Tired, he was. But he had grown up knowing nothing else but this. His life was centered around this. Everyone from his generation had been where he was right now and needless to say, the passion ran in his blood too. Nothing else mattered, when he slipped into the uniform, he was transformed into someone else. A man respected by many.
The Order had came as a surprise to him. His team was afterall given a month break from all duties. Receiving an urgent order from the Brigadier General was the last thing he had expected. But yet, there he was only minutes ago, stripping himself off his clothing and donning the dark red uniform again. The wing logo that marked the United Corp. military he was in glistened on his chest.
The moment he stepped into the commanding room, the figure of Brigadier General Jerald Maison caught his attention first. He was pacing the room, with five other figures watching him intently. Judging by the five important people in that room, he concluded that whatever it was he was going to hear would not be a piece of good news after all.
“You called for me?” He said, voice strong and clear. The Brigadier General stopped his pacing for a moment and turned to look at him. The frown left his face when he saw him and gestured for him to come over.
“General Chasez, just the man I'm looking for.” He sighed tiredly and motioned for him to take a seat.
“What could be of the urgency?” He asked, nodding his head lightly in greeting to the other five figures facing him on the opposite side.
The Brigadier General shook his head and was silent for a second before looking at him right in the eyes again. “It's gone too far. We know that Peace Corp are hiding the Narrseaus and we can't let this go on for long.”
“Do we have evidence to show this?” He asked.
“Let me explain.”
He turned to the owner of the voice. The second in line for the throne to rule Fhaifean, Salimi Phaerian along with his men was a sight to be studied at. Pale green skin with hazel brown eyes, they stood out here on Earth.
“My man Scru Ragen,” He pointed to the man sitting two seats away from him. Same pale green skin and hazel brown eyes, his only difference was the shock of blonde hair that contrasted with Salimi's black one. “he had successfully read the mind of one of the Narrseaus' thoughts and they are hiding down south, with the Peace Corp.”
He nodded his head, never once doubting their abilities. Fhaifean had abilities people on Earth would never thought possible. He had witnessed it first hand and decided that with their help, United Corp could go far.
“We cannot let this go on for long. Time is what they desire and giving them ample would mean a conspiracy to create another uprising. We have already lost Fhaifean, our guess is that they're going to overrule Earth. We cannot let that happen.”
“The Peace Corp. are working with them without our knowledge, if Narrseaus are planning on ruling Earth, then Peace Corp. will rule with them. That would be the end of us.” The Brigadier General added.
He nodded in understanding, the frown now visible. “It seems like you're heading for a war.”
“We're calling for every troop, every team and unit. Your team General, will train with Prince Phaerian's men and you will be in the infantry on Judgement day. Yes, war is inevitable.”
-
“Is this really necessary?” He asked again, hoping that this time, he would get a different answer from the man standing next to him right now. A positive answer.
“Yes Nickolas. I'm sorry, but this is the Order given. Inside information are saying that United Corp. are plotting on full scale war, to do this is a must.”
He nodded in despair and closed his eyes as the sound of the innocent cried in the background. “Were the others informed of this?”
“Yes. Brian and Howard are already at the base. Alexander is on the way.”
His head shot right up at the mention of Alexander. “Oh Kevin…Alex…he shouldn't be called!”
“I know…it is not my choice Nickolas.”
He turned a worried glance into the house as the sound of the cries became louder. Another soothing voice could be heard now and together, it rang beautiful songs in his ears. He turned to look at his General, who after years of combating next to each other, had been a friend.
“My heavy heart cannot let this go.” He said, desperation hanging heavily in his voice.
“This is the reason why you have to, Nickolas. If the war break out and we're not prepared for it, Nicole, Narion…they won't live to see the future.”
“I know…but God…They need me more than ever now.” Nickolas begged.
The General reached out and patted his shoulder, he knew it would all come down to this. “I'm sorry Nickolas, I wish there's a way out, but I don't have any. This is the Order we're given. They're placing the Narrseaus' safety in our team, it shall be our responsibility.”
