Chapter 18: Secluded Wings Pt. 1

            “President Malum, we’ve received reports on a battle that happened recently in the outer limits of Mars.”
Luscious Malum, at one time he was the head of the most powerful organization in the world, Genesis. The world’s leading manufacturer of MF’s and other sorts of military technology. But recently he has been known as the most powerful man in the Trinity Alliance, after taking the commanding position from Vincent Avidus just after Rebel358’s failed Tribulation he had become very scarce, hidden from the world.

“We’re in the middle of a war Major. Battles are going to happen all the time, why waste my time with news on such a feeble occurance?”

“Sir, it’s not just a battle. A new machine, thought to be from the EAP was involved.”

“A new machine you say? Let me see what the EAP is trying to cook up behind my back.” Luscious replied as he took hold of the papers held by Major Pollus.

“Transformable? So the EAP created a machine with transforming capabilities. I have to give them credit where it’s due. But I’m not concerned.”

“Sir? I’m sorry, but I don’t quite understand what you’re saying. That machine took out a good number of TA pilots….”
Before the Major was even allowed a second chance at finishing his incomplete sentence Luscious glared into his eyes. Fear suddenly struck the

Major’s muscles causing him to feel paralyzed.

“It was defeated wasn’t it?”

“Yes….yes…sir.” The Major’s confidence now shook he could hardly find his composure to stand still.

“Vice Admiral Von Schuler’s pet did the thing in did he not?”

“Pet?...”

“The 181st, the Vice Admiral swings them around like an ordinary set of house keys. He beckons and then they show up. Not that I mind, because I don’t. They’re the most deadly platoon in the entire TA. More specifically that unstable Commander of theirs, Falden if I’m not mistaken.”

“Commander Marcus Falden…yes, he was the one who destroyed the unknown EAP machine. Here are the photos taken from our hidden satellite hovering around Mars.”

Just as Luscious took hold of the images his eyes widened, a small grin began to lift his spirits and color. He could hardly contain himself from chuckling from the immense amount of amusement that he found from staring at the image.

“Sir?”

“These objects, heh, so he is alive.”

“Those objects Mr. President have been confirmed as Orbital Wing Pods…the only machine to date with that type of weaponry…”

“Don’t bother Major, I am well aware of the machine in question. Heheh, have the Vice Admiral dispatch the 181st to the following coordinates.”

“But sir, these coordinates are just in between Mars and Phobos. So far we’ve found nothing there.”

“Don’t question me Major. Just have Von Schuler send them there. And send him the data on the machine in question. I want it dealt with now before he becomes a problem once again.” Luscious muttered. The Major fearing for his life saluted the president and quickly ran off towards the communications room leaving Luscious sitting in the poorly lit office in West Point. Grinning he leaned forward.

“It truly has been too long…hehhaha….”

*******

            “What the fuck?!” Marcus’ vulgarity echoed throughout the hull of the ship. On the other end of the communication link was the aging Vice Admiral Von Schuler.

“I know Marcus, we recognize the work you did out there….”

Marcus like whenever his anger was boiling abruptly cut off the Vice Admiral.

“If you recognize it then you know that my resources are still being replenished. My crew is drained and can’t possibly fulfill a mission of this magnitude with their full potential! I’m the only one right now that could possibly….”

“Then you go by yourself. Allow your ship the time it needs to be restocked and refueled. I’ll arrange for an armored Trident to take you to the coordinates. I’ll make sure that OZ is prepared to your specifications. I need you at 110% for this mission Marcus; if you come back with victory in hand it may very well end up with a promotion and an even bigger cash bonus.”

“The hell are you talking about old man?!”

“*Sigh*…did you even look at the data I sent to your personal computer?”

Marcus suddenly became quiet, it then dawned on him that in all his rage and discomfort that he failed to look at the data sent in a zip file. “I’ll take a look at it.”

“That’s a good boy, the Trident ships out at 0700, that gives you about 12 hours to prepare accordingly. Oh, and by the way how is Krista doing? Good I hope.”

“Yeah, Krista is doing well for her age.”

“Good, I’ll be in touch. I hope to hear good things at the end of tomorrow.”

Marcus cringed just as the Vice Admiral’s face vanished from the Genesis’ constructed VCS (Visual Communication Screen).

“What the hell am I getting myself into this time?” Marcus humbly mumbled. His right eye slowly moved to the right catching something in its peripheral vision.

“You can come out Natasha, I know you’re there.” Marcus replied softly while his eyes scrolled through the data sent to him.

“I over heard you yelling, I couldn’t help but stop by.”

“It’s fine.”

“Listen, about the other night….are you okay?” It wasn’t something that she could forget, the pain swirling in Marcus’ eyes, it was piercing, something that made a direct impact on her soul. Here she was along with the rest of the crew who looked at Marcus as some invincible soldier who shunned all emotions. But the other night she saw another side to the man she adored and admired. She saw the human side to the inhuman Marcus Falden, something not many have ever seen.

“I’m fine, forget about it.”

“Marcus, this mission that the Vice Admiral wants you to do…”

Marcus turned around, his teeth shinning due to the illuminating glow from his light bulb. It was nearly a demonic smile; it was almost the same when Marcus went out to fight the Diabolos. Marcus took great pleasure in dealing with difficult missions, in his mind they pushed him, pushed him to exceed his limits and the path that the Vice Admiral laid out was no different.

