Prologue: Pt.1 [Demi] I was serving drinks to the passengers on the Galactic 7. Once my shift was finished, I was headed back for my cabin when Ethan came up to me. Looking very nervous, he asked, “Do you think that Commander Coleman will accept my place?” I looked him in the eye, and sternly said, “You’re not to seem unsure of yourself. Try again.” “Okay.” He swallowed, and straightened his shoulders. “Will Commander Coleman accept my entry?” From my front pocket, I pulled out his application and my signed authorized pass. As I handed it to him, I said, “Why don’t you ask him yourself?” Ethan looked worried for a nanosecond, before he straightened and saluted me. “Yes, sir!” I watched his retreating back. Once, I was sure no one else was behind me, I followed Ethan down the corridor. “Enter.” Commander Coleman’s voice thundered over the speakers. I watched Ethan correct his posture, wiping all emotion off, and strode inside. A few seconds later, I snuck in after him. Commander Coleman ‘s headquarters was a familiar place, considering that I am the 2nd-in-command-er. Even though Coleman never knew it, I always paid close attention to all the details of his headquarters whenever I was inside. Today, that attentiveness paid off. I was able to hide in a dark cranny that he never bothered to take care of. “Now, Ethan, let’s see what you got.” I watch Ethan and Coleman go into hand-to-hand, firearms, and strategic combat. Coleman seemed to have more passion in teaching and testing Ethan’s limits than he ever did with me. I was about to sneak out, when a honey-sweet feminine voice said, “Why Coleman, you never told me about a handsome young man!” My eyes were able to catch a glimpse of the speaker. Her! “What is your name, young man?” “Ethan, miss.” I grounded my teeth. “Well, Coleman, looks like you’ve got a fine replacement for Demi.” I froze. What?! Replacement? “Ah, yes,” Coleman was saying. “After all, he was her tyro. She has taught him all her little tricks, I’m sure.” “How wonderful! I believe it is time to dispatch her.” “Of course. Once the Galactic 7 lands, I’ll deal with her at once.” “No, send her to me. I have... unfinished business with her.” Fearing for my survival, I fled Coleman’s headquarters. _____________________________________________________________ Prologue Pt.2 [Demi] I heard my room’s alarm beeping, telling me that I had a message from Coleman. Unfortunately for them, I was long gone. The moment the Galactic 7 landed, I had changed into my special missions suit, and took off. I snuck out of the spaceship and into the woods behind it. It wasn’t long before the emergency alarm was heard, and the loud thumping of footsteps followed. Commander Coleman had finally realized that I had disappeared, and now search teams have been released. There will be too many soldiers for me to fight off, so I grabbed a few stones, and hurled them at the tree branches. They came tumbling down, laying false trails. A few seconds later, nothing happened. They must have taken the baits. However, a few false trails can only work for so long. I heard voices, and knew instantly that they have spotted me. I looked behind me. One search team was tailing me already, and another was about to surround me. They’re too close... But I must do what I have to do to survive. I let go of my humanity... and ran... ____________________________________________________________ Prologue Pt.3 [Alex]\ I was passing Commander Coleman’s headquarters when I saw him talking to a redheaded woman. I was too far away to eavesdrop, but I heard, “...dispatch Demi.” I’m not going to let anyone hurt Demi, but does she know? I have to warn her! When I heard the emergency alarms blaring, I knew that Demi had escaped. I was able to disguise myself as one of the search teams, and sneak away from the main party. I was able to catch up with her, but saw that she was being surrounded by 2 search teams. I ran a little ways ahead of them, and saw Demi run. A couple of the men gave shouts of surprise, but I wasted no time. “Help!” I ran straight into the men closest to Demi, acting as if I was running away from Demi. Before my vision was swarmed by black bodies, I thought I saw her nod in acknowledgement. “What are you doing, you simpleton?” I looked up, and remembered that I was still dressed as a search team member, and looked up. “You’re supposed to go after her, not away from her. Get up! After her!” The team followed the leader into the woods, but of course, without a Demi to follow, their actions would be in vain. I knew, though, that Demi would never go deeper into the woods. She would be headed for water. The dead opposite direction. I scrambled to my feet, and chased after her. By the time, I caught up with her, she had slowed down to a humane pace. “Hey.” “Hey.” She smiled. “I saw what you did back there. Thanks.” “No prob.” We ran together in silence. “Did you know about my...” Demi trailed off. “Your dispatchment? Yeah.” I said. “You know th