“Why should it be our responsibility? It's not our war to begin with.”
-
When he arrived at the underground base camp, Kevin had led him straight to the conference room; where the meeting was about to begin. The first face that caught his attention was Alexander. Expectedly so, he wasn't delighted to be there.
The room itself was never welcoming. No matter how many times he had been there and sit on one of those straight back, steel chairs, he could never find the sense of safety in them. From the tall, gigantic pillars that hold the construction up to the furniture that graced the room was of metal. Cold and distant.
And besides the expected presence of Brigadier General Marc Raven and his team members , the five Narrseausians had caught his attention next. The first time he had encountered the aliens, he was only fifteen and was still an intern as a paramedic in the military. He remembered Seuri Coeleta, a handsome young man who couldn't be anymore than eighteen, begging for him to help his friends. But he stood rooted to his ground, shocked at how the man standing in front of him could have skin the color of light blue and eyes the colour of violet.
“This better be worth my time.” Alexander had snarled as he took his seat on the opposite side.
Brigadier General Marc Raven turned to look at the tattooed man, calm as he appeared, Nickolas knew those eyes were showing displeasure.
“Forcing you out of your honeymoon is understandably frustrating Mc Lean, but need I remind you to mind your temper and know who you're speaking to.”
“Let the man be, Raven. It is unfair to have him here today.” Seuri Coeleta said, his voice calm and clear as always.
Alexander ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation and let out a soft sigh. “I'm sorry. It's difficult but I was out of line.”
“Your sacrifice is deeply appreciated.” Fehzen Maurius, another Narrseausian, said. He turned to look at Nickolas, and his good looks didn't go unnoticed. He was, in fact, the one who held the charm among the five. “And we're sorry that you have to be here too Nickolas.”
“It had to be done. I just hope this won't be for nothing.” Nickolas replied, forcing a smile.
“Narion is unwell, is he not?” Arideen Aurius, the alien with the slightly long, auburn hair said.
“What's wrong with him?” Brian asked, the worried lines cracking his forehead.
“Arideen man, you need to stop reading my thoughts.” Nickolas groaned.
The alien shrugged. “Your entire aura is screaming it out Nickolas, it's hard not to.”
“You can try.” Nickolas rebut, but gentler this time.
“Again, what's wrong with Narion?” Brian asked.
“Yes Nickolas, what's wrong with him?” Howard quipped in.
Nickolas sank back in his seat, he knew it couldn't be avoided. “He's sick. Nothing serious.”
“But you fear for him.” Zarith Solray, another Narrseausian said.
“As I should be.” Nickolas replied. “Look, he is taken care of. We're here, so let's go on. Why are we here again?”
“Our insider had confirmed that Ndeszist are planning on a full scale war against us. They know somehow, that we're hiding and siding the Narrseaus.” Raven explained.
“But they're siding the Ndeszist!” Brian scowled.
“Yes. And they think that we are the bad guys.” Fehzen Maurius pointed out.
“It is not much the United Corp's fault. Ndeszist are known to brainwash people very well. They're looking at us as a threat now and needed to be eliminated. There is hardly any chance for you to change their mind. The war will happen and we can't let them win.” Herfire Cruz said.
“We can't let them know where Jorian is, we can't let them have him or this would be meaningless.” Seuri Coeleta said.
“And that will not happen if we can help it.” Kevin said firmly. “We will gather all our men and you will be safe in our protection.”
“This could destroy your Earth, and the blame would be on our shoulders.” Seuri Coeleta said softly.
“It won't Seuri, not if the Almighty forbade it.” Alexander snapped.
“Ndeszist are planning to overrule Earth and bring their race down here on Earth. And they have no intentions to work with the United Corp. once the war is over. If that happens, humans will be turn into slaves and Narrseaus race will be wipe out by them. With Fhaifean and Earth ruled by Phaerians, there will be unjust everywhere.” Arideen Aurius said.
Howard frowned. “How did you know all these.”
