History Lessons

by Seven


Disclaimer:  Earth: Final Conflict and its characters are copyrighted by Tribune Entertainment Company.  All rights reserved.



Note from Author:  Takes place in early S2



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Lili stuck her head into the back of the Flat Planet Cafe, and saw Liam sitting on his couch, idly flipping through the channels. "How are you doing?" she asked.

Liam looked at her and smiled. "I was just seeing what's on." He put down the remote and watched the TV screen with interest. "Who's that?"

Lili's eyes grew wide as she tried to snatch away the remote. Liam caught it up and hugged it to his chest, watching the TV. "Liam, you don't want to watch that," she said testily.

"Yes I do," Liam insisted. He pointed at the man on the screen. "Who's that? What's this show about?" Lili bit her lip. "That man is Adolf Hitler, and this is a special on World Wars I and II."

Liam frowned a little, and Lili knew that he was remembering something from Beckett or Sandoval. "He was... like Zo'or, wasn't he?" Liam said slowly. Lili had to smile at the comparison, accurate as it was. "Yes, pretty much."

"He killed a lot of people, didn't he?" Liam asked.

"Yes, he did."

Liam frowned again, then switched off the TV. "Lili, can you do me a favor?"

****

Lili was getting very nervous. After signing Liam up for a library card, she had brought him to the history sections, where he had been going over books for an hour and a half. He flipped through volumes fast, and either gave them to her or put them back on the shelf, precisely where he had taken them out.

So far, Lili observed, he had gotten five volumes dealing with the Holocaust and World Wars I and II, as well as books of Irish, Scottish, and Native American history. And he was only halfway through the history section.

What was he looking for? The subject of his fascination seemed to be more advanced and militant civilizations conquering others. "Liam," she said softly. "We've been here over an hour. What are you looking for?"

Liam glanced at the clock on the wall in surprise, then said, "I'm looking at what happened in the past. The Taelons could do this to humanity, right?"   "Yes, they probably could," Lili replied. "But those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it."

"So why haven't they learned?"

"Because sometimes it means admitting you were wrong, and surrendering your pride," Lili replied. "And Taelons like Zo'or can't admit that or surrender their pride. Humans have done it, they still are." She shrugged. "Things like that have happened in the past, and they'll happen again."

"But we can try to change that," Liam said eagerly. "I'm going to do everything I can to keep something like the Holocaust from happening again."

Lili grinned and gave him a little punch on the shoulder. "That's what the Liberation is for, Liam. You give it your best, and we just might be able to turn the tide!"

Liam picked up the stack of books and began to walk toward the checkout desk. "Turn the tide?" he asked uncertainly. Lili sighed. "I'll explain later..."