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Chapter Two: Back to Earth
“How much longer is this pointless war going to last anyway?” A young voice brought up. The transport heading back to Earth was filled of TA soldiers all heading home to take the two week vacations they were allowed before returning back to the front line. The war had turned into an arms race, mainly as to which group could break into the South Western territory first. By now all the resources that had been discovered were all in deployment to Earth. The main focus now was what was beyond the energy barrier. Every soldier knew this much, but at the same time they didn’t want to partake in the battles. The rumors surrounding the energy barrier sent shivers down most peoples spines. Whenever people get close to entering they all just vanish from existence. “This pointless war will last as long as the politicians want it to. Take it from me, nothing is as it seems. But all we can do is just sit here and follow orders…” Adam mumbled underneath his breath. His head leaned against the wall of the transport, his hair covering his eyes. The younger soldiers turned their attention to him. They had a feeling of who he was but weren’t sure. “Are you…” Adam’s left eye slowly opened while he smirked. “I’m Adam Novus…no one special.” He replied. “Nothing special?! You only single handedly took out the EAP’s Chimera!” The younger soldiers had a tendency to lose their professionalism when they became excited. They no longer looked like soldiers, only a bunch of children prancing around like it was Christmas morning. “I guess…I did what I had to, no more no less.” “Yeah, but to accomplish such an amazing feat at 16! I’m only 16 I and I’m no where near your skill level.” “Aww you better stop that before his head gets any bigger and explodes.” Adam smirked as he saw Heather walk to the back of the transport where they all were. She smiled; her eyes were shut as she was laughing at her own wit. Her hair was much shorter than it used to be, she used to have her hair reaching just beyond her shoulder blades, now it was just shoulder length. “Huh? But he’s…” Adam cut off the younger soldier that jumped into defense mode. “It’s fine. We go way back. This is Heather Pertencia, and you are…” Adam didn’t even realize he didn’t know the young boy’s name. “I’m Reine…Reine Proprius I just transferred here from the 32ND MF platoon.” The younger pilot mumbled. Adam’s eye brow arched in curiosity. “Really? Which unit have you been assigned to?” “It says the 3rd Armored Division, 1st battalion.” “I see…well you’re in luck that’s us.” Adam replied. Reine’s eyes grew bigger in size, at first he felt a bit uneasy about transferring to a new squad, but once he found out who was there his anxieties were gone. “I’m gonna…you mean, I’m in your unit?!” Both Adam and Heather nodded. “Yep, looks like. We’ll go over the details later. Right now we have some time off so we shouldn’t spend it talking about work.” Adam replied. Reine nodded. “So umm…where are you heading once we touch down in Macarthur Spaceport?” “Well, I’m heading back to the city to meet up with some friends. Then who knows, probably just enjoy being home. I haven’t been home in months.” Adam replied. “Cool…I have to wait for a plane to head back down to Florida so I can meet with my family.” Reine replied. “Heh, enjoy your time with them….you never know what could happen. Anyway, it was good talking with you Reine. We’ll get better acquainted when we get back.” Adam mentioned. “Awesome!” Reine exclaimed. Adam and Heather left the back side of the transport heading towards the officer’s deck. As the door slid open Stephen nodded. “So, what’s the situation then?” Adam asked. “Eh, nothing from what I can see. The EAP’s movements on Earth have been masked greatly. We know they’re searching for something off the coast of the Atlantic but we’re not sure what.” Mario interrupted. Adam glanced to the side, Mario was standing in the corner of the room leaning against the wall with his arms crossed across his chest. “The Atlantic? What could they be looking for there?” “That’s a good question. You should know better than any of us though.” Stephen replied as he threw a folder towards his younger brother. They were fortunate enough of being the only ones in the officer’s room at this time. Adam looked awkwardly at his brother and then when Stephen nodded he began to open the manila folder. He was shocked to find still images of his own battle with the second Chimera over the ocean. It was only about a year and a half ago but he still forgot that the majority of the fight occurred over the ocean. “Heh, you don’t think they’re…” Before Adam could finish his sentence Stephen moved away from the 3 dimensional image of the ocean on the outskirts of Manhattan. “That they’re searching for the remains of the C-2? Yeah, that’s the only thing I could come up with.” “But why the hell would they want to find that thing? I mean it can’t be of any use to them in the condition that it is in.” Adam replied. “Heh, they probably want to see if they can connect it back to the TA and clear their names.” Mario replied jokingly. But something struck everyone in the room, Adam, Stephen and Heather all turned back to Mario. Their faces were