“Ndeszist had managed to get to him last night.” Raven replied.
“Scru Ragen to be exact.” Arideen replied. “I wasn't expecting him and he read me like an open book. But in doing so, I got to read his mind too.”
“And that's how you learn of this plan of his?” Kevin asked.
“I know that he was full of revenge and desperately seeking us.” Arideen replied. “Your informer was the one who found out about the war.”
“Having this team together again…it seems like we're going for space invasion, am I right?” Nickolas asked.
“That's what puzzled me too.” Seuri Coeleta frowned. “They could attack us on land, but your informer and Arideen's senses picked up strong vibes that it would be a space attack.”
“Our bet is that they want to threaten the Narrseaus in Fhaifean to give Jorian up.” Raven replied.
“It's better anyway. That means Earth would be safe, we're battling out of this place.” Brian pointed out.
Nickolas watched the alien called Herfire Cruz nodded his head, and when he spoke, he wished he hadn't heard him. “Yes. But if we know Ndeszist at all, they never leave anything to mercy.”
-
“Are you positive this machine can see us through?” Joseph Fatone asked as he inspected the control panel of their battleship.
The figure dropped the spanner purposely on the floor, the shrieking sound of metal clanging on metal hurting the eardrums of anyone within hearing range. The floor vibrated at the sudden weight.
“Good Lord Justin!” Christopher Kirkpatrick yelled at the back of the jet fighter.
“Ask me not the same question for the thousandth time or I will have a bearing ball thrown next!” Justin yelled and proceeded to retrieve the spanner.
“Stop the bickering my brothers, your're giving me the headache.” Joshua Chasez sighed as he made his appearance known.
“And what may cause this headache of yours General?” Lansten Bass asked.
“Haven't the fact that we're all called up from our break given you any hints yet?” Joshua asked. “And please, address me not as General, I loathe it coming out of you guys.”
“But you are a General, General.” Joseph teased.
“General to everyone else. But we were friends before we entered this corp.” Joshua pointed out.
Christopher laughed softly, remembering the days when Joseph and himself used to play tricks on the younger Joshua. Lansten would be there to be the middle person, always siding Joshua as he felt compelled to. The Bass' were very close with the Chasez.
“Not Justin though.”
Joshua nodded, glancing over at the young man and hoping not to see the dejected look he often had when they reminisced the past.
“And I'm glad that we did find him. He's the fifth brother now.”
Justin had acted no different, choosing to look busy mending a few technical errors on the control panel. He was a genius at it and he was glad that he found him first to complete their team. The only other guy he knew with such talent was Alexander. It was a shame he wasn't with them.
“I'm guessing we're heading for war.” Christopher, the ship's artillery man, said.
“Peace Corp. are hiding the Narrseausians. War is something that will eventually break.” Joshua replied.
“This is serious. We're talking about fighting the Peace Corp. Our ancestors had been living together on Earth for eons, it will ruin whatever balance we have.” Joseph groaned.
“We might have different believes but we were never driven to draw blood.” Christopher agreed as he appeared from the back.
“I guess the Narrseaus have brainwashed them totally.” Lance Bass said, regret clear in his voice.
“If we don't do this, they will do it to us.” Joshua reasoned. “Like they said, it's inevitable.”
“With all due respect Sir, you don't really believe it, do you?” Justin asked. “I mean, no matter what, we have friends who supported the Peace Corp.”
“Like I said Justin, I don't like this anymore than you do.” Joshua replied heavily. “It's not our choice; and please, drop the Sir.”
2
“You want us to WHAT?!” AJ yelled as he got up from his seat, the entire conference room boomed with his voice.
“Damn it J, you don't have to hurt my ears!” Brian groaned as he tried to stop the ringing sound in his ears.
“If my throat is not as sore, I would have join him.” Nick said, his voice barely a whisper.
Howie shook his head and stared at the man whom they had given the responsibility to manage them. This wasn't managing, this was killing.
“You can't be serious now Jim.”
The man looked wearily at the five of them and sighed. “I'm in no mood to be joking around guys.”