means that I’ll have to go into hiding.” “Yeah.” “And that we’ll probably never see each other again?” “Yeah.” Silence. “Look,” I say, “I’ll miss you, and if I get the chance, I’ll come looking for you. Promise.” “Don’t get yourself killed because of me, Alex. I won’t be able to bear it.” “I know.” A giant waterfall was coming into view. “I guess it’s time to say good bye.” “Alex...” “I know, we won’t be able see each other again, and all that, I know.” “No, Alex, it’s just...” “What?” “I love you.” “I love you, too. Stay safe.” “You, too.” Only one search team member was guarding the waterfall. Idiots. “I’ll distract him, you’ll get away.” “I’ll never forget you, Alex. Thank you.” “Me too.” I ran up to the guard, and pretended to slip on the puddles, bowling the guard over. As I fell, I saw Demi dive into the water. I knew that I will remember every little detail of today, forever. From the spray from the falls, the ache of my body, her determination on her face, to our very last words. Therefore I knew that I never promised that I’ll never go looking for her... _____________________________________________________________ Chapter 1: 5 years later... I was standing, looking at the view from my sky unit. Cryso’s atmosphere and natural amethyst mountains casted a soft violet and strawberry pink glow to the environment. Demi would’ve liked it. Her favorite colors was violet, turquoise, and spindrift... Ping. I looked to one side of the glass. A gentle, but electronic voice said, “Excuse me, Alex. Commander Coleman would like to see you.” Along with it, electric blue letter glowed across the glass. I sighed, but computers wait for no man. “Would you like to allow him to enter?” “Yes, Keira.” “Of course, Alex.” I heard the sky unit’s doors hissed open, and Commander Coleman walked in. He was wearing a gleaming white commander’s suit, adorned with many medals. Apparently, he just returned from ceremonies since his gloves were nowhere to be seen. I turned around, and saluted him. “Keira?” “Yes, Alex?” “Please pull up 2 chairs; 1 for Commander Coleman, and the other for me.” “Of course, Alex.” More hissing and 2 pale blue plush chairs unfolded from hidden compartments in the floor and floated over to Commander Coleman and I. “2 chairs, Commander Coleman and Alex.” “Thank you, Keira.” Coleman strode over to one of the chairs, and immediately plopped right in. “Ah, thanks Alex, my man.” I sat in the other, and the headset immediately adjusted to fit my head. “Is there something you want to talk to me about, sir?” I asked, using my thoughts to float across to him. Sipping his soda, Coleman said, “Well, I understand that it may still be raw. Is it?” Trying to act confused, I asked, “What is still raw, sir?” “Why, Demi, of course. Her disappearance, her betrayal to the team, so on?...” I remained silent, a glass of water springing from the floor beside me. “She was your best friend, after all.” After a while of contemplating of what to say, I slowly replied, “I have to admit that I think about her a lot, sir.” “And what do you think of her?” Coleman inquired. Something’s up. “I wonder what had she done to run away from the team, sir. Probably something terrible that could affect the team and the universe, sir.” “So, there isn’t any grief for her?” “No, sir,” I lie, “Only the rawness of her betrayal is left.” I clench my fists, in attempt to look like I was restraining my fury. “Ah.” Coleman looked satisfied. “Then I suppose it is safe to tell you.” “Tell me what, sir?” I was puzzled. “We believe, that she may still be out there, surviving, maybe even starting up the rebellions. If we plan our movements exactly, we may be able to capture her. Do you understand?” He directed his chair over to mine, and lifted my chin so I had to meet his eyes. “Any emotion can not interfere with this mission. Understood?” Mustering up all the courage and seriousness I can, I replied firmly, “Of course, sir.” “Very well.” Coleman stood up, and the chair folded on itself, and sunk into the floor. “Planning start tomorrow at 7, at my HQ. Don’t be late.” I get up as well. “Yes sir,” I said, saluting. Coleman nodded, and walked out of my sky unit, the doors hissing behind him. I walk over to the glass looking out at Crysonian Mountains. Today was Demi’s birthday. I try as hard as possible to make this as a gift. There is no way, I’m ever going to help them capture Demi. _____________________________________________________________ Chapter 2: Beep, beep, beep. “Good morning, Alex. Remember, Commander Coleman would like to see you today, at 7, at his HQ. “Thank you, Keira.” “Glad to be of service, Alex.” I take a quick shower, and dressed into my navy blue officer’s uniform. “Keira, please activate mirror mode on the west wall,” I said. “Of course, Alex.” The left wall shimmered, then reflected me and the rest of the room. I strode over to it, and did the once over. I looked presentable, oh. I smoothed down a wave of hair that loved to stick up