serious, and concerned. “What? I was just joking.” “No…actually I think you may be onto something. If the EAP succeeds in proving the TA’s accusations false then the countries might turn against their government, civil wars could break out. And if that happens…” Adam cut off his brother. “If that happens then the EAP will have more than enough time to figure out a way through the barrier while the TA deals with the outbreaks of Civil War….damn, and I was hoping to actually enjoy my stay home.” Adam replied. “Don’t worry, we’ll take 5 days off and then meet up at my house to discuss how we’re going to handle this.” Stephen replied. “Umm…I hate to break it to you, but we don’t have our MFs. They’re still on Mars.” Mario interrupted. Stephen glared back at his friend. “It doesn’t matter. We won’t need our MFs for this. I don’t intend on fighting. Just trust me on this.” Stephen replied. “Fine.” “So Adam…” Heather began to talk, Adam glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah?” “Have you talked to Sharon lately?” Adam was bewildered by the comment. It wasn’t often that Heather would ask him about Sharon, as a matter of fact this was the first time. “Yeah, yesterday. She’s picking me up from the spaceport.” Adam replied. “I see. Is she going to come out with us tomorrow night?” Heather asked. It then struck Adam, he had been busy with so many things that he forgot tomorrow was his 18th birthday. “Oh…I’m not sure..hehehe.” “You forgot to invite her?!” Heather’s voice raised a few levels. Adam’s head nearly shrunk between his shoulders and into his collar. His face turned bright red; his eyes began to wander around the room refusing to make contact with Heather. “I forgot it was my birthday to be honest…” “Idiot…well luckily I invited her. You really are predictable.” Heather replied. The landing on the MacArthur Spaceport went smoothly while thousands of people waited inside the lobby all watching the shuttle touchdown. The lobby of the spaceport was packed full of people along with concession stands and gift shops. Obsidian tiles lined the floor while massive 20 foot pane glass windows gave the friends and family a view of the shuttles. At Gate A everyone awaited the arrival of the soldiers that came back from Mars. Many people found themselves holding up plastic signs with their friend’s names written in bold letters. One young girl stood at the front of the crowd holding a sign herself, she had long brown hair with highlights of light brown streaking down. Her hair was held up in a pony tail allowing her shoulders to breath. She looked eloquent in the light pink to purple gradient halter top and denim jeans. Her brown eyes widened as she recognized her friend, her arms quickly shot into the air and began to wave from side to side. Adam smirked as he saw Sharon as he approached he began to read the sign and began to laugh. It read: BETTER HAVE BROUGHT GIFTS OR AT LEAST CHOCOLATES in bold letters. “You’re funny.” Adam mumbled as he approached Sharon. Sharon quickly dropped the sign and ran over to Adam. The two embraced one another, Sharon nearly caused Adam to fall as she jumped into his arms. They hadn’t seen each other for six months, even though they talked on the phone 3 times a week it didn’t matter. It seemed like forever. They began to kiss in reps, they would kiss a few pecks on the lips and then end it with one passionate embrace. Stephen and the others just watched from behind trying to hold in their “awes”. But it was very rare that Mario would be quiet. “Yea KID! HOOK A BROTHER UP!” He screamed from behind. Adam chuckled on the inside but that was about it. Heather ended up hitting Mario across the back of the head. When Adam and Sharon finally managed to stop showing their affection they met up with Stephen and the others. “Hey Sharon, how have you been?” Heather asked as the two hugged. “I’ve been pretty good. Been kind of boring, but I just recently got a job looking after children at a day care. It works for now. You?” “Aside from getting tired of seeing their ugly faces every day I’ve been doing pretty well.” “Sharon..” Stephen nodded. “Hey Stephen. Making sure Adam isn’t doing anything stupid?” “Well he hasn’t broken any bones if that’s what you mean. Aside from that I can’t really hold him back from doing anything anymore.” Sharon laughed. She turned to Mario and the two hugged. “Good to see you again Sharon.” “Thanks, you too. You find a wife yet?” Sharon replied sarcastically. “Sadly no…unless you have a sister.” Mario replied jokingly. “No, sorry I’m an only child.” She replied. Adam appeared behind Sharon with his right arm hanging over her shoulder. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we have some catching up to do. Give me a call tomorrow so we can meet up.” Adam said. “Take care.” Adam said as him and Sharon walked out in the opposite direction. “Adam…” “Yeah what is it?” “My dad…he has something he wants to show you.” “Oh, can it wait?” “No…he said it’s urgent.” “I see…any idea what it is?” “No…I’ve been trying to get him to tell me but he hasn’t said a thing. He said he doesn’t even know what it is. But said you would.” “I see…well then, we should get going then. I really hope this is an uneventful break….”
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