“This is suicidal man. Do you have any idea what you just said Jim? It can't happen!” Kevin protested, already feeling that the controlled temper he was holding in would flare up at any moment.
“Guys, come on. If you do this, they will stop all the rumours at once. And it'd be good for your image. Don't you want that?”
“They'll just bring more rumours Jim.” Brian scowled.
“I can already see the headlines.” AJ added.
“Backstreet Boys seek Nysnc's fame to get back to the top.” Nick said hoarsely.
“Someone needs to tell blonde boy to shut up.” AJ groaned. “You sound horrible.”
“Thank you.” Nick smiled and in a split second, drop his head on the cool rosewood table and closed his eyes. It was that easy to fall asleep. Tour with Nysnc? Fuck, we got ourselves the wrong management AGAIN.
-
“It won't work.” Chris tried to instil the point across to their manager. The conference room had became silent at the mention of a combined tour with the Backstreet Boys.
“Look, it's not like we're at war with them or anything, but it would be fake at the same time.” JC had agreed.
“Come on Joan, that comparison thingy about my solo record with Carter is bad enough, we don't have to do this.” Justin added.
“You guys don't get it do you? The music scene is now into R&B and Rock and if you guys go on tour together, it will help the pop back up.” Joan explained.
Lance smirked. This was the stupidest plan management had ever came up with. “You can't have Nysnc's fans and Backstreet Boys' fans in the same theatre Joan, they might just kill each other.”
“That's where you're wrong Lance. If they're in the same place, they have to listen to both groups and interact with each other. You could just gain more fans and so will the Backstreet Boys.”
“Fine, but did you ever think of this?” Joey asked. “Five egocentric guys are bad, ten? That'd be asking for trouble.”
3
Narion is unwell, come back home please, we need you! The battleship was geared and ready for take off. All they need now was to wait for the next instruction. Nickolas had been at the medical wing of the ship, sitting on one of the cold metal table, praying that he would never have to lay someone on it. His mind was not there, it had been home all the time. Home was where he should be right now.
Help us Nickolas, we're family! Narion needs you. I need you! “It's a lie.”
Nickolas almost jumped at the sudden intrusion. Behind him, there stood the blue man with purple eyes, hair the colour of blond, much like his. If it wasn't so weird as to see someone's skin so blue, he would have marvelled more on the beauty of this creature.
“And stop saying that I look weird just cos I'm blue, you racist.” Arideen smiled, meaning it as a joke. “And yes, I am as good looking as you refuse to believe I am.”
Nickolas rolled his eyes at the last comment and sighed. “Stop reading me Arideen, I'm serious. And what's this about a lie?”
“Narion is unwell, I know that to be true,” Arideen said as he approached the young man who was now busying himself with some medical utensils that seemed as alien as he was. “But that wasn't your Nicole who speaks to you.”
Nickolas spun around, his bluish grey eyes penetrating his purples. “It is not?”
“No.” Arideen answered short and then shook his head. “You have to stop dazing into space Nickolas, it makes it easier for the Ndezist to get into your mind.”
“You…you mean, they're in my head?” Nickolas gasped.
“They can make you believe anything that you want to believe, they feed on your fears.”
Arideen watched as the young man's face contorted in horror. “Oh Lord, they could be reading my mind all this time and find out where you are.”
“Don't be too hard on yourself Nickolas.” Arideen smiled, waving his hand in the air as if to stress his point. “Scru is as gifted as I am in mind reading. Only time will eventually get them to where we are.”
“And this did not get you to lose your calm. You puzzled me so.” Nickolas frowned.
“Nothing is gain by being afraid Nickolas. We have to be ready.” Arideen replied as both walked out of the medical room to join the others at the control station, 'where the actions are' as Howard would like to call it.
“Are we ready Arideen?” Nickolas asked, his eyes looking forward.
“Be ready or be killed.” Arideen had replied. Shrugging a little, he continued. “I would much prefer the first one, agree?”