“It’s an MF. That weak excuse for a President wants to send me personally after a single MF. Hehehahahaha, this is going to be fun Natasha.”

“Marcus you’re not seriously thinking about doing this, are you? Not after what you went through the other night, and on top of that we’re still in the middle of resupplying!”

“I’m aware of that. The Iron Fist will stay docked at Washington; OZ is being transferred to a Trident for the mission. Along with it will be the newly designed OZ production models….as much as I despise those bastards for copying me they’ll do nicely as backup.”

“But Marcus….you can’t go by yourself!”

“The hell I can’t! It’s one MF, not an entire army. You saw what I did to that damned EAP machine! I’m unstoppable!”

“NO! You’re not unstoppable Marcus! Why can’t you see that?!”

“You wouldn’t understand Natasha. You couldn’t understand the path that I walk.”

“This is about that girl isn’t it?”

Marcus’ eyes widened, it hit him then that Natasha might actually be right. He let his everything die despite all the blood that had been spilt.

“It’s not done yet….not enough has been spilt. I failed her once Natasha. I refuse to do it again.” Marcus replied just as he stood up. His fingers were wrapped around a small bottom with the label, “Tranquilex written in bold black italics. He patted the end of the bottom allowing a few pills to fall into the palm of his left hand. Natasha quickly looked away holding in her tears, as much as she wanted Marcus to act more human, with more emotion, she didn’t want it to make him reckless. Her right hand quivered along the outer ridges of his doors while her fingers caressed the pallid wall. Part of her felt like running, running and never to return, but the other part of her begged her to stay, to embrace him; but she knew that was pointless. Marcus made up his mind and there was no one that could change it now.

*********

            In the midst of what was labeled as an empty space region between Mars and her moon, Phobos lingered a massive asteroid with dimly lit lights that flickered every so often. Due to the outer appearance it was never labeled or recognized as anything more than a floating asteroid stuck in between the gravitational forces of Phobos and Mars. But there was something more, much more to it than its appearance.
Gail Contadino was a former politician that lost the Mayoral candidate for New York City and then vanished from sight. After slipping from the public’s eye he reappeared along side a few friends who were serving the Trinity Alliance valiantly until the nuclear strike on Berlin, Germany. Torn between their love for their country and the morals they were raised with Gail and his friends followed suit with Carlos Rendetore and Red Fury. Once on Mars Gail’s own ideals conflicted with those of Carlos and of Red Fury. Gail, not the type of person to run away from the problems that TA and the EAP created left with a few soldiers with a more direct ideal. Gail was well aware that the war would never end at the escalating pace that it was taking and vowed to stop it at any means necessary. The EAP tried working on Phobos, trying to build bases on the Martian moon but soon gave up after an asteroid nearly collided with the planet. The EAP then ended up building a temporary base of MF transportation on one of the asteroids which Gail and his small number of MF pilots ended up abducting. Luckily for him the majority of the EAP soldiers on the asteroid labeled, “Blind Justice” believed in the words spoken by Gail and thus Gail’s dream of creating an organization that would fight to stop the war began. The organization soon took the name, Orbis.

Inside Blind Justice the small cluster of mechanics that Gail was able to gather together continued to work vigorously on the modified Shades that they received. Gail was a true politician, he would never reveal where or how he received his machines or funding.

A younger man lingered in the garage hanger, his fingers firmly wrapped around the chrome support beams, his eyes gazing at the ominous machines that were plugged into the walls and ceilings collecting all sorts of dust.

“So this is where you’ve been.” A voice echoed across the hanger grabbing the man’s attention.

Gail soon made his way across the cross walk towards the younger boy. His silver and gray hair flapping through the brisk air conditioned hanger.

“Huh? Oh Gail.” The man replied softly as he was taken by surprise.

“So what do you think about our operation so far? Do you think you can help us?” 

The man sighed as he moved away from the support beam to get a better look at Gail.

“I’m not sure. I still don’t know why you asked me to come here in the first place. I don’t think there’s much that I can do.”

“Don’t be so modest. It doesn’t suit some one with the name the Azure Knight.”

“Heh, Azure Knight huh….I gave up that name a long time ago.”

“Well, modesty doesn’t fit someone named Adam either. The name of the first man on Earth, the first man created by God. Have some pride in who you are.”

“I forgot who I was after I left the Trinity Alliance.”

“You may have, but I sure haven’t. Adam Novus, one of the most skilled MF pilots in the entire TA. You left because you could no longer tolerate the abusive, barbaric actions of the Trinity Alliance. You want this war to end don’t you?”

“Well yeah, but everyone wants this war to end.”

“Not everyone Adam. We here, at Orbis want it to end more than anybody else in the world. You want to help end the war and bring peace back to humanity don’t you?”

“Of course…but I’m not sure this is the way…”

“You want to bring Sharon to a world where war isn’t surrounding everything right?”

Adam prepared to reply, but found that he lost the words. He sighed once again, he turned leaning over the support beam where he once again found himself captivated by the machines that were being produced not too far from where he stood.

“Think about it Adam. You have the power to change the current situation of the world, why waste it, why let it rot? Use that power Adam, use it to change the world and to make it a better place for everyone…for Sharon.” Gail replied as he headed back out of the hanger. His feet pounding against the cold steel cross walk leaving Adam staring at his back confused and weary.