"Before the war ...you mean, World War 2?" Cliff asked.

"Ahh. Yes. I'm ... ah ... a little older than I probably look. We all have our secrets, Mr. Secord. Speaking of which, I am very happy to make your acquaintance. I saw you fly, once long ago and never forgot it."

For a second, Cliff felt a tingle run down his spine. There were only a few people who knew of his identity as the Rocketeer, and although here he was, wearing his old costume for Halloween, none of his neighbors knew the truth, and he'd always figured that public memory for the Rocketeer had long since faded with the mists of time. But this ageless stranger with the fancy VTOL plane – did he somehow know?

Alucard winked. "1939, I believe? In that death trap you preferred. Do you still have it?"

Cliff shook his head. "I wish. Man, I loved that plane. But I eventually lost it, and, well, here we are. No remaining original Gee Bees left in the world. Just the memories and some old photos."

Alucard shook his head. "Ahh, well. Such is the ephemeral nature of life. But, it is also partly the reason I am here. Anyone who could successfully fly an aircraft such as that is ... an artist of the skies. Given my abilities, there is a lot I can do myself. But, there also comes a time when we all have to admit that we need some assistance. In short, Mr. Secord, I am looking for someone who can fly."

"You mean ...like a job?"

"Yes. I need someone to help with reconnaissance surrounding the mysterious goings on at our LA office. I'd do it myself, but the views are best during the day. And I have very fair skin. The sunlight ...it burns, you know."

Cliff couldn't help turning to look at Jenny, half expecting her to bristle. Her eyes met his, but there was no protest there. Her eyes seemed to smile and say, go on, you know you want to.

Cliff turned back to Alucard. "Do you expect there to be any shooting involved? You know, violence?"

Jenny piped up. "Yeah. Is there danger pay? 'Cause Cliff doesn't work for free." Jenny's eyes danced. Right, Cliff? Not for free. Not anymore, right? They seemed to say.

Alucard smiled and chuckled to himself. "Shooting. Violence. Danger pay. Well, Centauri, what have you been up to." Centauri only smiled. "But, to answer the question, I don't anticipate anything of the sort. But – I take your willingness to negotiate as a sign of interest. Come. Let's talk. I won't bite," he said, chuckling to himself.

Cliff looked at Alucard, then at Jenny, then back at Alucard. "As long as you're not looking for a soldier ... or a detective ... or a hero, I'm interested."

Alucard nodded. "A good pilot ... that's all I really need."

"Well, I can fly."

The End?