Nickolas dropped his gaze to the floor. Would Arideen do it if he ask?
“He's unwell Nickolas, but in good hands of Nicole. Nothing too serious to worry about.” Arideen replied, already knowing what was in the young man's mind.
Nickolas smiled, knowing that it was unnecessary to voice out his gratitude.
Anytime Nickolas, anytime. -
The battleship had been one of the hundreds that were still new and had never been used. Naturally, the system was at top speed and the latest in modern technologies. Equipped with the latest gadgets that would be any boys' dream of having; it was clear that as far as armour was concerned, they were ready. But to Alexander and Brian, nothing should be taken for granted.
Alexander shivered lightly as he unscrewed the last fastener and took one look at the mass of entangled, multi-colored wires that was supposedly to run the main engine of the ship and frowned.
“I don't like what I'm seeing.”
“I love what I'm looking at.” Brian glee at the other end of the ship. “Good Lord, this ship is geared with EVERYTHING.”
“Don't be too happy about it my brother, from the way this entire ship is wired, they might not just work.” Alexander groaned as he scrutinised a thin red wire.
“Why the negativity Alexander?” Howard grinned as he made his presence known. “I thought you could make perfect anything that was done wrong in your wiry little world.”
“Don't mess with your words Alex. Now tell us if this ship is safe or is it not.” Brian frowned, a line of worry already creasing on his forehead.
Alexander laughed heartily, his raspy voice echoing throughout the ship.
“Are we missing something that was laughable?” Howard asked.
“Unlikely so.” Brian shook his head. “Out with it Alex. Were you pulling our legs?”
Alexander rubbed the oil stain that had settled on one of his many tattoos that decorated his arms. A bold looking cross that was intertwined with barbed wires and roses decorated the wrist of both hands. “It got me bothered that we are flying something that is untested before.”
Howard patted the man on his shoulder and smiled. “No offence dear brother, but with I piloting this child, there is no way in hell we are going down.”
“Confidence my brother,” Alexander complimented with sarcasm. “but let's not forget that in the hands of the Almighty lies the unplanned.”
-
Seauri Coeleta had a thing for walking up to a person unnoticed until he stood next to you. Suddenly you're not alone anymore, and even when he just stands there, the silence was companionable. As Kevin Richardson stood on the bridge of the ship, realising that anytime now, they would be up in space, fighting off the opposition that he wished he didn't have to; Seauri Coeleta's presence next to him was comforting.
“If Arideen were to stand in my shoes this moment, his head will be no more.” Seauri Coeleta said, breaking the silence.
Kevin frowned, not understanding what was meant. “Why the tragedy?”
The blue man with the thick black hair smiled. “Because he would have to read all that you're thinking about.”
“It is that obvious?” Kevin asked.
“Kevin, your responsibility towards your team mirrored mine. I know what you're feeling right now because I am feeling it too.”
“Your responsibilities are heavier than mine Seauri. I don't know if I could handle being where you are right now.”
Seauri Coeleta nodded, his eyes staring deep into nothingness in front of him. “I hope they keep Jorian well.”
“Are you not afraid that they might read your thoughts and find out where Jorian is?” Kevin asked.
“Yes. That is why none of us know where Jorian is. I know that he is somewhere safe, under the care of Lord knows who. I severed every ties with everyone in order to make their mind reading a fruitless one.”
“Fhaifean and Earth are not much different, this I learn very well ever since we know your kind exist.” Kevin noted as he turned to look over his shoulder, where Alexander seemed to be telling a tale that grasped the attention of everyone else on board the ship.
“And what is that Kevin?”
Kevin turned to face the Narrseuasian, still awed at the fact that he was standing not only next to someone from a different planet, but the future King if they win this war. “We may be of different colours and have different beliefs, but our hunger and greed for power always overcome everything else. Tell me Seauri, do you think a world where peace is celebrated from the beginning of time exist out there?”
“I think Kevin, if there is a world where the people are perfect, then peace will exist. Unfortunately so, no one is.”
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